Inspiration

6 Places to Have a Low-Key Christmas

If the nonstop ads and crowded shops of the holiday season have you yearning for a Christmas free of commercialization, try visiting one of these places. You can still have family togetherness—just without Yuletide carols being sung by a choir or the crazy Christmas light displays, that is.
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    Tanzania

    If you truly want to get away from it all, consider a safari in Tanzania. The country does have a Christian population who celebrates Christmas, but out at a safari camp in the middle of nowhere, you're much more likely to spot an elephant than an animatronic reindeer.

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    Russia

    Russia still adheres to the Russian Orthodox calendar, meaning it doesn't celebrate Christmas until January 7. Though there may be some decorations visible, your trip here won't fall in the midst of the holiday rush, meaning major attractions in Moscow and St. Petersburg (pictured) will be open.

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    Morocco

    In addition to having pleasant weather (average temperatures are in the 50s and 60s) in December, Morocco is tinsel-free, as an estimated 99 percent of its residents are Muslim. That means there won't be any sleigh bells ringing in cities like Fez or smaller towns like the picturesque Chefchaouen.

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    Kyoto, Japan

    Although bright, shiny Christmas decorations are popular in over-the-top Tokyo these days, its sibling city Kyoto is more old-fashioned, eschewing Western holiday traditions. Walk among geishas, admire more than 1,600 temples, and swap the eggnog for traditional Japanese sake.

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    The Seychelles

    Christmas and Boxing Day are recognized holidays in the Seychelles, but you can easily fit the whole family in a secluded villa like the ones at the Maia Resort and Spa. After all, Balinese massages and private infinity pools are way better than pretending you like your aunt's fruitcake for the tenth year straight.

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    Turkey

    At the nexus of Europe and Asia, predominantly Muslim Turkey doesn't celebrate Christmas. That means that you can spend December 25 touring the bazaars of Istanbul or flying in a hot-air balloon over Cappadocia (pictured).

Lilit Marcus is a Brooklyn-based journalist and a contributing writer for Condé Nast Traveler. Her first book, Save the Assistants: A Guide for Surviving and Thriving in the Workplace, was published by Hyperion. Lilit's favorite destinations include Lisbon, Tel Aviv, Nashville, and Mexico City. Her work has also appeared in... Read more
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