Travel PR recommends its top picks for Christmas and New Year breaks

Looking for the perfect escape this festive season? Whether you’re dreaming of a cosy countryside retreat, a wintry European getaway, or an adventure further afield, our handpicked Christmas and New Year breaks promise something special. From tranquil settings to vibrant celebrations, discover destinations that offer the ideal way to wrap up the year.

CHRISTMAS BREAK

United Kingdom

Christmas in the Cotswolds – three nights, from £330 pp with Great Little Breaks

Treat yourselves to something unusual: a relaxed Christmas, with all the food and festivities taken care of! At the Gloucester Robinswood Hotel, situated on the edge of the Cotswold countryside, every meal is beautifully prepared, including Christmas lunch with all the trimmings and three-course dinners; entertainment is provided; and guests can enjoy the hotel’s heated indoor pool, glass-backed squash court, well-equipped gym, steam room and sauna. Bourton-on-the-Water, known as the ‘Venice of the Cotswolds’, is only a 20-minute drive away. Arriving 24 December, the Gloucester Christmas Break costs from £330 pp (two sharing), including three nights’ full board accommodation, a festive cream tea, and entertainment. Contact Great Little Breaks on 01905 792801 (www.greatlittlebreaks.com).

Christmas House Party Experience in Hampshire – from £1,296 pp at Tylney Hall Hotel & Gardens

Tylney Hall’s three-night House Party begins on Tuesday 24 December. Imagine being looked after and entertained throughout Christmas, highlights including afternoon tea served in a cosy, fire-lit lounge; cocktails and canapés, accompanied by a local choir singing Christmas carols; a visit from Father Christmas; a Christmas feast to the soothing sound of live saxophonist music; and a five-course black tie dinner, with live jazz music. Prices from £1,296 pp (two adults sharing a Classic Bedroom) for three nights’ full-board. Children from £324 each (under twos stay free) when sharing their parents’ room. Can’t commit to Christmas but fancy a pre-Christmas family break? On Sunday 22 December and Monday 23 December, there will be a Children’s Afternoon Tea with Father Christmas. Expect lots of tasty goodies, and a gift for every child from the great man himself. £40 per child; £50 per adult. A pre-Christmas overnight family stay costs from £187.50 per adult and £30 per child (aged 3 – 16 years; under twos stay free). This is based on four sharing a Junior Suite, including breakfast. Book online or call Tylney Hall Hotel & Gardens on 01256 764881 (www.tylneyhall.co.uk).

Europe

Christmas in Croatia’s impressive capital – Zagreb, from £726 pp with Kirker 

Zagreb’s Christmas markets are famous for their festive charm, drawing visitors from around the world. This city has as much to offer visitors as better known destinations such as Vienna and Budapest, including beautifully preserved architecture, a myriad of cobbled streets, and superb museums and galleries. The Croatian capital’s Christmas Markets run from 30 November until 7 January, with its most picturesque taking place in beautiful Ban Jelačić Square. Stay at the five-star deluxe Esplanade Zagreb, built in 1925 to provide suitable accommodation for discerning clients disembarking from the Paris to Istanbul Orient-Express. The art deco ‘Esplanade 1925’ bar is a reminder of this association, offering a fascinating range of cocktails dating back to the days of the 1920s Flapper. A three-night stay costs from £726 pp (two sharing), including return flights, private transfers, accommodation with breakfast, and the services of the Kirker Concierge. Call AITO* member Kirker on 020 7593 2288 (www.kirkerholidays.com).

