Top Holiday Picks

Zicasso Top Holiday Picks: Best destinations for festive & unique holiday season travel

Want to travel somewhere special this holiday season, but have found that hotels are either already booked solid or have doubled the price for the holidays while air tickets are off the charts? (Gosh – it’s still months before the holiday season!)

Zicasso surveyed our distinguished travel specialists for their recommendations on 2008 holiday season travel. We asked for the following selection criteria: 1) Destinations must offer unique experiences and are not overly crowded; 2) Air tickets, hotels, and tours are still available at reasonably good value. The top holiday picks came in two groups.

Festive European Christmas and New Year vacations

Did you know that the Christmas Market was started in Germany in 1384 and that the Christmas tree was invented by the French in 1605? Be filled with Old World Christmas traditions and charm…festive decorations everywhere, mulled wine, delicious gingerbread houses... Plus, traveling in Europe during the holiday season can save travelers up to 20% compared to the summer high season. More festivities, more value, less crowds.

Once in a lifetime unique holiday vacations

Toying with the idea of an African Safari? How about spending Christmas eve in an exciting South African game reserve? Tired of the same beach resorts in Hawaii? How about a relaxing, but exotic vacation in Papua New Guinea or Samoa? Or consider shopping at the colorful bustling Marrakesh bazaars in Morocco and admiring Petra, the wonder of Jordan. For the more adventurous, how about trekking in Argentina’s Patagonia? The holiday picks here give truly unique experiences this holiday season...and a lifetime of memories.

Germany, Austria, Switzerland, France, Spain and the U.K.

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A 8 day trip to France Germany

Enjoy the beautiful and lively Christmas markets. Taste the traditional cuisine. Collect all the Christmas decorations you can dream of! The justly popular Kripperlmarkt, one of the largest in Germany to specialise in cribs and other Nativity accessories, is a short walk away on nearby Rindermarkt. There is alpine Christmas music live from the town hall balcony every day. The "heaven workshop" offers creative activities for children free of charge.

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A 8 day trip to Austria Germany Switzerland

Visit 5 Christmas Markets in the German and Austrian Alpine region. Drive along Danube Valley, through the Tyrol region, over the Austrian Alps. Time for optional cruise on Lake Lucerne. Walk into a Winter Wonderland at the Magic of Advent in Vienna. Become enchanted by the breathtaking view of the soft glow of the lanterns from the trees decorated with red hearts and angels in the park leading up to the Vienna City Hall. Visit Salzburg - the backdrop in the famous movie, "The Sound of Music," and the home of Mozart.

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A 7 day trip to Austria Germany

Explore traditional European Christmas markets throughout the Alpine Region. Six nights in one hotel in Innsbruck allows you more time to shop and explore. Shop for the famous woodcarvings of Oberammergau, home to the original Passion Play. Explore picturesque Salzburg on a leisurely walking tour. The city of Innsbruck lies at the very heart of the Austrian Alps and is the only major city in the Alps. Innsbruck celebrates with more than a month of activities centered around the Old Town's Christmas Market. The market offers all manner of events including daily woodwind concerts and a live action nativity scene. Children will enjoy craft activities, puppet shows and many other activities. Most events are free.

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A 8 day trip to Germany

GERMANY is without any doubt one of the best countries to experience the Christmas time - home of the original Christmas market from the 14th century. All the centres of the cities are specially decorated with lights and nice wood garments, in the central squares you can find lots of small shops where you can find unique Christmas presents. You can also try the local Glüwein (warm wine with sugar: careful!! Too sweet and warm, easy to lose your head), or the famous German sausages in a festive atmosphere with alive music, and most probably plenty of snow. Definitively you won’t find a better time to experience the magic of a country and get close to the Germans as in this moment.

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A 8 day trip to France United Kingdom

What better way to spend Christmas Eve than in France, the country where the Christmas tree and the manger was invented. The long and sacred traditions are strong with hundreds of people attending midnight mass in the Cathedrals of France, which are brightly lit with candles and filled the songs of Christmas carols and hymns. After midnight mass, families join together for a late-night feast known as the Reveillon de Noel. Each region in France has unique dinner specialties served for this Christmas meal that can only be described as scrumptious! Both London and Paris will have all streets nicely decorates with thousands of lights and street small shops where any kind of unique presents can be bought. Children singing along the streets, special musical programs in churches (most of them open to the public for free) greet warmly visitors from all over the world. Trafalgar Square in London or Champs Elysees in Paris will get ready for this occasion for thousands of locals and visitors, who will welcome the New Year with lots of champagne bottles! Its time to celebrate!

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A 4 day trip to Poland

Tour of Warsaw, Walk along the Royal Route, Enjoy a Fredric Chopin concert, Visit the Ethnographical Museum, Drive to the Old Town to see the Christmas Market, Full day excursion to Mazovian countryside, Listen to Polish Carols.

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A 4 day trip to Poland

Walk to the Old Town Market Square, A traditional Christmas dinner in the Old town, Full day excursion of Zakopane, Dinner with folklore entertainment, Experience the wooden architecture of the Poligh Highlanders, Visit Market Square and the Christmas Market, Experience the Christmas tradition of the famous cribs competition, Visit the largest Cracow Shopping mall.

