Of course we all know as Filipinos that nothing beats spending Christmas in the Philippines, whether you’re a local or a foreigner. There’s the nine-day Simbang Gabi where the angelic voices of the choir singing Christmas carols pierce through the stillness of the dawn; the hot tsokolate and the steaming puto bumbong sold by the streetside after church; the glorious food during Noche Buena that’s incomparable to any feast you’ll ever partake in anywhere else in the world; the veritable list of Ninongs and Ninangs to visit (and maybe ask gifts from); the endless Christmas parties at work or in school or in your neigborhood or with your relatives—the list goes on. Maybe I’m biased but Christmas is the best in this tropical country.
But spending Christmas abroad is a wonderful experience as well. Although I went a week ago, still early, Lake Tahoe in California has become a winter wonderland. And it’s still a special kind of feeling to be singing “I’m dreaming of a white Christmas,” as you play in the snow. I wish I could’ve stayed for the entire holiday, but Christmas isn’t really Christmas for me if you don’t have your entire extended family with you.
But if a Christmas vacation abroad is a bucket list entry for you and your family—here’s a list of the best places to spend the holidays in, plus a rough estimate on how much you’ll spend for a family of four. You have an entire year to save up, so go through this list and start manifesting.
POSTCARD PERFECT
New York City, US
Ideally, you would already be in NYC when Thanksgiving rolls around, because the Macy’s Thanksgiving Parade is an iconic city experience. NYC gives you the entire white Christmas movie experience—from the Rockefeller Center Christmas tree, ice skating rinks, soft snow falling along Fifth Avenue, whose store windows are lit up like jewelry boxes.
Must-dos:
Rockefeller Center Christmas tree and ice skating
No Christmas tree is as iconic as Rockefeller Center’s, which for years and in many movies has become the ultimate symbol of the holiday spirit—if you lived inside a movie. a symbol of NYC’s holiday spirit. Ice skating beneath it will make you feel like you’re starring in your own Hallmark movie
Bryant Park Winter Village
Visit the holiday market for special gifts, Christmas food, and the free-entry ice skating rink.
Fifth Avenue holiday window displays
Dress up like Audrey Hepburn and peer into the most beautiful storefronts along this storied street.
Radio City Christmas Spectacular
The legendary Rockettes perform during holiday shows at Radio City Music Hall.
Central Park princess
Why don’t you take a horse-drawn carriage ride or walk through Central Park? You can also enjoy ice skating at Wollman Rink with the breathtaking Manhattan skyline as your view.
Estimated cost:
Flights: Around $1,200 per person (that’s $4,800 for a family of four)
Accommodation: Rooms for four can set you back an average of $500 a night, but you do have to book early or prices will shoot up
SANTA’S ADDRESS
Lapland, Finland
Rovaniemi is Santa Claus’ official hometown, so you won’t get more Christmas-y than this. Lapland has snow-covered landscapes, reindeer sleigh rides, and the chance to meet Santa Claus.
Must-dos:
Visit Santa Claus Village
Meet the real Santa Claus in his official hometown, Rovaniemi, located on the Arctic Circle. Send postcards from the Santa Claus Post Office, which has the Arctic Circle postmark.
Northern Lights
A major bonus: Lapland is one of the best places to see the Aurora Borealis. The ethereal display of lights in the Arctic sky is unforgettable. Go on a snowmobile safari, take a reindeer sleigh ride, or join a tour to view these dancing lights.
Ride a husky sled
There’s probably nothing more ethereal than taking a husky sled through Lapland’s pristine wilderness.
Stay in a glass igloo
Can you imagine looking up at the night sky and seeing the Northern Lights from the comfort of your bed? You can stay at the Arctic Snow Hotel in Rovaniemi for a once-in-a-lifetime experience.
