The holidays are one of my favorite times of year. There’s nothing like having a white Christmas then partying it up on New Year’s Eve.

There are so many cool and interesting traditions around the world, and it’s such a treat to take part in the different experiences.

Ready to end the year with a bang? Here are the top five destinations to visit this holiday season.

Austria

The Christmas markets of Europe are magical. With the aroma of roasting chestnuts and mulled wine filling the air under sparkling lights, this is definitely a bucket list experience.

While the entire continent is full of outdoor Christmas markets, there is nowhere that captures the spirit of the holidays like Austria. From Vienna to Salzburg, this region is a dream Christmas destination. The stunning markets are packed with homemade delicacies and one-of-a-kind trinkets.

It’s so easy to get around Western Europe by train. To explore Austria from any other European country, I recommend checking out the Eurail pass. A train pass will let you maximize your time (and your budget) in Europe to see as much as possible. If you’re under twenty-seven years of age, be sure to look into the youth deals too.

Rio de Janeiro

Ditch the winter jacket, and ring in the new year sipping caipirinhas at Copacabana beach. With afternoon temps nearing ninety degrees F, December is actually the warmest month of the year in Brazil, so you can soak in the sun while you celebrate.

Rio de Janeiro has one of the best New Year’s Eve celebrations in the world, and Brazilians party it up like no one else. Watch the fireworks over the South Atlantic for a New Year’s Eve that you will always remember.

Peru

Years ago, I spent a fun Christmas in Peru. I stayed with a family in Cusco, and it was a wonderful opportunity to experience a traditional holiday in the Andes Mountains. The whole city was bursting with fireworks, and it was breathtaking.

And you’ll want to stick around!

Much of the Andean region of Peru celebrates Epiphany more than Christmas. Rather than Santa Claus coming on Christmas Eve, the three wise men bring gifts for kids on January 6.

Iceland

Make it a white Christmas! The Northern Lights are at their brightest and best during the winter. While it is definitely cold (come ready for temps below zero), it is so worth it. Bundle up for some of the most amazing landscapes and sights of the year.

Iceland is one of my fave destinations year-round. From diving to climbing to road tripping around the island, it’s the prime adventurer’s getaway.

And you have to check out all of Iceland’s fascinating Christmas traditions — meet the thirteen Icelandic Santa Clauses, or go for a Christmas dip in the Blue Lagoon. Whatever your Nordic adventure, make sure that you get out of the city and explore!

New York City

Few places are as beautiful at Christmas as NYC. My first trip to the Big Apple was over the holiday season, and I completely fell in love with this place.

Temps hover between zero and ten degrees, so bundle up. Go ice skating in Central Park, see the Christmas tree at Rockefeller Center, and go on the ultimate Christmas shopping trip.

Of course, you’ll want to stick around for the New Year’s Eve traditional countdown in Time’s Square, or party the night away with some of the best nightlight on the planet.

Read More: The Ultimate New York City Travel Guide

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🍁 Comment “FALL” for my favorite Autumn outfits and accessories 🍁
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As promised, here are my favorite fall finds I recently brought with me on my New England road trip (and to the Cotswolds).

I’ve rounded up a few statement pieces and some fall staples I cannot live without!

Comment FALL for a direct link to all of my favorite pieces just in time for upcoming Black Friday sales!
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#fallfashion #ltk #fall https://liketk.it/4XMbT

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🍁 Comment “FALL” for my favorite Autumn outfits and accessories 🍁
••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••
As promised, here are my favorite fall finds I recently brought with me on my New England road trip (and to the Cotswolds).

I’ve rounded up a few statement pieces and some fall staples I cannot live without!

Comment FALL for a direct link to all of my favorite pieces just in time for upcoming Black Friday sales!
••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••
#fallfashion #ltk #fall https://liketk.it/4XMbT

Pinching myself ❄️
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Did anyone else catch the dusting of snow in the Cotswolds?! I couldn’t believe my eyes!

We had a week of perfect sunny weather with only one afternoon of rain (also so unexpected for November!) and, on my last morning in Bibury, I woke up to this incredible scene!
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#cotswolds #winter #snow #fairytale

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Pinching myself ❄️
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Did anyone else catch the dusting of snow in the Cotswolds?! I couldn’t believe my eyes!

We had a week of perfect sunny weather with only one afternoon of rain (also so unexpected for November!) and, on my last morning in Bibury, I woke up to this incredible scene!
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#cotswolds #winter #snow #fairytale

Welcome to day 8 and the finale of my Autumn New England Road Trip (with a toddler) series autumn 🍂🍁 🚗

Be sure to save this post for all the best Boston has to offer!
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After a leisurely breakfast and 2 hour drive from @trappfamilylodge, we concluded our 10-day road trip with a couple of days in the historic town of Boston—staying at the @fsboston!

This hotel treats kids like royalty, with lots of luxury for adults too (full review coming soon)!

If you find yourself visiting Boston in the Fall with a little one, here are some must-sees:

- @bostonducktours
- @museumofscience
- @campstores x Bluey (ending soon)
- Public Garden
- Beacon Hill
- Tadpole Playground
- @bplboston
- Childrens Wharf Harborwalk
- @bostonteapartyships
- @rosekennedygreenway
- Commonwealth Avenue Mall
- Esplanade Playground
- Charles River Esplanade

And for the foodies, you know I got you covered!

- @tattebakery
- @saltiegirl
- @faneuilhallmarketplace
- @maproom_lounge
- @bovasbakery
- @bostonpublicmarket
- @parishcafe
- Quincy Market
- Legal Sea Foods - Burlington Mall

After traveling around New Hampshire and Vermont, it was nice to get a glimpse of this bustling and historic city.

