13 Spectacular Destinations to Explore This Festive Season

Ladies, ’tis the season for festive celebrations, but also for new adventures beyond the pitch. We pour serious sweat into perfecting our game all year long. Now it’s time to refresh, rejuvenate, and reward ourselves with sensational getaways this holiday break.

Whether unwinding on tropical shores, summiting majestic mountains, or exploring ancient alleyways, travel expands our perspectives. And as athletes, we must take time to cultivate well-rounded lives. 

So, let’s discover spectacular destinations to explore this festive season where we can strengthen bonds with teammates, immerse in rich traditions, and come back to the field newly inspired.

Read More on Travel Tips for the Festive Season for Female Athletes.

Why Female Soccer Players Should Explore this Festive Season

Girlfriends, did you know adventuring to just one new destination fulfills a core human need? It’s true! Travel inherently teaches us resilience while satisfying our curiosity about worlds beyond our front door. And as driven female athletes, we crave new input and bold experiences that help us level up both mentally and emotionally.  

Exploring exotic pockets of the globe with squad members also builds rapport and intimacy unlike anything else. You learn how patient and curious (or absolutely NOT, lol!) teammates are when faced with language barriers, transportation fails, or questionable street food. 😂 Those bonding moments become priceless memories that strengthen team cohesion for future seasons.

And the trip itself isn’t the only payoff. Returning with beautiful imagery and cultural knick-knacks stirs nostalgia for adventures past while motivating us to doggedly pursue future dreams. Basically, the personal growth, perspective shifts, and interpersonal connections realized through travel make us BETTER athletes on the field and human beings off it. How amazing is that?

So, as your resident jet-setting writer and former D1 soccer captain, please allow me to present the cream of the crop destinations this festive season and why YOU deserve to experience them…

13 Spectacular Destinations to Explore This Festive Season

Here are spectacular destinations to explore this festive season. Which are the holiday havens you must visit this holiday?

1. Exotic Escapes: Tropical Paradise Retreats

Alright, ladies, brace yourselves for total tranquility intertwined with sun-drenched adventure out here in paradise. After a grueling season battling the elements Stateside, tropical locales like Hawaii, Costa Rica, and Thailand beckon with lush rainforests, heavenly beaches, and vibrant culture at every turn. Talk about REST and RESET.

I recently visited the Hawaiian island of Kauai, which literally looks plucked from Jurassic Park screenshots. Mighty waterfalls tumble down mountain cliffs as you kayak endless rivers or trek Napali’s stunning coastal trails. And don’t even get me started on swimming with sea turtles.

Whether snorkeling vibrant reefs or hiking hidden lava tube caves, Kauai nurtures our adventurous spirits through the power of untamed natural beauty.

For teammates craving R&R, Los Cabos oozes unlimited opulence with stunning desert-meets-sea panoramas fringing swanky infinity pools. Treat yourselves to private villa pampering, farm-to-table cuisine, and unlimited spa treatments between paddleboarding crystalline coves and dancing the nights away at beachfront discos.

 You’ll return SO ready to dominate that pitch, girlfriends.

2. Cultural Retreats

While white sand languishing is never a wrong choice, expanding our cultural bandwidth often proves to be a more memorable experience. Conversing with monks in Chiang Mai, mastering Argentine tango moves in Buenos Aires, savoring street foods in Singapore—lean INTO those exotic environments this festive break, ladies.

Introducing foreign cuisine directly from village grandmas versus stuffy resort restaurants stays with you long term. My favorite Bangkok memory? Learning to cook authentic pad Thai noodles from a local family via hand gestures and giggles. While fitness remains a priority over holidays, allowing ourselves indulgence in moderation with intention can be incredibly bonding.  

Trekking iconic sites like Machu Picchu or Angkor Wat Temples with teammates also grows patience and tenacity while forming inside jokes that endure for years. Who knew scaling ancient ruins required grit nearly comparable to two-a-days in blazing heat? Those shared “sufferfests” build deep camaraderie; I promise you that.

