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LottoStar celebrates the jackpot wins on our thrilling games in the Winners category of our exclusive blog.

Blog: News updates on recent winners 

Have you ever decided on what would be your first move after winning a major lottery? Would you invest your winnings or would you purchase a one-way ticket to travel the world? Well, here’s a thought that may have crossed your mind – where would you live? Assuming, you’ve fantasized about buying a new home if you ever won the lottery. What would your home look like, how many rooms would you have and most importantly where in the world would you live and who would be your neighbours? Winning the lottery means that you could be purchasing a home next door to some world’s rich and famous. So, it’s probably a good idea to start doing your research but to help get you started here’s a list of some of the world’s most expensive celebrity homes.

Pay attention because with a major lottery win you could be partying up next to door to the Carters or stopping by for afternoon tea at Oprah’s.

Fancy playing a game of golf on a 3.5-acre golf course? Well, if you lived next door to Tiger Woods you could be practicing your golf swing at his R734 Million estate. The World Golfing champion lives on a 12-acre property in Florida, on Jupiter Island. In addition to his impressive golf course, Tiger Wood’s home consists of a tennis court, games room, wine cellar, full gym, two boat docks and much more.

Kim Kardashian and Kanye West R993 Million mansion

Get the first glimpse of all the Kardashian/West drama straight from your kitchen window. Your millionaire mansion could be next door to Kim and Kanye’s R993 Million Hidden Hills California Mansion. Their 3-acre, million-dollar mansion comes with eight bedrooms, a vineyard and full music studio, just to mention a few things. You could pop over for a glass of wine and maybe stay the night.

Beyoncé and Jay-Z’s R1,4 Billion modern mansion

How about living next door to one of the world most influential and wealthiest couple? You could be waving hello to the Carters as they leave their R1,4 Billion Los Angeles pad. Their billionaire home is nothing short of extravagant and includes a full spa, media room, a basketball court, staff housing, swimming pools, 15 car garages and the list goes on. Could you imagine stopping by the Carters for a game of basketball or a pool party?

Famously known as the “Promised Land”, Oprah Winfrey’s 65-acre estate is valued at R1,8 billion. You could drop by for a cup of tea at this billion-dollar paradise which consists of six bedrooms, 10 fireplaces, a tennis court, a lake, tea house and so much more. Why not have a picnic on Oprah’s private lake or join her for movie night in one of her two theatres?

Why not rub shoulders with the second richest man in the world and not to mention his family too? Nicknamed “Xanadu 2.0.”, the Gate’s home took seven years to create and is estimated at the value of R2 billion. The technologically advanced family home includes 7 bedrooms, 18 bathrooms, a steam room, 60-foot pool, a trampoline room and basically anything else you could ever dream of having in a home. Sunday lunch at Gates’ would certainly be something everyone could get used to.

With a payout of up to R2 Billion, you could live anywhere in the world and share a postal code with your favourite celebs.

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START PICKING OUT YOUR BILLIONAIRE HOME!

Around the world, the age in which you can bet online or participate in any lottery varies from country to country. However, there are some countries that allow young adults as young as 16 years old, to participate or play in major lottery draws. This means that there are some young millionaires around the world who have acquired their wealth through winning a major lottery.

Here are some of the youngest lottery winners in history.

In 2003, Callie Rogers, became the UK’s youngest lottery winner after winning £1,9 Million (R40 Million) in the UK Lottery. She was 16-years old at the time and a foster care child. The young millionaire quit her part-time job and started splurging her winning as most 16-year olds would. She spent her winnings on plastic surgery, luxury holidays, partying, designer clothes, the list is endless. However, 10 years later Callie wound up broke and admitted that “the win came too early in her life”. She is now a mother to three children and wants them to grow up knowing the value of money.

Jane Park became the UK’s youngest EuroMillions Lottery winner after winning £1 Million (R21 Million) in 2013. She was only 17 years old at the time and won off the first lottery ticket she had ever purchased. Seven years later, Jane has splurged almost all her winnings on plastic surgery and living luxuriously, she has also encountered a few cases with law enforcement. She has even threatened to sue the UK National Lottery, holding them accountable for all the misfortunes she has encountered since her win.

This major winner is a bit different than usual – Robert Salso, from New York, USA, purchased a $2 (R32) Win for Life scratch ticket in 2012. He struck it lucky and won $1 Million (R16 Million), however, instead of getting paid out all at once, he won $1000 (R16,462) a week, for the rest of his life. Robert was the youngest Win for Life scratch card winner at the time and he planned on purchasing a BMW and paying for his college tuition with his winnings.

