11 festive destinations to celebrate the holiday season

Norway, Sweden, and Denmark offer stunning natural landscapes and outdoor activities that entice travelers from around the world. From the dramatic fjords of Norway to the forests of Sweden and the picturesque Danish coastlines and cycle routes, opportunities for outdoor activities in Scandinavia abound.

The Pacific Northwest’s much-loved holiday tradition, Snowflake Lane, will return for the 19th year on Nov. 24 to transform downtown Bellevue into a magical winter wonderland through Christmas Eve.

Forget the traditional holiday mall crawl and the awkward Santa lap-sit; this year, one hotel is during the festive dial up to eleven. Welcome to Hardy's Holiday Village at Nemacolin Resort in Farmington, Pennsylvania, where the usual holiday cheer is swapped for something akin to a Broadway-level extravaganza. It's over-the-top, it's dazzling, and it's everything you didn't know you needed this festive season.

The largest ski resort in the United States is now one of the nation's most accessible. 

Explore Greek Flavors

Florence (Italian: Firenze) is the capital city of the Italian region of Tuscany and of the province of Florence. It is the most populous city in Tuscany known as the "cradle of the Renaissance" (la culla del Rinascimento) for its monuments, churches and buildings.

This year marks the first time that the companies have operated scheduled services and trips to Christmas Market destinations from Bristol and London Stansted Airports. 

Over the last decade or so, Lisbon has emerged as one of Europe’s top tourist destinations.

Described by BBC Radio as “the best jazz festival on the planet,” the annual EFG London Jazz Festival, created by international music producer Serious, provides the ideal antidote to November’s dreary weather and shorter days. With over 300 shows across more than 70 venues, including some stellar free gigs, this month’s festival attracted a live audience of over 100,000. The ten day, citywide event featured big names and major concert halls like Sergio Mendez at the Barbican and The Symphonic Music of Wayne Shorter at the Royal Festival Hall but perhaps the pure joy for jazz fans was the discovery of rising stars and lesser known musicians at more intimate locations. Here are few of the many highlights from this month’s festival and musicians to seek out at future gigs.

Nature’s Playground unveils its tantalising festive programme, with traditions wrapped up in island style and uniquely Niyama intrigue. Throughout the season, guests are invited to give in to indulgence, with daily tantalising culinary experiences, expertly paired with award-winning wines from our selection, spa bliss & holistic treatments with visiting practitioners from around the world.

With warm, sunny weather and plenty of tropical pre-holiday cheer, now’s a great time to visit the Florida Keys and Key West. From Key Largo to Key West, the 2023 holiday season features spirited events such as lighted boat parades, only-in-the Keys frivolity, sparkling waterfront celebrations and other island festivities.  Here’s what visitors to the island chain can expect in the run-up to Christmas and New Year.

“Let it Glow” at Discovery Park of America is a seasonal exhibition that illuminates the park with a vibrant and enchanting display of lights and installations. The park transforms into a magical wonderland, where intricate light arrangements and dazzling spectacles captivate visitors.