Get to see Arctic wildlife
The Ranua Wildlife Park allows you to see up close Arctic animals like polar bears, Arctic foxes, and lynxes in their natural habitat
Estimated cost:
Flights: Round-trip airfare from Manila to Rovaniemi via Helsinki is approximately $1,500 per person, or $6,000 for a family of four. You’ll have two stopovers—the first is your airline’s hub, and the second will be the capital of Helsinki! It’s going to be a long trip, but this bucket list destination is worth it. Expect to pay up to $500 a night for snow hotels or igloos.
Enjoy the Christmas market
Nuremberg, Germany (Nuremberg Christkindlesmarkt)
If you’re thinking of Christmas markets, you must have this as your reference. Nuremberg’s Christkindlesmarkt is one of the oldest and most traditional Christmas markets in the world. The city center comes alive during the holidays as stalls sell handcrafted gifts, mulled wine, and gingerbread.
Must-dos:
Sip Glühwein in a keepsake mug.
Watch the opening ceremony with the "Christkind" angel.
Take a horse-drawn carriage ride through the market.
Estimated cost:
Flights are $1,200 per person ($4,800 for a family of four), and accommodation is average at around $150 per night for seven nights ($1,050).
The sound of music is Silent Night
Salzburg, Austria
Salzburg, the birthplace of Mozart and "Silent Night," becomes the penultimate Christmas town every December, not just because of its associations with what is perhaps the best Christmas carol, but by its aesthetics. Salzburg transforms into a fairytale location because of its Baroque architecture, snow-capped mountains, and lively markets, all in an area replete with historic castles.
Must-dos
Attend a classical Christmas concert in the Fortress of Hohensalzburg.
Take a guided tour of the Silent Night Chapel.
Stroll through the Mirabell Gardens covered in snow.
Estimated cost
Flights are $1,300 per person ($5,200 for a family of four), and accommodations can go for $200 per night for seven nights ($1,400).
The capital of Christmas
Strasbourg, France
We can’t not include the city that has called itself as the “Capital of Christmas," with its famous Christmas markets dating back to the 1500s. The market features over 300 wooden chalets spread across the city, offering artisanal crafts, festive decorations, local delicacies, and mulled wine.
Alsace, the region where Strasbourg is located, is the birthplace of many holiday customs, like Advent wreaths and Christmas cookies, originating here and then spreading across Europe.
Must-dos
Visit the Great Christmas Tree in Place Kléber.
Savor traditional Alsatian pastries and spiced wine.
Take a boat tour through the illuminated canals.
Estimated costs:
Flights include $1,200 per person ($4,800 for a family of four), with accommodation ranging $200 per night.
Edinburgh, Scotland
Why Visit: Edinburgh is renowned for its enchanting Christmas markets, festive light displays, and the renowned Hogmanay celebrations.
Estimated Cost:
- Flights: Round-trip airfare from Manila to Edinburgh averages $1,100 per person, totaling about $4,400 for a family of four.
- Accommodation: Mid-range hotels cost around $200 per night. For a seven-night stay, this amounts to $1,400.
- Total Estimated Cost: Approximately $5,800.
Orlando, Florida, US
Why Visit: Orlando offers a plethora of holiday-themed events at its world-famous theme parks, including Walt Disney World and Universal Studios, making it ideal for families.
Estimated Cost:
- Flights: Round-trip airfare from Manila to Orlando is about $1,200 per person, totaling approximately $4,800 for a family of four.
- Accommodation: Family-friendly resorts average $250 per night. For a seven-night stay, this amounts to $1,750.
- Theme Park Tickets: Approximately $1,500 for a family of four for multiple parks.
- Total Estimated Cost: Approximately $8,050.
Quebec City, Canada
Why Visit: Quebec City offers a European-style Christmas with its charming Old Town, festive decorations, and the German Christmas Market.
Estimated Cost:
- Flights: Round-trip airfare from Manila to Quebec City averages $1,300 per person, totaling about $5,200 for a family of four.
- Accommodation: Mid-range hotels cost around $180 per night. For a seven-night stay, this amounts to $1,260.