While the majority of people are trying to get home for Christmas, some are packing up the car, hunting for their passports, and heading off on vacation. Of course, the majority of people will decide to either stay at home or go and visit friends and family over the festive season. That is undoubtedly the ‘safe’ option. Being home or somewhere familiar is almost the point of Christmas. The warm feeling you get from being safe and spending time relaxing with loved ones. The question of should we go on vacation for Christmas is not something most people even consider.
But why not go and see someplace new? Why not make the most of the downtime most people get during the festive season? How about leaving Christmas behind entirely and visiting a country that doesn’t even celebrate it? Whichever you do is entirely down to personal preference but, it does beg the question, should we go on vacation for Christmas?
Vacationing at Christmas – The Advantages
A significant advantage of going on vacation at Christmas is that you get to spend time in another city, region, country, or culture. This is obviously the advantage of taking a holiday at any time of the year, but seeing somewhere new at Christmas is an experience that is likely to be very different.
Maybe you live somewhere warm and want to visit a place with guaranteed snow? You get to choose your destination based on the weather you want to experience. What about walking through the cobbled streets of some ancient European city, visiting their traditional Christmas markets, and stopping to warm yourself with a glass of mulled wine? Maybe you want to get away from the festivities entirely and go someplace that does not celebrate Christmas at all?
Another advantage is that, as long as you shop around, it can be cheap to go on vacation at Christmas. Most people will be planning to finish their travel ‘home’ a few days before the big day itself and, if you are prepared to consider flying on Christmas day, you can possibly pick up a bargain. Most hotels will have occupancy rates well below capacity, and decent rooms can be found for less than their usual cost.
While most towns and city centers are going to be full of agitated shoppers, touristic attractions are likely to be quieter than usual. Shops will be full of people making one last effort to find that perfect gift, but beaches, galleries, museums, and theatres will be quieter than usual.
Some families like to go on vacation to find a more ‘authentic’ Christmas experience, whereas others go away to take a break from the festivities entirely. This can be an excellent opportunity to relax and not have to deal with all the usual festive planning. Christmas is a wonderful time of the year, but it can also be stressful. With no parties to plan, home to decorate, or meals to cook, being on vacation can be exactly the break that some families need. You can also decide to skip gift-giving!
Of course, one way you can get the benefits of all of the above and still have a perfect family Christmas is to be home for the big day itself but to go on vacation just before or afterward. This is the approach that most festive vacationers tend to take.
Vacationing at Christmas – The Disadvantages
Even though we have said above that going on vacation over Christmas can be cheaper than usual, a bargain is not guaranteed. Finding a bargain is a bit of a minefield and, although it can be done, you may have to spend quite a bit of time hunting down a good deal. Even if you manage to find the sale of the century, it is probably going to cost you more than it would to stay at home and celebrate with your family.
We also promised you that most touristic locations will be quiet over Christmas. While this is true for Christmas day itself, some sites may be busier than usual both before and after, especially in bigger cities. While most people are heading in for shopping, some will combine it with a gallery or theatre visit. Major international cities such as London, New York, and Paris will be quiet for Christmas day itself but then rapidly fill up with tourists and bargain hunters afterward.
Some cities, especially those in Europe, will effectively close down for several days over Christmas. Most public transport will cease to operate, and galleries, museums, restaurants, and theatres will all either close or open for only minimal periods. Most people will be at home celebrating with their families, and so some places will lack the buzz and atmosphere you would expect. You may end up wandering around empty streets and eating from the same hotel restaurant for a few days. Of course, this will not be the case if you are visiting somewhere that does not celebrate Christmas.
Being away from your extended family might be a blessing for some (it depends on your family!), but it can also be challenging. It may sound like a good idea several months out but, when the big day arrives, not being close to the ones you love at Christmas can be difficult. You might also have to abandon some festive traditions if you are not at home to do them. It may not seem like a big deal now, but how will you feel about not visiting your elderly parents on Christmas morning or not going for a festive stroll around your local town on Christmas Eve?
Finally, if you are taking children with you, especially young children, how will they feel being away from home on Christmas morning? Will they be upset not to wake up to a house full of presents? Sure, you can take a few gifts along for them to unwrap, but will they become worried that Santa might not know that they are not at home? Also, don’t forget that traveling itself can also be a stressful experience. Long drives or waiting to board a delayed flight is never fun at the best of times.!
Whatever you decide to do, the key is to do your research. Being in a strange country might sound like a great idea, but you need to be sure it is something you, and your family, really want. If you do decide to go, then make sure you plan and find a destination that suits your needs, or else that relaxing Christmas vacation might turn into a festive nightmare!