No matter where you live, if you want to witness the best Christmas town USA has it all to create magic in your life. However, there are some locations where the magic of the holidays is elevated to a whole new level.
Imagine snow-capped trees, a main street lined with sparkling lights, quaintly furnished historic houses, inns, carriage rides, carolers—the whole nine yards. The best American Christmas towns have a feel akin to Hallmark Christmas movies. In fact, these towns host many of these movies.
Our list of the merriest towns in America includes Europe-inspired destinations like Leavenworth, Solvang, Washington, and California.
There are several cities with Christmas as their main draw, like North Pole, Alaska, and Santa Claus, Indiana. And there are scenic New England villages, like Connecticut, Essex, Massachusetts, and Stockbridge.
Admire breathtaking displays of Christmas lights from coast to coast, visit regional holiday markets, and cuddle up by a fire. Let’s go, ho, ho ho!
Grab your coziest scarf and head to one of these jolly, holly towns if you’re a die-hard Christmas enthusiast or just enjoy a little Yuletide cheer. These delightful Christmas towns will leave you with a winter hangover you wouldn’t want to get rid of.
This quaint southern California city with Danish influences is less than an hour from Santa Barbara. It brings the ‘hygge’ for its annual Julefest, even in the absence of snow. The month-long Christmas celebration features a proper Santa’s Village, where pictures with Santa are free of charge. It also has a Julefest parade with marching bands.
The festivities begin with a tree-lighting ceremony in early December, complete with caroling, ballet performances, and Santa himself. However, the real reason to visit is for the city Christmas hunt for gnomes.
It is based on the Nordic legend of nisse or Christmas elves (you win a prize if you do find one). If the holiday gnomes piqued your interest, you can also learn more about Solvang and Danish yuletide customs by taking a candlelit tour.
You can find Santa almost anywhere. You could even visit your neighborhood mall if necessary. But he welcomes visitors to North Pole, Alaska, throughout the year. You wonder, is this really Santa’s home?
Not quite, given that the actual geographic North Pole is 1,700 miles away. You can’t, however, fault the small city’s spirit throughout the year.
The city itself plays up its name is decorated with candy cane-striped light posts and has street names such as Snowman Lane and Kris Kringle Drive. But the main attraction here is The Santa Claus House. Here, you can meet Santa and his reindeer.
The local post office receives hundreds of thousands of letters to Santa. To add a special touch to your holiday correspondence, send letters to friends and family with a North Pole postmark.
You can tell this little Indiana town takes Christmas very seriously just by looking at its name. The town of Santa Claus is festive throughout the year. There is a Holiday World theme park, which features rides like Rudolph’s Roundup and Reindeer Games.
It also features a Santa’s Candy Castle. It is a confectionery that sells rare candies and handcrafted goods. Every year, thousands of letters from children are received by the local post office, and each letter is answered by volunteer elves.
There are Christmas fireworks, rides with reindeer, and the 1.2-mile drive-through Santa Claus Land of Lights. It narrates the tale of Rudolph, which adds to the festive atmosphere once the holiday season officially starts.
For Christmas, why not take a trip to a real winter wonderland? Beautiful Park City is in the lap of the mountains. December has a lot of Christmas activities, including sleigh rides, holiday markets, and a torchlight parade on Christmas Eve. Skiers and snowboarders descend the mountain with torches in hand to guide Santa into town.
Look no further than Stockbridge if you’re searching for an American Christmas that looks like it belongs in a Norman Rockwell painting. The Massachusetts town travels back in time to recreate Stockbridge Main Street in Rockwell’s time, complete with vintage cars lining the street that closes to traffic during the holiday season.
The original painting is on display at the Norman Rockwell Museum in the town. In addition, the historic Red Lion Inn (which has a cozy fireplace to warm your hands and toes) is hosting a holiday concert on its porch featuring over a hundred carol singers, as well as a holiday marketplace at the Berkshire Botanical Gardens.
Bardstown, dubbed “the most beautiful small town in America,” offers plenty of seasonal greetings along with southern hospitality. Light Up Bardstown: A Holiday Road Trip on Main Street is a winter wonderland from November to the end of the year, when a variety of houses and establishments are illuminated.
