Everyone Should Celebrate Christmas Abroad At Least Once – Here’s Where
By
11 hours ago
Where to, Santa?
Dare we mention the ‘C’ word? The festive season is coming and we are, as usual, intending to get ahead of the flurry with some unseasonal festive shopping. Early bird catches the worm and all that… But by the time 25 December rolls around, it’s easy to catch a case of Christmas fatigue. This is just one reason travel expert Will Sarson recommends everyone celebrate Christmas abroad at least once in their lifetime.
‘While Christmas is an enjoyable period, there’s no hiding that it’s also a stressful time of year,’ Will (who works for river cruise and tour operator Riviera Travel) tells us. ‘Whether it stems from purchasing gifts, hosting or cooking on Christmas day, it can prove very difficult to navigate while still having a good time. By opting to spend Christmas away from home, people can escape the usual holiday stress and prioritise activities that bring them joy.
So why go abroad instead of embarking on a Christmas staycation? ‘One of the best aspects of spending Christmas in a foreign country is the ability to experience unique traditions first-hand,’ Will says. ‘From Krampus Night in Germany to the Feast of the Seven Fishes in Southern Italy, each country has its own distinctive take on the festive period. By stepping out of their comfort zones, people can take part in these different celebrations, broadening their cultural understanding of the world around them.
‘Another big appeal for spending Christmas day abroad is being able to escape the harsh weather conditions, typically experienced throughout December,’ Will says. ‘The UK can be soggy and grey throughout the festive period, while countries such as Austria and Hungary have higher chances of snow (always magical during winter!), and Spain and Portugal offer much higher temperatures and more comfortable climates.’
Sold on a far-flung Christmas? Here are seven ideas for celebrating Christmas abroad this festive season. Just don’t forget to let Santa know your forwarding address…
7 Christmas Travel Ideas 2025
Ocean Villa (© David-Mitchener)
Six Senses Con Dao, Vietnam
If spending the festive season with a seaside backdrop is on your bucket list, it’s time to tick it off. There’s nowhere better to dust off the cobwebs and refresh yourself for the New Year than Six Senses Con Dao, a rustic-luxury retreat in Vietnam’s national and marine park archipelago. Sold? Book with Turquoise Holidays for 10 percent off.
The atrium at The Fontenay, Hamburg.
The Fontenay, Hamburg
This high-class curvaceous hotel in Germany’s waterside city gets a festive makeover every Christmas; think giant gingerbread creations, gorgeous decorations and a splendid centrepiece of a tree. A member of The Leading Hotels of the World, The Fontenay is hidden in a leafy Hamburg neighbourhood on the banks of the Alster lake, just a short walk from the city centre with all of its Christmas markets fit to burst with artisan gifts, decorations and treats, with the scents of spices, mulled wine and sugary baked goods wafting through the air. But with a sky-high spa and a crowning jewel of a Michelin star restaurant, The Fontenay is the place to be.
Villa d’Este
Villa d’Este, Lake Como
Now open for its third consecutive winter season, Villa d’Este is championing off-season travel on Lake Como – and is a magical place to be come the festive season. Two sparkling glass houses transform the summer terrace into a winter haven, while jazz nights, wine dinners and special festive events create a convivial atmosphere all winter long.
(© Innsbruck/Daniel Zangerl/Visit Austria)
Innsbruck, Austria
Austria is well-known for its dramatic wintery landscapes and charming villages that seem to have fallen right out of a Christmas romcom. For an alpine-urban blend, Innsbruck is the ideal destination for Christmas abroad, featuring a gorgeous film-worthy town lit up with festive twinkling lights and a huge tree, all backdropped by snow-capped mountains – the ultimate festive scene. Find more Austrian winter getaways here.
The Singapore EDITION
Christmas in Singapore is all about stylishness and opulence, and there’s no better address than the Singapore EDITION with its annual artist-commissioned Christmas tree. Last year local artist Samuel Xun has created a 3.4 metre tall, 5-tiered tree wrapped in folded metallic vinyl, so our eyes are peeled for 2025 news. Elsewhere, enjoy special festive menus, cocktails and punch, plus an exclusive festive spa package – the perfect way to wrap up the year.
Pine Cliffs Resort, Algarve
For family-fueled festivities, Pine Cliffs Resort is the ideal destination for Christmas abroad, with special activities such as face painting, Christmas carols, a letter to Santa Claus, making Christmas cookies, make your own snowman, Reindeer day and winter arts and crafts running from 20 December to 6 January. Families can also get together for a special cooking school experience at MIMO from 24 to 30 December to learn how to make everything from chocolate truffles and chocolate chip cookies to pizzas. And, on the big day, a Portuguese style buffet will rewrite your Christmas dinner traditions.
Grand Hotel Excelsior Vittoria, Sorrento
While overtourism batters Naples and the Amalfi Coast every summer, Sorrento sparkles at Christmastime, all the better for its reduced crowds. Local traditions and beautiful decorations – including beautifully crafted ‘presepe’ nativity scenes and vibrant holiday markets – transform this summer spot into a uniquely festive haven with a temperate 17°C average making a welcome change from the freezing British isles. Winter is also the perfect season to try tempting seasonal delicacies including artisanal panettone, struffoli and limoncello. The best address to check yourself into is the magnificent 190-year-old Grand Hotel Excelsior Vittoria, featuring five acres of gardens, orange and lemon groves and Roman pillars scattered among the lawns, a Michelin star restaurant, a champagne bar, and a glamorous roster of previous guests including past guests including Marilyn Monroe, Sophie Loren, Princess Margaret, Luciano Pavarotti and Jackie Kennedy.
