This holiday season is no different from previous years. It’s still the busiest and most exciting time to book your winter holiday trip. And as the winter holidays approach, Google recently released the top travel destinations people are interested in.
While most on the list won’t really be a surprise, the ranking of the destinations is quite intriguing. Cuba, a Communist Caribbean country, took the top spot, followed by traditional favorites, such as Indianapolis, Hawaii, London, and Europe.
Let’s find out what makes these places the most attractive destinations at this time of the year.
Cuba
Searches for flights to Cuba continue to soar since President Obama visited the country for the first time on March 17, 2016. Following Obama’s trip was a series of announcements about US Airlines opening routes to the capital of Cuba: Havana. In August, JetBlue began its first flight from Fort Lauderdale to one of Cuba’s cities: Santa Clara. Then, American Airlines followed in November, flying the first commercial flight to Havana, Cuba.
The surging flight searches is likely caused by our collective curiosity about this uncharted territory since the sanction in 1961. Now that it’s finally opening up to visitors, we are thrilled to find out what’s in Cuba.
Among the airlines permitted to fly to Havana, Cuba, are Alaska Airlines, American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, Frontier Airlines, JetBlue, Silver Airways, Spirit Airlines, Southwest Airlines, Sun Country Airlines, and United Airlines. But there’s a catch: the purpose of your trip to Cuba has to fall under these 12 categories, or you will still be denied entry into the country.
Indianapolis
Indiana’s capital city boasts must-see Christmas celebrations, so it’s unsurprising Indy made the list. For starters, it has the largest Christmas tree in the world called the Circle of Lights. With about 5,000 magical lights and joyful Christmas carols filling Monument Circle, thousands of people flock here to kick off the holiday season each year. And like in most parts of the US, Indy’s Christmas celebration begins as the Thanksgiving season ends.
Other favorite holiday attractions in this city include Jolly Days Winter Wonderland, Christmas at the Zoo, Indianapolis Auto Show, Eiteljorg Museums’ Jingle Rails, Festival of Trees, Outdoor Holiday Adventure, and more. By joining these events, families can enjoy various Christmas activities, treats, games, and more holiday surprises. Indy has a long history of celebrating the Yuletide season, so you are bound to have an unforgettable Christmas simply by joining the events the city has planned out for visitors and locals alike.
Hawaii
What’s a Hawaii Christmas like? Yes, it snows in some parts (or peaks) of Hawaii in December. This tropical destination gets a bit colder than usual come Christmas, but it’s still warmer here than other states in America. This is why Hawaii is such an attractive winter escape for both families and romantic couples looking for a warm place for outdoor adventures and year-end holiday celebrations. Among the popular spots in Hawaii that you can’t afford to miss this December are Hamakua Coast, Oahu, and Waikiki.
President Obama likes to unwind with his family in Hawaii during the Christmas season. It’s a favorite destination of many tourists during the winter for various reasons. First off, the Aloha State is a great way to escape the noise and pressures of the city, even just for a few days. When in Hawaii, it’s so easy to embrace the laid-back lifestyle and spectacular scenery, providing much-needed rest and relaxation. For those looking for more active pursuits, there’s surfing, golfing, canoe racing, and more.
London
London knows how to put you in a merry spirit with its fantastic Christmas street fairs, lovely musicals (Christmas carols), dazzling decor, and more. If you’re a big fan of lights, there are so many places in London to admire these glittering light bulbs. Hit Oxford Street for more than 1500 snowball-like lights. Other impressive Christmas light displays are found in the Brunswick Centre, Carnaby Street, The Strand, Dulwich Picture Gallery, St. Katharine Docks, Bond Street, and Covent Garden.
A well-known stop for most tourists is Hyde Park Winter Wonderland where there are tons of things to do, as well as lots of food and drinks to enjoy. While it’s free to enter the park, you need to buy entrance tickets to some rides and attractions (e.g. Giant Wheel, Bar Ice, Ice Kingdom, etc.). Not into amusement parks but into shopping? There are lots of Christmas markets in the city, the most popular of which is the London Bridge Christmas Market. As you meet family or friends in London during the festivities, remember that they greet each other with “Happy Christmas.” Traditional Brits also refer to Santa Claus as “Father Christmas.”
Europe
Tourists worldwide flock to Europe during the Christmas season. Whether you are in Norway, Prague, Finland, or Switzerland, there are so many ways to make your holiday extra special. Sun-worshippers can head over to Portugal or Spain for warm and festive winter holidays. Chasing the Northern lights? Camp out in Finland or Iceland to witness this grand spectacle painted by nature. Love street markets? You can never go wrong with Strasbourg (France), Old Town Square (Prague), Tivoli Gardens (Copenhagen), and Krakow (Poland).
No other place can beat a Yuletide celebration European-style. You have the Eurail train to thank because it makes getting around the continent easier, cheaper, and faster. Book your flights to Europe now, and look for the best Christmas vacation packages your friends and family can enjoy.
Which among these trending destinations do you wish to spend the winter holidays? What flights have you booked or been searching for? Let us know in the comments.
The post Top 5 Destinations for the Winter Holidays appeared first on AlphaFlightGuru.