The Best Places To Spend Christmas Abroad

We all feel obliged to spend Christmas the same way every year. Consequently, what should be a joyous, thankful holiday often becomes hard work and drudgery as we fight the crowds and crass commercialization to buy all the “things” we think will make our loved ones happy.

Here’s a fresh idea, though: How about putting some joy back into your holidays and taking your family or loved one on an invigorating trip abroad to see how Christmas is celebrated—or not—elsewhere in the world? If this concept piques your interest, read on for our favorite destinations for Christmas 2017.

The Cayman Islands
There is never not a good time to go to this tropical, sophisticated yet family-friendly tropical paradise. The weather is lovely all year round, which is perfect for those caught in the brutal, long winters of the Northern Hemisphere. Imagine basking in the warm, tropical sunlight, laying on picturesque white-sand beaches and staring at or playing in azure-blue waters instead.

There are also many sightseeing destinations for you and your love, or the entire family, and the dining options are limitless. Accordingly, you’ll be able to enjoy the Christmas meal of your dreams in an unparalleled tropical destination. What more could you ask for?

Germany
Much of modern Christmas lore and customs, such as the Christmas tree, derive from this Western European nation. Typically, the tree was brought into the home on Christmas Eve and decorated, then presents exchanged. This tradition lives on into the present for the most part in Germany and makes it a particularly festive time of year to visit. Sure, it’s a bit chilly, but there are plenty of warm beverages to enjoy, and if you’ve never experienced the Christmas markets then you must visit.

Thailand
Head to Thailand for an even more exotic Dec. 25. True, just a few percent of the Thai population consider itself Christian, but don’t be surprised to see Christmas trees all around this tropical destination in late December. The Thai love the spectacle of it, but they do not stop their lives for it. So, you will be both aware of Christmas and gloriously not overwhelmed by the commercialization of it.

There are many other reasons to visit this Southeast Asian country, not the least of which is to experience its Buddhist culture and architecture. It is home to some of the most breathtaking buildings and churches in the world, as well as amazing greenery. Oh, and the temperatures will be firmly in the 90s in December, so your friends will be jealous when you return home a bronzed god or goddess.

Regardless of where you go, remember that the holidays can be whatever you want them to be, so make them so.

Late October – Cayman Cocktail Week

There are endless reasons to visit the Cayman Islands, and most of the best known of those have to do with its spectacular natural beauty and temperate tropical weather. However, it’s also a great thing to just relax all day and celebrate all night—or at least celebrate a bit when you feel the moment.

While one should never need a reason to celebrate and enjoy a tasty cocktail, there sure is an extra reason coming up later this month. From Oct. 20 to 27, the islands celebrate Cayman Cocktail Week. The fifth anniversary of this celebration will give everyone a chance to taste the best of the Caymans in a glass. Read on for the full schedule.

Friday, Oct. 20, 2017:
The festivities kickoff at the Opening Party at Gatsby at Backroom. This classy joint will feature craft cocktails, live jazz and a little razzmatazz from 8 p.m. to 2 a.m.

Saturday, Oct. 21, 2017:
Get your lounge on at the Tanqueray Green Room at the King’s Head from 4 p.m. to 10 p.m. There, you’ll enjoy Tanqueray cocktails and loungey tunes and vibes in a setting somewhere between Snoop Dogg’s living room and an English pub.

Sunday, Oct. 22, 2017:
For those still pumping from the first two events, Sunday is all about the Bulleit BBQ Brunch at Karoo and the Bulleit Bourbon Bar. Sundays are also for rest, relaxation and, sometimes, nursing the wounds you suffered Saturday night. Luckily, Craft Food & Beverage Company is making recovery an easy proposition. From 10:30 a.m. to 3 p.m., you’ll be able to make your own Bloody Marys and Bloody Caesars from scratch while you dine on brunch and a return to the real world.

Monday, Oct. 23, 2017:
Monday night is for pure class and a trip through Italy at Il Mercantino at Anchor % Den. Buon viaggio!

Tuesday, Oct. 24, 2017:
The Caymans’ best bartenders will be competing in the Appleton Cocktail Competition at the Ritz-Carlton, and you get to taste their creations.

Wednesday, Oct. 25, 2017:
The Aqua Cocktail Dinner is all Quentin Tarantino and Pulp Fiction living. Get ready to dance!

Thursday, Oct. 26, 2017:
Agave to Glass is your chance to learn everything you wanted to know about tequila from a true tequila master.

Friday, Oct. 20, 2017:
The Don Julio Cocktail Cruise pairs the classy Dia De Los Muertos sailboat with the coolest tequila beverages for a finale to remember.

So if you are visiting the Caymans in late October, be sure to take advantage of the amazing deals on the most innovative and classic cocktails available anywhere.

1st-31st October – Cayman Restaurant Month

There are many reasons to visit the Cayman Islands, from all manner of outdoor activities and sightseeing to simply laying on the white-sand beaches and looking at the azure-blue waters. Regardless of how you spend your days, you will regularly be prepared to try new and exciting foods and restaurants that populate the Caymans, from classic European and American to the native fare. This is when you will fully come to realize how much good food there is here.

While this is the case year-round, if you are a food lover, now is really the time to go. That is because, in addition to fewer tourists jamming the islands and the weather being as temperate as it can be, October is Cayman Restaurant Month. That means that throughout the entire month, you can dine at many of the best, world-class restaurants the Caymans have to offer for as little as $10 CI for lunch and $25 CI for dinner. That works out to about $12 to $30 U.S. How is that for an inducement?

