Spending the Christmas holiday at home can be nostalgic and allow for cherished time with family. However, some global destinations are perfect for visiting around the holiday season. One annual holiday travel report expects 2025 holiday travel to break records. Americans will spend $311 million on flights and hotels this holiday season, according to cbsnews.com. Some of these popular holiday destinations are overseas, while some do not require a long flight.
Prague, Czech Republic is a city known for its churches, castles, and narrow streets that create an urban fairytale. In December, Prague turns into a winter wonderland. Its buildings covered in Christmas lights and decorations throughout the city make it a charming and magical getaway, according to travel.usnews.com. Prague is known for its exceptional Christmas markets in the center of the city. The markets are full of food and drinks, music, and decorations, creating a festive atmosphere, according to pragueexperience.com.
Finnish Lapland, located in the northernmost region of Finland, is another destination that attracts tourists during the winter months. Because it is so far north, tourists can expect a snowy Christmas. There are typically at least ten inches of snow on the ground throughout December. Visitors can enjoy a variety of picturesque activities, such as husky or reindeer-pulled sleigh rides, according to travel.usnews.com. Additionally, seeing the northern lights adds to the appeal. Because the region is extremely far north and isolated from large cities, the northern lights are visible approximately 200 days of the year, according t0 travelandleisure.com.
A popular destination for travelers year-round,New York City (NYC) is particularly busy during the holidays. Iconic Christmas events take place in NYC, such as the Rockefeller Christmas tree lighting ceremony, ice skating at Rockefeller Center, and the Christmas Spectacular starring the Radio City Rockettes. Additionally, it holds the Bryant Park Winter Village, a market filled with many different boutique-style shops as well as food stands of diverse global cuisines, which draw in huge crowds. People also find NYC at Christmastime particularly magical because they can recognize it from holiday films, like Elf and Home Alone 2, according to travel.usnews.com. Sacred Heart Greenwich sophomore Elizabeth Galgano enjoys visiting NYC for Christmas every year. She shared why people are drawn to visit and why it is so special during the winter months.
“I really like New York city around this time because the atmosphere is so busy and full of holiday spirit,” Elizabeth said. “People want to visit NYC because it is so unique and iconic. The storefronts are decorated beautifully, and the streets are very crowded. So many different people travel from all over the world to NYC for the holidays, so the streets are bustling with festivity and joy, making it simply a time to celebrate.”
Finally, another popular Christmas destination is the island of Nantucket, Massachusetts. Some consider Nantucket to be the ultimate holiday destination in New England, according to bostonmagazine.com. On Nantucket, Christmas meets coastal charm, with Christmas trees decorating the quaint island. A giant wreath hangs on the iconic Brant Point Lighthouse, making for the perfect Christmas photo backdrop, according to explorenowornever.com. Sophomore Grace McKeown described why she loves Nantucket around the holidays.
“It’s a different atmosphere than in the summer,” Grace said. “There’s something very magical about seeing snow on the beach and the decorations in the summery town.”
Featured Image by Eleanor Kelleher ’28
