Christmas holidays: these are the 8 most special destinations
Now that Christmas is practically right around the corner (take it easy, Laudonne, it’s literally only mid-November), it’s time for a winter getaway. Of course, you can go to Lapland every year or celebrate Christmas à la Home Alone 2 in New York’s Plaza Hotel. But honestly? We’ve seen that now. I want something different. A Christmas holiday that doesn’t feel like: “oh nice, another Christmas market in Dresden.” A place where Christmas suddenly takes on a different form; stranger, sunnier, more fairy-tale-like, or downright magical. Do you want that too? Then you’re in luck; I just – very coincidentally – gathered the most fun places for you. So pack your bags with Christmas ornaments and move to these destinations that are just a little different. And at least you’ll be somewhere else for Christmas than at your in-laws (which you secretly don’t mind at all).
1. Seychelles
A warm tropical island? At Christmas? If we Do They Know It’s Christmas? are to believe, Christmas belongs under a wool blanket with a mug of hot chocolate. But guess what: Victoria, the capital of the Seychelles, goes harder on Christmas than many European cities. Everywhere lights, Christmas trees, light festivals… It feels like someone accidentally turned the “Christmas mode” to max while the air conditioning is set to 25 degrees.
This is Christmas without snow, but with a beach, palm trees, and enough vitamin D to replenish your entire winter supply. Perfect for anyone who is fed up with the miserable weather here and likes to celebrate Christmas in SPF 50. And yes: I can definitely see myself here. In such a tropical villa with a view of mountains and a garden with palm trees. And for €64.33 p.p. per night, you can’t even get a broom closet in the Netherlands, so, bye, I’m out.
@travelswithingrid Not too late to have Christmas by the Beach🏝️ We spent last year's Christmas holidays exploring the Seychelles and fell in love! I don’t think I have ever seen more beautiful beaches without any people on! Still can’t believe it really🤩 Tag someone you would bring to the Seychelles🔖 #seychelles #ladigue #praslin #tropical #bestbeaches #beautifulbeach #beachvibes #travel #holiday #christmasvacation Christmas in the Seychelles | Seychelles in December
2. Montreal
Do you want to be snowed in, but don’t feel like going to Norway again? Then choose Canada. Montreal is one of the most fun cities to visit during the holidays. You are surrounded by lights, snow, fire pits, and music everywhere. Whether you’re wandering among wooden stalls at the Village de Noël or drinking glühwein at the Great Christmas Market – they celebrate Christmas here like absolute pros. There’s even a Nutcracker Market. How much more Christmas do you want? This city gives you the feeling of stepping into a giant Christmas movie, complete with the smell of warm poutine waiting for you on every corner. Go ice skating or sledding in Parc La Fontaine. This park is truly magical at this time of year. You can even experience a Victorian Christmas in this city. Step back in time in the house of Sir George-Étienne Cartier. Here you get a Christmas tour of the entire house including an etiquette course, a history lesson on how they celebrated Christmas, and… traditional dishes and old drinks like wassail and spiced hot chocolate.
And sleeping in Montreal is done in style. The hotel Chateau de l’Argoat looks a bit like the pink castle in Disneyland Paris. You’re just one kilometer from the center, at a safe distance when you don’t feel like a road trip through all that snow. You can just walk to a nice café. There you are for €56.50 p.p. per night. Or choose another hotel that screams coziness: the ApartHotel van Les Terrasses Saint Urbain. With those gray bricks and bright blue door, you’d almost say you’re stepping into the Tardis. You travel through the universe for €122.33 p.p. per night. Okay, enough with my nerd jokes. You’re here for Christmas vacations.
