Christmas is evolving. In the past, people would travel out of town to spend the holiday with family. Lately, the traditional Christmas holiday is changing into one, still of travel, but to destinations away from the extended family. Many people are opting for a getaway with the immediate family, for more enjoyable locations without bickering relatives.
If you are single and looking for a place to travel for Christmas, married and want a romantic excursion, or a couple with children looking to get the kids off the living room rug, then here are some of the best places to travel for your Christmas holiday.
Walt Disney World
The happiest place on Earth can be an exhausting one at Christmas – unless you know what to expect. If you enjoy the crowds of people, the excitement and energy large groups can generate, and the plethora of festivities, then Disney World has no rivals at this time of year.
The weather is a little chilly but Disney World is still an enjoyable place to visit in December. Riding the rides is less of a priority than participating in the numerous festivities put on at the park. If you can, plan on staying past Christmas and continue celebrating into the new year. In this respect, Disney World is rivaled only by Times Square in New York for New Year’s celebrations.
New Zealand
Summers in this South Pacific country are amazing. The warmer weather means surfing and adventuring through the Kiwi landscapes. Explore glow worm caves and the shooting sites for The Hobbit and Lord of the Rings movies (they were filmed completely in New Zealand). You can hike through mountains, rainforests, and glaciers; kayak down rivers; and camp in the natural beauty of the country’s forests.
When you are ready to celebrate the holiday, head into town for some unique experiences. There is plenty of local culture, whether you’re visiting Wellington, Christchurch, or Auckland, or any number of small towns or Maori villages.
New Zealanders celebrate with parades just like anywhere else, but with a twist. Santa will often forego the black boots and wear jandals instead (sandals for those of us in the US). They also have a number of Christmas carols specific to New Zealand. Kiwis barbecue their Christmas dinners instead of cooking indoors, so enjoy the local Christmas cuisine.
Paris
It is no wonder this European city is called the City of Lights. Never is it more apparent than at Christmas time when the city is decorated completely in strands of lights and Christmas trees. Every tree, monument, and street is lit up, illuminating Paris throughout the night. Whereas a stroll through this city is normally iconicized as romantic, the Christmas holiday makes it even more so. The cold weather tends to draw couples closer together, for warmth and intimacy.
Couples and families will enjoy skating in one of the many outdoor ice rinks together then touring the Christmas Village near the Eiffel Tower. Christmas markets pop up all over the city for some festive holiday shopping, perfect for picking up special ornaments, artwork and craft items, or ingredients for your perfect Parisian Christmas dinner.
Home
This is still the best place to travel to for Christmas! If you have family in another city or state, or even another country, there is no better place to travel to than home for the holidays. Head to your parents’ house where the living room decor is festive, the smell from the oven fills the entire house, and everyone converges for one hectic day out of the year.
Spend Christmas with the full, extended family. Get loud and boisterous; argue with your siblings as only brothers and sisters can, and drink and eat all day. There truly is no better place to be than with the family on Christmas!
