Wondering where to spend the most magical time of the year? How about a picture-postcard town that seems to have just been taken out from a storybook; sound beautiful. These destinations listed here have the perfect feel and look of offering you one of the best Christmas holidays ever.

1. VALKENBURG, NETHERLANDS

There is no better place than the Valkenburg Christmas market to pick up one-of-its-kind traditional and even not-so-traditional Christmas gifts and knick-knacks. The oldest and the largest subterranean Christmas markets in Europe, it begins in mid-November and runs just until Christmas.

The entire town is transformed into a winter wonderland.

2. ROVANIEMI, LAPLAND, FINLAND

Rovaniemi might be the best place to celebrate Christmas as locals here believe that since it is located just north of the Arctic Circle, it makes for a much more likelier home for Santa. It becomes a frozen winter wonderland with deep snow and pine forests where kids get a chance to enrol in an Elf school.

Northern lights, husky dog rides, sledge-led reindeer safari, a hotel constructed purely out of snow and ice, it’ll be simply a magical and eventful Christmas.

3. NUREMBERG, GERMANY

With its 200 vendors putting up incredible display, the Nuremberg Christmas market in Germany attracts over 2 million visitors each year. The displays are as beautiful as you can imagine and even beyond as they compete for the Most Beautiful Staff Design Award. The market council is serious about the items displayed here so you will only find the best including traditional handmade goods.

Wandering through the market you’ll be more tempted by the aroma of roasted almonds, sausage, mulled wine, gingerbread and so much more. The entire town is decorated in its Christmas glory and do not, in any case, miss the Toy Museum with its two-tiered carousel based on old originals – complete with reindeer and Father Christmas sleighs.

4. NORTH POLE, ALASKA

The most obvious Christmas town, here it’s always Christmas with decorations 365 days a year. It’s all about Santa the entire year but come December and the North Pole truly comes alive with its annual North Pole Christmas In Ice Contest attracting ice sculptors from across the globe.

Enjoy the live broadcast from the Santa house and even get a chance to mail your postcards from Santa’s official zip code surprising your friends and family when they receive season’s greeting from the North Pole.

5. REYKJAVIK, ICELAND

Enjoy a spectacular Yule Town Christmas and other unique holiday traditions, like the 13 “Yuletide Lads,” or scruffy Santa, that bring gifts to kids who’ve been good for the 13 nights leading up to the big day. Pick up some great gifts, holiday decorations and treat from the Yule Town Christmas market that is filled with picturesque huts.

Find something different every day as some of the craft-makers and artisans set up their stalls just for one day and of course, what makes the excursion to Reykjavik more exciting is the chance to see the beautiful northern lights flash across the night’s sky while the city is covered in snow and dazzling Christmas lights.