Cozy Destinations for the Christmas Season
November 15, 2022
Christmas is indeed the most wonderful time of the year! A time to gather with friends and family, a time of giving and joyous celebrations, and our favorite time of year to travel. Whether your holiday season fantasies include snowcapped peaks and ski slopes or sandy beaches and sundowners, our favorite cozy destinations for the Christmas season include welcoming vacation homes with free family activities and endless memories – our Christmas gift to you!
Savannah & Tybee Island, Georgia
The historic streets of Savannah spark a sense of mystery, romance, and holiday charm of a bygone era with the perfect blend of history and hip. Savannah’s centuries-old town squares and moss-draped cobblestone streets are adorned with gas lanterns and classic Christmas décor, and lined with historic attractions, striking Antebellum architecture, and shopping and dining that will satisfy every yearning this Christmas season. A stone’s throw away lies the quaint barrier island of Tybee with three miles of beautiful beaches and a small-town charm all of its own.
Savannah Christmas Market: The Savannah Christmas Market in the vibrant Plant Riverside District is alone worth the trip to Savannah this holiday season. From Thanksgiving through New Year, the riverfront is abuzz with live music, holiday markets, fun-filled family festivities, and regular visits from Santa Claus for the kids. Savannah’s cobblestone streets and historic squares are aglow with flickering gas lanterns, twinkling trees, and southern holiday cheer – a picture-perfect Christmas scene.
Discover Historic Savannah by Segway: Savannah is an extremely walkable city but why not have a little extra fun this festive season and tour the streets of Savannah on a segway? Xplorie partners with Adventure Tours in Motion whose local guides will glide you past all the must-see sites of Savannah and Tybee Island. Explore the haunting landscapes of Bonaventure Cemetery and Savannah’s top haunted attractions, take a tour of the movie history of Savannah, or glide the coastal streets of Tybee Island.
Encounter Bottlenose Dolphins in Nature: A dolphin tour with Captain Derek may be the highlight of your Christmas getaway to Savannah. The Daytime Dolphin Tour is the perfect Christmas treat for the kids! Captain Derek’s unique boats are small, comfortable, and have a higher horsepower creating waves for the dolphins to surf. Prefer a little romance for the Christmas season? Surrounded by swirling waters and lush Lowcountry landscapes, Captain Derek’s Sunset Dolphin Tour will leave you mesmerized (and romanced!)
Cruise the Historic Savannah Waterfront by Riverboat: Gray Line Savannah is the go-to local tour expert for guided tours and sightseeing in Savannah – complimentary with Xplorie! Take a unique one-of-a-kind tour of historic Savannah in a convertible Mercedes, embark on a tour of the historic waterfront on a Savannah Riverboat cruise, discover haunted Savannah on a ghost hunt, or tour the Savannah plantations and cemeteries, beautifully lit up for the festive season.
Winter Beach Day on Tybee Island: Savannah is situated only 15 minutes from Tybee Island, a tiny barrier island with unspoiled sandy beaches, tranquil waterways, and unique Lowcountry experiences away from the urban vibe of Savannah. Tybee Island is tiny! You can cruise the island and beaches by bike, bundle up to explore the waterways on a boat tour, kayak, or dolphin experience, or plan a family Christmas brunch on the beach!
Enjoy Lowcountry Luxury on Tybee Island: Our selection of Xplorie vacation rentals on Tybee Island include a private holiday haven for your family Christmas with incredible amenities, spacious kitchens for your homemade holiday feasts, gorgeous ocean views, and a dedicated destination guide to help you plan your itinerary of free Xplorie activities for your stay.
Winter Park, Colorado
Dreaming of a white Christmas? Spend the holiday season surrounded by dramatic snowy landscapes, world-class ski slopes, and dreamy winter activities in the charming ski village of Winter Park, Colorado. From world-class skiing and bucket-list sleigh rides to luxurious mountain chalets and cozy cabins to spend quality time with family and celebrate the season, Winter Park is the ultimate winter wonderland to cozy up for the holidays with family, friends, and loved ones.
Hit the Slopes of Winter Park: There’s no need to wait until Christmas to hit the slopes at Winter Park Ski Resort! The 2022-23 season at Winter Park has already kicked off making it the earliest opening in the 82-year history of Winter Park. There’s plenty of snow on the slopes, 3,000 acres of world-class terrain ranging from beginner bunny hills to the famed bumps of Mary Jane’s, Cosmic Tubing, and complimentary Epic Mountain Sports winter gear packages for the slopes and backcountry when you stay with Xplorie.
Ice Skating & Snow Tubing in Historic Fraser: There’s loads of fun off the slopes in Winter Park with a few places to take a spin on the ice or speed the fast lane with the family on a snow tube. Take a scenic drive or hop on the free Lift Shuttle to the neighboring town of Fraser, home to the Historic Fraser Tubing Hill and NHL-size outdoor IceBox Ice Rink at the Fraser Valley Sports Complex. Reserve a Christmas vacation rental with Xplorie and you can play every day of your stay for free! Here’s how it works!
