For some people, the perfect Christmas getaway involves fully embracing the winter season on a snowy mountain, snuggled up next to a crackling fireplace. Others prefer to relax on a beach, as far away from the cold weather as they can get. Wherever you decide to spend "the most wonderful time of the year," you're sure to find some form of holiday joy.
The top destinations to visit this Christmas season range from the beautiful beaches of Saint Lucia to the charming town of Solvang, California, and even Santa Claus' own home in Finnish Lapland. So, let's dive right in and examine these fascinating places more closely!
Where to spend the holidays: 7 magical destinations
1. Jackson Hole, Wyoming
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Jackson Hole Mountain Resort is an idyllic ski destination nestled in the beautiful Tetons of Wyoming, making it an ideal Christmas vacation spot for families who enjoy hitting the slopes. During the late-December WinterFest, visitors can participate in activities, such as ice skating, skiing with Santa, a scavenger hunt, and a movie night. The festivities kick off with a Christmas tree lighting and conclude with fireworks on New Year's Eve.
There are several stunning slopeside lodges to choose from, including the luxurious Teton Mountain Lodge and Spa and the ski-in, ski-out Four Seasons Resort and Residences Jackson Hole. For those looking to do some holiday shopping in downtown Jackson, the iconic elk antler arches that frame the Town Square are illuminated, creating a magical atmosphere. For a unique adventure that combines hot and cold experiences, visitors can plan a trip to the Granite Hot Springs Pool, which can only be accessed by snowmobile, fat bike, dog sled, or skis.
2. NYC, New York
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There's truly nothing quite like Christmas in New York City. The city's lights shine brightly all year round, but the holiday lights add a touch of magic. You won't have to look far for activities or entertainment, with all the famous displays: the enormous tree at Rockefeller Center, the smaller but still dazzling tree at Washington Square Park, the LED-lit Saks Fifth Avenue facade, and the animated window displays at Macy's Herald Square, to name just a few. You can sip hot chocolate while you shop for last-minute gifts at German-style Christmas markets and enjoy the age-old tradition of watching the Radio City Rockettes perform their annual Christmas Spectacular on a holiday vacation in NYC.
NYC is also one of the best places for singles to spend Christmas. The city doesn't shut down like many other places; movie theaters are packed, restaurants and bars are bustling, and there are plenty of cultural activities going on, including a couple of Broadway shows, Alvin Ailey modern dance performances, and The Nutcracker ballet at Lincoln Center.
3. Salzburg, Austria
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It's easy to get into the holiday spirit while visiting Salzburg. The city has Christmas markets, warm mulled wine, medieval castles, and even a museum dedicated to Christmas, making it one of the best places to spend the holidays in Europe. As you probably know, Salzburg is the birthplace of Mozart and the setting of the movie "The Sound of Music," which is often played during the holidays. You can ice skate around a statue of the famous composer at Mozartplatz and take in stunning views of the snow-capped Alps from the south-facing terrace of the Hohensalzburg Fortress. If you're looking for the most luxurious place to stay, check out the Hotel Goldener Hirsch right in the Old Town.
4. Edinburgh, Scotland
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Edinburgh Castle, the city's most recognizable landmark, shines brightly during the holiday season. The annual Castle of Light event attracts crowds with spectacular displays projected onto the exterior walls of the 12th-century fortress. The projections are updated every year, showcasing everything from fire-breathing dragons to beautiful flowers. Another must-do holiday activity is the festive afternoon tea at The Dome where the stately Georgian tea room is enhanced with seasonal decorations. Visitors can also sip mulled wine at one of the Christmas markets and go ice skating on George Street to fully immerse themselves in the holiday spirit. If you're in Edinburgh on New Year's Eve, be sure to participate in Hogmanay, Scotland's own end-of-year celebration. The city puts on a Hogmanay festival that includes a torchlight procession, concerts, and a lively disco party.
