My boyfriend and I want to take a vacation to an international urban destination over Christmas break (late December/early January). We were thinking of Turkey, but a quick scan of airfares showed high prices (more than $850). And I read that winters in Turkey are cold. Would you suggest some places that we should consider? -- Whitney Robinson, Ann Arbor, Mich. I contacted Jennifer Conlin, who wrote '36 Hours in Istanbul' (Feb. 7, 2010), which she reported last fall. In an e-mail, she warned that it does get cold, so winter is not an ideal time to enjoy some of her favorite activities, like drinks at a rooftop bar, boat rides on the Bosporus, and walks in the gardens -- but she did add that you will encounter smaller crowds. I found one-stop round-trip flights from Wayne County Airport (Detroit) to Istanbul in late December for about $900. Destinations in the Southern Hemisphere can be ideal during our winter, as December to late March is summertime there. But flights to these destinations -- like Buenos Aires and Rio de Janeiro -- are almost certain to be well beyond your price range. For an international urban destination with mild weather and reasonably priced flights, consider Mexico. One-stop round-trip flights from Detroit to Mexico City in late December start at around $673. December-January is the dry season, which means a temperate climate (though evenings can get chilly). Mexico offers a range of destinations, including beach resorts and mountain villages, as well as a wealth of culture. For a historical perspective, read Jonathan Kandell's article, 'Mexico's Freedom Trail' (Aug. 22, 2010), about the country's bicentennial celebration of its independence from Spain. Kandell focused on the state of Guanajuato, a three- to four-hour drive northwest of Mexico City where the revolt for independence began. In Mexico City, be sure to visit the Zocalo, the city's main square, formally known as the Plaza de la Constitucion, where you'll find Diego Rivera's murals inside the Palacio Nacional, and the ruins of the Aztecs' Templo Mayor, now a museum; you might follow this by the not-to-miss National Museum of Anthropology (mna.inah.gob.mx) near Chapultepec Park. A day trip to Teotihuacan takes you to palaces and ruins, including the Pyramid of the Sun, which you can climb. For more articles about activities, dining and lodging suggestions, go to our Mexico guide at nytimes.com/travel. ... AND A FAMILY CHRISTMAS IN PUERTO RICO My two brothers, mom, dad and I are all considering a trip to San Juan, Puerto Rico, over the holidays. None of us have been before, and that is part of the allure. We haven't traveled to a new destination as a whole family in many years. Thoughts on this island as our choice? -- Andy Kitaeff, Philadelphia Late December is past the official hurricane season in Puerto Rico, which runs from June 1 to Nov. 30. But it is also peak season, which means you will pay more for flights and hotels; make sure to secure reservations well in advance. Start by exploring Old San Juan on foot, a small area built in the 1500s by conquistadors. It has colonial architecture and narrow, sloping cobblestone streets packed with restaurants, nightclubs and museums, and is partly encircled by La Muralla, the centuries-old city wall. Visit the national historic site El Morro, the massive fortress overlooking the sea, then the Casa Blanca, the house constructed in the 1520s for Ponce de Leon. Later, you can dine at Aguaviva (Calle Fortaleza, 364; 787-722-0665), a seafood restaurant in the SoFo district, then drop in at the Nuyorican Cafe (312 Calle San Francisco, entrance down the alley; 787-977-1276; nuyoricancafepr.com), one of many live-music clubs in the area. The next day, head to the Museo de Arte de Puerto Rico (mapr.org) to see the island's most important works of art. Afterward, walk around in nearby Condado, an upscale neighborhood with luxury shops, restaurants and hotels. A short walk away, in the Campo Alegre district, you'll find some of the city's best and most affordable seafood restaurants, like Tasca el Pescador (Calle Dos Hermanos, 178; 787-721-0995). For sunbathing or swimming, head to Ocean Park, a beachfront community with golden sand beaches, or to the Isla Verde district, a seaside resort with some of the most beautiful clean, white-sand beaches on the island. For a day trip, you can hike or drive through the 28,000-acre rain forest El Yunque, about 25 miles east of San Juan. 