Best Christmas Getaways In The World

Christmas holidays are the most magical part of the year. Whether you love to do staycation with your family or looking for the perfect Christmas getaway to spend some good times with your loved ones, take the glimpse of these magnificent Christmas getaways from the eyes of 16 amazing travelers from around the world and get some inspiration!

From snowy white Christmas to the fairy tale Christmas and from the old market Christmas towns to the luxurious resorts and the splendid beaches, no matter what sort of Christmas memories you wish to create this year, one of these holiday getaways will certainly hit the mark!

1) Vienna, Austria

By Sheri Leinfellner from A Busy Bees Life

My favorite place for a Christmas getaway is Vienna, Austria. Aside from being named the world’s most livable city for the 7th time in a row, Vienna has so much beauty and architecture to offer for a perfect Austria vacation. Christmas in Vienna is the greatest time to walk through Vienna’s prettiest squares which have been transformed into world-famous magical Christmas markets. Enjoy the Christmas tree decorations, handicrafts, culinary treats, confectionery as well as delicious mulled wine. A stunning must see for anyone in Europe. Austria as a whole has amazing locations for visiting during the Winter season.

2) St. Augustine, FL, USA

By Robin Draper from Authentic Florida

My favorite Christmas getaway is St. Augustine, the Nation’s oldest city and a Florida wonderland during the holiday season when more than 3 million white lights reflect the city’s 450-year history. Sparkling lights illuminate the ancient city that traces its origins to the Spanish tradition of displaying a white candle in the window during the Christmas holidays. The spectacular lighting display, called the Nights of Lights, is aglow as historic buildings, museums, local businesses, the Bridge of Lions, the city’s bayfront walkway, hotels, bed & breakfast inns and private residences are lit from the ground to the rooftops.

3) Prague, Czech Republic

By  Shandos Cleaver from Travelnuity

Prague is a fairy-tale destination year-round, with its historic castle, narrow cobbled streets and centuries-old buildings. But during Christmas time, an extra sprinkling of fairy dust is added, especially if it happens to snow. Christmas markets fill up the squares, perfect for last minute gifts or enjoying the street food, while catching a performance of The Nutcracker at the State Opera House is a delight.

4) Edinburgh, Scotland

By Rashmi & Chalukya from Go Beyond Bounds

Every Christmas the Scot capital Edinburgh brightens up with a huge Christmas Market in the old town of Edinburgh. The popular highlight of this festive market in Princes Street Gardens are the Big Wheel, charming carousel, an ice rink and more than 100 stalls. Visitors are spoilt for a myriad of choice of delicious food and drinks and traditional crafts for a shopping spree. Kids can have their share of fun in Santa Land a special Christmas Market for kids with fun rides and a market full of gifts and toys.

5) Munich, Germany

By Kacey Mya from The Drifter Collective

While Oktoberfest is an event you should definitely have on your bucket list, Munich is also a city that shouldn’t be missed during the Christmas season. You’ll find a winter wonderland in the Chriskindlmarkt of the Marienplatz, complete with handmade goodies and Glühwein (hot, mulled wine). Plus, the chance to explore the beautiful churches decked out with traditional, handmade straw ornaments called strohsterne. You’ll feel like you’ve gone back in time fifty years in the best way, all while in the shadow of the Bavarian Alps. It’s the stuff of dreams.

6) Toronto, Canada

By Tracey Pictor from Journal of a City Girl

As a girl that grew up in the sunshine of southern Africa, experiencing a traditional Christmas, like the ones portrayed on all the holiday greeting cards, cold and snowy, wrapped up warm by a fireplace and shimmering streets dusted white was a distant dream. Toronto was the one that handed me that gift for the very first time. The magical thing about Christmas in Toronto is they have all the trimmings, twinklings and age-old traditions you want without the crowds. Many locals flock south whilst Europe and New York attract the tourists looking to experience a festive winter wonderland.

7) Sydney, Australia

By Kate-Frankie Brennan from This Could Lead To Anywhere

Sydney is one of the most vibrant cities to enjoy Christmas. The east coast of Australia has fantastic sunny, hot weather during December and Sydney is adorned with lights and decorations. Leading up to Christmas, I went to a lovely carol service, enjoyed a barbeque on the beach and felt festive even in the heat. Best of both worlds!

