With only 2 weeks to go, Christmas is just around the corner, and I am so excited about it! I love a traditional danish Christmas just as much as I love traveling and experiencing other countries’ traditions. If you prefer to have the best of both worlds, this is definitely also possible!
Spend Christmas at home, and go for a weekend getaway. I’ve collected 3 great places for a Christmas getaway right here. If you need tips for how to find cheap accommodation, check out our guide here.
Rovaniemi, Finland
The best place to go to get into the holiday spirit is, without a doubt, Santa Claus Village in Rovaniemi. Rovaniemi is located in the northern part of Finland, and it is just within the Arctic Circle. This means that it’s cold and snowy – and the perfect destination for a truly white Christmas getaway!
Rovaniemi is also known as the Official Home of Santa Claus – so this is your chance to meet Santa Claus (or to just experience his village with all of the decorations!). You can also visit Elf’s Farm and pet Santas reindeers, go on a dog sledding trip or catch a glimpse of the Northern Lights. You have actually got a pretty good chance for seeing the Northern Lights here, so what are you waiting for?! Start planning your getaway now!
Tallinn, Estonia
Estonia probably hasn’t crossed your mind as an excellent location for a Christmas getaway, but this country actually has several Christmas markets… And one of them has been voted “Best Christmas Market” in 2019. Who doesn’t love a good Christmas market?
Tallinn Christmas Market is open from the last week in November to the first week of January. The market is full of decorations, small huts, and events. You can shop for gifts that you won’t be able to buy anywhere else in the world, as all of the huts sell local produce. You can also taste delicious Christmas foods and snacks – make sure to visit Gingerbread Mania and make your own gingerbread at their workshop.
Bethlehem, Israel
For a real authentic Christmas getaway, Bethlehem is the place to be. The birthplace of Jesus is a real treasure for those who are religious or just interested in history. You can join a Christmas tour of Bethlehem, have a festive dinner, or just enjoy the Christmas atmosphere.
The main attraction is the Christmas Midnight Mass; however, you’ll need a ticket, and these can be quite tricky to get a hold of. Don’t worry, you can also watch the Midnight Mass on a maxi-screen set up in Manger Square for everyone to see.
