It’s Christmas … get me out of here!

RESEARCH by Travelbag, a tailor-made holiday specialist, suggests that Christmas advertising, festive shop displays, and hosting Christmas dinner for families are some of the reasons for Brits choosing to flee abroad for the Xmas holiday season. 

Travelbag’s study found that 39% of UK adults have spent Christmas abroad, with almost a quarter admitting they did so to escape their families, the whole idea of Christmas, or taking part in Christmas traditions.

While 37% leave the UK to visit family who live abroad, a further 18% follow the sunshine as they leave the country because of the weather. Fifteen percent just like the idea of spending Christmas in a different country to experience foreign traditions.

Of those surveyed, 37% said avoid Christmas in the UK every year, followed by a third who escape every other year, and 22% who say they’ve done it couple of times.

Some (16%) of those escaping the country are not fans of festive TV advertisement; they wish they could leave the country as soon as the John Lewis Christmas ad and Coca-Cola Trucks are screened. A further 15% would leave the country the moment they see shops putting up Christmas trees in their windows. Many say the jolly TV advertising and programmes are their least favourite aspects of the season. 

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Picture Credit: http://www.flickr.com/photos/48411817@N04/11327286036">2013 Holiday Train - Midway Station</a> via <a href="http://photopin.com">photopin</a> <a href="https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/2.0/">(license)

CHRISTMAS/NEW YEAR: New York most-searched destination, Dubai a close second

UK flight departures for the Christmas and New Year travel period show that New York is in first place as most-popular destination for a winter break for Brits, for both long and short breaks. 

The next most-popular destinations for Brits are Dubai and Lisbon.

Momondo’s top 10 most-searched Xmas/New Year destinations: 

• New York 
• Dubai 
• Lisbon 
• Bucharest 
• Orlando 
• Porto 
• Bangkok 
• Miami 
• Amsterdam 
• Tenerife

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Picture Credit: http://www.flickr.com/photos/10770655@N04/11597681383">Happy Holidays 2013 From NYC!</a> via <a href="http://photopin.com">photopin</a> <a href="https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/2.0/">(license)

Cornwall’s winter warmers

A Cornish Christmas at Pendennis Castle, Falmouth – December 5-6: Fireside tales, music and dancing, craft and gift stalls, and Father Christmas in the castle keep.

Padstow Christmas Festival, Padstow Harbour, December 3 -6: 40 chefs (and 45,000 visitors) celebrate food, drink, and Christmas! 

Rogue Theatre presents Winter Wood, Tehidy Woods, Portreath –December 11-30: Shows with live music, festive stories, free hot chocolate, face painting, and the opportunity to make traditional winter decorations to take home.

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Frohe Weihnachten*

BMI REGIONAL presents its pick of the best #Christmas markets in #Germany …

Munich, Marienplatz: From November 27 to December 24, Marienplatz in Munich offers unusual Christmas gifts, such as wood carvings from Oberammergau, gingerbread from Nuremberg, and glassware from Bavaria. bmi regional one-way fares from Bristol to Munich start from £81.

Hamburg, Town Hall Square and Fleet Island: The prettiest and largest of Hamburg’s nine markets is held at the Town Hall where bakers from Aachen and woodcarvers from Tyrol offer treats and stocking-fillers. Highlights include punch served by clowns, and circus acts. Santa Claus shows up three times a day at the Town Hall from November 23 to December 23, and each Saturday in Advent features a festive parade. bmi regional one-way fares from Bristol to Hamburg start from £91.

Frankfurt, Romerberg Square, Paulsplatz, and Mainkai:Frankfurt’s Christmas Market is one of the oldest and most popular in Germany and is a showcase for arts and crafts, and seasonal food and drink. With more than 200 stalls in the Romerberg market place and St Paul’s church, entertainment includes concerts, trumpet fanfares from the balcony of St. Nicholas’s Church and bell-ringing from the church carillon. The market runs from November 25 to December 22.bmi regional one-way fares from Bristol to Frankfurt start from £81 per person.

Dusseldorf: From November 19to December 23, there are Christmas-themed attractions in seven locations throughout the city, all within easy walking distance of each other. More than 200 stalls will be selling festive treats from handicrafts and decorations to mulled wine and Reibekuchen (potato pancakes). The market on Gustaf-Gründgens-Platz will have an ice rink and vintage merry-go-round. bmi regional one-way fares from Bristol to Dusseldorf from £79.

