As a part of our continuing series, The 12 Days of Listmas, our editors make their recommendations on the best places to spend your winter break.
Photo: Barry Yanowitz
New York
New York has long figured into Christmas lore, as tourists pack snowy, sparkling streets, skating under the soaring skyscrapers of midtown, gawking at the displays lining the windows of Macy’s in Herald Square, or shuffling between upscale boutiques in the Village and the cobblestone streets of SoHo. And if you tire of all that, the bars stay open pretty late, too.
Photo: Steve Carney
Hong Kong
It’s hard to deny the balmy temperatures and bright lights of this global city of enterprise around the holidays. Great food and endless shopping opportunities make Hong Kong an unparalleled, if unusual, place to enjoy your break.
Photo: Armando Lobos
Rio de Janeiro
We’re always a fan of spending our winter break somewhere with an average temperture of 78 degrees (26 Celsius). Sunny summer beaches, abundant art, music, and maybe a refreshing capirinha here and there make Rio the perfect place to work on your tan while your friends shade themselves under a tropical tannenbaum.
Photo: Andrew Rodriguez
Park City
Snowy, quiet, and distinctly American, the home of the Sundance Film Festival is the perfect place to relax fireside in your cabin or bound down the slopes into the New Year. It goes without saying that notariety has brought world-class shopping and food, but we recommend you ignore all that and sip on a glass of bourbon while forgetting about the rest of the world.
Photo: Jim Crossly
London
Besides the Dickensian charms, modern London boasts the kinds of world class food, entertainment, and nightlife to keep you busy from Samuel Johnson’s Day (13 December, of course) straight through to Boxing Day. And as one of the world’s greatest airline hubs, it’s easy to jaunt over to Europe if you’re getting tired of having your full English breakfast every morning.
Photo: Kevin Hamm
St. Petersburg
If you can brace yourself against the biting cold, Russia’s gateway to Europe makes the perfect backdrop for a winter holiday. Steeped in old-world architecture and new world decadence, St. Petersburg promises plenty to enjoy, from traditional holiday market to Russian interpretations of sushi, to copious, copious amounts to drink, we’re certain you’ll quickly forget all about the cold.
Vancouver
Ice skate on the mountain-top lakes, take a sleigh ride through the alpine forests or enjoy the picture perfect 450-foot long Capilano Suspension Bridge. Cradled below the snow-capped Rockies, Seattle’s Canadian cousin offers an idyllic cosmopolitan holiday. Mark your calendars for the Bright Nights Christmas event at Stanley Park and the Winter Solstice Lantern Festival on the longest night of the year.
Seoul
With Christians collectively making up the largest religious group in Korea (29%), Christmas, or sung tan jul, is a big deal. We recommend basking in Seoul’s neon glow while soaking up soju, bulgogi and kimchee. Don’t worry, restaurants stay busy on Christmas Day, and for those not celebrating, Christmas is a very popular time for shopping.
Photo: Javier Gonzalez
Lisbon
Even in austerity-hit Europe, holiday cheer is easy to come by. With one of Europe’s tallest Christmas trees, the Portuguese capitol is the perfect place to spend the holiday enjoying the country’s unique history, complete with fresh Mediterranean seafood. Getting away from the bustle (and snow) of northern Europe is relaxing, particularly with the help of phenomenal local wines.
Photo: Matthias Zepper
Switzerland
This lauded and landlocked country with its sweeping mountain vistas, lax banking laws, and expatriate polyglots is ideal for international visitors wishing to catch a glimpse of Samiclaus, the Swiss version St. Nick, or his henchman Schmutzli. But for those just checking into ski resorts or your holiday chalet, we suggest tobogganing in Grindlewald, fondue and après ski in Klosters or touring the home of the UN in Europe, the Palais des Nations in Geneva.
