The holiday season is a valuable time to get together with family and friends while reminding ourselves of the people and things that matter most. For many of us who choose to travel in an effort to take a break from the sub-zero temperatures, freezing rain and snow storms that commonly accompany winter's arrival, it can also be an excellent opportunity to travel somewhere special and create unique holiday memories.

Whether you’re looking for a reprieve from the cold in favor of warmer climates or are seeking a picturesque destination that feels like you’ve wandered onto the cover of a greeting card, review our list of the top four places to travel this holiday season.

Hit the Slopes in Dubai

If you're looking for an over-the-top holiday destination that truly delivers on its promises for 'more,' look no further than Dubai. This modern metropolis is already well-known as a premier shopping destination — the Dubai Mall is home to more than 200 luxury brands, an aquarium and award-winning restaurants — but the festive holiday season lets this city shine with an array of stunning light shows and events. Holiday festivities can include shopping at several local markets. The Dubai Shopping Festival, for example, brings in concerts and shows from global and regional superstars every winter. The Madinat Jumeirah Festive Market, an event sponsored and hosted by global luxury hotel company the Jumeirah Group, features live bands, boat rides with Santa and light and sound shows.

If your favorite thing about winter is hitting the slopes for adrenaline-pumping activities like skiing and snowboarding, don’t worry; this desert city has you covered. Ski Dubai is an indoor ski resort boasting 22,500 square meters of indoor ski area with five slopes of different difficulties. Located inside the Dubai Mall of the Emirates, Ski Dubai offers skiing, snowboarding and sledding year-round in a climate-controlled environment, plus an indoor ice cave. Adults and children alike can enjoy the Snow Park, which features rides, indoor ziplines and opportunities to get up close and personal with the park’s resident penguins.

Hong Kong for the Holidays

Hong Kong is a beautiful city with a rich cultural heritage wrapped in classic and contemporary charm. Not only does Hong Kong offer sublime retail experiences with high-end luxury boutiques nestled within charming historical buildings, but its thriving arts and culture scene makes it the favorite spot for art collectors, curators and enthusiasts worldwide. Additionally, the country’s focus on health and wellness can help you recharge and recalibrate for the new year with award-winning spas and treatments.

One of Hong Kong's largest outdoor events will return this winter to celebrate Christmas, New Year's Eve and the Chinese New Year; the AIA Carnival is a famous annual festival combining traditional rides, games and street entertainment for more than a million guests annually. Every night, the Symphony of Lights (SoL) transforms the city skyline with an extravagant neon light show accompanied by the Hong Kong Philharmonic Orchestra. Blending the sound of traditional Chinese flutes and string instruments with popular Western instruments, the SoL's unique sound matches Hong Kong's spirit of "east meets west," according to the Hong Kong Tourism Board. Additionally, travelers seeking a new twist on a familiar holiday tale should attend the Hong Kong Ballet's annual showing of The Nutcracker. Showgoers are amazed by extraordinary sets and costumes that blend Hong Kong's cultural tradition with this timeless classic.

Experience Island Living in the Maldives

If your idea of a white Christmas involves gleaming white sand beaches, look no further than the Maldives. December weather in the country is beautiful, with clear blue skies and temperatures in the 80s, making it the perfect getaway for travelers seeking to escape cold temperatures. Where else can you enjoy idyllic island living amid the crystal-clear lagoons, opportunities to witness natural phenomena like glowing plankton shows and snorkeling with vibrant marine life, such as manta rays and sea turtles? Black Tomato, an award-winning luxury travel company, offers plenty of ideas and example itineraries to get your trip to the Maldives underway.

A predominantly Muslim country, the Maldives doesn't officially celebrate Christmas or Hanukkah. Still, the unique resort experiences on the islands can make up for missing the traditional trappings of the holiday season. Conrad Maldives Rangali Island offers award-winning restaurants and unusual dining experiences. Reserve a table at Ithaa, the world's first undersea restaurant to dine five meters below the ocean's surface — or about 16 feet — surrounded by panoramic coral views and marine life.

The New Year is a major event in the country, with many resorts hosting beach parties and festive galas with a wide array of food. If your resort or hotel offers the opportunity, catch a traditional Boduberu performance to witness the Maldivian culture found throughout the archipelago.

Czech Out Prague’s Seasonal Flair

An ancient city full of colorful baroque buildings and Gothic churches, Prague transforms itself into a festive wonderland of lights every holiday season. The air teems with the smell of roasting nuts, and the sound of carolers echoes off cobblestone streets. Well-known for the shopping opportunities at its many Christmas markets spread throughout the city, shoppers can find unique and handmade cultural wares, such as ceramics, embroidered lace, hats and gloves and puppets and dolls dressed in traditional garb.

Unlike our other holiday destinations, Prague does reach freezing lows in the winter, so be sure to pack your cold-weather gear. Some of these items can be purchased at the Christmas markets or, to add to your designer collections, visit the high-end shopping scene on Paris Street. There you can find names like Louis Vuitton, Hermes and Dolce & Gabbana, among others.

Once you've gotten your fill of shopping, visitors can book a three-hour sightseeing dinner cruise on an open-top glass boat, which provides night views of Prague's major landmarks against a backdrop of holiday lights and fireworks. If you and your guests are a fan of Mozart, book a three-course dinner at the Boccaccio Ballroom for an intimate opera experience in a historically protected ballroom that's one of the city's finest examples of neo-Baroque architecture. Prague is also home to the Hybernia Theatre, a 14th-century building cloaked in rich history; shows to see in December include a Czech Christmas Mass plus a concert and 3D show dedicated to Italian composer Antonio Vivaldi.

No matter where your holiday travels take you, your journey should center around making new memories with the people you care about in exciting locales. Don't waste your valuable time worrying about common travel complaints like lost luggage or an unexpected illness. Before embarking on your trip, take the time to evaluate your travel insurance to ensure you're covered if the unexpected should occur. Contact your Gallagher insurance advisor to ensure you have the coverage you need.