Christmas destinations and the Baltic Sea's new pleasure cruisers

It was Monday again, and as usual we present travel news here at FREEDOMtravel. Now it's getting close to Christmas, so this week it's all about where Swedes are travelling over Christmas and New Year.

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Where Swedes go to celebrate Christmas

Swedish travellers are once again choosing to spend Christmas in warmer climes. According to recent booking statistics from travel agency Ticket, Swedes are looking for safe and sunny options when planning their Christmas holiday. Interestingly, Malaga has climbed to fourth place this year, having not been among the most popular destinations at all before the pandemic. In addition, Berlin and Zurich have made their debut in the top ten list. Where Swedes prefer to celebrate Christmas:

1. Gran Canaria
2. Bangkok
3. Phuket
4. Malaga
5. Tenerife

Big cities top the list when Swedes book Christmas holidays

Over Christmas and New Year, the main attractions are big cities such as London, Amsterdam and Paris, but also warm destinations such as Thailand and Gran Canaria. This is according to statistics from online travel agency Travellink, which compiles data from over 700 airlines. When it comes to 2024, some of the most popular destinations are new ones, such as Prague, Dusseldorf, Dublin, Riga and Helsinki. Most Swedes travel here during Christmas and New Year:

1. London
2. Amsterdam
3. Paris
4. Barcelona
5. Malaga

M/S Birka Gotland becomes the new Baltic Sea pleasure cruise ship

In August, the shipping companies Viking Line and Gotlandsbolaget presented a completely new joint investment in cruise traffic between Stockholm, Mariehamn and Visby. Now it is clear that the Baltic Sea's new pleasure cruiser will be called Birka Gotland. Around Easter 2024, the premiere cruise departs from Stockholm to Mariehamn. Mariehamn, and during the spring and summer also via Visby on selected departures. The destinations are then gradually expanded during the summer months with several popular destinations such as Härnösand, Ystad, Bornholm and Riga.

Tickets have been released for MSC World Cruise 2026

Every year, MSC Cruises conducts a world cruise and now the tickets have been released for MSC World Cruise 2026. The 119-day world cruise starts in the Mediterranean in January 2026 and takes travellers to five continents, 32 countries and 47 destinations. Travellers will experience places such as San Francisco, Honolulu, Auckland, Sydney, Manila, Tokyo and Dubai. 

Countryside bets on the Christmassy hotel room

Countryside Hotels is now launching the most Christmassy hotel rooms of the year. The hotel rooms with the theme "all-in Christmas" have been designed by the hotels' employees with the instructions not to hold back in any way. The member hotels offering the rooms are Eriksbergs Hotell & Safaripark, Aspenäs Herrgård, Brösarp Gästgifveri and Villa Sjötorp. There is no extra charge for guests who choose the Christmas rooms in their booking.

Aurora Safaris wins Major Tourism Award 2023

Aurora Safaris has been named the winner of the 2023 Grand Tourism Prize, honouring the Norrbotten-based company for its contribution to putting Sweden on the world map. Starting out as the world's first Arctic winter glamping site, a decade later Aurora Safari has expanded to include three nature-based lodges and a wide range of Arctic natural and cultural experiences.

Chocolate fever in the world of cinema - momondo lists experiences

There is chocolate fever this week as the remake of Wonka premieres on the big screen, and perhaps the world's most famous chocolate master finally makes his comeback. In connection with this, momondo now wants to recommend 5 destinations that every chocolate lover just has to know.

• Churros and chocolate in Barcelona - Bubo chocolate shop, churros with melted chocolate and the "Museu de la Xocolata" chocolate museum.
• Chocolate history in a cinematic factory in Cologne - chocolate maker Stollwerck and Cologne's massive chocolate museum
• Italian-style chocolate in Chocolate Valley, Tuscany - handmade Tuscany-style chocolates with local Italian flavours
• Cocoa beans in L'hermitage - the Cité du Chocolat Valrhona à Tain-l'Hermitage factory (and school!) is a must-see
• World-class chocolate safari in Zurich - the world's largest chocolate factory at Schokoladenplatz and a chocolate safari at local producer Garçoa.

Reflection of the week

When it comes to top lists of popular travel destinations, they rarely shock. Swedes like Spain, Thailand and big European cities. We can understand that, but isn't it fun to try an alternative destination once in a while?

Did you miss last week's travel news? Read the Parliamentary network for camping - and next year's travel trends

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