It’s that time of the year again, a season full of merriment, laughter, and love. The season is one of the most anticipated seasons in a year around the world. Beyond decorating Christmas trees at home, some celebrate the festive season by exploring vacation destinations with their family and friends. It is the perfect excuse to offload the accumulated stress from work and create unforgettable memories with the family.
It’s not just about celebrating; it is also about being there to help each other celebrate the occasion. For the kids, it is the perfect time to make good friends and have fun without being reminded of school assignments.
Nigerians are known for their inquisitiveness which is one of the many reasons they aspire to travel out of the country. However, due to Covid-19 restrictions and the hassle that comes with securing a visa to other countries, many Nigerians have been unable to explore their desired destination. Thankfully, restrictions have since been relaxed in regards to the pandemic and a few countries do not require Nigerian to apply for a visa before visiting. Here is a list of some visa-free vacation spots to explore with your family this festive season.
1. Ghana
- Location: West Africa
- Capital City: Accra
- Flight Duration from Nigeria: 2 hours 3 minutes
By the Gulf of Guinea lies the beautiful West African Country of Ghana which is known for its vibrant culture with some of the warmest and most cheerful people. It’s a perfect destination to visit this December, it promises an adventure haven with its delicious traditional Ghanaian foods like Jollof Rice, Banku, Kenkey, Fufu and so much more.
It is also known for its exceptional natural endowment and scenic setting adorned with beautiful hinterland, sunny beaches, tons of wide life, and vibrant nightlife. At the heart of the country lies the capital city of Accra with its welcoming beaches and national museums.
Labadi beach is arguably the most enticing beach in the city of Accra it is known for offering great food, cocktails, and a taste of Ghana’s unique music style. A perfect festive atmosphere is created during the weekend with local entertainment like native drumming, local reggae bands, dancing, and singing on the beach.
Kakum National Park is a great place for kids to bond with nature. Adorned with rainforests and unique species of plants and animals, it is the perfect place to make memories with children. It has some active wildlife like Buffalos, Civets, elephants, meerkats, and several species of birds.
Another perfect location for the celebration of the festive season is the former capital city of Ghana, Kumasi. The city is a great spot to shop for Christmas gifts for loved ones. It is famous for its gold jewellery, wooden stools as well as Kente cloth. Being one of the topmost tourist centers in Ghana, Kumasi features the Manhiya Palace Museum a place that tells the history of the Ashanti Kingdom. Vacation in Ghana is incomplete without a visit to the largest man-made lake in the world, Lake Volta, the National Museum of Ghana in Accra, Mole national park, Busua Beach, St. George Castle, Kokrobite beach, and Cape Coast.
2. Maldives
- Location: South Asia
- Capital City: Male
- Flight Duration from Nigeria: 9 hours 29 minutes
Situated in the Indian Ocean is the archipelagic state of Maldives, a coastal paradise and the epitome of nature and luxury. Maldives is home to 1200 islands and 26 atolls which attracts tourists from across the world for their unmatched luxury, beaches, and serene environment. It is definitely the perfect vacation spot to revive the Christmas Spirit, it promises serene blue islands, enthralling crystal-clear water with luxurious resorts, lavish sea-facing beach villas, sandy beaches, unique undersea restaurants, and a broad marine life.
Maldives features major tourist spots like Male Atoll, Banana Reef, Artificial Beach, Baros Island, Whale Submarine, Fihalhohi island, Sun Island, Bioluminescent beach, Kudadoo Island, and Gan Island amongst other places.
The capital city of Maldives, Male, is home to the history of the country with some of the most amazing tourist centers in the country. Festive shopping in the Male Fish and Local Market gives you a taste of the fresh food and culture of the country. To explore the history of the Maldives, the National Museum is the perfect place to visit and view some unusual artifacts.
For ultimate relaxation, Maldives offers amazing spa treatments and massages in over-water villas, beachfront pavilions, underwater treatment at Lime Spa, or Ayurveda-influenced Indian Spa treatments at the Jiva Grande Spa. At Sun Island, located in South Ari-Atoll, visitors can experience and enjoy diving, snorkeling, windsurfing, and the gorgeous view of nature. Moreover, the beaches in the Maldives are a must-see, Bioluminescent Beach is amongst the most picturesque festive destinations in the Maldives sprinkled with numerous stars in the sky, this beach provides a surreal and mesmerizing sight.
