The countdown to Christmas has begun! With Halloween done
and dusted, Christmas adverts on TV and the weather getting colder everyone is
slowly getting into the Christmas spirit!
As the most wonderful time of the year nears, we have
combined a list of real-life winter wonderlands perfect for getaway this
Christmas period!
Lapland
Santa Claus’ official home has an abundance of activities on
offer including husky and reindeer sledding! Of course you also get to meet
Santa in Santa Claus village and cross the Arctic Circle 50m underground at
SantaPark. This one definitely takes the number one spot for the most
Christmassy destinations!
Lapland is located in the northernmost region of Finland and
apart from being the official home to Santa Claus, it is a sparsely populated
area known for its ski resorts and natural phenomena such as the midnight sun
and the Northern Lights.
Christmas Island
Named after its discovery in 1643 on Christmas day, this
island lies in the Indian Ocean and is actually a part of Australia. If you are
looking to get away from the cold and celebrate in the warmer weather this is
the place to be.
You can enjoy your holiday by going scuba diving or snorkeling,
and even turtle spotting. The nesting season takes place all year around on
this island so be on the lookout for hatchlings! If you are lucky you could
also witness the annual red crab migration taking place, when the creatures
leave their burrows and head to the sea to breed.
Bethlehem
People from all over the world make the pilgrimage to Jesus’
birthplace in Bethlehem at Christmas and if you want to be one of those people
make sure you visit the sacred sites which include the Church of the Nativity,
the location where Jesus is believed to have been born. There are plenty of
concerts that take place at this time of year too.
And if you want to send your Christmas cards from Bethlehem
but don’t want to travel all the way to Palestine, why not head to the small
farming village of Bethlehem in Wales and send them from there with a unique
Bethlehem postmark.
Barcelona
If you are one of the people who wishes that Christmas did
not end so quickly, head to Barcelona! The celebrations continue until 6th
January – Three King’s Day – when three dressed up Kings arrive by boat in
Barcelona’s port and parade through the streets. They are accompanied by dance
and circus acts on decorated floats and treats are thrown out to children in
the crowd.
New York
The Big Apple is famous for its oversized Christmas
decorations that adorn the city, making it a spectacle in December. The
attractions include the huge Rockefeller Christmas Tree, ice skating in Central
Park and the Radio City Music Hall Rockettes Christmas Spectacular – an
all-singing, all-dancing festive extravaganza.
Or if you are up for something calmer, you can grab a hot
chocolate and take a walk through the streets of New York or enjoy some
shopping in the famous Fifth Avenue!
Santa Claus
This town in Indiana, USA does more than live up to its
name. It has a Santa Claus Museum and a 1.2 mile Land of Lights at Lake Rudolph
for you to explore!
You can pick up some tasty treats in one of the many
Christmas stores including Holly Tree Christmas Shop and enjoy a drink at the
local craft beer festival – the Brew Ho Ho.
If you are travelling this winter season ensure you are
protected! Discount Insurance can
help you get your Travel Insurance sorted quickly and easily quote here or call 0800 294 4522!