Additionally, you can ride the North Pole Express, enjoy a musical, interactive rendition of A Christmas Carol at My Old Kentucky Home, or watch a Christmas parade complete with floats and bands. Take a special candlelight tour at the Maker’s Mark Distillery to experience a different kind of holiday cheer.
Inside the town of New Braunfels, this once-thriving historic district is home to a two-stepping Texas Christmas. Take pictures with Cowboy Kringle, Gruene’s unique take on Father Christmas. Or watch the yearly Pony Express Ride, a well-liked holiday custom in which a cavalcade of horses carries a greeting of good cheer from the governor of the state right through town. And then head to Gruene Hall, Texas’s oldest dance hall, for a calendar full of holiday performances.
The Yule Log Parade, which was started in 1949, is one of the oldest Christmas customs that are still observed in McAdenville. Three townspeople come together to march through the historic district on Main Street and end at Legacy Park’s Memorial Yule Log Fireplace. This Yule Log is lit on fire to start the celebration. A high school marching band and evening carolers are featured in the parade.
Christmas lights adorn downtown McAdenville every evening from 5:30 to 10:00 p.m. It transforms into a charming winter wonderland that both locals and tourists can enjoy. There is plenty of time to take in the sights of the winter wonderland.
Christmas light exhibit typically runs from December 1 through December 26. You can drive by and enjoy the historic area in their car or stroll around the Main Street shops. It is festooned with hundreds of thousands of lights.
Wrapping Up
So these were the suggestions for short trips where you can unwind, shop for Christmas, or just hang out and relax. That is regardless of your preference for the sun, snow, or east or west coast.
Each of these locations has unique small-town charm, picturesque landscapes, and charming inns. So you are sure to find the perfect fit for your travel preferences. Make it a point to spend a long weekend relaxing in one of the best top Christmas towns USA this year. There can’t be anyway to welcome the spirit of Christmas.
Sarmind is a Writer and an aspiring Editor who has experience in various short and long-form niches. Her academic pursuits intensely mold her industry background in content creation. She holds a Master's degree in Literature, and when not writing for professional purposes, she can be found re-reading old classics of Jane Austen and the Brontë sisters. She is super fond of cats and enjoys hours of doom-scrolling through memes on social media while cuddled up with a cup of desi chai. She likes to think she is an intellectual badass (colloquial: nerdy bore), and now all she needs is a sewing kit to complete the look!
“All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy” is a saying commonly used to inspire people to take time off their daily routine and refresh frequently. Taking a vacation is essential both mentally and physically. One good idea for a vacation is hiring a boat. This is something that’s becoming common, hence increasing demand for boat charter services and companies.
Boat hiring companies offer comparable services making it quite hard for one to pick the ideal boat charter company. Nevertheless, there are various things that you can always keep in mind when hiring a boat charter service. The following factors help you select the best boat charter service.
Choose the Boat’s Size Carefully
Most people pick a boat based on the number of people cruising. Others choose a big boat just for fun and experience. Nonetheless, the size of the boat should depend on where you intend to take it. For example, if your trip is going upriver, pick a sizeable boat to fit on the watercourses you will be navigating.
Stick to Your Budget
Setting a budget is the only way to stay on track if you intend to save money on anything. Prices broadly differ from one boat leasing company to the other. Therefore, always research the cost of hiring a boat in Sydney before approaching a boat renting company.
Moreover, the more options you have to select from, the better you can get the perfect boat for your needs.
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Double-Check the Boat’s Conditions
Numerous boat hiring companies come with a list to tick before leaving with their boat. The list checks the boat’s condition to ensure that you return it in the same state you left it with. You might be liable to pay any serious damage upon any.
Therefore, it is vital to check the boat’s condition in the presence of the company’s staff members to ensure that nothing is missing.
Think About a Web Search
There are plentiful boats hiring companies in the world. The best way to look for one that meets your needs is to perform a Google search. Also, you can opt to contact the local tourism department to avoid quack websites.
Sort through search results and read customer reviews and testimonials to pick the best boat hire Sydney company.
Consider the Occasion
Boat parties are limitless whether you want one for two people or a large gathering. For example, planning a wedding or birthday party requires a big boat to accommodate all your guests and their needs.
Other things to consider before hiring a boat include dining and catering facilities, enough washrooms, and ample space to mingle with your folks. Unless your pocket is loaded, always plan for a small intimate occasion if you want an occasion full of fun.
