Forget the dry turkey dinner and soggy wet weather on December 25. Make Christmas 2007 an experience you'll never forget by escaping for the festive season.

Whether you're looking for a romantic break, revelry with friends or a family get-together, there's a trip to cater for everybody's fantasy Christmas.

Do away with tradition and the obligatory relative rounds and pack your suitcase for the trip of a lifetime.

Booking a special Christmas break could be the best present you ever give.

SANTA SPECIAL

Bored of queuing for Santa's grotto in your local shopping centre? Try whisking the kids off to Lapland to experience the 'real thing' in Father Christmas's snowy forest homeland.

Holidaying in Finnish Lapland, your family can experience winter wonderland activities such as husky dog and sleigh rides, as well as trips via snowmobiles.

Highlights for children include visits to Santa's Post Office to send off letters to Santa, the elves workshop, and a special trip to see the bearded present-bearer himself.

A Christmas gala feast is the seasonal icing on the Christmas cake.

Cosmos offer the Lapland experience priced from £796 per adult and £679 per child to include return flights and airport transfers, four nights' full board accommodation, as well as a range of activities. Contact Cosmos on 0871-622-4317 or visit www.cosmos.co.uk

CARNIVAL CHRISTMAS

Who says you need to pile on the pounds over Christmas? Pack your glitziest glad rags and dancing shoes and head for a seasonal sunshine break in Rio.

Swap winter climes for Brazil's summer, leggings for stockings and egg nog for caipirinhas. This sunshine trip includes 18 hours of samba and forro lessons to get you into the Latino spirit in preparation for one of the biggest New Year's Eve parties in the world on Copacabana beach.

While your chums eat overcooked sprouts back home on December 25 you can write them a postcard during the Christmas Day beach party. Just don't overdo it on the complimentary cocktails!

Jingando Holidays offer the Rio dancing trip priced from £2,200 per person from December 22 to January 5, including flights, transfers, accommodation, dance lessons and local excursions. Contact Jingando on 0208-877-1630 or visit www.jingandoholidays.com

NYC NOEL

Forget about Christmas shopping back home and leave it right to the last minute as you lap up New York's seasonal bonanza.

Pack your bags for the Big Apple and enjoy some of the finest shopping and hospitality in the world. Visit museums, galleries and theatres, and wrap up warm for ice skating at The Rockefeller Center under the glowing lights of its enormous Christmas tree.

Kick back and relax over the festive period in the five-star deluxe The Pierre Hotel, overlooking Central Park. With 650 staff taking care of 220 rooms it's unlikely you'll be lifting a finger over the holidays - besides opening presents.

Kirker Holidays offer The Big Apple experience priced from £1,565 per person including return flights to New York, private car transfers and three nights' accommodation (room only). Contact Kirker Holidays on 020-7593-2288 or visit www.kirkerholidays.com

CHRISTMAS CASTLE

If you want a Christmas house party with a difference, head to the Highlands for fairytale festivities in a grand Scottish castle.

Leave Edinburgh on Christmas Eve and head to the towering snowy mountains surrounding Carbisdale Castle. Guests will see in December 25 with a Christmas Eve ceilidh and supper. After present opening (and hangover cures) on Christmas morning, you'll blow away the cobwebs with a champagne breakfast followed by a full day touring the Highlands with a guide.

Back at the castle, there's more party poppers and champagne corks flying with a celebratory Christmas dinner and party.

STA Travel offer the Christmas castle trip for £209 per person including three days accommodation and breakfasts, return coach travel to Carbisdale Castle from Edinburgh, celebratory suppers and parties, and Highland adventure with tour guide. Contact STA Travel on 0871-230-8512 or visit www.statravel.co.uk

WINTER WONDERLAND

The weather forecasters can never guarantee a white Christmas in Blighty - and the slushy stuff we occasionally get is never going to make for optimum ski conditions. So pack your goggles and fleece for a festive season packed with skiing and cosy nights huddled in front of a log fire.

Expect heaps of carols and Christmas cheer in Austria, where the song Silent Night was written.

Loved-up couples looking for apres-ski relaxation will lap up the facilities at the four-star Hotel Orgler in top resort Zell Am See, which has a sauna, whirlpool and steam room. Toast December 25 together with a special Christmas Gala Dinner.

Crystal Ski offers the Austrian ski package priced from £875 per person for a week over Christmas, which includes return flights, transfers and half board. Contact Crystal Ski on 0870-160-6040 or visit www.crystalski.co.uk

RURAL RETREAT

If you live and breathe life in the city, why not take time out over the festive season to celebrate like a lord or lady in your own country retreat?

Ashdown Park Hotel and Country Club, set in 186 acres of parkland in rural Sussex, offers a non-stop cracker-fest with their traditional Christmas house party package.

Whether it's a family gathering or romantic break, the hotel offers a Yuletide programme jam-packed with Christmas festivities - including carol singing, treasure hunts, lashings of mulled wine and lavish traditional dinners.

There's also the opportunity to get into the Christmas spirit with a trip to the pantomime and midnight Mass on Christmas Eve.

Ashdown's Traditional House Party package is priced from £795 per person for a three-night stay from December 24. Contact Ashdown Park direct on 01342-824988 or visit www.ashdownpark.com