8) New York City, USA

By Rosi Corney from Rosi Escapes

Where else can you experience the beauty of the famous big Christmas tree, great shows and lots of tourists… New York City. This city turns into a spectacular place with outdoor ice skating with Christmas tree view at Rockefeller Center and great Broadway shows and of course Radio City Music Hall with the Rockettes. Yes! it is crowded beyond relief, but who cares it’s the Big Apple!

9) Copenhagen, Denmark

By Jennifer from World On A Whim 

I am all about embracing the cold, wintery feeling of Christmas and love to celebrate the holidays in the charming towns of Europe filled with the best Christmas markets. However, many Christmas markets actually close on the 24th, but Tivoli Gardens in Copenhagen, Denmark is open all day until midnight!  Not only do you get the charming market atmosphere with festive cheer and holiday lights, but you also get the fun and adrenaline that comes with the territory at an amusement park.  I created a winter break itinerary in Europe so that you can make the most out of your holiday season (and then travel to a warm beach locale come late January/February when you are really sick of the cold)!

10) Melbourne, Australia

By Sabrina Barbante from In My Suitcase

If you come from the boreal hemisphere, where Christmas is a white Christmas or kind of, being in Melbourne for Christmas is a unique experience also from the sensory point of view. Replace the smell of tangerines with that of the summer vegetation and sweaters with the clothes of the finest linen. Yet the Christmas tree is always a fir tree and the cribs are always covered with snow… so an imaginary displacement is what you’ll experience, in one of the most beautiful cities in the world.

11) Cameron House, Loch Lomond, UK

By Sima Sthanakiya from The Curious Pixie

If you ever fancy a quintessential Scottish Christmas look no further than Cameron House in Loch Lomond. We spent a magical Christmas family getaway at the luxurious hotel and were blown away by the hospitality and warmth. From Scottish bagpipes on arrival, dapper doormen dressed in tartan, roaring fires, story time with Mrs Claus to Father Christmas arriving by speedboat across the loch. Four days later we left with unforgettable memories.

12) Goa, India

By Rachel Jones from Hippie in Heels

My favorite Christmas getaway is in Goa where I am based most of the year. Goa, India is a paradise on the SouthEast. There are many restaurants on the clifftops over looking the beach below and palm trees. It can get crowded here so it’s best to book ahead for lodging and even restaurant reservations. Because many Indians here are Christian there is still a Christmas spirit around. There’s nothing better than spending the holidays at the beach!

13) Scrub Island Resort, Spa & Marina, British Virgin Islands

By Amy West from Amy West Travel

When it comes to Christmas, getting away from the hustle and bustle and escaping to a private island is my fantasy come true. From the moment your feet touch the island you are enveloped in a luxurious tropical paradise. Dine in style, rejuvenate at the spa, or get active  snorkeling, diving, or ocean kayaking. Escape the cold and celebrate the holidays with loved ones in the lap of Caribbean luxury.

14) Bali, Indonesia

By Hannah Lukaszewicz from GettingStamped

One of my favorite Christmas getaways was to Bali, there are so many amazing things to do in Bali but building a snowman on the beach on Christmas Day was magical. I am from cold snowy Wisconsin and spending Christmas in a bikini on the beach was a dream come true. Instead of snow angels, I made sand angels!

15) Osthoff Resort, Elkhart Lake, Wisconsin, USA

By Penny Sadler from Adventures of a Carry-On

I recently discovered the Osthoff Resort, on the shores of Elkhart Lake, Wisconsin–an historic hotel featuring a holistic spa with meditation room, L’Ecole cooking school, indoor pool, fitness center,  crafts for the kids, plush and comfy furniture, warm dark woods, a crackling fire, and a floor-to-ceiling tree, all beckon friends and family to gather round and get into the Christmas spirit.  And don’t miss the old world Christmas market — a tradition for 20 years!

16) Las Vegas, Nevada, USA

My favorite Christmas getaway

Las Vegas is the city full of life but during Christmas holidays, you will see the magnificent display of decorations and celebrations larger than life. In a city that loves bright, twinkly lights all year round, the Christmas holidays are the perfect excuse to step up the bling factor with beautifully designed holiday displays. From the splendid Christmas decorations, festivities and celebrations to the never ending exciting parties and lavish hotels, the Sin-City reaches to a different level during Christmas holiday season.

Which is your favorite Christmas getaway that you’ve ever visited?  If not, which destination from the above list would you love to visit for a Christmas getaway? Do share in the comments below!

Happy Holidays!

Cheers!
Ana

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