As a child, I always dreamt of a white Christmas. I often wondered what the kids in the northern hemisphere were doing whilst I was swimming at the beach, eating prawns and trying to stay cool.
Fortunately, I have been lucky enough in my travels to experience this wonderful winter holiday and realise all my childhood dreams. The sight of Father Christmas knee-deep in snow, snowmen rugged up in fleecy neckwear, reindeers, sleigh rides, ice skating, bells and fairytale castles still stir the imagination.
Even as adults, we like to think there could be a place where anything is possible; where the natural beauty is endless and constantly draws your breath. Lapland in northern Finland is a place where you can watch the Northern Lights dance across the night sky and where dog and reindeer sleighs are the most common form of winter transport. This is the place that Santa Claus calls home, a place for the perfect multi-generational Christmas for both the young and the young at heart.
Waking up on Christmas Day under a crisp white doona in an 800-year-old coaching inn deep in the heart of the Austrian Tyrol or perhaps in a stunning 13th century Italian Castle located in the foothills of the Dolomites sounds rather nice to me. Europe is not short of fabulous, romantic locations to spend your white Christmas.
Then there is the excitement of New York when the whole city turns into one big Christmas extravaganza. The famous poem ‘Twas the Night Before Christmas’ was supposedly inspired by the festive atmosphere in one of New York’s downtown markets in 1822.
When in New York don’t miss the big tree at the Rockefeller Centre. It is an amazing sight to behold in the evening with 45 thousand twinkling lights while Macy’s elaborate Santaland has stunning Christmas trees, elves, toy trains and a snow filled wonderland. Also, go ice skating in Central Park and wander the streets to view the amazing window displays of the boutiques and department stores. One thing for sure is you can’t help but get caught up in the festivities of the season.
Another favourite white Christmas destination is magical Lake Louise, of course the list could go on and on as there are so many amazing destinations in this world whether they are in the north or the south!
So, while you are washing the sticky mango juice off your arms, throwing another prawn on the barbie or whipping the top off another coldie, spare a thought for our northern friends as they sip mulled wine, roast chestnuts and shovel snow!
