Why EVERYONE Should Spend At Least One Christmas Away From Home

Christmas is an exciting time of year – when friends and family celebrate the festivities. However, one travel expert urges people to step out of their comfort zone and spend the big day abroad, taking in foreign cultures while broadening their horizons.

Below, Will Sarson, a travel expert at Riviera Travel, gives his FIVE key reasons why EVERYONE should spend at least one Christmas holiday away from home – including better weather and skipping out on the usual holiday stress.

Spending Christmas Away from Home
Christmas is fast approaching, and while many of us will be preparing to spend it at home with close friends and relatives, taking the leap and experiencing the festivities away from home can be a rewarding experience.

From encountering new traditions to bypassing the holiday stress, let’s take a look at why I believe everybody should spend at least one Christmas away from home:

Bypass the usual holiday stress
While Christmas is an enjoyable period, there’s no hiding that it’s also a stressful time of year. Whether it stems from purchasing gifts, hosting or cooking on Christmas day, it can be difficult to navigate while still having a good time.

By spending Christmas away from home, people can escape the usual holiday stress and prioritise activities that bring them joy.

Experiencing new traditions
One of the best aspects of spending Christmas in a foreign country is the ability to experience unique traditions first-hand. From Krampus Night in Germany to the Feast of the Seven Fishes in Southern Italy, each country has its distinctive take on the festive period.

By stepping out of their comfort zones, people can participate in these different celebrations, broadening their cultural understanding of the world around them.

Bonding time with a loved one
While solo travelling is enjoyable in its own right, nobody should spend Christmas alone, and travelling with a loved one can offer a great opportunity for some downtime away from home stresses.

Sharing new experiences with someone close is a magical way to spend the festive period. It allows people to strengthen relationships while recharging in a different location.

Spending Christmas in the sun
Another big appeal of spending Christmas day abroad is the opportunity to escape the harsh weather conditions typically experienced throughout December.

The UK can be soggy and grey throughout the festive period. At the same time, countries such as Austria and Hungary have higher chances of snow (always magical during winter!), and Spain and Portugal offer much higher temperatures and more comfortable climates.

It can rekindle people’s holiday spirit
Interestingly, travelling away and witnessing new traditions, activities, and celebrations can help reignite the excitement for people who find it hard to get excited over Christmas.

A change of scenery can do wonders for perspective, allowing people to appreciate the festive period much more in a unique setting. I strongly recommend that those in need of a Christmas reset consider travelling this winter.

Overall, while Christmas at home is a magical time of year, I believe there are numerous benefits to spending it away from home in a foreign country. It can allow people to unwind without the stress of planning, cooking and gifting, offering a gentle escape – and potentially better weather!