Is it on your wish list to be away from home for the holidays? The word “holiday” can feel ironic during the festive season when you’re usually busier than ever.
However, when you leave home for the holidays, you also leave behind the stress of coordinating with friends and family, perfecting decorations, and planning holiday parties. Perhaps this is the year you finally take that vacation you always wished you’d planned by the time mid-December arrives.
Whether you want to skip the festivities entirely or jet off on the 26th to relax and restore for the New Year, these six destinations will make your holiday feel like an actual holiday.
Give yourself the gift of zero holiday stress as you set off to spend Christmas or New Year’s in one of these homes away from home.
Immersing Yourself in the Magic
Not being home for the holidays doesn’t mean missing out on the season’s magic. In fact, these three destinations may feel even more enchanting than you ever imagined.
While the Arctic is a winter wonderland year-round, visiting during the holidays is truly the best way to immerse yourself in the festive season. Nothing beats a visit to Santa’s Village, where the magic of Christmas comes alive before your eyes. Take advantage of the ample opportunities to enjoy the snow, such as sleigh rides, snowshoeing, ice fishing, dogsledding, or even ice sculpting. After a full day of Arctic activities, take your pick as to how you’d like to warm up: with a warm drink next to a roaring fireplace, a relaxing massage on a heated table, or a session in a traditional sauna. To wrap it all up, spend a night under a glass-roofed igloo that will transport you to the North Pole of your childlike wonder. Your truly white Christmas awaits.
PRO TIP | "Santa's village offers private experiences for just your family, which is perfect for those traveling with children." -Mary-Jean Eraci, Travel Designer
Skiing in the Dolomites over the holidays is the best way to blend activity with the magic of the Christmas season. While skiing is a popular way to spend the holidays, a ski adventure in the Dolomites is unmatched. Ski in and out of romantic towns nestled between dramatic mountain passes, and through the silent, untouched forests. While you work up an appetite, consider visiting the alpine huts of Alta Badia, each of which features its own Michelin-starred dishes. With a circular “merry-go-round” of lifts, you never need to step out of your skis or out of the festive mood.
PRO TIP | "There are great restaurants on the mountains, and the lunch stop is an important part of the full experience in the Dolomites" -Trista Gage, Travel Designer
Scotland is the perfect New Year’s escape since the festivities don’t dim after the 25th. Hogmanay, the country’s New Year celebration, takes over and brings a whole new level of excitement. Leading up to the big night, stay at Gleneagles, a grand estate turned luxury hotel, where you can unwind during the days following Christmas. Once you’ve fully relaxed, take your shot at becoming a true Scotsman by trying classic country activities such as shooting, fishing, ice skating, horseback riding, whisky tasting, and more. As the New Year approaches, head into Edinburgh to experience Hogmanay on full display. Kick off the festivities by taking part in the commencement ceremony as thousands come together in a torchlight procession through the Old Town. Finally, ring in the New Year at Balmoral’s legendary Hogmanay Ball with a Champagne reception, a lavish six-course dinner, and live music as you dance into 2027.
PRO TIP | "Gleneagles is one of the most fun places I've ever stayed. It really is an outdoor playground. My favorite activities are clay shooting and archery but you should try everything you can." -Haley Beham, Lead Content Strategist
Stress-Free Switch-Ups
If you’re ready for a holiday escape that feels refreshingly different (and welcomingly warm!), these destinations offer unique ways to celebrate Christmas and New Year’s, far from the usual traditions.
Spending your holiday in the wild is a truly intimate opportunity to connect with yourself, your surroundings, and, most importantly, the loved ones you take with you. Any African safari is an adventure of a lifetime that will inspire you down to your core, but when you pair it with the holiday season and reflect on the year that is coming to a close, you’ll more than likely leave your trip feeling transformed. Small odes to the season’s festivities can be sprinkled throughout your safari, as much or as little as you like. From big Christmas Eve feasts and guides wearing Santa hats to singing “Silent Night” under the clearest view of the Milky Way, a South African safari in December can make an already magical journey into a true holiday in the wild.
PRO TIP | "It's tempting to spend Christmas in Cape Town and dine in one of the city's fabulous restaurants, but instead, I'd opt to spend Christmas in the bush. I guarantee the lodge staff will go above and beyond to make it a holiday to remember!" -Nicole Porto, Travel Designer
Head down south to the Argentine side of Patagonia for a thrill-seeking holiday. A Christmas spent hiking, biking, and kayaking through the mountainous splendor of this famed region will leave you thankful for the gift of our planet’s natural beauty and for your ability to explore it. Argentina’s rural regions invite you to unplug and soak up their stunning landscapes as you draw closer to the traditional gaucho lifestyle that surrounds you. If you’re looking to combine both Christmas and New Year’s, add a few nights in Buenos Aires to kick off the next year in the bustling metropolis known as the “Paris of South America.” Walk through streets full of history, gorgeous architecture, rich culture, and intimate artisan experiences. An Argentinian holiday is nothing short of an adventure that will delight you at every stop.
PRO TIP | "If you don't want to abandon the cold altogether, consider a stay in El Calafate, the "Kingdom of Ice", where you can strap on some crampons and trek along Perito Moreno Glacier with a guide, all while pretending you are in your own north pole." -Elizabeth Frels, Director of Product Management & Development
The holiday season allows for longer, more leisurely travel, so take the opportunity to venture further into one of Southeast Asia’s most desirable destinations. Thailand boasts exciting city scenes, tranquil beaches, wildlife-packed jungles, and ancient temples ready for you to explore. Trade the winter cold for a way to celebrate the holidays that feels entirely new. In the rural regions, hike to hill tribe villages, float down winding rivers, and walk with elephants. Along the coast, snorkel in bright blue waters or go cliff diving. In the cities, navigate busy streets by tuk-tuk and indulge in the country’s celebrated cuisine. Whether you’re seeking adventure or stillness, Thailand offers space for both as you welcome the New Year and reconnect with your mind, body, and soul under its golden sun.
PRO TIP | "Thailand is an amazing destination on its own, but if you have more time over the holidays, consider extending your vacation to neighboring Vietnam, Cambodia, or Laos for even more stunning scenery, hidden temples, and exquisite cuisine." -Vanessa Niven, Product Manager
Ready to leave home for the holidays?
We’ve crafted four new Christmas-inspired itineraries to Germany, Switzerland, Italy, and the Benelux countries that will launch you into the festive spirit. Contact your luxury travel designer to start planning.
Mason McGarrity
Mason is a Marketing and PR Associate for Ker & Downey. At just 12 years old, she experienced her first African safari and quickly fell in love with the bush, sparking a lifelong desire to explore the world. Driven by a passion for experiential learning through travel, Mason’s journeys have taken her across Europe, Asia, Africa, and South America. She now draws on those experiences to craft story-driven marketing that brings destinations to life.
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