Five Great Places To Travel During The Christmas Season

Hi friends!

As many of  y’all know, I love being in London around Christmas time and, as y’all have likely seen from my Instagram posts over the past couple of weeks, the entire city is decorated for the season! I thought it would be fun to compile a list of five places that I either love to venture to for the holiday season or have heard are a great place to plan a Christmas vacation.

QUEBEC CITY, QUEBEC

This is actually where I was supposed to be heading to in Canada next week. I have wanted to go to Quebec, specifically Quebec City, since college when my friend, Christen, went with her Dad and said it was magical! From old cobblestoned streets to cozying up by a fire with some fresh French onion soup, I was really looking forward to this Winter escape. Sadly, I had to cancel my trip because … well, I have too much going on this month. Sometimes, you just need to be honest with yourself and say no even if you really want to say yes. So, it will remain on my lust list for a little longer but, if you’re looking for a Christmas getaway, I am positive you will enjoy a trip to Quebec City!

LONDON, ENGLAND

Could I really have a post with this title and NOT include my favorite city? London just KNOWS how to do Christmas. It’s like the entire city is on the same page. Businesses decorate their store fronts and restaurants have a festive afternoon tea menu. All of the pubs are decorated on the inside and there are lights strung across avenues all over the city. It’s truly magical and it’s hard to beat, in my opinion. Sure, it’s a big city so it doesn’t have a ‘cozy’ feel, unless you’re in a pub, I guess, but it has ‘extra’ written all over it so I’m all about it! I did an entire post on what to do in London during the holiday season so be sure to check that out if you’re thinking of a doing a trip there in the future!

NEW YORK CITY

While London will always be my number one, there is so much magic in the Big Apple during the Christmas Season. One of my favorite things to do is to walk down 5th Avenue and look at all of the window displays! Don’t miss the Cartier building. The exterior is decorated like a gift, similarly to the way London decorates theirs, as you can see here! Be sure to go to Rolf’s German Restaurant … mostly for the intense Christmas decor, not so much for the food! It looks like Christmas threw up all over it and, if you love ‘extra’ decor like I do this time of year, you will really enjoy it! Plan ahead, though! It’s quite the hotspot!

ANYWHERE IN COLORADO

Colorado is one of my happy places, most especially in the Winter. I grew up skiing in Steamboat Springs and loved coming in after a long day on the slopes completely wiped but excited for the hot tub and some hot chocolate! I highly recommend choosing a ski town in the mountains, renting a mountain house or cabin and holing up with your loved ones for the holidays there. Mine has done it quite a few times over the years and they are some of my favorite Christmas’. Having grown up in Florida, it’s likely because they actually ‘feel’ the way a Christmas is painted to feel in storybooks, with snow on the ground and everyone cozied up by a fire! I absolutely love it and know you will, too!

COLMAR, FRANCE

Venturing to Colmar, France last Fall was so dreamy! It looks like it is straight out of a storybook, as I shared in this post last month, but I was almost annoyed with myself for not waiting to tick it off during Christmas time because IT IS ON ANOTHER LEVEL. If you want to see what I mean, click HERE. It’s a small town so there might not be a lot to do but it is very dreamy and worth a visit. I’d stay in Strasbourg and head down for the day. Renting a car is super easy! Maybe end or start your trip in Paris, which is also dreamy during the holidays!

I hope to do this post a little differently in the future, including beautiful photos from each place but, sadly, I haven’t ticked off all of these places off my list just yet but wanted to share the list, nonetheless!

If you’re here for the outfit, I can’t encourage you to take a look at all of the details enough because everything, except my booties, are super affordable and likely on sale right now! This gray turtleneck is a steal, currently 30% off with code HURRY, and there are lots of color options! I seriously can’t believe there are still so many sizes available in this light gray color. I also have the dark gray. This green puffer vest is so classic and cute with the faux fur trim hood. I know there aren’t many sizes left. I wish I had another similar option but I do think this is a cute one. It comes in a bunch of colors and is really affordable at under $20 with code HURRY at checkout!

If you’re looking for some good gift ideas, there are a bunch in my gift guides that you can access on the Holiday page! Have a great Monday, lovelies! Thanks for stopping by! xo.

