Travel in city Santa

Call it “Viking swimming,” “freezing plunges,” "polar plunge," “ice swimming” or “bear plunges,” among other names. It can be done in groups or by yourself, naked, in swimsuits or in costume and generally wearing a warm hat since, after all, it is a winter activity and very popular at this time of the year. Even a Santa hat seems appropriate.

As the holiday season arrives, Chicago transforms into a winter wonderland with a myriad of festive activities and events that capture the spirit of the season. From sports enthusiasts to art lovers, families to couples, there is something for everyone in the Windy City. Here are some things worth exploring this holiday season.

On a bone-chilling December morning, a thick sea mist shrouds Venice’s towers and palazzi. The alleys are filled with damp, salty air and infrequent hurried footsteps. At this hour, few people are out enjoying the city, but it is a truly magical moment.

Nothing says “happy holidays” like an extravagant Christmas display. Hoteliers know this. That’s why every winter hotels across the country get dressed in their holiday best, with twinkly lights and holly wreaths and maybe a reindeer lawn ornament or two. But only a handful of hotels truly go all out. From stories-high Christmas trees to beachfront ice skating rinks, these nine US holiday hotels take seasonal cheer to a whole new level.

Ready to depart next Summer, the extravagant Venice Simplon-Orient-Express, A Belmond Train, will travel to the Italian Riviera for the very first time in its four-decade history, connecting Paris and Portofino. The new, annual overnight journey will see the train winding through the French countryside and along the coastline of the Mediterranean Riviera, concluding at Splendido, A Belmond Hotel, Portofino, where guests will stay for two nights.

When choosing a hotel for your December vacation, “sterile” and “corporate” simply won’t do. Winter is upon us. Christmastime is here. The holiday spirit should ooze through every check-in kiosk, ice machine and fitness center―the more, the merrier.

Get ready to unwrap your holiday spirit this festive season on Yas Island Abu Dhabi with an extravaganza of unparalleled entertainment, exclusive family-friendly packages and fun-tastic experiences for guests of all ages. This multi award winning destination, Winner of World’s Leading Theme Park Destination 2023 Yas Island also won awards for World’s Leading Theme Park 2023 - Ferrari World, Middle East’s Leading Water Park 2023 - Yas Waterworld and Middle East’s Leading Adventure Tourist Attraction 2023 - Clymb at this year’s World Travel Awards

Is there an outdoor lover in your life? Perhaps a hiker, biker, camper, or other adventurer? Need a gift for them?

Weaving your way through wooden stalls on a reindeer-drawn sled, savoring the aroma of roasted almonds, and sipping on gløgg—the region’s twist on mulled wine—are just some of the highlights of a visit to a Christmas market in Scandinavia.

Hotelplan UK – the parent company of Explore Worldwide, Inghams, Esprit, Inntravel and Santa’s Lapland - has released its first Planet and People report, to follow on from its Climate and Biodiversity papers published early in 2023. The report, Protecting our Futures, tracks Hotelplan UK’s progress towards sustainability goals and incorporates elements of the group’s People strategy for the first time. It highlights where the group has surpassed targets – increasing investments in the planet and charity donations by more than 16% to £1.25 million, for instance - as well as addressing areas such as carbon reduction where efforts need further acceleration to meet Glasgow Declaration targets.

We all have them. Those holiday ornaments that we put up every year thinking, “Maybe it’s really time to retire this cracked pickle ornament?” But nonetheless, every year, they go up, like a bowhead whale that just won’t die. After a few years, the cracked pickle has become a beloved holiday tradition. It’s how a lot of the most unusual ornaments and decorations turn into holiday mainstays.

Hidden away in the snowy north of Finland is Santa’s Official Post Office. The sorting center, located in Rovaniemi, is expected to receive over 30,000 letters daily from children and adults around the world this year. In a bid to attract novice elves, Santa Claus’ Cabin has been listed on Airbnb for guests—free of charge—to roll up their sleeves, lend a hand with the backlog of letters and experience the joy of the holiday season from the Arctic Circle.

Visiting downtown Chicago during the holidays has always been a cherished family tradition for many. The iconic ice skating rinks, the bustling Christkindlmarket, and the timeless charm of the Windy City create a magical atmosphere. However, this year, a wave of innovation is sweeping through Chicago's holiday festivities, introducing novel experiences that promise to redefine the city's festive spirit. As we dive into the heart of the "experience economy," these immersive activities are taking over former retail spaces on some of the city's most iconic streets. Here are several new and exciting experiences that are set to make this holiday season and beyond truly memorable.

Aptly known as “The Sweetest Place On Earth,” Hershey, Pennsylvania pays homage to the cocoa bean 365 days a year, with specially designed chocolate-inspired activities for the holidays. Visitors can delight in such festivities as Decorating with Mrs. Claus, visiting Hershey’s Holiday Chocolate House or by hopping on the Holly Jolly Trolley. Of course, each activity contains an element of delectable chocolate.

This spa town in the Derbyshire hills – the joint highest market town in England (a title shared with Alston in Cumbria) – has beautiful Georgian and Victorian architecture and is surrounded by the Peak District on three sides.

This December in Coastal Mississippi, travelers can unwrap the magic of the season as the 62-miles of coastline transforms into a winter paradise. With sandy beaches, beautiful shorelines, twinkling lights, and surfing Santas – Coastal Mississippi promises a unique holiday experience for residents and visitors alike. “The holiday season in Coastal Mississippi sees festive cheer across our destination from the bayou to the beaches,” said Judy Young, CEO of Coastal Mississippi Tourism. “We hope that all travelers to the region during this jolly time can find an event, or three, to spread holiday cheer and truly experience why we call ourselves a coastal winter paradise.”

With beautiful islands, Indigenous outposts, dense rainforests, cosmopolitan cities and two magnificent coasts to explore, Panama is somewhere to linger.

Santa’s sleigh won’t be the only marvel streaking across December’s night skies.

I’m not sure what I expected, but it wasn’t this. Pictures barely do it justice. I was passing through West Texas, having already visited the nearby White Sands, Carlsbad Caverns, and Guadalupe Mountains National Parks, and figured this would be the easiest time to visit Big Bend National Park. I’d heard from a fellow traveler that it was his favorite park, and he’d been to all of them. With that in mind, I purposely limited how much I’d see of the park before I arrived. I wanted to be surprised, and boy was I.

The lights are twinkling, the mulled wine is flowing and London’s festive season is in full swing.