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Index
- Destinations in Italy
- Gubbio, Umbria
- San Gimignano, Tuscany
- L’Aquila, Abruzzo
- Artena, Lazio
- Perugia, Umbria
- Destinations in Europe
- Warsaw, Poland
- Ljubljana, Slovenia
- Bucharest, Romania
- Sofia, Bulgaria
- Tallinn, Estonia
- Destinations in the rest of the world
- Madagascar, Africa
- Bangkok, Thailand
- Hanoi, Vietnam
- Mauritius, Africa
When we talk about Christmas we already think of decorations, trees and the magical atmosphere that only this party can give. No matter where you are, Christmas deserves to be celebrated with your closest friends and family. But what would happen if you wanted to break the rules and travel
In this period any part of the world becomes even more wonderful, thanks to the Christmas spirit that invades every street of the city, with markets, exhibitions and themed fairs.
If you like the idea, you just have to choose a destination. You don’t know which
one we recommend. From Italy to the rest of the world here are 15 destinations, also quite cheap, for a Christmas not to be forgotten .
Travel advice post COVID19: If you are planning a trip, make sure you are in line with safety measures. Follow government guidelines and only return to travel when the green light is given. Prefer natural and perhaps non-mass destinations, and in general promote local tourism: discover the wonders of your city, your region and your state. Try to avoid long-haul travel and at most choose destinations that can be reached with a few hours of flight. Finally, remember that some of the events mentioned in this article could be canceled due to a pandemic, therefore ascertained through official channels.
Destinations in Italy
Destination Stay 5 days / 4 nights Gubbio, Umbria from € 216.00 – see details
San Gimignano, Tuscany from € 200.00 – see details
L’Aquila, Abruzzo from € 240.00 – see details
Artena, Lazio from € 228.00 – see details
Perugia, Umbria from € 156.00 – see details
1 – Gubbio, Umbria
Photo by Adri08. Gubbio is a much loved destination all year round, but during Christmas it has a unique charm. To attract tourists in this period are the gigantic Christmas tree, which holds the record for being the largest in the world , and the nativity scene. Set in the San Martino district, it perfectly recreates the magic of Christmas in the streets of the town. Be careful not to mistake one of the life-size statues for a passer-by!
- Where to sleep: hotels and b & b from € 54.00 per night – see the offers
- Average cost of a dinner : € 34.00 for two people
- Recommended cards, tickets and tours: Tour of the Umbrian villages
2 – San Gimignano, Tuscany
Far from the more famous Florence, San Gimignano is an architectural jewel. Known for its towers that create a landscape that is nothing short of suggestive, during the winter it comes alive with Christmas markets and initiatives that will make you spend unforgettable holidays.
An ideal opportunity for food and wine tours along the oil and wine roads and for a trip to the Chianti region.
- Where to sleep: hotels and b & b from € 50.00 per night – see the offers
- Average cost of a dinner : € 70.00 for two people
- Recommended cards, tickets and tours: From Florence: tours to San Gimignano, Siena and Chianti
3 – L’Aquila, Abruzzo
Photo by Valerio Congeduti. In the mountains of central Italy you will also find another splendid destination for Christmas, we are talking about L’Aquila, the capital of Abruzzo. During the Christmas period the town square comes alive thanks to the markets that sell typical products and to the house of Santa Claus that welcomes the little ones, while the hamlets come alive with living nativity scenes and decorations.
SEE ALSO : L’Aquila: what to see, where to eat and what to do in the evening
- Where to sleep: hotels and b & b from € 60.00 per night – see the offers
- Average cost of a dinner : € 40.00 for two people
- Recommended cards, tickets and tours: L’Aquila dei Misteri: guided view on foot
4 – Artena, Lazio
Photo by ChristianEvangelista20. Hidden in the mountains of the Lazio hinterland, Artena during the Christmas period is a real spectacle. The streets of the town are decorated with lights and decorations that from a distance make Artena look like a real nativity scene. Do not miss the gigantic Christmas tree , “built” on the side of the mountain thanks to a lighting system.
- Where to sleep: hotels and b & b from € 57.00 per night – see the offers
- Average cost of a dinner : € 35.00 for two people
5 – Perugia, Umbria
Perugia is not only beautiful during the Eurochocolate, but also during Christmas. During this period the city is enriched with decorations and markets, both in the “hidden” part and in the streets.