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13 Comments

  1. Thanks for this Haley! It gives me all the winter travel vibes!! London is so gorgeous during the winter!

    Happy Monday!
    Michael
    https://www.mileinmyglasses.com

    Published 12.3.18 · Reply
  2. Roses for Fridays | by mia wrote:

    I love ♥️Colorado … one of the most beautiful scenic state of all. Love camping in the Winter in Colorado. One of the most fabulous experiences ever. And France is always in my heart, grew up there, loving there and always will!
    Joyeux Noel!

    ❄️???ROSES FOR FRIDAYS ❄️??? | by mia | A Creative Lifestyle Blog

    Published 12.3.18 · Reply
  3. Caitlin wrote:

    Omg Haley you need to go to Quebec City, Quebec during the holidays. It’s so magical and romantic!! My boyfriend and I went last year for New Years and treated ourselves to a weekend at the Fairmont Frontenac…one of the best vacations I’ve been on. I recommend eating poutine and French onion soup everywhere you go.
    But seriously check it out!! I may be biased because I’m Canadian, but I have strong feeling this is right up your alley for a destination 😉

    Here are some posts I wrote about Quebec City for reference:

    General info re. travelling there: https://www.luellapearl.com/single-post/2018/01/02/VISITING-QUEBEC-CITY-travel

    Staying at The Chateau Frontenac: https://www.luellapearl.com/single-post/2018/01/09/FAIRMONT-LE-CHATEAU-FRONTENAC-travel

    Places to eat: https://www.luellapearl.com/single-post/2018/01/18/PLACES-TO-EAT-IN-QUEBEC-CITY-travel

    Let me know if you have any questions about it!!!

    Published 12.3.18 · Reply
    • AlysonHaley wrote:

      Hi there! I am so bummed I couldn’t make the Quebec City trip work for this holiday season. I have been wanting to do it for so long but sometimes you have to be realistic and know what you need for your sanity. I have a lot of events this month celebrating friends and the things they have going on in their lives so, while I’m bummed, I’m also excited to choose to spend a lot of this month choosing those things with those people 🙂

      Published 12.3.18 ·
    • caitlin wrote:

      of course – and there’s always next year 🙂 It’s not going anywhere

      Published 12.3.18 ·
  4. I’ve been waiting to get the book bag that you’re wearing in this post for awhile! How do you like? Is it functional in terms of blogger life? Lol

    Published 12.3.18 · Reply
    • AlysonHaley wrote:

      Hi there! Yes, it’s a great functional backpack. I love using it for travel or on trips like this where I want to explore but I also have to be able to pop into a cafe and get some work done from time to time. It’s really sturdy, well-made and has a lot of compartments for storage. I highly recommend it!

      Published 12.3.18 ·
  5. Annaliese wrote:

    Quebec is wonderful! Since you’re rescheduling, I recommend going for Winter Carnival in February! It’s truly something special!! I went a few times as a kid with my parents. 🙂 My family also went to London for Christmas one year- sadly the weather was awful (freezing rain most days) so I want to go back someday another time of year. 😉

    xoxo A
    http://www.southernbelleintraining.com

    Published 12.3.18 · Reply
  6. Nicci wrote:

    London at the holidays is on my bucket list! I’m planning on going as a 40th birthday trip in a few years (how am I almost that old?), which also coincides with our 10th wedding anniversary, and cannot wait!

    Published 12.3.18 · Reply
  7. Sarah Dufou wrote:

    So sad you couldn’t make it to Quebec city this year ! It is my town, I would love to give you some recommandations, do not hesitate to ask me 🙂 !

    Published 12.3.18 · Reply
  8. Kim Jarriel wrote:

    I ordered a red puffer jacket with no hood, I had to order the AF beanie, I love it thanks!

    Published 12.3.18 · Reply
  9. Stacey Brodnax wrote:

    Everything you’ve shared about London is making me want to plan a trip to go there! It’s on my 2019 bucket list ?

    Published 12.4.18 · Reply
    • AlysonHaley wrote:

      You absolutely should! xo.

      Published 12.4.18 ·