Best Christmas vacation ideas for 2023, per travel experts

While there are certainly many benefits to hunkering down at home for the holidays — watching your favorite Christmas movies in your matching family pajamas, stuffing your loved ones’ stockings with goodies, decorating your tree and all the other great traditions, there’s nothing quite like a unique Christmas vacation.

Aside from just changing things up, traveling to different places during Christmas time allows you to see how different cultures celebrate the holidays. Whether you’re looking for some time on a tropical beach after living in your winter coat for months or want to experience an extra festive holiday skiing on the Swiss alps with Christmas markets in tow, there’s a Christmas vacation for all types of families.

As for the price tag, going away for the holidays is most likely going to cost more than other weeks since it’s one of the busiest times of year to travel but Amy Metzger, Luxury Travel Advisor with Travel Edge, thinks it’s worth the extra expense.

“The higher cost to travel during holidays is a cost that repays itself for the extra experiences and events not able to be seen at other times of the year,” Metzger said. “One way to offset that cost is to travel on the actual holiday dates (Dec. 25 or Jan. 1) as those dates often are less [expensive].”

For more information on the dos and dont’s of planning Christmas vacations, check out the FAQ section at the bottom of this article.

In an effort to help you find the perfect destination for your 2023 Christmas trip, the New York Post spoke with a handful of travel experts to get their top recommendations. Get the 411 below!

Scotland (Highlands & Edinburgh)

Scotland is an incredible place to visit during the holidays for its festivals and Scottish spirit!

“The Scottish highlands and lowlands are full of festive atmosphere for travelers,” Metzger told The Post. “Bundle your hotel stays and excursions to see the festivities from Christmas Day to Boxing Day [Dec. 26] to Hogmanay [what Scotland calls New Year’s Eve].

“To this day, Hogmanay is still a more important festival in Scotland than Christmas. Historians believe that they inherited the celebration from the Vikings who, coming from even further north than ourselves, paid even more attention to the passing of the shortest day,” Metzger explained.

If you’re visiting Scotland, you’ll most likely be flying in and out of the capital, Edinburgh, which is also a great city to spend time during the holidays.

“There are loads of special Christmas events [going on] throughout the city,” Metzger said. “The main Christmas Market is held each year in the Princes Street Gardens. It seems to get bigger each year with several lanes filled with little shops and kiosks selling crafts, art, gifts, food, and more.”

“Another great option is the evening light trail at the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh,” Metzger said. “They have illuminated trails that include lots of lights, music, and illuminations. You can also buy hot chocolate or mulled wine to enjoy along the trail.”

Where to stay in Edinburgh: For a luxurious and special experience, experts love staying at The InterContinental Edinburgh The George, an IHG Hotel. The five-star hotel has been welcoming hotel guests since 1881 and is just foot steps away from the iconic Edinburgh Castle and the Scottish capital’s popular, cobbled street of the Royal Mile. Enjoy prime Scottish beef at The Printing Press restaurant where they serve a range of 28-day-aged cuts and then head to the Printing Press Bar for an excellent after-dinner cocktail. At the hotel’s heart are five listed Georgian townhouses, built in 1775 as homes for Edinburgh’s most prosperous citizens and have connections with one of Scotland’s finest novelist, Sir Walter Scott.

Where to stay in the Scottish Highlands: If you’re making the trip to the Isle of Sky, the Cuillin Hills Hotel is a great choice. The property is about 35 miles from the famous Skye Bridge and overlooks the capital town of Portree. The 4-star hotel features a lounge bar, a Malt Embassy offering more than 130 Malt Whiskies and en-suite bedrooms, many of which offer superb mountain and sea views.

Australia (Sydney)

“If you are looking for a warm Christmas, this will be a great destination. You still can enjoy Christmas decorations, Christmas lights and Santa, but also you can enjoy beach parties,” said Natallia Khoshchynka, a travel expert at Protravel International, a Global Travel Collection affiliate. “Australia offers different levels of adventure and relaxation starting from urban getaways to remote retreats. It’s nice to celebrate Christmas and New Year in the country that celebrated it first with fantastic fireworks and Christmas Pudding.”

While there are many spots in Australia that would make for an incredible Christmas vacation, many of our experts recommended the city of Sydney in particular.

“Sydney is one of the most fun and lively cities to travel to during the holidays, as the decor, energy and outback-activities create an unforgettable trip with sunny comfortable temperatures, since it is their summer season during the holidays,” said Shayna Mizrahi, travel expert at Vive Voyage, affiliate of In The Know Experiences a Global Travel Collection Company.

