Ten festive getaways in the UK and abroad with hog roasts and Christmas markets

WE all have our dream Christmas getaway. It may be munching mince pies by a roaring log fire, or sipping mulled wine in a snow-topped Alpine lodge.

But you can still make your festive dream break a reality this year.

11

There are some cracking holiday deals out there right now.

Sophie Swietochowski picks out ten festive getaways in the UK and abroad this Christmas.

Home

SANTA STORIES IN YORKSHIRE: THE magical Castle Howard, near York, has been transformed into a festive wonderland for winter, with a fairytale twist.

11

Adults can gorge on a Happily Ever Afternoon Tea and sip on warming mulled wine, while little ones can pass over their wishlists to Santa or head to the courtyard grotto to listen in to some storytelling.

Stay in charming Rose Cottage, a half hour’s drive away, which sleeps six plus two dogs, and features a woodburning stove.

Four nights’ self- catering costs from £476 in total on selected dates in December.

See crabtreeandcrabtree.com or call 01573 226 711.

COCKTAILS IN CORNWALL: THE rugged Cornish coasts are heaving with visitors in summer time, but head there in winter and you’ll be treated to peaceful beaches and unspoilt landscapes away from the crowds.

11

After a scenic walk, hole up in a cosy nook next to the roaring fireplace at Truro’s Alverton hotel, which is dripping in dazzling lights for Christmas and has wintry cocktails aplenty.

You’ll be close to the cathedral which will be buzzing with carol singers, or head to the local bakery for a warm, homemade mince pie.

Four nights’ dinner, bed and breakfast at The Alverton costs from £679pp, for arrival on December 23. See thealverton.co.uk or call 01872 276 633.

HOG ROASTS AND MUSIC IN BELFAST: FOODIES should venture to Belfast’s City Hall this Christmas where the festive markets are home to hundreds of chalet stalls – almost half of which are food-related.

11

Tuck into Belgian chocolates, hog roasts, crepes, and mulled wine, before wandering over to The Lavery’s traditional Irish bar which has live music until the early hours on weekends.

If you’ve got kids in tow, book a ride on the Santa Express (£25pp), a traditional steam train travelling from Belfast Lanyon Place to Whitehead and back – kids will be greeted by elves and treated by Santa to an early Christmas gift.

Stay in the city-centre Premier Inn, which still has plenty of availability throughout December, with rooms from £65.50 per night.

See premierinn.com.

WINTER WONDERLAND IN LONDON: HYDE Park’s Winter Wonderland is the Disneyland of Christmas with ice-skating, street-food stalls, circus performances and enough rides and games to fill a whole day with fun.

11

Stay at The Cavendish hotel, a 15-minute walk from the central London park, which is offering 20 per cent off for festive stays and has rooms that overlook the capital’s sparkling skyline in a top-notch location.

If you haven’t yet started your Christmas shopping, head to Carnaby Street, renowned for having one of the best festive light displays in London, or swing by the West End and catch Elf at the Dominion Theatre.

Rooms at The Cavendish in Mayfair cost from £279 per night. See thecavendish-london.co.uk.

COSY COTTAGE IN NORFOLK: IF you’re a fan of Christmas rom-com The Holiday, this cosy, Grade II listed cottage in the village of Great Walsingham, Norfolk, looks just like the one in the movie.

11

It’s got a traditional log burner ideal for cosying up by on cold winter’s evenings – or if you’re in the mood to socialise, the nearest pub is only a 15-minute walk.

It’s the perfect spot to hide away in for the Christmas period, but if you do fancy venturing out, you’re about a ten-minute drive from the coast – or take a stroll along the peaceful River Stiffkey.

The Brooke cottage still has plenty of availbility for December and costs from £531 in total for seven nights’ self-catering, based on four sharing.

See norfolkhideaways.co.uk.

Abroad

MISTLETOE & RHINE CRUISE: GERMANY is famed for its Christmas markets and you’ll be able to tick off some of the best ones on this five-day river cruise along the Rhine.

11

Departing from Frankfurt, you’ll call at Cologne, home to one of the Rhineland’s tallest Christmas trees, as well as Dusseldorf and then Koblenz, where the Baroque town hall doubles up as a giant Advent calendar for the festive season.

You’ll make one final stop at Rudesheim where you can sample a punchy coffee mixed with local brandy and topped with whipped cream, right.

Five nights’ full-board on the Tui Isla costs from £940pp, departing on December 16 and including flights from Heathrow.

See tui.co.uk.

SKIING IN THE ALPS: FANCY spending Christmas Day on the slopes? The snow-capped peaks of Serre Chevalier in the southern Alps are as festive as it gets, with live music in grotto-style bars, plus beer and mulled wine down in the old village.

11

Stay in a two-bed apartment in Cristal Lodge, just 300m from the main ski lifts. It sleeps five and has a sauna, steam room, hot tub, games area and ski lockers with boot driers.

Seven nights’ self-catering costs from £388pp, based on five sharing and including Eurotunnel crossing for one standard car on December 24.

See peakretreats.co.uk or call 023 9283 9310.

MARKETS IN PRAGUE: THE Czech capital is notorious for its cheap booze – and there’s no exception at Christmas time. Better still, flights are just as cheap too.

11

The Christmas market, which sits in front of the magnificent Church of St Ludmila, runs until December 24 and sells everything from toys and festive treats to candles and tree decorations.

Book a room at the A&O Prague Rhea, less than 5km away, which has budget-friendly rooms from as little as £116 per night for a family of four sharing in December.

And nab a flight from Luton with Wizz Air from £70pp. See aohostels.com and wizzair.com.

TWINKLING LIGHTS OF VEGAS: ANYONE after a blow-out Christmas away from the traditional mince pies, mulled wine and carols should splurge on a wild getaway to Las Vegas.

11

The hotel lights there are guaranteed to twinkle brighter than any Christmas tree.

The Bellagio is pulling out all the stops with a festive fountain display, while the Cosmopolitan has ice skating and festive snacks by a roaring fire pit.

Five nights’ room-only at The Venetian Hotel costs from £1,575pp, including flights from London, Glasgow or Manchester on December 23. See bonvoyage.co.uk.

FIREWORKS AT DISNEYLAND: IF you’ve ever wanted to visit Disneyland Paris at Christmas time, this is the year to do it.

11

The 30th anniversary celebrations are in full swing and everything is more extravagant than before, with drone light displays and a 24-metre Christmas tree dominating the park entrance.

Stay in Disney’s Hotel Santa Fe and you’ll be close to all the action, from festive parades and decorations galore to dancing fountains and a special fireworks show featuring giant projections of characters.

Two nights in a Cars Standard Room at Hotel Santa Fe costs from £451pp, based on a family of four sharing and including three days of park tickets, plus Eurostar travel on December 11.

See disneyholidays.co.uk or call 0800 169 0737.