Thailand 'a great Christmas and New Year destination'

Being away from home for the festive season can be a great experience, but also something of a tear-jerker for gap year participants.

Missing Christmas Day and all the usual festivities can be quite upsetting for some - which makes it all the more important to fully celebrate with other travellers or locals at your current overseas location.

According to Dale Keller, spokesperson for the Conrad Koh Samui resort in Thailand, south-east Asia is a brilliant place to be in December and January.

He described Thailand as "a perennial favourite" for western travellers, particularly over the Christmas and New Year break.

"There is so much culture and history, sun and fun. There is something for everybody," Mr Keller claimed.

He suggested that being abroad at Christmas is far less stressful than planning celebrations at home.

"The sun is shining, everybody is smiling, everybody is happy and there are beautiful beaches. That just gives you a lift at that time of the year," he stated.

Research conducted by the Conrad Koh Samui recently found that 59 per cent of survey respondents would consider spending Christmas abroad – either as part of a gap year or on holiday.

See the different gap year destinations on offer.