1. Wander the European Christmas Markets
Christmas in Europe is like nowhere else on earth. Join the festivities as you stroll through cobbled streets decorated with twinkling lights and rows upon rows of wooden stalls, each selling local holiday favorites—mugs of mulled wine (Glühwein) to warm your hands around, deliciously spiced gingerbread, and home-made holiday gifts.
There are so many great options on a river cruise or land vacation to experience the magic of the season in Germany, Austria, Hungary, and more.
- By River: Any AMA Waterways or UniWorld River Cruise will do but AMA's Iconic Christmas Markets or Christmas Markets on the Danube cruises or UniWorld's Grand Christmas and New Year's cruise are sure to delight with multiple stops to immerse in the holiday spirit at some of the top markets in Europe! You get exclusive Virtuoso benefits on these voyages as well so be sure to ask!
- By Land: I recommend Germany for some of the best holiday markets around. Customize a land vacation that stops at a few with a Virtuoso partner. We like Artisans of Leisure 9 day itinerary to Munich with Neuschwanstein & Nuremberg, Dresden & Leipzig, Berlin. Frohe Weihnachten (Merry Christmas)!
2. Chillax Caribbean Style
Why not trade in the snow and hot cocoa for some champagne, yachts, and white-sand beaches? Here are some of our favs.
- St. Lucia for the Festival of Lights and Renewal on Dec 13th, 2024, or New Year's Eve on Assou Square for a family-friendly festival featuring live music, games, and fab food.
- St. Barth's for the Port de Gustavia for the Christmas Village (Dec 3-20) a sailing regatta and fireworks or dance the night away on New Year's Eve at Nikki Beach or Le Yacht Club for a taste of the energetic nightlife of this stunning island.
- Antigua for their UNESCO World Heritage Naval Dockyard, Nelson's Dock host to Old Year's Night, and their famous Champagne Party at the dockyard on Christmas. Most islands have a wonderful midnight mass and Antigua's at the Cathedral in St. John is no exception.
- Skip about on a luxury cruise and visit a few of the islands by taking a cruise on the stunning Ritz-Carlton Yacht Evrima 8-day sail from San Juan. With nightly entertainment and a foodie's dream cuisine, you'll remember this cruise forever!
3. Head to the hills...or Mountains for skiing, snowshoeing, or just a cuddle by the fire!
There are so many incredible places to get your winter on. Even Floridians can admit, it's sometimes a magical thing to see the light dancing off the fresh snow and "sweater weather".
We may be biased but the US has some incredible skiing on both sides of the country so here are our top picks in the lower 48, not that Aleyska in Girwood, Alaska isn't amazing!
- The Lodge at Spruce Peak, Stowe, VT for the incredible resort at the base of one of the best ski areas around. Activities for non-skiers are why we love Stowe and its surrounding towns from a horse-drawn sleigh ride or snow-shoeing and candle-making, or visiting the original Ben and Jerry's creamery for their classics.
- The Viceroy Snowmass, near Aspen, CO is one of Virtuoso's Best of the Best slope-side resorts and Aspen knows how to celebrate the holidays with some of the world's best powder skiing. Or, skip the slopes and enjoy a soak in the waterfall-fed soaking pool or enjoy a wellness treatment in their award-winning spa. Aspen has a festive holiday event calendar with the Lighting of the Tree at Little Nell (Dec 10, 2024), and don't miss their Wintersköl™(Jan. 11 – 14, 2024) with their 73rd year "toasting winter" for bonfires, Soup competition, fireworks, snow sculptures and more!
- The Four Seasons, Jackson Hole, WY well because you can never go wrong at a Four Seasons for the holidays, especially in this magical western town at the seat of the Grand Tetons. Ski Jackson Hole or Grand Targhee, either way, they boast some of the most family-friendly ski and winter fun resorts for all ages. Jackson Hole has The Town Square Lighting the Thursday after Thanksgiving and Santa on the Square Dec 16-24, 2024. You can get your last-minute holiday shopping done at their Winter Windfall shopping and small business event from November 24 - December 24th with a chance to win a $1000 shopping spree.
It's time!
After spending last New Year's in wine country near Bordeaux, France, I highly recommend taking the plunge and trying something new. With so many choices, you really can't go wrong with experiencing the holidays in a new destination, making new traditions and lasting memories, not to mention bragging rights!
There are less than 30 days until Thanksgiving and only 60 days until Christmas and the start of Hannukah so you better act now to reserve the best holiday gift you can give, travel!
Inquire Here about your next trip!