Timeless traditions. The exchanging of gifts. Quality time spent with friends and family. There’s nothing quite like the holidays. But these days, more and more people are choosing to change things up a bit by celebrating the holiday season away from home, and with private luxury villas offering travelers the perfect “home away from home,” it’s no wonder that these five locales (and the countless villas that call them home) are some of the most popular holiday travel destinations today.

St. John 

The smallest of the three main US Virgin Islands, St. John is only accessible by ferry from nearby St. Thomas or Tortola, but once you visit this tropical paradise, you’ll never want to leave. St. John is home to Virgin Islands National Park (which includes approximately 75% of the island), and is renowned for world-class beaches and coral reefs. Countless restaurants and shops located in Cruz Bay and Coral Bay cater to locals and tourists alike, and no visit to the island would be complete without bar hopping or snorkeling at Christmas Cove or day trips to St. Thomas or Tortola.

Los Cabos 

Situated on the southern tip of the Mexican state of Baja California Sur, Los Cabos is a tropical playground like no other. The region remained rural and undeveloped until recently, when the Mexican government began to develop Cabo San Lucas for tourism in the mid-20th century. Today, Los Cabos draws in over two million visitors per year with her weather and climate, and keeps them coming back for more once they get a taste of life on the Mexican coast, with world-class attractions that include fishing, golfing, whale watching, and unrivaled nightlife.

Orlando 

Orlando truly is the quintessential family vacation destination — in addition to the year-round subtropical climate, Orlando is also home to some of the world’s most iconic theme parks. Tourists who visit Orlando will not only have the opportunity to visit Walt Disney World — arguably the most famous theme park in the world — but also countless others, including Universal Studios Florida, Kennedy Space Center Visitor Center Complex, Legoland Florida, SeaWorld Florida, and more.

Barbados 

Like most Caribbean islands, Barbados is famous for her warm turquoise water and soft, sandy beaches. But that’s not all Barbados is known for — far from it. Often referred to as the “birthplace of rum,” Barbados is home to Mount Gay Distillery — the world’s oldest rum distillery. Some of the island’s other popular attractions include Harrison’s Cave, Flowers Forest Park, Hillaby Mountain, Oistins Fish Festival, and many, many more.

Punta Mita

Situated on Banderas Bay approximately 10 miles north of Puerto Vallarta, Punta Mita is one of the most exclusive resort communities in the world. Punta Mita is a favorite destination of the rich and famous, and with good reason — the 1,500-acre peninsula is surrounded on three sides by pristine beaches, and it is at the same latitude as the Hawaiian Islands, ensuring a comfortable, mild tropical climate year-round.

Ready to celebrate this holiday season in style? Browse our selection of villas with holiday availability, and start making your Yuletide travel plans today.