3. Mountainous Getaways for Nature Lovers

Ladies who crave heavy-duty outdoor pursuits over pure pampering, hear me clearly: iconic mountain ranges like the Swiss Alps and Canadian Rockies await your exploration. Boasting insane altitudes and pioneering adventure infrastructure, these regions deliver nonstop action to satisfy even our athletic appetites. Talk about training montages come to life.

Picture tackling intermediate ski and snowboard runs after just a few lessons at Whistler Blackcomb. Or mountain biking the legendary Golden Triangle linking Banff, Yoho, and Jasper national parks for staggering glacier vistas. Trust me, ripping downhill singletrack through wildflower meadows and grizzly territory gets ALL the endorphins pumping.

When muscles tire, head to outdoor hot spring complexes like those scattered throughout the Swiss Alps, offering steamy relaxation, decadent spa treatments, and breathtaking views of the Matterhorn. Hit happy hour and make travel friends from every corner of the globe.

Just save those rowdy après parties for later, ladies. 😉 Recovery makes us better athletes, remember? 

4. Urban Chic: Cosmopolitan Hot Spots

Maybe powder pursuits sound great on paper, but navigating subzero conditions melts your holiday spirit faster than snowflakes on the pavement. No worries. If big city lights call your name instead, trendsetting metropolises like Paris, Cape Town, and Tokyo deliver equal parts indulgence and iconic ambiance. Bring on the Michelin-star dining, vibrant nightlife, and serious shopping sprees.

Wandering the Champs-Élysées all aglow or meandering hipster alleys in Shibuya admiring vibrant anime urban art makes for stunning mobile scrolling. But don’t forget to disconnect and BE present as you window shop design houses before catching waterside light shows that make Time Square look totally tired.  

If more sun and surf is your speed, look no further than Cape Town for rugged coastal scenery, fringing first-class vineyards, and pastel stunners like Bo Kaap. Sea kayak with penguins on the Cape Peninsula before parties at Camps Bay stretched out on golden sand. Then sing along to Afro House music pulsing citywide with teammates as you bond over shared travel exploits.

5. Relaxation Resorts: Tranquil Spa Retreats

Maybe maxing out our festive downtime means sinking fully into relaxation mode before next season’s demands hit. No judgments here, babes. In that case, any of Mexico’s world-class all-inclusive resorts fit the rejuvenation bill beautifully. We’re talking indulgent spa treatments, infinity pool sunbathing, and 24/7 cuisine whenever hunger calls. Luxe amenities galore with amigos in paradise? Umm, sign me up, aorta.

Rosewood Mayakoba oozes A-list opulence cradled within the dense mangrove jungle interior. While beach breezes beckon right outside your cottage door, the on-site Sense spa and wellness center provides everything from cleansing Temazcal rituals to high-tech neuro fitness therapies nurturing mind-body awareness that ground us for peak performance. Talk about playing AND recovering like a boss.

Or check into luxury retreats like Ayana Resort Jimbaran, which soothes jet lag with private beachfront villas before delivering unlimited R&R. We’re talking expert sports massages, skin-plumping facials, and vitamin-infused tropical fruit smoothies from their hydroponic garden nourishing us inside and out. Return to real life, already missing those signature pool views…😎⛱️

6. Fitness-Focused Destinations: Maintain Momentum

Alright ladies, show hands if a single idle day on vacay leaves you antsy as all get out. 🙋🏼‍♀️Same over here. Lucky for us, certain destinations actually allow for maintaining sports performance momentum over festive breaks. Bring that A-game, girlfriends.

Outliers exist in every location, but coastal Spain reset the standard for luxe wellness offerings merged seamlessly with culture. We’re talking about destination “wellness resorts” like SHA or Lefay Resort, housing technologically advanced gyms for training, plus waterfront hiking trails to maintain a precious fitness base. Then, indulge guilt-free during award-winning spa treatments or Mediterranean gourmet grazing! ¿Hola, cuando salimos? 💃🏽

Stateside, Scottsdale, AZ, stuns with endless bluebird skies plus a heavy focus on health-conscious amenities from plant-forward cuisine to chic boutique gyms like The Studio MSD housing hydraulic Pilates equipment. Then, skinny dip under cascading desert stars before striking warrior pose as the sun rises over crimson sandstone buttes. Talk about magic!

