Shopping in Marrakech with a personal shopper. Witness the record-breaking fireworks display in Ras Al Khaimah. Becoming an art patron in Madrid. Or travel on a tram driven by Santa Claus in Lisbon. Here’s where to live 10 top experiences for the Christmas holidays
Do you want emotions? To amaze you again like when you were a child at Christmas? Here are 10 top experiences selected for you to enjoy in the most fascinating destinations on the planet.
1 New York
The Michelangelo New York – Starhotels Collezione, just a few steps from Times Square, Broadway and Central Park, is ready to welcome its guests in the heart of Manhattan with the typical Italian allure.A few steps from The Michelangelo, Rockefeller Center is a Christmas institution in New York. Symbol of the holidays, the place hosts the majestic Christmas tree, under which the iconic ice skating rink opens. Other unmissable events are Broadway shows and musicals.
Many of the city’s main attractions are just around the corner. For example, the famous 5th Avenue, an unmissable destination for the most exclusive shopping and some of the most famous museums in the world, such as the MoMa – Museum of Modern Art and the Guggenheim Museum.
2 Madrid
Mandarin Oriental Ritz, Madrid is the ideal destination to enjoy a Christmas full of exceptional artistic experiences.The hotel – in collaboration with the Museo Nacional Thyssen-Bornemisza – offers guests the opportunity to become patrons for a day, participating in the conservation of the “Chinese Vase with Flowers“, (1640) by Jacques Linard, one of the most iconic masterpieces from the museum’s permanent collection.
By donating a contribution for the restoration of one of the flowers or leaves of this magnificent work, generous guests will also have exclusive access to the museum’s restoration laboratory or to a private tour of the “Road of Flowers” after it is closed to the public.
3 London
From 25 November, the Tree of Wishes returns to Mandarin Oriental Hyde Park, London. To the branches – decorated with unique creations made by shops and students of the local community – hotel guests will be able to entrust their wishes enclosed in paper cards. Proceeds from the sale of the decorations will be donated, as per tradition, to the Make‑A‑Wish Foundation, which makes the wishes of children with serious illnesses come true.
4 Oman
The Christmas holidays can be the perfect occasion for a trip in the heat and to live an experience of a thousand and one nights in a dream hotel. There is no better refuge than the exclusive Al Bustan Palace, a Ritz-Carlton Hotel, in the fascinating Sultanate of Oman. Until January 2023, guests will be able to enjoy the unique experience of Le Petit Chef, a new concept of temporary catering where theater and cuisine are combined in an immersive culinary experience.
5 Lisboa
There are many events in preparation for Christmas, from concerts to city marathons. The top experiences begin on November 18 with the traditional market in Rossio Square with wooden chalets filled with local handicraft creations and Portuguese delicacies.
Until 18 December, the little ones will also be able to take advantage of the free Christmas train which will travel through the streets of the Baixa, while from 5 to 16 December the famous Christmas tram will return to the streets of the capital driven by an exceptional driver: Santa Claus in person. During the tour, Christmas stories will be told and children will be able to indulge themselves by drawing on the tram windows with chalk. To fill up on magic, don’t miss Cirque du Soleil Crystal, with acrobats and ice skaters who will perform for about two hours at the Altice Arena in Lisbon from 22 December to 1 January 2023.
6 Marrakech
What’s better than a Christmas present taken directly on the go? For a truly unique thought, let yourself be guided by the Dar Darma personal shopper who will accompany you through the markets and boutiques of Marrakech.
To find unusual gifts, the souk of the “red city” is well stocked: from leather creations to Berber bread baskets, from spices to tagines, from ceramics to colored glasses, from caftans to babouches, up to traditional carpets, there it is for all tastes and budgets.
If, on the other hand, you want to buy a more sophisticated gift, the Dar Darma personal shopper will be able to show you the best local craft shops.
7 Ras Al Khaimah
For those who prefer the heat and the discovery of a new destination to the classic snow holiday, here is the ideal destination: Ras Al Khaimah (RAK), the Emirate of nature. About 45′ from Dubai airport, RAK offers many top experiences to enjoy in the open air.
From kayak excursions among the lush mangroves among pink flamingos and kingfishers to the tranquility of a dinner under the stars at Sonara Camp in the Al Wadi nature reserve surrounded by the terracotta-colored dunes that characterize the Ras Al Khaimah desert.
But the real beauty of the varied natural landscape of the Emirate is Jebel Jais, the highest mountain in the UAE where you can try exciting experiences such as the Jais Flight, the longest zipline in the world, or the Jais Sledder a sled that can reach 40km/h whose speed is totally controllable.
On New Year’s Eve, on the other hand, it is a must to roll your eyes to admire the spectacular fireworks that will welcome 2023 and are already destined to break new records once again. Suffice it to say that the 2022 show entered the record books with two new Guinness World Records titles for “Most remote-controlled multirotors/drones launching fireworks simultaneously” and for “Multirotor/drones fireworks show with multiple high altitude”.
Among the prefect resorts to admire this extraordinary fireworks display: Waldorf Astoria, Rixos Bab Al Bahr, Double Tree Marjan Island, Radisson Resort, Hampton by Hilton and the recently opened Mövenpick Resort .
8 Tenerife
In Tenerife the temperatures fluctuate in the month of December around a mild and pleasant 20-25 degrees. The Hard Rock Hotel Tenerife offers everyone a top experience offer at Christmas. From activities at the Roxity Kids Club on Christmas Eve for the little ones, where they will make Christmas cookies, or proposals such as designing their own Christmas cards with funny photos for teenagers.
Furthermore, on Christmas day, the highlight will be the arrival of Santa Claus in the hotel lobby, where a big party will be held with DJs and live music. In addition, children will also have fun looking for the Grinch around the hotel. Instead teenagers will be entertained with a rock experience on Tik Tok and DJ lessons.
The climax will come on the last night of the year with the celebration of the Horizons, a show in which a musical journey through time and space, in addition to gastronomy, will be the protagonists.
9 Mexico
Costa Mujeres has earned its place in recent years as one of the most idyllic places in the Mexican Caribbean, just a few kilometers from Cancun. At the Grand Palladium Costa Mujeres Resort & Spa they prepare a fun cotillion for all their customers accompanied by a special party in their theatre: live music, shows, fireworks and food.
Furthermore, at the TRS Coral Hotel – the adults-only hotel that is part of the same resort – you can enjoy special Christmas menus and live artistic performances at any time of the day.
10 Dominican Republic
Top experiences in the Caribbean? Punta Cana, a paradisiacal enclave at the tip of the Dominican Republic, is an ideal escape from the cold. TRS Turquesa Hotel, Grand Palladium Bávaro Suites Resort & Spa, Grand Palladium Punta Cana Resort & Spa and Grand Palladium Palace Resort Spa & Casino are part of a spectacular 32-hectare resort. Indeed it has seven swimming pools, tropical gardens, the idyllic Zentropia Palladium Spa & Wellness, 14 restaurants and 24 bars.
Although gastronomy is already one of the strong points of these hotels throughout the year, at Christmas and New Year’s Eve they further increase their offer with gourmet additions to both their selection of show cooking and their à la carte restaurants.
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