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Christmas holidays 2023: where to go with children

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  1. Christmas with children in the mountains

  2. Christmas with children by the sea

  3. Christmas with children in the city

  4. More ideas and low-cost destinations for Christmas

L Albero Di Natale Christmas is certainly a perfect time to get together with the family, it is that long-awaited time throughout the year to savour that sweetness and peace that has been longed for for months. There's nothing better than grabbing a trolley, quickly stuffing some clothes into it (not many, so as to avoid the stress of 'packing') and heading off with the whole family, if only for a couple of days. Sea, mountain or city, it doesn't really matter: all it takes is a little enthusiasm and any place will become our perfect little holiday.

Type

Destination

Temperature (min/max)

Average cost flight+hotel (5 days/4 nights)

Mountain/snow

Trentino South Tyrol

-11 / -3 °C

from €284,00 per person - see details

Mountain/Snow

Stegersbach, Austria

-3 / 3 °C

from €270,00 per person - view details

Mountain/Snow

Rovaniemi, Lapland

-11 / -4 °C

from €650,00 per person - view details

Mountain/Snow

Heidiland, Maienfield, Switzerland

-2 / 5 °C

from €326,00 per person - view details

Mountain/Snow

Govone, Piedmont

2 / 6 °C

from €272,00 per person - view details

Sea

Barbados, Caribbean

23 / 29 °C

from €1,900.00 per person - see details

Sea

Fuerteventura, Canary Islands

14 / 19 °C

from €390,00 per person - see details

Sea

Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

23 / 29 °C

from €1,100.00 per person - see details

Sea

Dubai and Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates

16 / 26 °C

from €750.00 per person - view details

City

Budapest, Hungary

0 / 4 °C

from €190,00 per person - see details

City

Bruges, Belgium

3 / 7 °C

from €290,00 per person - see details

City

Strasbourg, France

0 / 5 °C

from €330.00 per person - view details

City

Montreux, Switzerland

-1 / 6 °C

from €280,00 per person - see details

City

New York, USA

0 / 7 °C

from €1,014.00 per person - see details

City

Montecatini Terme, Tuscany

3 / 11 °C

from €152,00 per person - view details

City

Disneyland, Paris

2 / 8 °C

from €389.00 per person - view details

City

Barcelona, Spain

9 / 15 °C

from €186,00 per person - view details

City

Gardaland, Veneto

-1 / 7 °C

from €240.00 per person - view details

City

London, United Kingdom

5 / 9 °C

from €230.00 per person - view details

City

Valencia, Spain

6 / 17 °C

from €249,00 per person - view details

Christmas with Children in the Mountains

1 - Trento, Bolzano and Merano, Trentino-Alto Adige

natale con bambini a trento It may seem obvious, but the first holiday destination when one thinks of Christmas and the mountains, is certainly Trentino: magnificent scenery, picturesque fairytale Christmas markets, excellent food and plenty of it: these are some of the features for which a holiday in Trentino has become a classic for the whole family.
Trento is a magnificent town with markets starting on 18 November and continuing until the Epiphany, with a thousand events and initiatives. Every year the Children's Village is set up in Piazza Dante, with games and workshops, an ice rink and ponies. Not to be missed is the MUSE (Science Museum of Trento), which enchants children of all ages.
Bolzano and Merano are famous throughout Europe for their Christmas markets... your children will be delighted, your pockets perhaps a little less so!

2 - Stegersbach, Austria

burgenland Just over the Italian border, Austria takes us to a fairytale location, to the Allegria Resort in Stegersbach, a real thermal park with 14 pools and 1,500 square metres of water surface: huge areas with indoor and outdoor activities, for adults and children, in complete safety, in the midst of curative springs, a real boon in the freezing winter. Karl J. Reiter, owner of the Resort, who has always defined himself as a "guest and farmer", wanted this magnificent structure to be "accessible to all", and with this in mind he conducts all the activities, succeeding in making it an award-winning place to stay with the highest quality and the greatest attention to price. Staying at Resort Allegria is truly an unforgettable gift for the whole family.

