Christmas abroad: 5 fabulous destinations to spend the holidays

Have you ever considered travelling abroad for Christmas?

Some people wouldn’t dream of it is as it a dedicated, traditional time when family and friends gather and celebrate the festive season, but for others it has real appeal.

It’s not uncommon for families to opt for alternate timing for getting together or to consider destination Christmas celebrations incorporating travel and festivities.

The holiday season is becoming a popular time for Australian’s to travel. According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics, the total number of departures for international travel in December 2023 increased by 512,450 people, demonstrating that there is growing appeal for travel during the festive period.

Changes in business practices are seeing many organisations reducing operating hours or closing down during the Christmas period. Employees are being encouraged to take leave between the major holidays of Christmas and New Year. This provides a two-week window of time away from work – a good amount of time to consider travel abroad.

Although it can be considered a costly time to travel, there are often deals and packages available throughout the year, as well as last-minute options on offer.

Here are a few suggestions for Christmas travel, both near and far, that are suitable for varying budgets and the time available.

Norway

In Norway, you’ll almost certainly have a white Christmas.

If you’ve ever dreamed of being in the scene from a Christmas movie, this is the place to do it. Imagine snow-dusted fir trees, Christmas lights in windows, warm mulled wine and cocoa, beautiful villages decorated in festive trimmings and the fresh smell of gingerbread around every corner.

One of the best ways to explore Norway is cruising – Havila Voyages sail 365 days a year, including over the Christmas period. They make sure guests feel the festive spirit by decorating the ships and offering a range of Christmas activities on board, such as gingerbread decoration and Christmas crafts.

There are many excursions available throughout the cruise – some of the winter options include reindeer sledding, a Sami community visit, snowshoeing and tobogganing, king crab fishing, dog sledding and snow mobile safaris.

Passengers sleep on board the ship for the duration of the cruise, with the choice of interior cabins or exterior sea view cabins.

Images courtesy of Havila Voyages.

Laos

This small landlocked country in South East Asia is predominantly Buddhist (67 per cent). Only 1.5 per cent of the population practises Christianity, therefore traditional Christmas celebrations are minimal here. If you can do without the tinsel and baubles, then it’s a perfect time to visit, with dry season temperatures averaging 27 degrees Celsius throughout December.

Food in Laos is a fusion of Cambodian and Thai, and there are night markets and street stalls where you can sample all the local delicacies from rice and noodle dishes to soups and tropical fruit desserts.

The city of Luang Prabang is popular for first-time visitors with activities including Mekong River cruises, waterfalls for hiking and swimming, wellness experiences, history and culture.

There are no direct flights to Laos from Australia but this could be an option to create a multi-stop itinerary that visits other countries along the way with flights travelling via Singapore, Vietnam, Thailand and Cambodia. Travellers can choose from historic boutique accommodation, standard hotels or small luxury resorts.

New Zealand

Less than four hours’ flight over the Tasman from Australia, you can explore the home of the hobbits and the stunning coastlines of the North Island in New Zealand.

The Coromandel Peninsula is a summer holiday must-visit. From the towering Kauri trees and hidden waterfalls to the pristine white sand beaches, ‘the Coromandel’ – as it is affectionately known – is brimming with some of Mother Nature’s finest work.

This region is easily accessible by road and is a comfortable 90-minute drive from Auckland on State Highway 25. There is also a regular passenger ferry between Coromandel Town and Auckland. Of course, there are also the west coast black sand beaches which are stunning – Piha, Karekare, Bethells and Muriwai are less than an hour drive from Auckland.

Affordable accommodation can be found in self-contained ‘baches’, also known as holiday homes, caravan parks and hotels.

Germany

The European Christmas markets have found their fame thanks to their festive aesthetic and the powers of social media. These markets inspire many people to consider the festive season in cooler climes and there are even Christmas market tours that are now available.

Berlin starts the festivities early with winter markets beginning in November. Many of the markets are hosted in palaces and town squares and are themed accordingly. Some Christmas markets run through until the first week of January, so you have plenty of time to catch them all.

When you have satiated your appetite for festive shopping and mulled wine, take the time to visit some of the museums and galleries. On the first Sunday of the month, entry is free of charge to more than 60 of Berlin’s museums.

There are plenty of quality hotels in this German city, as well as hostels and short-stay accommodation available to suit all budgets.

Bali

Just a short flight from most Australian capital cities, a tropical Christmas awaits in Bali.

Despite the religion here being predominantly Balinese Hindu (87 per cent), many of the resorts arrange traditional Christmas celebrations for guests, including festive meals and activities.

It is the rainy season so while the temperatures are warm, the days may be peppered with tropical rain. Despite this, visitors can still expect an average of eight hours of sunshine each day, making it perfect for a relaxation or wellness holiday.

Some of the beach clubs offer Christmas movie screenings and even feature a visit from Santa. Many of the cafes and restaurants catering to visitors have festive brunch menus.

Of course, there is plenty of shopping to be done in Bali, so gifts can be purchased for one and all. Accommodation ranges from luxury resorts to private villas and can be very affordable, especially for groups.

These destinations all deliver a different Christmas experience that can be enjoyed by all – be it a multi-generational trip or a solo festive adventure, everyone can find their own slice of the festive season abroad.

All Bali images by Danielle Phyland.