It’s the most wonderful time of the year … to go on a cruise.
Trade the glow of a Christmas tree in your living room with the warmth of the sand and the sun on a holiday cruise. Skip the mulled wine on your stovetop for some of the world’s best at a European Christmas market.
Christmas cruises can level up your holiday celebrations — and are an ideal opportunity to escape the conventional holiday celebrations in place of an adventure.
On a holiday cruise, you can leave the cooking, cleaning and decorating to the pros and simply enjoy time with your family. Christmas and New Year’s cruises can also be good options for people trying to avoid the crush of relatives or who don’t have family but still want to spend the holiday surrounded by other people and festive cheer.
Winter cruises feature holiday-themed activities for all ages, special feasts that capture the magic of the holiday season and port calls at destinations that let you enjoy the holiday spirit without shivering from frigid temperatures.
It’s never too early to plan your holiday getaway, especially as these cruises are among the quickest to sell out. We found a handful of Christmas cruises still available in 2024, but you’ll want to book fast before they’re snatched up. Planning for next year or beyond? We’ve also rounded up the best Christmas and New Year’s cruises available to book in 2025 and 2026, as well as some useful tips about holiday cruise travel.
Holiday cruise tips
Holiday time on Disney’s private island in the Bahamas, Castaway Cay. KENT PHILLIPS/DISNEY CRUISE LINE
Before you book, keep in mind a few key facts about Christmas cruises.
Rates will be high
Expect cruise fares to be among the highest of the year during the holiday weeks as demand increases.
The best prices will be for early bookings; you likely won’t find any last-minute discounts. If you do, they might be on windowless inside cabins or guarantee cabins, where the cruise line picks your room location.
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Sailings will sell out
Holiday sailings sell out earlier than other itineraries, as people plan their holiday vacations months in advance. Suites and special cabins (family, spa, solo rooms and so forth) book up the fastest.
Consider booking your holiday cruise as early as possible, as the December sailings often fill up a year in advance.
Consider your own decorations
The crew will decorate public areas on board, but passengers often go all-out for the holidays, decorating their doors and cabins.
Magnetic doors on cabins are blank canvases for the imagination. You’ll find cabin doors on Christmas cruises covered in wrapping paper, adorned with garlands or dotted with holiday-themed images.
It’s best to double-check with your cruise line before attaching anything to your door or in your cabin, as rules and regulations differ per line. If you’re not creative, check if your cruise line offers cabin decoration packages for preorder prior to your sailing.
Specialty dining is not advised on the actual holiday
Most of the specialty dining restaurants on major cruise lines have set menus that do not change for the holidays.
The main, included dining options on board are your best bet for traditional holiday dinner options (think roast turkey, smoked ham, mashed potatoes and gravy). If you’re looking for a more intimate holiday meal, it can’t hurt to ask if any extra-fee restaurants are offering a Christmas or New Year’s menu.
Expect holiday hours in port
Most cruise ships will plan for Christmas to be a sea day, but if you’re in port Dec. 25 (or on Boxing Day, as many islands celebrate the day after), expect shops, restaurants and attractions to have modified hours or be closed.
Onboard services won’t stop, so if all your top lunch spots in port are closed, you’re always guaranteed a hot meal on the ship.
Consider a holiday bonus for the crew
Cruise ship crew members go beyond the standard service on all lines for the holidays, whether it’s a kind note wishing you well, a Champagne toast for New Year’s or a fanciful towel animal creation.
They can’t be at home celebrating with their families because they’re working hard to make your holiday special. While gratuities are often included in your fare or added automatically to your final bill, consider tipping extra on a Christmas cruise. The hardworking staff will appreciate your extra generosity during the holiday season.
Best Christmas cruises for 2024
If you’re determined to spend the holidays at sea this year, here are a few to check out, but you’ll need to act fast. While these itineraries were available at the time of writing, prices can change, and ships might sell out at any time.
