The Most Beautiful Places on Earth at Christmas

From iconic cities to small villages you’ve never heard of…

In 1712, Joseph Addison, the founder of The Spectator magazine, wrote:

I have often thought, says Sir Roger, it happens very well that Christmas should fall in the Middle of winter.

He attributed these words to Sir Roger de Coverley, a beloved fictional English country gentleman who embodied the warmth, wisdom, and generosity of rural life. In Addison’s imagined conversation, Sir Roger continued:

It is the most dead, uncomfortable time of the year, when the people would suffer greatly from cold and want if they did not have good cheer, warm fires, and Christmas gambols to sustain them.

When I think back to the Christmases of my own childhood, this is exactly the feeling that comes to mind: warmth, laughter, and a kind of joy that softens even the coldest days. A magic that makes you forget the hard times, if only for a little while...

In many ways, that sense of enchantment feels harder to find now. The world moves faster, traditions fade, and some of what once made the season feel special lives mostly in our memory. And yet, it hasn’t disappeared entirely: traces of that magic still endure in many cities, small towns, and villages scattered across the world.

Below, I’ll take you on a journey to 10 places where, in the words of Norman Vincent Peale, “Christmas waves a magic wand, and behold, everything is softer and more beautiful.”

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CHRISTMAS SPECIAL 🎁

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1. Locorotondo, Italy

Dubbed Italy’s “most Christmassy town,” Locorotondo’s narrow streets, adorned with twinkling lights, fir garlands, and festive bows, feel like stepping into a real-life snow globe…

This Apulian jewel, celebrated as one of I Borghi più belli d’Italia (“The Most Beautiful Villages of Italy”), transforms into a must-visit destination for anyone seeking the magic of Christmas in a place where time feels as though it has stood still for decades.

2. Quebec City, Canada

From late November through early January, Quebec City feels like a scene straight out of a Charles Dickens novel.

As one of North America’s earliest European settlements, its centuries-old architecture — especially in Old Quebec — becomes even more enchanting when dusted with snow, transforming cobblestone streets and historic buildings into a storybook winter wonderland…

3. Gubbio, Italy

Ever wondered where you can see the world’s largest Christmas tree?

Look no further than Gubbio, a quaint town in Italy’s Umbria region.

Each year, the slopes of Mount Ingino transform into a glowing masterpiece, officially recognized by the Guinness Book of Records in 1991.

Stretching 750 meters high and covering 130,000 m², the tree dazzles with over 800 lights connected by 7,500 meters of cable. Since 2010, this breathtaking display — requiring 1,300 hours of meticulous work every year — has shone entirely on clean, solar-powered energy…

4. The Largest Illuminated Nativity Scene