December 04, 2025 | 5 minutes read
If winter to you means cozy sweaters, snowy days, fireside nights, and all the holiday cheer you can handle, you’ve come to the right place! While plenty of people flock to sunny beaches at this time of year, there are also those who fully embrace the icy beauty of winter. There are so many places to choose from, whether you want to enjoy schussing down the slopes or being carried along by the holiday crowds in the city, so take a look at some of the top places we think are worth a visit this season.
A Christmas Date in New York City
In an incredibly walkable city like New York, it’s no surprise that a little bit of cold weather doesn’t keep inhabitants or visitors from thoroughly enjoying the holiday season in Manhattan. New York boasts some of the most iconic Christmas experiences, from a spectacularly high-kicking evening with the Rockettes to a walk down Fifth Avenue to enjoy the highly anticipated return of the spectacular Saks Fifth Avenue light show.
Head over to Rockefeller Center for a spin or two around the ice skating rink, and then enjoy a warm drink and snacks in an Après Skate Chalet. Once you’re warmed up, taking a selfie among the crowds gathered around the Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree is another must-do activity. This year’s tree (a Norway Spruce) will be lit from December 3 through mid-January, and swathed in over 50,000 energy-efficient LED-colored lights. So what happens to the tree in January? It’s milled into lumber and donated to Habitat for Humanity to continue spreading joy.
A Lapland Family Adventure
Did you know that Lapland is the official hometown of Santa Claus? It’s true—the city of Rovaniemi, Finland, claims those bragging rights as Santa meets kids of all ages at his office and house 365 days a year. The Santa Claus Village is also home to a variety of Christmas-themed activities, and you can enjoy staying for a few nights in Santa’s Glass Igloos for a glimpse of the Northern Lights through the glass roof of your very own igloo!
If you want to take a few turns down the slopes, just 10 minutes away is the Ounasvaara Ski Resort. Designed with everyone in mind, Ounasvaara has 10 downhill slopes that range from beginner to competition level. If you prefer the unmanicured slopes of fresh powder, the Freeride and Tree Ride slopes will be exactly your speed, or do some trick riding on the jumps and rails of the Snow Park. For newbies and kids who want to avoid being run over by other skiers, Rendi Park offers a training slope and a safe place to practice. If you’re just looking for a way to enjoy the scenery, you can do that too—there are over 100 kilometers of cross-country skiing tracks.
A Northern Lights Adventure in Norway
There are several places to catch a glimpse of the Northern Lights, but Norway’s pitch black skies make the aurora especially visible. Two locations in Norway stand out as frontrunners for the best Northern Lights experience: Tromsø and Kirkenes.
Tromsø is a city in the far north of Norway, known as “the gateway to the Arctic.” While you’re there, get bundled up in layers and enjoy a day of wintry fun, like snowshoeing, dogsledding, reindeer sledding, or a whale watching excursion. Once night falls, take advantage of the many Northern Lights tours offered, where experienced guides take you away from light pollution to ensure you have the best view of the aurora.
For another northern Norway experience, visit the small town of Kirkenes. While Tromsø has about 65,000 people, Kirkenes’ population tops out at around 3,500. However, one of the main attractions of Kirkenes (besides the Northern Lights) is Snowhotel Kirkenes. This hotel is made solely out of snow and ice—approximately 161,500 square feet of snow and 25 tons of ice, that is! The design of the hotel changes annually, and you can choose to sleep snuggled up in one of the 25-degree rooms in the main hotel or experience a bit more hygge in traditional Sami “Gamme” huts.
Explore a Winter Wonderland This Season With Wanderluxe World Travel
Whether you’re looking for a weekend in the city, a place to ski the day away, or the perfect location to view the Northern Lights, there are so many winter destination options from which to choose. If you’re feeling overwhelmed by your options, that’s where we come in. At Wanderluxe World Travel, we do the planning for you, curating personalized travel itineraries to fit your travel style and “must-dos.”
To get started planning the trip of a lifetime, contact us today at (954) 643-1710 or by completing the online contact form. Grab your favorite travel partner and get ready to make unforgettable memories with Wanderluxe World Travel!
