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2. victoria falls 3. aspen 4. stockholm 5. zihuatanejo 6. santa fe 7. goa
1. rome
Why: Chocolate-covered panettone. The chicest stores on Earth. A city more alive than ever, with its $81 million renovation of churches and buildings. Where to Stay: Hotel d'Inghilterra (14 Via Bocca di Leone; 800/346-5358 or 39-06/69981, fax 39-06/6992-2243; doubles $334) has English colonial decorations, a stylish cocktail bar, and a candlelit tree. Christmas Dinner: Heinz Beck, Rome's hottest chef, promises a lavish Christmas Day menu--caviar-stuffed salmon, three-chocolate mousse--at La Pergola dell'Hotel Hilton (101 Via Cadlolo; 39-06/3509-2211; dinner for two $390). Local Tradition: A witchlike woman known as the Befana is said to deliver gifts to good children via the chimney. Sound familiar?The only difference: presents are opened on Epiphany (January 6). Best Lights: Antiques stores on Via Margutta illuminate the streets with candles. Last-Minute Shopping: Profumeria Materozzoli (5 Piazza San Lorenzo in Lucina; 39-06/6889-2686) sells rare French and Italian fragrances, handmade combs, and more than 60 shaving creams. Stocking Stuffers: Sicilian hand puppets from the Piazza Navona market (open daily in December). Midnight Mass: Pope John Paul II will lead a procession through the Porta Santa and conduct mass at St. Peter's Basilica (Piazza San Pietro; 39-06/6988-2258). Reserve early. Sweet Treats: Pick up pan giallo, a Christmas cake with almonds and hazelnuts, from Pasticceria Mondi (468 Via Flaminia; 39-06/333-6466).
--Lucie Muir
Why: A colonial holiday in the African wilds. Hiking along Victoria Falls. Wildebeests instead of reindeer. Where to Stay: The languid, colonial Victoria Falls Hotel (Mallet Dr.; 800/223-6800 or 263-13/4751, fax 263-13/4258; doubles from $372) has an on-site chapel and views of the falls. Christmas Dinner: The menu at the open-air Boma Restaurant (at the Victoria Falls Safari Lodge; 263-13/3201; dinner for two $20) is a far cry from Grandmother's: fig-stuffed warthog fillets, mopani worms with peanut butter rice. Best Lights: The night sky. Top Outing: At the end of the sunset drive at Matetsi Game Lodge (25 miles west of Victoria Falls; 800/525-4800 or 27-11/775-0000, fax 27-11/784-7667; doubles from $385), you're serenaded with African Christmas carols while sipping mango daiquiris. Local Tradition: A witch doctor (Stand 206, Falls Craft Village, Soper's Crescent) throws bones to reveal what awaits in the next century. Stocking Stuffers: At Soper's Curios (1911 Adam Stander Rd.), buy a carving of Nyaminyami, the Zambezi River god. According to Tonga legend, he yearns to break the Kariba Dam and free his wife, trapped on the other side.
--Gillian Cullinan
Why: Four mountains to choose from. Shopping as extreme as the skiing. And an almost guaranteed white Christmas. Where to Stay: A Victorian charmer, the Hotel Jerome (330 E. Main St.; 800/331-7213 or 970/920-1000, fax 970/920-2050; doubles from $345) spruces up with a 15-foot tree trim-med with bows, balls, and strings of pearls. Carolers sing in the lobby on Christmas Eve, as Santa leaves two Frette robes on your pillow--for keeps. Christmas Dinner: The dining room at the glamorous Little Nell (675 E. Durant; 970/920-4600; dinner for two $125) is a favorite for turkey and trimmings. Last-Minute Shopping: Pick up the latest skiwear at Performance Ski (408 S. Hunter St.; 970/925-5044) or Christopher Walling's distinctive jewelry at his new store (431 E. Hopkins Ave.; 970/925-1930). Top Outing: Pine Creek Cookhouse, a restaurant in pristine Ashcroft Valley, can be reached only by skis or horse-drawn sleigh (12500 Castle Creek Rd.; 970/925-1044; dinner for two $130). Midnight Mass: St. Benedict's Monastery in neighboring Old Snowmass (1012 Monastery Rd.; 970/927-3311) worships by candlelight.
