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Fancy a city break to celebrate Christmas this year? Here are some amazing destinations that will fill you with festive cheer and seasonal sparkle.
Helsinki Finland
Reasons to go: The traditional Christmas drink is Glögi, made of spiced wine, almonds and raisins and often a warming dash of Vodka! This seasonal speciality is sure to keep you toasty whether you plan to shop ‘til you drop on Aleksanterinkatu, the official Christmas Street of the city – this is where you’ll find all the biggest names in Finnish design; or decide to explore the Helsinki Christmas Market, a winter paradise with over 120 stalls selling gifts and festive food and drinks.
• Approx Flight Time: 3h
• Chance of snow: 10%
• Average Temperature: -4°C
Quebec Canada
Reasons to go: Each year Old Quebec City transforms into a Christmas village adorned with glittering lights, nativity scenes and all things festive. Quebec also has an amazing German Christmas market serving up delights such as roast chestnuts and sausages as well as plenty of stalls selling artisan Christmas gifts that you won’t find on the high street. What really makes it our choice for a Christmas break is the famous toboggan run, where you can speed down the hill on a wooden sled whilst taking in the city views.
• Approx Flight Time: 10h
• Chance of snow: 20%
• Average Temperature: -10°C
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Prague
Reasons to go: A mouthwateringly wonderful cinnamon sugar covered pastry treat called Trdelnik! It goes great with a Svařák – the Czech equivalent of a hot mead or mulled wine – and is commonly served with a scoop of ice cream; and believe us when we say you’ll need the calories for hitting the Christmas markets! Make sure the Old Town Square Christmas Market is on your itinerary, it’s said to be the most scenic one in the city. Other favourites include markets at Peace Square, Prague Castle, and Wenceslas Square.
• Approx Flight Time: 2h
• Chance of snow: 69%
• Average Temperature: -1°C
Reykjavik
Reasons to go: Being so far north, Reykjavik gets just four hours of daylight at this time of year. The dark skies coupled with frost, snow, (maybe northern lights) and the bright festive lights in the city makes it a truly magical place to be for Christmas. It’s also the place to be to enjoy an early Christmas, because here it is celebrated on the 24th. The fun starts with Þorláksmessa on 23rd of December, the time to join locals for a few beers, or pastries and hot chocolate whilst taking in the last hours of Christmas shopping.
• Approx Flight Time: 3h
• Chance of snow: 9%
• Average Temperature: -2°C
New York
Reasons to go: The city is alive with festive wonder, there is more shopping here than you can shake an Amex card at, and the entertainment is next level. Top places to head for are: Bryant Park Winter Village – here you’ll find over 120 holiday stalls and a huge ice rink; Fifth Avenue for Christmas window displays – a riot of festive imagination where you are just as likely to see seven million Swarovski crystals twinkling away (actually true!) as you are fairy lights on a tree; and Dyker Heights Brooklyn, where even the locals ramp it up all the way to 11 at this time of year – check it out, it’s even got its own tour bus.
• Approx Flight Time: 7h
• Chance of snow: 3%
• Average Temperature: 0°C
Don’t forget your travel insurance! Cancelled flights, lost luggage, missed flights, illness or injury can all turn a dream holiday into a bit of a nightmare without the right cover.