@chandni_in_mtl It’s December 1st, which means the holiday season is officially here! 🎄 Looking for festive things to do in Montreal? Here are 7 magical activities to get you into the spirit: 1️⃣ Explore the Miniature Christmas Village at 📍Notre-Dame-des-Sept-Douleurs (FREE!) 2️⃣ Snap some pics at the Enchanted Alley on 📍Promenades Wellington (FREE!) 3️⃣ Shop local artisans at the Great Christmas Market in 📍Quartier des Spectacles (free entry) 4️⃣ Cozy up at Belvu’s winter terrace 📍1010 rue de La Gauchetière O. 5️⃣ Experience choir shows, Santa’s Kingdom, and more at 📍Complexe Desjardins 6️⃣ Sip festive drinks at 📍Taverne de Noël, a Christmas-themed bar/café 🎅 7️⃣ Enjoy a magical meal in a heated dome at 📍@Terrasse William Gray ✨ Which one are you adding to your holiday bucket list? Follow for more festive ideas! #fyp #montrealtiktok #christmastiktok #mtltiktok #mtlcity #montrealcity #christmasactivities #christmas
3. Tokyo
Do you really want something different? Then you’re not going to Poland or Norway, but to… Japan. If you thought that Christmas isn’t celebrated in this country, you’re quite mistaken. They don’t celebrate it here out of faith, but purely for the vibes. And what is a truly traditional Christmas dish? (Hold on tight) KFC. Yep. Seriously. It’s a Japanese tradition to enjoy a nice meal at the chicken restaurant during Christmas. In 1974, the manager of the very first Japanese KFC location came up with a special Christmas menu with the slogan “KFC is Christmas”. The campaign was so successful that it has become a tradition to this day: all of Japan enjoys chicken buckets and a strawberry shortcake for dessert during Christmas. It is so popular that you have to make reservations weeks in advance, otherwise you can forget about your Christmas dinner. And Christmas Eve is celebrated a bit differently here: not with gifts, but with a romantic walk. December 24th is actually the Japanese version of Valentine's Day. So definitely go out for dinner, and you'll be surrounded by couples like a true local. Are you still looking for a, let's say, ‘regular’ Christmas outing? Then you should go to the hidden little village of Hokkaido which is located in the woods with wooden cabins, covered in snow and Christmas lights in winter.
Now we know that that flight of nearly twenty hours isn't cheap, but the stay doesn't have to be expensive at all. For example, you can stay at the Tokyu Stay Yotsuya for just €87.50 per person per night. For the- Oh. Want it even cheaper? You can. Then you go to Central Shinjuku, which is less than a kilometer from the center for €47.50 per person per night. And luxury is certainly not a problem in Tokyo. If your wallet is a bit bigger, you can stay in the Illi Enu Yotsuya apartment for €214 per person per night. But then you are in Tokyo for Christmas, so a win is a win.
@cassiedakota christmas in tokyo 🎄❄️ i love having a winter christmas holiday here in japan, as where i’m from in australia it is summer (and it gets uncomfortably hottttt) so to be able to layer up, drink festive hot drinks, and see the christmas illuminations & markets is truly special to me 🥹🫶🏻 #xmasinjapan #christmasinjapan #tokyo #tokyochristmas #tokyoillumination #roppongi #六本木 #christmasmarket
4. Zakopane
Nope, you don't have to go to the North Pole to sink into a meter of snow. Poland does just as well, but cheaper. Zakopane is the winter capital of the country. Think wooden houses, snow, lights, and that warm “traditional Christmas feeling” everywhere. Stay in a nice wooden cabin and let all the Christmas cheer come to you. Go for a good sleigh ride, sit in a steaming hot bath, or arrange a chat with the Polish Santa Claus: Święty Mikołaj. Walk through real Christmas markets while enjoying a view of a big mountain instead of the Westfield Mall (hello Oberhausen). You can find a real traditional market on Krupowki Street, with horse-drawn carriages, wooden stalls, and all. Once you've been here, you'll think you've been to the North Pole. And Lapland? You'll forget about that forever. This is the Christmas destination of 2025. Want to celebrate Christmas in true Polish style? Then join in Kolędy: a Christmas tradition where people in traditional clothing sing Christmas carols from house to house. This way, you can finally see those Christmas carols in real life – and tourists are warmly welcomed to join in.