3 - Rovaniemi, Finland

finlandia Choosing Lapland during the Christmas holidays means organising the most wonderful holiday for the whole family, with a special focus on children, who will be able to see their dream of meeting Father Christmas come true: we're talking about the Village of Rovaniemi, at the Arctic Circle, also known as Santa's Village. Here, the activities are among the most diverse and exciting: you can visit Santa's House and take a snowmobile ride among the reindeer, cross the Polar Circle on wooden skis, visit small local pet reserves to play with, look for the Aurora Borealis and much more. One of the most beautiful holidays of a lifetime. At a not inconsiderable cost, however...
SEE ALSO: Christmas in Rovaniemi: Offers, programme and tips

4 - Heidiland in Maienfeld, Switzerland

casa di heidi maienfeld Source: wikimedia commons. In Switzerland, in Maienfeld, you can find a very special attraction: we are talking aboutHeidiland, Heidi's village, where everything is faithfully reconstructed according to the story of the little girl who made the whole world fond of her. In this village, you can see Heidi's house, built as it was originally described, where you can see and experience how the little girl lived, and the exhibition dedicated to Johanna Spyri, the author who made both children and adults dream with this character. In this exhibition you can also see some of the props used in the Heidi film starring Anuk Steffen and Bruno Ganz. Of course, there are also many experiences for children, such as the goat farm, open-air cinema or musical performances.

Heidi's House is open daily from 15 March to 15 November from 10:00 to 17:00. For winter visits and special occasions, a visit outside the opening days can be organised by contacting the facility directly via the official website: https://www.heididorf.ch/. Full admission costs CHF 13.90 (approx. €12.50), reduced admission CHF 3.90 (approx. €3.50). The Heidiland InfoPoint in Maienfeld, on the other hand, is open Monday to Friday from 9 a.m. to 12 noon and 1.15 p.m. to 5.15 p.m., on Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 12 noon and 1 p.m. to 4 p.m., closed on Sundays.

5 - Govone, Piedmont

govone piemonte panorama Photo by Alessandro Vecchi. Another great destination in Italy to spend a few days with the kids is Govone, in Piedmont, in the Magical Land of Christmas. This event, organised in the province of Cuneo, is one of the most anticipated events of Christmas! In the Christmas village, you will find a beautiful Christmas market, a crib exhibition and Father Christmas's house. In the latter, children can meet Father Christmas and take a photo with him. Of course, there is no shortage of themed shows and plenty of cooking workshops, also for the little ones, where they can make and decorate Christmas biscuits.

The Magic Christmas Village is on Saturdays and Sundays from mid-November until 23 December, from 10:00 to 19:00. Admission to the Christmas market is always free of charge, while for the crib exhibition, Santa's house and cooking workshops you need to buy tickets in advance, you can also do this online.

Christmas with kids by the sea

1 - Barbados, Caribbean

barbados The 'White Christmas' also belongs to the Caribbean: endless beaches of fine white sand, dazzling views and lush nature. Barbados certainly has a privileged location: perfect climate all year round, sheltered bays in the west where you can snorkel, swim and do water sports safely. It is very easy to admire the magnificent seabed, even if you are not a diving expert: there are real submarines available, the Atlantis Submarines, which, with their glass structure on the reef, will make adults and children's mouths open wide. Turtle swimming is another must-do activity, with snorkelling among turtles and wrecks. Moving inland, we find caves and nature reserves, rich in plant and animal species. White and multicoloured Christmas for all tastes and ages.

Very special and characteristic of Barbados is the pirate cruise on the Jolly Roger, a pirate-themed cruise where you can try your hand at plank-walking and swinging from ropes, then dive among turtles and tropical fish!
SEE ALSO: Barbados: where it is, when to go and what to see

2 - Fuerteventura, Canary Islands

fuerteventura spiaggia Fuerteventura is very child-friendly, because it shares its character: lively, quiet, adventurous and constantly moving with its waves and winds. Mild temperatures all year round, endless beaches, crystal-clear water, friendly people, entertainment but also simple living. One cannot pass through Fuerteventura without trying a few surfing lessons, which more than an activity is a philosophy of life for those who live in the area. Every place on the island offers this type of holiday that is both peaceful and fun at the same time: anexcursion to Lobos Island with dolphin spotting, theAcua Water Park in Corralejo, or the Oasis Park, with more than 3,000 animals, shows, a botanical garden and plenty of both entertaining and educational activities(online entrance fee from €35.00).
Before heading back home, a liberating dip in the endless dunes of the Corralejo Natural Park will be the right and liberating way to bid farewell to beautiful Fuerteventura.
SEE ALSO: Fuerteventura: where it is, when to go and what to see

