When it comes to Christmas day most of us celebrate with a gift filled stocking and a big old turkey feast followed by Christmas pudding and brandy sauce. However if you fancy something a little different, step across the channel and celebrate the big day on 24^th December or head down to the southern hemisphere and slip on a bikini instead of a woolly jumper! This quick guide may whet your appetite for Christmas with a difference, but be quick, it’s not long now until Santa’s busiest day!

Pack the factor 50 and head down to the carnival city of Rio for a sun and fun filled Christmas. Decorative lights, gifts and cards are in abundance and a snowy scene is not uncommon despite the searing heat! Trees are put up on 24^th December and Christmas dinner is served later that evening with fruit, fried cod and fruit punch on the menu! With midnight mass completing the celebrations, the 25^th can be spent recovering from all the Christmas fun.

If you like the idea of sweets in your shoes, big horned monsters and carp for dinner then the place to be is Germany! On 5^th December, St Nicholas delivers sweets and chocolates to well behaved children while his devil-like servant “Krampus” visits those who have been naughty. Christmas day is spent feasting on cold meats and cheese for breakfast, yummy stollen for tea and dinner of turkey or goose with dumplings, potatoes and cabbage.

Christmas in Denmark is filled with singing, surprises and Glogg! On Christmas Eve a delicious meal is enjoyed followed by rice pudding dessert with a difference. Hidden inside is a whole almond and whoever finds it will have good luck the following year. After the meal everyone celebrates by dancing and singing around the house. As the children open their presents, parents relax and enjoy some Glogg – or mulled wine as we say!

If one day of celebrating is not enough then head to Iceland where they start the party four Sundays before Christmas day and end on 6^th January. This festive period is filled with mystical creatures who leave presents for children, a baking frenzy of gingerbread cookies, elves and Icelanders dancing around bonfires and amazing New Year fireworks blowing the old year away.

When it comes to fine dining, we all know France is the place to be! Out go the brussel sprouts and cranberry sauce and in come lobster, oysters, escargot and foie gras! This luxurious feast is traditionally held on 24^th December and runs long into the night. With no celebration complete without a glass of champagne, sit back and celebrate the French way!

So there you have it, a taste of Christmas abroad! Why not give it a go, it couldn’t be easier, just visit www.hotelexclusives.com today and take a look at our amazing travel offers.

It’s that time of year again, the nights are drawing in earlier and there’s a chill in the air. You don’t have to travel to Strasbourg or Brussels to find a great Christmas market, the UK has some of its own amazing markets right on your doorstep and a Christmas market break is a great way to get you in the festive spirit. So embrace those woolly jumper days as we’ve picked out the best Christmas Markets that the UK has to offer!

Birmingham

Why not visit the largest authentic German market outside of Germany and Austria? Explore over 180 festive stalls in Birmingham’s Victoria Square. Selling everything from decorations to jewellery, handmade toys to delicious German food. Next to the Frankfurt Christmas Market, you’ll find the Christmas Craft Fair, where local traders offer beautifully hand-crafted items. Don’t miss out on the fabulous Christmas atmosphere that these two events bring!

This years opening times are:

See more : Click here

London

Choose from several markets throughout the capital, from large German Christmas markets to smaller Christmas fairs. Enjoy the festive extravagance of Hyde Park’s Winter Wonderland or experience the magic of winter at the spectacular Natural History Museum Ice Rink. Shop for seasonal gifts at the Chelsea Physic Garden Christmas Fair or get creative at one of the festive workshops available at the Spirit of Christmas Fair at Olympia.

This years opening times are:

Winter Wonderland, Hyde Park – Friday November 18 2016 – Monday January 2 2017

London South Bank – Friday November 11 2016 – Sunday January 8 2017

Bath

Seen as the ‘Christmas Capital of the West’, Bath is the ideal city to visit to get yourself in the joyful Christmas mood. The market is home to 150 individual wooden chalet style stalls, each offering unique, handmade and unusual gift ideas, brilliant decorations and festive food items. Choose from ice-skating in the crisp winter air or enjoy breath-taking views of the twinkling city whilst bathing in warm spa water.

This years opening times are: Thursday 26 November – Sunday 13 December. (See website for exact times)

Edinburgh

With a host of festive markets and fairs to choose from, Edinburgh offers a magical backdrop for Christmas shopping and winter events. Browse the Christmas markets on Princes Street and St Andrew’s Square to find perfect and unique festive gifts. A trip to Edinburgh at this time of year is not complete without a visit to the Scottish Market, showcasing the best food and drink that Scotland has to offer.