Is this expensive? No, not at all. You can easily make a last-minute trip here, because with these prices, you hardly need to save. For €99 per person per night, you can stay for three days for just €594 right on the mountain in Villa Taternik. You're four kilometers from the center and two kilometers from the ski lift. That sounds like a Christmas miracle. Want to make it really cheap? Then go to Noclegi Zakopane. This white building that looks like it came from a fairy tale is 3.9 kilometers from the center, 1.4 kilometers from the ski lift, and it only costs you €36 per person per night. That's just not normal. Yes, sorry, but I know where you can find me this Christmas.
@dnadventures This is your sign to visit Zakopane 🇵🇱 this winter! Check out our previous videos for tips, especially if you plan to go with your Doggie 🫶🏽🐶 #DNAdventures #poland #polska #tatry #tatrymountains #tatramountains #tatrypolskie #polishwinter #polishmountains #winter #winter2024 #winterinpoland #polandtravel #traveltiktok #travelwithdog #germanshepherd #traveltiktok #europe #polska #poland🇵🇱
5. The Cotswolds
This might be my favorite destination on this list. Or even my own wishlist: the Cotswolds. It’s not Scandinavia, but England. For those who don’t know this (and have been living under a rock): the Cotswolds is a picturesque, hilly nature reserve. It is known for its beautiful meadows and especially the historical architecture. Because this area was the center of the wool trade in the Middle Ages. You can see that in the picturesque villages with honey-colored limestone cottages – those real English cottages. A house like Iris has in The Holiday. It feels like a fairy tale when you visit one of the villages during Christmas. Think old buildings with cute Christmas lights, Christmas trees, pubs where it seems like time has stood still. You are just a short walk away from independent shops where you can buy the cutest souvenirs and find the finest restaurants. For a real fairytale charm you have to go to Bibury. This village is simply the inspiration behind Christmas cards, with those old buildings covered in moss and the lush surroundings. And honestly? Who wouldn’t want to feel like they are in The Holiday ? I certainly do. So I’ll keep dreaming a bit longer.
For the real Christmas feeling, you go to an inn. The Inn at Fossebridge gives you a true Christmas experience. I could talk for hours about how beautiful this house is with its old brick walls and vintage decor. Here you are right in the Cotswolds for €72.83 per person per night. Want to spend a bit more? Then you go to a bed & breakfast that is built in such an old cottage, like Pytts House Boutique Bed & Breakfast for example. The champagne is chilled and it looks absolutely amazing. This ‘superhost’ is available for €176 per person per night.
@sisterssharingstyle this is your sign to visit the cotsworlds this christmas 💌 #christmasaesthetic #theholiday #thecotsworlds #englishcountryside
6. Madeira
Or you just go celebrate Christmas on an island in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean. That sounds like you’re running away from Christmas, but believe me: Madeira celebrates it hard. Funchal turns into one big light show in December. Literally the entire promenade and harbor are covered in lights as if someone recreated the Christmas version of Las Vegas – but classy. It’s even one of the largest fireworks shows in the world. And those Christmas markets? They are different. Think tropical flowers, local cookies (aka broas de maracujá), punch made from sugar cane, and live music wherever you go. With a temperature around 20 degrees, you can walk around in your dress or blouse while your mind is on Christmas. Wake up a day early to experience a real Portuguese Christmas during Festa da Família en Missas do Parto. That’s quite a mouthful for the Christmas morning masses in the church. Families come together here to eat, drink, dance, and sing Christmas carols. Celebrating Christmas on this island is one big party, with all those Christmas markets and festive people. And that temperature? It stays around 20 degrees, so you can just go to Praia de Machico to lie on the beach.
