While there are certainly many benefits to hunkering down at home for the holidays — watching your favorite Christmas movies in your matching family pajamas, stuffing your loved ones’ stockings with goodies, decorating your tree and all the other great traditions, there’s nothing quite like a unique Christmas vacation.
Aside from just changing things up, traveling to different places during Christmas time allows you to see how different cultures celebrate the holidays. Whether you’re looking for some time on a tropical beach after living in your winter coat for months or want to experience an extra festive holiday skiing on the Swiss alps with Christmas markets in tow, there’s a Christmas vacation for all types of families.
As for the price tag, going away for the holidays is most likely going to cost more than other weeks since it’s one of the busiest times of year to travel but Amy Metzger, Luxury Travel Advisor with Travel Edge, thinks it’s worth the extra expense.
“The higher cost to travel during holidays is a cost that repays itself for the extra experiences and events not able to be seen at other times of the year,” Metzger said. “One way to offset that cost is to travel on the actual holiday dates (Dec. 25 or Jan. 1) as those dates often are less [expensive].”
For more information on the dos and dont’s of planning Christmas vacations, check out the FAQ section at the bottom of this article.
In an effort to help you find the perfect destination for your 2023 Christmas trip, the New York Post spoke with a handful of travel experts to get their top recommendations. Get the 411 below!
Scotland (Highlands & Edinburgh)
Scotland is an incredible place to visit during the holidays for its festivals and Scottish spirit!
“The Scottish highlands and lowlands are full of festive atmosphere for travelers,” Metzger told The Post. “Bundle your hotel stays and excursions to see the festivities from Christmas Day to Boxing