Not everyone is dreaming of a white Christmas. In fact, many of us are already planning where to go on holiday at Christmas, trading snow for sand and days of uninterrupted sunshine.
If spending Christmas on deserted white-sand beaches with a cocktail in hand appeals more than unpredictable UK weather, there are plenty of winter sun destinations to choose from.
For a short-haul festive escape, explore the famous Christmas markets in Germany and France as you cruise along the scenic Rhine, enjoying mulled wine and carols along the way. Or, for something further afield, destinations such as Australia and St Lucia offer sunshine, beaches and a completely different viewpoint to celebrate the season.
So, if you're thinking about planning ahead, you'll find plenty of inspiration here. Our experts have selected some of the best places to go on holiday at Christmas for 2026 and beyond.
Mauritius
Flight time from UK: 12 hours
Mauritius is one of our favourite places to go at Christmas if you want to celebrate the end of the year on the beach among palm trees. It might be a long flight to get there, but every second of the journey is worth it when you arrive on its tranquil shores.
December brings the height of summer in Mauritius, with warm, tropical days of around 30 degrees and the odd passing shower. Mauritius offers an incredible coastline and dramatic contrasts, making it best for lovers of beachside relaxation and adventure.
Some of the once-in-a-lifetime activities and excursions that you'll discover include wildlife walks in the verdant jungle, romantic trips on a deserted island of your own and hiking the iconic Le Morne Brabant.
Where to stay: The Oberoi
If you’re dreaming of warmer shores this winter, we recommend The Oberoi, set on the shores of Turtle Bay amid the island’s tropical surroundings. Spend your days stargazing, tasting rum and enjoying holistic treatments at the Oberoi Spa, or dine privately in the 18th-century Gunpowder Room.
Australia
Flight time from UK: 17 hours - 23 hours
If a long-haul Christmas adventure is on the cards, Australia offers a festive season like no other, with sunshine, beach days and outdoor celebrations taking centre stage. From the golden sands of the Gold Coast to the turquoise waters of the Whitsundays, December is all about embracing the great outdoors.
With temperatures ranging from the mid-20s on the coast to the high 30s in the Red Centre, you can spend your days surfing, sailing or simply soaking up the laid-back coastal lifestyle.
Beyond the beaches, Australia reveals a diverse landscape of experiences, from the vibrant dining scene in Sydney to the rugged outback and the natural wonder of the Great Barrier Reef.
Where to stay: Longitude 131°
For a truly memorable festive escape, Longitude 131° offers a luxury desert experience overlooking the iconic Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park. Stay in elegant tented pavilions set among red-dust dunes, enjoy gourmet dining under the stars and unwind on your outdoor deck with private plunge pool beneath some of the clearest night skies in the world.
St Lucia
Flight time from UK: 9 hours
St Lucia combines dramatic natural beauty with a wonderfully warm Caribbean spirit, from the iconic Pitons and lush rainforest to powder-soft beaches and secluded coves. In December, temperatures reach around 29°C, making it an idyllic setting for a festive escape.
There are so many ways to enjoy Christmas in St Lucia, whether you want to embrace the island’s vibrant celebrations, unwind at a secluded resort or fill your days with adventures on land and sea. With exceptional dining, world-class spas and some of the Caribbean’s most beautiful beaches, you can celebrate the season entirely your way.
Where to stay: Sugar Beach, A Viceroy Resort
Sugar Beach, A Viceroy Resort sits between the iconic Pitons, with a festive calendar spanning Santa’s arrival, a magical Festival of Lights on the main beach and spectacular New Year’s Eve celebrations beneath the stars.
St Kitts
Flight time from UK: 10 hours
With volcanic slopes, verdant forests and turquoise waters, a St Kitts holiday offers you a taste of laid-back island living with plenty of sunshine. This majestic destination has something for everyone, whether that be relaxation, activity or anything in-between.
You’ll find a relaxing beachside experience coupled with fantastic spas, a laid-back island ambiance and average December temperatures reaching a hot 29 degrees. Or if you want your winter escape to include exciting watersports, volcano hikes and other natural explorations such as hot springs, there’s plenty for you too.
There are some completely unique experiences to be had in St Kitts, and we highly recommend a trip on the Scenic Railway. The railway was built a hundred years ago and is the only one of its kind in the West Indies. Your journey is made even sweeter by complimentary rum punch and the train’s resident choir.
