Dreaming of getting away for Christmas?

Once in a while, it’s nice to do something different and enjoy Christmas away from home. And you can do this without missing out on the festive spirit. Here’s our selection of holidays you can book for this Christmas or next

It seems a long time since this year’s hot summer, so why not take off to the warmth of Costa Blanca and relax in a delightful hotel by the beach, taking advantage of the pool, gym, sauna and Jacuzzi? Hotel Port Denia is in the working port of Denia, south of Valencia, where there is plenty of activity by the water. The town’s narrow cobbled streets are lined with interesting shops and characterful cafes for people-watching, and there’s a 12th-century hilltop castle and archaeology museum to discover.

In the lead-up to Christmas, shops, churches and public squares reveal a nativity scene (called belén). Some are incredibly intricate, representing Jesus, figures of the holy family, shepherds, and the Three Kings, together with camels, oxen and mules.

Here, Christmas Eve is the main event. A typical celebration dinner on the Costa Blanca would comprise a starter of red shrimp, fresh crayfish or clams, or perhaps esgarraet – roasted red peppers with shredded cod and extra virgin olive oil. Typical main dishes are the Christmas cauldron (caldero de Navidad), a creamy rice made with rock fish, and cocido con pelotas, a traditional stew. On Christmas Day itself, meatballs are favoured, made from lean pork or beef, with egg, parsley and pine nuts, mixed with breadcrumbs. In Spain generally, roast turkey is popular, perhaps because the bird originated in Spanish-speaking Mexico

What will you do on Christmas Day? If your booking covers Christmas day you will sit down to a sumptuous Christmas Gala lunch, served buffet-style, followed by live entertainment in the afternoon and evening

Temperature: 16-18C, daytime, with five to six hours of sunlight.

How can I experience this? Hotel Port Denia, Costa Blanca

If you’ve enjoyed the Italian lakes in summer, you’ll love to relax there in winter, when you can be as active or as lazy as you like. Walking, snowshoeing and cycling around Lake Molveno in the north will work up an appetite for the always excellent food and wine.

Situated in the Brenta Dolomites, the views of mountains and lakes change constantly and never tire. An ideal base is the family-run Hotel Miralago, 300 metres from the centre of Molveno. From there you can take an excursion to the more famous Lake Garda further south.

You may be inspired to book a hands-on cookery class, to try some of the specialities of the region, which are a mix of Italian and Austrian cuisine. Favourite foods are semi-hard cheeses, canederli (bread dumplings), apple strudel, and carne salada – cured beef seasoned with salt, pepper, juniper berries, rosemary, and bay leaves.

The nine-day period leading up to 25 December evokes the journey of the Three Wise Men, and in rural areas, children dress as the Magi and go door-to-door, singing carols and poems in exchange for sweets. On Christmas Eve families gather for a meatless meal, which can last until midnight mass. Then on the 25th, roasted meats and hearty stews are served over several courses.

Merano at Christmas

Another good way to sample local food treats is at the Christmas markets, of which two of the best are at Merano, a spa town with pastel-hued buildings and cosy cafés, and Rango, where you wend your way through ancient arches and arcades while selecting unique gifts for friends or yourself.

What will you do on Christmas Day? On Christmas Eve and Christmas Day a buffet dinner is generally offered, with a wide choice of appetisers, mains and desserts, to the standard you expect in Italy – and with the appropriate wines, of course.

Temperature: 7-10C daytime, with 8.5 hours of daylight.

How can I experience this? Christmas on Lake Molveno

Cyprus has long been a favourite with British tourists, and many prefer the quieter winter season, when the days are warm and sunny, especially by the coast where it reaches 19oC.

Paphos, Limassol, and Larnaca are lively in winter, and there are plenty of opportunities for walking and sight-seeing. You’ll be surprised by the number of archaeological sites there are to visit.

An ideal base is the Alexander the Great Beach Hotel at Paphos, in the south-west, from where you can explore the remains (still being unearthed) of a Greek and Roman city dating from prehistoric times. You’ll see four impressive Roman villas: the House of Dionysus, the House of Aion, the House of Theseus and the House of Orpheus, all with well-preserved mosaic floors. And not to be missed is the UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Tombs of the Kings.