3. Seychelles
- Location: Eastern Africa
- Capital City: Victoria
- Flight Duration from Nigeria: 6 hours 35 minutes
At the eastern edge of the Somali Sea in the Indian Ocean is the Archipelagic state of Seychelles home to 115 granite and coral islands. Seychelles is one of the best picturesque Christmas destinations with its glistening white beaches, extensive native wildlife, exciting foods, and jaw-dropping islands.
Breath-taking beaches make Seychelles a stunning destination for the festive season for families who want to swim or enjoy the dazzling view of nature. The famous Anse Lazio on Praslin, Grand Anse on La Digue, Beau Vallon on Mahe, Anse Royale on Male, and Anse Source D’Argent on La Digue are amongst the best beaches in Seychelles.
For discerning nature lovers, the Seychelles islands offer amazing jungles, huge granite mountains, and cool native wildlife. The largest island of Mahe is a great place for nature lovers seeking a glimpse of the granite mountains and boulders covered in palms. Vacation in Seychelles is incomplete without scuba diving and snorkeling at the Ste Anne National Marine Park, which is the first national park in the Indian Ocean.
Other tourist centers in Seychelles include Copolia Trail, Grand Anse, Aldabra Atoll, Bird Island, Victoria Mahe, Silhouette Island, Aride Island Nature Reserve Day Trip, Cousin Island Day Trip, etc.
4. Cape Verde
- Location: West Africa
- Capital City: Praia
- Flight Duration from Nigeria: 5 hours 32 minutes.
In the Central Atlantic Ocean lies the archipelago and Island state of Cape Verde consisting of ten volcanic islands. The Island is the ultimate postcard destination and an embodiment of leisure and nature recognized for its unique landmarks, good weather, mesmerizing beaches, incredible resorts, and vibrant nightlife.
A vacation in Cape Verde is sure to be a beautiful and relaxing experience for the family during the festive season. The archipelago state consists of spectacular and beautiful beaches like Sal, Boa Vista, Santiago, and Sao Vicente. Apart from beaches, Visitors can explore the cultural and vibrant nightlife in the city of Mindelo. They can also visit food markets and clothes markets in the stunning city of Ribeira Grande.
Festive shopping in the Sal Rei is always a good idea in Cape Verde, the city’s main plaza is the perfect place for souvenir shopping. Moreover, the baroque-style church in the city is a must-see for visitors. Other places to visit in Cape Verde include; Sao Filipe, Vila Nova Sintra, Morro, Maio, Tarraffal, Porto Novo, Praia, Palmeira, and Fogo.
5. Barbados
- Location: Eastern Caribbean
- Capital City: Bridgeton
- Flight Duration from Nigeria: 9 hours 6 minutes.
The eastern Caribbean island of Barbados is one of the best vacation destinations in the world. It is home to enchanting beaches, fascinating wildlife, and exquisite nature, with the aroma of delicious cuisine.
The heart of the country, Bridgeton relays the history of the country with its brilliant architecture of Victorian England. The city features amazing cafes, restaurants, and fast food branches with downtown Bridgeton, serving as a perfect place to grab a festive meal. Visiting the astonishing botanical garden called Hunte’s garden is also a great idea, the garden is adorned with a plethora of gorgeous Caribbean flora species which makes it a great picnic spot. And let’s not forget the surreal beaches which offer a great relaxation experience with their pristine white sands. There are also a host of adrenaline-boosting activities (Surfing, Snorkelling, and Stand-up paddling to name a few) to indulge in on the Caribbean Islands.
To experience the ultimate Christmas Spirit in the Caribbean a visit to the following places is a must, Harrison’s Cave, Dover Beach, Animal Flower Cave, Barbados Blue Water Sports, St. Michael’s Cathedral, and Dive Hightide Water sports to name a few.