Tis the season to start your Christmas shopping and there is nothing quite like walking through streets of shimmering lights, bright colours and beautifully decorated window displays, surrounded by the aromas of pine, cinnamon, gingerbread and mulled wine, whilst doing so.
This Christmas, why not take a trip to one of our favourite Christmas shopping destinations, all perfectly accessible via private jet?
1) Milan, Italy
Renowned as the shopping capital of the world, why not take a walk down Via Montenapoleone and Via Della Spiga and have all the best designers, such as Prada, Hermes, Chanel, & Bulgari, at your fingertips? Shopping here is fancy but stress-free.
In December, Milan is full of festive fun. Visit the magical markets in Mercatino di Natale in Piazza Duomo (Piazza Duomo Christmas Market) and witness the huge Christmas tree near Milan’s Duomo Cathedral or check out the ornate tree at the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele.
Piazza Gae Aulenti is another excellent place to visit, where you can pick up unique Christmas gifts, including handcrafted wooden toys, among other things, and delicious street food.
After a hard day’s shopping, head to the cobblestoned districts of Arco della Pace, Brera or the canal district of Navigli to experience some retro charm over aperitivi at one of the many cool bars and chic eateries.
WHERE TO STAY:
- Bulgari Hotel Milano
- Mandarin Oriental Milan
- Four Seasons Hotel
- Park Hyatt Milan
- Armani Hotel Milano
GETTING THERE:
Milan Linate Airport (LIN/LIML) is the closest airport to the centre of Milan and is open to private jet movements 24 hours a day. Linate Airport is located approximately 8 kilometres from the heart of Milan and a transfer by road takes between 30 and 45 minutes by road.
2) Dubai, United Arab Emirates
Dubai has everything you need for a truly fabulous festive experience and is perfect for families, couples and friends. December sees Dubai lit up with fairy lights, and huge Christmas trees are built and decorated overnight, kept in the dark until their official tree lighting ceremony, which attracts crowds to enjoy local choirs, festive nibbles and drinks.
Home to one of the largest shopping malls in the UAE, the Dubai Mall, has circa 1,200 stores set over four floors, and with Dubai Shopping Festival also taking place in December, where better to do your Christmas shopping than in the mall of dreams?
If you are looking for some unusual or unique gifts, check out one of the many festive markets dotted around town – there is the Winter Garden at Habtoor Palace, the Maker’s Market at Cityland Mall, the Golden Mile Galleria’s Christmas Market on the Palm and RIPE’s festive editions in Academy Park, Umm Suqeim.
Alternatively, you can go to Global Village to see singing Santa and meet the tiniest Santa in the world – invisible to the naked eye – or visit the Aquarium and Underwater Zoo, Dubai Dino, the Opera or perhaps the top of the Burj Khalifa.
WHERE TO STAY:
- One & Only Royal Mirage
- Bulgari Resort Dubai
- Jumeirah Burj Al Arab
- Raffles The Palm Dubai
- Atlantis Dubai
GETTING THERE:
Dubai International Airport (DXB/OMDB) has long been the airport of choice for private jet travellers heading into the city of Dubai. However, since its opening in late 2013, Dubai World Central Airport (DWC/OMDW) – also known as Al Maktoum International Airport – has fast become the airport of choice for private jet travellers.
Despite being 55 kilometres from the centre of Dubai, a transfer by road from Dubai World Central Airport takes approximately the same time as from Dubai International Airport due to less road congestion.
3) Los Angeles, United States
Looking for somewhere to do your Christmas shopping but want somewhere there isn’t the typically cold winter weather? California is a great place to go.
For the ultimate in luxury shopping, visit the glamourous Rodeo Drive, which is lined with top designers and luxury boutique stores, including holiday favourites such as Tiffany and Co, Balenciaga, Cartier, Dolce & Gabbana, Ralph Lauren and many more.
