5 alternatives to the festive markets

As the official hometown of Santa himself, could you possibly find anywhere more magical than Lapland? Make memories that last a lifetime in Rovaniemi, Finland. You can visit the elves’ workshop in Santa Claus Village, and cartwheel over a line marking the frosty Arctic Circle. If you look up, you might even see the Northern Lights painting the sky.

Snuggle up on a sleigh as Santa's reindeer pull you through the crystal white snow. And if you’re looking for another adventure, Ranua Wildlife Park won’t disappoint. Specialising in Arctic and northern animal species, you might even see the polar bears roaming around - a breath-taking sight!

Have a calm and peaceful Christmas trip to Helsikini, the vibrant capital of Finland packed with art, culture and spectacular saunas! It's the perfect place to do some Christmas shopping and pick up those all important gifts. Boasting the best decorations, Esplanade is a beautiful boulevard offering high-end boutiques as well as artisanal goods.

And once you’ve shopped til you’ve dropped, take a well deserved break in a sauna. A tradition enjoyed by locals on Christmas Eve and in the run up to the holiday season, it’s as much part of a Finnish Christmas as Santa Claus!

It may not be an obvious winter holiday choice, but Zagreb is a city full of yuletide cheer. An up and coming destination, it perfectly fuses both traditional and modern festivities. You can start with a carol concert and follow on with a DJ set, with a craft beer in hand.

Visit the huge Christmas tree in Ban Josip Jelačić Square, and enjoy some delicious food and drink in the heated dome. Or try the romantic spot of Zrinjevac Park - here you’ll find a music hall, accompanied by the angelic sound of Christmas carols.