From December 6-9, the 47th annual Christmas Stroll will transform downtown Nantucket into a winter wonderland with hundreds of seven-foot Christmas trees lining the streets and three full days of holiday merriment.
The Festive Season is upon us! Spend the final vacation days of the year hearing Christmas carols in England’s first cathedral, wandering through Nantucket’s famous holiday display, or overlooking a volcano in Costa Rica,. Here are some top picks for where to spend cheerful December days.
Canterbury, United Kingdom
After strolling through London’s street markets and racing around the ice skating rinks, revelers can board the Belmond British Pullman for a festive daytrip filled with Christmas carols at England’s first cathedral in the city of Canterbury. The roundtrip journey departs from London Victoria Station on December 17 and includes a Bellini brunch on the way out of London, a performance by the Canterbury Carolers in the famous crypt and an indulgent four-course dinner on the return. For those who can’t make a December 17th journey, Belmond British Pullman offers 16 holiday-themed trips through the festive season to spread holiday cheer.
Sicily, Italy
Sicily has always been a favorite destination for travelers looking for an endless summer. Though the weather will be more temperate, Belmond Grand Hotel Timeo, the first luxury hotel in Taormina, will extend summer’s carefree vibe by remaining open through January 5, 2020. The thinner crowds of winter offer an opportunity to explore Sicily’s museums and landmarks, including the Casa Cuseni Museum and the 4th century Amphitheater. For a festive excursion, embark to the inland city of Caltagirone, home to the largest nativity scene in Italy with over 300 figures spread across a 3,000 square foot site.
Zurich, Switzerland
Said to be the birthplace of ski tourism, Switzerland is home to Europe’s largest glaciers and has the greatest concentration of peaks at 13,000 feet or higher. Within a two-hour drive of world-class ski destinations including Andermatt and Klosters, the iconic Eden au Lac hotel in Zurich will open this December under the La Réserve brand following a top-to-bottom, two-year renovation by Philippe Starck. The 100-plus year-old landmark building is being carefully restored with many of the historic design elements remaining intact. Three-quarters of the property’s 40 rooms and suites will boast a lake view. Just a five-minute walk from the city center, the four-story building will be the only luxury property on Lake Zurich.
Arenal Volcano National Park, Costa Rica
When it opens on December 20, 2019, Nayara Tented Camp in Costa Rica will be one of the first luxury camps in Central America. Located in the Arenal Volcano National Park, the year-round camp will immerse guests within the surrounding rainforest, as the 29 accommodations have been built at a higher altitude on the hillside to provide unobstructed views of the volcano. Each of the 29 air-conditioned tents generously span 1,496 square feet. For multigenerational families traveling this holiday season, groups can opt for a set of two identical tents that connect with a covered passageway.
Nantucket, Massachusetts
From December 6-9, the 47th annual Christmas Stroll will transform downtown Nantucket into a winter wonderland with hundreds of seven-foot Christmas trees lining the streets and three full days of holiday merriment. Highlights from the weekend include costumed carolers performing throughout the island, live performances in the middle of Main Street and festive treats for sale at local shops and boutiques. As no Christmas celebration would be complete without a visit from Santa, kids from one to 92 will line up outside the White Elephant for an opportunity to chat with Kris Kringle himself. The weekend-long event was created to lure shoppers from the mainland to the island before the boutiques shuttered for the season. Today, Stroll remains the quintessential New England experience. Festive attire is highly encouraged.
New York, New York
This holiday season, The Chatwal, New York will fulfill travelers’ Home Alone 2 or Big childhood dreams through a new partnership with iconic toy store brand FAO Schwarz. Families will enjoy exclusive before-hours access to the famed toy shop when booking a minimum two-night stay in a Grand Deluxe King Room category or higher. Guaranteed to bring out the inner child in every guest, the new experience will begin with a one-hour, behind-the-scenes VIP Tour hosted by an FAO Schwarz Toy Soldier. Children and adults alike will raid the FAO Schwarz Candy Bar, craft a new tune on the famous Grand Piano and learn about the store’s 150-year-plus history in New York.
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Tags: December travel, holiday travel, places with holiday spirit
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