“I spent last Christmas having an Icelandic Adventure – this is why Christmas abroad is so much better”
Since 2022, Cathy Skelton, 28 from Liverpool, has spent every Christmas in a different country with her partner and it is now a tradition she loves.
With Christmas around the corner, Brits were battling crowded shops, navigating endless queues and stocking their homes in preparation for the festivities.
For others, Christmas was an opportunity to take a break and embark on one last trip at the end of the year. New research shows that three times more people are abandoning a traditional Christmas at home in favour of a festive getaway this year compared to last.
Nearly four in ten Brits (37%) now plan to jet off for Christmas, leaving behind the UK for new experiences abroad, against just one in ten (11%) in 2023.
That’s according to luxury holiday provider Scott Dunn, which ran a survey with 2,000 Brits to explore the rising travel trend of spending Christmas abroad.
It’s easy to get caught up in the chaos of Christmas, but for Cathy Skelton, 28 from Leeds, travelling over Christmas and New Year gave her a way take a break from the chaos of the festive period and has now become a cherished tradition that she looks forward to each year.
“Having a trip booked gives you something to look forward to throughout the winter months and it meant we got to spend quality time together, whilst also doing what we love – exploring and travelling.”
It seems travellers are seeking Christmas magic as Scott Dunn reports a 13% year-on-year surge in demand for snowy destinations this December, and for Cathy, visiting Iceland was a dream come true.
She said: “I’ve always dreamed of going to a winter wonderland over the Christmas period.
“Both myself and my partner love to travel and experience new things, plus we are both outdoors-ey people, so figured where better to visit than Iceland.”
Scott Dunn has seen demand highest for Finland, with 34% year-on-year increase in bookings this December. Similarly, Switzerland has seen a 65% surge in demand, and December trips to Austria saw a 35% rise year-on-year.
Cathy says that planning a trip in December gave her a bit of relief from the pressure and expectations of Christmas, “With both of our families based at different ends of the country, Christmas is usually a little chaotic, travelling backwards and forwards with lots of people to see.
“Usually, I'm packing up presents and rushing around the shops, but last year was filled with planning excursions and exchanging currency. It was just what we needed after a busy period at work before starting the new year and doing it all over again.”
Instead of staying home and dashing between families, Cathy and her partner spent their Christmas making new memories abroad. She said, “We stayed in Reykjavik, as most tourists do, and travelled out of the city each day on excursions. This also meant we got to explore the Christmas markets which were spread across the city center and are named as one of the best in Europe.”
Like Cathy, over four in ten Brits (41%) travelling this year are looking for festive cheer by going to Christmas markets, and for Cathy, it’s become an annual tradition. “In 2022, we visited Krakow for its infamous Christmas markets, and we plan to do the same this year as we have booked to go to Copenhagen.”
The study found that two in five Brits (40%) are travelling over Christmas to relax and unwind, and despite Cathy’s trip being jam packed with long excursions, they managed to squeeze in some time relaxation.
“We visited a natural lagoon which had been developed into a luxury spa. It had hot spring infinity pools, outside ice plunge pools and a sauna looking over an iceberg and it was the perfect way to round off the year.”
With nearly one in ten (9%) embarking on a festive getaway for the first time this year, Simon Lynch, Product Director at Scott Dunn recommends: “Checking the validity of your passport is essential, as many countries won’t let you in without at least six months left and two unmarked pages for stamps.
“Pack lightly, or even bring an empty suitcase, if you're planning to do some holiday shopping abroad to avoid extra baggage fees - which are often more than checking another bag. If you’re taking gifts, leave them unwrapped for airport security – it’s easier than redoing them after a suitcase search.
“If travelling to Europe for the festive markets, attractions and restaurants, be sure to check the holiday opening times as many places will close or limit hours during the holidays.”
More information about the research can be found at: https://www.scottdunn.com/inspiration/travel-trends/reports/2025/winter