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Winter, whether November, December, January or February, can be one of the most exciting times of the year to travel. The colder months often bring children and families, young or old, together for a Christmas vacation. As atmospheric and adventurous a snowy winter family vacation can be, we also love having the option to enter the new year in the tropics soaking up some well-deserved sun. Whether your family wishes to meet Father Christmas and his trusty helpers in Finland or warm up on the winter sun-drenched beaches of Costa Rica, we’ve curated the perfect trips for you.
Scroll down for our top winter family vacations. Alternatively, browse all of our luxury family vacations.
The most memorable Christmas vacations for families combine magical, once-in-a-lifetime experiences with thoughtful planning tailored to your family’s preferences. Popular choices include Finnish Lapland – where your children can meet Santa in his Arctic home, ride huskies through snow-dusted forests, and chase the Northern Lights – or Costa Rica, where families explore rainforests with private naturalist guides before unwinding on pristine Pacific beaches. For a traditional European Christmas, the Alpine villages of Switzerland offer horse-drawn sleigh rides, fondue by the fire, and world-class skiing. Our experts design every detail around how your family wants to feel, whether that’s adventure, togetherness, or pure relaxation.
The best luxury winter vacations for families extend beyond the festive season, offering unforgettable experiences from December through February. For snowy adventures, consider Japan – where families can ski uncrowded powder slopes, soak in private onsen baths, and discover snow monkey sanctuaries. Those seeking winter sun might escape to the Maldives for overwater villa stays with calm, child-friendly lagoons, or explore New Zealand’s summer landscapes with private guides. Whether your family craves alpine thrills or warm-weather escapes, we’ll craft an itinerary around your ideal winter experience.
New Year family vacations work best when they balance celebration with recovery time – the last thing you want is exhausted children (or parents) on January 1st. For a festive yet relaxed experience, consider the Maldives or Mauritius, where resorts host family-friendly countdown events followed by lazy beach days. Adventure-seeking families love South Africa, combining safari game drives with vineyard lunches and coastal escapes around Cape Town. For something closer to home, a luxury ranch stay in Montana or Wyoming offers horseback riding, stargazing, and cozy fireside evenings far from the crowds. We’ll plan the celebration and the downtime so your family starts the year recharged.
For luxury Christmas travel, we recommend inquiring 9–12 months ahead, especially for high-demand destinations like Lapland, the Maldives, or popular safari lodges. Prime dates (December 20–January 5) book up quickly at the best family-friendly properties. That said, we maintain strong relationships with our partners and can sometimes secure late availability for flexible families. The earlier you start the conversation, the more options we’ll have to craft your perfect trip.
Every Black Tomato trip is fully bespoke. Your dedicated expert handles all the details: flights, transfers, accommodation, private guides, and curated experiences tailored to your family’s interests and pace. For Christmas trips, that might include private Santa meetings, family cooking classes, skip-the-line access to attractions, or a personal photographer to capture the memories. We’re available throughout your journey and handle any adjustments on the ground, so you can focus entirely on being present with your family.