There are two fantastic festive markets this year: the European Christmas Marketin East Princes St Gardens, opening 19 November – 7 January, and the Scottish Market at George Street open from 26 November – 24 December.

Manchester

Each year, Manchester’s city centre is transformed to provide an unrivalled festive experience. The award-winning Christmas Market provides the best opportunity to soak up the Christmas atmosphere. Take in the picturesque streets and squares as you follow the market trail through the city centre. Choose from 300 stunningly fashioned stalls, offering a range of local and European gifts, crafts, jewellery and much more!

This years opening times are: Dates for 2016 – 10 November to 20 December

It’s never too early for a bit of Christmas spirit, so click here to take a look at our Christmas category and book your break today!

If you’re interested in taking a visit down to the Jurassic Coast this summer, take a look at some interesting facts that might take your fancy.

1) Bournemouth serves up more than 2,000 ice creams a day.

2) Poole Harbour is the second largest natural harbour in the world, the largest is Sydney.

3) Sandbanks has, by area, the fourth highest land value in the world.

4) The Celtic name ‘Dorseteschire’ means the place of fisticuffs!

5) Gold Hill, Shaftesbury has been immortalised by advertisements for Hovis bread with a delivery boy seen pushing a bike up the steeply cobbled street lined by thatched cottages.

6) A chilli pepper grown in Dorset claims to be the World’s hottest. The Dorset Naga is so fiery that gloves have to be worn to handle it.

7) Monkey World is a famous sanctuary near Wool, Dorset started to rescue monkeys from all over the world. They come from pet shops, owners or being ill-treated in their native countries.

8) The Cenotaph, St Paul’s Cathedral and Buckingham Palace are all made of Portland Stone quarried on the Isle of Portland.

9) England’s oldest post box in Bishops Caundle is still used and dates from 1853.

10) Brownsea Island is a nature reserve but is also famously known as the place Scouting was started in 1907 by Lord Baden-Powell.

Visit http://www.hotelexclusives.com today to see what fantastic offers we’ve currently got on.

The New Forest in Southern England is a fantastic family destination. Discover old villages where famous witches once lived, trek through ancient woodlands or head to the beach with your buckets and spades! And with our hotels designed with families in mind, your break will be a truly enjoyable and relaxing one.

Check out our mini-guide to the New Forest here!

Click here to download

If you are heading to a spa it’s more than likely that you are in need of some R&R. The Lake District is a perfect choice. The rolling landscape, natural wildlife and spectacular views immediately relax and calm the mind. It’s no wonder why it’s referred to at one of Britain’s breathing spaces.

Whether you’re looking for a short break, or something longer, you won’t run out of new places to see with over 16 beautiful lakes to explore, find out more in our mini-guide to your Lake District spa break.

Click here to download

We’re full swing into spring and if you still haven’t booked yourself a mini-break then Dr Saul Hillman’s wise words may give you the nudge you need! In part 2 of our ‘Spring into Action’ mini-series Saul explains why our relationships benefit from a get-away and he shares some top tips on how to get the most (for longer) from your spring break, enjoy!

“Given that most people go on breaks with family or friends, there is a great benefit to bonding, communication and solidarity. What we do on a short break is create a ‘shared experience’ with those we are with and this again enhances connections and relationships. When we are on holiday, we will invariably be removed from ordinary daily routines (work, chores, school, family politics, technology) and instead are able to focus upon something different, open up new experiences and broaden horizons.

“Stress is unavoidable and takes its toll at so many levels. Some of these are more obvious such as becoming more irritable, sleeping worse, or more prone to feeling anxious about events that would normally not phase us. However, many of the symptoms of stress are more silent and may be taking their toll in more subtle ways. Our bodies are expert in maintaining an internal homeostasis but we are often very slow in knowing how to manage stress levels.

“For this reason, short regular breaks are a huge tonic to our mental health given that they offer us time to relax, unwind and step away from our entangled and often routine lives. In the same way that children respond to incentives and rewards, adults are no different, and having something like a spring break, whether to a holiday park, a city break, a cottage holiday, or an activity-based vacation, we are likely to find the ingredients that will help us switch off and recharge.

“We often leave long periods between holidays when short breaks can be a great boost given how the benefits of a holiday wane over time, and we need the time to unwind and destress. There are other things that we can do in order to ensure that the effects from these breaks are strong.

Dr Saul Hillman’s Top Tips for you Spring Break… Psychologist, Counsellor & Therapist at the Belsize Health Clinic in Belsize Park, North London.