*Happy Christmas in German

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Picture Credit: http://www.flickr.com/photos/45968460@N03/5289233331">Merry Christmas!</a> via <a href="http://photopin.com">photopin</a> <a href="https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nd/2.0/">(license)

Sterling's strength boosts UK travellers' Xmas markets spending power

THE INCREASED purchasing power of the pound against the euro and other European currencies is giving British travellers up to 13% more spending power this winter over last year. 

The calculation comes from the latest analysis by Post Office Travel Money which identified #Budapest as the best value for a #Christmasmarkets break.


At £405 for a weekend break for two – comprising return flights, B&B accommodation, airport-city centre transfers, two evening meals for two with wine, coffee, festive drinks and snacks at the Christmas Markets – Budapest has overtaken its Eastern European rivals to become this year’s bargain choice.

This makes the Hungarian capital more than a third cheaper than Vienna (£653), the highest-priced city surveyed.

However, Prague remains cheapest of 12 Christmas Market favourites when it comes to meals, snacks and drinks for a two-day break, as well as travel to and from the airport. At under £72 for these items, Prague is 11.7% cheaper than Budapest and prices are almost two-thirds lower than in Stockholm (£207). When accommodation and flights are added to the barometer, Prague come second to Budapest with a total cost of £458.

The good value available to UK visitors has been boosted by sterling starting to rise in value against European currencies in the past two weeks. The strong pound means visitors to all 12 of the cities surveyed will have greater spending power than last year – almost 12% more in eurozone destinations, rising to 13.7% extra in Budapest.

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Picture Credit: http://www.flickr.com/photos/11946969@N00/11381802236">Christkindlmarkt</a> via <a href="http://photopin.com">photopin</a> <a href="https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/2.0/">(license), http://www.flickr.com/photos/38218238@N03/14953777085">Budapest at Night - Chain Bridge</a> via <a href="http://photopin.com">photopin</a> <a href="https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/2.0/">(license)

5 million Brits plan Xmas escape

AN ESTIMATED five million Britons are planning to #escape the weather and family politics this #Christmas by jetting off to sunnier climes, based on a survey of 10,000 UK holidaymakers. 

Research by insurance and travel specialist Staysure reveals that more than two thirds (68%) of people put the weather at the top of their list of reasons for the great festive get-away, followed by avoiding having to cook Christmas dinner (30%). One in five is keen to skip the stress of hosting family and friends (20%), and steer clear of family politics (13%).

The Canary Islands remain a firm favourite for short haul winter sun, while Florida, Sydney and New York top the list for long haul #destinations.

For those staying home during the festive period – one in five cannot get away due to family obligations, while one in ten feel they must stay home to look after their pets.

Top 10 Christmas/New Year destinations

1. Lanzarote
2. Gran Canaria
3. Algarve
4. Fuerteventura
5. Florida
6. Sydney
7. Malta
8. Barcelona
9. New York
10. Majorca

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Xmas Fair

FLAMBARDS in Helston, #Cornwall, will host its first #ChristmasCraftFair on December 5-6. Featuring local crafters and businesses, festive stalls will be on the cobbled streets of the indoor Victorian Village, Britain in the Blitz, and in the centre’s entertainment venue. 

Organizer Kate Pearson says: ‘We are looking forward to hosting our first Christmas Fair at #Flambards. With so many high quality stallholders all in one place (and under cover) there will be lots for visitors to enjoy. There will be affordable, excellent quality goods, locally produced foods, and a festive feel in a great location.’ 

Christmas music will be provided by the Helston Town Band.

Entrance to the Christmas Fair is £1 per person – which includes entry to the Victorian Village and Britain in the Blitz, and parking.

www.flambards.co.uk 


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Picture Credit: Flambards

Xmas in Cornwall

HOLIDAYMAKERS who want to escape to a Christmas-free zone this, er, Christmas, would be wise to avoid the Gwel an Mor resort in Portreath on #Cornwall’s north coast. 

From November 28, its 5* self-catering lodges will have the full works, Xmas decorations-wise, and there’ll be seasonal festivities, activities, and parties for children and adults up to and beyond December 25. 

