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Christmas is the perfect time to get away from it all. If you fancy an exotic festive holiday then the world is literally at your fingertips. Indulge in fantastic local Christmas meals and even pick up a few local traditions that you can bring back with you for future Christmas celebrations.

Ukhisimusi Omuhle!

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Africa has been heavily influenced by British Christmas traditions and for the most part the only differences are in the food. It’s the middle of summer in South Africa and traditional Zulu festivals include fresh produce and plenty of salads at the Christmas meal. Christmas is important in most African counties although it is considered a time for family and quiet celebrations. The real party is over New Year with fireworks and traditional beer. In Nigeria, the cities are deserted in favour of a return to ancestral villages.

Feliz Natal!

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Brazilian and many South American countries, Christmas traditions include having a photograph taken with your family around the Christmas table, which has to display at least one 2 litre bottle of Coca Cola. Christmas celebrations start on Christmas Eve, with presents and parties, which continue until at least 3am. Christmas morning is a day to sleep in and then join the party again from noon. The person hosting the festivities has to host for two days. No Christmas party in Brazil is complete without Karaoke.

メリークリスマス!

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In Japan, Christmas is not a national holiday, although since the 1930’s it has been celebrated. Christmas in Japan means a barrel of your favourite KFC and a cream cake with strawberries. It’s not traditional to exchange gifts in Japan over Christmas, although some modern Japanese families have absorbed the tradition.

Frohe Weinachten!

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Closer to home, but completely unique, Christmas celebrations in Germany vary according to region. The biggest difference is that the exchange of presents along with a big meal happens on Christmas Eve. This was due to the influence of Martin Luther who wanted the religious message of the actual day to be observed. Its potato salad and the ubiquitous Frankfurter served for the traditional Christmas meal.

С Рождеством Христовым!

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Christmas in Russia as well as many eastern European orthodox countries is celebrated on the 7th of January. During communist rule, most Christmas traditions were moved to the New Year to avoid any trouble with the KGB.

G’Day, Mate!

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Despite being an English speaking country, and following many British traditions, Australia and New Zealand bring a little summer sparkle to the festivities of the holiday season. Companies close for much longer in Australia and Africa over Christmas because it is time for a summer holiday, and of course, Santa’s sleigh is pulled by Kangaroos!

If you’re travelling or even living in a foreign country at Christmas time, you will have the opportunity to keep your traditions alive and indulge in some local traditions and festivities to enjoy the holiday season. You can get turkey and gammon in just about every country. Brussels Sprouts? Not so much, but who needs them to enjoy the spirit of Christmas!

This festive article was produced on behalf of HotelClub.com; where you can find family friendly hotels in Tokyo for your festivities.

Dealazo a Distrito Federal!

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A journey to Thailand often ends up being the trip of a lifetime for many a traveler. From the white, sandy beaches of Koh Samui to the mist-shrouded peaks of Doi Inthanon National Park, Thailand offers a little something for everyone. Regardless of where you go, you’ll find some of the tastiest and hottest food in any hemisphere. While you could spend years trying out everything Thailand has to offer when it comes to epicurean delights, you’ll have to prioritize and make some hard choices. Make sure you at least give the following dishes a try.

Kang Keaw Wan Gai
In English, it would be known as Green Curry Chicken. This sweet dish features chicken served with rice or noodles. The broth that accompanies the chicken contains sugar, coconut milk, fish sauce, and green curry chili. It’s essentially a stew that has one of the most unique flavor profiles you’ll ever come across, offering a little hint of everything in terms of taste.

Panaeng
Meat lovers will have a blast in Thailand, as many of the more famous dishes include generous portions of beef, pork, and chicken. Panaeng typically comes on a bed of hot rice, with the meat portion drowned in a rich but not too hot coconut cream sauce with some red curry mixed in for good measure.

Gai Pad Met Mamuang
If you’d like to ease yourself into the otherwise incredibly spicy Thai culinary tradition, Gai Pad Met Mamuang is the way to go. It’s perfect for the Westerner who’s not used to searing their tongue off every night at dinner. Comprised of pan-fried chicken garnished with vegetables and cashews, it’s familiar enough to not put off less adventurous diners.

Som Tam
Not every dish in Thailand revolves around spicy pork or seafood. Som Tam is a kind of salad that features green papaya, lemons, peanuts, green beans, palm sugar, chilies, some garlic, and fish oil. You can also get it with bla-rah. That’s not a typo. It’s a sauce made from fish and crab that’s been fermented for a period of time, often up to a year.

Pad Thai
There’s a reason it’s the national dish of Thailand. You may think you’ve had Pad Thai at your local Thai takeout joint, but nothing beats getting it straight from the source. If you’re not already familiar, Pad Thai is a melange of noodles, shrimp, egg, bean sprouts, and a number of other additional items. The exact composition varies from place to place, which is part of the fun.

Happy Trails
Stepping outside of your comfort zone can be richly rewarding when you’re traveling, whether it’s trying new activities or new foods. Thailand is the perfect place to expand your culinary horizons, thanks to the spicy and eclectic mix of exotic ingredients found in many of the foods that are available. Don’t be afraid to sample something that you ordinarily wouldn’t, because you may find you’ve discovered your new favorite far-out treat. Just know where you’re getting your grub from, and stick to semi-reputable restaurants and establishments when you order.

Josephine works for a travel agency and recommends that all her customers book all inclusive packages when travelling on their Thailand holidays as it’s a great way to save costs and allow for more spending money to see the best it has to offer!

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Ushankas off to this deal! With average hotel rates in Moscow hovering around $200 per night, this $624 flight is seemingly the price of only three nights. In addition, use our hotel search to knock that price down!

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My top tip for budgeting for a vacation and sticking to it, is to research eateries prior to your trip. Typically, travelers research flight and accommodations ad nauseum prior to travel, but fail to read up on potential places to fill their bellies. This is a big mistake since dining will be probably be their third biggest expense after transportation and hotel.

Yes, you may get lucky, but for the most part your dining experiences will be less satisfying and more expensive. I’ve made this mistake before and kicked myself every time I’ve been hungry in a hotel lobby and clueless which direction to head for high quality, affordable grub.

Having no idea where to eat beforehand tends to lead to eating in overpriced, tourist traps, or in eateries based on biased recommendations from hotel concierge.

Once you are at your destination, researching restaurants can be a big hassle, especially if you don’t have a laptop or free WIFI in your hotel. Besides, you should be enjoying your new surroundings, not staring at your tablet. That is homework that should be done beforehand.

Remember to spend a little time researching eateries before your next trip to maximize your next vacation budget. A great place to start is Lonely Planet. Bien viaje!

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Experience the real Madrid.

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RCurrently the cheapest fare to Asia from The States.

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