Features

Top 10 last-minute Christmas getaways

30 Nov 2013 by Clement Huang

Going anywhere at Christmas is usually a bit of a mission, especially for the spontaneous (read: disorganised) last-minute travellers among us. Everyone and their mother is on the move – long-haul flights are fully booked months in advance and regional sun-soaked hot spots are teeming to the brim. But for the adventurous spirit, there are some out-of-the-wrapped-up-box destinations that remain up for grabs, right up until the season’s advent. But forget trying to score a flight back to popular destinations such as Europe and the US this late in the game.

“Flights to Europe, Australia or North America will be chockablock, since expats returning from Asia will have booked these well in advance,” says Matet Lester of Flight Centre travel agents. “So there’s no point going there, or anywhere via there.”

“Cape Town and Johannesburg, however, have good connectivity and will not be as fully booked,” she adds. This leaves swathes of Africa wide open for those who are partial to a wilder xmas. Also, it’s summer below the equator and is the perfect time to go. 

Although visas can take a while, India is an attractive Christmas alternative for many reasons. “In terms of the weather, it’s a good time of year to go to India, flight availability is pretty good and they don’t celebrate it, so it shouldn’t be a problem to get a room for a reasonable price.”

Regional, lesser-known locations are also an attractive option, since the masses will have been diverted to the usual hot spots. Although less frequented, such destinations can have just as much experiential value at a lower price tag. “Chiang Mai and Chiang Rai are both wide open. I guess it’s because the mainstays such as Phuket, Bangkok, Hua Hin and Krabi are the go-tos,” says Lester.

With these factors in mind, Business Traveller has compiled a list of the top 10 last-minute festive locations still available, to offer you a number of options for an alternative xmas outing.

Cape Town, South Africa 

Why it’s still available: Most Christmas travellers are flocking to Europe and the US – so why not head to Cape Town, where flights via Johannesburg are still up for grabs?

What’s good about it: The variety! You can go wine tasting along the Constantia route, seal spotting around Duiker Island and visit Mandela’s cell on Robben Island. A trip up the iconic Table Mountain is also a must – there are a number of treks and a cable car for which tickets become half price after 6pm. Get up there for sunset, which is about 745pm in December – the height of South African summer. Camps Bay Beach is also stunning, and an ideal place for sundowners.

Xmas X-factor: Spend Christmas face-to-face with a shark – cage diving with these ocean beasts is a popular activity in South Africa, and would certainly add adventure to the advent celebrations!

How to get there: South African Airways (SAA) has the best availability at the moment, and flies daily from several Asian destinations to Johannesburg and then onwards to Cape Town.

Hotels: The Westin Cape Town, The Commodore Hotel and Taj Cape Town still have rooms.

Visa: Many countries are exempt from visas, including Australia, Japan, Singapore, UK and US national passport holders. Check the South African government website for details.


Victoria Falls, Zambia

Why it’s still available: There are some seats left via Johannesburg, but they’re going fast…

What’s good about it: It’s a wildlife lover’s wonderland. Visit the awe-inspiring Victoria Falls on the Zambezi River and one of the over 20 national parks in the country. Of them, Mosi-oa-Tunya is the closest to the falls – there are giraffes, zebras and impalas here – and entry is approximately US$10 per person per day.

Xmas X-factor: Champagne by one of the world’s largest cascading curtains of water is sure to get those celebratory feelings flowing.

How to get there: The best access is through Victoria Falls Airport on the Zimbabwe side, but if you want to avoid the border crossing, fly into Harry Mwanga Nkumbula International Airport in Zambia. Both are reachable via Johannesburg with SAA, Cathay Pacific (CX) and Singapore Airlines (SIA).

Hotels: The Royal Livingstone Victoria Falls Zambia and Zambezi Sun Victoria Falls Hotel are both outstanding, close to the falls and park, and have vacant rooms.

Visa: Indian and Chinese nationals require prior visa application to enter Zambia, but Singaporeans, Malaysians and Irish passport holders require no visa, while Japanese, Australians, English, South Koreans, Swedish and Cambodians can obtain a visa on arrival.


Zanzibar and Mount Kilimanjaro, Tanzania 

Why it’s still available: The African connection, as mentioned above.