Conclusion
When it comes to hiring a boat, it may take more effort before you realize you have gotten yourself the right boat. Also, one of the best ways to evade the hassle of hiring a boat is to get an event manager to help plan your celebrations. The professional will take care of your needs as you concentrate on having fun.
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You probably heard a lot about life insurance, car insurance, and home insurance. In case you don’t know, there’s another type of insurance that can protect you and your personal items during travels—travel insurance.
Keep on reading to learn more about this insurance policy and how can you benefit from it.
What Is Travel Insurance?
As the name suggests, travel insurance is a plan that covers the financial risks and losses associated with travelling, either domestically or abroad. Examples of such risks include delayed flights or luggage, lost or damaged luggage, flight cancellations, and medical emergencies.
Here are a few things you should know about travel insurance:
It’s not a one-size-fits-all product. Travel insurance policies have varied benefits, stated exclusions, and limitations. Typically, plans don’t cover everything you might do or experience when you travel, including:
Seeking medical treatment outside the home country
Travelling to countries included in the “Do Not Travel list”
Extreme sports where the chance of death or injury is high
Pre-existing medical condition and pregnancy-related conditions
Any behaviour under the influence of alcohol or unprescribed drugs
Circumstantial exclusions, such as war, military actions, riots, and more
It can’t cover every possible situation. Trip insurance covers losses due to global health emergencies and natural disasters, given that you purchase before such events occur. Most policies also don’t cover lodging or accommodation snafus, ticket scams, overbooked flights, and many other things.
3 Reasons to Insure Your Next Trip
Many people see travel insurance as an unnecessary expense. The truth is, it’s as essential as life insurance. The only difference is that it protects you from the possible uncertainties—be they accidental death or injury, lost or stolen luggage, trip cancellation, and more—while you’re on your travels.
Let’s break down the reasons to ensure your next trip:
1. Travel Worry- and Hassle-free:
Travelling is good for mental health. It helps you take a break from stressful situations, reflect on your personal goals or interests, and feel more relaxed and content, among other benefits.
While travelling is a good stress-reliever, it can pose various risks to health and safety, depending on both the characteristics of the traveller and on the type of travel. For instance, you may get sick due to the sudden change in temperature or get injured during the vacation.
Such medical emergencies can spoil your much-awaited holiday fun. What’s worse is that the money allocated for your vacation will be used to pay for medical expenses.
But if you were sensible and weighed up the pros and cons of various providers in order to get travel insurance that works for you, then you won’t have to worry about dealing with emergencies while travelling. Most travel insurance policies cover doctor and hospital expenses and work in conjunction with your health insurance, it's just about what extras you may or may not need depending on where you're travelling.
Not all health insurance plans provide full coverage in foreign countries. In fact, some health plans provide no coverage at all. A trip insurance plan, on the other hand, can cover you for accidents and emergency medical care when you travel in any part of the globe.
2. Protect Your Personal Belongings:
Have you ever lost a phone or other personal stuff during a trip? Believe it or not, you’re not alone. According to the 2015 Statista survey, U.S. travellers have had their items (i.e., smartphones, credit card, debit card, license and passport) lost or stolen while travelling.
The likelihood of losing personal items during a trip is high as sending a text message to the wrong person. Why is that so? It’s because we, people, get distracted when we’re at the height of our emotions. We lose sight of the bigger picture because we’re too focused on one thing—either composing a text or having fun under the sun.
Thankfully, travel insurance assures you that your personal belongings remain protected, even when they went astray. The insurer can help pay for replacement items when your stuff is lost or stolen, provided that you didn’t leave your items unsupervised or unattended.
Below are a few instances that most trip insurance plans cover:
The rental car damage or loss. Comprehensive travel insurance plans have an add-on option for rental car collision coverage if the rental car is damaged in an accident.
Baggage damage. Should your baggage become damaged in transit or airline, your insurance policy will help you get compensation for this.
Luggage delay. If your luggage is delayed, you can be refunded up to the policy’s benefit limit to purchase essential items you need while waiting for your bags to arrive.
3. Manage Trip or Flight Interruptions:
Are you the type of traveller who gets concerned about your trip being cancelled and other interruptions, like losing your entire vacation investment or remaining travel arrangements due to certain reasons? If yes, then you need a trip insurance plan.
