The world is no short of wonderful places to visit around the holiday season leading to Christmas and New Year. Every nation and city around the world has their unique traditions and cultural input upon the global celebrated event and today, tourists are noticing. So, instead of sitting out the holiday, you might wanna grab your passport and go on exploring. You can go to Europe and experience some of the most stunning decorations and festivals. If you don’t really like the cold, you can go to tropical islands and have a tropical Christmas at the beach. Or if you’re an adventurer like me, you can even go for Safaris in Asia or Africa.
The following are our 7 picks for places you need to visit during the holidays;
1. Trosmo, Norway
Tromsø, Norway is one of the most beautiful winter destinations in the world. It’s one of those festive cities that love Christmas and one of the only cities where you can view the northern lights. Though, most of the city shuts down during Christmas, it is still one of the best places you can visit and learn about their culture and Christmas traditions. Plus, it’s not as cold as you might think with winter temperatures well in range of 0 to -11 degrees Centigrade.
2. New York, USA
The capital of the world is where the party is at during Christmas and it is as magical as you expect. It’s exactly like you watched in movies like Serendipity and Home Alone but so much better in person. Cities like Los Angeles and Vegas give off similar vibes but nothing beats new Year’s eve like Time Square.
3. Honolulu, Hawaii
A tropical Santa is what you can look forward to during Christmas in Hawaii. The Aloha state might not have snowfall but nonetheless, the holiday spirit is no less than any Christmas celebrating nation. So much so that you can experience some traditional and unique parades featuring Santa in red shorts and flower shirt with his mu’umu’u wearing wife, tutu Mele.
4. Vienna, Austria
Vienna is undoubtedly one of Europe’s most beautiful capital cities and a place where merrymaking and Christmas celebrations are taken seriously. Events taking place across the city range from quaint markets held in the shadow of dramatic Baroque architecture and classical concerts in some of the greatest venues in the world to art installations and ice rinks.
5. Wroclaw, Poland
Wrocław boasts one of Poland’s best and largest Christmas markets, stretching across two sides of Wrocław’s market square, and subsequently extending down Oławska and Świdnicka Streets. It’s also one of the first such holiday markets in PL to open, typically in the third week of November, creating a festive atmosphere in the heart of the city doing a charming job of filling the city’s gift boxes and socks above the fireplace. The fair features a few amusement rides, mulled wine dispensaries, and the ‘Bajkowy Lasek’ (Fairy Tale Forest), where animatronic characters behind glass convey fairy tales to wide-eyed children, while one of their parents slips off to grab some hot wine and grilled ‘oscypek’ sheep cheese from the Polish mountains. A great way to start or end your Christmas shopping, and a fine alternative to the overcrowded shopping malls.
6. New Orleans, USA
December is a beautiful and festive time of year to visit New Orleans. The city is decked out with holiday cheer from top to bottom. Activities for children are particularly plentiful, from teddy bear tea with Santa at the Royal Sonesta to Celebration Under the Oaks, a festival of lights in City Park. The weather’s also entering the cool zone (which is still a fair bit warmer than temperatures up North), which makes it possible and comfortable to bundle up and explore some of the city’s exciting outdoor attractions — plus, chefs are starting to get creative with their gumbo, the favorite warm-me-up delicacy among locals.
7. Nairobi, Kenya
Going to Kenya for the New Year, you need to be prepared for an unusual experience. For tourists, a festive program with the obligatory performance of national teams that perform folk dances and songs is organized here. Another ritual is riding a boat, lit by lights. Boats run on lakes, rivers or the ocean. The celebration is fun and noisy. However, the celebration can take place not only in accordance with local traditions, but also in a completely European way. Hotels in Kenya include a festive dinner.