19-year old, Jay Vargas struck it lucky in 2008 when he won a massive $35,3 Million (R581 Million) US Powerball jackpot. Jay quickly quit his construction job to live a life of luxury, he too fell into the trap of splurging all his cash. This included making a lot of bad investments and a life of hard-partying, drugs and alcohol.

If you are 18-years old or older and looking to become one of South Africa’s youngest millionaires, look no further.

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Young Millionaires

For sports enthusiasts, a sport is more than just a game, it’s a passion and a lifestyle. To the extent that many sports lovers would pay a pretty penny to participate in their favourite sport or travel across the world to support their favourite sports teams. With numerous sports to choose from, some opt for the more elite and expensive adrenalin-filled games but just how much are people willing to pay to participate in their favourite sport?

Have a look at some of the world’s most expensive sports.

Formula 1 is one of the world’s most popular and expensive sports. This high-risk motorsport not only requires you to have passion for competitive high-speed motor racing but you would also need to have a fortune in the bank to make a career out of Formula 1. Drivers are required to have their own car, professional training, sponsorships, enough money to maintain an F1 car and not to mention great medical insurance as this high-speed sport is one of the most dangerous in the world. In addition, drivers need to pay an entry fee for each race which could cost up to an estimated $190 000 (R3,1 million).

Unlike any sports in the world, a pentathlon consists of five unique sporting disciplines such as swimming, fencing, show jumping, pistol shooting and running. All five of these sports require specialised tools and training to master, making it one of the most expensive sporting fields in the world. Show jumping and fencing are amongst the most expensive out all five disciplines.

Hot air balloon racing is probably one of the most bizarre sports out there and is certainly not for those who live on a budget. This fun adventurous sport comes at a hefty cost – purchasing a hot air balloon could cost up to $20 000 (R335,281). In addition, one would need to cover the costs of inflating the hot air balloon, safety inspections, acquiring a pilot’s licence and many other gadgets and devices needed to race a hot air balloon.

Whitianga festival of sports takes place every year in New Zealand and is deemed as the most expensive sports festival in the world. The festival consists of parachute swooping, car, helicopter, powerboat and jet ski races. This is considered the most expensive sport in the world as anyone competing in the Whitianga festival has to have their own helicopter, powerboat, race car, jet ski, parachute as well as professional training to master each of these sporting disciplines. This sport is certainly not for any average Joe but designated for the millionaires and billionaires of this world.

When most people think of ski jumping, they think a beautiful holiday in the snowy Alpes of France or Switzerland. However, ski jumping is not only a fun activity you try whilst on a ski holiday, but it is also a professional sport. This highly competitive and expensive sport demands skill dedication and a whole lot of money. Therefore, If you have aspirations of becoming a professional ski jumper, you would need enough money in the bank for ski equipment, professional lessons, entry fees into races, travel and accommodation fees to ski destinations around the world and not to mention, high insurance costs as ski jumping is one of the most dangerous sports in the world.

Most people are not very familiar with bobsledding as it is quite a unique sport and mainly features at the Winter Olympics. However, bobsledding is a highly competitive, high endurance and high cost sport. So, if you have ever thought about starting your own bobsledding team, you would need to cover the costs of purchasing a Bobsled, gear and equipment for you and your teammate and professional training which is one of the most expensive costs as the sport is niche, therefore, licensed and qualified trainers are hard to come by.

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The World's Most Expensive Sports

Ever heard of the saying the grass is not always greener on the other side? This may be true in many aspects of life but when it comes to the more extravagant luxuries in life, the grass may be greener for some. The ‘one percent’ of the world also known as, the rich and extremely wealthy, enjoy expensive hobbies mostly because they can afford it and if you have all the money in the world, why not live your best life, right?

But what does ‘living your best life’ mean to the millionaires and billionaires of the world?

Take a look at some the world’s most expensive hobbies:

What many dream to do once in a lifetime, there are some who scuba dive all year round for fun. However, exploring the great underworld of some of the world’s most beautiful oceans does not come cheap. Scuba diving equipment is estimated at $500 (USD) (R8000 in South Africa) but that’s not all, those who wish to journey beneath the oceans on a regular basis would still need to fork up about $300 (R5000) for their scuba diving certification. Not to mention, the travelling costs to jet off to various scuba diving destinations around the world which could cost over an estimated R50 000.

