with the Christmas festivities fast approaching, it's well past time to start planning your end-of-year vacations. Having delivered our top 10 cities to spend the festive season in, where else could we go this Christmas? From Christmas markets to sunny destinations on the other side of the globe, from ski vacations to budget spots, here are a few travel suggestions to make your Christmas festivities truly unforgettable. So where can you go on vacation this Christmas? Follow the guide!
Where to go for Christmas in the sun?
The Bahamas? A destination that instantly conjures up dreams of idleness! Located between Florida and Cuba, the Bahamas are the epitome of elegant idleness, with their fine sandy beaches, turquoise waters and coconut palms. This group of coral islands, dedicated to tourism, stretches across the Atlantic Ocean, with over 700 islands and islets, some uninhabited and others with luxurious resorts. The most famous are Grand Bahama and Paradise Island. The Bahamas, committed to tourism, takes great care of its environment, which is rich in unique biodiversity. The Bahamas National Trust now protects some 260,000 hectares of land and sea. Divers particularly appreciate the Andros coral reef, the largest of the islands, the black coral gardens near Bimini, and of course, the Thunderball cave, made famous by its use in certain scenes of James Bond films. Watch out for the bill! But a vacation in the Bahamas at Christmas is priceless!
A tropical country in the Indian Ocean, the Maldives comprise 26 ring-shaped atolls, home to over 1,000 coral islands. To reach your island-hotel from the capital Malé, you take a seaplane - an unforgettable experience! What better way to celebrate Christmas? Flying over the atolls is a unique part of your stay in the Maldives. And a gift to boot! The seaplane lands on the lagoon, and you then board a dhoni, a small traditional fishing sailboat, to reach the shore of your island, sailing on turquoise waters... an exceptional experience! In the Maldives, the hotels, with their villas on stilts, compete in terms of luxury to make you feel like you're in paradise. Between atolls, beaches, bungalows, coconut palms, daily fresh fish, massages and cruises, the archipelago offers a true paradise experience. Sports enthusiasts can enjoy sea fishing on a dhoni, beach volleyball, canoeing near the coral reef, windsurfing, catamaran sailing, diving or surfing. Don't forget to stop off in Malé, where you can visit the fish market, walk along Majeedhee Magu, the main shopping street, explore the small craft stores and enjoy a meal in a traditional restaurant. Before you know it, it'll be time to get back to your favorite activities, whether diving or simply relaxing in a hammock.
Where to go on Christmas vacations in France?
Nestled in the heart of the picturesque Tarentaise valley, the renowned Les Arcs ski resort is renowned for being part of the world's second largest ski area, Paradiski. The resort stands out for its avant-garde architecture, harmoniously blending modernity with respect for the mountain landscape. This architectural concept is the fruit of the collaboration of several talented architects and designers. Les Arcs comprises five villages perched at different altitudes: Arc 2000, Arc 1950, Arc 1800, Arc 1600 and Bourg-Saint-Maurice. A funicular links the Bourg-Saint-Maurice SNCF railway station to the heart of Les Arcs in just ten minutes, offering fast and spectacular access to each of the snowy spots that will make your vacation a dream come true at Christmas time and the stroke of midnight!
Wondering where to take your family skiing for less? Discover our top 15 resorts!
A corner of paradise in the Indian Ocean and an ideal playground for hiking enthusiasts, Reunion Island is a jewel that's just a few hours' flight from mainland France. Nicknamed the "Intense Island". The eyes delight in the sight of the waves of the coral reef crashing on the variegated beaches of l'Ermitage, Saint-Pierre, Grande-Anse and Boucan-Canot. Your ears are lulled by the lively rhythm of Séga and the intensity of Maloya, the ancestral song of the slaves. Then it's on to the coast, where the markets daily display a profusion of exotic fruits and vegetables. Under the scorching end-of-year sun, you can also enjoy the freshness of the waterfalls of Salazie, Langevin or Saint-Benoît. Finally, along the coast, the intoxicating aroma of frangipani tickles the nostrils, completing the charm of the heart. From the beaches to the mountain peaks, Réunion offers some of the most rugged scenery on the island, with the highest peak, Piton des Neiges, at 3,070 m, the ideal place to watch the sun rise in the east or set in the west. From here, above the sea of clouds, the silhouette of the Piton de la Fournaise can be seen, whose eruptions are a delight for lucky travellers. What a wonderful Christmas! Discover our dedicated article "What to do on Reunion Island? Les 13 incontournables"!
