Christmas Escape Plan! Please hit me with your ideas, inspiration etc.

[PumpkinsAndCoconuts]

Hello! This will be the first time I'm not home for Chrisrmas. But I just don't want to continue feeling guilty and sad about family drama that I (seemingly) can't escape but also can't change/improve...
The solution we came up with is planning a holiday abroad.

We have tossed around Mexico but it may be a bit too stressful.

We've also considered returning to the UK and spending the holidays in Scotland. What would you suggest if we end up going to Scotland? Any (slightly unknown) corners that would be good to check out in winter?

Do you have other holiday destination ideas or suggestions? Thanks!

Whereabouts are you based? Since you mention returning to the UK

Mexico weather in December is absolutely brilliant!

We have been all over the place for Xmas. This year, we're going to Cyprus. Last year, we were in a cottage in the Peaks. We drove from Mexico City - Cancun one year in the Xmas break. All our central america trips have been over Xmas. Similarly been to India, Vietnam, Cambodia, Loas over Xmas. Had a brilliant time in the Phillipines.

What kind of travelling or holidays do you like? How many of you are there? Children? Where are you now (you mention returning to the UK).

We spent Christmas 2019 in an AirBnB in Tenerife and loved it. Weather was sunny and warm but not hot, you need to make sure you're on the south coast to have the weather on your side. Loads of lovely restaurants, lots of walking etc. We're considering it again for this year.

I should have mentioned that.

We're based in Switzerland. :-)
The destination probably shouldn't be reachable in less than a day (by car or train). Enough distance that nobody could reasonably expect us to "just come over".

Thanks in advance!

For Scotland, Pitlochry is always lovely and there are plenty hotels with fab Christmas and New Years deals. Check out the Atholl Palace and Dunalistair.

Otherwise Edinburgh, with its Christmas Fair will keep you busy, and for a treat stay at Prestonfield House.

Exactly 😍

But with the flights jetlag etc. it may end up being a bit too stressful unfortunately. Really depends on whether I have to get back to work on the 2nd or manage to add a few extra days...

It's just us.

2 adults, late 20s, early 30s. No children and also no pets / dogs.

Thank you for all the great suggestions. I'm jutting down notes and ideas.

If you want some sun, Canaries or Morocco. It won't be nearly as warm as Mexico but a good deal less jetlag too.
Cape Town is fantastic for winter sun and no jetlag but flights are extortionate at Christmas unfortunately

Or embrace the cold and go to Iceland for northern lights etc?

What about a city break in Amsterdam or somewhere in Scandinavia? Most of the museums etc are open! you won't get sun, but equally you won't get people wanting to pop over and could do this in a shorter period of time.

We cruised the Caribbean over Christmas - it was great. Different islands every day and a fantastic atmosphere on the ship. Christmas Dinner was fabulous.

I’m going to Thailand :)

I don't mind the cold but the darkness... I think that might be too much tbh.

Canaries is a great suggestion, I didn't consider it! (Our winter holidays have mostly been skiing, snowboarding etc. up to now).

@weemouse That looks really lovely. Thanks!

I really want to thank all of you for your suggestions and for sharing current or past Christmas destinations. Our Christmas escape is starting to seem less crazy (more of a plan, less of a vague idea).

I’ve been to Centre Parcs twice, Tenerife with a big family group and skiing in Italy.
Centre Parcs was the best by miles.
My friend has has just booked a cruise from Barcelona to Morocco and Canaries that looks good.

I'm thinking of Estepona in Southern Spain. Weather can be hit and miss but the days are much longer than UK and it is a good few degrees warmer. I go a few times a year as family have a flat there, but this is the first time we've contemplated going for Christmas.

Like you OP no kids no pets, and am a bit bored of the "happy family" vibe of our gang at Christmas at this stage, an hour is enough! Plenty of fun things going on in and around Estepona and we will stay a night or two in Malaga city on the way over to see the lights around Calle Larios. Might give it a try and see if it works out.

I wish I could afford to swop homes with you OP. Switzerland at Christmas must be delightful, but I suppose if you live there it becomes routine.

Seville. We went one New Year and it was low 20's. Beautiful city.

@MinxieMax
We don't live in the mountains => hardly any snow etc. It's really not that exciting. I would rather ecommend our nook of the country in summer (or late spring, early autumn). That's when most parts of Switzerland truly shine IMO.

I like Spain and Tenerife, thanks!

The North of Italy is unfortunately a bit too close to home. And in the South of Italy we have actual relatives...

We went to Madeira last Xmas, might go back again.
Pleasantly warm, might rain a bit but that's why it's so green & beautiful.

OH is actually super keen on Scotland (he - unlike I - has never been).

I think he imagines more of a "cozy" holiday. Which I can understand, it's been a very stressful year up to now.

Any suggestions (apart from Pitlochry)? What would you plan for an about 10 day break in Scotland this December?

Renting a car etc. won't be a problem btw.

Scotland in December can be incredible - Braemar or Ballater in the Cairngorms would be lovely, or most places on the West Coast - I really like Gairloch - I’d probably avoid Islands as bad weather can play havoc with Ferries.

We drove the North Cost 500 between Christmas and New year last year - that was fun!

Fly to Miami , rent a car and do a road trip down to Florida Keys/ Key West.
lovely weather in December usually and very well priced.

I'm Scottish and I don't think December is the best time of year to come here. The daylight hours are short and it's usually pretty grey, rainy and chilly. I try and escape for Christmas or between Christmas and New Year whenever possible! My recommendation would be Portugal - a few days in Lisbon and then down to the Algarve.

I was going to suggest Austria - all inclusive in a good ski hotel with a spa, pool, Christmas spirit, snow, mountain air, snow-covered Christmas trees, horse-drawn sleigh rides etc - but then you said you live in Switzerland. But then you added that you're in the part that is not as snowy, so my suggestion still stands.

As for being close to home and to the relatives in Northern Italy, don't tell them! The big advantage is that you can reach most places in a few hours, by train if you want to, so no issues with long travel times, jet lag etc.

My partner and I first went on a Christmas skiing holiday about 20 years ago. We've not once held Christmas at home since, preferring to head for the mountains and the pampering and as far away as possible from the annual Christmas trolley-dash at Tesco's.

I truly truly get that. But all my SO wants is a place to be away from… we’ll, everything

i personally am just hoping for some really calm and cozy days, tbh.

re Scotland:

going from Edinburgh to Inverness with public transport in December… is this madness or totally doable?

@QueenCoconut Florida does sound nice, true…

@Havanananana I’ve been skiing / snowboarding so often… idk, I know that is nice (I quite like it, tbh) but it just doesn’t seem like something I’ll want to be doing on Christmas tbh…

massive thank you for all the suggestions, I really appreciate it!

Short update: we had a wonderful time in Scotland. (Most of it on/near the east coast)

beautiful sunrises, scenery, some tourist-y stuff, snow on the 25th and absolute perfect weather for our last full day in Edinburgh. SO (who has never been to Scotland or anywhere in the UK) loved it as well.
Thank you everyone for your recommendations and input!