Salamis, North Cyprus

Back at the hotel, there are indoor and outdoor pools for swimming (as the sea can be chilly) plus a sauna and gym, and excellent restaurants, all by a golden-sand beach.

Christmas decorations in Cyprus feature a small wooden boat in many houses, symbolising Saint Nicholas, a real 4th-century Greek bishop who is the inspiration for Father Christmas and is also the patron saint of sailors.

On Christmas Eve, religious families attend Midnight Mass at the Greek Orthodox church, and fast until the next day. (But don’t worry – hotels offer sumptuous buffets on 24th.) The Christmas Day meal is usually the familiar turkey, but here it is stuffed with rice, raisins and nuts. Dessert is often almond or honey cake.

What will you do on Christmas Day? While most local families eat at home, hotel guests are well catered for, and if your Christmas isn’t Christmas without turkey, you are likely to be offered it here.

Temperature: 17-19oC daytime by the coast with five to six hours of sunlight per day; cool evenings.

How can I experience this? Alexander The Great Beach Hotel

For guaranteed winter sun, the Canaries are close to the top of the list, and on Tenerife you can enjoy walking along the coast and exploring the volcanic landscape without the summer crowds.

An ideal spot for the Christmas week is Hotel Best Semiramis just outside Puerto de la Cruz, in the north-west, with plenty of shops, restaurants, bars and cafes. The hotel has an ocean-facing pool, as well as a spa, gym and wellness centre, and on the seafront is a saltwater pool complex designed by the artist César Manrique.

Puerto de la Cruz, Tenerife

As on mainland Spain, the nativity scenes (belénes) take pride of place in homes, churches and public squares. Christmas is a mix of Spanish and Canary traditions. The Christmas Eve dinner consists of roasted meats, sometimes turkey and often goat, served with sweet yam. Popular desserts are nougat, polvorones (powder cakes), and sweet potato and almond pastries.

Christmas Day is a quiet family day and, unusually, presents are not opened until Epiphany, 6 January. That’s a long time for children to wait! Holy Innocents’ Day on 28 December is similar to our April Fools’ Day, when pranks are played on family and friends.

What will you do on Christmas Day? The hotel is known for its high-quality national and international cuisine, so there will be plenty of choice for your festive meals – usually buffet style.

Temperature: Average high of 22oC with six hours of sunlight.

How can I experience this? Puerta de la Cruz, Tenerife

You may be away from home, but you’ll be surrounded by Christmas cheer in Norway’s white winter wonderland. After all, Santa Claus is only a sleigh-ride away. The famous Christmas markets start as early as October and continue until 6 January, and restaurants start offering Christmas menus in November, washed down with a seasonal malty beer, or a glass of glogg, a spicy drink similar to glühwein.

Keen home bakers in Norway produce a gingerbread house, displayed first as decoration and later devoured at the end of the holidays, while gingerbread biscuits are sold in their thousands from brightly decorated shops.

Bryggen waterfront in Bergen, Norway

After all the hustle and bustle in the streets preparing for the big event, Christmas Eve is the traditional time for dinner and present opening. Popular dishes are pork ribs, cured cod or ribs of lamb, though turkey is often served. This is followed by hot rice pudding (risengrynsgrøt), with raspberry sauce or cloudberry cream.

A memorable way to explore Norway is by rail and ship. You can ride northern Europe’s highest railway through dramatic mountain landscapes, then board a boat to sail through the majestic fjords. As you cross the Arctic Circle, there is an excellent chance of spotting the Northern Lights. One potential highlight is visiting the Kirkenes Snow h

Hotel. Each year, 25 tonnes of ice and five million litres of snow are transformed into a unique edifice with individual suites designed by artists. Reindeer wander around and huskies are keen to whizz you across the terrain by sleigh.

What will you do on Christmas Day? [please note departure for this cruise is December 2026] If you’re onboard ship for 2026, you can expect an elaborate Christmas Day lunch with all the trimmings, carols and party games. The crew go to great lengths with decorating all the public areas – ‘deck the halls’ has never been more apt.

Temperature: Be prepared for -7 to -1oC outdoors (but cosy hotels, trains and boats) with hours of sunlight averaging five to six in Oslo, less further north.

How can I experience this? Norway Winter Wonderland by Rail and Sea

Explore our range of Christmas holidays, or find out where to enjoy some winter sun

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