Where to go on Christmas vacations on a budget?
Spending Christmas in Reims promises a unique experience, with its cathedral, sound and light show, stores, restaurants and Christmas market. Every year, over 150 wooden chalets take over the high sidewalks of Jean-Louis Schneiter and the esplanade of the Porte de Mars. Embellished with festive decorations and the creations of local artisans, the gourmet market on the parvis de la Gare offers a delectation of locally-produced delicacies and local specialties. Younger visitors can immerse themselves in the fairytale atmosphere of the Children's Kingdom and meet Santa Claus at the Foire de Noël et des Rois in the Chaussée Bocquaine parking lot. To the sound of Christmas carols, enjoy the exceptional spectacle that illuminates the cathedral and climb aboard the Ferris wheel on Place d'Erlon to contemplate the sublime panorama of the city's snow-covered rooftops. Discover the 15 must-do things to do in Reims for a top vacation!
Even at the end of the year, Agadir is a major tourist center, a symbol of the seaside resorts of southern Europe. The city enjoys an exceptional climate, with 300 days of sunshine a year and moderate temperatures all year round. What better way to celebrate Christmas? What's more, Agadir is one of Morocco's leading fishing ports. Devastated by an earthquake in 1960, the town was completely rebuilt with the avowed aim of developing tourism. Agadir has thus seen the emergence of mass tourism, identifiable by the color of the bracelets given to travelers by hotels. If your aspiration is to relax by the pool, you've come to the right place. You have two options: opt for a family vacation in a luxury hotel with a few excursions, or consider Agadir simply as a starting point for exploring the region, from the charming seaside villages to the Paradise Valley, via the heights and their argan tree fields. The town is also the starting point for the Grand Sud!
Where to spend Christmas with your family?
Where to go for Christmas? Lapland is a unique destination with no clearly defined borders, shared mainly between Finland, Norway, Sweden and Russia. It's a land where nature reigns supreme, offering wild, deserted stretches as far as the eye can see. Animals such as bears, reindeer, eagles, whales and salmon can be found here. Landscapes range from plains to forests, from tundra to fjords, from cliffs to lakes. A place of tales and legends, home to trolls and Santa Claus's house in Rovaniemi. It's also home to the Saami, an indigenous people whose traditions remain deeply rooted. Today, they fight to defend and represent their interests in today's society, notably through the Sami Parliament. These are the images of Lapland that one discovers when exploring these lands of the Far North. In winter, activities such as skiing and sleigh-riding take pride of place on an ever-present blanket of snow, while the magic of Christmas permeates every village. Up in the sky, you can also watch the fantastic spectacle of the northern lights. After all, what could be better for Christmas Eve?
Stretches of turquoise beaches, luxury hotels, impeccably groomed golf courses and Michelin-starred restaurants... These are the idyllic images that spontaneously spring to mind when consulting a tourist guide to the Dominican Republic. However, the island of Hispaniola abounds in many other treasures. Another of the Dominican Republic's riches lies in its multicultural population and its intoxicating music, which can be heard everywhere and at all hours. Passionate dances, from merengue to bachata, punctuate evenings as much as national celebrations. And what better place to celebrate Christmas than with fellow countrymen? Las Terrenas is well known to the French, who were among the first investors in local tourism. Their choice was a wise one, as the region has undergone significant development over the last few decades, becoming a veritable tourist gem. The miles of white sandy beaches and clear, warm waters, protected by a coral reef, continue to attract new travellers. Merry Christmas!
