Snow, a Christmas tree, fresh-baked cookies and glittering presents all make for the perfect holiday image. But this holiday image can be a lot of work too. So why not try something different this year? Christmas vacations are becoming more popular, and the choices are nearly limitless.
A North Carolina Mountain Christmas
The Appalachian Mountains of North Carolina offer plenty of holiday spirit without the traffic and crowds of more well-traveled destinations. The quaint city of Asheville offers a number of holiday events and is the home of the Biltmore Estate. This 250-room home is the former residence of the Vanderbilt family and is the largest private home in the U.S. The Biltmore is open to the public for holiday tours and events. It houses a world-class winery and there is an inn on the estate.
“The Sound of Music” Holiday
Movie buffs will love a Christmas vacation in the Austrian Alps that features a “Sound of Music” tour. A number of tours are offered, highlighting both movie and historical sites, including the breathtaking lake district. Follow the footsteps of the Von Trapp family’s heroic story through mountains and fields. With the city of Salzburg as a backdrop, this couldn’t be a more picture-perfect vacation spot.
Christmas in Paradise
If you’d like to break with tradition but can’t quite bear to part with Christmas altogether, how about a vacation on Christmas Island? This tropical paradise is located west of Australia and was named by Captain William Mynors of the East India Ship Company, who arrived on Christmas Day 1643. In addition to diving, exotic bird watching, golf and hiking through the magnificent national park, Christmas Island offers holiday events that will delight your whole family.