Where to stay: Park Hyatt St Kitts
There’s nowhere quite like the Caribbean at Christmas. Stretched along the beautiful Banana Bay, Park Hyatt St Kitts offers everything you need to warm up the winter months. Soak up the glimmering sea views, snorkel the crystalline waters and lay back in a private pool cabana.
Which are the best Christmas holiday destinations for families?
The Caribbean offers plenty of ideas for families looking to go abroad at Christmas. Not only are the islands perfectly warm over December, but resorts across Barbados, St Lucia, Grenada and Antigua put on plenty of fun activities for children, with Father Christmas appearing in his own tropical winter wonderland.
St Vincent & the Grenadines
Flight time from UK: 11 hours 30 minutes
Peaceful, enchanting and welcoming, here you’ll be able to get in touch with the true tranquillity of nature. With old-world charm and stunning surroundings, a luxury holiday to St Vincent & the Grenadines will transport you to a simpler, more relaxing time.
The white-sand beaches dotted across this chain of Caribbean islands offer a Christmas holiday full of relaxation and luxury. But there’s another side to St Vincent & the Grenadines, one that offers an opportunity to immerse yourself in nature and explore adventure. Sailing is the number one pastime in St Vincent & the Grenadines, making a private charter the perfect way to explore the calm waters and secluded coves at your own pace.
Where to stay: Bequia Beach Hotel
This family-owned boutique hotel is the ‘jewel’ in the Grenadines, renowned for its laid-back ambience and vintage island style. Bequia Beach Hotel makes sure you are always in touch with the beauty of the ocean and Beachfront Suites are just steps from Friendship Beach.
Christmas Markets on the Rhine
Deciding on one destination can be a tricky decision. A luxury river cruise down the Rhine could be the perfect way to see more attractions without having to re-pack your bag every time.
For a unique Christmas, AmaWaterways offers a spectacular voyage around Germany and France that departs from the Netherlands. On board, you’ll find incredible amenities, excursions, service and, of course, breathtaking river views.
This is an ideal itinerary for adventurous travellers who want to combine luxury and comfort with excitement and choice. After action-packed days full of immersive shore excursions and Christmas market tours, you can retire to a plush room with a glass of mulled wine or relax with a pampering massage.
Where to stay: AmaCerto
With this AmaWaterways itinerary, you’ll enjoy a range of expertly guided excursions included at every port to get you into the Christmas spirit. AmaCerto is a small 162 passenger luxury vessel that offers award-winning cuisine in both the Main Restaurant and at The Chef’s Table specialty restaurant. With a sundeck and heated pool featuring a swim-up bar, a wellness programme and an eclectic schedule of evening entertainment, days are as varied as you want them to be.
Lanzarote, Spain
Flight time from UK: 4 hours
Christmas is the ideal time for a holiday in Spain if you want daily sunshine without the long flight. You can be in Lanzarote in just 4 hours from the UK, and you’ll land in a temperate paradise with average December temperatures of a balmy 21 degrees.
Lanzarote offers an enchanting mixture of bustling cities comprised of traditional European architecture, and endless beaches that rival anywhere in the world.
Many of the hotels are perfect for families and have speciality kids and teens clubs, as well as a host of all-inclusive options.
Where to stay: Princesa Yaiza Suite Hotel Resort
A Christmas escape to Lanzarote is the perfect solace from any creeping winter chills. For families, Princesa Yaiza Suite Hotel Resort has plenty to offer with six swimming pools, boundless activities and a kids’ club where little imaginations can be set loose.
Where to go at Christmas if you don’t want a long flight
While most destinations that have hot weather at Christmas are further afield, the Canary Islands offer the perfect solution if you don’t want a long flight time. Tenerife, Lanzarote and Gran Canaria offer beautifully warm temperatures and plenty of beaches for an end-of-year escape.
Oman
Flight time from UK: 7 hours
If you’re yearning for the ultimate blend of culture, history and stunning beaches, then Oman should be high on your festive travel list. There’s so much choice in this enchanting country, and you could easily combine mountain, coast and city into one unforgettable trip.
A heady mix of towering palaces, sprawling markets, endless desert and unique culture creates a truly enchanting atmosphere, while average highs of 27 degrees during December complete the image of a quintessential Arabian paradise.
A stay in the capital, Muscat, puts 5,000 years of fascinating history at your doorstep. Here, you'll find world-famous landmarks, including the famous Al Alam Palace by the sea and Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque.
