The Far East for Christmas
Ultimately, the reasons why people choose to travel abroad during the Christmas holidays are as varied as the people themselves. But whether you're looking for a cultural experience, a break from the hustle and bustle, or a chance to see snow, travelling abroad during the Christmas holidays can be a truly magical experience.
Many travel companies offer special Christmas holiday itineraries. In this first edition of Christmas Escape features Christmas Holidays to China, India, Japan, Sri Lanka and Vietnam with Wendy Wu Tours. Wendy (she is a real person!) loves making these tours extra, extra special, ensuring a fabulous Christmas Escape.
China - In Pursuit of Pandas
Christmas Special
Whats special for Christmas?
And you’ll enjoy a Christmas Day like no other – spent on China’s iconic Great Wall before swapping traditional turkey for an authentic Peking duck feast!
Departing 23 Dec 2023 & 2024
11 days from £3,590pp
Fully Inclusive of Tour & Flights
Great Wall - Warriors in Xian - New Years Eve with
Pandas in Chengdu
Although Christmas isn’t widely recognised as a religious holiday in China, you’ll still see plenty of illuminations in major cities like Beijing and Shanghai and may even pay witness to the new trend in China of gifting friends with elaborately-boxed apples on Christmas Eve. The weather is cool this time of year, particularly in the north where you’ll find the Great Wall which means you may get to experience it surrounded by snow-covered peaks and valleys. You’ll soak up all of China’s most famous attractions on this tour; the Terracotta Warriors of Xian, Beijing’s Tiananmen Square and Temple of Heaven, the Grand Buddha of Leshan, and the adorable giant pandas of course!
Christmas in India
Whats special for Christmas?
You’ll awake on Christmas Day to explore India’s most famous monument, the magnificent Taj Mahal. Enjoy a delicious Christmas feast and sip champagne at a rooftop restaurant accompanied by amazing views of the Taj Mahal at sunset.
Departing 13 December 2023 and 2024
15 days from £3,790pp
Fully Inclusive of Tour & Flights
Delhi - Jaipur - Pushkar - Udaipur - Bundi -Ranthambore - Agra
December is one of the finest months to visit India with temperatures warm, minimal rainfall and low humidity – the perfect conditions for exploring!The perfect way to spend the festive season by experiencing the best of what India has to offer. From the classic sights of India's Golden Triangle, searching for the tigers in Ranthambore, discovering delightful Udaipur and participating in the festivities of Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.
Christmas in Japan
Whats special for Christmas?
On Christmas Day you may be lucky enough to see a dusting of snow on the iconic Golden Temple, Kinkakuji, before riding the iconic bullet train to Hiroshima where you’ll enjoy a scenic Christmas dinner cruise on Hiroshima Bay.
Departing 17 December 2023 and 2024
11 days from £7,090pp
Fully Inclusive of Tour & Flights
Mount Fuji - Hiroshima & Miyajima - Vibrant Tokyo
- Himeji Castle - Kyoto
Although not a national holiday in Japan, Christmas is a wonderful time to explore this diverse destination. In the cities you’ll find gorgeous illuminations marking the festive period (and of course, no one does it quite like Japan), and the cold, dry weather means the countryside is often blanketed with fresh snow – the white Christmas we all dream of! Based on our extremely popular Jewels of Japan itinerary, our Christmas in Japan tour showcases the bright lights of Tokyo and Osaka, magnificent Mount uji and the beautiful Himeji Castle including many immersive experiences such soba noodle making, origami classes and a Geisha encounter. Christmas Eve is spent in historic Kyoto with a traditional tea ceremony and very special dinner.
Christmas in Sri Lanka
Whats special for Christmas?
On Christmas Day you’ll take part in an exclusive tea plantation experience, receive the gift of a handmade silk saree dress and enjoy High Tea at the iconic colonial era Grand Hotel.
Departing 17 December 2023 and 2024
16 days from £4,890pp
Fully Inclusive tour & flights
UK - Colombo (1N) - Dambulla (3N) - Kandy (2N) -
Nuwara Eliya (2N) - Yala National Park (2N) -
Hlkkaduwa (3N) - Colombo (1N) - UK
Christmas is widely celebrated in Sri Lanka with festivities beginning at dawn on the 1st December where locals will let off fireworks to mark the start of the season. There is plenty going on leading up to Christmas Day, with families gathering, preparation of Christmas cake and mince pies, and decorations hung – much like the UK except the weather is far more pleasant with warm, sunny days and balmy nights.
Witness the many highlights of Sri Lanka on this extra special December departure, including the Rock Fortress at Sigiriya, the ruined cities of Polonnaruwa and Anuradhapura and the UNESCO-listed Dambulla Cave Temple with its abundance of Buddhist mural paintings and Buddha statues. Meet the elephants of Udawalawe and spot leopards in Yala National Park with two safari experiences.
Spend Christmas in Sri Lanka’s gorgeous tea country, Nuwara Eliya. On Christmas Eve you'll enjoy a special dinner before attending a moving midnight mass .
Christmas in Vietnam
Whats special for Christmas?
Christmas Eve and Christmas Day are spent cruising the pictureperfect waters of Halong Bay and Lan Ha Bay. On Christmas Eve enjoy an exclusive drinks reception and barbecue Christmas Dinner on deck. A magical Christmas Day is spent cruising on tranquil Lan Ha bay before a special drinks reception and delicious dinner.
Departing 15 December 2023 and 2024
13 days from £3,990pp
Fully Inclusive of Tour & Flights
Cu Chi Tunnels - UNESCO Listed Hoi An - Cruise
Along Halong Bay - Historical Hanoi
Despite being a predominantly Buddhist country, the Vietnamese are extremely fond of Christmas. This is a time of great celebration with locals gathering for festivities and beautiful lights, decorations and trees abundant in the cities. This is also an ideal place to go to escape the cold of the UK, with southern Vietnam in particular very warm and dry this time of year. Our Christmas in Vietnam tour will see you exploring the full length of this spectacular country, from the Mekong Delta in the south all the way up to Hanoi in the north. Along the way, you’ll explore the lantern-lit streets of Hoi An and imperial treasures of Hue, as well as the many highlights of Saigon.
Why GoCruise&Travel?
Here are some reasons that make GoCruise & Travel a great choice as your travel partner:
- We are an ABTA and ATOL bonded company, so your holiday is protected.
- We have over 80 years of cruising experience.
- We offer a wide range of cruises, from short weekend getaways to extended world cruises.
- We represent the vast majority of cruise lines on the world's oceans and rivers.
- We offer a wide range of exciting land holidays - luxury resorts, touring and adventure holidays
- We can help you plan your entire holiday, from start to finish.
Contact:
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