Festive Destinations To Celebrate The Holidays

Munich, Germany

​Make this a holiday season to remember for your family by taking a break from your traditional festivities to experience how another country jingles their bells. Now’s a great time to book your holiday travel to get the best rates and hotel options. Here are several destinations that truly get you into the holiday spirit, making them a joy to visit.

Munich, Germany
Germany becomes transformed during December as Christmas Markets spring up across the country. At Munich's celebrated Christmas market, held in Marienplatz (St. Mary’s Square) since the 14th century, you'll find all manner of crafts, sweets, cakes and other delights. Christmas in Munich is also a time for music, when churches echo with carols and Bach’s ''Christmas Oratorio'' can be heard throughout town.

Edinburgh, Scotland
Beautiful throughout the year, Scotland’s capital becomes magical around Christmastime when winter festivals include fairground rides, Ferris wheels, outdoor ice rinks, hot food stands and traditional German Christmas markets. Other Christmas events include the Santa Run, Edinburgh's record-breaking attempt for the largest gathering of Santas, the Reindeer Gardens and carol concerts.

London, England 
London hosts many Christmas activities to appeal to millions of revelers. The West End lights up to illuminate shoppers on Oxford and Regent streets; ice-skating rinks appear across town; a massive Norwegian pine is erected in Trafalgar Square; the English National Ballet performs “The Nutcracker” and other favorites at the London Coliseum; there’s even an obstacle race around Covent Garden that contestants run while carrying Christmas pudding on a tray!

Sydney, Australia
Christmas on the beach? Why not in Sydney, where the warm summer season makes such beaches as Bondi and Manly prime destinations for a Christmas Day family barbeque. Christmastime is also celebrated with a light show projected nightly onto the Town Hall and the annual Carols by Candlelight at the Domain, which concludes with a stirring, hand-holding, candle-raising rendition of “Let There Be Peace on Earth.”

Island Hopping Around the Caribbean
Setting sail together gives your family everything you love about the holidays — the feasts, the time together, seasonal décor — without the hassles of preparing for every detail and cleaning up afterward. Plus, a cruise ship gives your family plenty of space, activities and adventures to have the times of your lives, all while taking you to one exotic locale after another. The halls are decked, the holiday feast is prepared by a master chef and the jolly man himself is on board handing out gifts galore. Plus, your family can enjoy special shows and a choir of heavenly voices singing carols around the tree.