Where to stay: The Chedi Muscat
Retreat to The Chedi Muscat, set between the Gulf of Oman and the Al Hajar Mountains, where 21 acres of lush gardens, a beautiful beachfront setting and exceptional dining create a peaceful festive escape.
Phuket, Thailand
Flight time from UK: 13 hours
Thailand offers a wonderful contrast to the traditional festive season, with warm temperatures, tropical beaches and a fascinating blend of ancient culture and contemporary energy. In Phuket, you can move between golden temples, vibrant markets and stretches of white sand, with December temperatures reaching around 32°C.
Expect warm Thai hospitality, exceptional dining and plenty of ways to spend the festive season, from relaxing on the beach to exploring the island’s natural beauty and cultural heritage. Whether you want to embrace the celebrations at your resort or simply escape somewhere warm, Thailand brings a distinctly different feel to Christmas.
Where to stay: Banyan Tree Phuket
Escape to Banyan Tree Phuket, where private pool villas are surrounded by lush gardens and tranquil lagoons. From destination dining to signature Thai spa rituals, the festive season is yours to enjoy at your own pace.
Florida, USA
Flight time from UK: 9 hours
Is there anything more appealing than jetting off to a place nicknamed ‘The Sunshine State’ when the skies are overcast and grey? There’s so much to love about Florida during the festive season, from the extravagant Christmas parades at Walt Disney World to the tropical climes of the Florida Keys.
Drive down the Overseas Highway to Key West and visit the home-turned-museum of esteemed American novelist, Ernest Hemingway, before tucking into a thick slice of Florida’s favourite dessert: key lime pie. Soak in the sun on one of the key’s immaculate beaches and embrace the laid-back island lifestyle.
Glide through mangroves and see alligators in their natural habitat with an airboat tour of the Everglades. Or head up to the iconic city of Miami and bring in the new year with night on the city’s legendary club scene.
Where to stay: Four Seasons Resort at Walt Disney World
Feel the magic of Christmas with a stay at the Four Seasons Resort at Walt Disney World and see Mickey Mouse in full Santa Claus attire. With an adult-only pool and sophisticated décor, this stylish hotel ensures the whole family can relax and enjoy the festive season beyond the bright lights and thrilling rides of the parks.
Dine at the hotel’s Ravello restaurant for the best Disney Character Breakfasts in town and watch the park’s spectacular nightly firework display from the rooftop terrace Capa Bar.
New Zealand
Flight time from UK: 25 hours
If you’re seeking dramatic scenery, outdoor adventure and a real sense of escape at Christmas, New Zealand is an ideal choice. From sparkling harbours and island-studded waters to geothermal landscapes and rolling vineyards, it’s a destination that feels made for exploration.
In Auckland, life revolves around the water. Known as the ‘City of Sails’, it sits between two harbours, where sailing, island-hopping and coastal living are part of everyday life. Set out across the Hauraki Gulf to Waiheke Island for beaches and boutique wineries or head to Devonport for a relaxed seaside atmosphere. On the west coast, black-sand beaches and powerful surf offer a completely different side to the city.
Beyond Auckland, discover Rotorua’s geothermal wonders and rich Māori culture, the tranquil waters of Lake Taupo and the gourmet vineyards of Hawke’s Bay.
Where to stay: Huka Lodge
Perched on the banks of the Waikato River near Huka Falls, Huka Lodge is an iconic luxury retreat that has welcomed guests for more than a century. Set within beautifully manicured grounds, it offers an exclusive riverside escape defined by understated elegance and world-class hospitality.
A festive rail journey through Malaysia
Celebrate Christmas or welcome the New Year aboard the Eastern & Oriental Express, Belmond’s luxurious train travelling from Singapore through Malaysia. Over three nights, enjoy fine dining curated by André Chiang with sommelier wines, elegant cabins and curated excursions, from a luxury picnic on Langkawi to festive celebrations in Penang. Extend your stay in Singapore to explore its dazzling Christmas lights, visit Christmas Wonderland at Gardens by the Bay or enjoy the city’s New Year fireworks.
Ready for the ultimate Christmas retreat?
If you need some extra inspiration or want more information, contact us to speak to our Relationship Managers. As experts in all of our destinations, they’ll be more than happy to help you find your perfect Christmas holiday for 2026.
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