With toys in every store and decorations galore, it’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas. Aussies enjoy getting into the Christmas spirit, and for many, a stereotypical Christmas is spent at the beach soaking up the summer sun. Others like to take to the sky for an out-of-the-ordinary Christmas adventure overseas. We’ve come up with the ultimate Christmas journey, spanning four countries and offering four very unique festive experiences.
Perth
The pilgrimage kicks off in Perth, Australia, where bunches of ‘Christmas Bush,’ a native Australian plant, take pride of place in many households. With sweltering 40 degree days aplenty, families here often leave St. Nick a cold beer in place of milk and cookies. Santa might even fit in a quick surf between deliveries. By starting in Perth, you can enjoy the festivities of Christmas Eve before jumping on a flight later that evening
Depart: 10.05pm 24th December
Time in Perth: Spend all day in Mandurah before travelling to Perth for your flight.
What to do to indulge in the Christmas spirit: Take a Christmas Lights Cruise in nearby Mandurah or an evening dip at Cottesloe Beach to get in the Christmas spirit before heading back to Perth to catch your flight.
Dubai
Arrive: 5.25am 25th December
Depart: 2.30pm 25th December
Next stop is the equally sunny Dubai, United Arab Emirates. With a thriving expat community, Dubai is a melting pot of cultures, and Christmas does not go unnoticed here. Dubai is home to the world’s longest Stollen cake, a traditional German Christmas fruit cake. Each year, a team of more than 80 people from the Kempinski Hotel bake the giant cake, measuring more than 600 metres long. If you’re keen for a taste of this Christmas classic, buy a slice of the humongous cake. It’s guilt-free, with all proceeds donated to charity.
Time in Dubai: 9.05 hours
What to do to indulge in the Christmas spirit: For a glimpse or a bite of the cake, head to The Mall of the Emirates. With more than 560 retail stores, the Mall is a Christmas shopper’s paradise and perfect for last-minute gift grabbing. The Mall’s Christmas tree display is also a stunning sight.
London
Arrive: 6.50pm 25th December
Depart: 4.05pm 26th December
Next on the list is London, England. On Christmas Day many people will still attend a morning church service, especially at the iconic Westminster Abbey, then open presents under the tree. Gift giving, especially to children, only became popular during the reign of Queen Victoria, but now it is a staple of Christmas tradition. Many will also tune into the Queen’s speech, where the monarch talks about the year gone by and hopes for the future. On Boxing Day, 26th December, a big family dinner with leftovers from Christmas lunch is common. Boxing Day is traditionally spent with family members, relaxing in front of the fire.
Time in London: 21.05 hours
What to do to indulge in the Christmas spirit: On Boxing Day, Winter Wonderland is a great place to visit to keep the merriment going! Situated in Hyde Park, the big Christmas festival boasts rides, Christmas stalls and a giant German beer tent! Additionally, skating on one of the outdoor ice rinks around the city (including Somerset House, below) can keep the Christmas cheer flowing into the New Year!
Frankfurt
Arrive: 8.05pm 26th December
Last stop on this around-the-world trip is Frankfurt, Germany. A quintessential Christmas destination, there’s no doubt the Germans are crazy about Christmas. Frankfurters commonly decorate the Christmas trees with a special ‘Christmas pickle’, a blown glass ornament that is tucked away amongst the branches. The first child to find the pickle on Christmas morning is granted one year’s good luck.
What to do indulge in the Christmas spirit: Frankfurt is home to one of the largest Christmas markets in all of Germany. The city comes alive with festive lights and decorations, including a breathtaking Christmas tree at St. Paul’s Square. Indulge in Christmas favourites like Glühwein (mulled wine), roasted chestnuts and Bethmännchen – scrumptious marzipan and almond biscuits. The Honey House, a 300 year old timber frame building, is a haven for sweet-toothed honey lovers offering market goers a variety of honey based products, including honey wine.
Christmas is an exciting time of year and we all have a unique agenda when it comes to celebrating the festivities, whether it’s flying home to spend time with loved ones in Australia, or heading abroad for a Christmas escape. No matter how simple or complex your journey’s itinerary may be, tools such as KAYAK’s Trips help you organise and manage your travels from start to finish.
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