Countdown to the Christmas holidays

Whether you’re full of the joys of Christmas or a Bah Humbug in need of a holiday, there’s still time to plan an overseas adventure for the yuletide season.

FOR FAMILIES

SWAP CAROLS FOR CORAL IN EGYPT: 

- With the Ancient Egyptians part of the key stage 2 syllabus, this 10-day holiday is an ideal chance for families with children aged five upwards to journey back in time on a classic Egyptian adventure. From sailing on a felucca along the Nile, riding a camel in the desert to snorkelling over coral reefs, this is a well-paced trip taking in this great value destination’s most awe-inspiring sights. Its educational blend of fun and discovery means this remains the family adventure specialist’s best-selling trip. 
- Best of all, there’s no danger of being overlooked by Father Christmas as, to make sure Santa knows exactly where the children will be, The Adventure Company has arranged for him to meet them at the Pyramids where he’ll give out presents to those that have been good this year. 
- Availability for Christmas still on the 18, 19, 23, 24, 26 and 28 December departures. Prices for the Feluccas & Pharaohs (10 days) from £1229 adult / £1119 child including flights, transport (minibus, sleeper train, felucca, horse-drawn carriage, boat, domestic flight), accommodation (7 nights hotel, 1 night sleeper train, 1 night felucca), most meals (8 breakfasts, 2 lunches, 5 dinners) and a local group leader. Minimum age 5 years. 
- TO BOOK: The Adventure Company (adventurecompany.co.uk)

MAKE MERRY IN MOROCCO: 

- This 8-day trip offers a great introduction to Morocco, from the lively bazaars and main square entertainers of Marrakech and the old pirates’ nest of Essaouira to the small Berber villages in the Atlas Mountains and beach bliss at Aourir, including the chance to ride camels along the sand. Rendition of “we three kids of Orient are” an optional extra.
- Prices for the 27 December Kids in the Kasbahs departure from £699pp including flights, B&B accommodation, transport (minibus / camel) and a local group leader. Minimum age 5 years. 

FOR COUPLES

ALTERNATIVE TURKEY IN SANTA’S HOMELAND: 

- Try a different style of Turkey this Christmas without missing out on the trimmings. Turkey lays claim to being home to the original Santa Claus, with St Nicholas born in modern-day Turkey in the 4th century AD. Imaginative Traveller's Turkey Explored adventure, departing 26 December and returning 11 January, takes you off the beaten track to enjoy the highlights of lesser visited Eastern Turkey with Imaginative Traveller one of the only operators visiting this region. 
- As a country which doesn’t generally celebrate Christmas but places great emphasis on marking the New Year, this trip is perfectly timed. Rather than just focusing on sightseeing, the trip takes in locations that aren’t featured in any guidebook to ensure travellers visit the places that the locals do and enjoy a truly authentic experience.
- Starting in Istanbul, highlights include the beautiful calcified formations of Pamukkale, an overnight boat cruise from Fethiye, the stunning eastern Taurus Mountains, Ephesus (one of the original Seven Wonders of the World) and the magical ‘fairy chimneys’ of Cappadocia. 
- Prices for the 26 December Turkey Explored (17 days) departure from £870pp land only including all transportation, accommodation, some meals (14 breakfasts, 2 dinners), some sightseeing and an experienced local leader. Flights available on request. 
- TO BOOK: Imaginative Traveller (imaginative-traveller.co.uk)

RING IN CHRISTMAS WHILE CYCLING IN GOZO 

- In sharp contrast to December’s shopping frenzy and the social whirl too frequently associated with the Christmas period, the peaceful pace of life on Gozo combines with the island’s size to make it the perfect place for gentle exploration on two wheels. 
- Staying in characterful four and five star hotels along the way, all with pools, the only soundtrack to this holiday is the soothing peel of church bells, the sea softly lapping the shores and the rhythmical clopping of horse hooves. 
- Prices for the 20 December Highlights of Gozo (7 days) cycling holiday departure from £1304pp including flights, half board accommodation, bicycles, transportation of bags between hotels, route notes, a map kit and the services of a Headwater representative. Flights are available on request from most UK airports. 
- TO BOOK: Headwater (headwater.com)

DREAMING OF A WHITE CHRISTMAS IN LAPLAND: 

