Christmas. Here it comes again. Time to dust off the decorations and check out the tree lights. The to-do lists are getting longer and the festive furore is escalating. Feeling the pressure? Well, it’s not too late to jump ship and think about doing it differently this year.
We’ve trawled the last-minute options and found some enticing Christmas breaks which not only have availability but don’t cost a fortune either, both here and abroad.
There’s still time to find a cosy UK cottage in spectacular countryside or a cosseting country house hotel where the worry over the turkey timings is out of your hands.
Or you could head to a theme park in Florida, or enjoy a white Christmas in the Alps. Or perhaps swap the December gloom for sunshine in the Canaries or take a beachside villa in the Maldives.
Whatever your tastes, and whatever your budget, here are 15 of the best last-minute Christmas breaks to book now.
Prices quoted are per person based on a seven-night stay including breakfast, plus transfers and flights where appropriate, unless otherwise stated, and are subject to availability.
Britain
Countryside Christmas in Northumberland
Hole up in a cosy home-from-home in a wintery rural location for an atmospheric Christmas with friends or family. The Landmark Trust has availability in a variety of historic properties sleeping four around the UK.
Brinkburn Mill, near Rothbury in Northumberland, dates from around 1800 and sits in a wooded valley next to the river Coquet, with a log-burning stove and millstones still in situ.
The Landmark Trust (01628 825920) offers a stay at Brinkburn Mill from £1,939, rental only. December 22 to 29.
Hotel house party in Cumbria
Escape the Christmas stress by checking into Another Place, The Lake, on the shores of Ullswater in the Lake District, where the four-day festive package includes a Champagne breakfast and celebratory lunch on Christmas Day. Activities include ice skating on the hotel’s rink, while Father Christmas and his reindeer are scheduled to pay a visit.
Another Place, The Lake (01768 486442) offers a four-night, half board Christmas House Party from £1,256 based on a standard room and from £1,419 based on a Treehouse sleeping a family of four. December 23 to 27.
Castaway Christmas in Dorset
Gather a group together for a Christmas stay at South Shore Lodge overlooking the sea on Brownsea Island. This Victorian conversion isn’t luxurious but offers great value for money. Bunk-bed accommodation sleeps up to 12 people and the island is served by a ferry from Poole which makes the crossing once daily during the winter months.
National Trust Holidays (0344 800 2070) offers a five-night stay at South Shore Lodge, sleeping 12, on Brownsea Island in Dorset from £1,275 rental only. December 22 to 27.
Active Christmas in Cornwall
Work off the festive fare on winter hikes along the spectacular Cornish coastline with walking specialist HF Holidays on a fully-catered stay at Chy Morvah, a 39-room guest house in St Ives.There’s a daily choice of up to three guided walks for different fitness levels and the break includes a cream tea on arrival, plus festive entertainment and Christmas lunch.
HF Holidays (020 3974 8865) offers a Cornwall Christmas guided walking holiday from £1,559 full board, including packed lunches. December 23 to 30.
Winter sun
All-inclusive Christmas in Fuerteventura
December temperatures hover around 20C in this second largest Canary island, with six hours of daily sunshine. The Alua Suites Fuerteventura in Corralejo, on the island’s north coast, is close to the beach and has four pools including kids’ pool and sports courts for beach volleyball and basketball. There’s a daytime activity programme, bike hire and local watersports.
Tui (0203 451 2688) offers a stay at four-star Alua Suites Fuerteventura from £959 all-inclusive based on a family sharing a junior suite with balcony. December 20 to 27.
Festive fun in Florida
Introduce the children to Mickey Mouse and friends this Christmas. Rooms at Universal Endless Summer Resort includes family-friendly, two-bedroom suites, and the hotel allows early access to theme parks and complimentary shuttle bus transfers. It offers two swimming pools on site with games and activities organised for children.
Kuoni (0800 086 9828) offers a stay at Universal Endless Summer Resort from £1,450, room only, based on a two-bedroom suite. Universal Three Park passes including Epic Universe cost £400 per person. December 19 to 26.
Spa hotel in Thailand
Bask in balmy heat which peaks at around 31C in December. The Renaissance Phuket Resort and Spa is in gardens planted with palms and shrubs next to Mai Khao beach.
A daytime activity programme includes Muay Thai, yoga, bike trail and jogging track, plus use of a spa with massage, facials and body wraps. Three on site restaurants offer Thai cooking and beach barbecue.
