Where to Go to Avoid Christmas
How to avoid Cliff and Noddy
If the idea of Christmas fills you with dread, there are a number of countries around the world where 25th December is not even a public holiday.
You can hop on a plane, and in a matter of hours, the horrors of present buying, TV specials and the Queen's speech can all be left behind. In the true spirit of the festive season, we bring you the top ten anti-Christmas getaways.
1.Tokyo
Although you might see giant robotic Santas in Tokyo, Christmas is not traditionally celebrated in Japan. Instead, you can visit cities like Kyoto and Nara to sample traditional culture, head to Tokyo to immerse yourself in its futuristic cityscape or go to Hokkaido to sample some of the best powder snow in the world. And all this whilst enjoying the friendly and gracious hospitality of your Japanese hosts.
2.Saudi Arabia
During the last few years, the last great kingdom in the world has begun to allow visitors, albeit with fairly strict provisos. Those furnished with a visa can marvel at Madain Saleh (Saudi Arabia's Petra)), or visit The Empty Quarter (the largest sea of sand in the world, home to the Arabian oryx). The country's Red Sea waters also boasts some of the most pristine reefs in the world as such are a scuba diver's paradise.
3.Algeria
Algeria is a country with a rich history as well as natural beauty. The busy city of Algiers will be many people's first port of call, and a visit to the nearby ruins at Djemila, Tipasa and Timgad should be on the to-do list. Other worthwhile destinations include the holy town of Beni-Isguen and the town of Ouargla, known as "the golden key to the desert" with its unique architecture.
4.Iran
Whilst the political situation in Iran makes it a more challenging place to visit, travellers who have ventured there rave about its historic sights and its warm and friendly people. Visit the ancient ruin of Persepolis, or the cultured and sophisticated city of Shiraz, before heading to Isfahan - regarded as one of the finest cities in the Islamic world. Afterwards relax in the Alborz mountains and enjoy some skiing or walk the trails round the legendary Castles of the Assassins.
5.Thailand
November to February is Thailand's "cool" period when the humidity drops, making it an ideal winter sun destination, and it also has the added bonus of being Christmas-free. Whether you fancy Phuket, Krabi or somewhere quieter, choose your beachside accommodation from world-class resorts to cheap-as-chips basic dwellings.
6.Nepal
Whilst snowy mountains might sound a bit too Christmassy for the true avoider of the season, the Himalayas are not just any mountains. Nepal is of course a Mecca for mountaineers and trekkers, but it's also awesome for outdoors activities like white-water rafting and kayaking as well as mountain biking in some of the most impressive scenery on the planet.
7.Turkey
Although Western influences (such as Christmas celebrations), are spreading in Turkey, it is an alluring destination for a winter getaway from hackneyed seasonal revelries. Istanbul combines beautiful traditional architecture with a growing reputation as one of the hippest capital cities around. Apart from anything else, the thought of Christmas in Turkey offers a bewildering array of poultry-based jokes which will keep you busy until New Year.
8.North Korea
Not only does North Korea not celebrate Christmas, but they are so unfestive that their borders are closed to pretty much all tourists (apart from a few organised tours). As such, you'd be hard-pushed to get there to enjoy the Day of the Promulgation of the Socialist Constitution of the DPRK on 27th December. It's worth a mention though as one of the least festive places in the world, 365 days a year.
9.China
It is a tough task to summarise the attractions of the most populous country on earth in just a couple of lines so a list seems appropriate: bicycles, rice, Great Wall, Terracotta Army, more bicycles, Beijing, pandas, Ming Dynasty, Mao Tse Tung, noodles!
Yep, China beats Slade anyday.
10.Bahamas
And finally, with a large bank balance and a really serious case of anti-Christmasness, why not purchase your own private island and escape from everyone. A nice little number in the Caribbean can be had for $25,000,000, while if your'e on a tighter budget, Musha Cay in the Bahamas is yours for just $37,500 per day.
