With Christmas fast approaching its time to set your holiday plans in stone. If you are tired of those hectic family holidays at home, why not venture out this holiday season and plan a special Christmas themed vacation somewhere new. Depending on what you are looking for here are some of the best places to spend your festive season.
For Christmas in the Tropics
If the cold is getting you down you can always migrate to a warmer climate and lots of places in the southern hemisphere go all out for Christmas. One of the best places to enjoy the beach and still celebrate the holidays in Rio de Janeiro. So why not spend your days getting some sun on the beaches of the Copacabana and enjoying the bars in the Ipanema neighborhood. The city also hosts the famous floating Christmas tree which is one of the largest Christmas tree displays in the world and the Santa Teresa neighborhood is full of historic churches where you can see carolers and nativity scenes.
For a Religious Experience
If you are looking to be closer to your faith this Christmas then why not travel to where it all started and head off to Israel. Here you can tour the streets of old Jerusalem and walk in the steps of Jesus himself, and the ancient city of David has a lot to offer Christian and Jewish faiths. Visit the birthplace of Christ with a trip to Bethlehem where you can see the ancient Church of the Nativity that sits in the very spot where Jesus was born.
For a magical Christmas light display why not travel to Haifa to see the Christmas tree display in the beautiful old German colony. While temperatures in Israel do drop for winter, the country has a lot to offer visitors around Christmas time.
For a Traditional Storybook Christmas
With snow, yuletide joy and plenty of Christmas markets; Germany offers a traditional storybook festive season to tourists. To start off your traditional German Christmas, go see the Christmas pyramid at the Dresden Christmas market or travel to Munich’s Christmas market to see the 100 foot tall Christmas tree and drink mulled wine as you watch carolers.
Germany’s Christmas markets also feature a unique parade of Saint Nicholas and there are many places where you can see the Krampus parade. Besides the Christmas markets and light displays, much of Germany is transformed into a magical winter wonderland come December time.