With more than six million Brits planning to go abroad to escape the festive frenzy this year, leading adventure travel specialist Explore Worldwide has revealed its 12 Adventures of Christmas.
*All details correct at time of publish (28 November 2025)
Inspired by a growing appetite for adventures during advent, small group travel operator Explore Worldwide has seen a 25 per cent increase in YoY bookings for travel during the holiday season, with travellers setting off to popular hotspots such as Morocco, Costa Rica and Vietnam.
Michael Edwards, Managing Director at Explore Worldwide, said: “For years now, we’ve noticed a growing trend of people travelling over the festive season, whether that’s to capture the magic of Christmas in a new way, or totally leave the traditional festivities behind.
“Our customers have clocked on that adventure travel is all year round, and for those seeking authentic and immersive experiences, Christmas can prove the perfect opportunity to do just that. So why not leave the turkey and tinsel behind this year and soak up new traditions you didn’t know existed.”
Here are the top 12 Adventures of Christmas according to Explore Worldwide customer data and in-demand destinations:
1. India – A Christmas feast for the senses
Celebrate Christmas the Indian way with a flavourful twist. From sampling Masala vada and Bonda on Explore’s Taste of Southern India trip to watching the sunrise over the Taj Mahal on the Golden Triangle tour, travellers can swap roast dinners for aromatic curries and festive fireworks.
2. Jordan – A Family favourite year after year
With its rich Christian heritage, Jordan offers a Christmas filled with meaning. Visit Madaba, the “City of Mosaics,” and gaze over the Promised Land from Mount Nebo. Families can enjoy desert camping in Wadi Rum and guided tours of Petra on the Family Jordan, Petra and Desert Adventure.
3. Costa Rica – Wildlife and Winter Sunshine
Costa Rica offers warm weather and abundant wildlife over the festive season. From spotting sloths and quetzal birds in the cloud forests on the Costa Rica Wildlife Tour to venturing across five countries on the Central American Highlights, this is a Christmas immersed in nature.
4. Vietnam – Hotspot for the active festive traveller
In Vietnam, Christmas Eve is the highlight of the festive period, celebrated with midnight masses and family gatherings. Travellers on the Cycle Saigon to Hanoi tour can experience the country from the saddle – pedalling past rice paddies, ancient towns and coastal views.
5. Morocco – A top spot for cultural immersion
A Moroccan Christmas means lively souks, local music, and evenings under the desert sky on the Best of Morocco tour. In Fes, travellers can wander the markets and visit the Royal Palace before heading into the Sahara to camp beneath the stars at Erg Chebbi.
6. North Cyprus – For the slower pace traveller during Christmas
For those seeking Europe with a difference, the Walking in North Cyprus trip offers leisurely hikes through flower-strewn trails, pine forests and castle ruins. Travellers return each evening to a comfortable hotel base, making it a relaxed yet rewarding way to spend the festive week.
7. Sri Lanka – For a family escape
Family tours in Sri Lanka see consistent festive demand. Sri Lanka is ideal for those looking for a warm-weather Christmas filled with wildlife and activity. From jeep safaris and white-water rafting to tuk-tuk rides and beachside relaxation, this island offers both excitement and ease. Families can explore with the Family Highlights of Sri Lanka trip, suitable for children aged seven and up.
8. Antarctica – A white Christmas like no other
Sail across the Drake Passage aboard the M/V Greg Mortimer and spend Christmas surrounded by icebergs, penguins and pristine wilderness. On Christmas Day, travellers can step ashore on the Antarctic Peninsula – and, for the brave, take a polar plunge in the icy waters.
9. Patagonia – A Christmas at the end of the world
Journey to the rugged tip of South America, where glaciers meet granite peaks and emerald lakes shimmer under vast skies. Hike among the jagged spires of Torres del Paine, tread the ice of Perito Moreno Glacier, and celebrate the season in true explorer style – where summer sunshine replaces snow, and adventure never melts.
10. South Africa’s Garden Route – A coastal Christmas road trip
Swap sleigh bells for surf and sunshine on South Africa’s legendary Garden Route. From Cape Town’s Table Mountain to Stellenbosch’s vineyards and Tsitsikamma’s wild coastline, each stop delivers a new slice of festive magic – elephants on safari, penguins on the beach, and wine to toast the year’s end.
11. Egypt – Christmas on the Nile
Sail through the pages of history on a festive voyage from Cairo to Luxor. Watch the sun set over the River Nile as you drift past temples and timeless villages, explore the Pyramids of Giza and the Valley of the Kings, and celebrate Christmas where ancient wonders meet eternal warmth.
12. Botswana – A wild Christmas under African skies
Trade tinsel for torchlight on a safari through Botswana’s untouched wilderness. Track elephants and big cats by day in Chobe and Moremi, then fall asleep to the sounds of the bush beneath a blanket of stars. End your adventure with a tranquil cruise along the Okavango River – a Christmas where the wild takes centre stage.
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