We don’t want to alarm you, but today (i.e the day this story is being published) marks exactly three months until Christmas.
While some people await the festive season with as much joyous anticipation as a kid at… well, a kid at Christmas, for others it can be a time of stressful family pressures, crazy-busy workloads (roast turkey for 12, anyone?) or dreadful loneliness.
So what better way to avoid all of the above, and celebrate the festive season by jetting off on a holiday? Consider it a present to yourself.
Whether you fancy a journey north for a white Christmas, a family getaway at a villa somewhere tropical, a solo adventure, or a cruise where everything will be done for you, you can find the Christmas spirit wherever you go (or leave it at home altogether if that’s what you’d prefer!).
Christmas abroad may not be the most traditional way of celebrating, but there are plenty of reasons why you should definitely think about it. Here are 13. Just call us Santa’s little helpers…
… Experience a different culture. You can take part in the Christmas celebrations and traditions of another country – or share in their “normal” life, if Christmas is not celebrated in your chosen destination. Experiencing different cultures is the thing that most real travellers get excited about. Even visiting a different corner of Australia will open you up to new ideas and experiences.
… Start a new tradition. Forget presents in stockings and wearing paper hats on December 25. Go away somewhere different for Christmas and create a new tradition – anything from a sandcastle competition to a snowball fight, to cruise-ship karaoke or helping out at a soup kitchen.
… Go somewhere where the weather is juuuuust right. If it’s too warm at home and you fancy a white Christmas, head to snow-covered lands such as Iceland, Alaska or Norway. If it’s not warm enough, there are loads of balmy, tropical options closer to home.
… Take the opportunity to experience things only possible around Christmas. From magnificent Christmas markets all over Europe, to ice skating in Central Park, to visiting the big fella himself in Santa’s village in Rovaniemi, Finnish Lapland, this is the time for some very specific, absolutely brilliant Christmas travel experiences.
… Gain an instant Christmas family. If you’re travelling by yourself and wanting company over the festive period, join a tour group, head off on a cruise, or even sign up with Travel at 60 Travel Buddies and make a new friend with a similar passion for travel!
… Sort out your New Year’s Eve at the same time. Time your getaway right, and you’ll also be able to see the new year in while you’re away. Bonus!
… Take your family with you. If you love spending Christmas with your family, get them to come too. Depending on your holiday situation you can either share responsibilities for the festive feast – or just let your villa/cruise line/local restaurant take care of everything. The less time you have to spend in a hot kitchen or running around getting everything ready, the more time you can spend relaxing with the people you love and really enjoying yourselves. Plus, you won’t have to worry about endless cleaning, shopping or even having to drive home afterwards.
… Potentially even save some money. Of course it will depend on where you go and what you do, but if a “normal” Christmas for you involves buying loads of expensive food and drink, presents, wrapping paper, presents, the tree and all the other Christmas bits and bobs for a cast of thousands, then escaping it all on a relaxing festive break might actually cost you less!
Read more: 5 magical Christmas markets worth putting on the bucket list
… Any potential family dramas. Get away by yourself, or with your partner or a friend, escape the in-laws and swap family politics for a cocktail on the beach!
… Hosting responsibilities. There’s a lot to be said about a family Christmas in neutral territory. Rather than one person or couple shouldering all the work (and often most of the costs), everyone can chip in, or you can just sit back and be waited on.
… Having to get up early on Christmas morning. If you’re not having to do all that work, you can even have a Christmas Day sleep-in (unless, of course, you’re travelling with your grandchildren!).
… All the prep work. Planning, ordering, shopping, queueing, driving, cooking, cleaning, wrapping, serving… we’re exhausted just thinking about it! Book a holiday over Christmas and you can avoid it all.
… Christmas songs and carols on an endless loop. Travel overseas to a country where Christmas isn’t celebrated and you can avoid endless repeats of Mariah Carey singing “All I Want for Christmas”. Enough said.
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