Christmas vacation ideas are ideal for getting imaginative with and leveraging your time off from work and/or even the kids’ holiday break from school to come up with something fun to do! Regardless if you’re trying to get the whole family away, or it’s just a Christmas vacation for couples; the week between Christmas and New Years has always and continues to be one of the most popular times of the year for people to travel.
Rather than spending the break in your own home this season, why don’t you choose from our list of top 10 Christmas vacation ideas to get away? You can select from snowboarding getaways as well as surfing journeys, sand or snow take your pick.
For the most part people fall into one of two categories when it comes to vacations over Christmas; sand or snow! While some people prefer to escape the cold weather conditions for the tropics, others couldn’t imagine Christmas without the cold and snow. Regardless of whether you enjoy the warm or cold, it’s very important to make sure you plan and book your trip as far ahead as possible. As Christmas nears prices head North, and the selection of flights and accommodations begins to dwindle; so make sure to plan and book your Christmas vacation well in advance!
New York City
“The city that never sleeps” is a great place to get away for the holidays. If you like to be around people and lots of action New York City makes a great choice for a Christmas vacation. Enjoy the Christmas tree lighting and some ice skating at Rockefeller Center. No matter what kind of Christmas meal you may want to eat or cook, you can find everything you need New York City!
The Mayan Riviera and Cancun
Leave the cold weather behind and take your pick from a long list of awesome resorts in Cancun and The Mayan Riviera which line the beaches for miles upon miles. Trade in your traditional Christmas dinner here in Mexico for some margarita’s on the beach and then some tacos al pastor for dinner. Dance the night away in one of Cancun’s discotecas, or relax at a beach bar in Playa Del Carmen!
Sydney
How about a trip down under for the holidays? Just like many other major cities around the world there is no shortage of activities to do here. Visit the iconic Sydney Opera House, you know the one with the white pointy roof. After your trip to the opera house swing by famous Australian Bondi Beach, or visit Hyde Park, and the Royal Bontanic Gardens. Trade in Christmas dinner for some traditional Australian meat pies and a pint of Fosters Lager!
Aspen
This once obscure mining town is all grown-up now. Named for its beautiful aspen trees this town now plays host to some of the most exclusive ski resorts in the United States. Over the years this city has attracted some of the biggest name celebrities and is hosts its own film festival. Enjoy some skiing or a stroll down one of the many streets in this small quaint town. There is no shortage of snow for those who like having a white Christmas!
Montreal
A city that has been described as “a mountain of churches”, along with many outdoor ice skating rinks, it couldn’t be more ideal during the holiday season. After a long day of shopping in the cold winter air, head back to your rented house in the suburbs, or if it’s just you and your spouse check into a beautiful hotel in the city. The city has a plethora of outdoor markets and great French food as well as excellent pastries…what more could you want!
Santa Cruz, California
Even in the summer these beaches aren’t so warm. Enjoy the crisp cool air as you stroll down West Cliff Drive and past the lighthouse at “Steamer’s Lane”. Rent some bikes and head downtown to catch a movie or pick up some groceries to bring back to “your place”. Go on a hike in the nearby mountains and enjoy the thousand year old redwoods; this is not your typical beach vacation.
Boston
The city has a nice old world feel, and the coziness of New England. The streets of Beacon hill dusted in a light coating of snow makes for a picture perfect holiday getaway. Trade in your traditional Christmas Eve or Christmas day dinner for a Boston roasted lobster, and some Boston clam chowder!
Miami
Another place where you can escape the cold if you prefer warm weather to cold. Miami has it all with it’s beautiful beaches and undeniable nightlife. Enjoy some “rays” while taking a stroll down Ocean Drive, or grab a chair and enjoy a drink at a sidewalk cafe before Christmas dinner. Trade in your traditional Christmas dinner for some tasty authentic Cuban food!
Puerto Rico
A stone’s throw off the coast of Florida, the beautiful Caribbean. Enjoy the salsa beats, exotic florals in place of your Christmas music and scents of pine trees. Stroll through a 500 year old Spanish colony while eating an ice cream. Enjoy some Puerto Rican style suckling pig (called lechon) instead of your traditional Christmas dinner. Take a walk on the beach and watch the sunset, instead of being bundled up in a blanket and inside your house.
Charleston
Get all traditional in Charleston by roasting some pecans fireside in place of chestnuts. Feel free to sneak a little bourbon into that eggnog! How does a nice country ham or rack of lamb sound for Christmas, or why not do both between the Eve and the actual day!
We hope you’ve found our Christmas vacation ideas interesting and helpful. Perhaps you didn’t find exactly the trip you were looking for? Take a look at some of our other articles to get some great ideas that you can use for a holiday vacation as well!
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In addition to Aspen, I would also recommend Park City, Utah. It also houses a phenomenal film festival (Sundance) as well as the best snow on earth. If you are looking for a great place to stay for the holidays, I recommend reading up on Park City.
Chase, yes excellent recommendation for the list. Park City is a great place and a top winter/Christmas holiday destination!