Sailing round-trip from Miami, the voyage includes stops in Key West, Florida; Cozumel, Mexico; and Great Stirrup Cay, Bahamas, the line’s private island destination. Explore Key West attractions like the Key West Shipwreck Museum and The Hemingway Home & Museum. In Cozumel and Great Stirrup Cay, snorkel your heart out in the gin-clear waters of Mexico and the Bahamas.
During the cruise, passengers will enjoy special holiday-inspired menus and even a visit from Santa.
Rates start at $474 per person (based on double occupancy) for an inside cabin, including all taxes, fees and port expenses.
7-night Mediterranean cruise on MSC Cruises
Sail dates: Dec. 17-24, 2024
Ship: MSC Lirica
If cruising the Mediterranean is on your travel wish list, you might be able to check it off before the year ends with this seven-night itinerary with MSC Cruises, sailing round-trip from Rome (Civitavecchia) in Italy.
Port calls include Florence, Italy, where passengers can sample Tuscan cuisine, wander historic towns and visit art museums housing works by Michelangelo, Raphael and Botticelli. Stops in Palma de Mallorca and Valencia, Spain, provide opportunities to explore the Drach Caves and bask in the sun on idyllic Playa de las Arenas.
Holiday events on board include gift exchanges (for kids 11 and under), a Christmas parade, a movie with Santa and the Doremix Xmas, a fun holiday-inspired disco game for the whole family. Passengers can also visit Winter Wonderland for games, line dancing and other Christmas activities.
Rates start at $581 per person (based on double occupancy) for an inside cabin, including all taxes and fees. The line currently offers a “kids cruise free” promotion, so kids 18 and under who stay in the same cabin as a parent sail for free.
4-night Very Merrytime Bahamas cruise on Disney Cruise Line
Disney’s private island in the Bahamas, Castaway Cay. KENT PHILLIPS/DISNEY CRUISE LINE
Sail dates: Dec. 22-26, 2024
Ship: Disney Fantasy
Access Disney Cruise Line’s newest exclusive destination when you sail Disney Fantasy this Christmas. This four-night Very Merrytime cruise sails from Port Canaveral, Florida (near Orlando), to Disney’s Castaway Cay, followed by a day at the new Disney Lookout Cay at Lighthouse Point, both in the Bahamas. The new island destination highlights island culture with works by local artists and Bahamian music throughout the colorful beachside resort.
This sailing is one of Disney Cruise Line‘s Very Merrytime Cruises, so expect plenty of holiday-themed surprises and special moments. Disney’s December sailings feature snow flurries in the ship’s atrium, pop-up meet-and-greets with Disney characters dressed in their holiday best, and a Christmas wonderland on the beach at Castaway Cay and Disney Lookout Cay at Lighthouse Point.
Rates start at $3,928 for two adults sharing an inside cabin, including all taxes and fees.
16-night Circle Hawaii Holiday cruise on Holland America
Zaandam. HOLLAND AMERICA LINE
Sail dates: Dec. 18, 2024-Jan. 3, 2025
Ship: Zaandam
The 16-night Circle Hawaii Holiday on Holland America‘s Zaandam is a great way to retreat from the cold this December. The extended itinerary will whisk you away for both Christmas and New Year’s Eve.
The ship sails round-trip from San Diego with stops in Honolulu; Kahului, Maui; and Hilo and Kona, Hawaii. You’ll spend five days traversing the Pacific Ocean on your way to Hawaii and five days at sea, returning to the West Coast for one more stop in Ensenada, Mexico, before returning to San Diego. You can also enjoy scenic cruising by the Kilauea volcano.
Passengers can indulge in a Christmas Eve feast with traditional holiday dishes from around the world. Fresh jelly donuts and crispy potato latkes will be offered for Hanukkah. Don’t forget your holiday best, as Zaandam will host a Christmas Eve formal ball with dinner and dancing and a midnight Mass. New for 2024, cruisers can celebrate the holidays with a Nutcracker Afternoon Tea experience. Other seasonal events include holiday choir performances and Santa meet-and-greets.