Searching for something a little different? The Unique LA Holiday Market really does feature unique items and is one of the best markets to visit. There are also plenty of artisan markets and fairs, including the Union Station Holiday Festival, Jackalope Indie Artisan Fair, Renegade and Echo Park Craft Fairs.
After all that shopping, why not head to the heart of downtown LA and visit the Bai Holiday Ice Rink? Here, you can skate day or night with a view of the city skyline. If you fancy something a little more cultural, you could attend Las Posadas, a Mexican-American Christmas festival for candlelit processions, traditional music and dance performances as well as an array of authentic food and piñata-breaking. Held along Olvera Street, it is a unique part of the city.
WHERE TO STAY:
- Four Seasons Los Angeles at Beverly Hills
- Waldorf Astoria Beverly Hills
- Hotel Bel-Air
- Pendry West Hollywood
- The Peninsula Beverly Hills
GETTING THERE:
The go-to airport for private jet travellers looking to visit Los Angeles is Van Nuys (VNY/KVNY). As one of the world’s busiest private jet airports, Van Nuys sees over 200,000 aircraft movements per year.
Located 34 kilometres to the northwest of Downtown Los Angeles, it is possible to transfer by road or by private helicopter.
4) Hong Kong
As ‘the City that takes shopping seriously’, many people love to visit Hong Kong for extravagant spending, particularly as the luxury goods are tax-free.
A shopper’s paradise, Hong Kong is home to many shopping hotspots, including Times Square, IFC Shopping Mall, 1881 Heritage and the Landmark. Whether you are looking for the perfect gift for your spouse, partner, child or friend, these prestigious malls are home to every designer brand you can think of, making them the ideal locations to find that glamorous gift. They also pull out all the stops with beautiful festive displays, perfect for getting you in the Christmas spirit.
But Hong Kong at Christmas is far more than just shopping, particularly as it is one country in East Asia where Christmas is celebrated perhaps the most grandly. Winterfest, recognised by CNN as one of the best places to spend your Christmas, features ice shows and many other Christmas activities. There are also plenty of holiday fairs you can go to in town where you can shop for gifts, indulge in seasonal treats and soak up the festive atmosphere. Check out some or all of the Christmas markets at Island Shangri-La, Basehall, The Upper House, Stanley Plaza, Kll Musea Christmas Village Pop-up, Discovery Bay and Swire Properties White Christmas Street Fair, to name but a few.
WHERE TO STAY:
- The Landmark Mandarin Oriental Hong Kong
- The Ritz-Carlton Hong Kong
- Four Seasons Hotel Hong Kong
- The Peninsula Hong Kong
- Island Shangri-La Hong Kong
GETTING THERE:
Hong Kong International Airport (HKG/VHHH), otherwise known as Chek Lap Kok Airport, is the best way of accessing central Hong Kong and is situated approximately 30 kilometres away by road.
5) Paris, France
Known as the ‘City of Light’, there couldn’t be a truer word said for Paris at Christmastime. Giving New York a run for its money, some of the most popular light displays, magical window displays and Insta-ready Christmas trees can be found in Paris’ infamous shopping districts and department stores.
As a capital of fashion, Paris is renowned for its shopping. The Elysian Fields (Champs-Elysées) is one of Paris’ most infamous and glamorous avenues, which is home to some of the biggest names in luxury shopping, including Tiffany & Co, Cartier, Givenchy, Louis Vuitton, and Fendi, to name but a few. Alternatively, you can visit one of their prestigious department stores. Head to Galeries Lafayette for shopping with a view, to Le BHV Marais for a trip to Switzerland, to Printemps Paris Haussmann for something creative and colourful, or there is the oldest department store in Paris, Le Bon Marche, for something more traditional.
The Christmas markets in Paris are spectacular. Be sure to check out the La Magie de Noël (The Magic of Christmas) in Tuileries Garden, located next to the enchanting Louvre, the Eifel Tower Christmas Market, Notre Dame Christmas Market, Saint Germain des Prés, or La Défense Christmas Market, which features more than 350 chalets spread over 13,000 square meters.
