Whether you dream of a white Christmas or prefer spending the holidays lounging in a hammock on a secluded beach, the festive period is the perfect time to get out into the world and explore some exciting destinations.
With the long-awaited return of international travel, tickets to favorite Christmas holiday destinations like Europe are getting pricier, with the ACCC revealing earlier in the year that ticket prices were reaching staggering new levels.
Even if you book your tickets way back in August, they’re still 56 percent higher than they were in April. Most destinations will be very crowded this Christmas holidays, and booking six months in advance is the safest bet.
In the US, travel booking app Hopper found that domestic airline tickets are 40 percent more expensive than a year ago. Amid allegations of airlines chasing profits, many flights are nonetheless full and any tickets still available are pricey.
We’ve found some of the best and most anticipated places to enjoy this Christmas, and if you had the foresight to book tickets six months in advance, we’ve also included some old favorites for those of you who show up early.
Prague, Czech Republic
Prague is dotted with Christmas markets serving Svařák, a Czech wine, which makes for just as picturesque as you’re looking for a white European Christmas this year. The famously beautiful architecture of the ancient city provides a stunning backdrop for snow, colorful lights, and festive cheer.
There are plenty of activities to keep you entertained in the Czech capital. First of all, trdelník are sampled, which are hollow pastries filled with soft ice cream served in the cool Christmas air. For the famous Czech brew, head to Good Food Coffee and Bakery at 8 Karlova in the Old Town.
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Salzburg, Austria
Visit one of the many Christkindlesmarkt shops or just take a stroll around this compact city, which is small enough that you only need a few days to be able to experience the best that Salzburg has to offer. Mozart’s Birthplace is a must-see for any music lover sound of Music It’s on the itinerary of most visitors, especially at this time of year.
The Austrian Alps provide a wonderful backdrop of snow-capped mountains from almost everywhere in the city and allow you to take amazing and exhilarating photos. Christmas trees, lights, and holiday decorations abound; There aren’t many winter wonderlands quite as magical as Salzburg.
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Bridgetown, Barbados
For a tropical paradise with weather as far removed from the idea of a typical Christmas as possible, Barbadians seem to have an impressive array of traditions, celebrations and of course local foods for visitors to try during the holiday season.
At Christmas, the strudel or rum cake, jug and baked ham are very popular dishes at Christmas time and are like a huge variety of Christmas fruit cake, pineapple-glazed ham and a kind of cornmeal haggis-like dish, a tribute to many Scottish roots to the population.
There are lights and trees and midnight mass on Christmas Eve, but Barbados’ gorgeous beaches are a good place for Christmas sunbathers, pina coladas in hand and turquoise waters at your feet.
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Edinburgh, Scotland
The Black Rock of Edinburgh Castle is stunningly beautiful and icy cold at this time of year. Scotland gets to just above zero around the festive period, so if you plan to actually explore the castle or hike to the top of Arthurs Seat, a hill near the Old Town, bring a very warm sweater.
The Scots put together an impressively beautiful winter wonderland during the holiday season, and there are also omnipresent Christmas markets to wander through. Keep going a few weeks after Christmas and you’ll be able to witness what was once the largest New Year’s Eve party in the world. This effigy burning party attracted over 300,000 revelers in its heyday, but nowadays the numbers are less spectacular but manageable at over 30,000.
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Muscat, Oman
If you’re chasing the winter sun, a holiday in Oman could tick many other boxes too, including potential maximum temperatures hovering around 22 degrees. The capital, Muscat, is known for its exquisite beauty, thanks to its impressive mosques and Arabic architecture.
Other unexpected activities in Oman include swimming with dolphins and touring the arid, but incredibly beautiful mountains near Muscat. The country has gorgeous beaches to the south, helpful locals and delicious traditional cuisine, including shawarma and moshwai, a local dish made with roasted kingfish and savory lemon rice to satisfy your festive appetite.
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Inari, Finland
Maybe you have younger kids who would like to meet the man himself, or maybe you’re looking for some wild reindeer to feed. Nestled in the heart of snow-covered Lapland and home to the Sami culture, Inari village is the perfect place to visit if you are looking for a very festive Christmas experience.
The Sami people speak three languages, and as they are the heart of the culture, it is possible to hear the three languages being spoken in Inari. The abundance of night in Finland during the festive season means that the Northern Lights give the gorgeous snow-capped landscape a stunning glow.
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New York, USA
Unless you’ve been hiding under a rock for the past 50 years, you’ll be able to photograph famous New York Christmas landmarks like the Rockefeller Christmas Tree, snowy Central Park and sparkling Times Square from famous American movies like Home Alone And the Miracle on 34th Street.
This year will see the return of Onederland at One World Trade Centre. Located on the 100th floor and set against the backdrop of the most famous skyline on the planet, the cozy Gingerbread Café will serve up hot chocolate and other festive treats.
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Need some gift inspiration for this Christmas shopping? Take a look at our Ultimate Gadgets Christmas Gift Guide, Best Beauty Gift Sets to Buy for Christmas 2022 or Best Christmas Gifts and Experiences to Buy in 2022.