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Where to Spend Christmas 2025: Festive Holidays Worth Booking Early

If there’s one time of year that deserves a getaway, it’s Christmas. Whether you’re dreaming of snow-dusted rooftops and a white Christmas, some hot and sandy tropical beaches, or something in between, we’ve rounded up some of the best Christmas 2025 holiday destinations to suit every travel style. Couples, families, cruisers, and tour lovers are all covered with this guide!

2.2min read

Published 29 July 2025

Sophie Baker

Guest Blogger

From easy December escapes to epic once-in-a-lifetime Christmas holidays, here’s where to go if you want your festive season to feel extra special.

In this blog

For a Tropical Christmas: Mauritius

Christmas under palm trees? Yes, please. Mauritius is a December favourite for good reason. The short flights, no visa hassle, and resorts all make it an effortless Christmas. For you, anyway! The resorts themselves put on a real show and go all out with festive dining, entertainment, and family-friendly fun. Beachcomber hotels sometimes offer as much as a 40% discount over the Christmas period, and you’ll be entertained with the likes of candlelit dinners, live Sega music, gingerbread decorating and fireworks over the water.

Book early and you can score beachfront rooms, all-inclusive perks, and kids-stay-free specials. Whether you’re lounging with cocktails or snorkelling off the reef, Christmas here feels like a proper break.

Find December holiday deals to Mauritius.

For Snow and Sparkle: Christmas Markets and Magic in Europe

Want gingerbread, twinkling lights, and snowflakes in the air? Christmas in Europe is pure magic. Join a small group tour through Austria, Germany or the Netherlands to explore charming towns, festive markets, and old-world Christmas traditions.

It’s a dream trip for couples or older families, and a great way to mix culture with celebration. Looking for something extra special? One of the best ways to spend the festive season is aboard one of the European Christmas market cruises with Uniworld and Avalon.

These river cruises often include festive sailings through the Danube or Rhine. They’re small, intimate, and luxurious. During the sailings you can stop at Christmas markets and see the magical side of Europe over the most wonderful time of the year, while still only packing once. Now that’s a real dream come true!

If you’re staying on land, we still recommend you hit up the Christmas markets of Austria, Germany, and Prague for some festive magic. Expect lots of mulled wine, plenty of warm food, and everything from gorgeous decorations to nativity scenes.

Another great Christmas escape in Europe? Skiing. The Club Med resorts in the Alps (helloooo, France and Switzerland!) always put on a Christmas party complete with champagne tours, live performances, buffets, and sometimes even fireworks. Plus, it all comes with a view of the snowy peaks. You’d be forgiven for skipping the next morning’s ski sesh, though!

Why You Should Start Planning Your December Holidays Now

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For a Festive City Break: London or New York

If you love the energy of the season, few cities do Christmas quite like London and New York. Think giant trees, department store windows, ice-skating rinks, and world-famous decorations.

London comes alive with Hyde Park’s Winter Wonderland — more than 100 festive stalls, carnival rides, ice rink and Bavarian Village snacks. You could also visit the famous Trafalgar Square tree, ice-skate at Somerset House, and warm up with mulled wine at Southbank Centre pop-up huts. Plus, flights from South Africa are straightforward and there’s no jet lag to contend with! Go for Christmas shopping, cosy pubs, and city lights, then enjoy a quieter Boxing Day exploring the museums, parks, or catching a festive show.

In New York, bundle your festive stay with an ice-skating session at Rockefeller Center under the giant Christmas tree. It’s about as iconic as it gets in terms of winterscapes – and yes, you’ll feel like you just walked onto the set of a Hallmark romcom! Add a VIP package that includes rink-side seating or private lessons.

Bonus: New Year’s Eve in either city is unforgettable, and you’ll get to experience a quieter side of the bustling streets if you venture out while everyone is eating their Christmas lunch.