For the average individual owning a car that gets you to where you need and back is enough. However, for the world’s wealthiest people, collecting and maintaining various luxury and vintage cars are considered a sport or hobby. Popular cars amongst collectors include a Ferrari, Bugatti, Jaguar E-Type, Porsche 911, Mercedes Formula 1 racing car and many more. One of these cars could cost anywhere between or over $4,4 million to $10,8 million (R74 million to R184 million).

It is the sport that is often seen in movies and in prestige magazines, Polo, commonly known as ‘the sport for the rich and upper class’ is a hobby that requires not only skill but a fortune in membership fees. To enjoy such a fine and expensive hobby, one would need to cover the costs of owning and maintaining a Polo horse which can be estimated at a total of R596 000. In addition, a yearly, Polo membership fee is required, this could start from an estimated $8000 (R136 000) or more.

To sail the oceans across the world on an extravagant yacht – one could only dream of this luxury. While most are dreaming of what it would be like to set foot on a $2 million yacht (over R34 million) some make their homes in extravagant yachts and if that’s not enough they race them too. Yacht racing is certainly a sport or hobby reserved for the elite one percent of the population. This hobby requires purchasing a yacht which could cost between $2 million to $800 million (R34 million to R13 billion) maintaining a yacht, estimated at $100,000 (R1,7 million) a month and additional costs to race your yacht could cost anything between $8 million to $10 million (R136 million to R170 million).

Not only is it a hobby which seems to be growing more and more in popularity amongst celebrities, it is also a very expensive hobby. Purchasing and owning an exotic pet or a few exotic animals is the ‘new normal’ for many of the world’s wealthiest individuals. Owning exotic animals such as tigers, octopus, white lions, chimpanzee’s, Fennec Fox and many more comes at high cost given that most of these animals are endangered and are not your ordinary K9 or feline fur pets. Many of these animals could cost anything between $140,000 to $300,000 (R2,3 million to R5,1 million) to purchase and between $40,000 to $50,000 (R681,000 to R852,000) to maintain.

This concludes that some hobbies are just not for your everyday, ‘average joe’. Want to upgrade your lifestyle and live like ‘the other half do’? The lifestyles of the rich and famous could be yours today. Place your bets on LottoStar’s Africa Millions draw and you could win a payout of over R1,9 billion.

Find Your Hobby

Ever wondered what it takes to become a rocket scientist or even just to work on the frontlines of a major aerospace manufacturer. With the success of the 

 of two NASA astronauts into orbit many people may be curious to know what skills and expertise are required to be part of such a momentous project.

Weeks after the success of the Crew Dragon capsule, six of the SpaceX software team members who helped develop the software that flew ‘Dragon’ are providing some of the answers you need to know if you want make it in the billion dollar aerospace industry. Some of the crew members responsible for the software development and cybersecurity in the launch of the Dragon capsule held a 

 where they answered various question on the Dragon Software and working at SpaceX.

The team provided some tips on what expertise you will need to land a position as a SpaceX software developer:

A degree in Computer Science or something similar.

Many people were curious as to what they will need to do or study to launch their career in aerospace software development or get a job at SpaceX. In the Q&A session, the team advised that getting your degree in Computer Science was integral as “engineers who do well at SpaceX are meticulous in their understanding of how their code works”.

One of the SpaceX crew members suggested that it would be beneficial to get real world experience in building and coding things though internships or hobby projects. For instance, coding in a video game could provide insight and inspiration in developing various SpaceX software.

These aspects may be very important, however, the team noted that lacking in either of these aspects should not discourage you. Many of the SpaceX team members do not come from an aerospace background and have experience and expertise in many other fields. All of which have been proven to help provide different perspectives and problem-solving methods in the team. Matt Monson, who used to work at Dragon and now leads Starlink software said “We’re really looking for a couple things: talent (potential) and the right attitude (desire for self-improvement, serving the team over being selfish)”.

You could start planning your future in the aerospace industry or you could buy your own billion-dollar aerospace company today.

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To Billions and Beyond

What would you do to get rich quick? What lengths would you go to? Has anyone ever asked you this or have ever found yourself asking these questions? If not, take a minute to think about it… What would you do to get rich quick? Can’t think of anything? Well, here are some suggestions, you could invent something or invest in penny stocks, or chase “the next best thing”? How about robbing a bank? Sounds extreme but it’s no secret that for over centuries this is the length that some would go to get rich quick.

