As a small town girl from the Midwest, I would love to travel the world. You can only see so much in southern Illinois. I have yet to have the opportunity to see them all, but listed below are the top 10 holiday destinations. I hope every single one of you get the opportunity to see and explore these wonderful places. I, myself, hope I get the opportunity to, as well. Enjoy!

1. Guatemala

A colorful and exceptional little country. It borders Mexico and has a unique mix of colonial Spanish and indigenous Mayan culture. Guatemala has amazing scenery including beautiful beaches on both the Pacific and Caribbean sides, volcanic landscapes, and beautiful colonial towns.

2. Dubai, United Arab Emirates

For a winter sun tinsel fest, nobody does it bigger and brighter and sparklier than Dubai. From November to January, the weather cools to a more bearable 19-25ºC and the sun shines practically all the time. In December, there's the Rugby Sevens and a film festival, pre-Christmas designer sales and record-breaking Christmas trees groaning under the weight of lights and Swarovski crystals, for those who like that kind of thing.

3. Berlin, Germany

There is no bad time to visit Berlin. I love Berlin in summer, mooching around its kooky-crazy hangouts of creative weirdness - but what a place to party in December! More kookiness in its clubs and bars and the underground haunts of its cool-as-you-like neighborhoods. Berlin is one of the best places to spend New Years Eve in the world They throw a city-wide street party with gigs and celebrations all along the Party Mile.

4. Prague, Czech Republic

Surely nowhere prettier in the snow than Prague. Those perfectly preserved ancient streets, like a fairytale (with a real castle!); those cinnamon-scented Christmas markets where mulled wine makes us buy weird presents and too many Christmas decorations. Pretty, yes, but Prague is also cold as hell in December, which only serves to make its richly-patterned restaurants all the cozier and justify its just-as-rich and fortifying cuisine.

5. Goa, India

Goa is love-it crazy in December. Every palm tree strung with tinsel and fairy lights, every beach bar rocking with the most beautiful happy-go-lucky just-found-themselves travelers dancing like loons, night and day. The weather is just perfect, and the parties reach fever pitch. Christmas is cause for great celebration throughout India - no more so than in Goa, garlanded and lit up with fireworks, Christmas trees and Santa hats incongruous in the heat and dust.

Enjoy your life and travel as much as you can. And make sure to visit these magnificent destinations. Happy Holidays!