10 Dreamy Christmas Vacation Ideas for Christmas Lovers

I’m a wanderer at heart, which means literally EVERYWHERE is on my list of places I would like to visit. Since Christmas is my favorite holiday, these Christmas vacation ideas are the perfect holiday inspiration for a Christmas lover with wanderlust.

 

Here are my Top 10 Christmas vacation ideas for Christmas lovers like me.

I’ve got a lifetime of Christmases to get these all checked off of my bucket list!

1. Visit Walt Disney World at Christmas

Cinderella’s castle at Magic Kingdom is covered in lights,  making everything feel more magical.

All of the parks at WDW have their own spin on holiday celebrations. There’s a light/fireworks show at Hollywood Studios that has gotten great reviews.

There’s also a holiday themed aerial drone show at Disney Springs.

The best part of visiting WDW at Christmas is resort-hopping to see the Christmas decorations at all of the different resort properties.  

This is something you can do completely FREE even if you aren’t staying on the property.

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There’s a larger than life gingerbread house where you can purchase a roof shingle of gingerbread at the Grand Floridian and an entire life-size display made of chocolate at the Swann and Dolphin.

2. Visit the Christmas Markets of Germany

The largest Christmas Markets are in Frankfurt Germany and Strasbourg, France.

However, most of the major European cities have some version of the Christmas Market. You will find all kinds of holiday foods, wines, and holiday crafts for sale.

3. Christmas in New York

New York has its own brand of holiday magic. Of course there is the infamous Rockefeller Tree.

There is also the 5th Avenue holiday window displays, The Rockettes, horse carriage rides in scenic Central Park, festive Bryant Park, and the Christmas Markets.

 

4. Christmas at the Fairmount Castle Banff Springs

Visiting Banff National Park in Canada is already on the list of any outdoor lover.

However for a Christmas enthusiast like me, I dream of spending a Christmas here.

Not only does it look like the dreamiest winter wonderland, there are some really epic activities.

There is dog sledding, skiing, sleigh rides, snowmobiling, and ice fishing. This outdoorsy diva is ready for all of it!

 

5. Christmas with Santa Claus in the Arctic Circle

Lapland, Finland is thought to be the original home of Santa Claus. You get to meet Santa and his elves in his workshop. interact with reindeer, and go dog sledding.  If you’re lucky you might also get to see the Northern Lights.

 

6. Christmas at Kakslauttanen Resort

It would be a dream come true to stay in one of the kelo-igloo cabins or one of the large glass igloo cabins and sleep beneath the Northern Lights.

You can also choose to stay in a room that is actually inside Santa’s home or you can just visit for dinner. There are husky sleds and reindeer safaris and all kinds of ways to enjoy the winter wonderland of Finland.

 

7. Verry Merrytime Christmas on Disney Cruise Line

The Disney Cruise Lines go all the way out for Verry Merrytime Cruises. The ship is full of holiday decorations and there are all kinds of Christmas-themed activities. Castaway  Cay is even transformed into a winter paradise with snow flurries at the beach.

We loved our first Disney Cruise so I can just imagine how amazing it would be to cruise DCL during the holidays.

 8. Christmas at Biltmore Estate

The Christmas celebration at the Biltmore in Asheville, North Carolina is one of the most beautiful found anywhere in the country. The estate boasts 70 decorated Christmas trees and thousands of lights.

Our friends at The Sophisticated Life loved their visit to Biltmore at Christmas time.

 

9. Christmas at Edinburgh Castle

This castle in Scotland offers visitors a classic Victorian Christmas experience.  Guests learn about the origin of the Christmas cracker and where the tradition of the Christmas card came from. There are also Christmas markets in Edinburgh to explore.

 

10. Christmas at the Gaylord

One of my family’s favorite traditions is ICE! at the Gaylord.  We’ve seen it at the Gaylord Palm Resort in Orlando.  We have also seen it at Gaylord Texan in Dallas.  

However this year they have unveiled a new immersive Christmas event called “I Love Christmas”. There are also have other holiday events like Cirque Dreams Unwrapped , #LIT Light Show, Mrs. Claus’ Christmas Traditions, Build-A-Bear Workshop, Gingerbread Decorating Corner, Character Breakfast, Scavenger Hunt and more!

What are some of the Christmas vacation ideas that you have enjoyed or that you recommend? Tell me in the comments below!

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