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I’ve always loved Christmas.
Not just Christmas Day itself, but everything that comes with it. The excitement when the lights go on, the sound of carols drifting through the streets, beautifully decorated shop windows, Christmas markets, festive food and that wonderful feeling that, for a few weeks each year, the world slows down just enough for us to enjoy it.
Over the years I’ve been lucky enough to experience the festive season in some incredible places. Some have surprised me, some have felt like stepping into a Christmas film and some have completely changed how I think about travelling at Christmas.
One thing I should mention before we begin. Although I’ve enjoyed the festive season in every destination on this list, I’ve only actually spent Christmas Day itself away once, last year on a Danube river cruise with Riviera. Every other destination was experienced during the build-up to Christmas, and in many ways I think that’s even more magical.
Gilly
My Top 10 Christmas Destinations
Here’s my first 5, each offering something very different but all packed with Christmas Magic:
- St Augustine, Florida – historic streets covered in millions of sparkling lights during Nights of Lights. One of the most magical Christmas displays I’ve ever seen.
- Christmas with Cunard – elegant ships, Christmas choirs, afternoon tea and timeless traditions. If you love classic Christmas, this is hard to beat.
- A Luxury Caribbean Cruise – small and intimate ships with Christmas trees, reggae carols and sunshine. The Caribbean celebrates Christmas in a way that’s wonderfully different.
- Barbados – the island manages to feel completely Christmassy despite the tropical temperatures.
- Vienna & Budapest by River Cruise – Christmas markets become even more magical when your floating boutique hotel moves with you.
My Top 10 Christmas Destinations (continued)
- Madeira – Europe’s winter sunshine with spectacular Christmas lights and local celebrations.
- New York – Christmas movie setting many have dreamed of visiting.
- Lapland – Because you’re never too old to believe in Father Christmas.
- Bruges – chocolate, canals and one of Europe’s prettiest Christmas markets.
- Strasbourg –often called the Capital of Christmas for very good reason.
St Augustine, Florida
The Christmas town that completely captured me
If you’d asked me a few years ago where I’d find one of the most magical Christmas experiences in the world, Florida probably wouldn’t even have made my shortlist.
Like many people, I’d always associated Florida with sunshine, theme parks and endless beaches. Christmas, surely, belonged in snowy villages, festive markets, cosy pubs and wrapping up in a winter coat. I couldn’t have been more wrong. The first time I visited St Augustine during its famous Nights of Lights celebration, I realised that Christmas magic has very little to do with the weather and everything to do with atmosphere.
Founded by the Spanish in 1565, St Augustine is America’s oldest continuously inhabited city and, even before the Christmas lights appear, it’s unlike anywhere else in Florida. The historic centre is full of narrow brick streets, elegant old buildings, hidden courtyards and centuries of history. It has a distinctly European feel that immediately slows your pace and encourages you to wander rather than follow a plan.
St. Augustine Night of Lights
Then, every November, something rather extraordinary happens. More than three million tiny white lights are woven throughout the historic district. Historic buildings sparkle, palm trees shimmer, balconies glow and the waterfront reflects thousands upon thousands of lights dancing across the water. What surprised me most was how elegant it all felt. There are no flashing displays or oversized decorations, just a warm golden glow that transforms the entire town into something genuinely magical.
This year it runs from November 21, 2026, through January 18, 2027.
One of the things I loved most about St Augustine was that nobody seemed to be in a hurry. Families wandered through the streets with hot chocolate in hand, couples stopped to admire the decorations and local musicians filled the evening air with Christmas classics. Horse-drawn carriages gently made their way through the historic centre while restaurants and cafés buzzed with people simply enjoying the atmosphere.
St Augustine, Florida
It’s one of those rare places where there isn’t one attraction you have to see because the town itself is the attraction. Some of my favourite moments came simply from wandering through the streets and discovering another beautifully decorated corner or hidden courtyard.
If walking isn’t your thing, the festive trolley tours are a lovely way to experience the lights from a different perspective, especially if you’re travelling with children or older family members. They give you the chance to take everything in while someone else does the navigating, although I still think the best way to experience St Augustine is on foot, allowing yourself plenty of time to explore wherever your curiosity takes you.
While the Nights of Lights are undoubtedly the star of the show, St Augustine has so much more to offer. The impressive Castillo de San Marcos dominates the waterfront and provides a fascinating insight into the city’s history, while museums, galleries and independent boutiques fill the surrounding streets. There are wonderful restaurants tucked away inside centuries-old buildings, cosy cafés serving festive treats and rooftop bars where you can enjoy a cocktail overlooking the illuminated skyline. It combines the atmosphere of a European city break with the warmth of a Florida evening, and that’s a combination that’s surprisingly difficult to beat.
