As the temperatures drop, some of us just want to curl up indoors – but others dream of escaping to sunnier climes. While Christmas is traditionally a time to spend at home with the family, the usual routine can become a bit tiresome, so why not go abroad this year and see how the holidays are celebrated in another country? You can still bring the whole family, and with operators like Teletext Holidays it’s easy to find good deals even if you’re booking late.
The economic troubles may be putting a strain on people’s finances, but the good news is that travel companies are cutting their prices to offer competitive deals to their customers. With more people turning towards “staycations” – that is, holidaying somewhere in the UK – to save money, travel firms have more incentive than ever to try to tempt people to go abroad, so it’s well worth taking a look at some of the last-minute offers out there.
The 2012 Travel Trends Survey from TripAdvisor revealed that while the economy remains a “significant concern” for Brits, it’s not dissuading them from taking a well-earned rest: two-thirds said they plan to take between two and four leisure trips this year, with average budgets for these breaks ranging between £2,000 and £4,000.
If you’re seeking a bit of winter sun, have a look at holidays around the Med – the Canary Islands, for instance, are a popular destination for topping up your tan without emptying your wallet. Places like Tenerife, La Palma and Lanzarote really come alive around the holiday season – temperatures average around 19°C in the Canaries in December and January with around seven hours of sunshine a day, so it’s the perfect place to spend Christmas on the beach!
Feeling a bit more adventurous? Why not really turn your world upside down and see how they celebrate Christmas in Australia? The Australian summer begins in December, so don’t expect any snow and log fires – in fact, the traditional Australian Christmas is celebrated with a barbecue in the back yard or a picnic on the beach. Seafood, salads, cold turkey and ham are the usual festive fare, although you may still see a few Santas sweltering in the heat!
Wherever you decide to go on your Christmas getaway, you’ll be guaranteed an adventure and a story to tell when you get home.
