What does your Christmas look like?

It’s not easy making Christmas and New Year’s vacation plans. Some friends are stuck at work, some enjoy the hills and others are beach bodies. Goa — although the quintessential December destination — becomes crowded and often times an extremely expensive journey. But we’ve got just the list for you, with destinations that offer something completely different in terms of celebrating Christmas and the year to come. From the snowy peaks of Himachal to the calm streets of Puducherry, we’ve got your back!

Rann of Kutch, Gujarat
The white deserts of the Rann of Kutch are famous around the world. People travel from far and wide to witness the massive salt flats that stretch seemingly endlessly. December is the best time to visit them. You can even sleep under the stars with the flats serving as a view, in little cozy tents. The Rann Utsav lasts for almost two months starting November and is what brings so many people to the destination.

Shillong, Meghalaya
For those who are tired of the usual beaches and mountains, heading to the North-east isn’t a bad idea. Shillong in Meghalaya has beautiful waterfalls, an abundance of flora and fauna and clear skies. It’s the perfect destination to get away from the hustle bustle of the festivities and to spend time trekking through nature and experimenting with new cuisine. People in Shillong celebrate Christmas with a lot of enthusiasm, so be ready to take part in the celebrations. Visit Dawki and its crystal clear river too — it’s a must!

Varkala, Kerala
An underrated tourist hotspot that sees more foreign visitors than Indians, Varkala becomes a hub for celebration during the Christmas-New Year period. With a long, expansive beach on offer and various little cafes that serve delicious snacks, dotting the area, Varkala is the place to be in this December. Festivities and Christmas cheer are in abundance here and can be seen in the feasts provided and the carol singing at different churches. The lush greenery
surrounding the beach and conversations with fellow travelers are just an added bonus.

Puducherry
Puducherry and its beautiful calm atmosphere is well known across the country and it takes it a notch higher during Christmas time. With the many churches, gothic architecture and structures, it makes for the perfect place to kick back, relax and get into the festive spirit. Auroville is also known to celebrate the festival with fervor and the Christmas fair is not to be missed. Add to that, a walk on the beach, French food and lots of wine, and you have yourself a great holiday.

Dalhousie, Himachal Pradesh
Who doesn’t want a white Christmas? Dalhousie is known to be one of the prettiest spots during this month because of the incessant snowfall that envelopes the little town. The ideal way to spend Christmas in this quaint place is to play in the snow, try your hand at skiing and even take part in treks through the Deodar tree forests and up the snow-capped mountains. Make sure to pack your warm clothes, because the nights can get especially chilly here with the cold breeze and snow.

Gokarna, Karnataka
Gokarna in Karnataka is known amongst frequent travelers as an even more laidback version of Goa. It has the same vibe and has many beaches like Om beach, Half Moon beach and Kudle beach. It is a backpacker’s paradise with good yet cheap places to stay and with great food on offer. It also houses various temples for those who want to see the religious side of this tourist hotspot. Most visitors can be found riding around in scooties or lazing on the beach till the sun sets, after which it becomes a buzzing town filled with activity.

Udaipur, Rajasthan
This city isn’t called the city of lakes for nothing. A December vacation warrants you visiting the city and popular spots such as the Monsoon Palace, Lake Palace and Fateh Lake. While it may not seem like the usual pick for these holidays, the weather here and the abundant history of the palaces and forts more than make up for the lack of beaches or snow. It is situated right on the base of the Aravalli hills keeping it cool during these months.