Going away at Christmas?

[tactum]

We've had the same Christmas routine for the last 16 years, but this year my mum is in poor health and won't really be aware. We want to make it different, so it's not the same Christmas with a big hole in it.

I'm quite keen on going away - suggestions? Have 2 teens, quite active but not skiers. Not sure whether to do cold or hot - undecided about everything really.

Money not too much of an issue, ie can afford to fly, have reasonable accommodation, but perhaps not a 2 week AI in luxury in the Caribbean.

Any suggestions?

We spent Christmas in Sweden at the ice hotel. It was amazing and did dog sledding, ski mobiling, cross country skiing. We then went up a mountain for the last night (Christmas day) which is a great Northern lights spot.

We saw the Northern lights on 3 out of 4 nights and they were amazing. There was also lots of children there.

Christmas in New York is magical... a Boxing Day walk in Central Park, ice skating at the Rockefeller centre, Radio City Christmas spectacular etc etc ..... amazing!

I second the Ice hotel. We loved it.

When I was young and single I’d often do city breaks over Xmas. Places like Prague and Copenhagen are absolutely gorgeous in December. A lot of European places have restaurants open on the 25th and even the Xmas markets, so you can eat, wander round and just enjoy the atmosphere.

We've just done Christmas in New York and it's really magical. It was my first year without my parents and sisters so never thought it would live up to our usual festivities but it was incredible. Not cheap but worth every penny

Worth thinking about a cruise although they get booked up well in advance so prices will be quite high for this year.

Everyone can do their own thing and you wake up somewhere new.

Very festive onboard too.

Vienna or Salzburg?

For winter sun then Dubai's good, if you are feeling adventurous is safari an option? Or Disney? New York in winter is on my bucket list as well as Iceland.

We are skiing , can't wait x