Soak in Soothing Natural Hot Springs: In less than an hour from Winter Park, you can be soaking in soothing natural hot springs at Hot Sulphur Springs Resort & Spa. Founded in the 1840s, Hot Sulphur Springs features natural adult-only pools and kid-friendly pools ranging from 98 degrees to 112 degrees, all naturally heated by Mother Nature. Enhance your experience with a Swedish massage or a deep tissue massage, elegant add-ons at Hot Sulphur Springs.
Gold Panning at The Argo Mill & Tunnel: Add a touch of history to your Christmas celebrations with a visit to the Argo Gold Mill and Tunnel. Take a tour of the historic Argo Gold Mine & Mill, one of the most well-preserved gold mills in the world, learn the art of gold panning, and tick one of the most prominent heritage landmarks in the American West off your bucket list – complimentary when you stay with Xplorie.
Savor the Flavors of Colorado’s High Country: With more than 60 restaurants in Winter Park, you’re spoilt for choice for foodie experiences. Visit Adventures Decanted for amazing wines from around the world, classic craft cocktails, and small bites – or reserve your space for the Pray for Snow aprés ski party (December 21st) or Christmas Day brunch with bubbles, cocktails, mimosas, and a big holiday spread. Reservations are essential for both events.
Christmas Eve Torchlight Parade: Bundle up for photos with Santa and Christmas Carols in the village, then snag a spot around the massive bonfires at the base area to watch the Winter Park Christmas Eve Torchlight Parade. The Torchlight Parade is a beloved Winter Park tradition with ski patrol and local volunteers zig-zagging their way down the slopes by torchlight, followed by festive fireworks and a holiday buffet at Sunspot Lodge on the summit. Reservations are essential.
Stay Slopeside in Winter Park: Experience the ultimate Rocky Mountain Christmas in your dream home away from home on the slopes of Winter Park Ski Resort. Our selection of Winter Park vacation rentals range from romantic slopeside condos for two to contemporary ski-in/ski-out mountain modern homes equipped to accommodate all three generations for a festive and memorable Christmas in Winter Park.
O’ahu, Hawaii
Escape the cold and enjoy a balmy tropical Christmas at the beach from the comfort of an oceanfront retreat on the island of O’ahu. Trade sweaters for swimsuits and snow capped peaks for towering palms as you soak up the warmth of the sun on sandy white beaches, sip rum cocktails, and switch to island time for an unforgettable Christmas on O’ahu. Whether you’re seeking action-packed holiday excitement or a tropical escape – O’ahu has something for everyone at Christmastime.
Hawaiian Christmas Luau: Pack your Hawaiian attire (or pick something up shopping in Waikiki) to experience the highest-rated luau in Hawaii, produced by world-famous fire-knife dancer and comedian Chief Sielu. Chief’s Luau indulges guests in a lavish Hawaiian feast, a traditional Polynesian show with a thrilling fire finale, and a comedic and creative take on the rich heritage of the Hawaiian Islands.
Coral Crater Adventure Park: Christmas at Coral Crater Adventure Park is all about endless family fun, unique adventures, and experiences that challenge. With an adventure tower, climbing wall, aerial challenge courses, nighttime aerial tours, zip lines, a 50” free fall, and off-road adventures through the jungle, Coral Crater is the ultimate Christmas treat for kids of all ages. End a day of O’ahu adventures with s’mores around the campfire or a celebratory Hawaiian feast at the Mele Luau at Coral Crater.
Guided Tours of O’ahu: There is nothing like experiencing a new destination with a local tour guide! Fly Shuttle & Tours offers amazing O’ahu Island tours of the coastline, mountains, and top attractions in O’ahu. From historic tours of Pearl Harbor and Honolulu, through famous fruit stands, coffee farms, and pineapple plantations to the world-famous surfing beaches in Haleiwa Town, trust Fly Shuttle & Tours to show you the best of O’ahu.
Get In & On The Water: With sunny skies and water temps still in the high seventies, you can spend your day swimming, snorkeling, learning to surf, or sunbathing (in baggies or a bikini!). Add an enchanting experience to your O’ahu Christmas itinerary paddling the Ko Olina Lagoons on a glow-in-the-dark paddle board from Four Oceans Paddle. We love winter in Hawaii!
Kualoa Ranch: Set on a 4,000-acre private nature reserve, Kualoa Ranch is more commonly known as Hawaii’s Jurassic Park with award-winning tours that will treat the kids (and adults!) to the most epic and authentic Hawaiian experiences ever! Explore the Jurassic rainforest, scenic valleys, ancient Hawaiian fishponds, and Secret Island Beach in an ATV Raptor, jungle jeep, vintage school bus, zipline, e-bike, or even on horseback! Kualoa Ranch is an exceptional experience and a gift that keeps giving!
Coastal Christmas Getaways: You can put all this on your Christmas list and not pay a penny when you spend the holidays with Xplorie! Stay with a participating Xplorie partner on O’ahu and experience a coastal Christmas getaway with all the comforts of home, luxury guest amenities, and the best tours, activities, and attractions on the island complimentary every day.
