The holidays are very near, and you can almost hear cheerful Christmas songs everywhere you go. This means that it’s finally time for that chilly but fun Christmas vacation. You and your kids are probably really excited that it’s that time of the year again when you can travel, see new places, and enjoy real winter wonderlands all around the globe. And if this has become your family tradition and there are still places you haven’t seen yet, then you should consider some of these great places to visit with your kids.
BIG WINTER APPLE (NYC)
NYC is almost always magical because of its lively atmosphere, but during the holiday season, it gets even better. The parks suddenly turn into the best winter fun zones, because that’s where the ice-skating rinks are where you and your kids can practice your skills and make some great memories. The most famous parks for ice skating in the Big Apple are Bryant and Central Park, and you should definitely spend at least a day there. Plus, if you visit New York City during the holidays, you will get to see the most famous Christmas tree lighting at Rockefeller Center and witness the amazing Radio City Christmas Spectacular Show. What is more, the stores and their windows truly come to life with their creative and over-the-top festive scenes and there are bright decorations everywhere!
Extra tip: You can even spend a few more days in NYC and witness the infamous New Year’s Eve ball drop in Times Square and really make some memories.
GO VISIT SANTA’S HOME IN FINLAND
Every kid knows about Santa and knows that he lives in Lapland. To their surprise, Lapland is real, and it’s in Finland, so why not take your kid to see the “hometown” of their biggest childhood hero! What is more, there are even dozens of tours that offer trips to the frozen North where you can visit the big man and enjoy your time in the cold snow and all the fun things it brings. You can also enjoy some great winter activities such as dog-sledding and tobogganing, and you can exit the main Santa village and explore the rest of the place and learn so many new things.
Extra tip: Make sure you’re familiar with international driving safety measures and laws, and don’t forget it can get really cold in Finland!
CHRISTMAS IN DENMARK
Another one up North, Copenhagen is truly a must-visit during the holiday season. What is more, the Tivoli Gardens is truly a number one Christmas destination where the tradition and holiday spirits are high. There are decorations, handmade gifts, delicious foods, and drinks at every step, and there are plenty of fun rides for your kids as well as the infamous Santa. This great Christmas place also includes snow-covered trees, real reindeer and beautifully decorated wooden houses.
Extra tip: Tivoli Gardens is not the only place in Copenhagen to visit. There are dozens of others throughout the city worth exploring, including the one at the Kronborg Castle and a fairy-tale-themed market based on Hans Christian Anderson’s stories.
FESTIVITIES IN PRAGUE
Europe is famous for its Christmas markets, and you can find some amazing ones in Prague as well. The whole family can have their white Christmas here and enjoy the festive holiday spirit of Prague. All the markets have some fabulous local handicrafts, dolls, and ornaments as well as delicious food and drinks friendly for everyone. Also, the whole family can visit the Prague Zoo, which was voted the fourth best zoo in the world! Plus, there is an ice-skating ring in the city center and skiing activities in nearby resorts.
Extra tip: Bring enough warm clothes because it can get chilly in Prague, especially if you’re going skiing.
SKI DOWN THE SLOPES OF AUSTRIA
Another excellent destination for the families who love skiing during the holidays is Obergurgl in Austria. This is a fantastic family-friendly resort for beginners, and it offers a lot. Since the village is around 2,000 meters above sea level, it means there is a lot of snow there and plenty of long blue slopes for you and your kids to ski on. Also, there are 24 ski lifts at the resort, and if you want to know your kids are in safe hands while you are skiing, you can take them to Esprit Ski and be sure they will be provided with the best childcare.
Extra tip: Be prepared for the prices to be a bit higher since this is one of the most famous ski resorts in Austria.
OH, CANADA!
If you don’t want to go all across the pond this Christmas, then consider going just a bit up North and visit Canada. For all the families who would love to have a snow-filled Christmas, then going to Whistler is the best decision. Not only will the Christmas be magically white, but you will get to take advantage of all the fun winter activities. You can go skiing and snowboarding on the Whistler Blackcomb mountain, and enjoy some special events that will get you festive and ready for the holidays.
Also, there are fun family things to do, such as ice skating, snowmobiling, and tubing. However, the fun won’t stop there~ There is a free outdoor show in Whistler Village called the Whistler Fire and Ice Show. This is one of the best shows in town, and they have professional riders and skiers doing aerial acrobatic moves through rings of fire and great music.
Extra tip: Whistler Olympic Playa has a free outdoor ice skating rink if you don’t want to spend too much money on this trip.
Holidays are here, and it is time to plan the Christmas vacation. Forget about all those big family gatherings that only tire you out from making all the food and head on to some of these tremendous family-friendly destinations. Options are numerous, and if you want plenty of snow, consider going to Europe!
