10 unusual winter travel destinations

Sicily, Italy Rome - Arabstoday Here is our selection of unusual places for the adventurous traveler who is looking for something a little different this winter: Gabon -for travelers who love Africa this country is rare exotic gem. Although Gabon, situated in Western Central Africa, has rich diversity of holiday and leisure opportunities, its tourism potential is still something of a well-kept secret on the international market. So you’ll be stunned by what is shaping up to be Africa’s next best ecotourism destination: here you can explore endless white sand beaches, primate-filled tropical rain forests, rolling savannahs and estuaries. The capital, Libreville, is a modern multicultural city that overlooks the meeting place of the Komo Estuary and the Atlantic ocean. While most Gabonese are Christian, New Year's Day is celebrated more than Christmas or Easter, so it's fun and colorful this time of a year. Jamaica is perfect winter destination for visitors who want a great deal to the Caribbean this winter - need look no further than Jamaica. Months of December, January and February stand as the most popular time to visit tropical dream island. Jamaica’s miles of pristine beaches, delicious cuisine, unique cultures and friendly people are sure to shake away anyone’s winter blues. Malta is a wonderful little island, it is just lovely for a short stay, especially the town of Dragonara near Valletta. The historical scenery is beautiful, the people are very laid back and the weather is nice all the time. It is usually mild in Malta during the winter, with plenty of sunshine, with daytime temperatures usually 15ºC or above. Malta is mostly famous for its historical sights, but you will find an interesting night life, especially in St Julians - island’s answer to Ibiza. Carnival in Malta, which is usually held in February, during one whole week, is somewhat very popular. It is great fun consisted of masked balls, fancy dress and grotesque mask competitions, lavish late-night parties, a colorful, ticker-tape parade of allegorical floats, marching bands and costumed revelers. Sicily - here is never a bad time to take a trip to Sicily. But during the winter time you will have rare opportunity for skiing, snowshoeing and horse trekking on the largest and highest volcano in Europe, and one of the most active volcanoes in the world. Despite Etna's southerly latitude in the warm seas of the Mediterranean, the 3350m elevation means that in winter it receives deep snows. Enjoy stops in the various sleepy old villages which offers plenty of warm Sicilian hospitality and wonderful authentic cuisine. Also the citrus harvest is in full gear and the almond trees are taking blossom. Kiruna, Sweden is the largest Sweden municipality located in the very north of the country, just 145 kilometers north of the Arctic circle. People of this region decided to turn minus into plus and to create experiences from the natural resources available - cold, darkness, ice, snow and the Northern Lights.Mount Kebnekaise, more than 6000 lakes, seven rivers that run through the municipality create many possibilities for those who are not afraid of the cold! The Snow festival kicks off in January so Christmas is a critical time for getting the snow deep and bouncy - skoterhopp (snowmobile ramp-jumping), snowshoeing,lassoing, sledging, Husky safaris. Also meet Sami culture and delicious cuisine, their customs and artworks. Kiruna has polar night for 20 days, from the twelfth of December to the 31st of December. A new Icehotel is built every winter, and is then decorated and ornamented by artists from the whole world, and it has become Sweden's most internationally famous tourist destination. Bocas del Toro, Panama is famous as one of the best places in the world to dive. It is an archipelago of some 68 tropical islands surrounded by crystal clear waters, filled with astonishing variety of plants and animals that are found no where else in the world. Well maintained resorts, less expensive hotels and equipment, sandy beaches, many reefs and lagoons. There are also beautiful spots perfect for laying back and letting the cool ocean breeze wash over you. Bocas offers its visitors a perfect mix of beautiful locales, fine cuisine and a rich history and culture. More on Bocas del Toro here. Istanbul, Turkey is busy with visitors year round. Now days winter has become favorite times to visit: sights are uncrowded, prices for hotels are lower, there's less bustle. The weather can be dreary or gloriously sunny. Istanbul maintains a distinguished position among the metropolis of the world with its unique geographical location and a cultural heritage of thousands of years. As European Capital of Culture for 2010, Istanbul will launch the celebrations with a party on January 16, followed by a year of events in the visual arts and museums, music and theater, literature, cinema, and traditional arts. Istambul City Guide can provide you with more information. Vilanculos, Mozambique - it does take some effort to get there, but the trip is well worth it. It's not so much the town of Vilanculos but the tranquil haven of Bazaruto Islands off its coast. The islands (without permanent residents) are everything one can dream of: miles of untouched sand, limpid warm waters, coral reefs, fluorescent fish, dhows, extraordinary sunsets, seafood. Don't forget to take a peek at the island's interior. The sand dunes, mangrove forests and inland lakes are home to 125 species of birds as well as a variety of mammals and even one or two crocodiles. Accomodation and more on Mozabique here. Harbin, China is indeed an unusual and interesting choice for a winter vacation destination. The city is in the far north of China, near Siberia and Mongolia. It often referred to as the "Oriental Moscow" for its mix of western and Chinese culture. Harbin offers many attractions for tourists, especially in the winter. The International Snow and Ice Festival, one of four of the biggest in the world, is held in Habin every winter. It also boasts the best ski resort in China-Yabuli Ski Resort, besides, the Sun Island, Siberia Tigers Park and Chinese-Russian Market are also worth a visit. More on Harbin here. Dubai - a world leading City of the Future. You can spend your winter holiday on the beach or in the 40 shopping malls. Dubai has some excellent beaches, some of the best hotels in the world, cheap shopping and for those looking for some adventure how does a desert safari, camel racing, sand skiing and driving 4x4 vehicle on sand dunes or just take some excellent golf courses.