The lights are twinkling, the cocoa is piping hot, and the magic of the Christmas season is in full swing. It’s the perfect time for a holiday tour, but where should you go?
This November, Privacy Journal analyzed data from Tripadvisor and Kayak to help travelers determine which cities offer the best Christmas tour experiences in the world. They examined four crucial factors: the number of available tours, the median tour price per hour, the average number of languages offered, and the average hotel rate per night in December.
The U.S. winner comes as no surprise, with New York City clocking in as the highest ranked city in the country—and 18th in the global rankings. There, the median price for a Christmas tour is just $16 an hour with options in a whopping 26 languages. But the home of the Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree, holiday window displays on Fifth Avenue, festive performances by the Rockettes and more was not the only North American city that made it. Quebec City in eighth place; Branson, Missouri, at No. 16; and Savannah, Georgia, at 17th, were also listed.
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The Overall Winner
The best city overall to go on a Christmas tour is—drumroll, please—London. “London transforms into a Christmas spectacular each December,” Privacy Journal shared in its findings. “From traditional walking tours through Victorian-era markets at Greenwich and Southbank to exclusive behind-the-scenes experiences at historic palaces adorned with seasonal decorations, the British capital delivers Christmas magic at every turn.
It added that the tours in London do not offer the highest language diversity; however, it makes up for this with lower accommodation prices and the “sheer breadth of free festive attractions, including the Trafalgar Square Christmas tree and Covent Garden’s decorations.”
In second place is Amsterdam, which garnered high praise with tours in an average of five languages and an average price per hour of $23. Rounding out the top three is Nuremberg, Germany, which, Privacy Journal noted, “offers the most authentic journey into European holiday heritage. Tours are available in an average of five languages, and accommodation per night works out to around $197—the most affordable among the top three destinations.”
See the full list of winners at privacyjournal.net.
Read the original article on Travel & Leisure