19 Oct 2016
It's one of the peak family travel times of the year with no shortage of parents and children (of every age) happily forgoing the joys of the traditional Christmas for a festive season they'll remember for the rest of their life.
“Families may not want an adventurous alternative Christmas every year, but for time poor families wanting to maximise their holiday time, Christmas abroad is a hugely popular option,” says Liddy Pleasants, founder of family travel specialist, Stubborn Mule.
Whilst Stubborn Mule offer 20 destinations in Latin and Central America, Asia, Africa and Arabia, the best-selling family Christmas destinations are Thailand, Sri Lanka and Costa Rica, all of which offer gorgeous weather – a welcome respite from the dark and damp back home - and blend family activities with some beach time.
Top Tips for a successful Christmas abroad
If you're travelling to a destination where Christmas is not celebrated locally, manage your children's expectations. Lots of hotels in Asia, for example, might have some token decorations and a gala dinner, but that's about it.
Do pack a stocking (although you can always pad out treats from home with locally bought knick-knacks). It might mean a bit of extra luggage but Father Christmas has to come calling, wherever in the world you are.
Prepare your kids for that fact that Christmas dinner is going to be a local version of a special meal. Turkey and roast potatoes are out. Chicken stir fry, barbecued fish are in.
For smaller children or kids at heart, stuff an inflatable Christmas tree into your luggage. They pack away small but are a big token nod to a traditional Christmas.
Think about where you'll be on Christmas Day. You won't want to be travelling, for example. Stubborn Mule tries to ensure Christmas morning is free for opening stockings and a leisurely breakfast, whilst arranging something exciting for the afternoon – white water rafting, ziplining, visiting sites of interest. If you want to do something REALLY special, say a private sunset yacht cruise or a hot air balloon, give notice well in advance of departure.
Most popular Festive Family Breaks
Where? Sri Lanka
What you'll be doing on Christmas Day: Exploring the largest National Park in Sri Lanka, Wilpattu, on the search for leopard, crocodile and sloth bear to name but a few. After a relaxing morning you will take a safari in search of wildlife before returning back to an African style safari camp. Christmas dinner will be by candlelight around the camp fire.
What you'll be doing on New Year's Eve: In the picturesque tea plantations of Ella, either enjoying the pool or taking a hike through the plantations with superb views. The evening entertainment will be relatively low key but you can join the other guests at the plantation for a celebratory dinner.
How much? £9,500 for a family of four, including flights, accommodation, all tours and excursions and some meals.
Where? Costa Rica
How? Active Costa Rica
What you'll be doing on Christmas Day: Exploring the waterways of Tortuguero National Park by boat, keeping watch for caiman, bats, monkeys and snakes.
What you'll be doing on New Year's Eve: Walking across giant hanging suspension bridges in the cloud forest of Monteverde, ziplining from one tree to another.
How much? £11,000 for a family of four, including flights, accommodation, all tours and excursions and some meals.
Where? Thailand
How? Southern Thailand Adventure
What you'll be doing on Christmas Day: An action packed day in Kanchanaburi, home to the Bridge over the River Kwai. The afternoon is spent helping to wash elephants in the river (you'll be squirted in return), whilst the evening is spent on a floating jungle raft on the banks of the River Kwai.
What you'll be doing on New Year's Eve: Staying in a friendly village homestay on the south coast, spending two nights with a local family. Spend the day kayaking through the beautiful karst formations of the Andaman Sea before a new year celebration with the family. On New Year's Day you'll be heading to the beach for the last few days of the trip.
How much?: £8,000 for a family of four, including flights, accommodation, all tours and excursions and some meals.
For bookings or more information about Stubborn Mule, please visit www.stubbornmuletravel.com or call T. 01728 752 751,
