It’s that time of the year when the air is ambrosial with the smell of fruit cakes and wine, when friends and families come together to celebrate, and when the whole world sparkles with lights and decorations. Yes, Christmas is at our doorsteps. Here we bring you six marvelous Christmas holiday destinations around India.
Goa
With architecture reminiscent of the Portuguese days, Goa has a magnificent international crowd to make your Christmas a real traditional experience. Never miss the midnight mass at one of the Gothic style basilicas out there. Take a sip of red wine with cherry plum cake and wander around the infinite beaches. You really get a beach-side global X'mas at Goa.
Read more: 5 offbeat things to do in Goa
Pondicherry
This 'little France' in India has a genuine collection of illuminated seashore winter experiences in store for you. Tempting sea food, a no-so-cold-weather and cheaper X'mas markets make Pondicherry an incredible Christmas destination. Proactive French-Anglo Indian communities make every Christmas a memory to cherish for life.
Fort Kochi
Where else in India will you get a chirpy-spicy Christmas, if not in Kochi? Kerala, the spice bowl of the world, welcomes you to enjoy a very conventional homely Christmas. You can never miss the spicy rich Kerala food and awesomeness of the tropical weather out there. Have a blast at Kochin Carnival on New Year’s eve and return home with a handful of coastal memories.
Kolkata
Bengal's Christmas still carries a British hangover. This former capital of British government in India has a colonial taste when it comes to holding up the prestigious continental festivals. A walk down the X'mas-lit Park street with mouth full of Kolkata's seasonal winter chats can make your Christmas a season of great relish.
Read more: Five reasons to head to Kolkata during Durga Puja
Manali
If you are a Disney fan, you are going to get a total fairytale experience from a Christmas at Manali. Covered by heavy layers of snow, yet brightly lit up with X'mas lamps, winter in Manali is a spectacular experience. Hotels and tourist homes offer ethnic Kullu dance-performances. Hot and spicy homely food, chilling cold weather and loud celebrations amid all those take your winter vacation out of the world.
Read more: Twenty years of friendship, two cars and a road trip
Dadra and Nagar Haveli
Ever thought of a tribal Christmas? You might not want your Christmas to be spent in an isolated island crowd with a tribal backdrop, well, not until you visit Dadra and Nagar Haveli. Christmas celebrations are totally different from any other part of the world here, as it includes seasonal snack preparation, winter dances and community art-form gatherings. This union territory close to Gujarat and Maharashtra has a unique way of celebrating seasons. Distanced from the rush and bustle of mainstream world, the twin cities will gift you an exclusive winter experience wherein you turn into yourself to discover more of you.