What’s good about it: Experience some of Zanzibar’s exotic cuisine, cultivated from the expansive spice fields harvesting everything from cloves and vanilla to nutmeg and cinnamon. The destination also offers beaches, Turkish baths, and quaint winding streets with colonial architecture. Mount Kilimanjaro, the “rooftop of Africa”, meanwhile, stands at 5,896 metres and is the tallest freestanding mountain in the world, and truly a sight to behold. December also offers some of the clearest and warmest conditions. 

Xmas X-factor: Those fit enough can take the holiday to new heights and try their hand at scaling the summit; it takes from five to nine days round trip depending on the route chosen.

How to get there: You can fly via the Middle East, either with Emirates through Dubai or Doha with Qatar Airways, then to Dar es Salaam in Tanzania. Qatar also flies between Doha and Kilimanjaro. SAA, meanwhile, flies to Dar es Salaam via Johannesburg twice a day.

Hotels: Doubletree Resort by Hilton Hotel Zanzibar – Nungwi, Bluebay Beach Resort & Spa and Sal Salinero Hotel Kilimanjaro have rooms ready to welcome you.

Visa: Those from Hong Kong, Malaysia and some African countries including Ghana and Gambia don’t require a visa, while people from other nations should leave four days for processing.

 

Hue, Vietnam 

Why it’s still available: Because this ancient city is less frequented than Vietnam’s hotspots of Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City and Danang.

What’s good about it: The imperial capital envelops visitors in a charming historical ambience. Ruins, tombs and ancient palaces abound – having survived the war with some battle wounds – and give the town its distinct character. Take a stroll along the atmospheric Perfume River to take in a cultural cross section of the city. 

Xmas X-factor: Experience a regal Christmas Day in Hue Imperial City, which features a walled fortress and palace, or Thai Hoa Palace, an ornate hall where the emperor once held state receptions and court ceremonies.

How to get there: Vietnam Airlines flies from many Asian cities to both Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, as do many other major Asian carriers. The national carrier then flies from the capital to Hue four times a day and between Hue and HCMC between three and five times a day (combined with codeshare partner CX).

Hotels: Ana Mandara Hue, Hotel Saigon Morin and Imperial Hue Hotel all still have availability.

Visa: Nationals from Singapore, Thailand, Malaysia, The Philippines, Laos, Indonesia, Japan, South Korea, Sweden, Finland, Denmark and Norway don’t require a visa for Vietnam. For others, it can take up to four days and it costs around US$20.


Jaipur, India

Why it’s still available: Christmas isn’t huge in India, and there’s plenty of connectivity through Delhi and Mumbai from the rest of Asia. 

What’s good about it: The age-old charm of this scenic, “pink city” exudes a romantic and magical air. The City Palace complex – once the seat of the Maharaja of Jaipur – and magnificent Albert Hall Museum perfectly showcase the architecture that the city is renowned for. The landmark Hawa Mahal building, meanwhile, is located in the same gardens as the palace and used to be the prime vantage point for royal ladies to watch the city out of its 953 pink sandstone latticed windows. Now anyone can be privy to the same cityscape view. 

Xmas X-factor: Have a cross-cultural Christmas munching curry in the grounds of the Moti Dungri fort (one of three that surround the city), a Scottish castle replica that dates from the 18th century.

How to get there: Fly with Jet Airways or Air India via either Delhi or Mumbai, then onwards to Jaipur. Other major regional airlines will get you to the two Indian cities, and then you can connect onto Jaipur with the local carriers.

Hotels: Fairmont Jaipur and Ramada Jaipur both have rooms.

Visa: All nationals must apply, and processing can take four to five days.


Sri Lanka

Why it’s still available: Sri Lanka has good air connectivity and is often overlooked and undervalued as a destination, particularly at Christmas.

What’s good about it: Sri Lanka has a lot to offer. With Colombo as a starting point, you can, for example, head up to the central highlands to visit the elevated tea plantations, situated more than 1,800 metres above sea level. One such area, Bandarawela, also boasts romantic British colonial architecture, waterfalls and temples and exploring these trails on foot is a real treat. You can also venture south to Yala National Park, which has the largest density of leopards in the world, along with elephants and more than 200 species of birds, including the Sri Lanka Grey Hornbill. Down there you can also find beaches – Tangalla, Beruwala, Mirissa, Bentota and Unawatuna.

Xmas X-factor: Spend yuletide leopard spotting at Yala.

How to get there: There are quite a lot of options for travel from within Asia to Colombo. Sri Lankan Airlines has a fairly extensive network, flying several times a day direct to Singapore, Kuala Lumpur, Tokyo, Mumbai, Delhi and Bangkok, and onwards to Chinese cities and Seoul via the Thai capital. Malaysian Airlines, SIA, Thai Airways and Jet Airways also provide useful connections.