Christmas on the Green Island – The Azores, from £2,149 pp with Sunvil

Nowhere could be more fitting to spend Christmas than São Miguel, the largest island in the Azores and otherwise known as the ‘Green Island’. The island is covered in dense forests, meadows, and fields, with a striking diversity of shades of green throughout the year. Enjoy beautiful nativity scenes in the capital, Ponta Delgada, plus classic choral concerts and celebrations throughout many towns and villages. On New Year’s Eve, see communities welcome in the new year together with street parties, live music, drinking, dancing and – of course – fireworks. Stay at the five-star Octant Ponta Delgada Hotel – without doubt, one of the best boutique hotels in The Azores. Situated right on the sea front, within easy walking distance to the harbour and the town centre, the hotel has a rooftop bar and a heated rooftop swimming pool. A seven-night B&B stay costs from £2,149 pp (two sharing), including return flights with 23kg hold luggage (Heathrow via Lisbon), and transfers. Call AITO* member Sunvil on 020 8758 4722 (www.sunvil.co.uk).

Worldwide

Christmas Festivities in Bali

This festive season, HOSHINOYA Bali invites guests to embrace the magic of Christmas in a truly unique way. Nestled amidst the lush rice terraces of Ubud, the resort offers an unforgettable blend of luxury, culture, and festive cheer, with the highlight – the Rasa Nusa Festive Dinner, available exclusively from December 12 to January 5. The Rasa Nusa (taste of the islands) Festive Dinner is a celebration of Indonesia’s rich culinary heritage, combining traditional flavours with contemporary presentation. Guests will indulge in a meticulously crafted multi-course meal that takes them on a journey through the archipelago’s diverse regional specialties. In addition to the Rasa Nusa Set Dinner, guests can enjoy a range of seasonal activities, including craft workshops, Balinese dance lessons and traditional music and dance performances. For those seeking ultimate relaxation, the resort’s private villas, rejuvenating spa treatments, and serene surroundings promise a peaceful festive escape. Rates at HOSHINOYA Bali start from 9.8m Indonesian Rupiah (approx. £490) per room per night (room only, two sharing). Contact https://hoshinoya.com/bali/en/.

Enjoy a refreshingly different take on Christmas in Japan with Hoshino Resorts 

Whilst Christmas isn’t celebrated as a national holiday in Japan, the country has its own unique traditions during the festive season. Tokyo is the perfect place to experience the magic of the Christmas markets, ice-skating rinks and magnificent light displays, offering a refreshingly different take on traditional Christmas celebrations. Visit the Azabudai Hills Christmas Market (23 Nov – 25 Dec) for a spot of retail therapy, or the Marunouchi illuminations, where over 820,000 sparkling lights will provide a dazzling display, or head to the Tokyo Christmas Market, in Meiji Jingu Gaien to see the iconic 14-meter ‘Christmas Pyramid’, along with Christmas ornaments and nutcracker dolls. OMO5 Tokyo Otsuka, situated on Otsuka’s quiet back streets, is just a minute’s walk from Otsuka Station and surrounded by an excellent array of izakayas (pubs), bars and eateries – the perfect base after a day exploring the festive sites. Stay overnight from 22,000 JPY / approx. £112 per room per night (two sharing, room only).

Swap a partridge in a pear tree for a francolin in a fig tree – Botswana, from £7,860 pp with Expert Africa

December and January are ‘green season’ in Botswana, when birdwatching is at its best. The Okavango Delta is, perhaps, the country’s ultimate destination for birding; a wonderland of papyrus-lined waterways and lagoons, offering avian enthusiasts the chance to seek wattled crane, lesser jacana, red bishops and yellow-billed storks. It wouldn’t be uncommon, in fact, to spot 100 different species in one day. Bursts of rain and ephemeral afternoon thunderstorms make for an awesome show and leave the Okavango Delta lusher than ever. Baby animals abound, it’s incredibly quiet and – amazingly – the cost of travel during this period is significantly less. Expert Africa’s eight-night Pangolin Safari costs from £7,860 pp (two sharing), including accommodation at three camps with full board, most drinks, all game activities, park fees and laundry; plus all transfers in Botswana. International flights can be arranged for an additional cost. Call AITO* member Expert Africa on 0203 405 6666 (www.expertafrica.com).

