The town of Bruges, Belgium in the winter

The 10 Best Places to Spend Christmas When Travelling Solo

Christmas is a time to catch up with family and friends, enjoy a day off work, and feast on as many festive dishes as humanly possible. But what if you’re travelling solo, or if you’re on the other side of the world away from your friends and family? Where will you go? Who will you split a Christmas cracker with?

Why should you have to stop exploring the world during the holiday season? If you’re willing to brave a few extra crowds and the chillier temperatures, a group tour is a great option for solo travel at Christmastime. Think about it: how else will you have a built-in group of people to celebrate with? The benefits of joining a group tour when you’re spending Christmas solo are nearly endless, and we have a few options for where to spend Christmas if you’re travelling solo.

1. Royal Highland Christmas

If spending a magical Christmas in the Scottish Highlands sounds like a dream come true, this 3-day tour with Haggis Adventures may be exactly what you need this holiday season! Go looking for the Loch Ness Monster, spend a night in the Royal Highland Hotel in Inverness, and have a spirited Christmas Day snowball fight on the shores of the Scottish coast. This picture-perfect winter adventure is a fantastic option for travellers who want a taste of adventure and history this Christmas.

  • 3 days

2. Reykjavik Christmas Special

What says “winter wonderland” more than Christmas in the capital of Iceland? This four-day tour gives travellers the full Icelandic experience, from visiting the famed Golden Circle to exploring Reykjavik in-depth. You’ll enjoy a guided Christmas walking and tasting tour of the downtown area, and learn about Icelandic holiday traditions under the glow of the city centre’s twinkling lights. This tour also comes with admission to the Soley Natura Spa for a little extra Christmas pampering!

  • 4 days

 

The city of Reykjavik on a winter's day in Iceland
Spend a memorable Christmas in Reykjavik | ⓒ Solvi Logason/Unsplash

3. Bruges Christmas

Starting and ending in London, the four-day Bruges Christmas tour is a great option for travellers looking for a quaint city break this Christmas. This Belgian town feels like stepping inside a Christmas card, and you’ll be able to experience all it has to offer. From Christmas markets to walks through medieval streets to as many Belgian waffles you can eat, you can do it all on this tour. You’ll also enjoy a walking tour of Brussels, in case you didn’t get enough old-world charm in Bruges!

  • 4 days
The town of Bruges, Belgium in the winter
Bruges is like a fairytale in the winter! | ⓒ Matt Kieffer/Flickr

4. Mega Highlands Christmas

If the idea of spending Christmas in the Scottish Highlands sounded good to you, why not extend your trip? This five-day tour takes travellers through Edinburgh, Inverness, Loch Ness, and the Isle of Skye, where they spend a glorious Christmas Day playing in the snow, enjoying a traditional Christmas dinner, and some Scottish Ceilidh dancing. The stunning ocean views and crisp Scottish air will make you thankful you’re staying a while!

  • 5 days
A sheep grazes by the water in the Isle of Skye
The Isle of Skye is one of the most beautiful places in Scotland | ⓒ NOLA Focal/Flickr

5. Europe Christmas Taster

If you can’t choose between amazing destinations in Europe, why not visit a few? With the 7-day Europe Christmas Taster, that’s exactly what you can do. Enjoy a free day exploring all the rivers and gardens of Paris, learn how traditional Dutch cheese is made, and spend Christmas Day in the beautiful Swiss Alps. With plenty of free time to spend your holiday exactly the way you want, this tour is a great option for travellers who want to experience a little bit of everything.

  • 7 days

6. Christmas in Petra

History buffs will find their perfect Christmas in Petra! This 8-day tour sees travellers through one of the world’s best-preserved Roman cities, plenty of historic and archaeological museums, and a Christmas Day in Rose City. If nothing feels more festive to you than a dip in the world-famous Dead Sea, then maybe your holiday travels should take you to this beautiful, historic part of the world.

  • 8 days
Petra, Jordan
Walk through history this Christmas in the ancient city of Petra | ⓒ J Basiga/Unsplash

7. Christmas in Russia

Looking for a white Christmas? An icy December in Russia may be just the thing! With 8 days in Moscow and St. Petersburg, travellers on this tour are able to spend their Christmas in fascinating Russia. Enjoy a Christmas Eve feast after exploring the Kremlin, and board a high-speed train to St. Petersburg on Christmas Day. Top off your ultimate Russian experience by visiting Catherine the Great’s palace (including the iconic Amber Room), and taking in a ballet performance!

  • 8 days
The blue and gold Winter Palace, St. Petersburg, Russia
See the Winter Palace in St. Petersburg, Russa | ⓒ Richard Mortel/Flickr

8. Dashing through the Danube

If you’re looking for a truly hassle-free travel option for your Christmas holiday, a river cruise is an excellent option. With a charming on-board atmosphere and plenty of included excursions to outdoor skating rinks, holiday markets, and unique bars across the Danube River in Budapest, Bratislava, and Vienna, this 8-day river cruise is a magical way to spend your Christmas.

  • 8 days
An arial shot of Budabest at night
Imagine cruising the Danube in Budapest for Christmas! | ⓒ Dan Freeman/Unsplash

9. Florida Christmas and New Orleans NY

Who says Christmas has to mean snow? If you prefer to get away from it all and spend your holiday in a tropical climate, how about spending Christmas in sunny Florida? And, as if that wasn’t enough, what do you think about a magical New Year’s Eve in New Orleans? If that sounds like a dream come true, this 9-day tour of Florida and New Orleans has your holiday plans more than covered.

  • 9 days

10. European Magic

For the active adventurer this holiday season, look no further than this epic 11-day tour throughout Europe. You’ll have the option to visit Disneyland in Paris, splash around in a waterpark in Berlin, and wander the cobbled streets of Amsterdam. This is a great option for travellers looking to extend their holiday travels and see many different parts of Europe!

  • 11 days

Travelling alone during the holidays may seem like a lonely endeavor at first, but the most adventurous travellers know that the most exciting trips can come at the most unexpected times. Instead of thinking about what you might be missing, focus on all the incredible adventures you can have if you choose to spend the holiday season exploring new places and meeting new people!

Have you travelled solo over Christmas? What was it like? Let us know in the comments!

Maggie is a life-long traveller with a special affinity for the United Kingdom. When she's not reading, writing, or dreaming about her next trip, you can find her talking at length about her dog to anyone who'll listen.

Coloured flags at Thukla Memorial Everest Basecamp
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