What's keeping you in the UK this Christmas? It's certainly not the weather. Many of us are lucky enough to have the benefit of at least ten days off over the Christmas holidays, and with the whole world at your fingertips, what's to stop you from jetting off and spending the festive season in paradise? To inspire you, the travel experts at Destination2.co.uk let us in on the six best places to enjoy a long haul Christmas this year.
Koh Samui
While most parts of Thailand are a pretty perfect location for spending Christmas, we've picked Koh Samui as this is the island that has everything. Families, large groups, solo travellers and couples will find lots in the way of places to stay on this island which is in the Gulf of Thailand.
Koh Samui provides convenience, seclusion and unspoiled beaches – but all within reach of a vibrant nightlife, markets, shops and great places to eat. Kids play football on the beach with waiters while adults enjoy finishing their meal while the sun sets. Clubs stay open until the early hours, while nearby beach villas enjoy silent evenings - and all at a steady 27°c. Christmas time in Koh Samui sees a flurry of activity in the resorts that populate the coastline. Get ready to see Father Christmas appear to the public in a number of ways, from riding a jet ski to parasailing across the shore. Christmas dinner with all the trimmings, is served everywhere – and you can choose to eat with the sand between your feet or from the balcony of a luxury hotel. This is a totally tropical Christmas, perfect for every type of traveller.
Dubai
Dubai delights in the spirit of Christmas, so if you want a long haul holiday that pushes the boat out - and is a relatively short seven hour flight away – the City of Gold is your winter sun destination. For a place that is surrounded by desert, Dubai goes above and beyond to make sure everyone has a white Christmas. Go down to the Souk Madinat Jumeirah and take part in a snowball fight, munch on a bag of roasted chestnuts and decorate a huge gingerbread house – all while a live band plays festive favourites. If you're after a bit more snow, Ski Dubai is one of the biggest indoor snow parks in the world.
You won't have to travel far to order Christmas dinners, with most hotels and resorts offering a scrumptious array of seasonal fayre. And if you do fancy breaking out of the Christmas frenzy, head down to the beach, lie back on your lounger and soak up the sunshine.
Mexico
If you want to experience a country that is just as obsessed about Christmas as the UK, but has more sunshine, book your plane tickets for Mexico. From 12 December to 6 January, the country takes part in processions, parties and the whacking of piñatas to celebrate the sacred feast day. Keep an eye out for Pastorelas, or Christmas plays which humorously depict the shepherds on their journey to see the baby Jesus. These are held across the country, and Cancun will have its fair share of venues showing their version of the play.
In terms of food, Mexican Christmas dinner is not dissimilar to the UK version, with pavo, a stuffed turkey served with gravy along with a variety of side dishes. One thing to bear in mind is that they have their big celebration on Christmas Eve, and Christmas Day is similar to our Boxing Day in the UK.
Dominican Republic
It wouldn't be an exaggeration to say that a Dominican Republic Christmas lasts around three months, beginning in October and coming to an end in early January. This is a time for parties, fireworks and incredible food, with the main focus on Christmas Eve, which is a day of feasting, music and fun. Churches are open for Midnight Mass and carols in Spanish are sung.
When it comes to festive food, expect empanadas filled with chicken or beef; Russian Salad; roasted pork; la telera bread; sancocho; eggnog with rum - and expect a lot of it. Look out for the Pericos Ripiaos, which are small bands with between three and four musicians playing traditional Dominican tunes on a drum, the accordion and the guira - a small percussion instrument. The energy on the streets throughout the whole period is galvanised with the double sueldo, a Dominican Republic tradition where all employees receive an extra month's pay – so there are no restriction in festivities.
Mauritius
Not only is Mauritius one of our favourite island getaways, it also does great Christmas festivities. The shopping centres are full of festive decorations, and stepping out into the busier parts of town is brilliant for kids and adults, with street shows, hawkers and general excitement filling the streets.
In terms of celebrations, you choose your style. Thanks to the island's multi-ethnicity, it can vary from quiet mass attendance to full out partying. There are remnants of its French colonial past, with dishes like Bûche de Noël commonplace – and like a UK Christmas, the supermarket shelves are quickly cleared of bottles of Champagne, wine and whisky. After the opening of presents, Christmas Day in Mauritius is usually spent on the beach, tucking into tropical fruit, cakes and celebrating with games and drinks.
Bali
A Christmas in Bali is unlike anywhere else. Gazing at the rice terraces, water temples, volcanoes and banyan trees, you know you’re a long way from home. And what could be better than being in the so-called Island of the Gods, a place so devastatingly beautiful, you may want to extend your stay.
The tropical weather brings a little rain to the island in December, but these short spells only add to the mood of the place and the sunshine soon returns.
The Balinese embrace Christmas festivities, and the best place to start off the party is the beachwalk in Kuta, where Christmas trees are displayed, visits to Santa in his grotto are made and festive music fills the air. Christmas movies are shown in the local cinemas, the annual Canggu Christmas Bazaar welcomes families to shop and be entertained and the Devdan Show in Nusa Dua is a must - a 90-minute show with traditional dance, acrobats and music is a Christmas tradition - pretty much like a pantomime is in the UK. In terms of places to stay, Seminyak, Kuta and Canggu are the best places to go if you want to be in the middle of things, and if you want to just experience fun in the sun, head to Waterbom Park for children, go river tubing, and take a trip to the Bali marine and safari park.
In between Christmas and New Year, there are fireworks on the beach, lots of beach parties and festivities. However, if you’re after something a little more intimate, check with your hotel’s programme.
