Beach boredom

So, what's your plan for the winter trip this year, same old week on a tropical beach? Who can forget the sunburn and peeling skin, the traveler's trots and the fights over who reserved the beach chairs?

Maybe it's time to consider an alternative that will give you memories of more than yet another embarrassing attempt to do the Macarena and of dodgy food that tastes like chicken.

Here are some out of the ordinary getaways for the holiday break:

Dog days

"Gee" means turn right, "Haw" means go left and "mush"— that's something better left for the sled dogs. Leave behind the snowmobile and SUV and learn what it was like for the pioneers. A number of resorts in British Columbia and Alberta, Quebec and the Yukon can make you a passenger on half day or day-long wilderness dog treks. And if you want to learn to do your own mushing, a three-day package at Siwash Lake Ranch in B.C. provides lessons from pros.

Mountain training

Everyone dreams of riding the historic rails through the spectacular passes of the Rockies between Vancouver and Banff or Jasper. Having the scenery frosted in winter snow is the finishing touch. Via Rail's trains, the Canadian and the Skeena, offer holiday travel packages but need to be booked well ahead if you want to get a sleeping compartment. Meanwhile, a special Rocky Mountaineer winter train travels by day and its two-day trips stop overnight in Kamloops with an overnight hotel stay. Its holiday departures are from Vancouver are Dec. 19 and 27, and from Banff on Dec. 21 and 29. See Via Rail and Winter Rail Vacations.

Quebec winter

The newly minted nation has never lost sight of holiday traditions that developed before Confederation. The horse carriages in Montreal and Quebec add warm blankets under which passengers can cuddle, and resorts break out their antique sleighs. And you don't have to be a skier to enjoy holidaying at a ski resort because most now feature spas. And if you're looking for something really different this season, a unique event is a Christmas Eve service in a sugar shack and a candlelight procession on a wilderness trail at The Hôtel Sacacomie located in a wilderness area near Trois Rivierès.

Times Square

The futility of surfing the web for New York hotels that have available rooms, let alone deals, for the holiday season proves how popular the city has become at this time of year. It seems everyone wants to be in Times Square to ring in the New Year. But here's a tip: a lot of rooms are still available as part of packages that can be booked by travel agencies, through such wholesalers as Holiday House and Flight Centre. The city also has its own hotel booking agency, NYC trip.com that packages hotels, tours and tickets with attractions and theatres. You may have to book a three-day package, but that won't even get you started on the things to do in the city that never sleeps.

New Orleans

Life's been a little less easy in the Big Easy, but the city is rebounding from last year's hurricane. The French Quarter of New Orleans, which was mostly spared damage from the flooding, is back in action and covered in holiday lights. For the whole month of December, the city is planning a party every night and hotels are offering Papa Noel discounts. And don't miss the flaming gumbo pot on top of the Jax Brewery. For details, see neworleansonline.com.

Ho Ho Hong Kong

Christmas shop where the clothes are made, and save on the trip, too. From now through New Years, Hong Kong's WinterFest includes millions of lights, Santa Claus and live performances from Art Garfunkel to Cantonese opera. Several travel agencies have specials that include air fare on Cathay Pacific Airways, a week of hotel accommodation in Hong Kong and sightseeing at prices from $1,639 from Vancouver and $1,869 from Toronto. See Discover Hong Kong.

Christmas on Christmas Island

No it's not just a Jimmy Buffet holiday song — it's a little speck of Australian nature in the ocean 2,600 kilometres north of Perth. It's most popular around the holiday season because of its whale-shark-watching season, and because it's the time of year a migration of the less-than-cuddly red crabs hits the beach. Travel agents in Canada can contact wholesalers of package vacations from Singapore or Australia that can include hotel, four-wheel drive rentals and educational tours. Unfortunately, the island is small and it's already booked solid for this holiday season. Try January, or book Christmas on Christmas Island for next year.

And a tip

If you're flexible enough to travel before or after the two peak weeks around Christmas and New Years, you'll save a bundle. For instance, cruises in mid-December and mid-January are being advertised at half-off or less. The weeks of Christmas and New Years they're full price, with a few cabins still available. And, a bonus: You'll avoid the holiday crush in the airports.

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