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15 of the best places to go for Christmas [Aave]

Anyplace can throw up a few lights and call it a holiday celebration, but travelers who really adore Christmas want more.

They want a place where Christmas markets beckon, lights dazzle in all directions, holiday feasts offer endless temptations and Yuletide traditions such as Advent are longtime, serious business.

From England to the Philippines, these 15 places around the world traditionally offer up some of the best holiday atmosphere for a Christmas-drenched vacation:

Rovaniemi, Lapland, Finland While popular lore would have us believe the North Pole is the official home of Santa Claus and his jolly missus, the Finns would have us believe otherwise.

For them, Rovaniemi is Christmas HQ, located just north of the Arctic Circle in Lapland. Children here make gingerbread cookies with Mrs. Claus, enroll in Elf School or take a calligraphy class and compose their Christmas wish lists with a traditional quill.

You may also want to visit the Ranua Wildlife Park, home to baby polar bears, wolverines and moose.

The Arktikum is a science center where the mystery of the northern lights is revealed. Those in search of a truly frosty experience can stay in the Arctic SnowHotel, made entirely of snow and ice, but equipped with saunas and hot tubs in which to thaw.

Bogotá, Colombia Colombia’s high-altitude capital brightens up each year with Christmas lights galore.

In Bogotá, there’s the tradition of “Ruta Navideña,” or the Christmas Route. Celebrants stroll popular spots around the city to take in the dazzling displays.

Día de las Velitas (Little Candles’ Day) is celebrated on December 7, which is the eve of the Immaculate Conception. It officially marks the start of Christmas in Colombia. People light small candles and paper lanterns, placing them on windowsills and balconies.

Christmas is sweet here. Natilla is a custard dish that resembles a flan or pudding and is eaten alongside other festive favorites such as buñuelos (fried dough balls served hot).

There’s a travel bonus to coming to Bogotá at Christmastime: It’s the beginning of the dry season.