The Best 5 Places to Spend Your Christmas
Christmas is approaching…..discover with me the best 5 places to spend your Christmas!!
- Rovaniemi, Lapland, Finland
- New York, NY, USA
- Australia and its beaches
- Maldives and the atolls
- Christmas markets, London , UK
Rovaniemi, Lapland - Finland
What is the destination number one for a white Christmas? And the first of the 5 best places to spend your Christmas? Of course, the Artic Circle, Finland….:)
Rovaniemi, the capital of Lapland is known as the “Official Hometown of Santa Claus”.  Santa Claus Village and Santa Park get most of the visitors, adults and kids. This is the favourite place for anyone that believe in the magic of Christmas. The village offers many attractions, kids could encounter elves, play with Rudolf and his reindeer, and decorate cookies with Mrs. Claus. There is a lot to do for adults too, such as snowmobile safaris and husky rides. Besides that, you could also have the chance to witness one of the most beautiful and incredible phenomenon: the norther lights.
I spent one of my Christmas in Lapland and I have to say that the experience was wonderful. I have been to Rovaniemi, Santa Claus Village, I went by snowmobile, I attended a Sunday Mass and the most incredible thing, I witnessed the norther lights. Amazing and impossible to describe!!!
As a tip, I would suggest you yo visit the Arktikum museum in Rovaniemi. I really loved it. The museum is modern and lead guests on an adventure to Finnish Lapland and the Arctic region. The Arctic region is examined in light of the Arctic research of today and the future and provide a comprehensive section of the history and culture of Lapland as well as of Arctic knowledge.
However, if you want to try the perfect Finnish experience, rent a cabin in the middle of the forest. Usually all the cabins have their own sauna, which is the perfect place to be and spend some time when outside is too cold. There are many, of all the prices…
Please see below a selections of hotels for your choice if you go Finland….
WILDERNESS HOTEL & IGLOOS MUOTKA
2. New York - NY - US
Christmas is definitely an amazing time to visit New York…there are so many things to do during the holidays.
One of the most known attractions of New York is the tallest Christmas tree of the world at the Rockefeller Center and the ice skating beneath.
Christmas markets are also something you have not to miss if you are in New York during this time of the year. There are several markets you can visit in New York, all full of coloured stalls and light. Only be aware that it could be cold in this season so bring a warm coat and waterproof boots in case it snows…..:)
As it is one of the most centrally located Christmas markets (located 40th to 42nd Street between 5th and 6th Avenue, map), I will suggest you to visit the Bryant Park’s Winter Village. It is open until 5th Janaury 2020 every day from 11.00am to 8.00pm, except Saturday and Sunday from 10.00am to 8.00pm. This market is very big and you can find clothes, hats, local and street food and jewelry.
Another interesting market – and one of my favourites – is the Union Square Holiday Market – located at 201 Park Ave S, New York, NY 10003, map – This is open until 24th December from 11.00am to 7.00pm from Monday to Friday and from 10.00am to 8.00pm on Saturday and Sunday. You can find jewelry, treats, crafts and more in this market that is set like in a big semi-circle.
I also suggest the grand central Holiday Fair. If you suffer the cold weather, this is an indoor market even thought smaller than the other two. The location is 89 E 42nd St, New York, NY 10017, map; here you will find art pieces, clothes, bags and much more . This market is open until 24th December from 10am to 8.00pm Monday to Friday, 10.00am to 7.00pm on Saturady and 11.00am to 7.00pm on Sunday.
Some suggestions of hotels you can stay if you are in New York:
3. Australia and its beaches
Next option?? Australia!!! After the cold Lapland and busy and wintery New York, it is time to travel around the world and go to a place where it is summer (and by the way, my favourite season)!!!! 🙂
Australia is the place where you can forget the snow and the fairy lights. Here you can celebrate Christmas at the beach, in the sun while enjoying yourself!!
Bondi beach in Sydney is one of the options. Bondi is a perfect place to spend your Christmas as, on that day, it will become full of people who come out to spend their day at the beach. There will also be some bands and music on the beach.
If you don’t fancy going to the beach, you can spend the day taking a tour around the city instead, as many tourist attractions remain open on the Christmas Day. Sydney is home to some of the best museums and galleries in the country so pleanty of choices………
If you are keen to spend the day doing nothing else than being lazy next to the poolside or having amazing Christmas food, the place to head to is Cairns. Here you can relax and enjoy yourself in one of the most beautiful golden beaches of the country. Moreover, you can explore the Great Barrier Reef with its coral and sea life.
4 . Maldives and the atolls
You don’t fancy any cold place and any chaotic city full of people??? Well….why not go to the Maldives? If you are already tired of all the organisational stuff that Christmas brings, the best place to be is in a remote atoll in the Maldives. Maldives is an idyllic set of islands in the Indian Ocean with blue and warm water where even Santa Claus would stop for a relaxing time!!:)
Maldives is popular with tourists from all around the world over the Christmas and New Year. This is no surprise because it is such a wonderful destination. Although most resorts will be fully occupied during this time, the islands won’t feel too crowded as there are plenty of private beaches and pools.
Maldives is full of wonderful and luxutious resorts where you could feel like a King/Queen during your stay. There is also plenty of things to do such as snorkeling, sealing etc..during the holiday season. What’s better than spending all your time outside, lying on the beach, listening to the music, drink and dance? I would go right now!!!!
There are many atolls to choose for. I like the Vakkaru Hotel, located within the Unesco Biosphere Reserve of Baa Atoll, that lies on a reef island composed entirely of sediment produced on the surrounding coral reefs. There is a Christmas market at Vakkaru Island where you can buy food and beverage and other products while for the New year the hotel organise a sort of Carnival night with music, acts and fireworks.
Places to stay in the Maldives:
5 Christmas markets - LONDON - UK
From the beach, warm ocean and sun of the Maldives, we go back to Europe and precisely, London. How could I not add my city to the top 5 places to go for Christmas?
London is sensational during the holidays time, full of lights, people, traditional markets and glittering high end shops. I suggest you to explore the gorgeous Oxford Street and the world-famous shopping district. You cannot avoid the magnificence of Selfridges with the best items you can think about.
From Oxford Circus go to Regent Street and absolutely visit the Liberty and Carnaby Street…for sure you would love it.
I could write pages and pages of what you can do in London but if we want to stick with Christmas markets, without any doubt you have to go to Winter Wonderland in Hyde Park .
Here you can find the largest UK’s ice rink, an ice bar and a lot of festive stalls, German beer and much much more. Entrance is free but attractions are not….tickets for the attractions can be booked here.
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Another amazing Christmas market is Leicester Square Christmas Market, in the middle of the Londom’s touristic district. Wander around the gift stalls, eat some food and watch some of the best performances. Read more about it here.
Another market to visit is the Southbank Centre’s Winter Market. The annual Winter Market will be back this year 2019 with mulled wine, seasonal treats and a great number of stalls where you can buy street food from all the culinary taste of the world.
Well….as I said there is so much to do in London for Christmas. Drop a message if you want to know more about what this city can offer for your holiday!!!! 🙂 Goodbye to you all!!!!!
