Book those Winter Holidays Now
With less than 2 months till Christmas, we’re not afraid to admit our wishlists have started to write themselves. So we’re getting ahead and starting with the travel planning to make this year one to remember.
Picture present opening in a luxury tent in the middle of the African bush, on a balcony overlooking the turquoise Indian Ocean, or on the deck of a liveaboard sailing through Myanmar’s Mergui Archipelago. We got Lightfoot to give us their top picks for the most special places to wake up on Christmas morning.
Hobbit Lovers
Counting the days until the release of The Hobbit’s second installment? A trip to New Zealand’s Matamata or the WETA Workshop, where the Lord of the Rings trilogy and The Hobbit were filmed, is a dream come true. A self-drive holiday is the best way to explore the stunningly dramatic landscape, starting off on the North Island and winding your way south. Get Lightfoot Travel to tailor-make your journey through the ‘Island of the Long White Cloud’ for LOTR fanatics, adrenaline junkies, wine aficionados, and wildlife lovers alike. Check out one of their self-drive itineraries and get yourself down there!
Culture Vultures
Prefer a dose of culture and history in addition to a little adventure? There’s nowhere quite like Myanmar if you’re looking to get your culture fix, with spots like Bagan, Inle Lake, and Yangon all on the must-see list. To make it an extra special holiday for you and the fam, finish off your Burma holiday with a sail through the untouched Mergui Archipelago aboard the spectacular Raja Laut. At 1,000 feet in length, this private yacht sleeps up to 12 guests and allows you to experience a region of Myanmar few have ever seen before. Think scuba diving and snorkelling right off the back of the boat, exploring deserted islands, and witnessing some of the most beautiful sunrises and sunsets ever.
Beach Bums
We talk about Sri Lanka year after year but it still remains one of our all-time favourite Christmas destinations. If you’ve ticked off its safaris, mystical tea country, Galle Fort, beautiful Southern Beaches, and the Cultural Triangle, get to the developing East Coast before it opens up to mass tourism. There isn’t even a beach bar so rest assured you’ll be getting a good dose of sun, sea and sleep on this holiday. Uga Bay Resort is our top pick on the East Coast, offering water sports and a spa. Diving is one of the best on this side of the country, and the cherry on the cake is the wreck dive of the HMS Hermes – the first purpose built aircraft carrier in the world which was sunk by the Japanese in World War 1.
If you’re already in Sri Lanka, extend your vacation by hopping over to the nearby Maldives (too easy)! Velassaru is a family-friendly resort that offers scuba diving, snorkeling, excellent dining, and a beautiful spa. Relax and rejuvenate by the pool while the kids enjoy boating excursions and watersports courses – all supervised of course. Babysitting for the littlies is also available.
Safari Seekers
If your family is full of animal lovers and you’ve done the more traditional safaris to South Africa, Botswana, or Tanzania before, then little-known Namibia should be next on your list. The haunting Skeleton Coast will fascinate you with its vast red sand dunes, wind-swept planes, and wild beaches dotted with shipwrecks – best experienced by flying safari. Back on the ground, your guide will explain how the animals that live in this vast wilderness manage to do so in one of the driest places on earth. Visit Etosha National Park, the size of Holland and one of the biggest game reserves in all of Africa, and Damaraland, home to the country’s famous desert-adapted elephants and black rhino.
Ski Bunnies
If you’re the traditional sort, nothing beats a good ol’ White Christmas. Head to Niseko with its super fresh cuisine, featherlike powder snow, and luxe accommodation. We love Annabel, a gorgeous chalet with stunning views of Mount Yotei, and a games room with pool table making it ideal for families. If a boutique apartment suits you better, try the Freshwater Apartments with their convenient location and top-notch facilities.
Looking for winter wonderland? We especially like Zermatt in Switzerland, which is as picturesque as it gets. Cars aren’t allowed in the resort so you’ll encounter only horse-drawn carts and electric buggies as you peruse the designer shops and dine at restaurants serving traditional Swiss fondue. For accommodation, Hotel Mont Cervin Palace is the epitome of luxury, with indoor and outdoor pools, a fitness centre, ice-grotto and paddling pools. If you’re looking for a catered chalet, The White Pearl is what you need. Its second-to-none facilities (cinema, pool, games area) and large bedrooms are perfect for big families wanting to spend an intimate yet luxurious Christmas on the slopes.
Better yet, seriously advanced skiiers should think about taking your skills to the next level with heliskiing. But not just anywhere, British Columbia is the true Last Frontier where nothing stands between you and that lush, untouched powder.
This article was brought to you by Lightfoot Travel, a Singapore-based luxury tour operator offering expert travel advice & inspiration, tailor-made itineraries & full booking services.
This article was sponsored by Lightfoot Travel.
