THE 10 BEST DESTINATIONS TO TRAVEL AT CHRISTMAS

There is less time left until the arrival of Christmas, and with it the parties and vacations that we have been waiting for for so long. Walking through the streets of any city you can already breathe a Christmas atmosphere, the lights have already been turned on, the shop windows are beginning to be covered with Christmas decorations and you are beginning to see the first markets in the streets.

Who doesn't like to travel at Christmas? It is a beautiful, magical time of year, which in one way or another makes us have the illusion of meeting those who, due to distance, work or time, we cannot see very often. If you are thinking of traveling during these dates with the whole family, with friends or taking a more romantic getaway as a couple, we will tell you what they are. the 10 best destinations to travel at Christmas.

1. Lapland, Finland

Have you ever imagined living inside a Christmas card? Well in the Finnish Lapland In winter it can become one of the most amazing destinations to enjoy your vacation. You imagine? being able to practice activities such as skiing, getting on snowmobiles, feeling like you're in a movie while riding a reindeer or huskie sleigh, or without going any further visit the real Santa Claus.

It's incredible how snow surrounds everything, but when we say everything, it is everything! Traveling to Lapland means coming into contact in the purest and most amazing way with nature, with its landscapes, northern lights and frozen sea. Something we have never experienced before, and it is worth doing 200% at least once in a lifetime. Although we are sure that once you experience it... you will not want to leave there.

This is a more than perfect trip if we do it with children, but be careful, because they will not be the only ones who feel the magic of christmas. In this place it doesn't matter how old we are because we will all enjoy ourselves like dwarfs.

2. Berlin, Germany

If you want to escape the cold during your visit and you want to get to know the most cultural part of the city, we give you the best tips to visit Berlin's museum island.

Berlin is one of our favorite cities, and even more so at Christmas, and it is more beautiful than at any other time of the year. The lights illuminating the entire city, the first snowfall, its street stalls selling sausages and mulled wine, Christmas markets and many other things, make Berlin one of the best destinations where to enjoy this time of year.

And although traveling at Christmas means that we have to dress very warmly... We just talked about Lapland, that is really cold! Grab your best coat, gloves and scarf because the German capital has thousands of plans for you during these holidays.

• Christmas markets: In all of Berlin there are more than 60 markets, almost every neighborhood has its own but you can't miss the Gendarmen Markt, Potsdamer Platz and Alexander Platz markets.
• Brunch in the most vintage neighborhoods: Prenzlauer Berg and Hackesche Hoffe are one of the most fashionable areas currently in Berlin, where you can enjoy a true brunch in true Berlin style.
• Ice skating: In Potsdamer Platz you can rent skates and enjoy the 500 m2 ice rink that is installed every Christmas. In addition, you can see the largest tree in the city. Also right there, in the agora of the Sony Center you can see under its dome how it changes color continuously.

3. London, United Kingdom

If your visit to London is express and you barely have time, we will tell you the places you should not miss in London in a day.

Thirdly we will talk about London, without a doubt, another of the best places to spend Christmas. Like Paris or Vienna, London is not far behind in taking the city's lighting very seriously during this time of year. Quite a spectacle! And although visiting Trafalgar Square, one of the most famous squares in the world, at Christmas it is even more spectacular to do so, as you can enjoy the views of the 20m Christmas tree.

If this city is already famous for being one of the best places to shop, imagine it at Christmas. What better time to walk its streets, enter Harrods, find the best Christmas markets and fairs... London has a lot of them, and without a doubt you cannot miss the one organized by the British Red Cross, it is one of the best known and deserves worth visiting.

And continuing with typical traditions, we cannot miss the well-known and spectacular parade of acrobats, clowns and dancers during the morning of January 1, to welcome the new year. As well as visiting British Santa Claus in one of the corners he has around the city. The most legendary stores are Harrods or Selfridges.

And like many other cities, in London, on the banks of the Thames, specifically in the  Somerset House There is the top ice rink in the entire city where we can skate to the rhythm of music. It's cool, right? Don't think about it anymore and Escape to London in December.

4. Porto, Portugal

The best nightclubs in Porto They await you this Christmas to end the Portuguese night in the best possible way. The party and the best atmosphere are guaranteed!