3 - Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

rio de janeiro 2 1 Do you want to spend a different Christmas holiday with the kids? Maybe in the heat? A great solution could be Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, where temperatures range between 26° and 31°. In addition, Rio de Janeiro is perfect for visiting with children: there are great beaches for them to play on, always full of families; you can take the cogwheel train to the Christ the Redeemer Statue or the cable car to the famous Sugar Loaf Mountain; there are large pedestrian zones where you can walk around safely with prams if you have small children.

If you decide to take this trip overseas, then you absolutely cannot miss the aforementioned excursion to Sugar Loaf and Cristo Redentor, the beaches of Ipanema, Leblon and Copacabana, the Botanical Garden and Tijuca Park. All perfect activities to do with children.
SEE ALSO: What you must see in Rio de Janeiro

4 - Dubai and Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates

dubai 6 Want to spend a different Christmas? Maybe in the heat, with few reminders of Christmas as we know it? Then a good alternative to a Christmas holiday in the cold and among the markets could be a trip to Dubai and Abu Dhabi, in the United Arab Emirates.

Small premise: in December, the weather in Dubai and Abu Dhabi is perfect: highs around 30° and on average only two rainy days per month. Moreover, 2 December is National Day, so if you are here on these dates you will be in the midst of the celebrations for the birth of the nation. If you still want to experience some of the Christmas atmosphere, don't worry, Dubai offers the Dubai Winter Festival, where you will find artificial snow, markets, and even Father Christmas.
The activities for you and your children? You'll be spoilt for choice! From the inevitable lift ride to the 124th and 125th floors of the Burj Khalifa, the world's tallest skyscraper, to a barbecue safari on the red desert dunes. But for the kids, you can't miss theDubai Aquarium and the Underwater Zoo!

And remember, for both Dubai and Abu Dhabi, don't forget to pack your swimming costume and everything you need for the beach!
SEE ALSO: Christmas in Dubai: Offers, programme and advice

Christmas with kids in the city

1 - Budapest, Hungary

budapest panorama Budapest is such a beautiful and fascinating city in all seasons of the year that, during the Christmas period, it can't help but enchant adults and children alike with its thousands of lights, markets, merry-go-rounds and the joy that pervades every street in the city. You will be spoilt for choice: the best known Christmas market in the city is the one on Vörösmarty Square with over 100 stalls of all kinds, ameeting with Father Christmas who roams the market, a cruise on the Danube, countless concerts in the city's various cathedrals and churches and the magnificent Szécheny Baths, with full-day passes.
SEE ALSO: Christmas in Budapest - offers, programme and tips

2 - Bruges, Belgium

bruges Belgio Bruges at Christmas time is the set of an enchanting film, for the whole family: medieval streets and canals lit up by a thousand lights and Christmas decorations that transport us to another world, ice rinks, the Belfry Tower overlooking the Market Square with one of the most beautiful Christmas markets, 55 chocolate shops and its most famous museum, the Choco Story, where you can literally make your mouth water with the many information and uses on the world's most tasted sweetness.
SEE ALSO: Christmas in Bruges: Offers, programme and tips

3 - Strasbourg, France

strasburgo innevata Strasbourg, home to the European Parliament, is also the city that hosts the oldest Christmas market in France, dating back to 1570: for families and fans of traditional folklore, seeing a seasonal market like this is a must. In Starsburg's cold and snowy December, mulled wine and sweet hot chocolates are also recommended, accompanied by the typical Christmas biscuits, Bredele Cookies, made of cinnamon and lemon, popular throughout Alsace.
A tour of the city in the snow can give us unexpected views of the magnificent Notre-Dame Cathedral, the symbol of the city and its architecture, Maison Kamerzell, magnificent natural areas such as the Parc de l'Orangerie.
If the intention is to visit museums and attractions, better consider buying the City Pass, which includes cruises, museums and more.
SEE ALSO: What to see in Strasbourg

