I’m a sucker for Christmas! I love the lights, the songs and all the festivities that come along with it. More than anything, I love the warm feeling I get on that cold day in December when the snow falls outside and everybody gathers around the dinner table to pig out.
The more I travel, the more I enjoy and appreciate the holiday customs of home. I’ve spent many a Christmas abroad and still, nothing compares to my grandparent’s humble home in Upstate New York on this special occasion.
When I can’t be home however, I love experiencing all the holiday action in big cities. I think It’s so much fun being a part of all the hustle and bustle, and there are four cities in particular that I think are really special around this time.
If you can’t get into the holiday spirit when traveling to these four cities, then you need a visit from the ghosts of Christmas Past.
New York City, USA
This may be an obvious choice but let’s be honest… nobody does anything like New York City and that includes Christmas. From the mega tree in Rockefeller Center to Christmas lights stretching from Harlem to Brooklyn, New Yorkers know how to get into the holiday spirit like nobody else. If you plan on traveling to New York City, you should book your reservations early as possible and try holidays to New York by Travelbag.
London, England
Ice-skating in Convent Garden, Shopping in Knightsbridge, strolling through Hyde Park, London is an incredible city all year round, but around Christmas time it’s extra special. I had the opportunity to study in London and experience all the cool winter events and it is one of the few places on earth that gives me the same warm feeling of home around the holidays. It must be the cold weather.
Medellin, Colombia
Lights, lights and more lights! Medellin, and Colombia as a whole, pull no punches when it comes to Christmas lights. Medellin creates an entire light show along the main river that runs through the city and in every park and pedestrian area from the botanical gardens to Botero Plaza. The one big difference however, is the weather. While there are no frosted windows or smiling snowmen, I can deal with the picture perfect sunny days.
Cusco, Peru
The launch pad to Machu Picchu is more than just a stopover for backpackers. I spent Christmas in Cusco last year and it had a lot of the holiday elements that I look forward to while I’m away from home. Ironically, I was with a few British friends leading up to Christmas and was able to enjoy a traditional British meal with them in Cusco that included a lovely minced pie.
