For most people the holiday period is all about spending time with your nearest and dearest. But what about if you’ve just lost your lifelong partner? Maybe you’re going through a messy separation or have spent years attending Christmas or NYE parties solo and are now craving something a little different?
Cue spontaneous festive getaways. Perfect for all you singletons out there, these holiday ideas will have you packing your bags and saying farewell to a hometown Christmas in no time.
A Christmas cruise
Gone are the days when cruising was reserved for couples and families. Today solo cruises are emerging as one of the decade’s hottest new travel trends. Norwegian Cruise Line has wholeheartedly embraced the concept, with compact studio cabins designed exclusively for singles. Holland America Line hosts a fantastic line-up of singles focussed events, from cocktail parties to shore excursions.
Close to home
Sometimes the best Christmas gift you can treat yourself to is rest and relaxation. Whatever your personal situation, escaping to a secluded sanctuary this December could work wonders you’re your headspace. Check our Airbnb for some incredible properties across New Zealand. From “off the grid” lodges to seaside cottages, there’s something for every taste and budget. Browsing is all part of the fun so head over to Airbnb NZ and start dreaming.
A wellness retreat
From yoga retreats in Bali to detox programmes in Thailand, wellness holidays can be a fantastic way to recharge your batteries and start the new year feeling fresh. There are options for every budget so don’t shy away from the stigma that wellness retreats are notoriously expensive. Stick to destinations in South East Asia and you can unlock access to incredible retreats for a fraction of the price.
Skip Christmas entirely
If you’re not feeling festive this season why not escape to a destination that simply doesn’t celebrate Christmas? For example, as a Buddhist country Thailand doesn’t make such a fuss over Christmas. Of course, you’ll find tinsel and fairy lights in places like Bangkok but head north to Chiang Mai and you’ll barely see a trace. China is also a great place to escape the craziness of Christmas, so why not fulfil your dream of visiting the Great Wall, getting up close and personal with pandas or visiting towering sandstone karsts in the Wulingyuan Scenic and Historic Interest Area? Dim sum for Christmas dinner? Yes please.
Give back with a volunteer programme
If you still want to embrace the concept of giving but don’t want to get caught up in a commercial Christmas volunteering can be a fulfilling way to spend the festive season. From elephant sanctuaries in India and orphanages in Cambodia to school building programmes in Malaysia and English teaching in Fiji, why not take the opportunity to get creative with how you’re going to “give back” this Christmas?
Do you have unorthodox Christmas plans this year? We’d love to hear about them so go ahead and share in the comments section below.