Where to Experience Holiday Magic Around the World

Visiting Prague during December is like transporting yourself to a holiday movie set. Dressed up in lights and garland, Old Town Square and Wenceslas Square resemble a winter wonderland. Take a moment to look up: fairytale Prague Castle soars above, giving you that perfect stuck-in-a-snow-globe feeling. Raise a glass of bubbly to your picture-perfect holiday at Andaz Prague. Here, the Christmas Suite awaits with all the charms. Christmas Eve and Christmas Day are truly special with a five-course festive dinner complete with sommeliers providing expert wine pairings. The culinary delights continue on December 26, 2023, with a Christmas brunch featuring an exquisite array of seasonal dishes. Elevate your celebration with exceptional champagne cocktails.

November 30, 2023, marks the 101st National Christmas Tree Lighting ceremony in Washington D.C., making it the perfect time to visit the nation’s capital. While this year’s performers for the tree lighting have yet to be announced, The Willard InterContinental Washington D.C. has you covered for where to hear all the holiday hits. A time-honored tradition for over 20 years, Willard’s holiday caroling program features a wide range of highly accomplished vocal and choral ensembles; it’s regarded as one of the most comprehensive of its kind in Washington, D.C. Sip Champagne and a wide array of seasonal cocktails from the lobby’s pop-up Moët & Chandon bar while listening to a medley of classic holiday carols (and even a little Mariah Carey?). If the elegant sounds of a live harp suit your musical style, head to the gilded hall of Willard Peacock Alley for a Holiday Afternoon Tea.

Home to one of the most picturesque Christmas locations in the world, Budapest knows how to celebrate the holidays in style. Magical Vorosmarty Square turns into a beautiful Christmas village filled with plenty of wooden vendor stalls selling gifts and delicious food. For more holiday magic, check into W Budapest, an urban fairytale located within the city’s historic Dreschler Palace — the former home of the Hungarian Institute of Ballet. The property’s W Lounge will play host to The Grand Christmas Pop-Up, a Wes Anderson-esque celebration with exquisite gastronomy, music and shopping.

There are always dreams of a white Christmas, but in Sedona, Arizona, the holidays look a little different. Swapping the fresh layer of snow for the magnificent red rocks and ponderosa pines of the Grand Canyon, a holiday season at Enchantment Resort is, well, simply enchanting. Surrounded by Boynton Canyon, complimentary ice skating is a must, followed by fireside s’mores. Enliven your festive spirit with a holiday chorus and allow The Dickens Carolers to serenade you with holiday cheer throughout the season. Capture your family portrait with Santa and visit Santa’s workshop for ornament decorating and holiday pottery glazing in the Artist Cottage. If you’re looking for tasty treats, join the chefs for a holiday culinary class on yule log decorating.

We have Germany to thank for plenty of the Christmas traditions we still celebrate today. It’s no surprise the land of the Tannenbaum has brought us Advent calendars, gingerbread (Lebkuchen), Saint Nick himself and, of course, the Christmas market. If Munich’s magnificent Marienplatz and Märchenbazar markets are on your must-visit list this season, a stay at Mandarin, Oriental, Munich is just the place to get you the exclusive in. Allow the festive retreat to set you up with a two-hour private walking tour of the markets and immerse yourself in the sights, scents and sounds. Return to the property and treat yourself to an enchanting night in one of the on-site Winter Domes, imbued with the ambiance of an alpine lodge, where you can indulge in authentic Bavarian cuisine while reveling in the breathtaking views of Munich and the Alps.

For a slice of European holiday charm in North America, there’s Québec City. Nestled in the magical setting of Old Québec, the German Christmas Market is adorned with colorful lights, traditional wooden kiosks and tasty German delights. Close by, settle into the castle that is Fairmont Le Château Frontenac for an extra dose of holiday magic. In November, for something different, take part in a Furoshiki workshop to learn the traditional Japanese technique for wrapping gifts. In December, meet Santa in the perfectly decorated lobby and grab a family portrait with the man of the hour.