Whether a trip with loved ones, family or friends, Paris has something for everyone.
WHERE TO STAY:
- Hotel Plaza Athénée
- Grand Hotel du Palais Royal
- Hotel de Crillion, A Rosewood Hotel
- Le Royal Monceau Raffles Paris
- The Peninsula Paris
GETTING THERE:
Paris Le Bourget (LBG/LFPB) is the airport of choice for private jet travellers looking to access the French capital. As one of Europe’s busiest private jet airports, Le Bourget is well-located at only 15 kilometres from Paris’ centre.
6) London, United Kingdom
London at Christmas is truly magical, and as a shopping destination, it transforms into a festive paradise with perfectly decorated storefronts, lit-up Christmas trees and a real ‘Winter Wonderland’ right in its heart.
Home to some of the world’s most famous brands, the places to shop are endless. Hotspots include Bond Street, Oxford Street and Regent Street, St James’, the piazza and Seven Dials in Covent Garden, Chelsea’s Kings Road, and the infamous Harrods in Knightsbridge.
London is also home to some of the best Christmas markets – check out Southbank Centre Winter Market or those in Covent Garden, Leicester Square, Kingston and Trafalgar Square.
For the ultimate Christmas markets, head to Winter Wonderland in Hyde Park, where you can truly soak up the Christmas cheer. Here, you will find an array of gifts, handmade crafts, jewellery and culinary delights being sold from more than 100 wooden stalls. Once you have finished shopping, you can enjoy some skating on the UK’s biggest outdoor ice rink, a ride on the Giant Observation Wheel or fairground rides, and watch a range of festive entertainment.
WHERE TO STAY:
GETTING THERE:
London is served by a number of airports that are accessible by private jet. These include Biggin Hill (BQH/EGKB), Farnborough (FAB/EGLF), London City (LCY/EGLC) and London Luton (LTN/EGGW).
Whilst all of these airports have good connections to the city centre, London City and Biggin Hill are situated closest to London’s heart.
7) New York, United States
If you are looking for the ultimate Christmas shopping destination, ‘The Big Apple’ will not disappoint.
Home to some of the best luxury shopping districts, including Fifth Avenue, Madison Avenue and Soho, as well as exemplary department stores like Macy’s, Century 21 and Bloomingdale’s, New York offers the ultimate luxury shopping experience.
The perfect place to spend time with family or friends, it is renowned for some of the most elaborate window displays in the world, not forgetting the iconic Rockefeller Christmas tree and ice rink.
If you are looking for something different, why not visit one of the many holiday markets? For something unique, check out The Grand Central Holiday Fair; for something quirky, visit Union Square; for something handmade, visit The Makers Show at City Point; and for something that you can feast your eyes and your stomach on, check out Bryant Park Winter Village or Columbus Circle Holiday Market, where you can reward yourself with tasty culinary delights once you’ve made those all-important purchases.
There is also plenty to do to pass away the evenings. From boutique bars to Michelin-star restaurants or Broadway shows, it is easy to see why it is known as ‘the city that never sleeps’.
WHERE TO STAY:
GETTING THERE:
Of the many airports serving New York, the most popular with private jets are Teterboro (TEB/KTEB), Westchester County Airport (HPN/KHPN) and LaGuardia (LGA/KLGA).
All are well connected to the city centre and offer transfers by road or helicopter.
Whether you require guidance on the most suitable aircraft for your route and number of passengers, assistance with planning your trip itinerary and logistics, or arranging the finer details to form your signature journey, we offer a comprehensive range of air charter and concierge services tailor-made to your requirements, leaving you to rest assured that you are in the hands of a professional service provider.
To discuss your requirements in more detail, telephone +44 (0) 330 043 0041 or email fly@sentiensignature.com.
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