FESTIVE FUN IN THE SUN DESTINATIONS
Last Updated on 20th December 2020 by Bejal
With the prospect of spending Christmas at home becoming a fixture on this challenging year, I’m sharing some winter sun destinations, from over the past 10 years, which I’ve been lucky enough to call home during the festive season.
Don’t get me wrong I’m not bah humbug when it comes to Christmas but what I do loathe about the festive season is the over commercial aspect of it all, with the true spirit and essence of the season being disposed of in a sea of over consumerism.
Cue meeting a life partner who feels the same and an endless list of destinations where Christmas is celebrated a little differently allowing us to incorporate some precious annual leave time!
Christmas has always been about travelling and giving back chez Be-lavie.
Sydney
Although there are many similarities between Australia and England and yes Christmas is quite an important fate in the calendar here, I quite enjoyed the loved up chilled out Aussie nature of the festive season.
The view is all the beach and surf vibes at Bondi beach mixed in with family barbecues consisting of brioche, beers and snags followed by a dip in the sea! Oh and an obligatory walk around the famous twinly Sydney harbour at night.
Queenstown
New Zealand’s adventure capital is still a tiny bit adventurous during the festive season. There are Christmas markets, fancy meals at the Skyline gondola or even fancier at the Hilton and oh some of the thrill-seeking attractions remain open! So obviously when in Queenstown you gotta partake!
Bora Bora
Your 360 degrees view of blue hues will only ever so slightly be affected with the odd festive cheer in the form of a Santa hat, or Christmas tree or fairy lights. It truly is all about Island life and diving off your overwater villa to experience the marine life. The island doesn’t shut down for Christmas and many local families are at the beach in the afternoon.
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Rio
The carnival capital of Brazil may have all the festive decorations up, but they remain fully operational and open. Choose to visit stand up close to Christ the redeemer, sit on Copacabana beach or sip Caipirinhas on the rooftop pool bar! Rio still has a huge social divide, and the real Rio is a far cry from Copacabana and Ipenema beach. We supported a local charity with a visit to the Favellas, which helped local children out of the poverty and substance abuse to create and direct them towards mainstream schooling.
Cusco
It may be 12000 ft above sea level but one of Peru’s classic Incan cities lights up the Andes at Christmas. Totally not a commercial affair but more centred around family time, with restaurants open for tourists and many traditional church services. Tuck into some traditional Peruvian corn-based dishes and Pisco Sours on tap! Not too many, as altitude sickness can be very real here!
Kuala Lumpur
Kuala Lumpur is one of the only places in the world, which observes festivals of all religions and Christmas is no exception. Lots of bi decorations, lights and frivolities all over. The skyline is lit up and many of the large hotels provide a set Christmas dinner menu for their guests with live entertainment. It all comes complete with a tropical climate!
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Hua Hin
Christmas is not a huge deal in Thailand except if you’re staying in a large resort, Bangkok or a place populated hugely by ex-pats. One of the best Christmas’s I’ve had to date has been dropping off gift donations at an orphanage, which partners with the sustainable hotel we stayed and listening to how their lives had changed via this support network. We also visited a vineyard to sample a few drinks!
Kota Kinabalu
A conservationist’s playground and a sun worshippers paradise, Borneo is completely free of festive vibes, except for the odd tree here and there.
We took a private boat and headed to the Tunku Abdul Rahman Marine Park to scope out the marine life, hikes and the rare siting of a Komodo dragon crossing my path! The adventure continued with the search of the elusive rafflesia flower and yes we spotted it! One of the rarest Christmas presents in the world!
Gili Meno
Most probably my favourite of the three Gili Islands in Indonesia and not any Christmas vibes in sight. Just powdery white sand and an endless blue horizon! A lace of calm, relaxation and utter island life, it was like just a normal day, no hype, good local sea food, lots of diving opportunities and utter pleasure that needed to be bottled and cherished forever!
Lombok
Christmas is not really celebrated on Lombok as Hinduism is the main religion followed, so in effect it’s just a regular day hanging as the locals do but you will hear the odd Merry Christmas!
Christmas was mainly a relaxing mix of beach time, chatting to the locals snoozing in between reading books and dipping in the pool at our villa with the occasional cocktail. Restaurants, bars and tourist attractions are also open as Christmas is quite a busy season for Indonesia. Many of the hotels and private villas tend to have a special meal planned for Christmas Eve and New Years Eve too!
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So tell me, have you ever spent the festive season away from home or are you planning to?
More Christmas related reading
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More Christmas related reading
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À bientôt
Annmarie
Wow I want to visit them all, you do know how to pick a destination ❤️❤️
Bejal
AnnmarieAww thanks Annmarie. I hope you do get to visit one day, I’m sure you’d love them all. B x
Scott McGlashan
I think Bora Bora looks the place for me! Stunning! Great Post.
Bejal
Scott McGlashanI think that is one of my favourite places to spend Christmas. Completely relaxed!Thanks Scott
Rubina
Oh my you have been to some amazing places! Many of which are on my list..thanks so much for sharing a snapshot of your travel experience in each. Love how you were able so drop of donations to the orphanage. I’ve always wanted to visit Bora Bora …looks beautiful ❤️✨❤️
Bejal
RubinaYou’re very welcome and thanks so much Rubina. Bora Bora certainly is a unique place for Christmas and you must go one day. It’s just a long way away but sheer paradise. B x
Louise
One postcard after another! Just stunning destinations, B! Hope you will have a lovely Christmas in spite of it all ????
Bejal
LouiseAww thankyou Louise and I’m sure we will plan something else to do and try and have as much fun as we can! Wishing you a lovely festive period too. B x
Camilla
Oh, wow! I was going to reduce air travel but you have inspired me. Amazing destinations and experiences. I need to hear more about your travels and some tips from many places on this list as they are also on my list. I want to show the children their roots in South America first as it has been postponed for a few years now…
Bejal
CamillaAww that’s lovely to hear Camilla. I would love to give you any advice you need about destinations. how exciting to head to Latin America with the children one day. B x
Emma ????????✈️ (@LondonKiwiEmma)
These are such dreamy Christmas destinations – oh what I’d give to have a NZ Christmas this year…!
Bejal
Emma ????????✈️ (@LondonKiwiEmma)Oh my goodness, I can imagine it’s not easy! Such a lovely place to be for Christmas
Tanja
gorgeous destinations! I’ve never really travelled for Christmas ,yes, for new year’s 🙂 happy holidays! #travellinkup
Bejal
TanjaAhh thanks for reading Tanja and have a great festive period xx
Tanja
BejalThanks????????????
Bejal
TanjaYou’re welcome!
Emmalene aka A Brummie Home and Abroad
This year more than most I think we’re all investing time in a bit of dreaming about exotic destinations – and this makes the perfect wishlist! Unfortunately it’ll be another christmas at home in 2020 but you’ve given me food for thought for 2021 🙂
Bejal
Emmalene aka A Brummie Home and AbroadYes all a little different this year for sure but I;m glad you have a few ideas about when we can travel again. I hope you have a lovely festive period! B x