If you’re planning a Christmas getaway, then you’ve probably been planning your trip for months. Wherever you go or whatever you have planned, make it a festive and fun Christmas you and your family will remember.
Last minute trips can be stressful if you’re a planner, but if you can get the time off on such short notice, then there is something to be said of the spontaneity of a last minute Christmas trip.
Christmas Around the World
If you’re able to take off a week at Christmastime and choose to take a vacation during the holiday season, then check out this {long} list of truly magical and beautiful destinations that will make you forget that you’re not at home for Christmas.
Who wouldn’t want to go for a sleigh ride with these beautiful reindeer?
Paris is definitely at the top of my bucket list, but Christmastime in Paris would be my dream destination.
Like Australia, it’s summertime in South Africa. Fun fact: On Christmas Day {or rather, that evening}, Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens features an outdoor screening of How The Grinch Stole Christmas.
The toboggan run at Château Frontenac (open from mid-December to March) is one of the city’s oldest traditions. You can zoom down icy tracks overlooking the city on a wooden sled reaching speeds of up to 45 miles per hour.
U.S. Christmas Destinations
Aspen isn’t the only winter wonderland in Colorado. Check out Breckenridge, Vail, Telluride, or Durango when planning a last minute Christmas trip.
You can literally visit Santa Claus’ house if you travel to North Pole, Alaska!
Orlando and Disney World may not be high on your list of Christmas destinations {because of the crowds}, but they truly know how to bring out the magic of the holiday season.
I’ve visited NYC in early January several years ago, and the decorations were still up. So if you decide not to plan a trip at Christmas, then I suggest you visit right after the New Year.
McAdenville is one of the best destination in North Carolina to get both a ‘festival of lights’ and a festival of decorated houses.
Hotels along the Las Vegas strip usually have their Christmas decorations are by Thanksgiving. So if you don’t make it to Las Vegas this Christmas, then plan your trip for next year — either at Thanksgiving {which is what we usually do} or at Christmas.
Biltmore Estate is majestic and has some very elegant Christmas decorations.
Christmas Cruises
Royal Caribbean, Carnival, an Norwegian cruise lines also offer Christmas packages.
Some destinations offer last-minute deals, which is a good thing considering that Christmas is just one week away. You may want to plan a beach vacation {somewhere warm and tropical, like Bali, Cabo, or St. Lucia}. Or you may want a white Christmas and want to plan a true winter vacation {somewhere like Colorado, Wyoming, Switzerland, or Iceland}.
Wherever you go or wherever you are during this holiday season, I wish you all a very Merry Christmas!
Yours Truly,
Vanessa
{Feature Image borrowed from Guide to Iceland, and features a Christmas Market in Reykjavik.}
