Top 10 Christmas holiday destinations

We reveal the most popular destinations for those who want to escape the UK over the festive period.

Let’s face it: Christmas in the UK isn’t all mistletoe and wine. As well as the festivities, this time of year can bring sub-zero temperatures, office party embarrassment and family tension bubbling beneath the surface.

With this in mind, you might decide to drop everything this Christmas in favour of a few days away. That only leaves one question… where to go?

According to research from discount site MyVoucherCodes.co.uk, Sydney is the most popular destination for Brits planning a break this year, followed by Dubai and New York City.

This data is based on the most searched-for terms related to Christmas breaks during the past three months.

‘Getting away for the Christmas period can be incredibly tempting, particularly given how stressful the thought of too much family time can be for many,’ said Mark Pearson, Chairman of MyVoucherCodes.co.uk.

‘It’s clear that some people want to get really far away from the annual game of Trivial Pursuit this year,’ he adds.

Most popular Christmas holiday destinations

1) Sydney

2) Dubai

3) New York City

4) Paris

5) Hong Kong

6) Venice

7) Cape Town

8) Tenerife

9) Copenhagen

10) Berlin

However tempting the idea of a Christmas break might seem, these holidays don’t come cheap – especially at a time when our budgets are already stretched.

Fortunately, Santa (well, BeatThatQuote.com) has a few tips on how to cut the cost of yuletide getaways.

Avoid rip-off credit card charges

If you’re using a credit card abroad, most lenders will load charges when you withdraw cash or make a purchase – normally between 2.5% and 3%.

To cut down on these fees, it might be wise to consider a card that allows you to make fee-free transactions abroad. For instance, Halifax’s Clarity Credit Card doesn’t charge borrowers a fee to use the card or withdraw money anywhere in the world.

Get the right travel insurance policy

Whenever you’re travelling abroad, it’s wise to consider travel insurance to protect your valuables and cover the cost of any medical treatment if something goes wrong.

When it comes to holidays over the Christmas period, it’s essential to pick the right type of policy. If you’ll be taking part in any activities such as skiing or snowboarding, you might need to add winter sports cover to your policy.

Set a strict budget for presents

If you and your other half are treating yourself to a trip away over Christmas, it might be sensible to forego presents entirely.

However, you might think this approach has tipped the balance from being frugal to Scrooge-like. If you absolutely have to give presents, try imposing a spending limit or even making your own gifts. While it might sound a bit cheesy, it could force you to get creative.

Now all that’s left to do is try not to get too nostalgic for Christmas pud and reruns of Santa Claus: The Movie come 25 December when you’re sunning yourself abroad.

For more articles like this, check out The £48,940 cost of your holidays and Holiday rip-offs revealed.

**This material is for information purposes only and should not be considered financial advice. We strongly encourage our readers not to rely solely on this content, but to seek independent advice when making financial decisions.**

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