Much as Christmas is a wonderful time filled with family traditions and get-togethers, the run up to the festive season can be quite exhausting!
Perhaps this year (or next!) you might like to consider exchanging the shopping, wrapping and cooking for more stress-free quality time with your family.
Nowadays extended family and grandparents may not be living nearby and Christmas can be perfect for taking time off from work or study and to spend some days together enjoying quality time without worrying about what time the turkey needs to come out of the oven. In short, with someone else taking care of the planning and cooking you’ll have more time to relax and enjoy the company of your family and embrace new adventures, cultures and experiences together.
Picture yourself this Christmas Day in a far flung, exotic corner – perhaps spending the morning spotting elephants and leopards in a national park before relaxing by the pool and rounding off the day with a delicious dinner with your loved-ones on the edge of a tropical forest …
With temperatures in South India and Sri Lanka hovering around 30° spending Christmas in sunshine and warmth is a wonderful way to re-charge during the winter months.
So, what might we suggest as an alternative Christmas and New Year break ….
INDIA
Kerala
December is an ideal time to experience the laid-back charms of the South Indian state of Kerala. With the streets festooned with Christmas decorations this is a gorgeous destination for families.
Whether you opt to hang your Christmas stocking in one of the houseboats meandering along the gentle Backwaters; enjoy walks and cycle rides amongst rolling tea gardens and spice plantations; restore vitality with some Ayurveda treatments and yoga – or to stay in a charming beachside hotel, we guarantee you’ll be charmed by the warm welcome of the local people and enjoy the delicious local cuisine and fresh, fresh seafood!
One of the hotels we keep returning to is the Marari Beach Resort, a beachside hotel with fantastic eco credentials and who know how to celebrate Christmas and New Year with exuberance and joy!
There are a number of individual and delightful places to choose from in this beautiful Indian state – and travelling around independently with your own driver and car (or minibus for larger groups) is an ideal way to travel around.
Rajasthan
Or journey to the colourful desert land of Rajasthan, the land of Rajput warriors and a state rich in magnificent palaces and forts, vibrant bazaars and be-jewelled and majestic people.
Wander around towns full of myriad lanes and bazaars with local guides, passionate about their hometowns. Explore desert towns that were once flourishing trade centres – Jaisalmer and Bikaner perhaps – taking in beautiful temples, haunting old ruins and the warmth and hospitality of the desert villages.
See Indian bird and wildlife in the national parks and bird sanctuaries. Ranthambore, originally the hunting ground of Jaipur’s maharajas, only became a Tiger Reserve in 1973 and now has an increasing number of tigers.
Experience a camel or horse safari through the desert, or walk with elephants through the forest, followed by a special dinner at camp.
Or simply relax in comfort at inspired and magical hotels, luxurious tented camps, and independently-run forts and palaces within Rajasthan. There are numerous choices and special places we love and can recommend – many of which have special families in residence which adds a level of hospitality, knowledge and care – and you can delight in some of the finest home cooking in Rajasthan – the food comprising family recipes passed down over generations.
Goa
With a variety of palm fringed beaches to choose from, Goa is a popular holiday destination. As well as some idyllic beaches, there are lush paddy fields and coconut plantations, vibrant markets and villages dotted with pretty white-washed churches and grand colonial mansions to explore. Enjoy wandering around Old Goa, the Portuguese capital until the mid-18th century and now a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The cuisine is fabulous too with plenty of restaurants and local beach shacks.
Christmas is embraced in Goa – and as December and January are at their most perfect, places do get booked up early – but there are plenty of beautiful beachside and riverside places to stay – and in more peaceful, crowd-free areas of Goa too. Some of the smaller heritage and boutique hotels and villas that are situated in unique and glorious settings, with relaxed and friendly atmospheres, would be ideal for small groups of family and friends.
SRI LANKA
Expect glorious sunshine and blue skies on Sri Lanka’s south and west coast over the festive season. With activities ranging from whale watching at Mirissa to spotting elephants and leopards in the Wilpattu or Yala National Parks, there are plenty of memorable activities for a family trip.
Venture away from the coastline to take a scenic train ride to the hill station town of Ella; we guarantee the journey will be as breath-taking as the destination.
You might also like to explore the temples and the mighty Sigirya Rock Fortress in the area known as the cultural triangle.
These Christmas and New Year holidays can be filled with shared memories and adventures, suitable for all ages and generations. Enjoy the celebrations and festivities this coming December – or begin making some enquiries for Christmas 2020!
If you’d like to discuss spending Christmas or New Year in India or Sri Lanka, please contact Amanda Kay by email amanda@travelmaxwellscott.com or telephone 01937 520677.