We’ve plagiarised Tui.co.uk for this tempting list of foreign destinations for an alternative Christmas break. When we say plagiarised, we mean copied and pasted word-for-word, so thank you to the Tui team for all your hard work! Christmas – it’s one of the best times of the year for most, but while we love the presents, Christmas markets and the festive cheer, the chilly winter weather can sometimes be a bit of a downer. Well, we’ve got a solution for you – check out this list of places that are perfect for pairing a Christmas getaway with a dose of vitamin sea. Dominican Republic If sun seeking sits high on your agenda for the festive season, how do highs of 29°C sound? You‘ll get an impressive eight hours of sunshine a day while you wear your Santa hat in the Dominican Republic. This Caribbean spot isn’t just a sun, sea and sand retreat, there are loads of experiences on offer, too – from safari rides to whale spotting in the wild. If you’re worried about missing out on all the Christmas fun, don’t panic – Dominicans are big fans of the festive period. Celebrations last from October to January, and usually involve eating tasty dishes like roast pork and pudim navideno – AKA Christmas pudding – singing Christmas carols, and watching firework displays. Costa Rica Costa Rica’s dry season runs from December to April, so the Christmas period is an ideal time for some winter sun. The festive season is also the end of the school year in Costa Rica, so people really go all-out with their celebrations. Houses are decorated with tropical flowers, nativity scenes, and Christmas wreaths made of cypress branches and berries. Expect rum punch after midnight mass on Christmas Eve, and fiestas and street parties to continue on into January. Thailand Phuket in Thailand reaches sizzling highs of 32°C in December, so it’s perfect if you’d rather be spending Christmas working on your tan. Spend the festive season on white-sand beaches or catch a boat ride to one of the offshore islands trips – the Phi Phi Islands are a popular pick. Christmas isn’t a religious festival in Thailand, but that doesn’t stop everyone putting up Christmas trees, exchanging gifts and sharing a meal – although it’s usually a Thai curry instead of Turkey and trimmings. La Palma If you fancy something a little closer to home, a Canary Island Christmas could be the answer. La Palma is one of the quieter members of the Canary Island’s club, and comes with highs of 22°C in December – scorching compared to the UK’s usual 7°C. The Christmas holiday is an important festival in La Palma – head to Franceses, a small village in the north-west of the island, to see a nativity scene complete with life-size models of Mary, Joseph, Jesus, and the Three Wise Men. Cyprus Cyprus has 340 days of sunshine a year, with temperatures hovering around the 20°C mark in December. The Christmas period lasts for 12 days, starting on the 24th with local children going door to door with musical instruments to sing carols. Celebrations finish on the 6th of January with a feast and, just to save you any confusion, expect to see lots of pomegranate – it’s both eaten and used as a decoration, symbolising joyous times and good fortune. That’s your five a day sorted. Cape Verde Average temperatures in Cape Verde during the winter hover in the mid-20s, making these islands – off the coast of Africa – a sun-seekers dream. If you want to take it easy and work on your tan, you’ll find eight kilometres of sand in Sal. Boa Vista blows it out of the water though, with a 55-kilometre beach to its name. Most hotels put on huge feasts for Christmas and New Year, followed by a beach party to the sound of traditional music – think bass guitars, drums and violins. Sri Lanka Want to spend Christmas Day video calling your friends and family from the beach? With temperatures sitting comfortably at 30°C, you’re bound to spark some sunshine envy. Try traditional Sri Lankan Christmas cake as you soak up the vitamin D, and have a go at water sports like surfing or kayaking. If you fancy a side of culture alongside your celebrations, there are also tea plantations and ancient temples to explore.