It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year...to Travel
About.com Blog Carnival

There may be no place like home for the holidays. But lots of folks spend at least some of the holiday season traveling. Sometimes they're gathering together with their extended families in far-flung places to celebrate the holidays and squeezing in some sightseeing time. Other times, they're packing off for holiday-season vacations--perhaps to get far away from their families. Whatever the reason, there are some fascinating places to visit in the U.S. and around the world during the holidays. And who better to bring you a rundown of holiday hotspots than the merry band of elves here at About.com? My colleagues on the site's Travel Channel have recently begun collaborating for Blog Carnivals about a variety of topics, and this month I'm pleased to host an About.com roundup of great places to visit for the holidays.

Holiday Travels Around the U.S.

• Christmas Luminarias, Farolitos, Bonfires, and Other Light Celebrations- Discover how the Southwest can light up your life during the holidays.
• Chicago's Winter Wonderfest- The Windy City celebrates the season with a lively festival at Navy Pier.
• Dreaming of a New England White Christmas?- It's snow joke. About.com's New England Travel Guide brings you the top ten places holiday travelers would be likely to encounter snow in the region.
• The South's Festive Events, Light Displays, and Traditions- It's less likely you'll see snow in the southeast U.S. during the holidays, but you can find some great seasonal fun.
• Celebrate a Puerto Rican Christmas- About.com's Guide for Puerto Rico Travel has gathered what he calls, "uniquely ‘Rican things to do, see and eat."
• LA's Most Unusual Christmas Traditions- A Gondola Ride to admire Chanukah lights in Long Beach? That is pretty unusual. Our Los Angeles Travel Guide has more unique SoCal traditions.
• Great Places to See Santa- That jolly, red-suited guy sure gets around. And About.com's Family Vacations Guide has the lowdown on the best places to catch St. Nick.
• Jingle Bell, Jingle Bell, Jingle Bell Parks- My guide to 2008 Christmas and Holiday Season Events at U.S. Theme Parks.

Holiday Travels Around Europe

• Where New Year's is Four Days Long- Discover the celebrations, ancient traditions, and fire that is part of Hogmanay in Scotland
• German Christmas Markets- Learn where you can listen to German Christmas carols and drink hot spiced wine at traditional Christmas markets in Germany.
• Christmas, Italian Style- Discover how Italy welcomes the Christmas season.
• A Dickens of a Christmas- The top ten things to do during Christmas time in London.
• The Ice Hotels in Scandinavia- Chill out this holiday season.
• Christmas Fireworks in Athens- Greece's capital city gets into the holiday spirit.

Holiday Travels Around the World

• Brazil's Christmas of Light - Learn why Natal Luz attracts 700,000 visitors to Gramado.
• Quebec City's Ice Hotel- Scandinavia is not the only place where holiday travelers could find a hotel made out of ice.
• Celebrate Christmas and New Years in the Caribbean- If ice hotels sound a bit chilly, how about heading to the Caribbean for the holidays?
• Great Holiday Illuminations in Japan - About.com's Guide to Japan Travel reveals where to find lots of twinkling lights.
• Top Seven Christmas Events in Vancouver, British Columbia- Sleigh rides, parades, bright lights and more await travelers.

Photo: The traditional Christmas Pyramid at the Christmas Market of Dresden, the oldest Christmas fair in Germany. Michael Bessonette