Holidays at Christmas are becoming increasingly popular. If you have family members scattered around the world, a holiday in a location that's central to you all can mean that you all get the chance to meet up.
Alternatively, if are alone for Christmas, or just fancy getting away with your partner, a Christmas away on holiday can be brilliant.
With the temperature in Malta at Christmas being relatively mild, you have a choice of very hot or very cold destinations. There are many Christmas resorts in both categories and here are a few of the most popular.
If you want a Christmas in the sun without having to travel too far away, the Canary Islands are your best bet. Tenerife, Gran Canaria and Fuerteventura all open their doors and make Christmas visitors extremely welcome. They really push the boat out in terms of Christmas traditions. There are huge trees adorned with ornaments and lights and decorations are hung from everywhere possible.
Having a mainly Catholic population, midnight mass is a big event here. Everyone goes to the beautiful churches and cathedrals, and bring in Christmas day with hymns and good cheer. Christmas day is a very well organised affair, with the highlight being a huge feast, with options for vegans and vegetarians. For a well organised Christmas where you can join in the fun without having anything else to do, the Canary Islands are hard to beat.
Maybe Christmas dinner in the sun doesn't appeal to you at all. If all you dream about is snow, snow and more snow, you want to be looking at one of the winter resorts in Europe. Scandinavia is thought to be the home of Christmas and their celebrations are unbelievable. As well as the guaranteed snow and the mulled wine, there are parties, presents and an awful lot of fun. You can go on scenic tours wrapped in blankets on the back of a dog sled, or take part in traditions such as cutting down real Christmas trees and burning the Yule log.
Alternatively, the ski resorts in Italy and France still give you the snow, but Christmas is a lot more chilled out and relaxed. Yes there are parties, but Christmas in these resorts are more geared towards adults, whereas in Scandinavia it is all about the children. There is still a great time to be had, and there's nothing more romantic than spending Christmas in a log cabin with a roaring fire.
Wherever you decide to go for your Christmas break, you know you will have a great time and be waited upon hand and foot. Happy holidays!