While the celebrated Christmas markets in Germany, Poland and Switzerland always crowd up for the holiday season, there are other well-established European markets slightly further off the beaten track that offer thinner crowds and beautiful locally made products. Eastern Europe in particular is a great place to check out the growing markets, while farther in the west of the continent, the funky holiday Christmas stirred up in Amsterdam is not to be missed.

The multicultural country of Tanzania is home to an incredible range of tribes and religions. Due to this mixing and mingling of cultures – the majority of the population is Muslim, followed by Christians, Hindus, Sikhs and other local tribes – there is no shortage of exciting holidays, a diversity of festivities in which everyone takes real pride. Tanzanians respect each other’s religious differences and enjoy a few notable celebrations, including Eid ul-Fitr, Christmas, Navratri and Diwali.