Christmas in the heat: carpe diem while you can escape the lockdown
Are you bored with quarantine? Do you dream of spending a warm Christmas in the company of the people you love and escaping the lockdown?
If you have completed all the movies and TV series to watch on Netflix and the idea of spending Christmas at home alone is too much for you to bear, it's time to travel! Sure, the new DPCMs have probably taken away your desire to dream of exotic places, but for now anything is still possible.
In this article:
Goodbye to going out exclusively to work, grocery shopping and indulging in just a few jogs. You have more inviting ways to enjoy the holidays. Where? How? When?
Here are destinations where you can spend your Christmas in warm weather.
Christmas in the heat even after the November 3, 2020 DPCM
The best bonuses
It has been a hard blow for everyone to find Italy divided into zones, especially for those regions that have been "colored" red and see their travel restricted and their activities closed. After such a busy year, the desire to spend one of the most important holidays in our tradition in serenity is an increasingly felt need. Therefore, I have compiled for you a list of must-visit destinations for your warm-weather Christmas (you can go as early as now, even after the November 3 DPCM!).
The following are freely permitted travel from Italy (regardless of region), to the following states:
- The member states of the European Union: Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Cyprus, Croatia, Denmark (including the Faroe Islands and Greenland), Estonia, Finland, France (including Guadeloupe, Martinique, French Guiana, Réunion, Mayotte), Germany, Greece, Ireland, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, the Netherlands (except territories outside the European continent), Poland, Portugal (not forgetting the Azores and Madeira), the Czech Republic, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain (including the Canary Islands and other territories on the African continent), Sweden, Hungary;
- The states party to the Schengen Agreement: Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway (including Svalbard and Jan Mayen Islands), Switzerland
- The United Kingdom and Northern Ireland (including Gibraltar, Channel Islands, Isle of Man, British bases in the island of Cyprus; except territories outside the European continent);
- Andorra, Principality of Monaco
- Republic of San Marino and Vatican City State.
Remember: many states apply and continue to apply restrictions to try to give the optimal situation to their tourists. So stay up to date, because as soon as they reopen you need to be ready with your tickets in hand so you don't miss the opportunity. News about the new Coronavirus vaccine is also in favor of travelers.
For now, among the hottest places where you can spend Christmas without quarantine are two islands: Madeira e Malta.
Still closed, but hopefully the French government will reopen them soon, are the islands: La Réunion, Guadeloupe, Saint-Barthélemy and Martinique. It should also not be long before the reopening of: Dominican Republic, Bahamas, Bermuda, Nicaragua, Peru, Ghana, Maldives, Bahrain, Mauritius (excluded, for now, from our DPCM). To learn more, read also: Coronavirus, where you can go on vacation outside Italy.
Credits TurismoLisboa
Feliz Natal: Christmas in the warmth of Madeira
This winter, Treat yourself to some beautiful sunny days in Madeira, an all-European tropical destination.
Discover Madeira
A volcanic island of extreme beauty, this pearl of the Atlantic gives visitors a spectacular view Of the sea from the mountains and sylvan cliffs.
Here, a mix of contrasts delightfully amazing: towering mountains and delightful beaches, historic and modern buildings, restaurants, hotels, and everything for young people, families, and solo travelers. Not to mention the beautiful capital of Madeira, Funchal.
This island in the winter time is quite pleasant, so if you want to treat yourself A warm Christmas around 20°C, is the right place. Flying by taking advantage of TAP Portugal's offers also makes it possible to take a double vacation thanks to the free stop-over that the Portuguese company offers all its passengers. In this way, one can decide to "stop-over" Up to 5 days in Porto or Lisbon before going to Madeira Or before returning to Italy.
Usually, there is enough warm weather to Swimming in the ocean and the famous lava pools located in the north of the island, such as the Natural pools of Porto Moniz and Cachalote.
Christmas: Tradition and Specialties
During this period, the streets of Madeira wear their Christmas clothes: the streetlights are covered with lights, the homes show their decorations and, inside, the owners decorate the environment with flowers and the traditional lapinhas (cribs).