5. Rovaniemi, Finland
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If you're wondering where the most Christmassy place in the world is, the answer is Rovaniemi, the hometown of Santa Claus. Situated in Finnish Lapland, this city is home to Santa Claus Village and SantaPark where you can find Santa Claus himself and his trusty reindeer companions. During the winter season, the Arctic landscape is blanketed in a beautiful layer of snow. This is also the prime time to catch a glimpse of the breathtaking northern lights. The area boasts several hotels with unique igloo accommodations, allowing you to enjoy the stunning 360-degree views of the aurora borealis from the comfort of your warm room.
6. The Maldives
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If you'd rather be strolling on the beach in sandals than trudging through the snow in snowshoes, the Maldives could be the ideal destination for your Christmas holiday. During the winter months, the Maldives experiences its dry season, with average daily temperatures reaching the mid-80s Fahrenheit – perfect weather for a beach-focused vacation. The Maldives, with its 27 stunning atolls, is a tropical paradise that offers some of the best all-inclusive Christmas getaways. Some of the top resorts in the Maldives include Meeru Maldives, Constance Moofushi, and Lily Beach, all of which provide a luxurious and relaxing Christmas escape.
7. Bavaria, Germany
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Spend your Christmas holidays in this beautiful state in southern Germany. Begin your adventure in Munich where you can enjoy a warm cup of mulled wine as you stroll through a traditional German Christmas market. Then venture out of the city to discover the Christmas spirit in small towns like the medieval Rothenburg or head to the Alps for some skiing. Wherever you explore, be on the lookout for the spooky Krampus, a frightening Christmas creature from local folklore.
More time for travel, less time for parking: find your spot with ParkingNearAirports.io!
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Have you ever heard something about off-site parking? If not, we recommend you take a closer look at this part of the article, as this information will be handy for those who prefer to travel by air and get to the airport by their own car.
Most people suppose that parking at the airport is the fastest and most convenient option for them. However, it's not actually true. We'll explain to you why.
To be true, being in a terminal parking lot isn't convenient at all. Although on-site airport parking is the nearest place where you can leave your vehicle for the period of a trip, you can face the following difficulties:
- You will need to find a spot in a crowded lot,
- You will need to carry the luggage all the way through the parking lot,
- You must pay expensive fees without great service.
Sounds not good, right? However, we found an excellent solution for you – in this case, off-site parking can become a savior for you. So if you're trying to find a parking spot with great service nearby the airport you're flying from and don't want to leave there the most significant part of your budget, pay attention to this option.
How does it work?
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Obviously, people who chose a car as a way to get to the airport want to leave their vehicle safely while traveling and not to face the problems we described above. So what can off-site airport parking offer its customers?
Although a few miles usually separate such parking from the airport, you shouldn't worry about this. Off-site parking provides free shuttles going back and forth between the parking lot and the airport. Thanks to this, it removes any worries about getting stuck in traffic on the way to the airport during peak times. So all you need to do is choose the best time for you and inform the parking lot staff.
How does it work? Actually, everything is straightforward: when you come to the entrance, the staff will remove your luggage from your car and load it onto the shuttle, which will take you and your bags to the terminal. Then, the vehicle will be parked securely.
In addition, this type of parking is much cheaper, and this is good news, as nobody wants to waste money. Therefore, off-site parking is the perfect option to receive excellent service and save money at the same time.
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We're glad to inform you that you can find this solution right here. Our booking platform, ParkingNearAirports.io, offers the best prices on airport car parking and bundles hotel and parking packages. Besides, we provide the services for top cruise ports in Florida, Louisiana, Maryland, New Jersey, and Texas.
Our platform allows you to reserve a parking spot through a few clicks within the application. As a result, customers receive a booking confirmation and a guaranteed parking spot upon arrival at the off-airport lot. Besides, if plans change, you can cancel hassle-free and receive a refund.
To understand it better, we would like to give you an example. Let's imagine that you live in NYC, New York, USA. If you're planning a trip to Bavaria, Germany, you can use the services of affordable Buffalo NY Airport parking. If you're departing from Newark, New Jersey, the situation is the same – you can choose cheap parking lots near Newark Airport. So it just depends on the place you're flying from.
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