Rates for inside cabins start at $1,999 per person (based on double occupancy), including taxes and fees.
Best Christmas cruises for 2025
If you’re on the hunt for the ideal holiday getaway, consider these Christmas cruises for next year’s holiday vacation. (Note: These sailings had availability at the time of writing, but prices might change or ships sell out at any time.)
13-night New Zealand holiday cruise on Celebrity Cruises
Okahu Bay in Auckland. DENIZUNLUSU/GETTY IMAGES
Sail dates: Dec. 23, 2025-Jan. 5, 2026
Ship: Celebrity Edge
The most appealing holiday itinerary on Celebrity Cruises takes you Down Under for a two-week celebration, sailing round-trip from Sydney.
You’ll cruise during the region’s summer season with an itinerary that traverses the picturesque Milford Sound, Doubtful Sound and Dusky Sound before making port stops in Dunedin, Napier, Auckland, Tauranga and Bay of Islands, New Zealand.
The cruise doesn’t call on Australian ports, but since the ship sails from Sydney, you can easily add a land-based precruise or postcruise stay.
If you’re feeling the holiday spirit, sign up to join a group of crew members and passengers to go caroling around the ship. Cookie decorating, visits with Santa and Christmas games are also part of the holiday fun. On New Year’s Eve, gather for a special party with a complimentary midnight Champagne toast, party favors and live music.
The lowest cabin fares start at $2,469 per person (based on double occupancy), which includes taxes and fees.
15-night Africa Cruise: Cape Town, Durban & Port Louis on Azamara
JENNA TAPLIN/AZAMARA CRUISES
Sail dates: Dec. 20, 2025-Jan. 4, 2026
Ship: Azamara Journey
Azamara is known for its travels to less-frequented ports, often with longer stays providing more time for immersion. Go somewhere new with Azamara’s 15-night Christmas and New Year’s cruise around South Africa. Azamara Journey sails round-trip from Cape Town with stops along the east coast of South Africa, including Port Elizabeth, Richards Bay, Durban and Mossel Bay.
Holiday events include caroling concerts, pop-ups with Christmas cookies and hot chocolate, and a special tree-trimming party Dec. 24. Azamara Journey will time its popular White Night pool deck party to coincide with New Year’s Eve. The line has a tradition of seeking out the oldest person on board to ring the ship’s bell two minutes prior to midnight to “ring out the old.” Then, the youngest passenger on board will “ring in the new” as the clock strikes midnight.
Rates start at $3,329 per person (based on double occupancy), which includes taxes, fees and port expenses.
7-night Christmas Markets on the Danube cruise on AmaWaterways
AMAWATERWAYS
Sail dates: Dec. 7-14, 2025
Ship: AmaMagna
A river cruise through Europe is the most convenient way to visit many of the continent’s famous Christmas markets.
Your ship will dock in the heart of each city, usually just a few steps from the markets. While sailing with AmaWaterways during the holiday season, guests return from a day exploring the markets to events on board that include tree-trimming, caroling and a fun European tradition called “Shoes for St. Nick,” where passengers who leave their slippers outside their cabin awake to find them filled with sweets.
Unlike most Christmas-related retail stores in the U.S. that stay open through the holiday season, many of Europe’s Christmas markets close up shop by Dec. 22, so you’ll need to take your vacation before Christmas itself. AmaWaterways’ seven-night Christmas Markets on the Danube cruise takes place aboard AmaMagna. You’ll be immersed in the holiday spirit with port stops in Passau, Germany; Vienna and Linz, Austria; Bratislava, Slovakia; and Budapest.
Rates for the weeklong cruise start at $4,439 per person (based on double occupancy), which includes port charges and taxes.
