bodyType

customContents

entityId

entityUuid

articlePageQuery

filter

article

articleBaseAdvertisingInfoArticle

articleListArticle

articleSeoArticle

hooksArticleAcknowledgementGateOverlayArticle

hooksTrackPageViewArticle

hooksContentInterestArticle

articleLinkingDataContent

hooksAmpRedirectArticle

articleSchemaContent

liveArticle

advertZone

sentiment

contentLock

topics

types

sections

paywallTypes

createdDate

publishedDate

sponsorType

urlAlias

moreOnThisArticles

commentCount

authorLocations

authors

corrections

displaySlideShow

multimediaEmbed

printHeadline

seriesContainer

articleSpeeches

socialHeadline

headline

images

flag

firstTopic

glossary

flattenTypeIds

image

relatedLinks

relatedNewsletters

__typename

sponsor

pdfFiles

seriesReverseOrder

series

disableOffPlatformContent

published

updatedDate

summary

subHeadline

body

keywords

readingTime

customTimezone

liveContents

Wanderluxe by The Luxe Nomad

So, you do not want to spend Christmas at home?
Well, here are 10 ideas for an alternative Christmas this year.
1. Traditional Christmas: Germany

The Christmas culture of decorating a lush conifer tree during the season is said to have been modernised in Germany.
The folk song O Tannenbaum  is in German, but it is not a direct translation of the popular carol, O Christmas Tree. “Tannenbaum” actually means fir tree.
Head to smaller cities like Nuremberg for the perfect festive atmosphere, and to visit the famous Christkindlesmarkt on Hauptmarkt square.  
Does your apartment building have a dog spa and an outdoor cinema?
2. Ski Christmas: Niseko, Japan

The ski town has already had its first major sprinkling of snow on Mount Yōtei, and come December, the whole region will be dazzling white.
Japan may not have celebrations as big as those you may be familiar with, but the four major resorts and local hotels in Niseko will definitely be decking the halls and getting Santa Claus to entertain the children.
3. City Christmas: London, United Kingdom

What to look forward to: extravagant lights on major London streets, ice-skating next to the Natural History Museum, fruitcake, the magnificent tree on Trafalgar Square, and the landmark Claridge’s tree – this year’s is being designed by Belgian-American fashion designer Diane Von Furstenberg.
4. Adventure Christmas: Queenstown, New Zealand

This scenic Kiwi town is home to many of the world’s best extreme sports facilities.
It is also summer in the region at this time of the year, so it is a good time to be shouting greetings as you paraglide over the beautiful landscape.
6 hipster cafes in Canggu and Seminyak for your next Bali getaway
5. Romantic Christmas: Reykjavik, Iceland

You cannot really holiday in the North Pole, so we are picking a destination not too far from it: Iceland!
Any destination can be romantic if it is the right setting, but in this case, we are thinking freezing temperatures will get you snuggling up a little more than usual.
It also helps that Iceland loves Christmas, and the Northern Lights are expected to appear during the holiday season.
You do not get a lot of daylight hours in December, but Christmas lights all over town turn it into a winter wonderland.
6. Shopping Christmas: New York City, United States

Fifth Avenue is not a famous shopping district for nothing. In the lead-up to Christmas, holiday sales draw the craziest gift shoppers to New York City, where you can make trips to outdoor skating rinks and see giant tree lighting ceremonies in between sprees.
7. Beach Christmas: Koh Samui, Thailand

Do not like the snow? Get a big dose of Vitamin D this Christmas sprawled out on the beach in Koh Samui.
There is plenty to do on the island that has got to do with adventure, shopping and eating, and the villas there are very beautiful.
If that is not enough, you could take ferry rides to its picturesque neighbouring islands.
Cast away to a luxury resort in the Maldives this winter
8. Safari Christmas: the African wilderness

Part romantic, part adventure, all wanderlust. Christmas looks different in the beautiful safaris of Africa.
Activities range from tours around the safari to see wildlife, bush walks and hot air balloon rides to more relaxing things like spa treatments and gourmet dining.
Be sure to take the chance to go stargazing on clear nights.
9. Foodie Christmas: Singapore

But, of course. With the amount of attention Singapore has received for its world-class food, it is only natural that we head to the Lion City for Christmas.
You will find your archetypal fancy feasts of turkey and roasts at many of the top hotels and restaurants, but in Singapore, you get to balance that out with hearty street food and snacks.
To complete the experience, a visit to Orchard Road is a must as it will be lit up with Disney-themed decorations this year.
How to rock safari-style trends this autumn/winter
10. Spa Christmas: the Himalayas

So, if Christmas is not really your thing and you just want to get away from all the commercial buzz and wind down properly before the new year, pick a spa retreat far away from it all, like in the Himalayas, where you are not likely to be bombarded with that Mariah Carey song every five minutes.
It is going to be really cold, but it is nothing heated pools, hot spa baths and the warmest beds cannot treat.
Want more stories like this? Sign up here. Follow STYLE on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter
This article originally appeared on  Wanderluxe by The Luxe Nomad .


Style Edit: MCM marks 50 years by reinventing its iconic bags for an era of smart luxury

Beyond Angkor Wat’s allure: discovering Cambodia’s hidden gems in Siem Reap and Phnom Penh

Flashback: Calvin Wang revisits his love of Chanel and Dries van Noten

What’s new at Galaxy Macau, from whisky wonders  at the new Capella to Japanese elegance

Luxury travel

Get into the festive season with 10 alternative Christmas getaways

Relax away from the Christmas rush at The Khyber Himalayan Resort & Spa. Photo: The Khyber Himalayan Resort & Spa

Gift yourself an adventure. Photo: Pablo Heimplatz/Unsplash

The Christkindlesmarkt in Nuremberg. Photo: British Airways

Powder season is the best time to visit Niseko. Photo: Oliver Dickerson/Unsplash

Ice-skating next to a famous museum? Sure! Photo: Trustees of Natural History Museum

Sand and sea for Christmas. Photo: Glen Jackson/Unsplash

Have a hot, hot Christmas for a change. Photo: Danielle Barnes/Unsplash

How about a Crazy Rich Christmas? Photo: Chen Hu/Unsplash

Santa may not be real, but auroras are. Photo: Nicolas J Leclercq/Unsplash

Bring a big budget. The Big Apple’s shopping sprees are no joke. Photo: Pixabay

3 toxin-free beauty treatments in Hong Kong for a great private spa experience

INUF Skin Spa is a space where you can truly relax and let your mind and body heal.

INUF Skin Spa

Moksa

1010 SPACE reception area

Magazines

Style

Leisure

If you do not want to stay at home this year, how about a Christmas market in Germany, skiing in Japan, paragliding in New Zealand or a spa in the Himalayas?


Christmas

Singapore

Get into the festive season with 10 alternative Christmas getaways

.css-1c6uqr6{color:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-size:inherit;font-family:inherit;line-height:inherit;overflow-wrap:break-word;}If you do not want to stay at home this year, how about a Christmas market in Germany, skiing in Japan, paragliding in New Zealand or a spa in the Himalayas?

If you do not want to stay at home this year, how about a Christmas market in Germany, skiing in Japan, paragliding in New Zealand or a spa in the Himalayas?