Where to spend Christmas abroad
Would you choose Christmas in the sunshine or head for a winter wonderland in search of the big man himself?
Well here are my top picks for destinations to spend Christmas:
New York
For the fans of the Christmas movies, Home Alone 2, Miracle on 34th Street, Elf…you will see how they capture the festive spirit of the Big Apple and all its twinkling lights. The city makes for a perfect Christmas getaway, the iconic huge tree that sits at the base of the Rockefeller Centre and a chance to enjoy the famous ice-skating spot. Walk the streets of the city and take a ride on the vintage Jane’s Carousel on the East River-front, before strolling over Brooklyn Bridge. Of course the ultimate magical Christmas experience would be a stay at The Plaza, the attention to detail is incredible, even down to a dressing-up closet for the children.
Barbados
Wanting to head to warmer climates, the Caribbean island of Barbados is the perfect choice. Laid back tropical vibes, relaxing on the white sandy beach with a rum punch in hand, seems a world away from the fluffy Christmas jumpers! Take off on a boat trip and snorkel with the turtles, before heading to the islands local Mount Gay Rum Distillery for a festive tipple. Evening’s can be spent with stunning sunset views or heading to the livelier Oystins Bay, where the local fish is freshly prepared with music and rum flowing into the evening.
Iceland
Imagine Christmas only bigger, Iceland have a 26 days of Christmas with many traditions, running throughout the month! Experience a white Christmas and enjoy some ice-skating on the frozen central pond in Tjörnin, in Reykjavik or venturing out of the main city to the Blue Lagoon for a midnight dip. Not forgetting this time of year is perfect to capture a sight of the Northern Lights. The main events usually happen on Christmas Eve, where traditional meals of smoked lamb and langoustines are served, find yourself a roof-top terrace and take in the Northern Lights while sipping on a drink to keep you warm.
Dubai
While Christmas isn’t a national holiday here, Dubai does not disappoint to bring its usual sparkle to the season. The malls and hotels are all set with lights and enormous trees. Add to that the weather, highs of 26°C in December, gorgeous beaches, and all-ages fun, discover a giant dancing fountain or speeding up the world’s tallest building, jeep safari into the desert for sunset. Also not to be missed is the shopping centre Souk Madinat Jumeirah at Christmas, when there’s a German market, a snowball zone, and Santa riding a gondola-sleigh around the mall’s canals.
Not forgetting destinations like Mexico, Bali, Thailand or closer to home in the Canary Islands, the list goes on for a Christmas in the sunshine and the chance to grab the sun-kissed glow and top up with vitamin D, ready to start the new year with a bang!