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A 10 day trip to Spain

Experience Christmas traditions in Spain such as New Year´s Eve twelve grapes of luck, Nativity Scenes, Three Wise Kings Parade, exquisite gastronomy.
This is a trip for everybody, families and specially children enjoy this magic and colorful feast. Adults will love the special dinners and parties running all over Madrid on New Year´s Eve and 5th of january nights (Three Wise Kings Day)

Other festive trips for the holiday season

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A 5 day trip to Poland

Polish and international operas:
Madame de Butterfly, Halka, Don Kichot,
Nabucco & Lucia di Lammermoor

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A 5 day trip to Poland

World-famous operas & ballet:
The Swan Lake, La Boheme, Barbiere di Seviglia & Traviata

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A 5 day trip to Poland

Walk along Warsaw's Old Town, Have dinner overlooking Market Square, Evening Concert at Warsaw, Half day tour of Warsaw, Early Afternoon Private Chopin concert, Visit Nieborow, Drive to Zelazowa Wola, Morning tour of the Royal Castle.

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A 10 day trip to Argentina Chile

This trip features Santiago and the surrounding vineyards. Generally speaking, November to March is the best time to visit the wineries, so the Holiday season is perfect! And Santiago is still an upcoming tourist city so it is usually easy to find affordable flights and accommodations. Then the travelers go to Buenos Aires, which also has perfect weather during this time. They do a city tour, Fiesta Gacho with the Argentine cowboys, and end with dinner and a tango show.

South Africa

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A 14 day trip to Botswana Mozambique Namibia South Africa Zambia Zimbabwe

Cape Peninsula Tour, Seal island, Penguins, Cape Point, Robben Island Tour, Cable Car up Table Mountain, Kirstenbosch Gardens, Bo-Kaap Cape Malay Area, Uthando Philanthropic Tours, Great White Shark viewing,Wine & Gourmet tour in Winelands with wine expert, Spa, Wildlife Safari, Cheetah rehabilitation center.

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A 11 day trip to South Africa

5 Nights in Cape Town, 1 Night in Franschhoek, 3 Nights in Lion Sands, 3 Nights at Marling Lodge

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A 13 day trip to Mozambique South Africa Zambia

We invite you on an unforgettable traveling experience to destinations with wide cultural, wildlife, and scenic diversity from which you get to hand pick what you would like to see and do. For the safari, our mission is to bestow the rawness of an Africa Safari upon you so that you can absorb it in its endless forms. It is a journey we believe will surpass your every expectation.

4 nights in Cape Town, 3 nights at the Thorntree River Lodge, Victoria Falls, 3 nights safari Tanda Tula, and 3 nights in Mozambique's Bazaruto island

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A 7 day trip to South Africa

Sightseeing in and around the beautiful Cape Town, South African wine tasting in Stellenbosch, and safari at the prestigious 4 star Aquila Private Game Reserve

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A 10 day trip to South Africa

Sightseeing in and around the beautiful Cape Town, South African wine tasting in Stellenbosch, Big 5 safari at the prestigious 4 star Aquila Private Game Reserve and Rhino Walking Safaris

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A 5 day trip to South Africa

Experience 100 Years of Safari History...Each morning and evening you will depart from this luxury safari lodge into the wilderness, either by open Land Rover or on foot for a walking safari, accompanied by your armed and knowledgeable Game Ranger and Shangaan Tracker. Close enough to share in a thrilling encounter with Africa's beautiful wild creatures.

Morocco

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A 7 day trip to Morocco

As its name suggests, this 7-day Morrocco Explorer trip allows you plenty of time to explore all that Morocco has to offer and gives you an introduction into its rich history, culture, and people. Spend your nights in Fez and Marrakech in the cities unique boutique hotels.

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A 9 day trip to Morocco

See Morocco by an air-conditioned 4x4 - a great way to view the beautiful and famous Atlas Mountains and Morocco's unbelievable landscapes. Spend a night in the Sahara under a nomadic tent, trek a mountain range, visit the many famous Kasbahs, see the gorges of the Atlas Mountains, watch the sunrise and sunset over the sand dunes of the Sahara and much more!

Truly unique and unforgettable experience!

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A 9 day trip to Morocco

2 nights in Casablanca, 1 night in Rabat, 2 nights in Fez, and 2 nights in Marrakech

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A 9 day trip to Morocco

Discover the true spirit of Morocco... Located in the historical city centers of Morocco, Riads are ancient palaces and private residences that once belonged to Sultan princes, aristocrats and noble families. Nestled in the labyrinths of medinas, these residences have been transformed into Luxury Bed & Breakfast and boutique hotels, inviting travelers to experience Morocco in an entirely new manner.

South Pacific islands with great beaches and authentic culture

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A 6 day trip to Samoa

*Personal welcome on arrival
*All transfers and baggage handling
*2 nights Apia Town
*3 nights Upolu Island
*Half-day Apia sightseeing by private car

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A 5 day trip to Tonga

*Personal welcome with lei on arrival
*All transfers and baggage handling
*2 nights Tongatapu
*2 nights ’Atata Island
*Half-day Western Islands tour by private car

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A 5 day trip to Papua New Guinea

This trip is a cultural experience to Papua New Guinea that includes trekking through the beautiful riverside landscape in the Southern Baliem Valley and being an observer of a traditional mock-battle among tribal leaders.