It’s time to utilize those long stocked up leaves for a memorable vacation this coming winter holidays. Christmas and Kwanzaa are nearly here, not to mention Hanukkah, so grab the opportunity to celebrate your holidays at a novel destination. It’s time to grab your passport, pack your bags, and gather your family to visit the following destinations with welcoming warm climate and unique Christmas traditions.
Sydney, Australia
For travelers who prefer warm winters, Down Under is the place to go. Australians enjoy their summer in December, making the weather here bright, sunny and cheerful. Besides the regular coastal walks, the hill treks and hiking the outback it does help that Sydney is one of the first cities in the world to greet the New Year. They also have a great fireworks show during The Opera Gala at the Sydney Opera House.
New York City
The Big Apple is a favorite location for many popular Christmas movies, so it’s a no-brainer to spend time in America’s “Christmas Capital.” The most happening city in the world is popular with tourists in December, especially during Christmas. That’s when the Rockettes put on the Christmas show at the Radio City Music Hall. NY is also a great place to splurge on Christmas shopping, with stunningly decorated store fronts and huge discounts. You can end a busy day ice skating at the famous Rockefeller Center or Central Park.
Mexico
Perfectly placed for a vacation while the kids are on school holidays, several December cruise lines go around the picturesque port cities of Acapulco, Costa Maya, Cabo San Lucas, Cozumel, Peurto Vallarta and Ensenada. For those yearning to experience the religious side of Christmas, Mexico City’s Basilica de Guadalupe celebrates the annual feast of Our Lady on December 12. A pilgrimage that is attended by millions around the world, the event is marked by prayer, songs, and also a lot of festivities featuring copious amount of food, drinks, and celebration all around.
Dubai, UAE
This perennially hot desert country enjoys a relatively cooler weather in December, making it a very good time to host concerts, sporting events, parties, and other festivities. Well known events such as the Maidan Races and the extremely popular Dubai Shopping Festival are conducted at this time and allow foreign travelers a glimpse into the life in the Middle East’s wealthiest country. After a tiring day of shopping at the mall or cheering yourself hoarse at the stadium, Dubai’s beaches and artificial islands are the perfect places to a relax and end the day.
Edinburgh, Scotland
Despite being off-peak season, the locals of the Scottish capital are in an incredibly celebratory mood during December. During the Christmas season, several markets and fairgrounds dot the city, while the famous Hogmanay street party on New Year’s Eve turns the whole of the Princes Street into a great big party. The winter snow also provides a stunning background for Scottish landmarks such as the Royal Britannia Yacht, the Edinburgh Castle, and the open-air ice rink of Princes Street Gardens.
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