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3 Travel Tips for a December to Remember

The month of December is synonymous with the holidays. Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanza, and New Year’s Eve are a few of the major events happening this month. People love to celebrate the holidays by traveling near and far to visit family and friends. If you are open to discovering a new place this year, here are a few of our suggestions for holiday trips to remember this December:

• Christmas Villages & Markets: Spiced cider and warm cocoa are being served in quaint downtowns and shopping villages around the world. The Christmas Markets in Strasbourg, France, is arguably one of the most famous and oldest Christmas markets dating back to the 1500s. Strasbourg is proclaimed the birthplace of Christmas. You can also find winter wonderlands in unexpected places like Florida. The annual Winter Village in Downtown Tampa features pop-up shops and ice-skating near the waterfront. Call local chambers for information or check the web for pop-up villages and holiday markets around the world.
• Holiday Lightings: The Christmas tree is one of the most prominent symbols of the holiday season. Americans have their pick of brightly lit trees spanning the nation – from the Tallest Living Tree at Coeur d’Alene Resort in Idaho, to the Toledo Zoo’s colossal display of tree-lights, to the world-famous Rockefeller Center Tree in New York City. New York is also a Hanukkah destination to celebrate the Festival of Lights. Brooklyn claims to have the World’s Largest Hanukkah Menorah. Simply search the web or check event listings to find a schedule for Christmas tree lightings and Menorah lightings in cities and towns near you.
• Religious Sites and Destinations: We all know that the holidays mean so much more than twinkling lights and gifts. Many holiday travelers will seek a more spiritual journey this December. Imagine the joy of planning a pilgrimage to see the Birthplace of Jesus in Bethlehem. Maybe you will take the trip of your life to see the Hanukkah Lights in Jerusalem. Or, perhaps, you will accomplish your dream of going to Midnight Mass at the Vatican in Rome.

We understand it may be too late to plan an international trip this year, but now is the time to start planning your dream destinations for 2019. You can research accommodation options and holiday events now so you have an idea of what to plan for your future travels. 

We hope your holiday season is full of delicious meals, breathtaking adventures, and quality time with your friends and family. We invite you to share photos of your holiday meals and adventures at Eat, Heal, Travel’s Twitter or Facebook pages. Happy Holidays!