Unforeseen circumstances may happen. For example, your family member gets sick, and you have to make last-minute cancellations, or an emergency occurred that you have no choice but to cut your vacation short.
Here’s the good news. Travel insurance can provide reimbursement for trip cancellation as long as the reason for cancellation is covered by your policy. The most common covered reasons include:
Illness, injury, or death of you, a travelling companion or a family member
Inclement weather preventing you from reaching your destination
Sudden terrorist attack or strike at your destination
Travel with Peace of Mind:
Whether you’re planning a short get-away or a long trip abroad, never hesitate to insure your travel. Getting a travel insurance plan can give you peace of mind and let you enjoy your ultimate break from the hustle and bustle of the city.
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With overseas travel off the cards for the time being, why not consider an Aussie holiday in 2022. Not only it is our country home, but it is also as well the most beautiful holiday destination in the world with some of the best accommodation, such as the great ocean road stay hotels. You can also get pretty good deals due to the lack of travel occurs. As long as Covid restrictions aren’t in place for these destinations, they represent some of the best trips you can take in 2022.
Here are some best Auatralian vacation ideas.
Australian Travel Ideas for 2022
Australia is an amazing place and is considered to be one of the best places in the world for making a trip there. the wildlife, will amaze you, just like the beaches and the rare species of plants. Australia is home to rare speices, to enjoy seeing something that you don't in everday life, keep reading the article till the end.
Kangaroo Island:
Kangaroo Island is just off the coast of South Australia and is one of Australia’s untouched gems. With pristine beaches, incredible bush walks and plenty of local food and drink, there’s something for everyone of every age. Kangaroo Island is great for nature lovers, with plenty of local fauna around, and even wildlife sanctuaries if you want to get up-close and personal with a few critters. There are also plenty of places to stay, from villas on the bay kingscote to hotels in nearby Adelaide. The whole family would love a visit to Kangaroo Island.
Murray River Cruise:
While we’re in South Australia, let’s not forget the incredible Murray River cruise. It’s an iconic journey every Aussie should take once in their life, so why not now? Two of the vessels, The Murray Princess and the Proud Mary depart from Mannum in South Australia, so you can even add it on before or after your Kangaroo Island trip. There’s no better time to explore Australia’s longest inland waterway on a trip you simply have the best Australia vacations ideas to experience.
Kakadu National Park:
Kakadu in the Northern Territory is one of those Aussie adventures most people wish they were able to do. Well, the beauty is, you can absolutely do it. You don’t need to go completely off-road to enjoy Kakadu, because there are plenty of accommodation options in the area. It’s a cultural and adventurous trip, and the weather is hot all-year-round. There’s also plenty of fun for the kids, with the Leanyer Water Park and a range of natural waterfalls and family-friendly swimming holes.
The Great Barrier Reef:
If you’re heading to tropical North Queensland, don’t leave the Barrier Reef off your list. Truth be told, there is so much to do in Far North Queensland, such as visiting the Daintree Rainforest or checking out the stunning Port Douglas. But by far one of the greatest experiences is the Great Barrier Reef. With crystal clear waters, beautiful coral, and an abundance of brilliant sea life, it’s something you just have to see for yourself. The Whitsunday Islands are nearby too, offering some great accommodation options that you’ll never forget.
Coffs Harbour:
While not as world-renowned as some of the others on this list Coffs Harbour is a truly beautiful spot. It’s perfect for a getaway with family, friends, or even by yourself! You can fly there, or drive easily from Sydney or Brisbane. That’s what makes it a great little add-on to any coastal holiday. There’s a marine park there too, which the kids will absolutely love – and so will the adults! You can meet some lea lions and dolphins, and spend plenty of time relaxing on the beautiful beaches in the area.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q1: Is Australia now, quarantine-free?
A: Australian citizens and residents can now travel anywhere without obeying the quarantine restriction, but that depends on the arrival from one of the eight Southern African countries.
This allowance is at the national level, as not all regions are allowing international travel.
Q2: Can I travel to Australia now?
A: Only, vaccinated Australians and permanent residents are allowed to move in and out of the country.
Q3: Is a tourist visa is open for Australia now?
A: It is possible to apply for a visa to visit Australia, but you won’t be allowed inside the country.
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