If you’re looking for ways to avoid those awkward Christmas dinner ice breakers about your current relationship status or you just want to sample an Aussie-style festive season in the sun, then we have the best excuses lined up for you. How do you fancy bedding down on a hotel mattress, enjoying delicious meals and a long list of tasty cocktails at your fingertips, not to mention glorious sunny rays and inviting sands?
There are so many great destinations to visit at Christmas time and with some fantastic deals to be had, it’s going to be hard to say no! So, where do we recommend for a Christmas holiday abroad? Here are some of our favorites!
Benidorm
Maybe an unusual choice when it comes to a winter holiday, but Benidorm is a fantastic spot to spend your special day, particularly if you’re travelling with your family. When you have young children, Christmas is filled with excitement and lots of activities, which is why we love a Christmas holiday to Benidorm thanks to the many excursions and activities it offers.
The town is great if you still want an authentic Christmas experience, while enjoying the joys of being on a beach holiday. Temperatures won’t be sky high at this time of the year either, so you don’t need to worry about little ones getting too warm throughout all of the excitement. Streets are lined with Christmas spirit, and you will find lots of magic and wonder in each corner with a Christmas village, Christmas market and even a Christmas house! Benidorm is filled with fantastic shops and each year, Benidorm Council plans a jaw-dropping window dressing competition that could make Scrooge stop and stare!
Egypt
Imagine waking up on Christmas Day knowing you have a day filled with winter sunshine and activities planned. That could be your reality if you plan your Christmas break to Egypt! Egypt is best known for its fantastic water sports and scuba diving spots, so if you want to get into the festive spirit with your family by exploring what’s below the surface of the water, this is a great spot for you!
Anywhere you choose to stay during your holiday in Egypt, you will witness celebrations for the Christmas and New Year seasons. Egyptians appreciate that for holidaymakers, Christmas in their own countries is an important time in their yearly calendar. Therefore they are happy to join in with the celebrations even if it is not usually part of their custom and culture. Whilst Egypt is predominantly a Muslim country, there is a large percentage of Christians known as ‘Copts’, which is the Egyptian name for Christians. The Coptic Christians celebrate Christmas as do all Christians around the world.
Maldives
What better way to spend Christmas morning than soaking up the sun in the Maldives. The Maldives is the ultimate place for a luxurious, all inclusive holiday and there’s no greater treat for you and your family this festive season. Opting for a Maldives holiday in the sun over Christmas time is a great choice when you have older children too. For that added touch of luxury for your Christmas Day, some winter sun on a beautiful Maldivian island could be just what the doctor ordered.
December is an ideal month to party in the Maldives, with many resorts hosting parties and other festivities to welcome the holiday season. Although the Maldives do not celebrate Christmas, being a predominantly Muslim country, many resorts offer Christmas dinner options and other Christmas-themed activities. For younger guests, or older guests who still believe in a little magic, Santa often comes to stay in the Maldives on Christmas Day for a meet and greet. Neglecting his sleigh until next year’s round of gift giving, he’s been known to arrive in style; sometimes water-skiing into the resort, other times paragliding!
Mexico
As we all know, Mexico is a great place to visit if you’re in the mood for a fiesta! If your ideal Christmas party season is filled with big gatherings, being sociable and of course, plenty of sunshine, then Mexico is a great place to enjoy the festivities. If you choose to plan a holiday to Mexico for Christmas, not only will your resort be beautifully decorated with festive trees, lights and tinsel, but if you want to head into the city, you will see countless nativity scenes and other wonderful Christmas decorations.
In Mexico, Christmas is a full month of celebrations, marked with family feasts and lots of piñatas. Starting on 12 December and lasting until 6 January, Christmas celebrations in Mexico have their own flair. There are candlelit processions, elaborate nativity scenes, Spanish Christmas carols, dancing and fireworks.
Dominican Republic
Ready to go all out this Christmas? If your idea of a white Christmas is chalky white sands then the Dominican Republic is definitely a top pick for you! Typically, people in the Dominican Republic celebrate Christmas on Christmas Eve instead of 25th December. Families gather together for ‘La Noche Buena’ where they enjoy traditional food and drink around a table while waiting to ‘cheers’ to Christmas as the clock strikes midnight.
Another Christmas tradition you will see throughout the Dominican Republic is the Charamicos. These are hand-crafted wooden Christmas trees, stars and animals, often painted in bright colours and situated in the streets of Santo Domingo and Punta Cana. According to history, white Charamicos in the shape of a tree represent snow covered trees that you won’t find on the island due to its warm temperatures.
Cape Verde
Cape Verde is another fantastic destination choice if you’re craving a beachy Christmas Day. In December, the islands enjoy average highs of 27°C. With very little rain, the sunshine is pretty much guaranteed, making December ideal for beach lovers and families. Imagine yourself sprawled out on the sand, with Christmas snacks on hand, sunning yourself under the glorious winter rays…sounds bliss if you ask us!
Both Christmas and New Year in Cape Verde are celebrated with spectacular firework displays and the larger hotels often include a lavish gala dinner in their festive season holiday packages. Can you imagine a better way to see in Christmas or the New Year than with a fabulous feast under the stars, followed by dancing the night away to Cape Verdean rhythms?
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