After a long period of travel restrictions, maybe a holiday is the Christmas present you deserve this festive season. From tropical paradises to British quirky trips, we have selected our 5 favourite holidays for December escapes where you can relax and let someone else baste that turkey!
This is an 11-day trip that combines the best of Christmas shopping in Dubai with the tropical paradise of Mauritius. And with Mauritius making entry for vaccinated travellers easier (since 1st October), the timing is perfect.
Unearth the wonders of Dubai, by visiting the world’s tallest building, Burj Khalifa, or by exploring the impeccable shopping and fine-dining that Dubai has to offer. Sail across to Dubai Creek and get a taste of the Old Town as you stroll along the streets and haggle with locals to find special Christmas gifts for loved ones back home.
Once you’ve had your fill of the bustling city, hop onto a six hour flight to explore Mauritius’s rich culture and spend some time learning about the many religions and cultures that live alongside each other on the idilic island. Regardless of their background, everyone on Mauritius celebrates Christmas! Adventure into the unknown by following hiking trails in the Black River Gorges National Park. Try your hand at snorkelling in the crystal clear waters and search for colourful inhabitants such as the Butterfly Fish, Clownfish and the Ladyfish.
11 day Twin Centre Adventure, 3 Nights Dubai and 8 Nights Mauritius, guide price £3,399 per person. www.hayesandjarvis.co.uk
“Everyone on Mauritius celebrates Christmas!”
2. Sandals Resorts, Caribbean
With 16 stunning beachfront settings in Jamaica, Antigua, Saint Lucia, The Bahamas, Barbados, and Grenada Curaçao (opening on 14th April 2022,) Sandals Resorts offers one of the best quality all-inclusions holidays. From their signature Love Nest Suites® for the ultimate in privacy and service, butlers trained by the English Guild of Professional Butlers the Red Lane® Spas, 5-Star Global Gourmet™ dining, ensuring top-shelf spirits, premium wines and gourmet specialty restaurants, Sandals Resorts have a feel of exclusiveness.
Sandals Resorts is still part of family-owned Sandals Resorts International (SRI), founded by the late Gordon “Butch” Stewart, which includes the family branch of ‘Beaches Resorts’.
For more information about the Sandals Resorts Luxury Included® difference, visit www.sandals.co.uk.
3. The Merry Harriers, Godalming, Surrey
This is a De Savary-owned refurbished country inn with llama trekking and five new Shepherds Huts. The inn is an hour from London but feels a world away!
Guests can walk-off their festive food and enjoy the Christmas scenes overlooking Surrey Hills with one of the inn’s much-loved llama treks (£34 for children, £60 for adults.)
These treks are available throughout the Christmas and NYE period, (excluding Christmas Day.)
Five Shepherds huts surround a pretty pond with views of the Surrey Hills, each with its own entrance, outdoor log fire pit and indoor log burner.
There are also six garden rooms each with its own entrance and views of the llamas in the neighbouring field.
Also available are some dog-friendly rooms with a ‘Doggy welcome pack,’ dog bed and bowls, treats, a toy and a doggy dinner… so Santa visits them too!
Festive menu’s including Christmas Day and New Year’s Day are available on request, and there is an in-house dinner and entertainment evening New Year’s Eve package.
The beautiful Albury Vineyards are nearby, as are many walks and cycling routes (and a local gin distillery.)
Overnight stay pre Christmas packages at Merry Harriers are available at weekends leading up to Christmas (starting with the last weekend in November.) It includes a two night stay and festive dinner on a bed and breakfast basis. Prices start from £290 in a Garden Room based on two adults sharing.
A ‘Twixmas’ package is also available and compiles of a two night stay, between 27th-30th December 2021, including a festive 3-course dinner on a bed and breakfast basis. Rates start from £290pp in a Garden Room and £420 in a Shepherds Hut.
To book www.merryharriers.com Tel: 01428 682883
4. Antigua
The Inn at English Harbour is situated in 19 acres of tropical forest on the south coast of the island. Guests have direct access to the white sands and clear waters of the beach from the verandas of the Beach Cabana accommodation and clients staying at the hotel can try different water sports, in the seclusion of English Harbour.
Al Fresco candle lit dinners are available at The Terrace Restaurant, set on the hillside overlooking the gardens and English Harbour. Breakfast and lunch are served at the more casual Reef Bar & Restaurant by the beach, featuring fresh tropical produce grown in the onsite organic garden. The cosy Stone Bar, full of memorabilia from Antigua’s maritime past, is a popular choice for a pre-dinner cocktail.
Historic Nelson’s Dockyard is just 10 minutes’ drive away and the hotel also offers a water taxi service during the day. As well as the historic buildings and remains of the dockyard, Nelson’s Dock.
A seven-night stay in a Cabana at Inn at English Harbour, Antigua, with Audley Travel costs from £3,400 per person over Christmas 2021 on a half board basis (based on two travelling). The price includes economy flights and transfers. The price includes seven nights for the price of six, and complimentary afternoon tea (for departures until 22 December). 01993 838275 / www.audleytravel.com/antigua
5. The Beachcroft Hotel, West Sussex
Situated on a seven-mile coastal footpath, Beachcroft Beach Hut Suites make the ideal West Sussex bolthole for couples, families, friends and not forgetting, four-legged companions.
The hotel is offering guests staying over Christmas the chance to indulge in seaside living and get in the festive spirit from 23rd December 2021, staying a minimum of 2 or 3 nights. For those travelling with children, they will also receive a wrapped gift on Christmas Day.
“Children will receive a wrapped present on Christmas Day!”
2 or 3 night accommodation on a bed and breakfast basis from £550.
Family Rooms and luxury Beach Huts are also available and Penthouse guests receive a ‘Welcome Hamper’ on the day of arrival. There are also dog-friendly Courtyard Rooms.
To book, visit: www.beachcroftbeachhuts.co.uk