To honor this holiday, residents of the city participate in the masses of the birththat, at the end of which the party begins with chants e banquets. It is a tradition to prepare some typical dishes of the Madeira Islands, such as the meat vinha d'alhos, the chicken broth, the cake e the honey cookies.
December 23 is known as Market night. All main roads lead to the farmers' market in Funchal (Mercado dos Lavradores), where people do their last Christmas shopping: fruits, flowers, fish and more. All this in an atmosphere of joy and singing.
In addition to the traditional market night in Funchal, today's additions include. market evenings in different places throughout the island: at Estreito de Câmara de Lobos, Santa Cruz, Machico, Ribeira Brava and beyond. The festivities conclude on December 31, with the magnificent fireworks display, thanks to which Madeira won the Guinness Book of Records as the world's largest show.
It is truly an unforgettable moment and the most incredible way to leave the old year behind and embrace the new one with joy and hope.
Security
Air traffic to and from Madeira is allowed, as Italy is currently off the list of countries considered at high epidemiological risk. To travel to this beautiful region of Portugal, Italian citizens from Italy must present a negative Covid-19 test, either carried out within 72 hours before departure or performed upon arrival. In this case, there is a preventive isolation until the result is obtained. Madeira's organization, has made it one of the safest European destinations for the vacation season.
In addition to these two destinations you can always Evaluate the only green region in Italy, or cruises. You can reach Malta, Greece and other destinations without ever getting off the ship.
Il-Milied it-tajjeb: escapes lockdown in Malta
The holidays are just around the corner and it is a very special time of the year. So pack your bags and enjoy Christmas in the warmth of Malta.
Discover Malta
When most people think of Malta they can't help but long for the sun, sea and beaches of this island: golden sand, red sand, rocks, blue lagoons and more await you.
It is a true paradise, suffice it to say that the capital, Valletta, has been recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage City for its historical and cultural past. The city is, par excellence, an ideal creation of the late Renaissance with its uniform urban plan, inspired by Neo-Platonist principles and its fortified and bastioned walls, shaped around the natural site.
An island all to visit, strolling the boulevards during the hot and rainy days of December, with its 14-20°C.
Christmas: Traditions and specialties
At Christmas, Malta is transformed by filling itself with fairs, festival, markets e very lively shows. On the other hand, there is no shortage of peaceful moments, so if you want a spiritual evening, congregations on the island organize singing by candlelight at Co-cathedral of St. John of La Valletta. A very special moment, evocative and able to warm the spirits.
At this time of year, the whole of Malta is filled with lights e typical traditional decorations. Among them, the following cannot be missed the cribs, both in private homes and in small chapels. You should know that in Malta visit the cribs is a popular activity, there are real exhibitions of presepju . Some are very artistic and elaborate with figures that move mechanically and a degree of detail that comes from hours of meticulous work by dedicated craftsmen.
In addition, restaurants, hotels, bars, and clubs all have their own entertainment, thus offering a wide range of things to do and see.
Security
Travel to and from Malta is authorized, and the government has established a list of destinations that identifies states and regions according to three risk bands-Green, Amber, and Red.
As for Italy, as of November 13, 2020, all travelers from Rome (from all airports), Milan (from all airports), Bologna, Naples, Perugia, Pescara, Pisa, Trieste, Turin, and Venice must comply with the Amber List band standards and submit a negative Covid test result within 72 hours prior to entering Malta. So they can safely stay together.
Have fun and the-Milied it-tajjeb!
Waiting for Paris to allow access to the French West Indies.
A Christmas in the islands of La Réunion, Guadeloupe, Saint-Barthélemy and Martinique would be the best way to end this 2020. Wonderful weather, incredible beaches, and a multicultural and exotic Christmas tradition. What more could one want?
While waiting for the French government to improve the security of its islands and reopen, we can dream a warm Christmas with a Caribbean twist. The islands of the Antilles are a mix of French, African and Asian cultures and celebrate all holidays in a unique way.
Christmas follows French traditions with a classic exotic twist: White decorative lights are wrapped around the trunks of the palm trees To give the island a festive atmosphere, midnight mass is a ritual of joy and celebration ending with a riot of typical dishes and drinks.