Unforgettable Christmas Travel Tales from Lonely Planet Experts
At Lonely Planet, we swap mince pies for passports during the holiday season. Once the gifts are wrapped, our team heads off on adventures around the world—much like Santa, minus the sleigh.
In the festive spirit, we've gathered unique Christmas stories from our travel-savvy staff, sharing their most memorable holidays abroad.
A Magical Christmas with Krampus in Austria
In 2010, I visited Vienna and Salzburg just before Christmas, creating the most enchanting holiday of my life. Heavy snowfall blanketed the country, setting the perfect scene for its vibrant Christmas markets. We savored glühwein and indulgent treats. As an American, I encountered St. Nicholas and his intimidating companion Krampus strolling Salzburg's streets together—I asked a local pretzel vendor to explain Santa's monstrous friend.
Bailey Johnson – Destination Editor for Central America and the Caribbean. Follow her on Twitter @The_Traveling_B.
Unconventional Gifts and a Christmas Safari in Malawi
In 1996, my parents and I joined my mum's cousin in Malawi for the holidays—our strangest and best Christmas yet. With limited gifts, my stocking held a toothbrush, Tic Tacs, and banana chips (local finds). Our 'tree' was a twig, no turkey in sight, but we dashed barefoot across hot sand for a lake swim and marveled at towering giraffes on safari. Unforgettable.
Ellie Simpson – Traveller Communications Analyst. Follow her on Twitter @GutsyGrad.
Crashing a Honeymoon Christmas in Thailand
Last December, my friend and I escaped Bangkok for Phuket. Checking Facebook, we spotted honeymooning friends nearby. After beachside Singha beers, we surprised them at their romantic Christmas dinner at Baan Rim Pa—perhaps not the welcome they expected at Thailand's most intimate spot. Still, reconnecting globally made it special.
Tom Stainer – Destination Editor for Iberia and Turkey. Follow him on Twitter @TomDoesTravel.
Unexpected VIPs at a Fijian Island Church
Island-hopping by catamaran in Fiji's Yasawas, we were summoned over the tannoy for an 'upgrade.' Instead, we found ourselves alone in a remote bure (traditional Fijian cabin). Plans for lounging with Fiji Gold and swimming shifted when the chef insisted we join his family for Christmas church across the headland. In the packed, sweltering chapel, we sat front-row as sweaty guests of honor for the two-hour service.
Claire Naylor – Senior Editor. Follow her on Twitter @RoadTripJones.
A Festive Fireworks Party in China
Christmas 2006 in eastern China, as an English teacher, wasn't a holiday there—just a workday. My school requested a party, so students and I sourced decorations and a fake tree from the market. We crafted paper snowflakes, donned Santa hats, and partied. Tipsy teachers let teens loose with fireworks on the dark school grounds.
Megan Eaves – Destination Editor for North Asia. Follow her on Twitter @megoizzy.
A Risky Christmas Eve Gamble in Antigua
Casinos favor the house, but poolside piña coladas and Christmas Eve fizz made me unbeatable at blackjack. Mistaking rules from my nan's penny-sweet games, I demanded a sixth card. The croupier refused; my neighbor busted, then raged—blaming me. Security intervened amid the chaos. I slunk back to my hotel, knowing nan would've let me win on Christmas Eve.
Dan Fahey – Destination Editor for Western Europe. Follow him on Twitter @FaheyDaniel.
Solo Festivities in the Indian Himalayas
In Nainital, India, Christmas felt elusive until spotting an Indian Santa by the lake. I hired a horse to a hilltop colonial hotel for dinner. Alone as the only guest, with the chef gone, the caretaker served candlelit chicken curry in a vast, empty ballroom. A quirky holiday indeed.
Joe Bindloss – Destination Editor for South Asia. Follow him on Twitter @joe_planet.
