The Christmas season is the most beautiful time of the year. It’s synonymous with relaxation and leisure. Most destinations do their festive garb and welcome visitors in grand style to enjoy the yuletide festival fairs, music shows, time-honoured traditions, and excellent food.
While some Nigerians travel domestically during the holidays, others plan Christmas getaways to destinations abroad. If you’re looking for some ideas for your Christmas holiday this year, here are some of the best places to visit for a holiday escape.
Amsterdam
The magnificent city of Amsterdam is a popular destination for people seeking the best places to spend their Christmas holidays. Amsterdam has colourful lights and stunning Christmas trees almost everywhere. The canals are transformed into fairytale spots with beautiful lights, especially at night.
If there is something you shouldn’t miss in the city, it would be the annual Amsterdam Light Festival. This mind-blowing festival attracts international and local artists and recreates the city with gorgeous light artwork exhibitions. There is no better time to visit Amsterdam than during Christmas when the city transforms into a true festive fantasy.
New York
New York seems to inspire our Christmas with movies like Home Alone 2 and Miracle on 34th Street. Christmas time in New York City makes us want to be children who giggle at the twinkling lights that drench the city.
The city is transformed into a winter extravaganza. You’ll find family-friendly shows, open-air holiday markets, and iconic traditions on Fifth Avenue and Dyker Heights.
The Big Apple has become an attractive Christmas city with a promise of snow, outdoor ice-skating, and an abundance of live musical spectaculars. New York simply does not blink during the festive period.
Lagos
You feel the excitement in the air when you come to Lagos in December. While Lagos may not be wrapped in the winter Christmas magic like New York or London, various parts of the city are lit with Christmas decorations and lights.
With hundreds of parties taking place all over, the spirit of ‘owambe’ becomes stronger. Due to the numerous colourful activities and music festivals taking place at the same time in various locations, choosing a focus of interest may become challenging. However, whatever you decide, we guarantee you’re definitely going to have fun.
Whether you want to spend a quiet time with loved ones or comb every part of Lagos for activities, the city is bound to keep you satisfied.
London
From Christmas shopping to ice-skating rinks, London pumps your adrenaline with activities and events. Get engrossed by the numerous twinkling light sculptures, experience immersive illumination and cool artwork across the city. Christmas in London is everything you see on Instagram feeds! There are so many beautiful things to do in London at Christmas from exploring the Christmas markets and designer stores for shopping to going ice-skating at the rinks and attending festive events.
Cape Town
From outdoor Christmas feasts to candlelight carols, Cape Town awakens to a vibrant and thrilling festive season. The Mother City dubbed the most beautiful city in Africa, is even more stunning during the Christmas season. It features many exciting activities and events lined up for visitors who want to spend their holidays in South Africa.
Whether it’s visiting penguins on Boulders Beach, spending time on the beach at Camps Bay with your loved ones or taking a stroll down Adderley Street for the gleaming Christmas lights, magical moments await you in Cape Town.
Zanzibar
Although Zanzibar island does not have cheery decorations or seasonal events to get you in the holiday spirit, it is nevertheless a wonderful destination to spend the holidays with your loved ones. Spending the holidays on the island is truly fascinating, with a variety of activities to choose from. You may explore the island’s pristine turquoise-blue ocean and wade across its shallow sandbars.
The Zanzibar Archipelago is nestled in the Indian Ocean with beautiful places to relax with your loved ones. The island has no dull moments with many tiny fishing villages to visit with a traditional dhow. You can enjoy a delicious Christmas meal at the Rock restaurant, visit and explore the Nungwi and Kendwa beaches in the north of the island, go snorkelling in Mnemba Atoll’s crystal blue seas or watch the sunset at Stone Town.
Paris
Paris at Christmas is a dream come true for many people. The city of love is flooded with lights and snow, pulling the most romantic spots you can ever find in the world.
Places like the Champs-Élysées and Galeries Lafayette become magnificent during the Christmas season. The famed lighting designers hang sparkling red lights on nearly 400 trees along the Avenue des Champs-Elysées, and you will find elaborate displays adorning the windows of department stores and shopping malls.
Families considering a Christmas trip to Paris with their children are in for a treat. Disneyland is decked up in holiday lights, with beautiful Christmas parades and delightful encounters with Santa. There are also a variety of winter activities for children to enjoy, such as ice skating.
If you happen to be in Paris during the holiday season, Paris cannot wait to show you its Christmas package.
Calabar
Calabar hosts the biggest street party second to Brazil in the World. Nothing prepares you for the carnival that the city offers its visitors. The city is packed with activities throughout the month of December, leaving you overwhelmed with parties, sampling of food and good music. If you want an affordable place to spend your Christmas in Nigeria, Calabar may just be the perfect place for you.
Mombasa
You’ll be hard-pressed to find a more beautiful city to spend Christmas in Kenya than Mombasa, with its pristine beaches, historical forts, and cultural experiences. The beach destination, located on the sun-drenched Indian Ocean coast, is popular with holidaymakers looking for a sea, sun, and sand vacation over Christmas.
During Christmas, Mombasa is packed and buzzing, with practically every Kenyan and visitor enjoying its various beach surroundings. While there are no sparkling street illuminations or spectacular window displays, there are plenty of festive activities that make the city one of the best places to visit during the holidays.
Mauritius
Do you want to enjoy the sumptuous Christmas pudding or stuffed turkey? Mauritius has been influenced by the western traditional lifestyle. The country is known for beautiful beaches, reefs, and lagoons, located in the Indian Ocean. During the holidays, visitors tick off the majority of their bucket lists since they have adequate time to indulge in a variety of activities with their loved ones.
Christmas is excitingly memorable in Mauritius for people who want to experience pure relaxation and leisure. Similarly, many beach resorts and hotels offer all-inclusive Christmas vacation packages that allow you to be as relaxed as you’d like. There are also lots of parties and vibrant nightlife events, so the weather (or should we say lack of snow) will do nothing to damper the Christmas spirit.
Now is a great time to start planning a Christmas vacation. What’s your dream place to spend Christmas?
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