7-night Western Caribbean cruise on Princess Cruises
Sun Princess. PRINCESS CRUISES
Sail dates: Dec. 21-28, 2025
Ship: Sun Princess
Sun Princess, which debuted in February 2024, is the first of Princess Cruises‘ brand-new Sphere Class series of ships.
Take it for a Christmastime spin on a round-trip Fort Lauderdale itinerary that features port calls at Cozumel, Mexico; Grand Cayman, Cayman Islands; and Roatan, Honduras. Three sea days give guests plenty of time to explore all the attractions on board, from a dome-covered pool area to a top-deck family activity zone.
The 4,300-passenger vessel is about 21% bigger than the current biggest ships in the Princess fleet. It’s the line’s first ship that features suites with exclusive access to a private restaurant, lounge and sundeck. Sun Princess also has an innovative new “cabana cabin” on Deck 10 with access to a private sundeck.
It will be easy to get into the holiday spirit while on board Sun Princess, with festive decor throughout the ship and an occasional “snowfall” in the atrium. If you’re traveling with kids, you can leave cookies for Santa and carrots for his reindeer. Christmas caroling, storytime and other holiday events will help you create special holiday memories.
Rates for the Western Caribbean cruise start at $919 per person (based on double occupancy), including taxes and fees.
12-night Antarctic Explorer cruise on Viking
Viking guests watching gentoo penguins during onshore excursions in Antarctica. ALASTAIR MILLER/VIKING CRUISES
Sail dates: Dec. 17-29, 2025
Ship: Viking Polaris
While instinct might say to stop by the North Pole to check in on Santa’s operations, it’s just too cold, dark and icy for cruising. Instead, head toward the South Pole and Antarctica for a Christmas expedition.
Spend close to two weeks exploring the farthest reaches of Earth on the Antarctic Explorer itinerary aboard Viking‘s Polaris. The route sails round-trip from Ushuaia, Argentina, before traversing the Drake Passage and cruising Antarctica for seven days. You’ll have a cruise line-provided precruise stay in Buenos Aires the night before you fly down to Ushuaia to meet your ship.
You’ll explore the icebergs and cliffs of Antarctica on Christmas, presumably followed by a hot cocoa or a warm cocktail on deck. Afterward, treat yourself to Nordic-inspired dishes like smoked salmon and caviar, along with holiday treats like krumkake (a Nordic take on the cannoli) and sandkaker (Norwegian sugar cookies).
Polaris’ Antarctica itinerary is more of a suggestion rather than a set itinerary, and the onboard team will choose each day’s landing spot based on weather conditions. Rates for available cabins on the cruise start at $12,995 (based on double occupancy), including airfare, port taxes and fees.
7-night Eastern Caribbean & Perfect Day cruise on Royal Caribbean
Icon of the Seas. ERICA SILVERSTEIN/THE POINTS GUY
Sail dates: Dec. 20-27, 2025
Ship: Icon of the Seas
Catch a ride on the world’s largest cruise ship during the 2025 holiday season. Highlights of Royal Caribbean‘s new Icon of the Seas include a reconfigured AquaTheater, now set at the bow of the ship inside a giant glass dome and featuring a dazzling 50-foot waterfall and dancing robotic arms, and Category 6, the largest water park at sea with six waterslides, including the tallest drop slide at sea.
This holiday-week sailing departs round-trip from Miami with stops in Philipsburg, St. Maarten; Charlotte Amalie, St. Thomas; and Perfect Day at CocoCay (Royal Caribbean’s private island in the Bahamas). Two days at sea might not be enough time to try everything on board!
Holiday highlights often include Christmas Eve caroling, an ugly Christmas sweater crafting competition, Christmas ornament and gingerbread cookie decorating classes, and holiday games and trivia.
The lowest available cabin category for this sailing is an ocean-view cabin, starting at $2,714 per person (based on double occupancy), including taxes and fees.
