Look, Christmas isn’t for everyone. Even if you’ve grown up in a place where the year’s main event is December 25th, the holiday cheer might not exactly be your cup of tea. For some, escaping the madness of this time of year is essential for their sanity, and what better what to do it than booking a trip to a country that doesn’t celebrate it at all?
While most countries enjoy the festive season or at least acknowledge it, many still don’t, giving you plenty of places to run away from all the hullabaloo. We’ve gathered up our picks of locations where you can totally avoid the hectic Christmas period!
Get Lost in the Souks of Morocco
With its Islamic roots, Morocco skips the Christmas fanfare; there are no glittering trees in Jemaa el-Fnaa or Santas around Chefchaouen; it’s business as usual in this Northern African country. The weather is also pretty pleasant around December (average temperatures between 10°C and 20°C), meaning you won’t have to hide away from the blistering heat during the day.
I always say you’re better off diving in head-first when you visit Morocco; that means flying into Marrakech. That first moment you walk into Jemaa el-Fnaa will be an all-out culture shock; the screams from the fruit stalls and the snake charmers following you down the street will set you up for what lies ahead in Souk Semmarine.
After Marrakech, it’s a toss-up whether you want to head north to Casablanca to see the real side of Morocco, stop by Fes to catch a glimpse of the tanneries, or venture south for some more relaxed vibes in Agadir. All are excellent places, in my opinion, but if you’re slightly stretched for time and want a true adventure, I suggest you venture further east to spend a night with the Berber tribe. Camp under the stars in the heart of the Sahara, completely detached from all the modern comforts in the big cities, and fully immerse yourself in the authentic Berber way of life. (3-day excursions starting at MAD 1185.34 (€112).
Spend December 25th Among the Mountains in Laos
Even outside of the Christmas period, Laos is often overlooked by those doing the typical Banana Pancake Trail (Southeast Asia’s most famous backpacking trail). Typically, travelers make their way through Thailand and then head into Cambodia before wrapping up in Vietnam, but don’t you dare even think about skipping this absolute gem of a country. You won’t find much Christmas spirit here, as Buddhism is the dominant religion, similar to many places in the region.
I must admit, I didn’t know what to expect before visiting Laos as I didn’t know much about the country. But after experiencing the adventure of Vang Vieng, witnessing the beauty of Kuang Si Waterfalls, and packing on a few extra pounds thanks to Luang Prabang’s street food markets, it quickly became one of my favorite countries in the region.
Luang Prabang alone has so much to offer. You can spend one day hitting up Kuang Si Waterfalls (LAK 65,000 (€2.78)) and another squeezing in an early rise to watch the Alms Giving Ceremony on the streets and stopping afterward at the morning market. At night, join some locals and other tourists at the Luang Prabang Bowling Alley to test your strike (LAK 40,000 (€1.71) for one round.
Once you’ve wrapped up your time in Luang Prabang, hop on a quick 50-minute high-speed train ride to Vang Vieng (tickets cost around LAK 439200.00 (€18.80) for a second-class seat). The natural beauty here is truly insane; take one look around, and it won’t be long before the sight of the dramatic limestone mountains has you going trigger-happy with your camera. Spend your days in Vang Vieng getting your thrills on a zip-lining adventure (prices start from around LAK 439200.00 (€18.80)), go tipsy tubing down the Nam Song River, or hire a dune buggy for the day (starting prices LAK 439200.00 (€18.80)).
Before you move on, don’t forget to climb up to the Nam Xay Viewpoint! It’s a tough climb, so bring plenty of water, but the views you get from the top make it all worth it. You’ll have to get your photograph taken at the moped up there just to prove to everyone you made it; be careful, though.
Enjoy Some Time Along the Arabian Peninsula in Oman
Most places in the Middle East don’t celebrate Christmas, so it’s an easy region to hide in while the festivities take place back home. If there’s one country I urge you to visit in the region, it’s Oman; it’s a quiet country on the Arabian Peninsula that’s relatively easy to travel around as long as you have a rental car (around OMR 12.23 (€30) per day). Many of the main cities and attractions are within a few hundred km of each other unless you want to venture as far down as Salalah, which may require a domestic flight.
Muscat is such a cool city; you’ve got a lot to see there, including the Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque, the Royal Opera House (OMR 3.15 (€7.73)), and the Mutrah Fort (OMR 3 (€7.36)). In the evenings when the temperatures have dwindled, the locals come out to play, and the Mutrah Corniche comes alone with the sun dropping behind the mountains in the distance; it’s a sight to behold.
See the more traditional side of Oman in Nizwa, which is a short hour and 45-minute drive away. Spend some time walking around the Nizwa Fort and sip some freshly made Omani coffee at one of the many cafes with insane views. Athar Cafe is my recommendation. Try to plan your trip around the weekly goat market that takes place every Friday. Watch as people from around the country place their bids against each other for their next goat; it’s an absolutely wild experience to witness!
Unearth the Historic Cities of Uzbekistan
Another country where Christmas isn’t a thing is Uzbekistan. Over 80% of the population here are Muslim; the 25th is just another day across the nation. You won’t have to worry about getting up and watching your siblings open their presents. Instead, you’ll be soaking up some of the finest Silk Road architecture at Samarkand, Bukhara, and Khiva.
