Christmas and New Year
7 gifts for cruisers
Gifts are best when they reveal an appreciation for your recipient's hobbies and interests, so give your cruising comrades something that relates to their love of sailing. From a silly "Cruise Cash" jar, to stately ship paintings and even a few commodities for the kids, we've gathered a list of our favourite holiday cruise gift items.
A special Christmas present from Watergate Bay
Start Christmas early this year and spend two nights completely free of charge on a B&B basis when booking a four night festive break at The Hotel & Extreme Academy, Watergate Bay, on the north coast of Cornwall.
Wiltshire guesthouse forges Japanese links
Fosse Farmhouse, a charming Cotswold Stone Georgian Guest house in the picturesque Castle Combe Valley of North Wiltshire, has forged links with a high class Japanese restaurant and now runs an exchange programme where the head chef of "Mominoki House" will be joining the team at Fosse Farmhouse over Christmas to offer visitors a taste of the Orient.
Leona Lewis to headline Krakow’s New Year celebrations
International star Leona Lewis is set to headline the New Year’s Eve celebrations in Krakow. The Grammy-nominated star and former X-Factor winner will be performing alongside other female acts to welcome the New Year in the city’s Main Square. New Year's Eve parties in Krakow have brought together Poles and tourists for many years and they’re always quite a show. Thousands of revellers, a kaleidoscope of colours, an impressive firework display at midnight and a great atmosphere all make for a great party until the early hours.
Italian dining – Hong Kong style
Domani opened last month with the ambition of being Hong Kong’s finest Italian dining establishment. With Mauro Uliassi, a Michelin star chef behind the menu, a contemporary and artistic glass gazebo to call home and a relaxed ambience of modern elegance, Domani is set to reignite Hong Kong’s dining scene.
Christmas chic in Cyprus
Can’t face a Christmas at home after all? Would you like to someone else to manage the demands of Christmas lunch and enjoy some warmer weather? Two award-winning* hotels in Cyprus are offering the chance to make a last minute decision and get away from the UK - the luxury five star Columbia Beach Resort in Pissouri Bay Cyprus and the chic contemporary boutique Londa hotel in Limassol.
A gift of casual elegance – The Territory, Oklahoma
This holiday season, give the gift of life as it used to be. The Territory invites golfers, and non-golfers alike, to experience the casually elegant lifestyle being enjoyed at this award winning golf and residential community in one of the country’s truly unspoiled locations.
Festive indulgence at Le Méridien Al Aqah Beach Resort
Le Meridien Al Aqah will again play host to unique and family fun activities held over the Christmas period in Fujairah this December. “Le Méridien Al Aqah will make this celebration even more memorable for family and friends, ensuring that it will leave a lasting impression,” said Patrick Antaki, General Manager, Le Méridien Al Aqah.
Lapland – Not in the UK says Skyscanner
Last time we looked, Lapland wasn’t in Dorset. In fact, we’re fairly sure that Lapland is not in the UK at all.
Christmas in a tower for two
Looking for a quiet Christmas or New Year for two? Can’t think of an amazing present for your truelove? Too late to escape from the family festivities? It isn’t - thanks to the launch this week of what is Northumberland’s tallest, smallest and most unique self catering accommodation, and Christmas gift – The Outchester Ducket.
Double the fun for all the family
Cruise-loving kids can now take well behaved parents on holiday too, thanks to a new promotion launched by Costa Cruises. Fed up with loud snoring, sleep talking and late night television, the new offer gives children the chance to take advantage of double cabins – one for them and one for their noisy parents – providing more space to relax and unwind in comfort.
Get your skates on for a visit to Bristol this winter
December is here, the Christmas countdown is on and Bristol is the place to be for a winter wonderland of festive events and celebrations. Visit Bristol for a short break, a shopping trip or to simply soak up the atmosphere as the city sparkles with light and colour. There is so much to unwrap this winter that a special website visitbristol.co.uk/winter has been created to showcase the array of seasonal activities taking place in the city.
A real rum do this Christmas
Christmas just isn’t complete without some rum sauce on the pud, but there’s only one place to go, if you want to make your festivities a real rum do this year. Award-winning attraction, The Rum Story, in historic Whitehaven in the Western Lake District, is the spiritual home of everything to do with rum and, even today, the source of the finest dark spirit of them all – Jefferson’s Rum.
‘Recession-Proof’ days-out in Durham this Xmas
Durham is hosting a series of ‘Recession-Proof’ events and special-offers to capture the classic and traditional spirit of Christmas for visitors this December.
Seattle season specials and Washington winter fun
Luxury breaks, traditional Christmas getaways and winter sports are just some of the highlights on offer in Seattle this season.