14-night Galapagos cruise on Silversea
Silver Origin in Punta Vicente Roca, Isabela Island, Western Galapagos Islands. LUCIA GRIGGI/SILVERSEA
Sail dates: Dec. 13-27, 2025
Ship: Silver Origin
Escape to the exotic Galapagos Islands for the holidays with a Silversea cruise. On the 14-night round-trip voyage from San Cristobal, Silver Origin will alight at a remarkable 27 ports throughout the archipelago.
Silver Origin’s Christmas sailing will include many festive enhancements, beginning with an extensive overlay of greenery and ornaments throughout the ship’s interiors. The ship’s culinary team will prepare a special Christmas Eve and Christmas Day dinner menu, along with mulled wine, eggnog and hot chocolate.
Adding to the cheer, guests and the ship’s crew can participate in caroling, and despite there being no chimney in sight, a special visitor from the North Pole is scheduled to make an appearance.
The “door-to-door” rate for this sailing starts at $22,800 per person (based on double occupancy), including port fees and taxes. It also includes a transfer service to the airport, airfare, shore excursions, premium alcoholic beverages, all gratuities, butler service and a return transfer back home at the end of your trip.
8-night Lower Mississippi Christmas cruise on American Cruise Lines
Houmas House. AMERICAN CRUISE LINES
Sail dates: Dec. 21-28, 2025
Ship: American Symphony
Glide up the Lower Mississippi River and soak in the charms of historic towns decked out in their holiday finest.
This holiday itinerary from American Cruise Lines begins with a precruise hotel stay in New Orleans, where you can explore bustling Bourbon Street. Along the way, stops include Natchez and Vicksburg, Mississippi; Oak Alley, Louisiana; and Memphis.
Guests can take part in holiday port excursions such as The Jeweled Christmas in Natchez, which features a visit to The Towers of Natchez, one of the state’s most opulent privately owned antebellum homes adorned with festive decorations and displays that include more than 100 Christmas trees. Additionally, Louisiana’s historic Southern estates, such as Oak Alley Plantation and Houmas House, will showcase 1850s Christmas decor, including fresh fruit greenery.
While on board, passengers can enjoy a Christmas dinner with all the trimmings, Christmas cookie decorating, holiday music and caroling, and a holiday gift exchange.
Rates for the eight-night Christmas cruise from New Orleans to Memphis start at $5,275 per person, including taxes, port fees and gratuities.
Best Christmas cruises for 2026
If you want to score the best prices on a holiday cruise, book far in advance. Many cruise lines haven’t released itineraries for November and December 2026 at the time of writing. However, here are a couple to consider for your 2026 Christmas vacation. (Bookmark this page, as we will update 2026 Christmas sailings as more become available.)
7-night Eastern Caribbean cruise on Carnival Cruise Line
Carnival Cruise Line’s Carnival Celebration. ERICA SILVERSTEIN/THE POINTS GUY
Sail dates: Dec. 20-27, 2026
Ship: Carnival Celebration
Carnival‘s seven-night Eastern Caribbean sailing is an excellent way to experience Carnival’s Celebration Key, the line’s new private destination on the south side of Grand Bahama Island. Carnival Celebration sails round-trip from Miami with stops at the line’s private beaches, Celebration Key and Half Moon Cay, plus Nassau, Bahamas, and Amber Cove, Dominican Republic, so you can get some much-needed beach time and warm weather.
The line understands its family-forward “fun” ships are built for cheery escapes, and its Christmas celebrations fit perfectly into that world. Seasonal holiday events include Christmas caroling, an ugly sweater competition and a live holiday show with appearances by Santa and the Grinch.
Rates for inside cabins start at $1,254 per person (based on double occupancy), which includes taxes and fees.
21-night Transatlantic Crossing on Cunard
CHRISTOPHER ISON/CUNARD
Sail dates: Nov. 29-Dec. 20, 2026
Ship: Queen Mary 2
You’ll have ample time to save up vacation days for Cunard‘s epic transatlantic sailing. The 21-night voyage begins in Southampton, England, and ends in New York City.