Lunch
Lunch is often a meal visitors will either skip or gloss over, catching something on the run or taking some sandwiches and snacks to the beach to tide themselves over until dinner. However, this month’s special deals mean even those on a budget can treat themselves to more restaurant dining. Cayman Restaurant Month special lunches all consist of three courses for one low price, which ranges from $10 to $20 CI.

Participating restaurants include Guy Harvey’s, Casanova’s, Agua, Ferdinand’s, Cayman Cabana, Vivo, Burger Shack, Catch, Edoardo’s, Lobster Pot, Rackam’s, The Wharf and Grand Old House.

Dinner
The great thing about dinner in the Caymans is it can be anything from a white-tablecloth, fine dining affair to a casual beachfront meal enjoyed while you’re wearing shorts and flip-flops. Either way, you can find something you love or want to try at one of the numerous eateries offering these killer menus. Prices for a fixed-price, three-course meal range from $25 to $45.

The establishments participating in the special dinner deals include Edoardo’s, Vivo, Agua, Ave at the Kimpton Resort & Spa, Casanova’s, Catch, Grand Old House, Guy Harvey’s, Lobster Pot, Cimboco, Beach House, Ristorante Pappagallo, Cayman Cabana, The Brasserie and Rackam’s.

You’ve certainly heard many times the admonition that you should not delay. Since it is already October, we respectfully recommend that you make your dreams happen now and take advantage of this once-a-year phenomenon. Your wallet, and stomach, will thank you.

For many, Thanksgiving is the most traditional of all North American holidays, a celebration unique to both Canada and the United States, albeit on different days. It strikes our hearts and emotions, as it is a time to return home, or be home, with your closest family and friends.

For some though, either because they love traveling during the holidays or are bored with celebrating the holiday the same way year in and year out, the world is their oyster. While most of the continent will barely step outside their homes on Thanksgiving, these people will be traversing the globe to experience something different.

If you’re one of those pioneering souls, read on for our list of great destinations this Thanksgiving season.

The Cayman Islands
Sure, cooking turkey and stuffing at home while a fire roars in the fireplace can be romantic and fulfilling, but maybe the reality is you’re tired of the gray, cold weather and endless crowds. Why not exchange all that for the tropical ease, bone-warming sun and calming waves of the Cayman Islands? Whether you go to lay motionless on the white, sandy beaches or fancy a more active experience conquering the myriad watersports available to you on the azure-blue waters, the Caymans are the ideal place to appreciate life and give thanks. In addition, you’ll forget all about the Thanksgiving food you eat every year when you taste the endless food choices here. Don’t want to leave the family behind? You don’t have to, as the Caymans are expressly family-friendly and offer activities for those of every age group.

New York City
If tradition is, in fact, your thing but you don’t want to experience it the same way you always do, then there is no better place to head than the Big Apple. Famous for its legendary Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, New York is full of people, holiday spirit and festive activities during this magical time of year. You’ll spend hours walking in the brisk outdoors and see things you’ve never seen. When you’re hungry, you’ll find every traditional and non-traditional Thanksgiving meal at your disposal.

New Orleans
Want to turn things a bit upside down and put fun first? Head to New Orleans, the party capital of the country, where fun is king and food and music are a close second. After all, this is the birthplace of turducken, a delicacy only New Orleans could make work. Beyond that, there are endless entertainment venues and culinary treats on every corner. What more could you ask for?

So don’t settle for the same old turkey and gravy. Plan your escape now.

The long, warm, sultry summer days may be gone where you live, but that doesn’t mean you have to sit back and take it without a fight. No, you can have those days again. In fact, they are just a click or two away.

Yes, there are places in the world where the days are perfect and time is an afterthought. Here is a list of a few of our favorites for autumn 2017. Read on and start planning your magical getaway.

Grand Cayman Island
As cool turns to cold and sunny days start being replaced with gray drabness, it is natural for your mind to wander to warm pristine beaches with refreshing tropical breezes. There are certainly a lot from which to choose, though finding the right one can make all the difference. Many are overrun with tourists or even not as beautiful as they once were. That’s why Grand Cayman Island springs to mind immediately. This tropical paradise of white, sandy beaches and azure-blue waters offers something for every traveler. Whether it’s basking in the warming, endless sun or working up a salty sweat participating in one of any number of watersports, this island has it all. When you get tired of those opportunities, you’ll have limitless dining, shopping and sightseeing destinations at your disposal. In addition, it is also the perfect place for couples and families.

Australia
Sure, it takes a bit of time to get Down Under, but this amazing, diverse country offers it all. From the cosmopolitan cities of Melbourne and Sydney to historic and coastal Adelaide, Brisbane and Perth to the mind-bending Outback to world-class wine country, your visit here will be unforgettable. Don’t forget, also, that while the Northern Hemisphere’s temperatures are plummeting, things are just getting warmed up in the Southern Hemisphere, making an autumn visit here even more desirable.

Hawaii
Is there ever a bad time to visit this diverse, picturesque, tropical paradise? No, but there are some times that are better than others, and autumn ranks high on that list. Because there are so many reasons to visit this island-chain state, from sunning and surfing to volcano trolling and coffee-plantation touring, Hawaii can be overrun with tourists at times. Not so in the autumn, when crowds thin and prices dip, meaning you can get there for less and have more of Hawaii to yourself. Need any more convincing?

As you can see, now is the perfect time to put one of these amazing destinations, or any other, in your upcoming travel plans.