Most likely, you’ll touch down in Tashkent to start your trip. Don’t leave without ticking off the main sights like Chorsu Bazaar and Amir Timur Square, and check out some of the classic old Soviet buildings like Hotel Uzbekistan. Be sure to give Uzbekistan’s national dish, ‘Plov,’ while you’re in Tashkent. It’s a rice-based dish loaded with different meats, spices, and veggies. You’ll find it sold all over Tashkent, but Besh Qozon is known to have some of the tastiest (prices around UZS 85,000 (€6.22) with sides). Instead of having your turkey and ham, you can enjoy some deliciously cooked Plov instead; it’s a first-time for everything.
Take on the age-old path of the Silk Road at Samarkand, Bukhara, and Khiva. Once bustling centers for trade and innovation, the three cities have since become a non-negotiable on pretty much every person’s itinerary who visits. Don’t try to rush between the three; the distances are too long, and there’s too much to see. In Samarkand, the main attractions are Registan Square (UZS 65,000 (€4.78)), Gur-Emir Mausoleum (UZS 40,000 (€2.94)), and Bibi-Khanym Mosque (UZS 40,000 (€2.94)). When you reach Bukhara, include Po-i-Kalyan (UZS 5,000 (€0.37)) and Bolo Hauz Mosque (free entry) on your list. Finish up in Khiva to see the Kalta Minor Minaret (UZS 50,000 (€3.67), Kuhna Ark & Watchtower (UZS 100,000 (€7.35), and the Juma Mosque (free entry).
Explore the Natural Wonders of Pakistan
Pakistan’s larger cities like Lahore, Islamabad, and Karachi are well-known, but after you venture outside these urban metropolises, you’ll realize this country has a whole other side to it. As with all the other places I’ve mentioned on this list, Christmas isn’t celebrated in Pakistan due to religion. I mean, even if you did like Christmas, would you rather be stuck by the fire digging into a box of chocolates like every other year or navigating the twists and turns of the Karakorum Highway?
The Karakorum Highway is sometimes referred to as the eighth wonder of the world; when you see photographs of it, you’ll understand why. It was once a key route along the ancient Silk Road that connected China, Pakistan, and the Indian sub-continent together. However, in recent times, it has garnered much attention among the travel community. Most tourists begin their journey from Islamabad before heading to Gilgit by bus, where the real adventure begins. Throughout the route, you’ll experience stunning nature parks like Fairy Meadows, pristine snow-covered mountains such as Rakaposhi, and quaint mountain cities including Gilgit. It will take everyone different amounts of time to complete the Karakorum highway but to really enjoy the stops along the way; it’s best to give yourself around two weeks.
If the Karakorum Highway seems a little too intense for your liking, don’t worry; that’s just the beginning of everything Pakistan has in store. Seek out the echoes of history in the Cholistan Desert, like the Derawar Fort, and go see the oldest civilization on the planet at Harappa.
Want a taste of big city life? Hit up Lahore to learn about its Mughal past and tick off a few of the best-known points of interest, like the Fort and Shalamar Gardens (PKR 400 (€1.35)), Badshahi Mosque (free entry), and Sheesh Mahal (PKR 100 (€0.34)). Alternatively, you could head further northwest to Peshawar, where you’ll be exposed to a whole other side of Pakistan.
Rest Up on the Beaches of Tunisia
Slow down the pace this December with a visit to Tunisia. Just a short flight from mainland Europe, Tunisia has always been seen as a cheaper beach getaway than places in the south of France and Italy. It’s a win-win; you get access to the Mediterranean, the weather is mighty fine for most of the year, and the prices of most things are relatively low. Tunisians don’t celebrate Christmas at all, as 99% of the population are Sunni Muslims, but if you’re heading down there to stay in a resort, you might see an odd Christmas tree to keep the tourists happy.
For those traveling for the beaches alone, you’ll want to focus your attention on somewhere like Hammamet, a former fishing village boasting some of the finest stretches of coastline in the country. From the hugely popular Hammem Laghzez Beach itself to somewhere equally as beautiful but far less known like Plage de Sidi Mansour, if all you want to do is sit around and top up the tan, there’s no better spot.
I know most travelers reading this won’t want to spend their entire vacation on a beach. Lucky for you, Tunisia is a country full of surprises in store. Wander through the streets of Tunis and soak up the hustle and bustle of the Medina, pop by the Avenue Habib Bourguiba for a sneaky cup of coffee, and take a few snaps of the Independence Monument.
Funnily enough, Tunisia houses some of the most spectacular time-honored structures that belonged to the Roman Empire. In fact, a handful of the country’s Unesco World Heritage Sites were constructed by the Romans; I guarantee you didn’t learn that in school! Head northwest of the country to discover the historic city of Dougga (TND 8 (€2.39), which was once the capital of the Libyco-Punic state, or venture further east to see El Jem (TND 12 (€3.58)), which is the biggest amphitheater in all of North Africa.
Do Something Unique This Christmas by Visiting One of These Destinations
If you’re not particularly fond of Christmas, why waste your vacation time sitting at home when you know you won’t have a good time? Life’s too short for that. Instead, book a flight to one of these non-festive destinations so you’re not stuck decorating the tree this year.