Thinking about spending the Christmas season overseas? Well, you better start making your travel plans now. Decide where you want to go, book your hotel and flight early, then reserve your parking spot when you drive to the airport, so you can save a bunch of time.

If you are taking a break from work or school, December is the best time of the year to invite your mates and loved ones, so you can visit far-flung locations, discover stunning sights, enjoy exciting activities, and experience a new culture.

When you are choosing between staying at home, watching reruns of Real Housewives of Sydney or relaxing at a cabana by the beach, it’s really a no-brainer. No matter where you plan to travel, a change of scenery will do you good.

From twinkling lights to sunny skies, treat yourself and your family to any of these great holiday destinations we listed below.

Vienna, Austria

Want to escape the summer heat? This is the place for you to keep fresh and cool. Temperatures can drop below zero even during the day. However, Vienna is still lively in the winter with clear blue skies and plenty of people filling the streets.

You can visit museums and quench your thirst for great masterpieces. Also, you can take stunning photos of the iconic Belvedere and drop by the Christmas markets to sample the local cuisine.

Quebec City, Canada

If you’ve always to experience a real-life winter wonderland, Old Quebec is your ideal Christmas destination. The region sees an average snowfall of more than 400 cm every year.

Take your family to see the Ice Palace and enjoy the snow sculptures, as well as exciting activities like dogsled races, night parades, canoe races, skiing, snowboarding, and more.

St Petersburg, Russia

For more cold weather and snow, you’ll have plenty of it and more in St Petersburg, Russia. Experience many outdoor winter activities, such as skiing, ice-skating at the Victory Park.

You can also check out the frozen pond at Yelagin Island and enjoy watching a wide selection of Russian ballets, concerts, operas, plays, you name it.

Queenstown, New Zealand

Not too keen on the cold weather? Then continue your long sunny days in Queenstown. Breathe in the fresh alpine air and go on exciting outdoor activities, like kayaking, parasailing on Lake Wakatipu.

Spend the rest of your day fishing, hiking, or just relax on the beach. If you want to get your adrenaline pumping, then go bungee jumping at any of the local bungee sites within the town.

Santa Claus Village, Finland

Do you want to fulfil your childhood dream of meeting Santa Claus and his reindeers? If so, then head on over to Santa Claus Village. Situated outside of Rovaniemi city, you can meet jolly old Saint Nicholas and even take a photo with him.

Lastly, the village has other interesting attractions you can check out like Santa’s Post Office, where all letters sent to Santa end up (yes, that’s real, folks), and have fun at the ice slides or go exploring in Snowman World and see Frosty and his icy crib.

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