Welcome to New York, the perfect Christmas destination! As soon as you arrive at the airport, you'll be excited to discover its landmarks, from the Empire State Building to the Brooklyn Bridge, the Statue of Liberty, Wall Street, Broadway and Fifth Avenue... These legendary sites are sure to enchant you, but New York also has a thousand other surprises in store. And it's all the more magical as the festive season approaches. At the end of November, the city is decked out in its most elegant finery. Christmas markets in Bryant Park, Union Square and Williamsburg offer an enchanting atmosphere, with an irresistible scent of cinnamon hot chocolate. But you don't have to go that far to see the most beautiful Christmas markets. From the decorated windows of 5th Avenue to the legendary Christmas tree at Rockefeller Center, New York obviously doesn't do things by halves when it comes to celebrating Christmas. Recommended activities for the evening of December 25 include the spectacular Rockettes show at Radio City Music Hall, the Nutcracker ballet at Lincoln Center, a visit to the sumptuous illuminated houses of Dyker Heights in Brooklyn, and last but not least, mass at the Cathedral of St. John the Divine. Happy holidays! If you're spending several days in New York, check out our dedicated article "What to do in New York in 4 days? Itinerary tips" to help you organize your stay.
Where to go for Christmas in Europe?
Madrid is all about great museums, legendary soccer clubs, inevitably royal visits, tapas bars by the thousands... But it's also a constant fiesta atmosphere: Madrid never sleeps. At any hour, you can find a supermarket open, a place to buy clothes or a bar packed to the rafters. Here, there's no need to turn up at nightclubs before 3am. Madrilenians prefer to enjoy the atmosphere of the bars late into the evening. And, for Madrileños, Christmas is a magical time. At the end of November, the capital lights up with decorations all over the city. Nearly a hundred streets in the capital are illuminated. A double-decker bus, the Naviluz (run by the Madrid City Tour company), takes you on a tour of Madrid's most beautiful decorations. Typical craft markets also populate Madrid's squares. The most popular and enchanting is without doubt the one in Plaza Mayor. And all over the city, nativity scenes are set up all over the place.
Rome is a veritable open-air museum, a tourist city immortalized by its churches, cathedrals, basilicas and remains of Roman temples, but also synonymous with the dolce vita. A city of art and the art of living, it's easy to imagine vespas wending their way through pedestrian streets, terraces sprawling across pretty squares. An epic, monumental city, it is as chaotic as it is bewitching... In the city of emperors, saints and film stars, every street, fountain and garden hides a story, an anecdote or secret from Antiquity to the present day. What's more, Rome abounds with cafés, trattorie, fashion boutiques and artisan workshops in every one of its neighborhoods. As for Roman gastronomy, it has a long history: elevated to the rank of an art form, it has managed to retain its family character, reminiscent of meals at the mamma' s house! At the end of the year, the city's biggest Christmas market is held throughout December in Piazza Navona . Artists and troubadours perform street shows. In addition to a variety of delicacies, the stalls feature figurines of the Befana, the broom-wielding witch who, according to popular tradition, distributes sweets in the socks of well-behaved children and coal in those of rascals. The market closes on January 6, Epiphany Day, with the arrival of a flesh-and-blood Befana who hands out presents to young and old alike. Spending 3 or 4 days in Rome and wondering how to get around? Check out our 3-day itinerary for Rome! Also check out our article dedicated to The 14 best rooftops for a drink in Rome.
Dresden, the "Florence of the Elbe", is Saxony's leading tourist destination, particularly popular with lovers of classical culture. Its Baroque ensemble, built on the right bank of the Elbe by the Electors of Saxony and the Kings of Poland, remains unique in the world. The museums, many of which were established by the enlightened Saxon prince-electors, house priceless treasures, forming one of the most outstanding collections in Germany. Above all, the Striezelmarkt Christmas market, a truly enchanting institution, attracts crowds of visitors from Germany and abroad every year. The charming wooden chalets offer a multitude of activities: local gastronomic delights (don't miss the famous Christmas cake, Christstollen), mulled wine with spices (Glühwein), Saxon handicrafts, and wooden Christmas decorations from the Metalliferous Mountains near Dresden... A real Christmas tale for children and parents alike!