On board, sparkling Christmas trees, bright decorations and glittering lights greet passengers at every turn. More days at sea will provide guests additional time to enjoy festive holiday activities and events, such as an upscale celebratory feast for Christmas and New Year’s Eve.
Off the ship, cruisers can soak in New York City’s iconic Christmas finery and experience Caribbean holiday traditions in Tortola, Dominica, Barbados, St. Lucia and St. Kitts.
Rates start at $4,259 per person (based on double occupancy) for a Britannia Inside cabin, including taxes and fees.
Elvis Presley landmarks to visit in Tupelo: A video tour
Take a step into the past in Tupelo as you tour Elvis Presley’s birth home and see representations of his life take form in both murals and statues.
Memphis is the destination for Elvis Presley fans, with Graceland alone attracting about 600,000 visitors a year.
But there are plenty of other sites across the country that have some connection to Elvis, from Tupelo to Las Vegas.
If you’re an Elvis fan looking to visit the key stops on the King’s journey, here are six sites within driving distance of Memphis you should visit.
RCA Studio B: Nashville
Located on Nashville’s Music Row, RCA Studio B is the site of legendary recordings by artists like Dolly Parton, Waylon Jennings and, of course, Elvis Presley. The King recorded over 200 songs and performed multiple marathon recording sessions there, with one in 1970 producing more than 30 songs in just five days.
Elvis made many visits to RCA Studio B over the years, starting in 1958 — just a year after it opened. RCA Studio B closed just one day after Elvis died in 1977.
While Elvis was the King of Rock ‘n’ Roll, he also left his mark on the country music industry. The Country Music Hall of Fame in Nahsville recognizes this with a sizeable section dedicated to Presley.
Inside are some of Presley’s performance outfits, photos, news clippings, guitars he played and other memorabilia. Most prominent, however, is his gold-plated 1960 Cadillac, complete with a television in the back seat. Subtle, Elvis was not.
Shreveport Municipal Auditorium: Shreveport, Louisiana
One of the farthest locations on this list takes us to Shreveport, Louisiana, and the Shreveport Municipal Auditorium. More than just a performance venue, the building broadcast the Louisiana Hayride, a radio and country music show that helped launch a few careers, including that of Elvis.
Inside the historic 1920s era art-deco building, Elvis made his Louisiana Hayride debut in October 1954, and soon he was signed to perform every Saturday night on the Hayride for $18 per show. Following his final performance there in 1956, host Horace Logan famously declared, “Elvis has left the building.”
A nearly 5-hour trip across Arkansas will take you to the place where one of the most famous photos of the King was taken. On Dec. 20, 1957, Elvis was drafted in the U.S. Army. Declining to join Special Services like many celebrities, on March 25, 1958, one day after he was sworn in, he received a well-photographed military-style buzz cut at the Fort Chaffee Barbershop.
Today, the barbershop is part of the Chaffee Barbershop & Military Museum, which dives into Fort Chaffee’s 70-year history, and has memorabilia from Presley’s military career, including the camera that captured the cut. It’s up to you if a 5-hour drive should be considered a day trip, but if you are an Elvis fan, it shouldn’t be passed up. Admission is free.
It’s simply a requirement for true Elvis fans to visit where it all began. Presley was born in Tupelo, Mississippi, on Jan. 8, 1935, inside a tiny two-room house constructed by his father, grandfather and uncle. They did not do a bad job either, as it’s still standing for fans to enjoy to this day.
The Presleys did not remain in that home for long. With Vernon Presley unable to repay the $180 loan he used to build the home, the family moved out after three years. The park where the home rests is still worth a visit, alongside Elvis’ childhood church where he learned a few guitar chords, an Elvis museum, “Walk of Life,” statues of Elvis as a child and more.
