15 Must-Visit Christmas Getaways This Year

How does the Christmas season feel for you? Is it the epitome of joy or a painful reminder of times gone by? While some people jump for joy the moment they plug in that first strand of twinkly lights, others suffer the remnants of a broken heart. So, we have a solution for you – whichever way the wind blows – a Christmas getaway. 

If you’d like to try something new this season with friends and family, why not consider a getaway to a European Christmas market or a ski town in snowy Colorado? Perhaps you’ll have a new tradition in the making. Similarly, if you’re trying to escape those pangs of pain, an escape to the snowy mountains of Mt. Esja in Reykjavik could be just the ticket. Consider our list below an effort to help your heart experience a full measure of joy or, at the very least, simple contentment this holiday season. 

New York, NY

Once the Thanksgiving Day parade commences, it’s all about the sparkle and shine in New York. To get a full blast of Christmas cheer, all you need to do is head to Midtown Manhattan for all sorts of festive feelings. Stroll down Fifth Avenue, especially between Bryant Park – for their very own version of a Christmas Market – and Rockefeller Center – where the Christmas tree lives. Then, you can give your ice skating skills a test run in Central Park before indulging in some afternoon tea at the nearby Plaza Hotel. 

Colmar, France

Next up, we have a town in France that’s pretty enough to belong in a snow globe. With its colorful half-timber medieval houses lining the canal in Little Venice, it’s picture-perfect any time of year. But, it particularly springs to life when they trim the streets with glittering strands of garland, and you begin to realize why this palace inspired Disney’s Beauty & the Beast. 

Paris, France

Similarly, the City of Lights deserves a nod if we’re talking about sparkling and shining. Parisians may have their own feelings about the lights on the Eiffel Tower at night. But, as a visitor, feel free to savor every minute of it. With a glass of champagne in hand, you’ll be delighted to see such a beautiful city glisten like a diamond tennis bracelet as it embraces the spirit of the season. 

Berlin, Germany

Of course, if it’s Christmas markets you’re after, few places can beat out Berlin. While there are several to choose from, the Lucia Christmas Market at Kulturbrauerei might catch your eye. Named after the Nordic goddess of light, it will dazzle and delight you with its host of local goods from nearby Scandinavia.