Definitely worth visiting is the underground Perugia, the markets and craft shops.
- Where to sleep: hotels and b & b from € 39.00 – see the offers
- Average cost of a dinner : € 35.00 for two people
- Recommended cards, tickets and tours: 2 hours walking tour for small groups Perugia: Private walking tour
Destinations in Europe
Destination Flight + Hotel Offer (5 days / 4 nights) Warsaw, Poland from € 280.00 – see details
Ljubljana, Slovenia from € 204.00 – see details
Bucharest, Romania from € 184.00 – see details
Sofia, Bulgaria from € 168.00 – see details
Tallinn, Estonia from € 564.00 – see details
1 – Warsaw, Poland
Close enough to Italy but with that particular inimitable charm, Warsaw is a fantastic destination for an original and traditional Christmas at the same time. Here you will find several markets that you can visit before the Pasterka, the traditional mass on December 24th.
SEE ALSO : Christmas in Warsaw: Offers, program and advice
- Low cost flights: starting from € 58.48 – look at the offers
- Where to sleep: Hotels and b & b starting from € 42.00 per room – see the offers
- Flight + hotel package : Round trip flight + 4 nights / 5 days from € 280.00 per person – see the offer
- Average cost of a dinner : starting from € 30.00 for two people
- Recommended cards, tickets and tours: Full day city tour Pub crawl with free drinks
2 – Ljubljana, Slovenia
Ljubljana, the capital of Slovenia, comes alive with lights and sounds during Christmas, thanks to the festival of lights and Christmas markets. A stone’s throw from the Ljubljanica river you will find everything you could wish for a magical and unrepeatable December 25th. Furthermore, you will not struggle to find cultural events in squares, streets, churches and museums.
- Low cost flights: flights to Ljubljana or Trieste (95km from Ljubljana) starting from € 22.02 – check the offers
- Where to sleep: Hotels and b & b from € 32.00 per room – see the offers
- Flight + hotel package : Round trip flight + 4 nights / 5 days from € 204.00 per person – see the offer
- Average cost of a dinner : starting from € 44.00 for two people
- Recommended cards, tickets and tours: Ljubljana Lights and Delights Walking Tour
3 – Bucharest, Romania
Photo of Marco Verch Professional Photographer. On the edge of Europe you can spend a magical Christmas in Bucharest. The credit goes to the numerous initiatives that animate the city, such as the markets in the Cismigiu Gardens, in the University square and on Viale Kiseleff and the skating rink in Piazza Unirii.
SEE ALSO : Christmas in Bucharest: program and offers
- Low cost flights: from € 33.98 – check the offers
- Where to sleep: Hotels and b & b from € 29.00 per room – see the offers
- Flight + hotel package : Round trip flight + 4 nights / 5 days from € 184.00 per person – see the offer
- Average cost of a dinner : starting from € 30.00 for two people
- Recommended cards, tickets and tours: 1 day in Transylvania and Dracula’s castle
4 – Sofia, Bulgaria
Christmas in Sofia is definitely magical. There may not be snow (or at least not always) but the atmosphere will be equally incredible. You will find markets in every corner of the city and, if you are lucky, you will also arrive in time for the Bulgarian music festival which takes place right in the month of December in Sofia.
SEE ALSO : What to see in Sofia
- Low cost flights: starting from € 25.98 – check the offers
- Where to sleep: Hotels and b & b from € 29.00 per room – see the offers
- Flight + hotel package : Round trip flight + 4 nights / 5 days from € 168.00 per person – see the offer
- Average cost of a dinner : starting from € 25.00 for two people
- Recommended cards, tickets and tours: 3-hour gastronomic-cultural tour
5 – Tallinn, Estonia
Estonia can offer you a pleasant surprise at Christmas thanks to Tallinn. This splendid city during the month of December has nothing to envy to the “house of Santa Claus”: snow, markets, lights and decorations everywhere for a magical and timeless atmosphere.