Where to stay in Sydney: “Capella Hotel brings a nice mix between luxury and indigenous roots. It has wonderful artwork collection throughout the hotel. You can take advantage of complimentary events like historian-led storytelling sessions and guided market tours,” Khoshchynka said.

Czech Republic (Prague)

Another top pick of Khoshchynka’s is the Czech Republic.

“It has wonderful Christmas markets, but with a different twist of Eastern European flavor,” she said. “There are fantastic castles and small towns, which are worth visiting during this time of the year as you have a great chance to immerse yourself with local traditions and cultural heritage.”

Where to stay in Prague: Khoshchynka recommends staying at the Augustine, a Luxury Collection Hotel, Prague for its “amazing history” and great location. It’s located in the center of Prague’s fabled Lesser Town district, right below Prague Castle and just steps away from Charles Bridge. The historic location was converted from a 13th-century monastery and has four monks still living on the grounds. The hotel is directly connected to Baroque St. Thomas Church and offers special tours where guests may experience an authentic Augustinian monastery and a 13th-century library without stepping outside of the hotel. 

Finland (Lapland)

“If you are adventurous and searching for a bucket list trip then Lapland, Finland will be the best choice. You are getting not only warm and beautiful Christmas celebration in one of the most remote spots in Europe, but also a great chance of spotting Northern Lights,” Khoshchynka said. If you’re traveling with little ones, “you can [also] visit Rovaniemi, the official hometown of Santa Claus.”

“While in Lapland you can enjoy dogsledding, Nordic skiing, snowmobiling, reindeer safari, try ice fishing, visit Santa, learn about indigenous people of Lapland Sami on a guided tour, ice climbing or snowboarding,” Khoshchynka recommended.

Where to stay in Lapland: “Kakslauttanen Arctic Resort has famous glass igloos where you can see the Northern Lights right through the windows of your own room,” said Khoshchynka.

Surrounded by nature, this unique property is located in the Saariselkä Fell region and offers traditional wood chalets (in addition to the glass igloos) and has the world’s largest smoke sauna (with its very own restaurant). Activities include husky and reindeer safaris, snowmobiling, cross-country skiing and more.

Austria (The Alps & Vienna)

“The skiing in the Austrian Alps is beautiful and the hotel options are varied for many people’s budgets. If you need equipment, lessons and other items they are available at the resorts/hotels so you don’t need to travel with them,” Metzger said. “The food options are terrific and there are many other things to do for spouses or family members that don’t want to ski. Horse drawn carriages through the snow, evening events that include bonfires and hot tubs are all special things you can do in winter time. Holiday decorations [will be] up and the atmosphere is festive!”

(Pro tip: you can easily combine Austria with another neighboring country like Germany or Switzerland to check out the fantastic Christmas markets and festivals happening during that time of year. Consider a river cruise to make the most of your time).

Since you’re likely flying either in or out of Vienna from the states, we recommend exploring Austria’s fabulous capital city for a few days.

Where to stay in Vienna: For a fabulous experience, consider The Ritz Carlton Vienna. It’s located on the iconic Ring Boulevard in Vienna’s cultural heart and is only a short walk from the city park — the perfect starting point to discover Vienna. The hotel boasts 200 guest rooms, five restaurants (including the farm-to-table Dstrikt Steakhouse), a rooftop bar with breathtaking views of the city, a spa, an indoor pool and more.

Where to stay in the Alps: After exploring the city for a few days, head to the mountains and stay at the Hotel Jagdhaus Monzabon in Lech, Austria. It’s right in town, offering great walkability and has 33 homey (but luxurious) rooms on the property.

St. Barts

“St. Barthelemy [St. Barts] in the Caribbean Islands is a consistent top choice for Christmas vacation, as the stunning French island is an oasis full of incredible beaches, nightlife, gastronomy and shopping that will check off every holiday wish list,” Mizrahi told The Post.

“So many of the islands have ‘festivals’ and special events during the holidays so if you’re looking to get away from cold weather, the Caribbean is the place for you! Sun and beaches, boating and water sports abound!” said Metzger. “Because there are so many options, even with holiday pricing you still can get something in your budget! Higher end villas and resorts offer extra amenities as well.”

Where to stay in St. Barts: Rosewood Le Guanahani St Barth is a great option for those looking for a slow paced vacation. Nestled on 18 acres on its own private peninsula, this property provides guests with a full-service experience complemented by world-class amenities and facilities. Featuring 66 rooms (many with ocean views and some with private pools), three restaurants and an all-inclusive experience.

