Our expertly-designed family holidays are incredibly popular over the Christmas and New Year period, adding even more magic to your festive celebrations. In this blog, we highlight some of our recommended trips to treat your family to this Christmas, and also give you some hints and tips to make your winter break one to remember.
Why Spend Christmas abroad?
- Create new memories - whilst we all love a cosy Christmas at home, taking your family on a new adventure away from the over-played music will make it a magical Christmas you won't forget.
- Escape the winter blues - it's a well-known fact that a lack of vitamin D brings down our happy hormones, so why not leave behind the dark mornings and cold evenings and discover a new country with guaranteed sun and blue skies!
- Christmas can be stressful - behind all the smiles, presents and elaborate Christmas dinners is the stress to make Christmas picture-perfect ... so leave the stress to one of our holiday experts this year!
- Cultural experiences - immerse yourself in the unique ways different cultures celebrate Christmas, learning new traditions and meeting friendly locals.
Our Favourite Family Christmas Holiday Destinations
Short Haul Christmas Holidays
Winter Magic in Northern Norway
Capture the magic of Christmas this year with your family in Norway, with a fun-filled holiday guaranteed to make lasting memories. Make dreams come true with magical reindeer encounters, snowshoe through the wilderness, and get the kids involved in learning about campfire craft. If you're lucky, you may be able to welcome in the New Year with your family under the magical northern lights - what a wonderful start to the year!
Finland Family Snow School
Immerse yourself in the magic of a white Christmas by visiting the beautiful Finland. The ski resort in Ruka is the perfect place for you and your family to learn how to ski, or just perfect your technique, with a range of slopes for all abilities. Whilst skiing amongst the snow-cloaked pine trees and pristine mountains is the highlight of the trip, you can also get stuck into other thrilling activities including husky sledging, snowshoeing and snow-tubing.
Long Haul Christmas Holidays
Discover Cambodia
We're all familiar with the stress of cooking a big roast for the family on Christmas day ... but this year, consider scrapping the turkey for a delicious Siem Reap street food Christmas dinner. Embark on a thrilling treasure hunt around Angkor Wat, and swap a sleigh ride for a tuk-tuk ride around the centre of town. Beginning in the capital city, Phnom Penh, meet the friendly and welcoming Cambodian people and learn about the haunting modern history that still echoes in the walls of the Khmer ruins. For the ultimate trip, consider extending your holiday with some time on the beach in Koh Rong.
Japan Ancient & Modern
Whilst Christmas isn't a national holiday in Japan, it's still celebrated in style! During this festive season, Tokyo is decorated to the hills with mesmerising twinkling lights and breathtaking illuminations, creating a magical atmosphere. Explore the city of Kyoto whilst soaking up the Christmas spirit, visit Christmas markets, and experience the iconic bullet train. I know we keep mentioning food, but since the 1970s, KFC has been a national favourite for Christmas dinner in Japan ... it's got to be done! Combining festive spirit with rich culture and history, this destination would make for an unforgettable family holiday this Christmas.
Kenya Family Adventure & Safari
Escape the cold mornings and grey skies of winter with a holiday to Kenya this Christmas, where the rains are short, temperatures are pleasant, and wildlife dreams come true. This trip offers not only incredible experiences with African wildlife, but also an array of exhilarating activities, including white-water rafting on the Sagana River, ziplining, and cycling in Hells Gate National Park. Spend New Year's Eve on a boat safari in Naivasha, and spot Kenya's answer to Santa's reindeer, the wondrous eland!
Andes & Amazon Family Adventure
Fill your Christmas break with a good dose of sunshine, and get involved in a range of thrilling activities in Ecuador, including ziplining, canyoning, and mountain biking. Instead of a visit from Santa on Christmas morning, treat your kids to some delicious Ecuadorian treats and meet some real-life (Andean) cowboys! From visiting spectacular chocolate tours to venturing into the Amazon rainforest for incredible wildlife viewing, this action-packed holiday in Ecuador will delight the whole family.
Things to Consider When Planning Christmas Breaks Abroad
- Winter wonderland or sunny getaway - whether you want to embrace a snowy Christmas and indulge in Christmas markets or escape to a sunny paradise, we offer an array of Christmas holidays to suit your family.
- Book early - with flights being at their most expensive over the Christmas period, book early to avoid extortionate prices.
- Packing - don't stress about bringing presents - being on holiday is enough of a treat! Perhaps buying presents from a local market would make a unique and special gift.
- Short haul or long haul Christmas holidays - it's worth thinking about how long you want to spend flying, depending on your family. Our wide range of popular Christmas holidays span the globe, offering plenty of options to choose from.
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Break tradition and create lasting memories with your family this winter break on one of our incredible holidays. Whilst these are our recommendations for our best Christmas holiday destinations, you can take a look at all of our holidays at Christmas & New Year, or get in touch with one of our knowledgeable family holiday specialists.
