Christmas spells as the time when millions of travellers flock to their favourite holiday destinations. Be it glamorous getaways like Paris, New York, and Las Vegas or a spiritual destination like Bethlehem, there is something for everyone.
No one can escape the overwhelming spirit of Christmas. Almost every part of the world reverberates with cries of ‘Merry Christmas’ on 25th December. Christmas remains one of the best times to plan your long haul overseas travel for a taste of festivities far away from home. However, booking of flights needs to be done well in advance so as those elusive cheap tickets do not slip out of grasp. However, quite a few airlines also offer some special Christmas deals. Here are some of the most popular Christmas destinations as revealed by online searches and other sources.
Paris
Paris, synonymous with fashion and glamour stays one of the hottest Christmas holiday destinations in the world ushers in the festival in its signature trendy style. Vanity shopping is as much a part of Christmas celebrations as is watching dazzling fireworks displays over a goblet of French wine. The Champs Elysées lights displays and Notre Dame Cathedral celebrations remain two of the biggest Christmas events in Paris.
Las Vegas
Everything in Las Vegas is larger than life and this rings true in the matter of Christmas celebrations as well. Every casino comes with terrific Christmas holiday ideas to make it an unforgettable night in Sin City. The Fremont Street Experience, Ethel M Chocolate Factory and Cactus Garden, Bellagio's Conservatory & Botanical Gardens, and those glitzy shopping malls are the hottest places of Las Vegas on Christmas Eve.
New York
Although, the Big Apple is bursting with infectious energy and charm throughout the year, somehow, the same increases ten folds during Christmas. The ‘Rockefeller Center’ with its gargantuan Christmas tree and the skating rink lures hoards of tourists and locals alike. Shopping at Fifth Avenue seems to take on a new meaning altogether, while the Saint Patrick’s mass and carriage riding around Central Park linger on as endearing memories.
Goa
Those who wish to celebrate Christmas at some exotic overseas beach destination would do well to consider Goa. This Indian destination preserves rich chunks of its Portuguese heritage and is an excellent fusion of modern style and old world charm. Christmas here means endless culinary delights, especially sea food, night to dawn beach parties, and gallons of booze. There are numerous churches and cathedrals for those who do not want to miss out upon the religious side of Christmas. Very understandably, Goa is a premiere choice for many planning their Christmas holiday breaks.
Bethlehem and Jerusalem
Bethlehem and Jerusalem quite deservedly enjoy a special status as far as Christmas holiday tours are concerned. While 25th December marks the celebrations by Roman Catholics and Protestants, 6th January comes alive with the version celebrated by Greeks, Syrians, and other Orthodox Christians.
Showing posts with label Christmas Holiday Breaks. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Christmas Holiday Breaks. Show all posts
Monday, October 11, 2010
Saturday, October 9, 2010
Christmas Holidays – Great Time to take Flights to India
Christmas is a fantastic time to catch your flights to India. The entire country is in a celebratory mode and makes for a terrific winter destination. Some of the best Indian Christmas destinations are Mumbai, Goa, and the North Eastern states.
India turns into an enormous pleasure house of entertainment and fun on Christmas Eve. In fact, in many parts of the country, Christmas celebrations rock the atmosphere for an entire month. India is known for its diversity in unity and this is the perfect time to see how different communities celebrate the spirit of Christmas. Here are some of the most happening spots for spending Christmas holidays in India.
Mumbai
Mumbai, the glitzy finance capital of India and the abode of numerous film stars of the Indian industry celebrates Christmas with great aplomb. Those booking flights to India this Christmas should definitely keep Mumbai in mind. With a sizeable Christian population, the city turns into one big party scene. The innumerable discos get jam packed with revellers and turn into a breeding ground for celebrity hunters. Many of the homes create a nativity scene as well. The true spirit of Christmas also comes alive in Mumbai’s scores of churches, many of them dating back from the Portuguese and Anglican British colonial eras. Some of the most well-known ones are Mount Mary’s Basilica, Gloria Church, St Michael’s Church, St Andrews Church, and St Thomas’s Cathedral.