Children can meet Santa in his grotto, and see reindeer at the resort's Feadon Farm wildlife centre. 

Sleeping up to six guests, the lodges have flat screen TVs, broadband access, balconies, and power showers … and some have hot tubs and log burners. 

The resort has a swimming pool and health and beauty spa, and a restaurant for guests who have quite enough #self-catering. 

www.gwelanmor.com

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Thomson Airways faces Christmas strike disruption

THOMSON AIRWAYS faces a pre-Christmas strike threat in a dispute over below-inflation pay rises for cabin crew and pilot roster crew controllers.

The warning of passenger disruption during the Christmas travelling season came from Unite, the UK’s largest labour union.

About 30 crew controllers and their assistants, who arrange cabin crew and pilot rosters to Civil Aviation Authority regulations to cover for sick colleagues and any unforeseen circumstances, will be balloted from November 19 for strike action in a dispute over pay. The ballot closes on December 10.

The ballot follows a breakdown in negotiations held under the auspices of conciliation service ACAS.

Unite regional officer, Kevin Hall, said: ‘This is an extremely profitable company that rewards other sections of its workforce very generously. We do not believe it is unreasonable to start to bring our members pay back in line with inflation.

‘Passengers could face the real threat of disruption in the run-up to the Christmas holidays if the crew controllers and their assistants walk out.

Thomson Airways said: ‘We would like to re-assure customers that, should the strike action go ahead, we have contingency plans in place to ensure that there is no disruption to customers’ travel.’

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How to find that Xmas market

'www.Christmasmarkets.com' has held its No. 1 spot in search engine rankings for the eighth year in a row. 

People looking for Christmas markets (or related searches) will find the site at the top of the list. 

The site offers advance information about more than 450 Christmas markets in Britain, 

Europe and North America.

The Top Ten Xmas markets, according to the website [www.christmasmarkets.com], are:

1. Manchester (England)

2. Belfast (Northern Ireland)

3. Bath (England)

4. Baden-Badener (Germany)

5. Winchester (England)

6. Graz (Austria)

7. Portsmouth (England)

8. Basel (Switzerland)

9. Düsseldorf (Germany)

10. Skipton (England)

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Picture Credit: From Top -  'Bath, England - Christmas market scene' - GoHoliday; 'Christmas Tree' by By Lotus Head from Johannesburg, Gauteng, South Africa via Wikimedia Commons

Wiltshire lights up for Xmas

WILTSHIRE is playing host to a fun-packed programme of festive fun and entertainment this Christmas, with activities taking place across the county.  

Here are some of VisitWiltshire’s festive highlights........

                     

• Longleat Safari & Adventure Park is to stage Europe’s largest ever display of giant Chinese lanterns at its Festival of Light event (November 14-January 4). 

•  Salisbury will once again be a focal point for the festive season with carols and services at Salisbury Cathedral together with a  Christmas market from November 27 t0 December 20.  Mother Goose is the Christmas production at Salisbury Playhouse, from December 3 to January 10. 

• Devizes has Christmas events including a Santa Cruise on the Kennet & Avon Canal (December 13-14 and 20-23).  

• Children can meet Father Christmas at Stourhead in his new grotto from December 6 to December 21.  

• Lady Lansdowne’s festive shopping celebration returns for its third year with the Bowood House Christmas Extravaganza (December 3-5). There’ll be gift stalls, carols in the chapel, fires, candles, good food, and mulled wine.

 www.visitwiltshire.co.uk/whats-on/christmas

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Picture Credit: From Top -  "Santa with child " By Jacob Windham from Mobile, USA  via Wikimedia Commons

Book early for a ride with Santa

THE Kent & East Sussex Railway in Tenterden is celebrating four decades of Santa Specials this year. New for 2014 will be later trains for visitors to enjoy the Christmas lights at its stations and in Tenterden.

Early booking – through the website (www.kesr.org.uk) or by calling 01580 765155 –is recommended to secure chosen dates.

All prices include an hour and ten minute train ride to meet Santa, a present for each child, and a photograph with the Snow Queen.

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Picture Credit: "Train on Kent and East Sussex Railway, near to Tenterden, Kent" by David Anstiss via Wikimedia Commons