See lights in Brooklyn, dodge the beastly Krampus in Austria, cheer Santa on in Venice ... or just hit the beach down under

Winning tip: Brooklyn, New York

New York may be magical at Christmas but Dyker Heights in Brooklyn is perhaps the Christmas lights capital of the world! Hundreds of homes go all out to decorate their exteriors in a way that makes Clark Griswold’s efforts in National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation look second rate. Head to Brooklyn in the early evening (avoid weekends) and take a stroll up and down the blocks that are blasting out Christmas spirit. You can’t help but feel Christmassy in a way that reminds me of 80s movies. Best of all, it is free. And there is the odd eggnog truck to keep you full of festive cheer.

Sinéad Hunter

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Rural Austria

Facebook Twitter Pinterest Getting the horn … Krampus show, Kaprun, Austria. Photograph: Rex/Shutterstock

If you think genuine terror is a good way to entertain children (and adults), visit rural areas of Austria on 5 December. On the eve of St Nicholas Day (when good children get chocolate and gifts), the devil appears on the streets to chase naughty children and take them away to hell. The Krampus is not for the faint hearted: a giant, horned, hairy beast carrying a flaming torch and, sometimes, with real “kidnapped” children riding in a box on its back. It has giant bells tied round its waist so at least you can hear it coming. But be warned – if any locals notice you looking nervous, you will be herded and pushed in front of the monster to be whipped.

Sarah Collings

Phnom Penh, Cambodia



Facebook Twitter Pinterest Tourists visiting a pearl fishing village. Photograph: David Reed/Alamy

We took an early morning jog along the banks of the Mekong in Phnom Penh in Cambodia, past families taking picnics in the park all dressed up in Santa costumes. Our trip to the Killing Fields was probably the most moving, harrowing Christmas Day I’ve ever spent but I wouldn’t have missed it for the world. We really needed our post-visit cocktails by the pool.

Katie Hepworth

Zakopane, Poland

Facebook Twitter Pinterest Downhill skier in Kasprowy Wierch, Zakopane. Photograph: Roman Babakin/Alamy

Spending a Christmas in Poland skiing is joyous, especially with the traditional 12-course Christmas Eve dinner (wigilia). There is no meat served as it is a course for each of Jesus’s disciples with dishes such as pierogi (filled dumplings), carp and exceptional Polish cheesecake. The Zakopane mountains have great skiing and parties fuelled by Polish vodka – much cheaper than the Alps.

• discoverzakopane.com

Marysia Trembecka

Berlin

Facebook Twitter Pinterest The Kulturbrauerei market. Photograph: Andreas Rentz/Getty Images

Last year, we spent Christmas in Berlin on a home-swap deal. Wonderful. The Prenzlauer Berg district was quiet and we cycled through the city all week (bikes lent to us by our hosts), far from the madding crowd, as it were. Cold and sunny, we cycled to museums, to parks, to the Berliner Philharmonie for a concert, to the Liquidrom Spa for a sauna, stopping for a glass of mulled wine at Christmas markets in the evening. It only cost us the flight (about €170 return from Paris) and the bus to and from the airport. One of the best Christmas holidays ever.

Benedicte Bousset

Quebec City, Canada

Facebook Twitter Pinterest The Petit Champlain neighbourhood. Photograph: Sophie Caron/Getty Images

Quebec City at Christmas is a magical place that all generations will enjoy. Our kids adored skating at the ice-rink in Place D’Youville and zooming down the toboggan run at Les Glissades de la Terrasse. The grandparents’ favourite was exploring the Dickensian charm of Old Quebec’s streets, which sparkled with snow, tinsel and fairylights, and browsing the gorgeous Christmas market. Our highlights included a meal in Hotel de Glace, North America’s only ice hotel, and (free!) skating on the vast Plains of Abraham. We all sang carols outside Château Frontenac. We rented an apartment, though hotels for all budgets abound.

Rob

Ha Long Bay, Vietnam



Facebook Twitter Pinterest Cai Beo floating village. Photograph: Getty Images

One of our most memorable Christmas trips was spent in Ha Long Bay. The three-day cruise included a trip to Cát Bà Island and a visit to a traditional pearl village. On Christmas Eve, the crew made a “traditional” meal of barbecued goose, followed by a laser show on the top deck.

• About £91pp with transfers from Hanoi, tourshalong.com

Shahnaz

Papamoa beach, New Zealand

Facebook Twitter Pinterest The beach with Mount Maunganui in the distance. Photograph: Getty Images

The pristine, white Papamoa beach in New Zealand was a great place to spend Christmas Day. A morning jog, swim, sunbathe then a long, lazy picnic on the beach, with the feelgood factor increasing as families shared their hampers with each other, made for a very uplifting experience. Inspired by some excellent local wine, I even plucked up courage to take part in the sunset haka contest in the evening, giving an energetic performance in front of the judges. Result: second place and another bottle of wine.

Chloe

Venice

Facebook Twitter Pinterest The Santa race. Photograph: Alamy

Visiting Venice for Christmas was a beautiful experience, wonderful comforting carb-rich food, snow-dusted islands and candlelit churches, all without the crowds. You might even be lucky enough (as we were) to catch the annual Santa gondola race, where Santa-suited Venetians race underneath bridges, all for charity.

Kate

Rottnest Island, Western Australia



Facebook Twitter Pinterest Quokka on the beach. Photograph: Benny Marty/Alamy

I had an unforgettable Christmas visiting Rottnest Island, off the coast of Perth. Grab a ferry from Hillarys Boat Harbour for around £40 return to enjoy stunning scenery, unique wildlife (quokkas are only found on islands in this part of the country) and glorious beaches. Highly recommend hiring a bike to cycle around the island. You’re sure to see plenty of Santa hats and festive cheer along the way. And there’s always the Rottnest Hotel for those who’d prefer to sit and drink it all in … literally!

Cerys