Not everyone dreams of chestnuts roasting on an open fire at home during the festive season. For some, Christmas represents the perfect opportunity to escape routine and explore new horizons while the rest of the world is busy untangling lights and arguing over who gets the last mince pie.
Whether you’re looking to embrace winter wonderlands or escape the cold entirely, the holiday season offers unique travel experiences that simply aren’t available at other times of the year. Places transform themselves with twinkling lights, seasonal traditions, and a special kind of magic that even the most determined Grinch would find hard to resist.
Ready to trade your familiar surroundings for something more adventurous this Christmas? Here are five ideas that might just become your new holiday tradition.
Explore the Slopes on a Ski Trip
There’s something undeniably magical about spending Christmas surrounded by snow-capped mountains. Alpine resorts across Europe and North America pull out all the stops during the festive season, combining world-class skiing with charming holiday traditions that make even non-skiers fall in love with mountain life.
Christmas resort ski holidays are a classic choice for an end-of-the-year trip, whether you’re travelling with your family or looking for a romantic getaway. Picture yourself gliding down pristine slopes by day, then returning to a lodge where crackling fires, twinkling lights, and the scent of mulled wine create the perfect atmosphere for holiday celebrations.
Many resorts offer special Christmas events, from torchlight descents where skilled skiers create rivers of light flowing down the mountains to visits from Santa arriving by snowmobile rather than sleigh. For those seeking the perfect blend of activity and festive atmosphere, snowsports destinations like Zermatt in Switzerland, Aspen in Colorado, or Niseko in Japan offer world-class slopes alongside enchanting holiday celebrations that feel worlds away from ordinary life.
Embrace the Festivities in New York
New York City during the holidays isn’t just a destination – it’s a full-sensory immersion into Christmas. From the towering Rockefeller Centre Christmas tree to the elaborate window displays along Fifth Avenue that require nearly a year of planning, the city transforms into a winter playground that makes visitors feel like they’ve stepped into their favourite festive movie.
Ice skating in Central Park offers a quintessential New York Christmas experience, complete with the city’s iconic skyline twinkling in the background as holiday music fills the air. Culinary experiences range from simple pleasures like roasted chestnuts to elaborate holiday tasting menus at world-renowned restaurants, where reservations made months in advance reward diners with unforgettable Christmas feasts.
There’s something magical about being part of the holiday energy that seems to radiate from the very sidewalks of such an iconic city. The city’s diverse neighbourhoods each put their own spin on holiday traditions – from the elegant Upper East Side with its classic decorations to Brooklyn’s more eclectic interpretations, ensuring that every walk reveals new festive surprises.
Visit German Christmas Markets
The Germans didn’t invent Christmas markets, but they’ve certainly perfected them over centuries of tradition. A great idea for a Christmas holiday is to explore the country’s festive wonderlands where the scent of gingerbread and glühwein mingles with the crisp winter air and the sound of carols.
These markets transform medieval town squares into enchanted villages where artisans sell handcrafted ornaments, toys, and gifts that put mass-produced alternatives to shame. Food becomes an experience in itself, with market stalls offering regional specialities like flame-grilled salmon, kartoffelpuffer (potato pancakes) served with applesauce, and countless varieties of wurst.
Each region puts its own spin on the tradition, from Nuremberg’s strict adherence to historical practices to Berlin‘s more contemporary takes. For those seeking the quintessential Christmas market experience, smaller cities like Rothenburg ob der Tauber or Heidelberg offer particularly charming settings, where half-timbered buildings dusted with snow create backdrops that no shopping mall could ever hope to replicate.
Get Cosy in a Chateau in France
Ever wondered what it would be like to celebrate Christmas like royalty? Renting a chateau in the French countryside might be the closest most of us will get to finding out.
These historic properties transform into festive havens during winter, with roaring fireplaces, elegant decorations, and grounds that look like they’ve been sprinkled with diamond dust after a December frost. If you’re looking to sink into luxury over the Christmas period, private tours of France and exclusive stays in historic buildings are just the ticket.
What makes a chateau Christmas particularly special is the blend of grandeur and intimacy. These spaces were designed for celebration, yet offer cosy corners where small groups can gather for games, conversation, or simply to watch snow falling gently on centuries-old gardens.
Chase the Sun in the Maldives
For some, the perfect Christmas involves trading snow boots for bare feet and hot chocolate for cocktails. The Maldives offers precisely this escape, with temperatures hovering around a perfect 28°C while most of Europe and North America shiver through the winter.
These island paradises take on a subtly festive atmosphere during December. Spending Christmas Day snorkelling among vibrant coral reefs or lounging in an overwater bungalow offers a completely different perspective on the holiday, one where relaxation takes priority over frantic preparation.
The absence of commercial Christmas pressure allows guests to reconnect with what matters most – time with loved ones in a setting so beautiful it hardly seems real. Wouldn’t you rather be watching the sun set over the Indian Ocean than washing a mountain of dishes after Christmas dinner?
Ready to Plan Your Christmas Break?
Christmas away from home offers more than just a change of scenery. It provides an opportunity to experience the season through fresh eyes, creating memories that stand apart from the blur of holidays past.
Whether embracing winter’s full glory on snowy slopes, experiencing centuries-old traditions in European markets, diving into the extravagance of New York, enjoying the refined elegance of French chateau life, or rejecting winter altogether on tropical shores, these alternative celebrations can bring new meaning to the season. After all, home for the holidays doesn’t necessarily mean your physical house – sometimes it’s a feeling you discover halfway around the world.
