We can’t quite believe it but Christmas and New Year are right around the corner. It’s time to get your skates on – whether that’s literally, in mesmerising Lapland with your brood, or metaphorically – by bagging the best party pad in the Caribbean to ring in 2024.
Read on for our lowdown on the top 10 destinations for a festive break – plus, discover which city hosts the most phenomenal New Year’s Eve party...
It’s hard to imagine a more magical setting than the homeland of Father Christmas. Explore Rovaniemi and beyond, husky-sledding at high speed through the surrounding snowscapes, then head further north still to Ivalo to discover enchanting little towns that border Norway.
Octola is Lapland’s most sensational wilderness lodge. Up in the Arctic Circle, it has the aesthetic of a Bond villain lair, and serves up immersive experiences in the snow-covered forests and excellent Nordic food in the glass-walled dining room, while the northern lights play overhead. Children love meeting the resident reindeer.
For a truly epic festive break, join our voyage to the White Continent. This one is family-friendly, with activities led by A&K Young Explorers Guides, festivities on board and trips out to spot humpback whales and vast colonies of gentoo penguins.
The City of Light is enchanting at Christmas. Spend two nights here before boarding Belmond’s legendary Venice Simplon-Orient-Express to Verona.
Lefay Resort & Spa in the Dolomites is a special spot. Its stunning alpine location, organic restaurant and world-leading spa make it a perfect winter retreat.
The Turks and Caicos Islands are a brilliant option for a Caribbean Christmas – more laidback and low-key than the many islands, and you can now fly direct. Among our new portfolio of luxury Caribbean villas, Topaz Skies and Elara Cove are made for celebrations, and come with personal chefs and housekeepers; and our villa specialists will pull out all the stops for your New Year's Eve party.
The ultimate New Year’s Eve party destination. Stay in the thick of things at Belmond Copacabana Palace: expect Perrier-Jouët, a multi-course tasting menu, and front-row seats for the midnight fireworks over Copacabana beach.
Cabo is a blast during the festive season. At Las Ventanas al Paraiso, a Rosewood Resort, guests dance to live music under the stars, dine al fresco by candlelight, watch films on the beach – even create their own personal New Year’s Eve fireworks display. Kick off 2024 surfing the waves, horseriding along the shore or offroading in the desert.