If you're wondering why Port It is in our ranking of the best places to spend Christmas. We will explain the reasons very quickly, but be careful! We are not responsible if you have a crazy desire to grab your suitcase and get on the plane after finishing reading it.

Porto has become in recent years one of the favorite destinations by Spaniards and people from different corners of the planet, to enjoy their Christmas holidays and celebrate the last day of the year. And why has this boom occurred? Well, because it is an economical city, with a mild climate throughout the year and what most attracts the attention of travelers is the number of activities that the city offers during these dates. From concerts, Christmas markets, parades, attractions for the little ones and ice skating rinks. Nothing to envy of other large cities in the world.

Whether you are a believer or not, the Baroque Churches of Porto are a place worth a visit at any time of the year, but during these Christmas dates, even more so. The nativity scenes are the main attraction for tourists, and some of them are really impressive and very laborious.

But without any doubt, Porto's star plan is to say goodbye to the year with a cruise along the Douro. Imagine taking the grapes and enjoying a totally different New Year's Eve party, who wouldn't like it? For friends, couples, families… everyone is welcome for New Year's Eve on the Porto cruise.

5. Moscow, Russia

If the cold of the arctic of Lapland or that of Berlin did not stop us, why would the Moscow winter? Moscow is an amazing place at any time of the year, but At Christmas its beauty multiplies in an unusual way. Unlike countries that follow the calendar of the Catholic Church, in Russia Christmas is celebrated on January 7 instead of December 25, as marked by the calendar of the Orthodox Church.

If you want to follow their traditions from early in the morning, you will have to feed only on water and wheat seeds, an aid that is rewarded at night with a great banquet. Also another difference with the rest of the world, Santa Claus is called “Ded Moroz”, which means “cold grandfather”, who travels with his granddaughter delivering gifts.

If this Christmas our next destination is Moscow, we will be lucky to feel like we are in an authentic story. The parks, squares and monuments around the entire city, covered in snow and the lights that illuminate the entire city will make your Christmas unforgettable. Don't let the cold stop your feet and enjoy one of the most spectacular places in the world.

Ah! And don't forget to visit some of the most iconic corners of the city. We recommend that you don't leave Moscow without seeing these monuments:

• Sparrow Hill
• The Red Square
• Saint Basil's Cathedral
• The Novodevichy Convent
• The Cathedral of Christ the Savior
• Gorky Park
• The Garage Museum
• The Hermitage Garden

Sydney, Australia

Don't miss details of the best corners of the city in our post Sydney in one day. We tell you the best plans to enjoy this incredible city on the other side of the world.

On the other side of the world, literally, we find the world upside down, and in this case Christmas upside down. We are used to spending the Christmas holidays in winter, with a scarf, gloves, with family and always nougat and powders on the table... but in sydney the opposite happens. These dates are spent in a bikini, at 30 degrees on the beach with friends or family, having barbecues or picnics in a park. Doesn't sound bad at all, right?

Although some families decide to have Christmas lunch or dinner at home, with more family or friends, it is very common for them to get together on the beach to enjoy a BBQ together. Furthermore, unlike our typical traditions, in Australia, as we have said, they go the other way around, and at Christmas they try to capture traditional European or American activities, but... in the middle of summer. It is quite common to see how they make snowmen in the sand, that is, sandmen.

Hundreds of Santa Clauses surf every Christmas on the beaches around Sydney, one of the most famous beaches where most people dress up for Christmas these days is Bondi Beach, south of the city. We can also see how the Aussies go to the beach with swimsuits and Christmas hats, and of course, they use artificial snow to decorate some corners of the city.

If you want to experience a different Christmas, Australia is the ideal place.

Madrid Spain

Madrid is a city where it is impossible to get bored, no matter what time of year you visit, whether it is day or night, whether it is hot or cold... that is why you will like to know what they are.  funniest winter plans in Madrid.

There is no need to wait for December to land in the city, since the last days of November you are already beginning to feel the Christmas in Madrid. The lights flood the city from 6 in the afternoon, which for those who don't know, in winter it is practically night, and the sky is dark, but thanks to the lighting you can breathe a beautiful Christmas atmosphere.

There are many streets in which we can find ourselves stalls selling hot chestnuts and corn on the cob during these dates, as well as the store windows that are filled with Christmas decorations, with snowflakes and Christmas balls. And although it does not usually snow in Madrid, the skating rink season, the star activity of the Madrid winter, opens.