First Choice (0203 451 2690) offers a stay at Renaissance Phuket Resort and Spa from £2,739 based on a deluxe double room with balcony. Excludes transfers. December 23 to 31.
Beachside in the Maldives
Swap the December gloom for white-sand beaches and translucent seas at Coco Palm Dhuni Kolhu, an eco-resort in the Baa Atoll, a 30-minute seaplane transfer from Male airport with spa and five restaurants serving international and Asian dishes. The Lagoon bar for sundowners overlooking the sea and there’s a PADI dive school.
Kenwood Travel (0203 411 3644) offers a stay at Coco Palm Dhuni Kolhu from £3,955 half board, based on a beach villa including Christmas Eve gala dinner. December 21 to 28.
City breaks
Cultural Christmas in Italy
Immerse yourself in the art and architecture of northern Italy. Martin Randall Travel offers several Christmas tours including a stay at five-star Hotel Due Torri, a former eighteenth-century palace in the historic centre of Verona.
Group size is up to 22 people for expert-led forays to the cities of Padua and Mantua, and a private wine tasting with lunch at Villa di Serego Alighieri in Valpolicella.
Martin Randall Travel (0203 966 4610) offers “Verona at Christmas – with Mantua and Padua” from £3,940 including two lunches and four dinners. December 20 to 27.
Solos Christmas in Seville
Join a group of sociable singles at the H10 Corregidor Boutique Hotel in the city’s historic centre, near the Plaza de la Gavidia for an itinerary which includes an excursion to Seville Cathedral and the Alcazar palace, a hop-on hop-off bus tour and three organised dinners alongside free time for independent sightseeing.
Friendship Travel (0289 446 2211) offers a five-night stay at H10 Corregidor Boutique Hotel from £1,455 based on sole occupancy of a twin or double room, including three dinners and excursions. December 23 to 28.
Bright lights in New York
Jump into the festive frenzy of a New York Christmas with a stay at Gild Hall Hotel on Gold Street, near the Brooklyn Bridge and within walking distance of Lower Manhattan, Battery Park and Staten Island Ferry. It’s a tranquil, stylish retreat with high-ceiling rooms with marble-floored bathrooms and a Tuscan-themed wine bar and restaurant.
Trailfinders (020 7084 6500) offers a four-night stay at the three-star Gild Hall Hotel from £1,249, room only. Excludes transfers. December 22 to 26.
Christmas markets in Prague
Soak in the scene of brightly lit stalls in the city’s Wenceslas Square to buy local specialities, then climb the Old Town Hall tower for bird’s eye views of the festivities. Stay at the five-star Art Nouveau Palace Hotel, an historic building within reach of the city’s main sights.
EasyJet Holidays (0330 912 659;) offers a four-night stay at five-star Art Nouveau Palace Hotel from £558, based on accommodation in a deluxe room. December 22 to 26.
White Christmas
Alpine adventure in France
For early season skiing, pick a snow sure resort such as Val d’Isère where slopes rise to the lofty Pisaillas glacier and are connected to an even higher neighbour, Tignes. Family ski specialist Neilson has availability at its three club-hotels in this resort including 36-room Hotel Ducs de Savoie with on-site kids’ clubs and free ski guiding.
Neilson (0333 014 3351) offers a stay at Hotel Ducs de Savoie from £1,799 half board, based on a double room. December 21 to 28.
Family fun in Finland
Spend Christmas in the winter wilderness of Hossa National Park in northeastern Finland for a range of snowy activities including sledging, snowshoeing, ice-fishing, tobogganing and husky sledding. Families Worldwide offer a stay a forest lodge with private sauna with an itinerary which includes a visit to a reindeer farm and an introduction to winter survival skills.
Families Worldwide (01962 302062) offers a “Northern Lights Adventure” from £1,895 (adult), £1,745 (child) including most meals and activities. December 21 to 28.
Gala dinner in Austria
Have a Tirolean-style Christmas with a stay the four-star Elisabeth hotel in Mayrhofen, an adult-only hotel with an Elisense Spa with an indoor pool, Finnish sauna, bio-sauna, steam room, rock-salt bath and fitness room. It’s close to the resort’s lively centre, and a short walk to the Penken gondola for access to the slopes.
Crystal Ski (020 3451 2821) offers a stay at the Elisabeth Hotel in Mayrhofen from £1,393, half board, based on a twin room with balcony, including Christmas gala dinner. December 20 to 27.