How to Plan a Last-Minute Trip Between Christmas & New Year’s

Written By Krista Nannery

If you’re thinking about sneaking in a last-minute trip between Christmas and New Year’s, I’m going to tell you the truth: it’s absolutely doable… if you start in the right place.

The place you start is flights.

Because during that week, hotels are the easy part — even if they’re pricey, you can usually find something. Flights are the real gatekeepers. If you can’t get there without two layovers and a soul-crushing arrival time, the rest doesn’t matter. So let’s handle the smart stuff first and then talk about the cities that go so big on Christmas lights they basically glow from space.

Step 1: Start With Google Flights (Not With “Where Should We Go?”)

  1. Open Google Flights and plug in your dates (think Dec 26–Jan 2), number of travelers, and fare class (Economy, Premium Economy, or Business).

  2. If you’re thinking about going to Europe, put Europe as your destination. No need to list specific countries. This way you can see if there are any good deals to anywhere in Europe. Thinking about Asia? List Asia as your destination.

  3. Now set your travel parameters: max 1 stop and reasonable travel time. (You could also just try for direct flights but that is going to limit your options and remove places like Salzburg, where there just aren’t any direct flights. There are direct flights to Prague but only from very limited airports — think JFK, IAD, and DFW.)

  4. Eyeball the results. Pick your faves. Now get specific on destinations (Paris, London, etc.) and use the date grid and price graph to slide your travel window a day or two — you’ll be shocked how much that can save.

  5. Once you see a decent fare with a sane schedule? Book it direct with the airlines. This means you’ll have to try to recreate what you just found on Google Flights on the airline’s website. (Please don’t book through Google Flights or Expedia or similar 3rd party sites.)

    Flights first. Fun stuff second.

Step 2: Pick a City That Treats Christmas Like a Competitive Sport

Now we get to the good part: cities that go absolutely overboard with Christmas. Lights. Trees. Markets. Atmosphere. You’re not looking for subtle — you’re looking for full-tilt holiday magic.

Here are some of my favorite Christmas-on-steroids cities for late December, each paired with a Virtuoso hotel pick so you can stay somewhere that treats you just as well as the city does. Ready to talk travel? Book a complimentary vacation consultation here.

1. London, UK

London doesn’t dabble in Christmas — it detonates it. Regent Street, Oxford Street, Carnaby, and Covent Garden are drenched in lights, each with its own personality. Add Southbank and Winter Wonderland, and you basically have a different festive neighborhood to explore every night. Christmas at Kew? A must — it’s a glowing botanical wonderland.

Remember I lived in London for 11+ years!

Where to stay (Virtuoso): Rosewood London — sophisticated, warm, and beautifully located for holiday roaming.

2. Salzburg, Austria

If Hallmark ever needed a real-life set, Salzburg would be it. The Old Town sparkles under garlands of lights, the fortress glows above the rooftops, and the Christkindlmarkt is about as charming as markets get. You’ll be sipping mulled wine in front of the cathedral and wondering how a place can be this festive without burning out its electrical grid.
Where to stay (Virtuoso): Hotel Sacher Salzburg — stately and elegant with river views. I stayed here last year and loved it!

3. Montreux, Switzerland

Montreux actually has one of the biggest and best Christmas markets in the country, right along the lake.

  • Stalls line the waterfront with lights reflecting off the water.

  • Chillon Castle hosts medieval Christmas festivities.

  • There are illuminated installations all along the promenade, and the entire backdrop is snow-covered Alps.

Virtuoso Hotel Pick: Fairmont Le Montreux Palace — a Belle Époque landmark steps from the market.

4. Prague, Czech Republic

Prague is winter romance at its finest. Imagine a massive Christmas tree framed by Gothic towers, cobblestone alleys wrapped in lights, and the Charles Bridge shining at night. The markets are cozy, the architecture is dramatic, and the city feels like a holiday storybook.
Where to stay (Virtuoso): Fairmont Golden Prague, A Virtuoso Preview Property — new, stylish, intimate, and steps from the prettiest corners.