1. Detach and Switch off – in an increasingly connected world where our time spent on phones and devices is so common place, this perhaps could be the greatest sacrifice, if we left our phone and refrained from checking and responding to emails and other messages, or engaging in any social media. Though this may seem trivial, it is acknowledged to have become a growing addiction and barrier to relationships.

2. Engaging outside – most positive breaks will and should involve some engagement with the natural habitat, whether this is an outdoor activity or pursuit, or something far more mindful which allows one to be in nature.

3. Slow pace – in order to counter the lives that most of us normally lead, don’t feel the pressure to make your break too packed or structured. It is always helpful to allow breathing space which again can allow us to relax, recalibrate and reinvigorate before we return to our typical lives.

4. Plan breaks in advance – as well as being able to obtain bargains in advance, it will undoubtedly be an incentive to have short breaks to look forward to.

5. Don’t just photograph, film with your senses – we are spoiled nowadays for having ways of capturing our lives on camera, but consider reflecting in a more mindful way whilst drinking up the experience.

6. Realistic expectations – accept breaks for what they are and that they may still have some challenges and dips. Of course, breaks are bound to bring with them stresses, whether related to travel, illness, interpersonal dynamics, or so much else, which may diminish the quality of the experience.

7. Don’t be selfless – even if you are holidaying with family or friends, remember it is okay to sometimes say ‘no’ in order to ensure that the holiday is working for you. If you overcommit yourself, you may feel dissatisfied, tired or overwhelmed. Do what works for you.

Dr Saul Hillman (PhD, BACP, GHR) psychologist, counsellor & therapist

If you’re in need of some rest and relaxation then a springtime spa break is just the ticket! Hit the gym for a workout and pamper yourself with a luxurious body massage before taking a hot sauna and then a plunge in the pool… or just lay back and read a good book – you can take it as you wish.

Enjoy all this in the most beautiful surroundings of the Kent countryside; find out more in our mini-guide to your Kent spa break.

Click here to download

From high-class shopping in Knightsbridge to the colourful back streets of Soho, West London is large, diverse and most definitely a lot of fun! With plenty to see and do, there’s something to suit all tastes.

Find out if west is really best in our mini-guide to West London.

Click here to download

 

It’s great to get away from it all for a short spring break so you can unwind from the hustle and bustle of everyday life. If you want to enjoy this relaxing ‘holiday feeling’ at home then start by creating a bedroom environment that will ensure you get a good night’s sleep, every night. Here’s 5 top tips from the experts at Warren Evans bed makers:

1. Test your Mattress – the key to waking up refreshed and ready-to-go is sleeping on a mattress that gives you the perfect amount of support across your whole body. If your mattress feels lumpy, dips in the middle or shows signs of wear then it’s probably time for a new one. And if it leaves you feeling achy then it’s definitely too old (or might be the wrong one for your current body type)! If your mattress is OK then give it a good vacuum and turn it at least every 6 weeks, wash your mattress protector regularly too.

2. Declutter for Bedroom Bliss – take out everything that shouldn’t be in a bedroom. A bedroom should have a bed, a wardrobe (for your clothes), a chest of drawers (for sleepwear, t-shirts, jumpers etc.) and some bedside tables (for underwear and socks). A few books, an alarm clock and a light on the top of your bedside table and you’re sorted.

3. Invest in Good Storage Furniture – our range of underbed storage and linen boxes are great for keeping bedroom linens and fresh towels neat. Our divans are also fantastic for relevant bedroom items, helping you to keep organised and orderly. Resist the urge to store lots of knickknacks, photos or memorabilia in your drawers. It’s important not to sleep on lots of clutter; it’s just not restful.

4. Style with Simplicity – it’s easy to clutter your bedroom with mirrors, artwork, accessories, throws and ornaments – but try and keep it really simple. Just have one piece of artwork and one mirror on the wall (if space allows) and try to avoid ornaments altogether as they accumulate on surfaces and gather dust (not great for allergies!).   

5. Bigger Bed the Better – our national Sleep Survey found that those sleeping in smaller beds are more likely to be woken by their partner than those in king-size beds or larger. Dave Gibson, our trusted Sleep Advisor says: “It’s really important that you and your partner have enough room to move comfortably in bed. You should both be able to put your arms behind your head without elbows touching.”

For more great tips and info head to Warren Evans’ online magazine, Inspire Me where you’ll also find our fabulous competition to win a super 5* hotel spring break!