Christmas is a magical date full of meanings that excites adults and children of all ages. Every year, the celebration moves and mobilizes millions of people around the world, encouraging love for others, fraternity, compassion and the spirit of peace and joy that encompasses everyone.
Whether in warm lands or under the snow of the harsh northern hemisphere winter, check out the 10 best destinations to spend Christmas with family and friends amid lots of celebration and breathtaking scenery!
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Discover the best destinations to spend Christmas
1 – Lapland – Finland
The legends about Bom Velhinho take us to the North Pole. However, there are those who disagree: Finns swear up and down that Santa Claus’s real home is in Rovaniemi, the capital of Lapland. Close to the Arctic Circle, the cold city is the self-declared Official Home of Santa Claus.
And the Finns don’t do anything less: the place mixes reality and fantasy, even offering an “Elf School” where children learn to be Santa Claus’s real helpers. For adults, it is possible to spend the night in a hotel entirely made of ice, in the best Eskimo style.
The Arctic Snow Hotel was built with natural snow and ice, but is equipped with hot tubs and saunas to ward off the cold. Therefore, Lapland is undoubtedly the best place to spend Christmas.
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2 – Reykjavík – Iceland
Have you ever imagined celebrating the Christmas holiday for 13 days in a row? This is what happens in Reykjavík, the capital of Iceland. Christmas helps liven up the small town that faces 8-hour nights during the winter. Here the party begins with the Christmas Tree lighting ceremony in the city’s central square, followed by a program of Christmas events with lots of traditional music, choirs and poetry. Families get together on December 24th for the traditional supper and exchange of gifts, but Christmas parties continue among friends until January 6th, when the decorations are finally removed from the houses and streets.
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3 – Quebec – Canada
In addition to being one of the cities with the highest quality of life in the world, Quebec offers its residents and visitors one of the most beautiful Christmases on the planet. Its traditional Merche de Noel, the Christmas Market, celebrates 406 years of activity in 2014, where you can find handmade toys, very warm hand-knitted woolen clothes, paintings and handmade ceramics with a Christmas theme.
With a landscape covered in white snow and illuminated with beautiful Christmas decorations, the city also offers excellent cafes and bakeries with a variety of sweets and savory treats that are a perfect addition to any diet.
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4 – Lisbon – Portugal
In addition to excellent cuisine and stunning architecture, the Portuguese capital has one of the most beautiful Christmas decorations in the world. Every year, Praça do Marquês de Pombal receives a new and large illuminated Christmas Tree, which stands out in the center of Lisbon, which is also decorated for the date. Take advantage of your stay to visit São Jorge Castle, the Belém Tower and the Santo Antônio Church, incredible spots in Lisbon.
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5 – Strasbourg – France
Imagine a Christmas Market that has been running since 1570? This is what happens every year in Strasbourg, in Place Broglie, with a rich tradition of crafts, decorations, nativity scenes and the best of French Christmas cuisine and confectionery, with a touch of Germanic influences. It is also possible to attend classical music concerts, Christmas exhibitions, creative ateliers and also wine tastings in the cellars and wineries.
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6 – Barcelona – Spain
Here Christmas celebrations are based on local traditions. In Barcelona, December 25th is celebrated with a big Christmas lunch, but the best of the Christmas festivities take place on January 6th, the date on which the Three Kings give gifts to children. The night of January 5th is marked by the “Cavalgada dos Reis”, an incredibly decorated procession, where carts parade that are true floats, manned by adults and children in costumes who throw sweets into the crowd. It’s a stunning celebration full of tradition and beauty.
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7 – Disney – Orlando, USA
Perhaps nothing is as magical for adults, and especially for children, than celebrating Christmas at the Magic Kingdom, where the decoration is breathtaking even for those who are not usually easily impressed. From December 21st to 31st, Christmas parades take place twice a day, and the lights that decorate Cinderella Castle are simply a spectacle in itself. The park is usually crowded at this time of year, but the experience is still valid, unforgettable and full of charm, living up to the date.
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8 – Cancun – Mexico
For those who want to escape the low temperatures and don’t give up lots of sun, heat and paradisiacal beaches, even during Christmas, Cancun is an excellent destination. Hotels and resorts offer packages including lots of parties and good food to celebrate the date, in addition to nightlife clubs and events. Trips there are marked by lots of excitement, music, young people and revelry during stylish Christmas celebrations. Get ready with the best bikinis and sunglasses to enjoy a good nightlife during the day.
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9 – Sydney – Australia
In the middle of the Australian summer, the streets are filled with Christmas lights and several Christmas festivals take place in various parts of the city. Young people, adults and children come together to sing beautiful songs in squares, shopping malls and even on public transport. Furthermore, there is a very fun tradition: combining Santa’s hat with swimwear on the city’s beautiful beaches. Lots of relaxation, harmony, warmth and fun mark Christmas in Sydney.
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10 – Gramado – Rio Grande do Sul
Anyone who wants to experience the aura of European Christmas without leaving Brazil – and of course, without getting cold – needs to visit the Christmas festivities in Gramado, in Serra Gaúcha. The architecture with strong German influences is decorated with thousands of lights, giving the visitor or resident a welcoming atmosphere. The city also has festivals such as Natal Luz, at Lake Joaquina Rita Bier – a show very popular with visitors, capable of pleasing children and adults.
See: Gramado: Travel Guide
