By Chris Leadbeater
Christmas does not have to be a good old British bunfight of charades, sitcoms
and paper hats. Other parts of the world do the festive season a little differently.
Such as…
For those who dream of fleeing Britain at Christmas, the thought of Australia
basking in mid-summer heat is the one that most provokes wanderlust. Bondi Beach
is the key image - the sunny bay just outside central Sydney
where Santa hats are as common as surfboards on Christmas Day, and people gather
for a picnic on the sand (although the beach is an alcohol-free zone). However,
as an uber-cosmopolitan city, Sydney offers plenty of festive fun away from
the seafront - the colossal tree erected every year in Martin Place, carol singing
in Cathedral Square, concerts in Hyde Park, gift shopping at the Pitt Street
Mall. And happily, none of it requires the use of hat, scarf or gloves.
See for yourself: The Old
Sydney Holiday Inn enjoys a perfect location right in the middle of Sydney.
It has an awesome rooftop pool with stunning views of the harbour.
Christmas in Mexico is
a family affair. But a trip to this enticing country in December means a chance
to observe one of the world's most touching festive traditions. Las Posadas
is a series of candlelit processions that starts on December 16th, and sees
a costumed Mary and Joseph go from door to door, looking for lodging - and being
turned away. This continues for nine evenings, growing in numbers (and often
with a choir in tow) until the 24th, when a huge party heralds the birth of
Jesus. Christmas Eve tends to be the main event in Mexico, and the celebrations
- food and drink, gifts, kids smashing piñatas full of sweets - go on
until late, making the 25th a day of rest.
See for yourself: If in Cancun,
head into the Downtown area and soak up the festive atmosphere at the markets
on Calle Yaxchilan and Calle de Tulum. But nothing beats December 25th on the
beach. Try the Moon
Palace Resort on Cancun's tranquil south shore.
Many Caribbean islands light up the Christmas
period with a 'Jonkonnu' festival - a hip-shaking carnival where massed ranks
of dancers gyrate and shimmy through the streets in elaborate outfits. The largest
of these bashes is probably Junkanoo, which turns Nassau, the capital of the
Bahamas, into a party zone every Boxing Day and New Year's Day. Up to 50,000
spectators watch the parades held on Bay and Shirley Streets - despite the fact
that the show does not begin until 2am, and rarely finishes before 9am. Prizes
are awarded for the best costumes (usually made from cardboard and crepe paper)
and dance routines. Find more information at www.junkanoo.com.
See for yourself: A stay at the Comfort
Suites Paradise Island puts you close to the action.
While Christmas is of limited concern in China, it is still observed in Hong
Kong, where the great port's heritage as a British colony ensures that Christmas
Day is a public holiday. In fact, there is a marked festive feel to this twinkling
metropolis in December, thanks partly to the Hong Kong Winterfest, a city-wide
celebration that sees a 30-metre tree rise to compete with the skyscrapers in
Statue Square and a troupe of carol singers tour the city in an open-top bus,
spreading goodwill. Throw in Ta Chiu, a Taoist festival of peace, held on the
27th, where the names of local residents are attached to a paper horse and burned,
and you have a city keen to enjoy itself.
See for yourself: The Metropark
Hotel Causeway Bay is ideal for Christmas shoppers
Cuba has had an
on-off relationship with Christmas over the past half-century. No fan of religion,
Fidel Castro cancelled the festival in 1969 (as it interfered with the sugar
harvest), and it was only restored in 1997 after a visit from the Pope. Eleven
years on, Havana has a romantic feel when Christmas arrives, bells ringing at
midnight. That said, those seeking a festive party in the Cuban capital should
try New Year's Eve. An up-all-night event given extra pep by the fact that Castro's
revolution succeeded on January 1st, it involves plenty of music and fireworks.
Grab a seat in a local restaurant and watch for the burning of Ano Viejo dolls
- scarecrows representing the old year.
See for yourself: The famous Ambos
Mundos Hotel sits in the heart of Havana's old town (La Habana Vieja), and
has a rooftop bar to help the evening go with a swing.
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Chris Leadbeater is a freelance travel journalist. He writes regularly for the Daily Mail. His favourite destinations are Cuba, the USA and Paris.