4 - Montreux Christmas Village, Switzerland

montreux 1 In Montreux, Switzerland, from the end of November until Christmas, the beautiful Christmas Village takes place every weekend, perfect for both adults and children! Located on Lake Geneva, this is the most beautiful Christmas market in the whole of French-speaking Switzerland! It is the ideal place to take the children as, in addition to the numerous stalls selling Christmas sweets and handicrafts, there is an entire area dedicated entirely to them on the upper floor of the indoor market, where they can create and colour their own candles and bake and decorate Christmas biscuits. In addition, right outside the market, there is a beautiful Ferris wheel, where you can enjoy a beautiful view of the whole of Lake Geneva. The cost of a ride on the wheel is about CHF 5 (about €4.60).

It is open on Saturdays and Sundays from the end of November to 24 December, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., last entry at 4 p.m. The exact dates change from year to year. The full price ticket costs 15 CHF (approx. €13.65), children under 6 years 6 CHF (approx. €5.45), students 13 CHF (approx. €11.80), family ticket (two adults and two children) 35 CHF (approx. €31.85), group ticket (more than 20 persons) costs 12 CHF (approx. €10.90) per adult and 6 CHF (approx. €5.45) per child.

5 - Santaland in New York, USA

new york 4 New York is New York, beautiful in every season and time of year. But in winter it becomes even more fascinating! The streets are lit up, the buildings sport bows and decorations, the shop windows compete to see which one is more beautiful. And at Christmas, New York also becomes a children's paradise, thanks to Macy's Santaland in Herald Square!

Macy's Santaland is a huge Christmas village, full of Christmas trees, lights and decorations. Lots of events, exhibitions and workshops for both children and adults are organised every year. But the main attraction is Santa's house. Here children can meet him and the elves, sit on his lap and ask what present they want for Christmas. There are also professional photographers who will take a photo to remember this beautiful day.

Macy's Santaland is open from the end of November until 24 December, the exact start date changes from year to year. Admission is free, but to meet Father Christmas you have to book in advance on the official website.
SEE ALSO: Christmas in New York: Offers, programme and tips

6 - Montecatini Terme, Tuscany

montecatini terme tempio termale Photo by Alexmar983. If you want to stay in Italy for your holidays, an excellent solution could be Montecatini Terme, in Tuscany, between Lucca and Pistoia. Here every year, from mid-November, the City of Christmas is organised, completely transforming the town. Between Christmas markets, shows and fun fairs, there is no shortage of things to do! Keep an eye on the programme, because every weekend there will be different attractions and events, such as the'Chocolate Factory', the'Country Christmas Dance' or craft workshops. There are of course themed shows and numerous concerts. Children will be able to meet Father Christmas and his elves, pet Santa's ponies, take part in workshops dedicated to them, take a ride on the toy train and much more.

The Christmas City of Montecatini Terme runs from mid-November until 6 January. Admission is free, while shows, skating rink, fun fair and specific activities have different costs.

7 - Disneyland Paris, France

disneyland paris Dineyland Paris is a beautiful theme park located east of Paris. If you decide to visit the French capital over the Christmas period with the kids, you absolutely cannot skip a day at Disneyland Paris!

If Disneyland Paris is already a year-round dream for children, at Christmas this magical, fairy-tale atmosphere will also overwhelm adults. Everything is decorated with lights and Christmas trees, and even your favourite Disney characters will be dressed up in theme, ready to celebrate the most wonderful time of the year. Between parades and shows, there is also a Christmas market at Disney Village.

During the month of December, Disneyland Park is open Monday to Friday from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m., Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. and Sundays from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. As far as the entrance ticket is concerned, there are different types and different packages, starting at €70.00. We recommend purchasing the ticket online with Fast Pass, as it is less expensive than buying at the park ticket office. In addition, the Fast Pass option allows you to book your turn at the various attractions and avoid the endless queues!
SEE ALSO: Christmas in Paris: Offers, programme and tips

8 - Barcelona, Spain

barcellona spagna When you think of Christmas, you may not immediately think of Spain's warm cities, which are taken by storm during the summer months thanks to their perfect combination of sea, culture and nightlife. But even they have plenty to offer at the most wonderful time of the year, as in the case of Barcelona: ice skating rinks, Christmas markets and decorations everywhere.
To avoid getting lost among the Christmas activities and peculiarities in the city, interesting Christmas tours of the city are organised with a local.

