Christmas and New Year
Budapest offers more this Christmas
Shoppers seeking traditional and inexpensive gifts this Christmas should head to the Budapest Christmas Market starting at the end of November and take advantage of a winter promotion that offers a ‘free’ night at more than 60 of the city’s leading hotels.
Cruise your way through a stress free Christmas
Take a DFDS Seaways cruise break this winter and it is sure to get you into the festive spirit. Sailing from Newcastle to IJmuiden, you will spend 2 nights on board a DFDS Seaways cruise ferry and enjoy the full range of facilities including the bars, restaurants and shops. Upon arrival in IJmuiden a coach will be waiting to transfer you to your hotel in Maastricht – the fabulous 4 Star Eden Designhotel, situated near the old city centre.
Very Christmassy markets in Eastern Europe
Regent Holidays can arrange breaks to marvellous Christmas markets in Krakow, Prague, Tallinn, Riga and Budapest. All are guaranteed to get you in the Christmas mood and is, of course, credit crunch friendly because they are very reasonably priced.
Loved up in the Lake District this Christmas
Pottering around little gift shops or savouring the flavours of a local delicatessen in a picturesque town, hand-in-hand with a loved one is one of life’s great pleasures. Particularly when it’s combined with a return to a roaring log fire, locally sourced food that’s bursting with flavour and a king size bed in a luxury hotel.
Christmas market breaks by rails
Experience the Christmas markets of Germany, Belgium and France by rail on a selection of four and five-day breaks – with departures between late November and mid December – courtesy of Treyn Holidays, the specialist in inspiring escorted holidays by rail.
This New Year’s Eve, try a party on the seas
DFDS Seaways has added even more to it's ever popular New Years Eve cruise. Departing Newcastle on the 30th December this 2 night break to Amsterdam offers the perfect way to see in 2009. With Gold and Silver packages to choose between, opt for the one that suits you most, and enjoy a party to remember.
Turkey and tinsel in Germany
The festive season is fast approaching so enjoy your party season, book early and you can enjoy DFDS Seaways’ six night River Cruise Break to Germany’s Rhine Valley. Celebrate Christmas and New Year onboard with carols, gifts and food. With limited availability the break includes two nights onboard sailing between Newcastle and Holland and four nights cruising the Rhine.
Switzerland’s finest Christmas Markets
Combine three of the finest Christmas markets in Switzerland – Basel, Bern and Montreux – on a four-day break with the Switzerland Travel Centre. ‘Best buys’ include candles, traditional wooden toys and hand-made decorations, along with Swiss specialities such as cuckoo clocks and fondue sets. Tasty regional food and wine will also be on offer such as Vaud and Valais wines, plus local cheese and sausage.
Shape up for Christmas in Switzerland
Little black dresses, high heels, too many late nights and mistletoe moments – does the thought of preparing for the annual Christmas party season fill you with dread? Fear not, Grand Resort Bad Ragaz in Eastern Switzerland is here to help with a selection of fabulous health and beauty packages to leave you feeling gorgeous in time for Christmas.
Denmark has it all wrapped up this Christmas
Very aptly known by the Danes as ‘The Festival of Hearts’, the Christmas period makes for a wonderfully heart-warming time to visit the three regional cities of Aarhus, Odense and Aalborg, as their streets come alive with colourful festivities and market stalls from the end of November through to Christmas Eve.
For Christmas magic head to the forest
In the heart of The National Forest lies an enchanting woodland grotto. At Conkers’ Winter Wonderland Extravaganza, all good girls and boys will be invited to travel on the festive train and weave their way through the trees to reach the cosy century-old log cabin and receive a present from Santa.
Have yourself a Dorset Christmas
Thinking of going away for Christmas but need some inspiration? Don’t want to travel too far or crunch your credit even more? Gather up your nearest and dearest, stick the presents in a sack and head to Dorset for an unforgettable Christmas break.
World Expeditions’ top 5 for Christmas and New Year
Christmas is coming and with it World Expeditions are offering dates to destinations far more exciting than the sofa watching bad re-runs and bickering with your family. We have put together a list of our Top 10 favourite ways to celebrate the holiday season.
Visit Padstow's first Christmas Festival
From December 4th – 7th 2008 the beautiful Cornish town of Padstow invites you to a deluxe Christmas event. Escape the madness of Christmas shopping in the big cities and get away from it all in our relaxing harbour town. Our boutique shops will be staying open for late night Christmas shopping, while some great Christmas themed food suppliers, organic producers, and one-off gift purveyors all local to Padstow will be offering their wares across the weekend.
New Year at Combe House, Devon
Celebrate the arrival of 2009 in luxurious style at Combe House, a wildly romantic Grade I Elizabethan manor hidden in a secluded 3,500 acre Devon country estate near Exeter. A Michelin Rising Star and South West Tourism Excellence Awards Small Hotel of the Year 2007/8, this magical hideaway with just sixteen bedrooms is the perfect venue to see in the New Year with family and friends.