Natural phenomenons, perfect weather and local Christmas traditions make Sri Lanka, Mauritius, Svalbard, Christmas and Galápagos islands worth visiting
According to a survey by the American Psychological Association, 38 percent of people say their stress level increases during the winter holidays. A lack of time or money, the pressures of gift-giving, and family gatherings are among the top stressors.
To avoid these stressors, more and more people choose to escape the holiday hustle by travelling to an unusual destination. Smart Lemur, an authentic travel website, lists some of the best destinations for this year’s winter getaway.
- Sri Lanka, South Asia
December in Sri Lanka, an island country surrounded by the Indian Ocean, is the most pleasant time – sunny and not overcrowded with tourists. The average daily temperature for this month is 27°C.
Visitors spending Christmas here enjoy the best tea and cinnamon in the world, exchange presents on the sandy beaches, drink from coconuts and watch wild elephants. Seeing these giants from close up in their natural habitat is one of the unique attractions in Sri Lanka.
Those eager to have more traditional holiday activities, are welcome to visit the capital Colombo, offering festive markets, special dinners, live music events and dance performances.
- Mauritius, Indian Ocean
Mauritius, also called the pearl of the Indian Ocean, is a tiny island full of lavish nature, ranging from crystal-clear waters and coloured layers of sand to tropical forests and lively underwater world.
During December, air temperature is likely to reach 29°C, and travellers get to enjoy up to nine daily hours of sunshine. Lovely fuss, preparations, and Christmas songs in such weather allow visitors to experience celebrating Christmas in shorts and flip-flops.
Winter season is the time of abundant tropical fruits and splendid flame trees blooming in bright red fiery flowers. Fresh mangoes, pineapples, litchis (Lychee), Longan (Dragon Eye Fruit) and watermelons grow all around the island.
The most prominent attraction in Mauritius is swimming alongside dolphins.
- Svalbard, Norway
Svalbard is one of the northernmost settlements in the world, luring travellers who dream of Arctic Christmas.
From mid-November to late January, this Norwegian archipelago in the Arctic Ocean enters into a mystical dark season known as Polar Night. During this period, the sun is hidden from the horizon and everything is pitch-dark around the clock.
Furthermore, winter is the time to hunt the Northern Lights. Svalbard is the only permanently inhabited place on Earth where visitors can experience dayside Northern Lights.
- Christmas Island, Australia
Christmas Island is in the Indian Ocean, 1,550 km northwest from the Australian mainland.
Apart from its obvious affiliation to Christmas after being named so on December 25th in 1643, the island is rich in spectacular nature.
It is the only place on Earth to witness one of the most incredible natural processes – an annual red crab migration. Bright-coloured crabs from all over the island start marching towards the ocean, all at the same time. And it usually occurs in December.
Furthermore, with 40 seabirds per capita, Christmas Island is a regional leader in this metric. Nature lovers can meet endemic species, such as the Christmas Island frigatebird and the elegant white-tailed tropicbird.
Despite the natural wonders and sandy beaches, the destination is still under the radar, receiving just 2000 visitors a year.
- Galápagos Islands, Ecuador
The Galápagos Islands is a volcanic archipelago, famous for its diverse wildlife and jaw-dropping scenery.
December is a warm and dry season with air temperature reaching 27°C. Visitors get a chance to see rare animals like marine iguanas, sea turtles, flamingos, Masked Boobies and White-cheeked Pintails, which tend to stay away during other months.
Ecuador’s rich Christmas traditions make tourists feel part of a big family. The locals sing carols and celebrate with delicious meals like roasted turkey.
Depending
on seasonal sea ice conditions, scheduled visits in Franz Josef Land
may include Alexandra Land, Northbrook Island, Hooker Island, Rudolf
Island, Champ Island and other historic or wildlife-significant areas of
the uninhabited polar archipelago. These islands are blessed with more
than 140 days of midnight sun each summer, leaving plenty of hours in
the day for passengers to experience the scenery and wildlife while
ashore or from the deck. While winds here are too intense for most
shrubs and all trees to root, the Arctic poppy and assorted mosses
thrive, along with polar bear and birdlife. Because of a rich
biodiversity, the region is a marine mammal sanctuary with walrus,
varieties of seals and whales commonly found here.
Guests may opt for a $595 per person membership in Poseidon’s Sea Kayak Club in advance of their Sea Spirit
cruise that offers interpretive kayak expeditions to a maximum of eight
participants utilizing ultra-stable sea kayaks, led by one or more
qualified sea kayak guides. A dedicated safety Zodiac accompanies the
group who receive a comprehensive Sea Kayak Club orientation before the
first paddle and safety briefings throughout the voyage. On any given
outing participants may paddle for up to three hours, covering six
nautical (10 kilometer) miles. Levels of fitness and prior experience
are required for membership.
About Sea Spirit: Sea Spirit was built in 1991 as the Renaissance V, then sailed for a decade in Alaska and worldwide as the popular Spirit of Oceanus. She underwent technical improvements for polar cruising in 2010 and now provides expedition cruises as Sea Spirit
in both the Arctic and Antarctic environments. She offers all-suite
accommodations for up to 114 passengers, a restaurant that can
accommodate all passengers in one seating, library, the comfortable
multi-purpose presentation Oceanus Lounge for educational programming
and entertainment, and outdoor deck space for al fresco barbecues and to
enjoy the passing scenery. Activities are directed by a team of
experienced polar guides and educators, and include Zodiac excursions,
hiking ashore and optional kayaking on some itineraries, along with
informative presentations aboard. The ship’s staff-to-passenger ratio of
1:10 is one of the best in the business.
About 50 Years of Victory: Summer 2016 is the ninth consecutive year of tourism operation for 50 Years of Victory,
which is otherwise employed during the year in assisting cargo and
research vessels access hard-to-reach areas in the Russian High Arctic
and along the Northern Sea Route between the Pacific Ocean and Northern
Europe. Last October, Poseidon announced that passenger voyages to the
North Pole would continue through summer 2018. Powered by two nuclear
reactors generating 75,000 horsepower and capable of crushing a clear
path through multi-year ice up to three meters (10 feet) thick, she is
the largest and most powerful icebreaker ever built. The 525-foot 50 Years of Victory, a working vessel,
carries 128 passengers in comfortable accommodations, all with exterior
views and en suite facilities. Public spaces include a dining room; aft
salon for lectures, presentations and socializing; a bow-facing bar and
lounge; library; plus a gym, two saunas and swimming pool with heated
seawater. The ship is equipped with a modern clinic and physician.