- Travel into Europe’s northern reaches and explore the winter landscapes of Lapland as you spend Christmas discovering the culture of the Sami people amidst snow-covered forests. If you’re missing the twinkly lights of the Christmas tree, the region’s magical feel is enhanced by the mysterious and ethereal Northern Lights dancing in the night sky. And, having spent Christmas day morning learning the basics of dog-sledding and heading out across the winter landscape, the best Christmas present of all will the a night in the legendary Icehotel in Jukkasjarvi. Carved afresh every year by a team of sculptors, this unique construction is manufactured from pure ice from floor to ceiling and beds to chandeliers. Arriving mid afternoon you’ll have time for a tour of the individually designed rooms, chapel and ice sculptures before enjoying a welcoming drink at the Absolut ice bar before checking into your room for the night. 
- Prices for the 21 December Active Arctic & the Ice Hotel (7 days) departure from £1929pp including flights, accommodation (4 nights basic lodges, 1 night hotel, 1 night Ice Hotel plus 1 night optional self-built igloo on day 3), transport (minibus, snowshoes, reindeer-sled, dog-sled, snowmobile, skis), most meals (6 breakfasts, 5 lunches, 4 dinners) and an experienced local group leader. 
- TO BOOK: The Adventure Company (adventurecompany.co.uk)

A FESTIVE FIESTA IN THE VALENCIAN FOOTHILLS 

- Just south of Valencia’s architectural splendour, the mountains of the high Marine Alta crash together like limestone waves on a stormy ocean. Here the only nod to a white Christmas will be the traditional white villages perched on sharp ridges and valley sides which seem a world away from the popular Mediterranean coastal resorts 20 minutes down the road. 
- Based in hilltop Parcent, a colourful Spanish pueblo where tourism is virtually unknown, you stay as guests in David and Sue Eaton’s exquisitely restored townhouse – with just six en-suite bedrooms and mouth-watering menus, with wine included, your helpful hosts will ensure a wonderfully cosy stay and also guide you along the extensive network of ancient Arab trails and mule tracks during the day. 
- Prices for the 21 and 28 December Vistas of Valencia guided walking holiday (8 days) startsfrom £1249pp including flights, accommodation, all meals and wine, a regional information booklet and a local map kit. Flights are available on request from most UK airports. 
- TO BOOK: Headwater (headwater.com)

IMMERSE YOURSELF IN 'LA PURA VIDA' OF COSTA RICA! 

- A Central American tour that will put you right in the middle of the action! With thick rainforests, active volcanoes and pristine beaches to explore, Costa Rica is an adventurer's paradise. Zip line in the cloud forest of Monteverde, trek amongst the rainforest canopy, discover hidden waterfalls, soak in natural hot springs near Arenal Volcano or learn to surf. You will even cross the border into Panama, taking a scenic boat tour into the Bocas del Toro archipelago! 
- Prices for the 19 December 2010 Costa Rica Panama Trail (21 days) departure from £1519 per person land only including all transportation, accommodation on B&B and some dinners including a mix of hotels and camping for 20 nights, sight-seeing as indicated and an experienced English-speaking local leader. 
- TO BOOK: Grand American Adventures (grandamericanadventures.com)

FOR SOLO TRAVELLERS

WISE MEN – AND WOMEN – FOLLOW THE STARS BY CAMEL 

- If you fancy spending Christmas with more than three wise men but are still keen to ride camels through the desert, The Adventure Company has a solo departure to Morocco departing 23 December which still has good availability. 
- This trip offers travellers the chance to journey through wild and remote desert by camel and is therefore ideal for anyone keen to leave the commercialism and chaos of the modern world behind as you travel back to a different age. Marvelling at golden sand dunes and palm-fringed oases by day and sleeping in traditional nomad tents, you’ll spend three days being part of a typical desert caravan on a camel trek and, of course, following the stars. 
- Prices for the 23 December Desert Adventure (8 days) – a dedicated solo departure - starts from £699pp including flights, accommodation (3 nights hotel, 4 nights Bedouin camping), transport (taxi, minibus, 4WD, camel), most meals (7 breakfasts, 3 lunches, 4 dinners) and an experienced local group leader. No compulsory single supplement; twin share accommodation is arranged with a tour member of the same sex. 
- TO BOOK: The Adventure Company (adventurecompany.co.uk)

NOCHE BUENA IN PERU: 