5. Madrid, Spain

Madrid is Europe’s most underrated Christmas light city — it goes BIG. Millions of lights cover Gran Vía, Serrano, Puerta del Sol, and Plaza Mayor. There are giant illuminated sculptures, towering trees, and long, warm evening walks that make the whole city feel like a festival. It’s joyful, bright, and energetic.
Where to stay (Virtuoso): Four Seasons Hotel Madrid — glamorous, modern, and perfectly central.

6. Paris, France

Paris at Christmas is soft and sparkling. The Champs-Élysées lights are iconic, but the smaller neighborhood streets are often even more charming. Don’t miss the department stores — the giant tree inside Galeries Lafayette is borderline theatrical, and the animated window displays are a full event. The whole city glows.
Where to stay (Virtuoso): La Réserve Paris Hotel & Spa — refined, romantic, and consistently top-tier.

7. Tokyo, Japan

Tokyo doesn’t celebrate Christmas — it engineers it. The winter illuminations in Roppongi, Omotesandō, Marunouchi, and Shibuya make most Western cities look like they’re barely trying. Expect tunnels of LEDs, massive sculptural light displays, and installations that change colors and music as you walk through. It’s futuristic holiday joy.
Where to stay (Virtuoso): The Peninsula Tokyo — luxurious, serene, and ideally placed for illumination-hopping.

8. Medellín, Colombia

Medellín’s Alumbrados Navideños is one of the most jaw-dropping Christmas light festivals on Earth. Tens of millions of lights stretch across the river, bridges, parks, and entire districts — each year with a new artistic theme. It’s loud, colorful, immersive, and totally unique. Warm weather is the bonus.
Where to stay (Virtuoso): The Charlee Hotel (via Virtuoso partners) — modern, stylish, and close to major displays.

9. New York City, USA

New York basically is Christmas in the U.S. The Rockefeller tree is enormous, Fifth Avenue turns into a glowing holiday runway, and the store windows could compete with Broadway sets. Add Bryant Park, Radio City, Central Park, and Dyker Heights for the “suburban lights arms race,” and you’ve got nonstop holiday spectacle.
Where to stay (Virtuoso): The Peninsula New York — classic, elegant, and right in the middle of the magic.

10. Copenhagen, Denmark

If you want cozy, charming, and atmospheric, Copenhagen nails it. Nyhavn is wrapped in lights reflecting off the canal, markets fill the squares, and the whole city feels warm and Scandinavian even in the cold. And then there’s Tivoli Gardens — a Christmas dreamland that makes adults feel five years old again.
Where to stay (Virtuoso): Nimb Hotel — boutique luxury inside Tivoli, which is unbeatable in December.

Final Thought

A Christmas–New Year’s trip doesn’t have to be planned in July. Start with flights, stay flexible, and pick a city that turns the holidays into an art form. Whether you want twinkling elegance, full-scale spectacle, or cozy Nordic charm, there’s a destination on this list that will deliver maximum magic with minimal stress.

Looking for more inspiration? Virtuoso just published their favorite holiday spirit destinations here. (Santa Fe was a new one for me!)

If you want help pulling it together — finding flights, booking Virtuoso stays with perks, or mapping out the perfect holiday itinerary — I’ve got you. Ready to talk travel? Book a complimentary vacation consultation here.

About Krista

I’m a Virtuoso travel advisor based in West Palm Beach, Florida. I attended the University of Notre Dame for undergrad, and have my MBA from the University of Chicago. Prior to moving to Florida to take care of my elderly mom with Parkinson’s Disease, I spent over 11 years living and working in London, England. My background and 20 year career in the investment management industry have taken me all over the world. To date, I’ve been to 78 countries. Now I bring the joy of travel to others as a Virtuoso travel advisor. I offer a 30 minute complimentary vacation consultation to anyone looking to plan their next trip.

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Krista Nannery
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