--Janet O'Grady
Why: Seaside bonfires after a brisk sail. Bundled-up shoreline strolls. A glass of glögg to take away the chill. Where to Stay: You can take a dip in the medieval stone well, followed by a sauna, at the Lady Hamilton (5 Storkyrkobrinken; 800/448-8355 or 46-8/234-680, fax 46-8/411-1148; doubles from $260). Christmas Dinner: The Christmas Eve buffet at the grand Operakällaren (46-8/676-5800; dinner for two $80) is loaded down with herring, reindeer, and elk. Local Tradition: Since the 1920's, girls dressed in white and crowned with candle wreaths, accompanied by boys in cone hats, have celebrated the feast of Saint Lucia on December 13. Catch the children singing in procession at local churches. Stocking Stuffers: Scoop up colorful calendars and notebooks at Ordning & Reda (47 Sturegallerian; 46-8/611-1200). Sweet Traditions: Get the best lussekatter, a saffron-threaded Christmas bun, from Gunnarsons (92 Götgatan; 46-8/641-9111) or Vete-Katten (55 Kungsgatan; 46-8/218-454). Stocking Stuffers: Handmade ornaments are sold at the Gamla Stan market (Stortorget, Gamla Stan), through December 20.
--Karina Porcelli
Why: Christmas in a bikini, under the shade of coconut palms. Noche Buena, the dark beer available only during the holidays. Where to Stay: La Casa Que Canta (Camino Escenico, Playa La Ropa; 800/525-4800 or 52-755/47030, fax 52-755/47040; doubles from $320) tucks 24 rooms into the hillside above Zihua's main beach. A life-size nacimiento (Nativity scene) and star piñatas adorn the lobby. Christmas Dinner: Coconuts (1 Pasaje Augustín Ramírez; 52-755/42518; dinner for two $50) carves up roast pig stuffed with pineapple, banana, raisins, and jicama. Top Outing: Hire a mariachi trio (through your concierge) for a picnic on Playa Madera, accessible by private launch; pick up a captain and boat on the town pier ($4). Last-Minute Shopping: Nahuatl women patrol Playa La Ropa, selling coral necklaces. Coco Cabaña (5 Vicente Guerrero St.; 52-755/42518) imports tin Christmas decorations from Oaxaca. Midnight Mass: At Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe (Cinco de Mayo St.), locals actually convene around 10 p.m.; afterward, they head home for a feast. Mexican allegiance to food triumphs over technicalities.
--Jean Nathan
Why: Latin ).
--Tukey Koffend
Why: Portuguese influences in seaside India. Whitewashed Catholic churches. Firecrackers, bells, and carolers. Where to Stay: Spread over 88 acres, the Fort Aguada Beach Resort (Sinquerim, Bardez; 800/448-8355 or 91-832/276-201, fax 91-832/276-044; doubles from $155) was built on the remains of a 16th-century Portuguese fortress. The hotel's holiday extravaganza includes jazz and traditional Goan food. Christmas Dinner: Try Casa Portuguesa (Baga Road, Calangute; 91-832/277-024; dinner for two $23), in a converted villa with gardens and verandas a short walk from the Arabian Sea. Stocking Stuffers: Merchants gather on Wednesdays at the Anjuna Flea Market, on Anjuna Beach. Haggle! Midnight Mass: Follow the townspeople to the Basilica of Bom Jesus in Old Goa. Sweet Treats: Most bakeries sell bebinca, a 12-layer pancake made with coconut, flower, sugar, and eggs. Local Tradition: Little boys haul out their tools weeks in advance to construct elaborate Nativity scenes with hundreds of lights--a beacon for strolling musicians.
--Aneer Walwica
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