In December, in Barcelona you will find some of the biggest Christmas markets in Spain! Among them, you absolutely cannot miss the Fira de Santa Llucia in Plaça de la Seul, the oldest Christmas market in the city, with over 300 stalls! The first edition dates back to 1786. It is open from the last Friday of November until 23 December, from 11:00 to 20:30 during the week and from 10:00 to 21:30 at weekends.
For the kids, a visit to the Barcelona Aquarium is a must. At this time of year, however, it is crowded, so the advice is to buy your ticket online with priority admission to avoid the endless queues.

9 - Gardaland Magic Winter, Veneto

gardaland magic winter If Disneyland Paris is too far away, don't worry, we also have a beautiful amusement park in Italy: Gardaland, which brings Magic Winter to life over the Christmas period. The water rides are of course closed, but the streets are filled with lights, characters like Prezzemolo wear Christmas clothes and there are stalls selling hot drinks, sweets and marshmallows. An ice rink is also set up next to the roller coaster and the front of the Egyptians' carousel becomes an artificial snow field where children can play snowballs and create lots of snowmen. And scattered here and there throughout the park you will find small open fires where you can stop for a moment and warm yourself. In addition, themed shows are organised every hour, to enchant both young and old.

Gardaland Magic Winter is open from the end of December until 6 January. As far as the entrance ticket is concerned, there are different types and different packages. We recommend purchasing the ticket online with priority entrance to avoid the interminable queues at the entrance.

10 - Winter Wonderland in London, UK

hyde park winter wonderland Photo by Garry Knight. London is one of the cities that doesn't spare itself at Christmas and covers every single wall of its buildings with lights and decorations. Everything is transformed and it feels like being inside an enchanted world. Of course, there is no shortage of ice rinks and Christmas markets. Of all the events, Christmas villages and markets organised, one of the most beautiful is undoubtedly the Winter Wonderland in Hyde Park. It is also a perfect place to visit with children, as there are many attractions dedicated to them, such as the Magical Ice Kingdom, merry-go-rounds and many shows. In addition, they can meet Father Christmas and the elves every day until 6pm. There are also stalls and restaurants, including the Bavarian Village and the Iced Bar.

Hyde Park's Winter Wonderland is open daily from the penultimate weekend in November to the first Sunday in January, from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m., closed on 25 December. Admission is free, but some activities such as ice skating, the Magical Ice Kingdom or the Ferris wheel are chargeable. It is recommended to book attractions in advance to avoid not finding a place. You can do this on the official website: https://hydeparkwinterwonderland.com/.
SEE ALSO: Christmas in London: Offers, programme and tips

11 - Valencia, Spain

valencia spagna 1 Valencia, like Barcelona, is not a city you immediately think of when planning your Christmas holiday. But we want to recommend it to you because it is a perfect destination for families and children and at Christmas there are so many events organised, especially for the little ones.

Starting with the City of Arts and Science, which organises various experiences for children during the most wonderful time of the year, such as ice skating rinks, Christmas markets and various Christmas markets. In addition, near the Edificio del Reloj, the traditional funfair is organised, with lots of rides and a magnificent Ferris wheel. As you can see, Valencia is definitely a perfect destination to spend a few days with the kids during the Christmas period, without having to suffer the cold temperatures of countries further north. The must-sees for children and teenagers (but also for adults) are Oceanogràfic and Bioparco. The advice is to buy the combined ticket online to save on individual entries and have the skip-the-line option.

Other ideas and low cost destinations for Christmas

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  • Christmas in Europe: There are great places to visit in the old continent too, here are the best European cities for Christmas

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  • Christmas in thewarm: Who says Christmas should be celebrated in a 'conventional' place? Better escape to the warmth, here's where to go for Christmas holidays by the sea