Here is a list of the 5 biggest heists in the world so far, that we know of.

One of the largest bank robberies in history was the Blanco Central burglary at Fortetaleza, Brazil in 2005. The thieves made off with about 160 million Brazilian Real which is just over 543 million in South African Rands, today. The heist was carried out by 25 individuals who purchased a property near the bank and drilled an underground tunnel to reach the bank vault. Once they reached the vault, the group of robbers broke through 3.6 feet of reinforced-steel concrete to get inside. Talk about going to lengths to get rich. Since the robbery took place, only a handful of the suspects or as some reports suggest, eight suspects were arrested. Furthermore, only 20 million Brazilian Real was recovered which is R67 million in South African Rands, today.

To date the biggest cash robbery in British history is the Securitas depot robbery which took place in Kent, England in 2006. The men who disguised themselves with professionally made face masks abducted the manager of The Securitas depot and held his family hostage on the evening of the robbery. They used the manager to gain access to the depot and held 14 staff members hostage. The robbery took about 2 hours and the men made off with about $83 million which is 1.3 billion in South African Rands, today. Reports state that 36 assailants were arrested in connection to the robbery.

The Knightsbridge Security Deposit robbery

In London, 1987, Italian criminal mastermind, 

 led the Knightsbridge Security Deposit robbery. The notorious Italian playboy had masterminded several armed robberies in Italy; however, The Knightsbridge Security Deposit robbery would be his last. In July 1987, Viccei and his accomplice gained entry to Security deposit and once inside, the pair stole £160 million worth of goods which is equivalent to 2.8 billion South African Rands, today. A few days after the robbery, Viccei and his accomplice were arrested and in 2000 Viccei was shot and killed in a shootout.

One of the biggest and bizarre bank robberies in history is the Dar Es Salaam Bank heist in Baghdad, Iraq. In 2007, it’s alleged that three guards at the Dar Es Salaam bank were responsible for stealing $282 million form the Baghdad bank, which is equivalent to 5 billion South African Rands, today. According to reports, the robbers have never been caught and no money from the heist has ever been retrieved. This robbery went down as one of the biggest robberies in Iraq but, moreover, it raised many unanswered questions such as, why the bank had so much money in it and why was it all in dollars and not Iraqi dinars? Regardless, whoever pulled off this robbery got away extremely wealthy and scot-free.

In 2003, the biggest bank robbery to date took place in Baghdad, Iraq by non-other than Suddam Hussein. One day before the Iraq war began, the streets were lined with chaos as citizens looted shops in Bagdad. This made for the perfect distraction because amidst all the chaos, a robbery of epic magnitude was about to be committed. Suddam Husein’s son Qusay, accompanied by three large trucks walked into the Central Bank of Iraq with a letter and walked out moments later with 1 billion (USD) which is equivalent to 16 billion South African Rands, today. The infamous president of Iraq, Suddam Hussein had stolen a R1 billion USD without any notice and just before US troops were set to touch down in Iraq. Suddam Hussein never admitted to the robbery. However, years after the robbery, large sums of the stolen money were found in one of his homes. To add to this crazy robbery, numerous American soldiers were found in possession of hundreds and thousands of dollars of the stolen cash.

Want to get rich quick and live a life of opulence? Well, we have a solution for you that doesn’t include robbing a bank or jail time and it’s so simple.

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LottoStar & Good Morning Angels – Spreading Hope

As we get ready to reign in the new year, all over the world people will be preparing to participate in various rituals and traditions to welcome the start of the new year. Many of these traditions form part of various religious beliefs. Moreover, many customs take place on New Year’s Eve as it’s believed to bring good fortune and prosperity in the new year. For those who have given up on making new year’s resolutions, there are a few other customs that you could try out, some bizarre and unconventional and others are as simple as eating a bunch of grapes. Have look at some of the New Year’s Eve traditions from around the world.

In countries such as Brazil, Mexico, Bolivia and many more, people believe that good fortune is determined by the colour of your underpants worn on New Year’s Eve. For instance, those looking to find love in the new year wear red underwear, whilst those looking to attract money and wealth wear yellow underpants, the list is endless.

On New Year’s Eve in Japan, it's customary to ring bells 108 times, which is also a common Buddhist tradition and is believed to get rid of all human sins. In addition, the Japanese believe that everyone should be in a joyful mood on New Year’s Eve – sounds easy enough.

