Christmas in the Sun?

[Scunner]

Does anyone have any recommendations for destinations for Christmas abroad? My mum is asking and it is something I have never done (apart from Christmas in Turkey, when we lived there). The idea is for somewhere they actually celebrate Christmas - where it isn't just another 'normal' day with an attempt at a Christmas dinner, and somewhere warm in December.

Any ideas?

 

[bewva]

I am no expert but would have thought Spain or the Canaries would be a good start,
or maybe Malta or Cyprus.

[heather07]

This site lists 36 countries celebrations and Malta looks good. 

http://www.theholidayspot.com/christmas/worldxmas/malta.htm

Weather not brilliantly hot

http://www.holiday-weather.com/malta/averages/

What about a cruise.  Then if the weather is crap there will be entertainment.

[Liz 101]

Madeira make a big thing of Christmas, I remember the nativity & Christmas orientated displays down the main street. As for their NYE celebrations, they do a fantastic firework display; with fireworks set all around the bay at sea & on land. It's so spectacular that many of the cruise ships in the area come to Madeira on NYE.

[lynne]

Last year we went on a Thomson cruise with a week cruising around the Canaries followed by a week in Gran Canaria.  I couldn't recommend it highly enough.  It was absolutely marvelous.  However, I think I would have done it the opposite way round to how we done it - we cruised first and got off on Christmas Eve into Gran Canaria for the second week.  It would appear that the Spanish celebrate Christmas Eve more so than Christmas day and it was a little bit of a let down, particularly as we weren't aware of this.  The cruise was amazing.  We did actually stop in Madeira and they really were very lit up.  As we pulled out, the whole harbour was lit up and huge lights spelling out Merry Christmas.  A truly beautiful place.  That holiday was worth every single penny. 

[Marggie]

A number of years ago we took my mother-in-law to Clube Praia da Rocha  for Christmas (not the best of hotels but hey ho).  Father-in-law had died that year and we thought it would be good to get away.  Portugal also celebrate Christmas Eve more than Christmas Day and all the staff in the hotel went home at 10 pm, they even closed the bar. Not to be daunted we went on the wander and found Dirty Nellies close by - had a brilliant night there until the wee small hours.

[Scunner]

Sadly I know Dirty Nellies too

Some great responses thank you - if it were me choosing from them I would definitely go for Madeira - that sounds just what she had in mind. Now all I have to do is convince her that she needs us along with her. Oh, and that it would make a lovely Christmas present for us too  

[Christie]

We go to the Yaramar hotel in Fuengirola(Thomson's Gold) in December - we don't actually stay for Christmas and New Year but know people who do and they thoroughly enjoy it and go back year after year (some even bring their own christmas tree for their room !!) They have banquet meals for Christmas day and new year's eve plus day time activities/buffets etc plus entertainment every night.   The hotel is lovely and warm and has tv with english channels in your room.  The weather can be iffy but you usually get more sunny days than not. 

[puma]

 8)we are off to Egypt all  inclusive  gala night Xmas and new year, bring on the cocktails 

[Cavfan]

Not done Christmas( yet!) but done the last 5 or 6 New Years in Benidorm and its fab! everywhere is trimmed up the spanish celebrate the whole thing and its very pretty with poinsetta's everywhere and carol singing! Very nice! Last year we were on the beach at new year but it can be hit and miss, weather wise! Apparantly the hotels really make an effort with gala dinners etc!