By the time December rolls around, you’re already exhausted from trying to find the “perfect” gift for your aunt who has everything, and the relentless chorus of Mariah Carey on every radio station is starting to feel like a personal attack. What you need, dear Hoptraveler, is not another fruitcake. You need an escape. A pre-Christmas trip to remind you that the season is actually about magic, mulled wine, and not losing your mind in a mall parking lot.
Here are our top 5 picks for a festive getaway that will recharge your holiday spirit faster than you can say “egg-nog latte.”
1. Germany: The OG of Christmas Markets
The Vibe: If Christmas was a person, it would be a cheerful German grandmother in a woolly sweater, forcing a mug of hot, spiced wine into your hand. Germany is the birthplace of the Christmas market, and they have perfected the art of festive coziness (or Gemütlichkeit, if you want to be fancy).
Why Go Now: Your liver might need a break afterwards, but your soul will thank you. Wander through the historic Nuremberg Christkindlesmarkt or the stunningly cathedral-backed Cologne Christmas Markets, sampling Glühwein and bratwurst until you can’t feel your toes (partly from the cold, partly from the joy). It’s a festive boot camp for your sense of wonder.
Pro Tip: The mug deposit on your Glühwein is a clever ploy to make you collect them. Don’t fall for it. Your suitcase is heavy enough.
2. New York City, USA: The Cinematic Spectacle
The Vibe: It’s every Christmas movie you’ve ever seen, but with more honking and a surprisingly high chance of getting a pretzel mustard stain on your coat.
Why Go Now: To feel like the star of your own romantic comedy, even if your co-star is just your weird uncle Ted. You can gawk at the Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree, try not to wipe out on the ice rink, and marvel at the Fifth Avenue window displays. It’s loud, it’s chaotic, and it’s unapologetically festive.
Pro Tip: The line to see the tree is longer than the list of people you’re obligated to buy gifts for. See it from a distance, preferably with a hot dog in hand.
3. Lapland, Finland: The Ultimate Bluff Call
The Vibe: You’ve spent years telling kids a jolly old elf lives at the North Pole. Well, this is your chance to prove you’re not a liar. Rovaniemi, the official hometown of Santa Claus, is the ultimate winter wonderland.
Why Go Now: Where else can you ride a reindeer-pulled sleigh, potentially see the Northern Lights, and get your photo with the big man himself? It’s so magical you’ll forget you’re paying a small fortune for a photo with a bearded stranger—which, now that we think about it, is also a description of a very weird music festival.
Pro Tip: If you’re traveling with kids, this trip will make you Parent of the Year. If you’re traveling without kids, you can just skip the Santa line and go straight for the husky sledding.
4. London, UK: A “Proper” Festive Feast
The Vibe: Bustling, bright, and fueled by mince pies and mulled cider. London dresses up for Christmas like it’s attending the Queen’s garden party.
Why Go Now: The city is a glittering spectacle. From the shopping frenzy of Oxford Street to the majestic Christmas tree in Trafalgar Square, there’s festive energy everywhere. You can get delightfully lost in the Hyde Park Winter Wonderland or cozy up in a historic pub after a day of exploring.
Pro Tip: Embrace the pub roast with a pint. It’s the best way to warm up, and frankly, more satisfying than fighting a crowd to see a department store window.
5. Strasbourg, France: The Fairy-Tale Fix
The Vibe: Picture a gingerbread house. Now picture an entire city of them, draped in twinkling lights and the smell of spiced bread. That’s Strasbourg, the self-proclaimed “Capital of Christmas.”
Why Go Now: It’s arguably one of the most beautiful Christmas settings in Europe. The Strasbourg Christmas Market clusters around the city’s stunning, single-spired cathedral, and the half-timbered houses of the La Petite France district look like they’re about to break into a Disney song.
Pro Tip: The vin chaud (French for Glühwein) is delicious, but so is the hot Alsatian wine (a local variant). Try both. It’s for cultural research.
So, there you have it. Five perfect excuses to pack a bag, leave the wrapping paper chaos behind, and actually enjoy the most wonderful time of the year. Your sanity will thank you. Happy (hop)travels….