In Peru, the new year reigns in with an annual Takanakuy festival whereby people engage in physical fights. The word Takanaukuy means ‘when the blood is boiling’. Therefore, Peruvians and many others face off in a ring for a round of bare-knuckle fighting. The fights are supervised by a policeman and are said to be completely friendly encounters which represent a fresh start for the new year.

12 grapes for 12 bell rings. Sound bizarre? Well, a popular tradition in Spain is eating 12 grapes to match the 12 bell rings that are rng on New Year’s Eve. The tradition goes, if you succeed at eating a grape for every ring of the bell, you will have good luck for the new year.

One of the most common traditions around the world is to break plates either to ‘break the bad luck’ or to celebrate a new union. However, in Denmark, the breaking of plates is an annual tradition to celebrate the new year. Citizens all over Denmark save up their unused plates all year long and gather at their doorsteps with friends and family to smash the plates and welcome the new year.

Who knew round would be the most popular shape? Strange enough, in the Philippines it certainly is and for a good reason. People use all things round to represent the shape of coins on the days leading up to the new year. This includes round foods, clothes, etc. It is believed that it will potentially bring those who practice this tradition, good fortune, wealth and prosperity in the New Year.

There are dozens of beliefs and rituals believed to banish bad luck and ill fortune but in Ecuador, they believe in one tradition only and that is the burning of a scarecrow. On New Year’s Eve, hundreds and thousands of Ecuadorians set fire to scarecrows at midnight along with burning pictures and anything that represents the past year. So, if you’ve been struggling to shake your bad luck off, why not try to burn it?

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What’s Your New Year Tradition?

Let's continue our journey around the world in search of Christmas cheer with more of the best places to spend the festive season...

Planning on spending your Christmas “down under”? Well, there’s plenty of festive cheer to look forward to if you’re venturing to Australia this Christmas season. The festive season in Australia is an event filled month with loads to do and experience. The list is endless. Experience the Christmas lights at Sovereign Hill, enjoy the nightlife in Perth, Christmas on the beach or join in on the festivities on a boat cruise through Melbourne. Looking for something sentimental? Celebrate the meaning of Christmas in Wellington Square where you can share a day with the less fortunate by serving lunch and handing out presents. With numerous cities to visit and so much to experience in Australia, you are sure to have one memorable Christmas.

Many people travel to Budapest over the Christmas holiday. It is a city known for its beauty and liveliness, especially over the festive season. Still preserved with century-old architecture and rich in culture, the city is said to be mesmerizing during Christmas. Buildings, homes and pretty much everything is lit up with dazzling Christmas lights. Patrons come from near and far witness these lights and explore the large Christmas markets in the city. Apart from the lights, City Park Ice Rinks, situated in front of Vajdahunyad Castle, is another popular attraction. Many flock to skate on the frozen lake over winter (November to February). For that extra warm and pampered feeling, Budapest has an abundance of spa’s and natural springs to keep you satisfied. Once you’ve pampered yourself, you can hop onto the famous Christmas light tram which is covered with 39,000 lights and spoil yourself to an opera night at the Hungarian State Opera House. In Budapest, there’s something for everybody. If you are looking for a more affordable trip to Budapest, the city is filled with backpackers’ hostels and Airbnb’s in lively districts filled with bars, restaurants, and street vendors.

Deciding on where to vacation in the USA may be tough given that there are 50 different states to choose from, each with its unique culture, traditions, and sights. Can’t decide? Well, here’s a few ideas to get your holiday started – Take a trip to Ogden, Utah to witness the City’s Electric light parade which takes place on the 30th of November, the festival celebrates the start of the festive season. If you’re looking for a real Christmas treat then Branson, Missouri, is the place to be with its annual Christmas celebrations – Ozark Mountain Christmas which features live musical performances by various artists and not to mention the famous 

 train ride. Visit Bernville, Pennsylvania, for the town’s annual Koziar’s Christmas Village – a beautiful Christmas village in the countryside, where homes, lakes, trees, and walkways are decorated in Christmas lights and trimmings. Journey, southeast to McAdenville, North Carolina aka “Christmas Town USA”, a small town filled with a large amount of Christmas spirit. During Christmas the town is lit up with over 500,000 lights this includes homes, businesses, streets, and trees. Each year more than 600,000 people flock to 

 to join in this beautiful celebration of Christmas. Finally, at the heart of the US is Leavenworth, Washington. This small Bavarian styled village is said to be one of the best places to spend Christmas at. The town and its mountains are covered in snow during Christmas and brightened by the hundreds and thousands of Christmas lights, used to decorate the entire town. With Christmas markets, entertainment and Christmas food surrounded by snow and Christmas cheer, Leavenworth is a Christmas dream.

