On The Go Tours, a tour operator specializing in locally-led group tours and tailor-made holidays to over 60 countries, has some ideas for travellers looking for last-minute festive tours over the holidays.
With tours ranging from five to 16 days, travellers can embrace another culture and find unique ways to celebrate Christmas or New Year’s. Popular sites to celebrate include UNESCO World Heritage sites throughout Morocco, the world’s largest and most elaborate ice sculptures in Harbin, or while taking in the enchanting Northern Lights in Iceland.
All tours include 3 to 5-star accommodation with Western amenities and WiFi, most meals, bespoke local cultural experiences, unique Christmas or New Year cultural celebrations and qualified English-speaking local guides.
“The Christmas holidays are a great time for bonding with family or friends,” says On The Go’s general manager, Natalie James. “A personal favourite of mine is experiencing the magic of Lapland with the family.”
Some of On The Go Tours’ festive season tours include:
Christmas in Morocco – 8 days from $1,345 per person
Make your way to magical Morocco this Christmas and discover an exotic land of spices, ancient Kasbahs, rolling Saharan sands, verdant valleys and bustling souks.
New Years in Morocco – 11 days from $1,895 per person
Spend a cracking Christmas exploring the Atlas, snap up some bargains in the souks of Marrakech and ring in the New Year beachside in Essaouira, on Morocco’s stunning Atlantic coast.
Christmas in Petra – 8 days from $2,795 per person
Enjoy a Jordanian Christmas Eve feast in Petra (pictured above), participate in a Boxing Day talent competition at Wadi Rum, take a dip in the Dead Sea, explore Petra in depth and visit Roman ruins and the world’s oldest mosaic map of the Holy Land on a special Christmas in Petra tour.
New Years in Wadi Rum – 8 days from $2,795 per person
Celebrate a Bedouin New Year’s Eve Bash in the heart of Wadi Rum desert. Add to this the fascinating Lost City of Petra, swimming in the Dead Sea and exploring heaps of Roman ruins and you can be assured that you’ll be ringing in the new in style.
Harbin Ice Festival Express – 5 Days from $1,995 per person
Let it snow! See the world’s largest and most elaborate ice sculptures this New Year at the Harbin International Ice and Snow Festival. Magical, other-worldly and with New Year’s Eve spent exploring the brilliantly illuminated Ice Lantern Show in Zhaolin Park, this is a holiday like no other.
Festive Pharaohs Adventure – 6 days from $1,695 per person
Uncover the very best of ancient Egypt this Christmas or New Year’s from the legendary Pyramids and antiquity filled Egyptian Museum, to the tomb strewn Valley of the Kings and back again.
New Year in Moscow – 9 days from $2,495 per person
Ring in the New Year in Russia’s capital city, then journey off the beaten track for some alpine fun and a steamy banya in Pskov before heading north to beautiful St. Petersburg.
Christmas in Finland – 7 Days from $3,195 per person
Spend a white Christmas in the winter wonderland of Kuhmo near the Russia border. Visit Santa Claus in his home country, go sledding with horses and huskies, take a snowmobile sleigh ride and much more for a Christmas to remember.