For the budget travelers (or broke students) among us, Flag Hotel Madeira is your palace. At €42.30 per night and just 50 meters from the center, this is really the place to be. You can also find a four-star hotel there. Vila Gale Santa Cruz, with a pool and ocean view, costs you €84 per night – so that’s not bad. Do you prefer to stay in a cozy country house rather than a standard hotel? Then take a look at Casa Solar dos Reis. This traditional Madeiran house with a pool and garden is nestled in nature like an oasis.
7. Vermont
You might have to make a half-world trip (and change planes three times, because Vermont is not exactly Schiphol-friendly), but wow, this destination is so worth it. Vermont is just Christmas. Period. This town is like a Christmas movie where you expect a golden retriever to come running towards you with a bow around its neck at any moment. Especially Woodstock is the coziest spot with all those streets filled with red ribbons, green garlands, and those classic American porch decorations. This is small-town cuteness at its very best. I want to go to a shopping street with shops where you go in for one souvenir and come out with the whole store. Well, Vermont does that to you. There’s so much to do here; for example, visit the Wassail Weekend in Woodstock: then the whole village turns into a Dickens-like spectacle with horses, carriages, lights, live music, and everyone looking like they just walked out of Little Women a storybook. Or go to Manchester and visit the Lincoln family house which could have been the White House. Mixed with Home Alone, then. Visit various small villages to attend local festivals and Christmas markets, because that’s the best part about this area: the next village is cuter than the last. You can even go skiing here.
As for accommodation, it’s simple: you do that in an old-fashioned inn. Think wooden beams, quilts, a lobby where a fireplace burns 24/7, and warm apple cider waiting for you. At Woodstock Inn & Resort you are simply forced to relax. You can’t even be unfriendly; the interior forbids it. Is it expensive? Yes… €354 per person per night. So this is a, eh, dream scenario, let’s just say. The Shire is more realistic for €106.50 p.p. per night. And you really don't have to skimp on beauty, you know. This hotel is also beautiful, by the water and in the middle of the Vermont forests.
@angellinaroyy love this place #woodstock #vt 🎄🧸⛄️
8. Rovaniemi
Do you really want the Lapland experience without all those tourists? Then you can go to Finnish Lapland for almost the same experience. Huh? Do you have two Laplands? Seriously, yes. You have one in Sweden and one in Finland. The only difference with the Swedish Lapland everyone talks about is that there is more space to live. So you have many more nice villages there. In the Swedish variant, it is very sparsely populated. What can you do here? Well, everything that the Whos from Whoville dream of: sledding through forests, spotting reindeer, petting huskies that pull you, touring through nature around the city on a snowmobile. Go cross-country skiing or on a northern lights excursion.
It now sounds quite like a typical Christmas trip, so what makes this different? Well. You can really get to know the world of Santa Claus here. Go on a sleigh ride with real Christmas elves, visit Santa's favorite reindeer farm or go on a treasure hunt through the white forests to find lost Christmas gifts. And another idea: step out of your comfort zone and learn everything an elf can at the Elf's Training Center. And my favorite? That is definitely the Santa Park to visit. That is literally a Christmas-themed park where you can go into an underground tunnel with elves, bars made of ice, attractions. I'm really getting excited to Eleven watch.
I'll tell you already: this is not a cheap vacation. For an apartment with a private jacuzzi and sauna it will cost you €204.50 p.p. per night. Or you are in a villa aka Cabin Bear's Hide. Staying in a real log cabin is what you want here, right? Surrounded by snow with the fireplace on. With a view of snow-covered mountains while you are in the middle of nature. In this magical place, you can stay overnight for €323 p.p. per night. That's not cheap, but it's really worth it.
@aleksandra10s book that winter trip – snow season and Christmas are just a few months away ❄️🎄✨️ #christmasinjuly #ChristmasVibes #FinlandTravel #SantaVillage #Lapland #ChristmasMagic #WinterWonderland #TravelTiktok #rovaniemi
Have you made it to the end of this article? Congratulations. You have survived this festive travel guide. And now: go book before someone else snatches your dream spot.