Bali is probably one of the most popular holiday destinations, all year long. The Christmas season is one of the most popular times to visit this beautiful Indonesian Island. There are endless reasons to venture to Bali, beginning with the island’s breath-taking beaches and resorts, unwind and relax with a cocktail or two on these tranquil beaches or dive in and enjoy the refreshing, sparkling ocean water. Explore various markets and shop till you drop with a wide variety of items to buy, at affordable prices, doing a little Christmas shopping and getting those last-minute gits will be a breeze. There are many restaurants that offer a traditional Christmas menu, so you won’t miss out on all your favourite home-cooked Christmas food. After your Christmas meal, enjoy the scenery and take in the sights, there are many historical attractions to visit and an array of beautiful sights, so, you will never be bored. All about having a good time? Bali’s resorts and popular tourist destinations are filled with bars and local entertainment. In addition, if you want to party the night away and are looking for a vibrant atmosphere, Bali’s nightlife will surely meet your expectations. There are no shortages of clubs, bars, booze, music, and dancing, thus if you are looking for an all-around adventurous Christmas season, then get your bikini and summer bodies ready and head off to Bali.

For one of the most unique Christmas experiences, you might find yourself journeying half-way across the world to Iceland. Christmas in this small Nordic Island is fun-filled with tons to do. For those who dream of experiencing a white Christmas – Iceland is the place for you. The county is covered in snow over the festive period and with freezing temperatures, thermals are a necessity. However, the cold is no match for the festive spirit throughout Iceland. Christmas in Iceland lasts for a full 26 days and if that wasn’t enough, the country has 13 Santa Clauses (

), talk about going all out for Christmas. Iceland may be a small country but there is much to do and explore on the Nordic Island, especially over Christmas. From hiking, skiing, snowmobiling to visiting the country’s famous ice caves, Iceland is filled with adventurous and fun activities for everyone. Not to mention, a variety of Christmas traditions to join in on such as the Santa Clause hunt or witness the beauty of 

. Iceland is renowned for its natural hot springs surrounded by ice. With so much adventure, you would certainly build up an appetite to warm the cockles of your heart and indulge in the finest local Icelandic foods at the 

. What would the festive season be without a beautiful New Year’s Eve celebration to reign in the new year? In Iceland, you can celebrate New Year’s Eve by sitting around bonfires and enjoying incredible firework shows or celebrate it at the 

Always wondered what all the hype about Thailand is all about? Well, it might be time to take that trip that you’ve wanted to and where better to begin than Thailand? The Southeast Asian country is one of the most popular tourist destinations. Families, friends, young and old journeys to Thailand all year long and those who visited the country frequently find themselves going back to this beautiful country. So, what makes Thailand one of the best tourist destinations? For starters, Thailand has some of the best beaches in the world, crystal clear ocean water, and white sandy beaches. For those who want to shop till they drop, the Capital City, Bangkok would be a great place to start. Bangkok and almost every Island in Thailand are filled with affordable markets where you can purchase almost anything you could ever think of. Not only can you shop around Thailand, but the country is filled with historical sights and what better way to see them than on a guided tour? There are hundreds of tours that you can choose from to explore the history and beauty of Thailand. Once you’ve explored the beauty of the country, it’s time to tuck into some Thai food which is a treat for all senses. Apart from the amazing food, people travel near and far for the countless bars, clubs, parties, and festivals. So, if you’re looking to party your way through the festive season, Thailand is the place to be. Try out these party places 

. Whether you are looking for a tranquil, relaxing holiday or a busy vibrant atmosphere, there is a place for everyone in Thailand. Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Koh Phangan, Phuket, Koh Samui, Krabi, Pattaya are rated some of the best places to spend Christmas in Thailand.

Why not ditch the traditional roast beef and malva pudding for snorkeling gear or thermal underwear and travel abroad for a festive adventure? After all, Christmas is wherever you make it!

