Yesterday, we wrote about getting reasonable prices for travel during the holiday season. Today, we suggest some of the most fascinating places to visit during the holiday season. We’ve been to six of the following locations, but writing this today inspires us to visit some of the others when we travel during the holidays in the future.
The best countries to visit for Christmas offer a mix of enchanting traditions, festive atmospheres, and winter wonderlands. Depending on whether you’re seeking snow-covered landscapes or a more tropical Christmas, here are some top destinations that stand out during the holiday season:
1. Germany – Magical Christmas Markets
Germany is known for its Christmas markets (Weihnachtsmärkte), an absolute must-see. Cities like Nuremberg, Dresden, and Cologne transform into festive wonderlands with market stalls selling mulled wine, gingerbread, and handmade crafts. The atmosphere is warm despite the cold, with sparkling lights and carols filling the air.
- Highlights: Nuremberg Christkindlesmarkt, Berlin’s Christmas Markets, charming small towns like Rothenburg ob der Tauber.
- Vibe: Traditional, cozy, nostalgic.
2. Austria – Snowy Splendor and Classical Music
Austria’s alpine villages are perfect for a fairytale Christmas. The city of Vienna sparkles with lights, and you can enjoy classical concerts featuring Christmas compositions. The mountain towns, like Innsbruck or Salzburg, offer snow-capped peaks, making them perfect for skiing enthusiasts.
- Highlights: Vienna’s Rathausplatz market, Salzburg’s Silent Night Chapel, ice skating, and opera.
- Vibe: Elegant, serene, and snowy.
3. Finland – Home of Santa Claus
If you want to visit Santa’s actual home, head to Rovaniemi in Finnish Lapland. You can meet Santa, ride in a reindeer-drawn sleigh, and watch the Northern Lights. The snow-covered forests and the remote wilderness make for a truly magical Christmas.
- Highlights: Santa Claus Village, husky sledding, staying in a glass igloo under the auroras.
- Vibe: Mystical, remote, childlike wonder.
4. Iceland – Nature’s Winter Wonderland
While Iceland doesn’t have as many traditional Christmas markets, it offers stunning winter landscapes like waterfalls turned into ice sculptures and the Blue Lagoon under snowflakes. Reykjavik’s Christmas lights and the country’s folklore, with 13 mischievous Yule Lads, bring a different kind of magic.
- Highlights: Northern Lights, Golden Circle tours, Christmas Yule Lads.
- Vibe: Rugged, mystical, untouched.
5. USA – Big Cities or Mountain Escapes
The U.S. offers a diverse range of Christmas experiences. For those who love city lights and window displays, New York City’s Rockefeller Christmas tree, ice skating in Central Park, and extravagant store displays is iconic. If you prefer a more rustic and snowy experience, towns like Aspen, Colorado, or Jackson Hole, Wyoming, are beautiful for a cozy Christmas in the mountains.
- Highlights: NYC holiday lights, ski resorts in Colorado, small-town Christmas in New England.
- Vibe: Grand, festive, variety.
6. Japan – A Unique Twist on Christmas
Christmas in Japan has a different flavor, as it’s not a traditional holiday. However, cities like Tokyo go all out with light displays, festive cakes, and KFC, which is oddly a Christmas tradition. You won’t find the same religious or family-focused atmosphere, but the illuminations are stunning.
- Highlights: Tokyo’s light displays, Christmas cake, shopping in Ginza.
- Vibe: Modern, sparkling, quirky.
7. Mexico – Colorful and Joyful Celebrations
Mexico offers vibrant and culturally rich Christmas traditions. Known for Las Posadas, a reenactment of Mary and Joseph’s journey, the celebrations include piñatas, music, and feasts. In cities like Mexico City and Oaxaca, the streets come alive with lights and local markets.
- Highlights: Las Posadas, Nochebuena festivities, fireworks.
- Vibe: Festive, lively, community-focused.
8. Switzerland – Charming Alpine Christmas
Switzerland’s alpine scenery, with its pristine snow, makes for a postcard-perfect Christmas. Cities like Lucerne and Zurich have traditional Christmas markets, while ski resorts like Zermatt offer breathtaking views of the Swiss Alps. You can also indulge in Swiss chocolates and fondue after a day on the slopes.
- Highlights: Skiing in the Alps, Christmas markets, cozy mountain chalets.
- Vibe: Serene, luxurious, wintry.
9. Italy – Religious and Cultural Celebrations
Christmas in Italy is deeply rooted in religious tradition, with Rome being a popular destination for attending the Pope’s Christmas Eve Mass. The nativity scenes are a big deal nationwide, especially in towns like Naples, known for its handcrafted figures. Coastal towns like Sorrento offer a warmer holiday vibe, with twinkling lights and festive parades.
- Highlights: Vatican Mass, nativity scenes, Christmas feasts (Feast of the Seven Fishes).
- Vibe: Sacred, family-centered, warm and festive.
10. New Zealand – A Summer Christmas
If you’re looking to escape the cold, New Zealand offers a summer Christmas where you can celebrate on the beach. Towns are decked with decorations, but the warmth invites barbecues and outdoor picnics. Auckland and Wellington are great for Christmas lights and events, while the countryside’s natural beauty offers a peaceful retreat.
- Highlights: Christmas barbecues, beach celebrations, summer festivities.
- Vibe: Relaxed, sunny, refreshing.
Emotional Experience
Wherever you go, Christmas travels bring a unique sense of wonder and nostalgia. Whether you’re seeking snowy landscapes to inspire coziness and togetherness or vibrant cultural celebrations, the season can connect you with local traditions, your loved ones, and even your inner child.
Be well.
Photo from ten years ago today, October 14, 2014:
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| Tom took this photo of the USS Missouri from the launch on his way to World War II Valor in the Pacific National Monument. For more photos, please click here. |
Hi Jessica,
How are you feeling? What are the doctors saying?? What are they doing now?
I miss and love you, your always in my heart.
Love you
Cousin Phyllis