One of the reasons this holiday remains one of my favourites is because St Augustine was only part of the journey. We flew into Orlando, collected a hire car, a convertible Ford Mustang which felt entirely appropriate for Florida, and headed first to Melbourne Beach on the Space Coast.
When I’m in the USA, my first choice is always to stay in an American bed and breakfast. They’re so much more than just somewhere to sleep, they give you a real sense of place and a much more personal experience than a large hotel chain. Many are beautiful historic homes, each with its own character, and the hospitality is second to none. It’s common to find freshly baked cookies or cakes and home-brewed coffee available throughout the day, while many also host a complimentary wine hour each evening with drinks and light bites. Breakfast is always a highlight too, with freshly prepared dishes made to order rather than a standard buffet. For me, they’re one of the best ways to experience genuine American hospitality and make every destination feel that little bit more special.
This trip was no exception. We stayed in wonderful bed and breakfasts in Melbourne Beach and St. Augustine, each offering the warm welcome, homemade touches and personal service that make these properties so memorable.
In New York, where traditional B&Bs are few and far between, we chose The Giraffe by the Library Hotel Collection, which, in my opinion, is about as close as you’ll get. It has the same intimate feel, exceptional hospitality and thoughtful extras that make independent properties such a pleasure to stay in.
We feel in love with Melbourne Beach
If I’m honest, I probably fell in love with Melbourne Beach just as much as I did with St Augustine. We stayed at Port d’Hiver Bed & Breakfast, an elegant adults-only boutique property tucked away just a few steps from the beach. The Christmas decorations were beautifully understated, with welcoming trees inside the house and tasteful festive touches throughout the property, while just beyond the gardens the Atlantic Ocean stretched as far as the eye could see. There was something wonderfully surreal about enjoying breakfast outside in the sunshine before taking a long walk along an almost deserted beach. It completely changed my perception of what a Christmas holiday could be and, looking back, I only wish we’d stayed a little longer.
Port d’Hiver is a wonderful example of an American B&B where the experience goes far beyond just your overnight stay. Guests can enjoy an excellent breakfast each morning, as well as complimentary home-brewed coffee and freshly baked goodies throughout the day. Every evening from 5pm–6pm there is an afternoon wine hour, with complimentary wine, beer or non-alcoholic drinks and light hors d’oeuvres. Whether relaxing in your room, on the porch or in the garden surrounded by blooming bougainvillea and allamanda, it’s these simple but special moments that capture the magic of staying in an American B&B, and exactly why I love including them in a holiday itinerary.
Kennedy Space Centre
While we were staying on the Space Coast we also spent a day at Kennedy Space Center, somewhere we’d both wanted to visit for years. Standing beneath the enormous Saturn V rocket, seeing Space Shuttle Atlantis up close and learning about the Apollo missions made for an unforgettable day. Even if you’re not especially interested in space exploration, it’s an inspiring place to visit and one that adds a completely different dimension to a Florida holiday.
From Melbourne Beach we continued north to St Augustine before eventually driving on to Jacksonville for our flight to New York, where we finished our Christmas adventure. On paper it sounded like the perfect combination. Florida would give us sunshine, relaxation and somewhere completely different for the festive season before New York delivered all those iconic Christmas moments we’d dreamed about. It certainly lived up to expectations, but if I’m completely honest, it was Florida that stayed with me long after we returned home. It was the destination that surprised me the most.
If I were planning exactly the same trip today, I honestly wouldn’t change very much. In St Augustine I’d happily stay at The Collector Luxury Inn & Gardens, one of my favourite boutique hotels in the city. Made up of beautifully restored historic buildings set within peaceful gardens, it’s perfectly located for exploring the historic district on foot. Carriage Way Inn is another wonderful choice if you’re looking for somewhere full of character in the heart of the old town. I would also encourage anyone with a few extra days to include Melbourne Beach. Port d’Hiver remains one of my favourite boutique properties anywhere in Florida and the combination of these two destinations creates one of the most memorable pre-Christmas holidays I’ve ever experienced.
Would I go back? Without hesitation. In fact, I’d probably spend even longer exploring Florida’s Atlantic coast, allowing another couple of evenings simply to wander beneath the lights in St Augustine and a few more lazy mornings at Melbourne Beach. Before this trip I’d always imagined that the perfect Christmas destination needed snow, frosty mornings and roaring log fires, but St Augustine completely changed my mind. It reminded me that Christmas isn’t created by the weather. It’s created by the atmosphere, the people, the memories and those unexpected places that capture your heart when you least expect them. For me, St Augustine did exactly that, and it’s a destination I’d recommend to anyone looking for a completely different way to experience the magic of Christmas.