For a Local Getaway: South Africa Still Shines

You don’t have to fly far for a special Christmas. Book a festive break along the Garden Route, relax in the Drakensberg, or enjoy a beach holiday in Durban or Cape Town.

Local cruises from Durban are a great option too. MSC Cruises offer 3- to 7-night itineraries from South Africa, which are perfect for Christmas on the water. You can expect onboard holiday dinners, entertainment, and family-friendly ports in Mozambique or Madagascar.

For a Cultural Twist: Thailand or Turkey

For a less traditional but still unforgettable holiday, spend Christmas in Thailand or Turkey. In Thailand, December weather is perfect, and you’ll find everything from beach resorts in Phuket to buzzing Bangkok nights.

Turkey’s winter is cool and charming. Think fairy chimneys dusted with snow, rich comfort food, and festive vibes in Istanbul’s cafes and bazaars. Go to an unforgettable Christmas mass at the Hagia Sophia, even if it doesn’t usually feature as part of your Christmas celebration. The setting alone makes it absolutely worth it. Outside of the capital, Cappadocia’s early morning balloon flights offer ethereal winter views which are ideal for those blurry days between Christmas and New Year’s.

For a Ready-Made Itinerary: Join a Festive Tour or Cruise

Skip the planning stress with a guided Christmas tour or a cruise, where everything is organised for you. Flight Centre offers options across Europe, the USA, Australia and Asia. Some include festive meals, Christmas Day activities, and even special seasonal bonuses like winter train rides or Christmas Eve markets. Others are ‘regular’ tours, just over festive season dates.

Not sure which holiday to take? Here are some of our top picks:

Christmas in France with Contiki

Chateaus, champagne, and Christmas cheer come together in this magical week-long itinerary for anyone aged 18-35.

German Christmas Markets with Trafalgar

Germany is famous for their gluhwein and gorgeous Christmas markets. This 7-day tour would convert even the Scrooge-iest person you know into a true Christmas lover, with stops in Frankfurt, Berlin, and more.

Scandi Express with Top Deck

Scandinavia might not get as much festive attention as Western Europe but trust us when we say that it’s a totally magical place to spend Christmas. Explore the gorgeous sights of Copenhagen’s colourful houses, before hopping onwards to two other Scandinavian powerhouse cities: Oslo and Stockholm.

Christmas in the Far East Cruise – Royal Caribbean

Who said that Christmas had to mean snow and castles? Trade snow for sunshine with this short, 4-day cruise which packs a serious festive punch. You’ll depart from the glitzy city of Singapore on Christmas eve before cruising through Malaysia and Thailand, returning back to Singapore. And while you’ll only have packed once and felt like you didn’t lift a finger, you’ll have spent a Christmas exploring new cities, feasting on delicious onboard cuisine, enjoying the nightlife and entertainment, and soaking up every second of Christmas magic…. without worrying about what to serve for lunch!

Whichever one you pick; it’ll be a memorable way to enjoy Christmas with a group of likeminded travellers. Tours are also great for families with teens or couples who want to relax and enjoy the ride.

Book Early to Avoid Disappointment

Christmas is peak travel season, and festive holidays fill up fast. Flights, family rooms, and top-value packages often sell out first. That’s even more true if you’re hoping to spend the festive season in one of our most popular destinations like Mauritius, London, Thailand, and anywhere offering all-inclusive options.

Our advice? Book now, lock in your spot, and pay off your trip in instalments.

Ready to turn Christmas 2025 into your most memorable one yet? Chat to a Flight Centre travel expert and we’ll help you unwrap the best deal.

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Sophie Baker

Guest Blogger

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*Travel restrictions & conditions apply. Prices are in ZAR and are correct as at the date of publication & are subject to availability and change without notice. Prices quoted are on sale until the dates specified unless otherwise stated or sold out prior. Prices are per person. We charge an Online Booking Fee for flight bookings made online. These fees are charged in addition to the advertised price and displayed fares. View Booking Terms and Conditions for more information.

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