12 Ideal Destinations for Christmas- Part 2

We will introduce more ideal destinations for Christmas, so you can choose the best place to enjoy this Christmas with your family and friends.

7. San Miguel de Allende, Mexico

Piñatas, posadas and ponche sum up the festivities in this colorful Mexican city, where Christmas is both a solemn and celebratory affair. Leading up to December 24, you're likely to stumble upon Mary and Joseph strolling the streets, as locals make pilgrimages from home to home, singing to "ask for posada" or "beg for shelter" as they reenact the journey to Bethlehem.

Christmas in San Miguel de Allende, Mexico.

Pinatas and ponche (a mulled fruit drink) cap a long evening of peregrinations around this cobblestoned city, designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site for its wealth of grand churches, well-preserved architecture and grand zocalos.

Pinatas and ponche.

8. Strasbourg, France

Strasbourg's series of themed Christmas villages morph the city into a visual and gastronomic wonderland. Visitors can head to the Village of Alsace Farmhouse to taste prune, apricot and other holiday-inspired variations of farm-fresh foie gras.

Christmas in Strasbourg, France.

The nearby Village of Bredle is supplied with its namesake traditional Christmas biscuits and copious amounts of mulled Alsatian wine. From the Strasbourg Philharmonic to gospel to Django Reinhardt-inspired gypsy jazz, Strasbourg's Christmas program is packed with concerts and cultural events from Croatia, the guest country of Strasbourg's Christmas celebrations this year.

Chirtsmas biscuits at Village of Bredle.

9. Valkenburg, The Netherlands

This small town is the Dutch center for Christmas festivities. Valkenburg's Velvet Cave is transformed into a Christmas Market and the residence of Santa, where visitors can see his room of presents and reindeer sleigh.

Christmas in Valkenburg, The Netherlands.

The cavern houses sculptures and an 18th-century chapel, as well as preserved mural drawings that date to Roman times. Marlstone products and traditional Polish handicrafts are a few of the unique items exclusive to Valkenburg's Christmas markets.

Valkenburg's Christmas markets.

Best way to reach the Christmas town? A Christmas Express train that runs regularly between Simpelveld and Valkenburg.

10. Santa Claus, Indiana

Christmas is a year-round occasion in this town of fewer than 3,000 residents. Santa Claus, Indiana, receives thousands of letters a year from children trying to reach St. Nick himself. A group of volunteers called Santa's Elves was set up in the mid-1930s to reply to each letter.

Santa Claus Indiana. 

The Land of Lights display is a 1.2-mile drive around the Lake Rudolph Campground & RV Resort. Among various Christmas-themed events, Santa hosts a buffet dinner at the Christmas Lodge every Friday leading up to Christmas.

11. Reykjavik, Iceland

When it comes to Christmas celebrations, Iceland has a few peculiarities. Among these, 13 "Yuletide Lads" (scruffy Santas) are said to bring gifts to nice children for the 13 nights leading to Christmas. Rows of small, beautiful huts make up the Yule Town Christmas market on Ingolfstorg.

Christmas in Reykjavik, Iceland.

Here, visitors can pick up colorful Christmas gifts, decorations and treats. The shopping differs day to day as some craftsmen and designers set up stalls for only one day. Beaming down onto a city covered in snow and Christmas lights, northern lights displays add to Reykjavik's festival feel.

The Little Christmas Shop, Reykjavik, Iceland.

12. Barcelona, Spain

If you can manage to extend your Christmas holiday until Three King's Day (January 5), there's no better place to catch up with Melchior, Gaspar and Balthazar than Barcelona. On the evening of January 4, they arrive at the city's port on the Santa Eulalia -- their very own ship -- in bearded and velvet-robed splendor.

Chirtsmas in Barcelona, Spain.

Canons are fired, fireworks are set off, and as the mayor hands them the keys to the city, the magic of the Magi officially commences. They parade through the streets in a magnificent cavalcade of floats that includes camels, elephants, giraffes and dazzling costumes.

Barcelona Christmas Market.