Our Top Christmas Holidays Destinations

Christmas holidays can be the hardest to plan - lots of people to keep happy, demand is high and everyone is in need of a real break. With this in mind, we’ve shared our list of destinations where you’ll get the rest you need, while feeling invigorated from an adventure abroad. Whether you’re after culture, adventure or just a change from the usual routine, these are our top picks for the festive season.

For Wellness: Bhutan

Bhutan offers the perfect place to really get away from it all over the festive season. Stay at the Amankora or Six Senses lodges - both offer a full circuit of the country, done in real style and comfort. Wake to views of snow-dusted peaks, trek between valleys and spend your days in hot-stone baths and meditation halls. It’s Christmas revisited and reimagined.

For Sport: Sri Lanka’s South Coast

For those after a more active Christmas holiday, while still looking for plenty of time on the beach, Sri Lanka’s south coast is ideal. Activities are on offer aplenty; surfing in Weligama Bay, whale watching off Mirissa, cycling through Galle’s back roads and much more. Days are warm and you’re always close to the sea. Return each evening to boutique hotels where festive meals are served al fresco.

For Culture: Rajasthan, North India

There’s nowhere quite like Rajasthan at Christmas. With the desert sun keeping the days bright, yet not too warm, it’s the perfect season to explore Jaipur’s palaces, Jodhpur’s fortresses and Udaipur’s lakeside palaces without the desert heat getting in the way. Diwali has passed, but the sense of colour, festivity and unique Indian hospitality lingers well into December. There’s also nothing like Indian hospitality; you’ll come home feeling suitably pampered.

For Discovery: Vietnam

Vietnam makes for a Christmas of contrasts: Hanoi’s colonial avenues lit up with lanterns, a Halong Bay junk cruise in crisp winter light and Hoi An’s many temples and markets. It’s the time of year when the north is at its best, perfect for travellers looking to balance cultural depth with a touch of winter sun.

For Families: The Maldives

The Maldives are one of our top recommendations for barefoot celebrations. Private villas, calm lagoons for snorkelling and plenty of activities for kids of all ages mean it’s as relaxing as it is memorable. World-class resorts such as Soneva Fushi and Cocoa Island by COMO make it easy for families to celebrate together in style. This is for you if you’re looking to swap white frost for white sand.

Wherever you spend it, Christmas travel is about swapping the expected for the extraordinary, daily routine for discovery and the familiar for something unforgettable.

Thinking about spending Christmas away this year? Get in touch with our team of destination experts at info@ampersandtravel.com to start planning a tailor-made holiday across Asia’s most inspiring destinations.