Break the mould this Christmas

Looking for inspiration on where to spend your Christmas holidays? Accor suggests six unusual experiences that can be enjoyed throughout December. So pack those bags for a very different Christmas break!

It's not even Carnival, but there's already plenty to see during your stay in Rio de Janeiro. Imagine—you're relaxing on the banks of the Rodrigo de Freitas Lagoon, enjoying the warm sunny December evening...Above the middle of the lake, majestically reflected in the still water, rises a Christmas tree lit by 3 million bulbs! Seeing the lights of this floating 85m-high Christmas tree switched on is almost as breathtaking as the view from Corcovado Mountain...

Just like Rio, the city of Sao Paulo is chock-full of Christmas decorations—despite the almost 30° temperatures. Who could resist taking a selfie with your family standing next to Santa in Hawaiian-style flip-flops?Then, as night falls, you seek the coolness of the Ibirapuera Park, where you're wowed by the fountains, which are cleverly choreographed to dance in time to the multimedia projections. Just one of the many surprises of a Christmas spent in tropical Sao Paulo!

Perhaps even more surprising than Sao Paulo is a Sydney Christmas. Even the golden sands of Bondi Beach have a festive flavour, as it's a traditional destination for families and other seekers of fun on Christmas Day itself!Around you, you'll see people tucking into an Aussie-style seafood barbecue rather than turkey with stuffing. But before you dive into the seafood, why not grab your surfboard and dive into the sea? What better way to experience the Aussie beach lifestyle than during a Sydney Christmas break!

Sydney's Santa has competition—in Auckland. Invigorated by the Pacific Ocean spray, you'll breathe in the festive feeling as you browse the shops and cafes of Viaduct Harbour. Your route continues past the Christmassy blossoms of the pohutukawa trees to Franklin Road. In the middle of this fine avenue, you spot a rather unusual Santa Claus. Surrounded by artificial snow, he takes off his sunglasses and greets you with a hearty ho ho ho! Just one of the many treats that will make your stay in Auckland special.

As we head to Amsterdam, it's time to put away the swimsuit and put on the parka. But even if the temperature is not much higher than zero, your heart will be warmed by the thousand lights of the Amsterdam Light Festival.Many of the installations and displays are produced by leading artists from the Netherlands and abroad. The work gently illuminates the city's canals and houses like a light sheen of winter snow. The Festival is just one of the many attractions to enjoy during your Amsterdam Christmas break...

Perhaps you didn't get the chance to see Amsterdam's Christmas markets while you were there? If so, you can catch up on your shopping at Zurich's Christkindlimarkt, believed to be the largest covered Christmas market in Europe.As the smells of hot chocolate and tasty treats whisk you back to your childhood, you'll be dazzled by the brilliance of the Swarovski-sponsored Christmas tree. Your stay in Zurich: a festive fairy tale in a stunning natural setting.