Not everyone yearns for lazy days eating turkey and drinking mulled wine with their family. Arlene Harris talks to a cohort of people who love nothing more than to leave home behind for a very different Yuletide experience

Sinéad Kennedy has gone everywhere from Fiji to Columbia for Christmas holidays

This week, from the four corners of the world, people will be taking planes, trains and automobiles – and probably a boat or two – to make sure they get home in time for Christmas.

But while countless numbers of Irish people are making every effort to be with their families in front of the fire or sharing a pint with old friends in the pub, many others are doing the opposite, packing their bags and getting as far away from the festivities as possible.