Right photo by F. Gagnon

A trip to The Plaza feels Christmasy no matter what time of year you go. Perhaps that’s because it’s the setting of New York’s most famous Christmas movie Home Alone 2. And if you’re a big fan of the flick, you can book the hotel’s epic Escape 2 New York holiday package that lets you live it big, Kevin McCallister-style. Your stay begins with a four-hour limousine ride around the city’s top sights, including Rockefeller Center and Central Park. Of course, no limousine ride would be complete without your very own delicious hot cheese pizza. Return to your room with “one of those little refrigerators you have to open with a key” and call down for your 16-scoop ice cream sundae delivered right to your bed.

Bali might not be your typical Christmas destination, with no snow and a climate too warm for a Santa suit. But hey, who can resist a holiday in the sun complete with beach clubs, fireworks and a few rounds of cocktails? Soori Bali, nestled amidst picturesque mountains, lush rice fields and black-sand beaches, offers the perfect island escape with spacious villas that overlook the Indian Ocean. When you make a reservation through Kiwi Collection for a stay of 4 nights or more between December 21, 2023 and January 10, 2024, you’ll be treated to a daily gourmet tasting breakfast, a Christmas Gala dinner featuring entertainment, tailor-made resort activities and a $200 resort credit.

While many love to spend the holidays with family and friends, some travelers may prefer to spend the festive season sleeping in a clear bubble with elephants roaming just outside. This dream becomes a reality at Anantara Golden Triangle Elephant Camp & Resort, located on the Mekong River in Thailand. The resort’s two-bedroom Jungle Bubble Lodge is transformed into snow globes for the holidays, with starlit skies and gentle giants adding an extra layer of magic. During your visit to Thailand at this time, immerse yourself in the enchantment of Krathong, one of the country’s grandest festivals. The property hosts a celebration under the full moon, allowing you to marvel at the myriad of lights dancing on the water as you release a Yi Peng lantern into the sky and a lotus-shaped krathong into the river. The festival continues with a bountiful buffet of Thai favorites and international flavors served to the sounds of traditional music and performances.

No one does the holidays quite like Londoners. From the decorated Georgian townhouses to the lively pubs, ice skating rinks and Dickensian charm in the air, London is, unsurprisingly, a Christmas wonderland year after year. It’s the reason some of our favorite holiday movies take place in the city (The Holiday, Love, Actually, Bridget Jones’s Diary, to name a few). Embrace the magic at The Langham London, the continent’s original “Grand Hotel,” located in the heart of the Marylebone neighborhood. Here, partake in a cherished tradition at the hotel—the Festive Afternoon Tea, presented in collaboration with the iconic Liberty, in the elegant Palm Court. Indulge in Champagne, freshly baked scones and delectable sandwiches. For those seeking a stronger libation, the two award-winning bars, The Wigmore and Artesian, serve a delightful array of holiday drinks.

It’s hard to imagine the City of Lights shining even brighter, but when the holiday season arrives, Paris truly dazzles. The radiance of the lights along the Champs-Élysées, the vibrant Christmas tree at Galeries Lafayette adorned with colorful pom poms and some of the world’s most opulent window displays all combine to bring the city to life with festive cheer. The brilliance carries over to Mandarin Oriental, Paris, where a holiday stay means lights, camera, action. You’ll be escorted to the iconic Printemps Haussmann for your own personal photoshoot on the department store’s iconic staircase, plus a bit of VIP shopping. The personal tour of Paris doesn’t stop there—the property’s Concierge team will meticulously curate your very own guide to exploring the city’s most exquisite Christmas illuminations and festive events. Upon your return, a bottle of Louis Roederer Champagne and holiday-themed treats await you in the comfort of your room.

While the days may be getting shorter and colder, Tokyo shines brighter than ever. Winter in the city means millions of colorful LED lights are wrapped around trees and buildings, turning the Japanese capital into a sparkling wonderland. You can experience it all from The Peninsula Tokyo, which hosts its very own Christmas Market within its halls. The theme for this year’s market at Nakadori Café – The Terrace is “Christmas Around the World.” Guests can enjoy Italy’s traditional cookies, known as baci di dama, savor popular British mince pies and relish Middle Eastern favorite Ma’amoul cookies. Under dazzling illuminations, visitors can browse traditional holiday treats and gifts and count down to the most anticipated day of the year with a spectacular oversized advent calendar. Guests are also encouraged to send holiday wishes to loved ones in faraway places by writing them a letter at the dedicated post box on-site.