Concerts, fairs such as the Craft Fair, Christmas markets such as the famous one in the Plaza Mayor or the Cat Market and nativity scenes throughout the city, are some of the Christmas plans that await you on your visit to Madrid.

.

New York, USA

If you want to know a little more about this city, you can't miss all the places and best things to do in New York in one day.

Who hasn't dreamed of enjoying Christmas in New York City? And maybe since forever, through American movies, they have sold it to us as a dream place to live, but above all, where Christmas has a special and magical touch.

Perhaps having watched “Home Alone” too many times has given us long teeth, and we have gotten a slight idea of what Christmas is like in New York. And, leaving aside the fact that what we saw on television was a movie, it is true that, in the Big Apple when the snow falls and the fir trees turn white, it is impossible not to feel like you are in a story.

In addition to every shop window in the city looking like a Christmas card, the markets take over the squares and the skaters take over the famous ice rinks that we see in so many TV series and Sunday movies... do you need more reasons? Don't worry, we'll give you all of them:

• It is the best time of year to visit the city, the atmosphere that is breathed on these dates is different from the rest of the year, it is very very special. Difficult to explain, you have to live it to understand it.
•  For a month and a half, the city has the greatest Christmas spirit in its streets and in its shops that you have ever seen. It is not difficult to find many people wearing sweaters and scarves with Christmas motifs, you will find them in any shop window or market.
• It is possible that the first snow falls on these dates, so the city dresses in white and if you are not used to seeing snow in the middle of the city, this is a dream!
• Many cities have ice skating rinks, but without a doubt, skating at night in Central Park is an experience we will never forget.

Amsterdam, Netherlands

Amsterdam, is one of the most charming cities to travel at Christmas. Its historic center is filled with colorful lights, music, Christmas markets and a lot, a lot of atmosphere. The most partiers, you are going to be in your element! The city's nightlife comes to life, and bars and restaurants extend their business hours. Plus, all the clubs are open and we can go out and have a blast in Amsterdam almost any day of the week.

The luck of traveling at this time of year is that the Amsterdam Light Festival , filling the city with color during Christmas, but not only because of its decoration, but also because of the projections and interactive installations that are exhibited by different artists. A spectacle worth seeing as you walk through the streets of the city and its canals.

Until now we have told you that, in most of the destinations mentioned here, it is possible and traditional at Christmas to ice skate during the winter or Christmas holidays, but did you know that if the winter is very cold maybe you will be lucky enough to skate on the frozen channels? Amazing, a unique experience that is not always possible but... what if it's our turn?

And for music lovers, you should know that Amsterdam offers a wide variety of christmas concerts, undoubtedly the most famous in the grandiose Concertgebouw, where you can enjoy different concerts of classical Christmas music with the Netherlands Symphony and Philharmonic Orchestra.

Rio de Janeiro Brazil

Rio de Janeiro, the most touristic city in Brazil, receives a large number of visitors when Christmas approaches. And those who are used to spending this time of year in warm clothes will find the possibility of celebrating Christmas outdoors, in the warmest time of the year, under the sun on the beach.

In addition to being the most famous place on the planet for its carnivals, its lighting of the Christmas tree does not fall short. This is the second most important event in the country, where more than two hundred thousand people come to see this Christmas spectacle. And it is not a typical Christmas tree, not only because of its size, but also because it is floating, yes, you read correctly. A floating Christmas tree, in the Rodrigo Freitas Lagoon, where it competes to be one of the largest in the world. For those who want to spend an unforgettable Christmas and New Year's holiday, you have to experience this!

This city offers us to celebrate a Christmas very similar to those celebrated in Europe. While the most traditional ones have turkey dinner on the night of December 14, and then go to the famous Misa del Gallo, the most partiers go to none other than the most iconic beach in the country, Copacabana.

After the carnivals and the lighting of the Christmas tree, New Year's Eve in Copacabana is the most important and massive party that Rio de Janeiro hosts. Brazilians call it “Reveillon” and from early morning the beach is filled with almost two million people dressed in white enjoying fireworks shows. When these are over there is still a lot of partying left! Stages spread throughout the beach will be the main points where, to the rhythm of the best music and the most famous Brazilian singers, they welcome a new year.