A lot can happen during the holidays. Some people decide to go back to their homes and spend the holidays with their families, while others either don’t have that option or prefer to do their own thing. If you want to do something different this festive season, but have no idea where to start, I’ve got you covered! I’ve listed lots of different places as everyone has their own preferences!
LONDON
For those who would rather stay in the UK, London is THE place to be during Christmas time. For theatre enthusiasts, there are a lot of shows, notably Hamilton and Mamma Mia! While for the more traditional people, The Nutcracker will be running from December 14th to January 7th, 2024, at the London Coliseum. The Winter Wonderland Ice Rink in Hyde Park is always something to look forward to. Running from November 17th till January 1st, this huge ice rink sets the tone for Christmas with its fairy lights hung all over and the live band playing music to better the experience. And it’s near the booming Christmas markets so you can visit before or after!
NORWAY
If you love the cold, make sure to pay Norway a visit. With the festivities starting in mid-November and the snow reaching a peak during December and January, the Christmas vibes are all over! After kicking back with a hot chocolate and watching the snow fall, you can pop down to the Winter Wonderland in Spikersuppa, Oslo, which includes anything your heart would desire, like an ice-skating rink, food stands, and a newly established Ferris wheel. In the open-air folk museums in Oslo, you get the chance to meet “fjøsnissen,” the original Norwegian Santa who has a lot of porridge to offer!
MALDIVES
This one is for those who would like to take a break from the cold weather of the UK. Although Maldives is mostly a Muslim country, it doesn’t run out of Christmas festivities. In December, resorts make sure to host an array of Christmas festivities and activities, some of which include Club Med Kani which is located in the North Male reef. Another exciting activity that is popular in December but not necessarily Christmas-related is Catamaran sailing. The only thing required of you during the sail is to sit back and enjoy the view of the sea and the island. Or if you’re feeling up for it, you could go a step further and engage in water activities like diving.
PRAGUE
Like Norway, Prague is the place to be for a cold and snowy December. Though a little colder than London, Prague also holds multiple productions like The Nutcracker and Mozart’s The Magic Flute. Most festivities and Christmas markets are in Prague’s city centre. So far it might sound like London, but what makes it unique is the option of a 2-hour riverboat cruise as part of the Prague Advent River Cruise every weekend starting late November. On this sightseeing cruise, you can enjoy the Christmas carols and savour the warmth of cake and wine while admiring the beauty of the city.
BARBADOS
Unlike the Maldives, Barbados hosts all sorts of Christmas festivities and activities. If you’ve never seen Santa in the summertime, Barbados offers you the chance to do so. In a huge event organised by Sandy Lane Hotel and attended by many, Santa makes a grand entrance each year, enticing all age groups and bringing gifts for all the guests staying at the hotel. Not only that, but many resorts create novel programmes especially for Christmas, such as the Waves Resort & Spa by Elegant Hotels which hosts a Christmas-themed treasure hunt. If you are looking to stray away from the Christmas festivities, there are many options you could choose like seeing green monkeys on Christmas day at Crystal Cove by Elegant Hotels.
Although different, all these options come together for the love of the holidays. So, pull out your journals and start planning the itinerary for your very own Christmas trip! This holiday season, make sure to do anything that puts a smile on your face; and from our family to yours, happy holidays!