SEE ALSO : What to see in Tallinn
- Low cost flights: starting from € 170.71 – look at the offers
- Where to sleep: Hotels and b & b from € 56.00 per room – look at the offers
- Flight + hotel package : Round trip flight + 4 nights / 5 days from € 564.00 per person – see the offer
- Average cost of a dinner : starting from € 20.00 for two people
- Recommended card, ticket and tour: Best of Tallinn 2-hour Bike Tour hop-on hop-off bus ticket
Destinations in the rest of the world
1 – Madagascar, Africa
Exotic and paradisiacal, the island of Madagascar is a splendid location for unforgettable holidays. Rich in vegetation and unspoiled nature, it is famous for its mild climate and beaches that have nothing to envy to even more “wild” destinations, thanks also to the coral reef. Here you will find everything you need for a relaxing holiday, even in the company of lemurs. December is not exactly the most suitable period for a trip to Madagascar as it corresponds to the beginning of the rainy season. However, many agencies and tour operators offer super discounted holiday packages for the Christmas period, so if you want to try an unusual experience, consider choosing it!
: Madagascar: where is it, when to go and what to see
- Low cost flights: Flights to Antananarivo starting from € 452,67 – check the offers
- Where to sleep: Hotels and b & b from € 38.00 per room – see the offers
- Flight + hotel package : Round trip flight + 6 nights / 7 days from € 1.095,00 per person – see the offer
- Average cost of a dinner : starting from € 15.00 for two people
- Recommended cards, tickets and tours: Antananarivo like a local: Personalized guided tour
2 – Bangkok, Thailand
A slightly out of the ordinary place to spend Christmas and Thailand. Don’t expect to find Christmas trees and decorations, as it is not a recognized holiday except within Catholic families. However, you can spend the eve visiting the beauties of the place, such as the Royal Palace and the various temples such as Wat Pho, Wat Arun and the temple of the reclining Buddha. In addition, the Christmas period is excellent to visit, since it is when there is the most favorable climate of the year.
SEE ALSO : when to go to Thailand, best time and months to avoid 10 Things to see absolutely in Bangkok
- Low cost flights: starting from € 423.89 – look at the offers
- Where to sleep: Hotels and b & b from € 50.00 per room – see the offers
- Flight + hotel package : Round trip flight + 6 nights / 7 days from € 1,048.00 per person – see the offer
- Average cost of a dinner : starting from € 20.00 for two people
- Recommended Cards, Tickets & Tours: Damnoen Saduak Floating Market Excursion From Bangkok: Ayutthaya Full-Day Tour by Bus and Boat
3 – Hanoi, Vietnam
Still heading east you will find another original destination for a fun and educational Christmas: Vietnam. During this period the temperatures drop, even reaching below 10 °, so cover up well. Contrary to other areas of the east of the world, here Christmas is celebrated, and even a lot, regardless of the city you decide to visit. Do not miss the mass in the cathedral of Hanoi , outside which you will find a beautiful Christmas tree, and the markets in the streets of Hoi An.
- Low cost flights: Flights to Hanoi from € 403.26 – check the offers
- Where to sleep: Hotels and b & b from € 28.00 per room – see the offers
- Flight + hotel package : Round trip flight + 6 nights / 7 days from € 920.00 per person – see the offer
- Average cost of a dinner : starting from € 20.00 for two people
- Recommended Cards, Tickets and Tours: Cu Chi Tunnel: Half-Day Small Group Tour My Son Shrine: Sunrise Tour from Hoi An Ha Long Bay, Thien Cung Cave and Kayaking with Cruise Private Hanoi Tour: Mausoleum HoChiMinh and water puppet
- Recommended events and activities : visit shrines, Ha Long Bay
4 – Mauritius, Africa
In Mauritius we always talk about sun and sea in a true earthly paradise, white and fine sand with more than crystalline waters that contrast with dense vegetation among which you will find sugar canes, pineapples, coffee plantations and much more. If you are tired of the cold it will be a fantastic alternative to relaxing for the Christmas period . The Christmas period does not coincide with the high tourist season, December and in fact a month of transition between the dry and wet seasons. This means that the prices are very affordable and the climate is still good!
SEE ALSO : Mauritius: where it is, when to go and what to see
- Low cost flights: Flights to Mahebourg starting from € 472.70 – check the offers
- Where to sleep: Hotels and b & b from € 38.00 per room – see the offers
- Flight + hotel package : Round trip flight + 6 nights / 7 days from € 1,097.00 per person – see the offer
- Average cost of a dinner : starting from € 15.00 for two people
- Recommended cards, tickets and tours: Isola dei Cervi: 1-day cruise with barbecue Black River: speedboat tour and swim with dolphins