Best Christmas Vacations: 8 Trips That Deliver the Holiday Experience
European Christmas markets (go December 1-20, skip Christmas week)
Prague, Vienna, Budapest, and Copenhagen all run Christmas markets from late November through December 23 or 24. Christmas week itself (Dec 24-31) sees markets wind down and prices spike. If the goal is Christmas markets, go the first three weeks of December, not Christmas week itself. First three weeks: $1,200 to $3,500 per person for a week. Christmas week: $2,500 to $6,000 per person for the same hotels.
Warm-weather Christmas escapes
Bali, Cancun, Punta Cana, and the Maldives are the four classic Christmas-week warm escapes. Expect premium pricing: 60 to 100 percent above November rates. A Christmas week in Punta Cana runs $3,500 to $7,000 per person with flights and all-inclusive; Cancun similar; Maldives $8,000 to $20,000 per person; Bali $2,500 to $6,000 per person. All sell out 6 to 9 months ahead for Christmas week.
Ski weeks over Christmas and New Year
Aspen, Whistler, and Zermatt all see their biggest pricing of the year during Christmas-New Year week. Aspen Christmas week runs $5,500 to $15,000 per person for a full week with lodging, lift tickets, food, and flights. Whistler is slightly cheaper at $4,500 to $12,000 per person; Zermatt in the same range. All three book out 9 to 12 months ahead for Christmas week.
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