If you’ve made it this far, thanks for joining us on our epic autumn road trip! Be sure to follow along for more adventures! There’s plenty of tips and tricks to come this Fall season!
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@meetbostonusa @visitma
#visitmassachusetts #boston #newengland #fallroadtrip

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Welcome to day 8 and the finale of my Autumn New England Road Trip (with a toddler) series autumn 🍂🍁 🚗

Be sure to save this post for all the best Boston has to offer!
•••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••
After a leisurely breakfast and 2 hour drive from @trappfamilylodge, we concluded our 10-day road trip with a couple of days in the historic town of Boston—staying at the @fsboston!

This hotel treats kids like royalty, with lots of luxury for adults too (full review coming soon)!

If you find yourself visiting Boston in the Fall with a little one, here are some must-sees:

- @bostonducktours
- @museumofscience
- @campstores x Bluey (ending soon)
- Public Garden
- Beacon Hill
- Tadpole Playground
- @bplboston
- Childrens Wharf Harborwalk
- @bostonteapartyships
- @rosekennedygreenway
- Commonwealth Avenue Mall
- Esplanade Playground
- Charles River Esplanade

And for the foodies, you know I got you covered!

- @tattebakery
- @saltiegirl
- @faneuilhallmarketplace
- @maproom_lounge
- @bovasbakery
- @bostonpublicmarket
- @parishcafe
- Quincy Market
- Legal Sea Foods - Burlington Mall

After traveling around New Hampshire and Vermont, it was nice to get a glimpse of this bustling and historic city.

If you’ve made it this far, thanks for joining us on our epic autumn road trip! Be sure to follow along for more adventures! There’s plenty of tips and tricks to come this Fall season!
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@meetbostonusa @visitma
#visitmassachusetts #boston #newengland #fallroadtrip

🎶 The hills are alive with the sound of music 🎶
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Love the Sound of Music? What if I told you that you can visit the real Von Trapp family’s lodge from the famed musical starring Julie Andrews in the quiet town of Stowe, Vermont?

Day 7 of my Autumn New England Road Trip (with a toddler) started the day by driving through Smuggler’s Notch—it’s a short and super windy drive through a mountain pass that’s seriously beautiful.

Helpful Tip: Get started on the drive as easy as possible. Traffic is notorious during foliage season so we hit the road at 7am and had it to ourselves!

We then spent the entire day exploring nature trails and hanging with animals at @trappfamilylodge, an Austrian-inspired mountain lodge with 300 acres of farmland in the middle of Stowe.

The Von Trapps, made famous from the movie The Sound of Music, fled Austria during WWII and ultimately landed in Stowe, VT where their hospitality lives on today. Did you know the Sound of Music is one of the top 10 highest-grossing films of all time??

Had we had a little more time, we also would have added:

🥾 Moss Glen Falls
⛪️ Stowe Community Church
🍻 @alch3mistb33r
☕️ @blackcapvermont
🥞 @butlers_pantry_stowe

We did manage to catch a glimpse of the famed Stowe Community Church from afar, but any closer meant fighting traffic and huge crowds.

Come back for day 8 and the final video of the series as we explore the beautiful and family-friendly parts of Boston!
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@vermonttourism @visitnew_england
#vermont #newenglandroadtrip #stowevermont

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🎶 The hills are alive with the sound of music 🎶
••••••••••••••••••••••••••••
Love the Sound of Music? What if I told you that you can visit the real Von Trapp family’s lodge from the famed musical starring Julie Andrews in the quiet town of Stowe, Vermont?

Day 7 of my Autumn New England Road Trip (with a toddler) started the day by driving through Smuggler’s Notch—it’s a short and super windy drive through a mountain pass that’s seriously beautiful.

Helpful Tip: Get started on the drive as easy as possible. Traffic is notorious during foliage season so we hit the road at 7am and had it to ourselves!

We then spent the entire day exploring nature trails and hanging with animals at @trappfamilylodge, an Austrian-inspired mountain lodge with 300 acres of farmland in the middle of Stowe.

The Von Trapps, made famous from the movie The Sound of Music, fled Austria during WWII and ultimately landed in Stowe, VT where their hospitality lives on today. Did you know the Sound of Music is one of the top 10 highest-grossing films of all time??

Had we had a little more time, we also would have added:

🥾 Moss Glen Falls
⛪️ Stowe Community Church
🍻 @alch3mistb33r
☕️ @blackcapvermont
🥞 @butlers_pantry_stowe

We did manage to catch a glimpse of the famed Stowe Community Church from afar, but any closer meant fighting traffic and huge crowds.

Come back for day 8 and the final video of the series as we explore the beautiful and family-friendly parts of Boston!
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@vermonttourism @visitnew_england
#vermont #newenglandroadtrip #stowevermont

Arguably the MOST “autumnal” day of the trip: 🍎 🍂 🍩
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Welcome back to my Autumn New England Road Trip (with a toddler) series! We’re over halfway through our road trip on Day 6 and this was the perfect day of all things autumn.

After a slow morning leaving @woodstock.inn, we were on our way to the famous town of Stowe, Vermont!

I had originally created a jam-packed itinerary, but traveling with a toddler can definitely call for some readjusting and going with the flow. We made 2 of the stops I had planned:

🍎🌳 Hunger Mountain Orchard
🍎🍩 @coldhollowcidermillvt

If we had a little more time, a lot of people add the 🍦 @benandjerrys factory tour on this day.

We ended our day by checking into the @trappfamilylodge —owned by the real family from the Sound of Music where we enjoyed the lodge and property before dinner and bedtime.

Be sure to come back for Day 7 with more on this amazing property and all the furry friends that live here!
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@vermonttourism @visitnew_england
#vermont #newenglandroadtrip #stowevermont