As someone who has spent Thanksgiving, Christmas, Valentine’s Day, and the 4th of July away from home in other countries, I’ve learned there are numerous ways to spend the holidays abroad in a meaningful way. Whether you’re spending your first major holiday traveling solo, or find yourself in the middle of an unexpected celebration in a foreign land, here are some tips on how to make the most of the holidays while traveling.
Go on an Adventure
In December 2017, I planned a two-week trip to Tokyo, Japan and found myself there for Christmas. I had already been in Japan for about a week by the time Christmas rolled around, and I decided I wanted to make the most of the day. So I thought to myself, “I’ve been to Disneyland in California and Disney World in Florida, why don’t I try Tokyo Disney?” I was staying in a wonderful hostel in Tokyo and had made some friends while there. So I made a plan to spend Christmas day adventuring around Tokyo Disney and invited the friends from my hostel. Before I knew it, there was a group of four of us on a train headed there.
We had a spectacular time riding Splash Mountain, eating cotton candy, and seeing how different the theme park was from the ones in the U.S. We spent all day there laughing, going on rides, and feeding our inner children. To this day, it’s one of the most fun Christmases I’ve ever had.
If you find yourself in an unfamiliar place for a special holiday, try planning an adventure instead of feeling like you need to stick to tradition. You can either go solo, or if you’re staying in a hostel, invite some other travelers to come along. Taking risks and exploring are some of the best ways to get to know new people (everyone at Tokyo Disney got to know my immense fear of heights very quickly). I bought the rather unflattering picture of my group and me at the top of Splash Mountain, screaming just before the drop. It’s a nice reminder of how the holidays can be filled with adventures.
Make the Most of the Situation
I found myself in Copenhagen, Denmark during both Covid and Christmas in December 2021. If everything wasn’t already closed due to Covid, it definitely was for Christmas. Not sure what to do with myself, I talked to the staff at my hostel about things to do in the area. They suggested some local Muslim-owned restaurants that were open where I could enjoy a meal. I also decided to rent a bike from my hostel and go on a solo tour of Copenhagen, riding along the water. Feeling the wind on my face and getting to see Copenhagen quiet and still made the city’s holiday closures such a blessing in disguise.
Take advantage of a quiet city that is usually bustling with people, and you’ll get a better sense of the place you’re visiting. Plus, you’ll always have a story to tell.
Show Others How You Celebrate
Spending the holidays abroad can be a really beautiful opportunity to share your culture and traditions with others in your hostel. Whether you always spend Veteran’s Day watching Saving Private Ryan or the 4th of July seeing how many hotdogs you can eat, these are ways to bond with others. In my family, we have a tradition at Thanksgiving of having both turkey and chicken. So when I spent Thanksgiving of 2018 in Ireland, I ended up getting a group from my hostel to go out and eat fried chicken at a local restaurant. It was fun to have people from other countries ask me about Thanksgiving and why we celebrate. There’s always something curious or funny or precious that others do in their culture or families during their holidays. Don’t be afraid to inquire as well as share your own customs – it’s never too late to start a new tradition of your own.
Join the Party
It can be easy to forget that many countries celebrate holidays that we don’t in the States. This can lead to unforeseen scheduling challenges, making things complicated when you unwittingly show up on Bastille Day in France, King’s Day in the Netherlands, or Boxing Day in England. Depending on the holiday, you could end up surprised that everything is closed including shops, restaurants, and tourist attractions.
But if this happens to you, don’t fret! Rest assured there’s always something to do that will be equally as fun. When shops and attractions are closed, ask your hostel’s staff about anything outdoors you can do, like a hike or a walk through a park. Maybe it turns out this is the best day for that audio walking tour of the city you’ve been contemplating, or the perfect time to spend an afternoon in the park with your travel journal.
I’d even encourage you to plan your next trip around a popular holiday that may be specific to the country you’re traveling to. Take some time to learn about the holiday’s meaning and customs so you can respectfully join in on the celebrations – it’s a really cool experience to see what celebration looks like for others around the world. Some hostels will even help guests get into the holiday spirit by preparing a feast or planning activities.
It really is such a fun time to spend holidays in other countries, make new memories, and share in the moment with new friends. The holidays are meant to be spent with friends and family, but remember that family is what you make it.
Enjoy your holidays!