Spring 2009 - Issue 5

The Silversword: Home > Features > Top 10 Christmas Destinations

Top 10 Christmas Destinations

By James Gerber

Chaminade Silversword

 

Christmas holidays are always times for celebration with friends and family. It is time for us to let go of ourselves, sit back, relax, and enjoy ourselves with our family or friends. It is also the time for us to see the beautiful places here on Earth.

1. San Francisco- San Francisco Christmas trees and holiday decorations feature holiday lights that bring warmth and cheer on winter nights. City landmarks and destinations like Union Square and Ghirardelli Square have lit-up Christmas trees, as do major hotels and malls. Each neighborhood has a couple of avid decorators who create twinkling holiday scenes in front of their homes.

2. Boracay- For people who are spending Christmas with friends, Boracay is the place for you. The nightlife of Boracay is very lively with the numerous clubs and bars spanning the whole stretch of the beach from the northern part of the beach to the southern end. It is specially so during New Year & Christmas season when Boracay Island is transformed into a big fiesta as all the resorts and long beach put up their separate displays, and the result was a veritable fireworks war zone as far as the eye could see. It is the time when local & foreign tourists come in droves. But whatever season, if partying is your cup of tea, then the nightlife of Boracay is for you.
3. Rome- Considering a Rome Christmas vacation? Rome is a wonderful city to celebrate the Holidays. There are many Italian Christmas traditions, special activities, events and celebrations to experience in the Eternal City. If you’re religious, the heart of a spiritual Rome Christmas is Vatican City.

4. New York- Christmas in New York City is as amazing as it seems in the movies. While it's usually packed with tourists and residents it somehow feels right because everyone is in that "warm" and cozy holiday spirit. There are lots of great sites to see like the Rockefeller Center tree and the skating rink right below the tree, the light show at Saks, the windows at Macys and Bloomingdales, going on top of the empire state building, the huge tree at the NYSE, and just walking down 5th Avenue. 

5. Sydney- During the festive season of Christmas, Sydney, the largest city in Australia, offers its visitors, superb beaches, amazing countryside, beautiful Christmas decorations and delicious food. It is a great place to be, if you want to a rocking and pulsating Christmas.

6. New Zealand- New Zealand in December can be very warm, as it is summer there in Christmas. The traditional NZ Christmas is at the beach that is usually pretty hot and sunny with an beautiful blue sky. 

7. Zurich- Enjoy the snow, hot chocolate, snowboarding, skiing, and beautiful mountains because Christmas in Switzerland is the perfect place to spend time with your family and friends.

8. London- Enjoy the Ice Skating rinks that pop-up all over the city. Two places that they have every year without fail are in Hyde Park and outside the Natural History Museum. On New Years Eve you can enjoy the twenty-minute fireworks display near the Big Ben clock tower. You want to turn up early for that, as it does get very crowded.  The Christmas light on Oxford Street is very impressive.

9. Hong Kong- Due to British influence, they celebrate Christmas, for the exchange of gifts and not for the religious aspects. The Christmas lighting in Hong Kong is fantastic with a lot buildings lit up with Christmas lights and decoration. Hong Kong has a great Christmas atmosphere has a great Christmas feeling, just as it is in the west. There is also Disneyland that many families go to and you can experience the magical world of Disney.

10. Paris- The city of lights is what they call Paris during Christmas. It is one of the best destinations to be with your beloved for Christmas. Enjoy the French wine as you relax during night time with the sky lit fireworks and city lights. 

Now you have seen my top ten Christmas destinations. Now get out there and spend time Christmas with your family, friends, or beloved ones in these wonderful destinations. Merry Christmas everyone and a Happy New Year!