NEW YEARS BREAK

United Kingdom

Bucks fizzes this New Year’s Eve – Buckinghamshire, from £179 pp with Great Little Breaks

Here’s an appealing proposition for seeing in 2025 in style: head to Buckingham to celebrate New Year’s at Villiers Hotel, a charming 16^th century coaching inn turned four-star retreat. The black tie event begins with Champagne and canapés, and is followed by a seven-course feast, highlights of which include Truffled Mushroom Soup, Roasted Duck Breast, and Assiette of Chocolate. The hotel’s resident DJ then takes the night away with tunes to keep you on your toes until 1am. The New Year’s Eve Buckinghamshire Break costs from £179 pp (two sharing), including overnight accommodation with breakfast, a bottle of wine in your room on arrival, Champagne and canapés reception, seven-course set menu dinner, and entertainment. Plus, why not consider a Great Little Breaks Gift Voucher (starting from £10) for loved ones this Christmas? Who wouldn’t be excited to receive the promise of a short break plus the pleasure of choice? Call Great Little Breaks on 01905 792801 (www.greatlittlebreaks.com).

Nyetimber sparkle in Sussex and Hampshire, from £249 pp with Elite Hotels

Feeling somewhat flat in the aftermath of the festive season? Elite Hotels’ exclusive Nyetimber Nights package – in partnership with Nyetimber, England’s premier sparkling wine producer – offers the ultimate winter uplift. Choose a luxury two-stay at Ashdown Park in East Sussex, Tylney Hall in Hampshire or The Grand Hotel in Eastbourne. A bottle of Nyetimber Classic Cuvée awaits you on arrival. Indulge in a delicious dinner featuring seasonal, locally sourced ingredients. The cost is from £249 pp (two sharing), including a bottle of Nyetimber Classic Cuvée, dinner on one evening, breakfast each morning, and full access to your chosen hotel’s leisure facilities. Stay for three nights or more and receive a complimentary room upgrade. Offer available from 1 January – 31 March. To book, visit Elite Hotels (www.elitehotels.co.uk).

Europe

See in 2025, Sami-style – Swedish Lapland from £2,801 pp with Sunvil 

Swedish Lapland is a region where nature dominates and reindeer and elk thrive – vast open spaces, dense coniferous forests, swiftly flowing rivers and lakes, and mountain peaks. It is the land of the Sámi, Scandinavia’s oldest indigenous people. This New Year, indulge your winter wonderland fantasies and discover Sami culture. Mattarahkka Lodge, originally a Sami cultural centre, is an intimate, seven-bedroom guest house founded by Andreas Mikko, and is managed by him and his family. Staying here, you can enjoy husky dog-sled and snowmobile excursions through the frosted wilderness; and visit (via snowmobile) a Sami family. A four-night stay costs from £2,801 pp (two sharing), including flights (Heathrow, via Stockholm) with 23kg hold luggage, transfers, full board, and excursions. Call AITO* member Sunvil on 020 8758 4722 (www.sunvil.co.uk).

Head to the Faroe Islands for a New Year’s Celebration with a difference – from £165 pp per night

Spend New Year in the magical Faroe Islands for a truly unique and unforgettable experience – Vágur’s New Year’s Celebration on the island of Suðuroy. Witness locals celebrate culture and community with a midnight procession of torches and flags passing through two gates (representing the present year and the new year to come). Torches are then placed in an old wrecked wooden boat and everybody sings the hymn: “Tíðin rennur sum streymur í á” which translates to “Time flows away like the water in the river”. The evening then ends with Vagur’s famous spectacular firework display. Watch the spectacle here. Daily flights from London via Copenhagen operate year-round and cost from £368 pp return. Accommodation in Vagur can be found here.  Alternatively, stay in the capital of Tórshavn at Hotel Hafnia from £165 pp per night. See AITO* member Visit Faroe Islands www.visitfaroeislands.com.

Press:  Companies marked “AITO* member” are members of The Specialist Travel Association, AITO (www.aito.com) – a guarantee of both high standards and financial protection.

Please call Sue Ockwell, Gemma Minto, Jane Collyer, Julia Farish or Mischa Mack, at Travel PR on 020 8891 4440, or email initial.surname@travelpr.co.uk for further information.