How to go on holiday over Christmas

[thirdistheonewiththehairychest]

After a horrendous year, I'm considering the possibility of going away with my family for Christmas.

I have no idea how to even go about working this out though. I have looked on TUI which all seems to be geared towards summer holidays, we can't afford centre parks or Disney.

It needs to be somewhere easily accessible by plane/Eurostar, I don't want to have to cook and there needs to be stuff to do nearby (kids will be 14, 12 and 6).

Is this a stupid idea?

We've had a shit year too. Going to marrakesh for new year AI. Booked with jet 2. Just need to be away from the usual 😪

Anywhere that provides cooked food is likely to be expensive, especially at Christmas.

Have you looked at AI in The Canaries?

European center parcs are cheaper than UK ones. But it's still self catering.

Are you wanting warm or cold weather? What is your budget?

We've done Christmas at hotels in Paris, Geneva (beautiful snow but very cold), Barcelona, Milan and Prague- booked the hotels and then the flights. Explored when there, used the pool, gym or spas as and when we felt like it and enjoyed the restaurants both in and out of the hotels. Also been to Hong Kong for the festive period (it was 14° and the locals thought it was cold) but its not the same place now so not sure we'd do it again.

I’m sorry you’ve had a shit year but I feel like if you can’t afford centre parcs, somewhere abroad where you don’t have to cook is potentially going to be out of reach at that time of year. What’s your budget? Do you want somewhere warm or are you not bothered? Are you thinking AI/full board or self catering but eating at restaurants?

Take into account opening times. For example Germany basically closes down between lunchtime on the 24th until the 27th. Restaurants may be open but often only with pre-booking. Activities/museums may or may not be closed.

Canaries may be an option if you go AI but it will be not more than maybe 20 degrees or just high teens. But it's one of their main seasons, so it won't be cheap.

Marrakesh is a great call. We’ve been for new year and it’s hot, short flight, great food.
Tui do all inclusive.

We always try and have a few days on the Costs Del Sol between Christmas and new year. The weather is good and I like the Spanish attitude to Christmas - it’s much less commercial and doesn’t go on all month. There’s loads to do in Malaga as well as along the coast which is well served by public transport.

We did an all inclusive in Egypt over Christmas one year, it was great, we stayed in a big hotel complex it was really lovely.