The holiday season on the Eastern Seaboard has its charms.
But when you’re tired of the Times Square Ball Drop, Newark Christmas Tree Festival or Philly’s Franklin Square Holiday shenanigans, it might be time for a change.
If you’re planning to escape the East Coast this Christmas, here are eight festive holiday tips.
1. San Francisco
December temperatures in The City by the Bay average around 15°C, but that’s balmy compared to what you might experience at home.
To tempt you further to decant to stunning San Francisco for the duration of the chilly festive season, read this guide to SF holiday shows from mercurynews.com
2. Edinburgh
Just a few hours’ hop across the Atlantic, Scottish capital Edinburgh is a fabulous place to spend Christmas and holds one of the world’s liveliest New Year street parties.
Check out edinburghshogmanay.com for details of all the attractions.
3. Switzerland
For a traditional snow-bound Christmas with plenty of opportunities to ski and eat chocolate, Switzerland’s tough to beat.
Find our more about quirky Swiss Christmas traditions at Alpenwild.com — it turns out you might even meet the real Santa!
4. Barbados
To totally banish thoughts of a cold Christmas, pack your swimming costume and shades and head to Barbados for a Caribbean break complete with baked chicken, black cake and lashings of rum.
Peruse this Bajan Christmas guide from totallybarbados.com to decide whether it’s your top pick.
5. Mexico
Mexicans know how to party all year round — so there’s no reason Christmas is any different.
Spend some time south of the border during the festive season and you’ll witness locals opening their homes to pilgrims during the nine days of Las Posadas events prior to Christmas Eve — while feasting on terrific tamales and fruit punch.
6. Brazil
Venture even further south and you’ll immerse yourself in the beach vibes of Brazil, where temperatures can reach 29°C at this time of year.
In capital Rio, you’ll replace warm mulled wine with caipirinhas and dine on fresh seafood. The vibe might not feel traditional, but the sun, sea and sand are simply sublime.
7. Peru
Peruvians celebrate Christmas on December 24th rather than the day after, so be sure to adjust your itinerary accordingly if you’re heading for Lima.
This central celebratory evening is named Nochebuena (the good night), and most locals attend church masses at around 10pm before enjoying impressive firework displays. Then gifts are exchanged after midnight, children head to bed and adults drink until the wee small hours.
8. Preparations
If any of these fantastic festive destinations tickles your fancy, you can source cheap flights from your nearest air hub at skyscanner.com.
And find cheap airport parking at Looking4.com if you’re traveling to the departure point in your own ride — you’ll grab great deals for eastern locations like Newark, JFK, Philadelphia and Orlando.
But whatever you’re packing, keep your eyes and heart open to guarantee a terrific trip.
That’s the end of our list! Add your own Christmas break suggestions in the comments section.
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