Christmas and New Year
An invite to Christmas in Cologne
The Excelsior Hotel Ernst in Cologne, Germany is celebrating Christmas by offering its guests a bespoke Advent package to celebrate the famous Cologne Christmas Market held in the city from 23rd November to 23rd December.
Bargain price Christmas shopping breaks
A bargain-price Christmas Shopping break – three nights’ half-board for just £135 – is the offer from Modern Hotels at its three-star Mayfair Hotel in the heart of St Helier.
Christmas as it should be at Lake Vyrnwy Hotel
Log fires, mulled wine, carols round the tree - just some of the things that, for many, sum up the perfect Christmas, far removed from today’s commercial razzmatazz.
A magical Christmas journey by rail
This Christmas the Kent & East Sussex Railway will once again be offering families the chance to enjoy their popular ‘Santa Specials’ which combine a ride on a nostalgic steam train and a meeting with Santa Claus.
Planning ahead - European Christmas markets
For one of Germany’s best Christmas markets, head to Berlin where – during December - the Christmas markets spring up at many locations throughout the city, with the most popular one located next to the Kaiser Wilhelm Memorial Church.
Highland history is made in Inverness this winter
VisitScotland invites you to attend the first ever live screening of global highland games in Inverness this Hogmanay. The dawn of 2009 will see the official twinning of the Inverness Highland Games and the Triad Highland Games in North Carolina with the Waipu Highland Games in New Zealand.
New York City to mark start of 2009 in style
When the ball drops every 31 December in Times Square, the world’s eyes are squarely on New York City. This year will be no exception. With a new 12-foot-high, 11,875-pound New Year’s Ball (double the size of previous balls), covered in 2,668 Waterford crystals and powered by 32,356 Philips LUXEON Rebel LED lights, the new ball will create a spectacular and colourful kaleidoscope effect atop One Times Square.
Go tropical in the Lake District this Christmas
Escape the chilly, frosty weather this Christmas by heading to the Southern Lake District, where a totally tropical experience awaits. On December 20, 21, 22, 23, 28, 29 and 30, families can set sail with Jim Hawkins and Long John Silver, if they visit special Treasure Island performances at the World of Beatrix Potter, in Bowness-on-Windermere.
A grand Christmas on the Amalfi Coast
Treat your loved ones to the perfect Christmas and New Year present by whisking them off to the stunning Grand Hotel Excelsior Vittoria in the heart of Sorrento. This exclusive opportunity is an unmissable chance to spend time with family or friends over the festive period, in the prestigious historic surroundings with breathtaking views over the Amalfi Coast.
Ironbridge Gorge Museums open over festive season
Families seeking a fun day out during the festive period can go along to the Ironbridge Gorge Museums in Shropshire’s stunning Severn Valley where seven of the ten museums will be open daily from 10am until 4pm. They will only be closing on Christmas Eve, Christmas Day and New Year’s Day.
Christmas crowds and bad weather put the Hell in Noel
Being stuck at an airport is grim any time, but as the delay of over 100 flights at Gatwick last week showed, Christmas crowds and bad weather put the Hell in Noel, warns EssentialTravel.co.uk.
Family fun in Gstaad
Winter has already started in Gstaad-Saanenland – and this season the town is providing even more fun for families.
Brits say bar humbug to the credit crunch
Despite the current state of the economy, it looks like the recession isn’t preventing sun seeking Brits from opting for a Christmas break abroad according to the latest survey from the world’s largest travel search engine Kayak.co.uk. Almost half (43%) of those that were surveyed are escaping the winter blues by jetting away this festive season.
An Italian Christmas gift
The Italian Connection has announced a 15% reduction on a selection of 60 Italian villas in Italy for the season 2009. This gift is valid if you book your accommodation between the 5th and the 25th December 2008. To whet your appetite here is a sample of what is on offer.
Fantastic family holiday offers for the festive season
Tis’ the season to be jolly, but for the ‘hostess with the mostess’ this is not always the reality. When you have your entire family to shop for presents, cook hefty meals, and provide entertainment for, it is easy to feel overloaded, stressed and harassed over the festive period.