If the idea of Christmas fills you with dread, there are a number of countries around the world where 25th December is not even a public holiday.
You can hop on a plane, and in a matter of hours, the horrors of present buying, TV specials and the Queen's speech can all be left behind. In the true spirit of the festive season, we bring you the top ten anti-Christmas getaways.
1.Tokyo
Although you might see giant robotic Santas in Tokyo, Christmas is not traditionally celebrated in Japan. Instead, you can visit cities like Kyoto and Nara to sample traditional culture, head to Tokyo to immerse yourself in its futuristic cityscape or go to Hokkaido to sample some of the best powder snow in the world. And all this whilst enjoying the friendly and gracious hospitality of your Japanese hosts.
2.Saudi Arabia
During the last few years, the last great kingdom in the world has begun to allow visitors, albeit with fairly strict provisos. Those furnished with a visa can marvel at Madain Saleh (Saudi Arabia's Petra)), or visit The Empty Quarter (the largest sea of sand in the world, home to the Arabian oryx). The country's Red Sea waters also boasts some of the most pristine reefs in the world as such are a scuba diver's paradise.
3.Algeria
Algeria is a country with a rich history as well as natural beauty. The busy city of Algiers will be many people's first port of call, and a visit to the nearby ruins at Djemila, Tipasa and Timgad should be on the to-do list. Other worthwhile destinations include the holy town of Beni-Isguen and the town of Ouargla, known as "the golden key to the desert" with its unique architecture.
4.Iran
Whilst the political situation in Iran makes it a more challenging place to visit, travellers who have ventured there rave about its historic sights and its warm and friendly people. Visit the ancient ruin of Persepolis, or the cultured and sophisticated city of Shiraz, before heading to Isfahan - regarded as one of the finest cities in the Islamic world. Afterwards relax in the Alborz mountains and enjoy some skiing or walk the trails round the legendary Castles of the Assassins.
5.Thailand
November to February is Thailand's "cool" period when the humidity drops, making it an ideal winter sun destination, and it also has the added bonus of being Christmas-free. Whether you fancy Phuket, Krabi or somewhere quieter, choose your beachside accommodation from world-class resorts to cheap-as-chips basic dwellings.
6.Nepal
Whilst snowy mountains might sound a bit too Christmassy for the true avoider of the season, the Himalayas are not just any mountains. Nepal is of course a Mecca for mountaineers and trekkers, but it's also awesome for outdoors activities like white-water rafting and kayaking as well as mountain biking in some of the most impressive scenery on the planet.
7.Turkey
Although Western influences (such as Christmas celebrations), are spreading in Turkey, it is an alluring destination for a winter getaway from hackneyed seasonal revelries. Istanbul combines beautiful traditional architecture with a growing reputation as one of the hippest capital cities around. Apart from anything else, the thought of Christmas in Turkey offers a bewildering array of poultry-based jokes which will keep you busy until New Year.
8.North Korea
Not only does North Korea not celebrate Christmas, but they are so unfestive that their borders are closed to pretty much all tourists (apart from a few organised tours). As such, you'd be hard-pushed to get there to enjoy the Day of the Promulgation of the Socialist Constitution of the DPRK on 27th December. It's worth a mention though as one of the least festive places in the world, 365 days a year.
9.China
It is a tough task to summarise the attractions of the most populous country on earth in just a couple of lines so a list seems appropriate: bicycles, rice, Great Wall, Terracotta Army, more bicycles, Beijing, pandas, Ming Dynasty, Mao Tse Tung, noodles!
Yep, China beats Slade anyday.
10.Bahamas
And finally, with a large bank balance and a really serious case of anti-Christmasness, why not purchase your own private island and escape from everyone. A nice little number in the Caribbean can be had for $25,000,000, while if your'e on a tighter budget, Musha Cay in the Bahamas is yours for just $37,500 per day.
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