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Believe it or not, there are places you can escape to if the holidays give you anxiety or make you crave a little solitude and quiet. Then again, maybe you’ve just seen one lawn Santa too many this year. We get it. Luckily, there are places on the globe where you can escape all the tinsel and mistletoe – here’s just a few cool options to ponder.
Thailand
Thai citizens are overwhelmingly Buddhist with a smattering of Christmas celebrations in bigger cities like Chang Mai and Bangkok. There’s no better time to visit the beaches than December, though Phuket has become something of a tourist trap in recent years. We recommend Chaweng Beach in Koh Samui which was made famous as the setting for Alex Garland’s novel (and later the film starring Leonardo DiCaprio), and has certainly kept its stunning beauty over the years.
Russia
Russia is probably our one entry that made it on a technicality since the country actually DOES celebrate Christmas. They just follow the Julian calendar instead. Basically, our comrades do Christmas on January 7. This means that travel in December is not as expensive as it can be earlier in January and you’ll probably avoid masses of caroling revelers on the streets. Moscow and St. Petersburg are beautiful dusted in snow, but it’s cold out there (average temperatures in December hover around 20 degrees Fahrenheit). Luckily the vodka will warm you up!
Morocco
Morocco is great any time of year, especially if you’re craving an antidote to all things Western. Even the most seasoned travelers can immerse themselves in the wonder of the souks (open air markets), the Berber architecture, the confluence of Arabian and European influence, the blue city of Chefchaouen and the tree-climbing goats (trust us – you’ll want to see this). Photo opportunities are around every corner, so it’s a perfect place to expand your personal horizons and impress your followers on Instagram.
The Maldives
Since the Maldives is a 99% Muslim nation, you’ll see nary a string of Christmas lights on the pristine white beaches and perfectly clear waters. The Maldives are a stunning place for a laid back beach holiday though, so it draws tourists from all over the world. Weather-wise, December is a perfect time to visit. It ushers in the end of the monsoon season (and the start of the tourist season). There’s plenty of westerners hanging out and celebrating a tropical Christmas, so you’ll need to be prepared to check your Scroogey-ways at times. With paradise as a background, it probably won’t be too hard to do.
Nepal
This might be a surprise to some, but the warmest weather in Nepal is generally October to December, mainly because it’s the dry season. This little country is a trekking/outdoorsperson’s paradise, with the Annapurna region being the crown jewel. Nepal is also surprisingly affordable (once you get there), with reasonable accommodation and dining for the low-key budget traveler. You can easily manage on under $30 a day. As a bonus, the Nepalese diet is mainly vegetarian, so you’ll also be eating healthfully while people back home are gorging on decadent fare. You’ll come home lean and clean, ready for 2018!
China
Beijing weather is going to be cold in December, with a very good chance of snowfall. This can be a serenely special time to visit the city, while everything seems a bit in repose and the bulk of the tourist traffic hasn’t yet hit. The city of Harbin really shines in December as well – preparing for the International Ice & Snow festival means dazzling ice sculptures are on display from December 21 until well into February – it’s a must-see. On your way to China, most U.S. travelers will connect somewhere else in Asia. May we suggest Hong Kong? The sales for Christmas in Hong Kong offer some of the best bargain shopping of the year.
Mongolia
For travelers looking to get about as remote as you can, try Mongolia for a quiet holiday. There’s not a Christmas ornament in sight, though the landscape is about as “winter wonderland” as one can get – complete with wild reindeer! Come to Mongolia to visit unfettered wilderness and nomadic culture. It’s really a magical place.
Israel
Israel has so much to offer any time of the year, but in December you’ll be treated to warm, pleasant weather and less tourists (though really, there’s hardly a bad time to visit weather-wise)! The modern rubs elbows with the ancient in Israel, with cosmopolitan cities like Tel Aviv (which has some of the best nightclubs in the world) in close proximity to the ancient cities of Jerusalem and Hebron. The dining is delicious and cheap (falafel or shwarma anyone?), the beaches are some of the best in the world and the Dead Sea should be on every traveler’s bucket list–it’s the lowest point on the globe (on land), the mineral-rich mud is used for therapeutic and cosmetic therapies the world over, and it’s a veritable antidote for the floating-challenged among…
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The following blog post Bah Humbug! Destinations that Do Not Celebrate Christmas (for the Scrooges Among Us) is available on One Bag Traveler RSS Feed