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Oprah Magazine: 20 Best Places to Spend Christmas This Year
November 1st, 2019 | In The News
Written by Nadine Jolie Courtney for Oprah Magazine
Though you often hear everyone talking about going home for the holidays, the truth is: there’s no time like Christmas to book a long-anticipated getaway. And you don’t even have to sacrifice that time with your family—just bring ’em with you?
Whether you’re looking for an affordable weekend escape, a singles getaway, or you’re hoping to find an amazing Christmas vacation the whole family will adore, there are plenty of great options. If you’re not fond of the winter wonderland you’ve found yourself in, head somewhere warmer, like a romantic couples resort. Or, if you live in coastal California and yearn for something a little merrier, retreat to a snowy destination, complete with traditional European-style Christmas markets offering a panoply of lights, parades, and Polar Express rides.
Just remember: Though travel is undoubtedly picking up and your memorable winter trip could be just around the corner, there are still some regulations surrounding both domestic and international travel. And, it’s imperative to check rules on the destination end, as some locales require quarantines or COVID-19 testing beforehand.
So what are you waiting for? Let this list of awe-inspiring destinations guide your next adventure.
Bethlehem, Pennsylvania
Known as Christmas City, USA, and easily one of the country’s most festive cities, Bethlehem, Pennsylvania shines during the holidays. Guests can enjoy horse drawn carriage rides, see the country’s only live advent calendar, explore the German-inspired Christkindlmarket and Weihnachtsmarkt, and view mini nativity scenes known as putzes.
WHERE TO STAY: Historic Hotel Bethlehem features more than 35,000 Christmas lights on dozens of trees, 36 wreaths, two life-size nutcrackers, and a gingerbread house in the fashion of the hotel itself.
