XMAS Travel

The one overseas Xmas that really sticks in my mind was whoaa, well over 20 years ago, on a houseboat on lake Dal Srinigar in Kashmir - watched the sun come up on xmas day with the mountains reflecting on the lake - pure magic. Of course 20 years ago peace reigned there, would like to go back one day and see the difference. Reply to this

I rented the houseboat for a month - all by myself - think i was just shy of my 19th bday - Id never seen anything as beautiful as the houseboat with all its intricate carvings and rich decor and when I found I could rent it (with staff) for a month for the equivalent of about $30AUD back then I was gobsmacked. I spent the month just sitting there, gazing, eating, buying flowers from the floating sellers and getting to know the locals who all thought it was a very foolhardy and crazy thing to do at my age on my own. You have raised a great point tho Gisele, I found when I went back to Koh Samui after 20 years i was....slightly gutted...to find what was once a tiny little island that took a lot of hassle on trains and tiny boats to get there is now a major resort with an airport. I guess we cant halt progress, but some places were better left alone. Merry xmas to you where ever you choose to be :-) Reply to this

That's what I am doing this Christmas....but would love to get away next year just so I can give it a go abroad!! I have to say I think Iwould stick to somewhere cold....nothing like a roaring fire at xmas! Reply to this

I agree with Ed. I've spent many Christmas' in tropical climates since I was a kid, but my favorite Christmas memories were always at home in Canada, with snow, spending the days tobogganing or skiing or ice skating, cheeks rosy and mittens on hands drinking cocoa, hiking into the bush to find a tree - dragging it home in a sled, making christmas decorations in front of a roaring fire, having the traditional turkey dinner with disfunctional family and invited guests who have no family around, playing games and singing carols and sipping stuff into the wee night...and of course as a kid the anticipated christmas mornings. Priceless. Reply to this

My wife and I lived in Germany for seven years before we had children. The rest of our families were back in the States. So celebrating Christmas as a family event at home was not possible, and rather lonely. After our first Christmas there alone, where we went to the Black Forest for the day, we decided that for future Christmases, we would just get away.

We mostly went skiing in Austria (near the town where Silent Night was composed) and Switzerland (Bernese Oberland), but also went further afield, to Israel for Christmas Eve in Bethlehem, to Jordan, Thailand (to be with my parents for Christmas) and Egypt, and to Kenya.

We went to London which we thought would be a great Christmas destination (shopping at Harrods, etc.), but Christmas Day turned out to be a disaster. Everything was closed...no public transporatation or taxis to take us to church, few restaurants open, no sights open, etc. (This was a few years ago so it may be different now). We were lucky to find an Indian restaurant within walking distance of our hotel...and on top of this we both got terrible colds.

So Christmas is best spent with family...travel some other time! But if you have to travel, then I agree with the others that for Christmas Day you want it to be snowing, not sunny and warm. Reply to this

I was in Agra, India for Christmas day a couple of years ago. We spend most of the day reading and eating, in the Shanty Lodge roof top restaurant. They attempted to make a European style Christmas dinner for those who wanted it, but we ordered Indian food, because it was by far better. It wasnt traditional or nearly as cold as Europe, despite it was winter there, but they did put up baloons and fairly lights in the restaurant.

Here is the million dollar view for backpacker prices, from the Shanty Lodge Rooftop restaurant.


















Occasionally Bob met up with us there for a while that evening, but didnt get to enjoy the magnificant Taj Mahal view, because there is a shortage of electricity in that part of India. I suppose, lighting up the Taj at night is not a priority, when they couldnt even keep the fridge on long enough to get the Christmas beers and Colas cold. 😊

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Very jealous of all you people with snow and fireplaces - we have had a 36c degree today and are looking at a 38c day tommorow - Id kill for some snow right now! Reply to this

I have spent most of my Christmas's in London with family & as much as I love my family, Christmas in a tropical country is by far better. I spent Christmas in New York one year which was ok but there were waaaaay too many people there. For me, my best Christmas was in the Maldives, Christmas day consisted of a delicious breakfast followed by scuba diving, then a fantastic lunch followed by a treatment in the Spa for Nikki & me & after a few hours sunbathing we got showered & then had the most amazing Christmas dinner EVER on the beach watching the sunset. Reply to this

The best Xmas is always the one at home, with family, friends and snow and delicious food. But one I definitely will never forget is the one I spend in Tokyo. The illuminations in the city were beautiful and it was one of the most romantic times in my life - together with the New Year it was a very different experience I never want to miss, and I hope to experience it again sometime.
Xmas in Japan is a time for couples and romance, while during New Year everything closes down and you spend time with your family and at the temple to burn the charms of last year and to pray for a successful new one. Reply to this