An interesting location in Elvis lore, the humble Tupelo Hardware Company is where Elvis got his first guitar. Founded in 1926 and located at 114 W. Main since 1941, the soon-to-be musician and his mother walked into the store in 1945, where just bought him his first guitar for a whopping $7.75, or $140.44 adjusted for inflation in 2025.
An X marks the spot inside where Gladys bought him the guitar for his 11th birthday. Allegedly he wanted a rifle — thankfully, he was convinced to choose the guitar instead. If you are in need of supplies, the store still sells tools, hardware, general home goods and, of course, guitars.
Jacob Wilt is a reporter for The Commercial Appeal covering DeSoto County, as well as Dining in the Memphis area. You can reach him at jacob.wilt@commercialappeal.com.
Complete with winding coastal roads, vast sandy beaches, quaint fishing villages and captivating castle ruins, this incredible route shows off the very best of Britain’s natural beauty
With reports revealing 71 per cent of Gen Z plan to visit viral travel hotspots, a travel expert has opened up about their favourite UK road trips(Image: Tony Atkin/Geograph)
A captivating coastal road trip tracing the north coast of Cornwall and Devon has been named among the UK’s most sensational driving routes by a travel expert.
Insights manager at Away Resorts, Dan Doherty, crowned the the Atlantic Highway as the fourth-most scenic summer drive the UK has to offer. With reports revealing that 71 per cent of Gen Z plan to visit viral travel hotspots, Dan has compiled a list of five unforgettable drives.
For anyone yearning to explore the UK’s coastline this summer, the Atlantic Highway promises an unforgettable adventure. The 191-mile stretch, officially known as the A39, stands out for its intoxicating blend of sea views, charming coastal towns and rolling Cornish countryside. It comes after beachgoers are left stunned after rare sea creature spotted off British coast.
The Atlantic Highway passes through the charming fishing village of Port Isaac(Image: Western Morning News)
Dan said: “Running along the north coast of Cornwall and into Devon, the Atlantic Highway, A39, offers a blend of sea views, historic towns, and rolling countryside. Stretching from Barnstaple to Newquay, this scenic route passes dramatic cliffs, golden beaches, and surf towns like Bude and Padstow.
“The road offers glimpses of the Atlantic Ocean at various points, especially between Tintagel and Port Isaac, both steeped in legend and local charm. It’s an ideal drive for summer months, with plenty of stop-offs for icecreams and coastal walks.”
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Traveling along the A39, drivers journey through a tapestry of breathtaking landscapes and quaint seaside villages, each offering its own unique allure. The route sweeps past pretty fishing villages like Boscastle and the vibrant culinary hotspot of Padstow, famous for its charming harbour and spectacular seafood.
Each of these coastal gems is perfect for leisurely strolls, sampling local treats and soaking in the captivating views. The final destination, Newquay, is the surf capital of Cornwall, boasting vast golden beaches that make it a favourite for families and thrill-seekers alike.
The Atlantic Highway passes close by the ruins of Tintagel Castle — the perfect place for a pit stop(Image: Getty Images)
Travel expert Dan’s top five most scenic UK drives are as follows:
Dan added: “With the rise of staycations and a growing appetite for more flexible, weather-proof travel options, road trips provide the perfect way to explore at your own pace. Whether you have a day or a week to spare, scenic road trips are the perfect way to explore the UK’s natural beauty.
“From spontaneous detours to peaceful viewpoints, travelling by car lets you enjoy the journey without the stress of crowds or fixed schedules. These routes offer the freedom to roam with the comfort of staying close to home, making them ideal for a relaxed and memorable summer escape.”
So whether you yearn to explore ancient castles, fancy fish and chips in picturesque harbours, or simply wish to savour the sparkle of sunlight on the waves while you cruise the coastline, the Atlantic Highway delivers a sensational summer road trip showing off the timeless beauty of Britain’s shores.
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