7. Team Building Getaways

While solo journeys hold immense value, sharing travel’s sensory overload often fast-tracks relationships with loved ones. And no bonds bolster joy and performance quite like those nurtured among teammates. Luckily, numerous destinations cater expressly to athletic team building, offering structured activities that amplify trust and connectivity. 

Outdoor education centers like High 5 exist solely to guide teams through adventure obstacle courses, encouraging leadership, communication, and mutual support. Traversing alpine towers and problem-solving through wilderness orienteering reveal team strengths and weaknesses beyond the field. 

Bonus: these outrageously fun outings built on goofy giggles make for amazing video footage and ‘grams.

For less intense team retreats, group cooking classes like those offered at Ballymaloe Cookery School provide lighthearted team challenges as we chop, sauté, and sip wine before sitting down to “feast family style” on our fresh-prepped creations. Nurturing camaraderie around food brings out our personal flavors, too.

8. Sporting Spectatorship: Enjoy the Magic As a Fan

Alright, ladies, perhaps after endless tournaments and tryouts these past few seasons, the idea of participating in MORE matches over holiday breaks makes us want to cry foul. Totally acceptable. Luckily, numerous beloved sporting events unfold across the globe this festive season, which we can enjoy vicariously from the stands with snacks and smiles—outsourcing the action over vacation. Yes, please! 🙌  

Come December, visit any European city hosting a Premier League club, then snag tickets to a game embracing full supporter culture. Sing heartily, dress in home colors, and bond with fellow fans while marveling at world-class play without physical exertion. Return home, already missing English breakfast spreads and match day camaraderie.

Australia’s summer events calendar brims with options for bucket list sporting spectacle. Take Melbourne’s iconic Boxing Day Cricket Test or the world-famous Sydney-to-Hobart yacht race kicking off the day after Christmas. Or head to Brisbane for Women’s Super Netball displays of elite athleticism aligned with universal girl power. Sporting magic awaits down under.

9. Beach Bliss: Sun, Surf and Soccer Stars

Maybe maximum holiday happiness simply means sinking toes into silky sand while lapping up gorgeous aqua surf. Enter Oceanside Nirvana. Places like boho surf mecca Sayulita, Mexico, serve up vibrant beach scenes with barefoot mingling, open-air seafood eateries, and sunkissed locals down for pickup soccer matches if we ask nicely. 😉

Wander farther south to discover Peru’s stylish capital, Lima, and nearby coastal villages housing prime Pacific swells, dreamy sunsets, and lively beach clubs pouring stellar pisco cocktails. Between surf sessions, feast ceviche, which is so fresh it shimmies with lime juice. Then, dance the desert nights away alongside model-like Latin locals before retreating to oceanside luxury at Hotel Paracas. 

Or cross the pond to sunkissed Portugal overflowing with striking sand near world-class wineries, cinematic sea cliffs, and charming villages served by quaint trolleys. Post up beachfront at super chic SUD Lisbon for al fresco small plates after playing referee during neighborhood futebol matches. Sun, smiles, and the game we love—what more could we want?

10. Historical Hideaways: Exploring Rich Heritage

Alright, history buffs and architectural enthusiasts, grab your camera phones. Iconic cities like Rome, Edinburgh, and Istanbul beckon, boasting ancient ruins, medieval fortresses, and opulent palaces for us to explore between festive local fare grazing and museum-hopping. Culture and calories? Sign me UP! 🤓😋

Roaming Edinburgh’s hilly Royal Mile at Christmastime transports you to folklore fantasylands with its neo-gothic spires all dressed out for festivities. This UNESCO site overflows with regal heritage, so be sure to tour the castle ramparts for jaw-dropping views of centuries-old architecture dusted in fairytale snow. Brb adding Scotland to my vision board…🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿

Or make Mediterranean dreams come true, wandering Santorini’s whitewashed cliffside villages while tracing the roots of ancient civilizations. Savor award-winning Aegean wines overlooking the caldera basin or test endurance scaling infinite staircases between pastel shops spilling down coastal hillsides toward behaviors lapping the volcanic island’s rocky edges. Inhale salty breezes exhale pure serenity before toasting electric sunsets with local friends. OPA!! 🥂

11. Remote Retreats: Off-The-Grid Tranquility

But what about those introverted personalities that THRIVE in silent solitude surrounded solely by nature’s splendor? Ladies, I’ve got just the winter wellness reset for you: Philippines island Palawan, aka heaven on Earth.

While bustling cities certainly hold allure, far flung locales sans throngs of tourists allow us to hear our inner voice once more. And Palawan’s towering limestone cliffs cradling untouched coral coves and breezy bamboo bungalows deliver next-level tropical therapy. Drift along on bamboo rafts through a forest canopy, watching monkeys trapeze across vines before retiring to candles lit treehouse dinners. Talk about sublime bliss.

Or escape to Franz Josef, New Zealand, for relaxing hot spring soaks surrounded by lush rainforest dotted with quaint mountain lodges to use as home base between glacier helicopter tours. The South Island’s rugged remoteness makes focusing inward feel natural, not forced. Realign your spirit here, super starlets.

12. Homecoming Holidays: Celebrating with Loved Ones

As much as breaking routine awakens our senses, perhaps soul food means savoring quality time amongst family and lifelong friends in your corner of the world over holidays. Explore hometown troves of childhood memory lanes together.

Revisiting old schools, playgrounds, and neighborhood haunts often unearths hilarious anecdotes or poignant reflections to bond over. And attending time-honored religious gatherings or serving at community shelters feels extra special alongside mentors who’ve molded our journeys. 

Exchanging thoughtful gifts expressing intimate understanding tugs heartstrings tightened by months separated while at college or chasing pro contracts in far-off cities. You suddenly remember why roots run so deep. And how grounding our perspective feels after the extreme highs and lows of athletic life. Appreciate loved ones this season, ladies. Everything else shines brighter because of their unwavering support.

13. Educational Expeditions: Learning + Leisure

Lastly, for those achievement-addicted academics seeking enlightenment through travel, numerous destinations allow balancing festive leisure time with tangible learning gains this holiday season. Attend cooking classes sampling regional cuisine, language lessons unlocking conversational doors, and even fitness certifications elevating our coaching skills over the break. Knowledge truly proves power.

Check out the cloistered tropical retreat Blue Osa along Costa Rica’s southern Pacific coast, offering daily yoga teacher training harnessing our inner grace warrior. Or volunteer with wildlife conservation programs in extraordinary ecosystems like South Africa’s Kruger Park or Ecuador’s Galapagos Islands, where science fuses with environmental stewardship.

If current events and sociology prove your scholarly speed, visit iconic world cities like Cairo or Mexico City, which boast rich cultural contrasts and zeitgeists ripe for observation and personal growth. Keep journals, click compelling photo essays, and enroll in local lectures – knowledge awaits everywhere, so remain open and curious. The smartest travelers ask endless questions. 🤓✈️  

Discover Your Holiday Haven

Well, ladies, hopefully, this global smorgasbord of festive destination options left your explorer spirits satiated…for now. From wellness escapes lowering cortisol to bucket list sporting events raising heart rates, hidden beach towns facilitating total zen to world capitals overflowing with cultural stimulus – your perfect holiday haven awaits somewhere across this fantastic planet of ours.

At the end of the day, soccer stars like us need adventures that rejuvenate our bodies, challenge our thinking, and open us to varied perspectives beyond sport. THIS is how we grow exponentially as leaders and compassionate citizens of an endlessly fascinating world. Just promise you’ll send postcards? 😉 Bon voyage, girlfriends!!