- Escape the winter and head to the southern hemisphere for some Peruvian hospitality. With the first day of summer arriving shortly before Christmas, on December 21stt, Father Christmas is seen wearing his lighter summer attire to celebrate on the 24th December. 
- Starting in Lima, highlights include Lake Titicaca which offers spectacular views of the volcanoes of Ampato, Hualca-Hualca and the smoking Sabancaya, a scenic rail journey from Cusco to the lost Inca city of Machu Picchu, a visit to the spectacular ruins of Machu Picchu, visit the Uros Indians who live high up in the Andes on floating islands and the Colca canyon home to one of the worlds largest flying birds, the Andean condors. 
- Prices for the 18 December 2010 Flight of the Condor (14 days) departure from £1199pp land only including all transportation, accommodation on B&B for 13 nights, internal flights from Lima to Arequipa and from Cusco to Lima, sight-seeing as indicated and an experienced English-speaking local leader. 
- TO BOOK: Grand American Adventures (grandamericanadventures.com)

CHOOSE A PATH TO ENLIGHTENMENT: ANNAPURNA COMMUNITY LODGE TREK: 

- For many, Christmas is a time to reflect and help the less advantaged and this wonderful new 6-day trek showcases the beauty of the Annapurna region using the series of lodges that the operator has developed over the last few years in conjunction with local communities. The lodges are located in small, pretty villages well of the tourist trail and were designed, built and funded with the help of Imaginative Traveller’s team in Nepal, enabling fantastic opportunities to interact with the villagers along the way as well as ensuring travellers enjoy the chance to stay in excellent accommodation through some of the Himalaya’s most exhilarating mountains. 
- By staying in these Community Lodges travellers know they are helping support village schools and will also have the chance to visit one. Before and after the trek there is also ample time spent exploring the country’s capital, Kathmandu, as well as the lakeside town of Pokhara – the gateway to the Himalayas. 
- Prices for the 19 December Annapurna Community Lodge Trek (11 days) starts from £560pp land only including accommodation (6 nights lodge, 4 nights hotels / guesthouses), transport, a local group leader and porters. No compulsory single supplement; twin share accommodation is arranged with a tour member of the same sex. Flights available on request. 
- TO BOOK: Imaginative Traveller (imaginative-traveller.co.uk)

FLAPPY FRIENDS: 

- Costa Rica offers a diverse experience where the waves are first-class for surfing; the beauty is staggering and the sluggish pace of the Ticos seductive. A peaceful oasis in a tumultuous region, this tiny nation offers a varied topography of rain forests, an active volcano and stunning sandy beaches. 
- Charity starts at home and at Christmas think about bringing in the New Year by doing something that they will make a difference. The Costa Rica Turtle and Surf project offers the opportunity to assist in vital conservation work to help protect the four native species of sea turtles that frequent the Pacific coast of Costa Rica - Lora (olive ridley), Negra (green turtle), Carey (hawksbill) and Baula (leatherback turtle). From beach patrols, to hatchery duties, to releasing baby sea turtles into the wild, get involved with this project by playing an integral role in helping with the survival of the species by securing the future of these fascinating creatures. The aim of the project is to help protect and preserve some natural nesting sites that do not hold an official category of protection from the Costa Rican Government. Water sports are very much on Costa Rica’s agenda, take some time out to enjoy some surf lessons and practice time as part of the project. 
- Prices for the 19 December 2010 (7 days) start from £699pp for one week including shared rustic accommodation on full board, airport transfer and surf lessons. Flights start from £750 from London Heathrow. 
- TO BOOK: Real Gap (realgap.co.uk)

AMERICA’S PARTY: 

- Enjoy the pre Christmas warm up in the UK and then escape to meet other like minded travellers at the majestic Grand Canyon National Park. Wake up to Christmas in the Grand Canyon without the sweltering summer temperatures with some of the best sunsets and sunrises on offer. Then go to sleep (or not) on New Year's Eve in Las Vegas! Mix the best of an American Christmas with hiking in the National Parks, mountain biking, exploring old western ghost towns, horse riding in cowboy country and seeing three states including Arizona, Utah and Nevada. 
- Often experiencing Christmas in another country can be very rewarding especially when meeting the locals and seeing their take on Christmas. Enjoy unique cultural experiences; jump in a 4x4 in the magical canyon and take a tour with a Native American guide to enjoy a truly psychedelic sunset. 
- Prices for the 24 December 2010 Canyon Christmas – Vegas New Year (10 days) departure from £1099pp land only including all transportation, staying in lodges and a Cowboy Ranch for 9 nights, sight-seeing with a professional tour leader, private adventure vehicle and transfers. Flights are not included but can be arranged upon request 
- TO BOOK: TrekAmerica (trekamerica.co.uk)