Where to stay in New York City: Whether it’s your first time in NYC or your 100th, a hotel near Central Park is never a letdown. The Plaza Hotel is a classic that will make for a very special Christmas.

“The Plaza Hotel is an iconic, regal gem in New York. In every city there is usually a hotel or two that is one-of-a-kind, and in NYC that is The Plaza. From the beautiful royal decor, to the iconic gastronomic options to enjoy while staying there, it is truly overall the premier choice to stay in NYC,” Mizrahi said.

The luxurious hotel is just steps from Central Park, the Museum of Modern Art, 5th Avenue and the afternoon tea is a classic NYC experience that is worth the splurge.

For more information on where to stay in Manhattan, check out our article on the best hotels in NYC.

Switzerland (Zurich)

Switzerland is maybe one of the most special places we have on our list. Its landscape is spectacular, the locals are extremely friendly and the food is divine.

“Zurich is a spectacular winter wonderland destination with unique activities to explore from skiing, chocolate making and some of the [most] breathtaking spa hotels,” Mizrahi said.

Where to stay in Zurich: “A unique hotel to stay at is Grand Resort Bad Ragaz near Zurich where clients can experience numerous Michelin Star restaurants at the property, a thermal spa and stunning views of the Swiss Alps,” said Mizrahi.

In addition, Duncan Greenfield-Turk, chief travel designer at Global Travel Moments, highly recommends Baur au Lac hotel and The Dolder Grand hotel as great options in Zurich.

“Baur au Lac is an iconic Zurich hotel offering a serene oasis amidst the bustling city. Its proximity to the Christmas markets and the lake make it a perfect choice,” Greenfield-Turk said. “The hotel is surrounded by a private park, providing a tranquil retreat in the heart of the city.”

“[The Dolder] Grand Hotel combines historic charm with contemporary luxury, featuring a stunning location overlooking Zurich and the Alps,” Greenfield-Turk told The Post. “The hotel boasts two Michelin-starred restaurants.”

Anguilla

December through April offer the most ideal weather in Anguilla since it tends to be dryer — making Christmas time the perfect week to visit. While it’s warm in Anguilla year-round, that time of year should be slightly balmier and much sunnier.

“Anguilla offers a very relaxed vibe [where you can explore] nearby islands by boat and snorkel off various beaches. The island is also sought after for its amazing dining,” said Linda Sergeant, travel advisor with Global Travel Collection.

Where to stay in Anguilla: If money isn’t an object, consider the Four Seasons Resort and Residences Anguilla for an unforgettable Christmas trip.

The property is home to 166 villas (more than 80% of which overlook the breaking surf and blue horizons of two of Anguilla’s 33 spectacular beaches). Enjoy the seaside spa, relaxing pool time, seaside sports, sample fresh cuisine, immerse yourself in Anguilla’s unique culture and more.

Where to stay in Munich: Khoshchynka recommends both the Sofitel Munich Bayerpost hotel which is located in the heart of the city. Offering 339 rooms, a French restaurant, spa and an indoor pool — what’s not to love?

FAQ

The travel experts we interviewed gave us the 411 on planning a Christmas vacations.

The best way to choose a Christmas vacation destination?

If money isn’t an object, the first question to ask is whether or not you’d like to be in a warm or cold climate.

“Choose a spot that you want to go to for the activities you want to enjoy,” Metzger said. “If skiing is your thing, go to Switzerland, Colorado, Utah or Austria for the best skiing. If you want to see the Christmas markets, look for a special way to see them…for example, a River Cruise that goes to the markets.”

“Best way to choose a Christmas spot first understand clients wishes warm vs cold climate. Then budget and amount of time available for travel to a destination, finally  finding the most direct flights to make the most of time in the ground.

What are the major pros and cons of traveling during the holidays?

“Traveling during Christmas has several pros and cons. The pros of traveling during Christmas are that it is a memorable holiday trip, as the holiday season is already special, traveling elevates the holiday cheer and energy to enjoy during travels by creating new unique experiences that turn into heartfelt memories,” Mizrahi said. “The cons of traveling during Christmas are that it can be extremely stressful as it is a peak travel time, and usually higher pricing as it is a peak travel time worldwide.”

How far out in advance should your clients book a holiday vacation?

It depends on the destination but most experts recommend at least 10-12 months in advance. Ultimately, the “sooner you start working on your trip, the better chance you have with more availability, better pricing, and less stress,” Khoshchynka advised.

That being said, if you’re reading this article during the original time of publish (mid September), experts recommend checking out destinations in the Caribbean as those spots don’t usually book up as quickly.

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