Looking for a Christmas or winter break you’ll never forget? Don’t deck the halls, just grab your passport and go on one of these exciting adventures in Latin America, Jordan and beyond…
1. Get a Central American Christmas high in Guatemala
Climb Central America’s highest mountain on KE Adventure Travel’s Guatemala’s Magnificent Seven trip.
Summit Tajumulco (4,220m) on Christmas Day, soaking up panoramic altiplano views, then flank your ascent by topping other volcanic peaks along the way, including Pacaya (2,552m) and San Pedro (3,040m), as well as wandering colonial Antigua and the ancient Maya town of Quetzaltenango. Finish by relaxing on the shores of Lake Atitlan. Bliss.
Trip: Guatemala’s Magnificent Seven
Who: KE Adventure Travel
When: Departures in Jan, Apr, Nov & Dec
How long: 15 days
How much: From £1,755 (exc. flights)
2. Celebrate Copacabana style across Argentina, Brazil and Chile
Travel coast to coast from Santiago to Rio via Patagonia on this epic Oasis Overland adventure. See the mighty Iguazú Falls, trek past peaks and glaciers in Patagonia and learn to tango in Buenos Aires.
At the trip’s tail end, ring in the festive season in Brazilian style, spending Christmas at a farm lodge in the Pantanal wetlands and New Year’s Eve on Copacabana beach in party capital Rio de Janeiro.
Trip: Santiago to Rio Coast to Coast via Patagonia
Who: Oasis Overland
When: Departures in Jan, Nov & Dec
How long: 51 days
How much: From £1,895 (plus $950/ £745 local payment; exc. flights)
3. Very Well Experienced journey through Jordan and Israel
Head through the Middle East’s Holy Lands on Tucan Travel’s Best of Jordan & Israel trip.
In Jordan, spy the Greco-Roman ruins of Umm Qais and glimpse the wonder of Petra, then hop over to Israel and climb biblical icon the Mount of Olives, before wandering Jerusalem and Nazareth. What could be more festive?
Trip: Best Of Jordan & Israel
Who: Tucan Travel
When: Departures throughout the year
How long: 11 days
How much: From £1,167 (plus $200/£155 local payment; excl flights)
4. See in the New Year twice in Finland and Norway
Make the most of north Scandinavia’s cross-border time difference on Artisan Travel’s Utsjoki: New Year Twice trip. Be pulled by huskies through pristine alpine forest and hunt for the aurora by night.
And come New Year’s Eve, mark the occasion in Finland before crossing into Norway – an hour behind – to count down 2022 again.
Trip: Utsjoki: New Year Twice
Who: Artisan Travel
When: 29 December
How long: Seven nights
How much: From £2,295 (inc. flights)
5. Glide down the Nile in Egypt
Hop on Abercrombie & Kent’s Egypt & the Nile Escorted Tour and see ancient Egypt unravel from your cabin.
Enjoy the cooler conditions winter brings, exploring the Pyramids of Giza, before flying to Luxor and wandering the Temple of Karnak.
Glimpse the Valley of the Kings before spying other temples – including Abu Simbel – as you ford the Nile and end with a couple of days taking in Cairo’s sights.
Trip: Egypt & The Nile
Who: Abercrombie & Kent
Trip type: Tailor-made
When: Departures between Sep & May
How long: Nine nights
How much: From £4,715 (exc. flights)