Goa
Christmas is definitely amongst the biggest, if not the biggest celebration in Goa. Homes, cathedrals, and churches are remarkably done up in Poinsettia flowers and cribs are put up for the baby Jesus. The midnight mass is attended by overflowing throngs of crowds, which finally culminates into joyous handing out of Christmas presents and hearty feasting. Children sing Christmas carols and these melodious notes fill the night air. Like Mumbai, Goa is also well-known for its churches and cathedrals, with some of the most prominent ones being ‘Church of Our Lady of Rosary’, ‘The Rachol Seminary’, ‘Chapel of St. Francis Xavier’, ‘Chapel of St. Catherine’, and ‘Basilica of Bom Jesus’. During Christmas, Goa’s trademark partying scene takes on a new meaning. There are all night beach parties, lip smacking culinary delights, especially sea food, and lots of booze. Many of the restaurants and hotels put up special theme nights. Christmas is a truly gala affair in Goa. Furthermore, Goa is serviced by plenty of cheap flights from Mumbai is the indisputable premiere destination for anyone planning to spend Christmas holidays and New Year Eve 2011 in India.
The North East
The North East comprises the Seven Sister States of Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Meghalaya, Manipur, Mizoram, Nagaland, and Tripura. Teeming with a Christian population and an anglicised culture, the North East ushers in Christmas with a boom. In fact, Nagaland’s Christian tribal communities alone work up a unique atmosphere. Children sing carols in both English and Nagamese and the chanting of carols become a soothing music to the ear. Every church holds midnight masses drawing in huge crowds of devotees. Throughout the day, there are Christmas carnivals and circuses, while the nights culminate into memorable Christmas dinner parties. The mountainous terrain and the raw natural beauty of the North East add its own generous bit of charisma to the celebrations.
India turns into an enormous pleasure house of entertainment and fun on Christmas Eve. In fact, in many parts of the country, Christmas celebrations rock the atmosphere for an entire month. India is known for its diversity in unity and this is the perfect time to see how different communities celebrate the spirit of Christmas. Here are some of the most happening spots for spending Christmas holidays in India.
Mumbai
Mumbai, the glitzy finance capital of India and the abode of numerous film stars of the Indian industry celebrates Christmas with great aplomb. Those booking flights to India this Christmas should definitely keep Mumbai in mind. With a sizeable Christian population, the city turns into one big party scene. The innumerable discos get jam packed with revellers and turn into a breeding ground for celebrity hunters. Many of the homes create a nativity scene as well. The true spirit of Christmas also comes alive in Mumbai’s scores of churches, many of them dating back from the Portuguese and Anglican British colonial eras. Some of the most well-known ones are Mount Mary’s Basilica, Gloria Church, St Michael’s Church, St Andrews Church, and St Thomas’s Cathedral.
Goa
Christmas is definitely amongst the biggest, if not the biggest celebration in Goa. Homes, cathedrals, and churches are remarkably done up in Poinsettia flowers and cribs are put up for the baby Jesus. The midnight mass is attended by overflowing throngs of crowds, which finally culminates into joyous handing out of Christmas presents and hearty feasting. Children sing Christmas carols and these melodious notes fill the night air. Like Mumbai, Goa is also well-known for its churches and cathedrals, with some of the most prominent ones being ‘Church of Our Lady of Rosary’, ‘The Rachol Seminary’, ‘Chapel of St. Francis Xavier’, ‘Chapel of St. Catherine’, and ‘Basilica of Bom Jesus’. During Christmas, Goa’s trademark partying scene takes on a new meaning. There are all night beach parties, lip smacking culinary delights, especially sea food, and lots of booze. Many of the restaurants and hotels put up special theme nights. Christmas is a truly gala affair in Goa. Furthermore, Goa is serviced by plenty of cheap flights from Mumbai is the indisputable premiere destination for anyone planning to spend Christmas holidays and New Year Eve 2011 in India.
The North East
The North East comprises the Seven Sister States of Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Meghalaya, Manipur, Mizoram, Nagaland, and Tripura. Teeming with a Christian population and an anglicised culture, the North East ushers in Christmas with a boom. In fact, Nagaland’s Christian tribal communities alone work up a unique atmosphere. Children sing carols in both English and Nagamese and the chanting of carols become a soothing music to the ear. Every church holds midnight masses drawing in huge crowds of devotees. Throughout the day, there are Christmas carnivals and circuses, while the nights culminate into memorable Christmas dinner parties. The mountainous terrain and the raw natural beauty of the North East add its own generous bit of charisma to the celebrations.