Hotels: Cinnamon Grand Colombo and Cinnamon Lakeside Colombo, Ramada Colombo, Berjaya Hotel Colombo, Bandarawela Hotel, Peacock Beach Hotel near Yala National Park and Eden Resort and Spa in Beruwala all have rooms to offer over Christmas.

Visa: Required for almost all nationalities (Singaporeans are exempt for up to 30 days) visas cost around US$15-$30.


Fukuoka, Japan

Why it’s still available: It’s Tokyo, Hokkaido and Osaka’s lesser-known little sister.

What’s good about it: Fukuoka is the perfect spot for a cultured Christmas getaway. Wrap up warm –it’s around 10 degrees in December – and explore the city’s many historical attractions, such as the rustic Fukuoka Castle ruins in the centrally-located Maizuru Park established back in the 1600s during Japan’s feudal past, or cultivate some peace of mind in the country’s first ever Zen temple, Shofukuji, which was established in 1195. Admire the pieces on display at the Fukuoka City Art Museum, which is located in the same park as the ruins, or sample a hot bowl of ramen from one of the city’s famous yatai (mobile street stalls), which can be found along the southern bank of Nakasu Island in central Fukuoka.

Xmas X-factor: Japanese cities in wintertime are positively enchanting, and a Christmas Day wander around Fukuoka enjoying the crisp, clear weather would be a charming festive memory to cherish.

How to get there: International carriers that fly into Fukuoka Airport from other Asian cities include Eva, Air China, CX, China Southern, All Nippon Airways, Japan Airlines, Korean Air, Thai Airways, Asiana, Philippine Airlines, SIA and Vietnam Airlines. 

Hotels: Grand Hyatt Fukuoka and Hilton Fukuoka Sea Hawk are both available.

Visa: Visitors from more than 60 countries are entitled to travel in Japan for up to 90 days without a visa, including Australia, European Union members, Hong Kong, Malaysia, Singapore, South Korea and Thailand.


Sentosa Island, Singapore

Why it’s still available: There are so many flights to Singapore daily that there are always seats available from within Asia, even at last minute and high season. From there, you just hop over to the island.

What’s good about it: Have a fun-filled, adventurous xmas touring Universal Studios, or visiting the world’s largest aquarium. There’s also shopping, gaming and beaches for those that want to relax and work on their winter tan. 

Xmas X-factor: Try your luck and see if you can win the jackpot for Christmas!

How to get there: Fly to Singapore on one of the many daily regional flights in and out of Changi International Airport, and then take the MRT, cable car or taxi to Sentosa Island.

Hotels: W Singapore – Sentosa Cove, Siloso Beach Resort and Capella Singapore Sentosa Island have rooms.

Visa: Holders of Indian, Burmese, Bangladeshi, Russian and Chinese passports must apply for a visa, and can do so electronically. Most other Asian and European nationals do not require a visa, nor do Americans and Australians.


Qingdao, China 

Why it’s still available: Chinese New Year is the big event in this part of the world, so prices and availability are not much affected by the Western festive season.

What’s good about it: It’s a Chinese town with Bavarian architecture, sometimes referred to as “the Switzerland of the Orient”. For more than 30 years, the city was a colony of both Germany and Japan, before gaining independence in 1949. Its Germanic colonial past may also have something to do with the fact that it’s the home of Qingdao (Tsingtao) Beer, and you can even visit China’s first beer factory, which was built in the early 1900s. Inside there is also a museum. Badaguan, meanwhile, is the perfect place to take in the colonial architecture.

Xmas X-factor: There’s usually some sort of outdoor Christmas market, and this, coupled with the authentic European architecture and bracing temperatures of around 2 degrees is about as close to a European Christmas as you can get. 

How to get there: KA has recently started flying there twice daily from Hong Kong. Direct international flights operate from Qingdao to Incheon and Tokyo, and there are frequent daily flights between the city and Beijing, Shanghai and Guangzhou.

Hotels: Holiday Inn Qingdao City Centre, Hyatt Regency Qingdao, Shangri-La Qingdao, Intercontinental Qingdao, Copthorne Hotel Qingdao and The Westin Qingdao are available, and prices are quite competitive. 

Visa: Required for many nationalities, visas take around four working days to process. Japanese and Singaporean citizens don’t need a visa if their trip lasts less than 15 days.

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