12 Unusual but Awesome Places to Spend the Holidays

Heading to Mexico for Christmas isn't new. But why not try something other than Cancun and Puerto Vallarta? San Cristobal de las Casas is a Spanish colonial town in the central highlands of Chiapas. It sits at about 2200 metres, so while the weather is warm during the day, it definitely gets a bit chilly at night. But that's fine... put on a sweater and wander the town's pedestrian avenues and see how Christmas is celebrated in Mexico. And with a large indigenous population, San Cristobal is a good introduction to Mayan culture.

Dubai offers an endless array of things to do over the holidays all in a nice, toasty warm climate. There's world class shopping, of course. But you can also visit the world's tallest skyscraper, take a dip in the Persian Gulf, treat yourself to amazing food and enjoy live performances by the biggest entertainers. But we like the Choco Bus – a chocolate Utopia on wheels that cruises around, dishing out out free treats to chocoholics. Yum!

Looking for a romantic holiday getaway? Charleston, South Carolina is a good bet. It's not super hot, but average highs in December are in the mid-teens. So don your fleece and enjoy a tour of festively decorated homes from the comfort of a horse-drawn carriage.

The great thing about Christmas in Australia is that it falls in the middle of their summer. Melbourne's Christmas Festival transforms the city into a holiday wonderland with huge decorations and festive events – minus the snow, of course. After the sun goes down, head down to Melbourne Town Hall where colourful video projections transform the building into ever-changing Christmas scenes. Super-cool.

Singapore is certainly a unique (and healthy) place to spend Christmas. But that doesn't mean you won't feel the spirit. The city-state goes all out for the holidays. Bright lights and decorations adorn the Orchard Road shopping district, transforming it into one of the best Christmas markets in the world. There are also numerous festive events along the the Singapore River. Why not stick around for the New Year's fireworks at Marina Bay?

Coconut rum and salsa dancing? Yes, please! Just two reasons why
Puerto Rico makes a fun (and inexpensive) Christmas destination. Since it's located in the Caribbean, it's warm. Lounge on quiet beaches, hit the links or explore San Juan's scorching nightlife. Christmas is celebrated for weeks across the island, with big feasts and brightly lit festivals in towns large and small.

Travel+Leisure magazine picked Taos, New Mexico as one of the best places to spend Christmas. Yuletide in Taos kicks off with a huge arts and crafts fair followed by a variety of holiday-themed events. Lighting Ledoux is a highlight – that's when when the historic street is lit by farolitos, luminarias and bonfires. Bundle up and sit around a bonfire with a warm drink and meet new friends.

The island of Bali is a magical place to spend the holidays. Beautiful beaches, inspiring temples and mystical islands. If you want a more traditional Christmas, just head to the western side of the island where you'll find the Christian enclaves of Belimbingsari and Palasari. And if you don't spend Christmas here, make it the place you honeymoon.

You don't have to leave Canada for some warm weather in December – well, that depends on your definition of warm, I suppose. Tofino, on the western edge of Vancouver Island, is a spiritual place. Old growth forests, First Nations culture and a relaxed vibe that is more Californian than Canadian. Celebrate the holidays with simple strolls on endless beachesor maybe try your hand at surfing – but wear a wetsuit!

Christmas is a very big deal in Guatemala – and one of the best places to experience it is in Antigua. The former capital has one of the best collections of Spanish colonial buildings in the Americas. The weather is mild and very comfortable in December. Stroll the cobblestone streets and pop into one of the many small shops – you just might find the perfect gift.

Did you know that Gramado is Brazil's Christmas capital? You do now! Located south of Rio (near Porto Alegre), it's the home of Natal Luz – Lights of Christmas. The festival started small in 1986 and now is Brazil's largest Christmas festival. Visitors are treated to parades, tree lightings, live music and classic holiday plays.

And our last alternative destination is: Christmas Island. Officially Australian, the island is located in the Indian Ocean, about 2600 km northwest of Perth. Christmas Island is known for its flora and fauna – especially crabs and boobies. Every year millions of red crabs migrate to the sea to spawn – it's an incredible, if somewhat creepy, experience. The diving is exceptional. And how did Christmas Island get its name? It was discovered on Christmas Day.