Top 5 Christmas Destinations Around the World

Most families enjoy traveling during Christmas vacation, but often end up stuck in a routine. This break from work and school should be taken as an opportunity to see the world. The following are the top unique places to get away this Christmas.

5. Antarctica - Around 20,000 tourists visit the White Continent every year, mostly during Christmas. The seasons are flipped; therefore it is summer in the South Pole with days being almost 20 hours long. Antarctica is for those who seek adventure and contact with nature. Who wouldn't want to see majestic icebergs and thousands of penguins darting around? The best way to visit: an Antarctic cruise.

4. Hershey, Pennsylvania - This candy land turns into a Christmas Candy land, with millions of lights and decorations all throughout the city. The kids and adults as well will love the sweets and abundant decorations. Magic is truly in the air in this small Pennsylvanian town, making it possibly the most festive place in the US to celebrate Christmas besides New York City. There's plenty to do: caroling, eat chocolate, the theme park, eat chocolate, etc.

3. Sydney, Australia - No sleighs or snow this time of the year, for its summer in the land down under. But this does not stop Australians from being in the Christmas spirit. The Children's Concert takes place at this time of the year as well as the Lighting of the Christmas tree in Martin Place. Christmas in a bathing suit - who would have thought? Australian beaches are packed during their summer vacation thanks to the warm weather.

2. Ice Hotel, Sweden - In the small village of Jukkasjarvi stands the world-famous Ice Hotel made completely out of - you guessed it - ice. Each winter it is made out of 10,000 tons of ice from a river near the village as well as 30,000 tons of snow. Families love visiting such a surreal destination with plenty of Christmas activities to do in the actual village.

1. Rovaniemi, Lapland, Finland - Everybody knows that Santa Claus does not live in the North Pole, but actually in Finland. This is the top Christmas destination because instead of having Santa Claus come to you, why not just visit him at his place? It is also home to the world's first Santa amusement park - SantaPark. Reindeer run amuck in Finland and the Christmas festivities are endless. Sounds like the ultimate Christmas vacation to me.