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Christmas is where you make it. Part 2

With Christmas looming, most people want to be well prepared - lights, trimmings, presents and who can forget the perfect Christmas menu - all ready to indulge in and share this special time of the year with loved ones. However, if you’re not one for the traditional Christmas festivities or you’re looking to shake up the same old tradition, you might consider spending the festive season abroad. As you know, Christmas is celebrated universally, each country and culture with its own unique traditions and customs. Many holidaymakers travel across the world every festive season to experience and share in the traditions that are different to their own and this year, you could too.

You too can make it “the most wonderful time of the year” anywhere you choose. These countries are rated as some of the best places in the world to spend Christmas…

Christmas and festive celebrations are known to begin from mid-December in Romania. The small Eastern European country has many unique Christmas traditions such as Romanian carols, city streets and villages are filled with scores of people caroling, often accompanied by traditional dancing, costumes, and instruments. Another common Romanian Christmas tradition is The Pig Slaughter (Taierea porcului). The tradition has been practiced for centuries in Romania and takes place on the 20th of December, known as St. Ignatius day - mainly in the Romanian Countryside. A pig is slaughtered/sacrificed by families and is believed to be done in order to have a prosperous Christmas meal. Romanians have Christmas dinners/ lunches where they indulge in 

Christmas is celebrated by a small amount of the population in India - given the large diversity of religions in the country. However, Christmas in India is nothing short of a spectacle filled with beautiful Christmas traditions. The unique food is one of the main highlights. Individuals near and far indulge in traditional Christmas dishes with a touch of India’s flavour. Sweets and treats such as rich fruit Christmas cake and local sweets are especially popular over Christmas in Goa. Christmas traditions vary throughout different parts of India but Christmas carols and lights/ lanterns are a staple in India over the festive season. Goa, Kolkata, and Mumbai are known as the best places to celebrate Christmas in India. Apart from various Christmas traditions, India has many beautiful beaches, resorts, and bars to indulge in over the festive season.

Those who dream of traveling throughout Europe over the festive season can look forward to an array of unique and beautiful Christmas traditions in different parts of Europe. Some of the best Christmas festivities in Europe include dining in Croatia’s Old Town where one can indulge customary food and Christmas markets, Christmas shopping at Rue du Marche in Geneva, Switzerland, Fireworks shows and traditional carols in Madeira, Portugal, ski in the Alps and tuck into some Glühwein and Lebkuchen (traditional Christmas cookies) in Salzburg, Austria. In London, England, experience midnight mass at Westminster Abbey, Winter Wonderland in Hyde Park and learn the history of Christmas tree at Trafalgar Square. Visit Krakow, Poland for mesmerizing Christmas lights, lavish feasts and an array of Christmas festivities. With so many countries and different Christmas traditions, Europe over the festive season is one to add to your bucket list.

Although Christmas is celebrated on the 7th of January, the Coptic Christmas is a special celebration of unusual Egyptian traditions and certainly something worth experiencing. With an array of historical landmarks to visit and incredible deserts and resorts, Egypt is filled with adventure and beauty and is a popular festive season destination. Not only is the weather perfect for travelling through Egypt over the festive season but there are plenty of Egyptian Christmas traditions to experience which include Christmas shopping, listening to the story of the Holy family – it’s a common tradition for this story to be told over Christmas, not to mention, an Egyptian Christmas lunch/ dinner.

In Mexico, Christmas is a very traditional and religious holiday and celebrated from mid-December to early January. Christmas in Mexico is centered around a combination of traditions from Mexican, Spanish, and many other cultures. These traditions include Christmas carols (Villancicos), Posadas (a tradition whereby parades of people re-enact the story of Mary and Joseph when they searched for shelter In Bethlehem), not to forget, Christmas in Mexico includes a variety of traditional 

. If you are planning to spend the whole of the festive season in Mexico, there are numerous New Year’s Eve festivals and parties to reign in the new year or you can enjoy a beautiful firework show in Los Cabos.

Planning on spending your Christmas “down under”? Well, there’s plenty of festive cheer to look forward to if you’re venturing to Australia this Christmas season. The festive season in Australia is an event filled month with loads to do and experience. The list is endless. Experience the Christmas lights at Sovereign Hill, enjoy the nightlife in Perth, Christmas on the beach or join in on the festivities on a boat cruise through Melbourne. Looking for something sentimental? Celebrate the meaning of Christmas in Wellington Square where you can share a day with the less fortunate by serving lunch and handing out presents. With numerous cities to visit and so much to experience in Australia, you are sure to have one memorable Christmas.



Christmas is where you make it

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What Would You Do With a Winter Win?