The Christmas holidays are almost upon us. All around the world, people are planning to spend time with family, take a break from work and perhaps head off on a fun-filled trip. If you’re thinking of going somewhere but haven’t decided the best place yet, here are some last minute trip destinations that might tickle your fancy. We’ve made sure every continent on the planet is covered (except Antarctica), so hopefully that means you won’t have to travel too far to one of the places on the list. Here are our Last Minute Christmas Destinations for 2019…
You’re pretty much guaranteed to get a white Christmas atWhistler in Canada. The resort there is known for its incredible snowboarding, skiing and other winter activities. It’s just a short drive from Vancouver, and a slightly longer one from Seattle. At the time of writing, there were still plenty of accommodation options on or near the mountain, via websites like Wotif and Airbnb. Get creative and you’re likely to have a winter wonderland break to remember forever.
One of Australia’s most iconic landforms, the 12 Apostles is located on the Shipwreck Coast along the Great Ocean Road in Victoria. The best option to secure a place to stay during Australia’s summer break is camping. There are grounds nearby at Port Campbell and Princetown, plus others a little further at Peterborough or back the other way at Johanna Beach. If you’re a surfer, this is one of the best times of year to find waves in the area. It’s nowhere near as crowded as more popular destinations like Torquay or Lorne either.
This small fishing town is a beautiful hamlet situated along the Atlantic coast of Portugal. Not too far from Lisbon, it’s easily accessible for a wind down in pace. There are also amazing tourist hotspots nearby like the Castle of the Moors at Sintra. Definitely worth a day trip. If the weather warms up, there are plenty of beaches to visit. If a winter storm rolls in, you can warm yourself with delicious red wine and fish stew at Toca Do Caboz. Ericeira is one of the most underrated spots you’re ever likely to go.
If you’re in or near Asia, there aren’t too many better spots to visit in December than Hoi An. The weather is stunning that time of year – not too hot, and not too sticky. A wonderful place to escape the cold, there are beautiful beaches to chill on if that’s your thing. You can also go shopping in Old Town for art, crafts or tailored clothing. The dining experiences at night match anywhere else you’ll go on the planet. Make sure you try a Bahn Mi at Bánh Mì Phượng, which was described by chef Anthony Bourdain as the best sandwich he’d ever eaten.
Addo Elephant National Park is a diverse wildlife conservation park situated close to Port Elizabeth in South Africa. Not as famous as Krueger, but with a great program for protecting animals and the environment, it’s a wonderful place for conscious travelers to visit. Seeing an elephant in its natural habitat is also something you’re never likely to forget in your lifetime. Definitely one of the more adventurous and far flung options on this list, but also one of the most incredible.
We started with snow and we’ll end with it too. If you’re wanting a last-minute Christmas destination where it’s likely to be a white one, then Peru is a great option in South America. Huaraz is close to the Huascaran National Park and Cordillera Blanca mountain range, which contains some of the highest peaks in South America to climb, ski and snowboard. Huascaran Mountain peak is also the highest peak in the tropics at 6768 meters! If you want some warmer weather, then head off the mountains toward the coast and things heat up immeasurably.
That’s it for this year’s Christmas destination guides, so enjoy the festive season, be kind to all and, as always, Safe Travels.
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