Magical Christmas holiday ideas

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People are already turning their minds to the Christmas holidays, so here are some great ideas for those planning their Christmas getaways from travelbite.co.uk.

Holiday operator Shearings is reporting that 90 per cent of its ‘Turkey and Tinsel' breaks, where people go away to a hotel as early as October to celebrate a traditional Christmas, have already been fully booked in some areas.

And it seems we are refusing to the let the recession dampen our festive holiday plans. Almost a quarter (24 per cent) of Brits are planning a Christmas markets shopping break or festive escape, according to research by Leger Holidays.

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Christmas holidays in Britain
At Christmas Edinburgh is one of Europe's most memorable destinations as Scotland's capital stages a month of winter festivities. This beautiful city will be alive with markets, entertainment and events from late November beneath the dramatic backdrop of Edinburgh Castle. Sip traditional Gluhwein and browse handcrafted gifts at the popular German market, or enjoy the first class food at the Highland village market. This year a new lantern parade, twinkling through the city streets, will mark the arrival of Santa himself in Princes Street Gardens, before thousands take to the streets for the Great Santa Run.

Best European Christmas market breaks
For one of Germany's best Christmas markets, head to Berlin where - during December - the Christmas markets spring up at many locations throughout the city, with the most popular one located next to the Kaiser Wilhelm Memorial Church. Enjoy mulled wine, gingerbread, baked cinnamon stars and roasted almonds and chestnuts, explore the many handicraft stalls which offer traditional handcrafted toys, jewellery, decorations and ornaments and take in the wide range of entertainments and amusements.

For Christmas market breaks by rail visit the Christmas market stalls in the Grand Place in Brussels and in Bruges – selling hand-made festive decorations, gifts, lace, chocolates, specialist beers and glühwein. Also included is a guided walking tour of Bruges and its Brewery Museum, plus a visit to an artisan chocolate-maker. Great Rail Journeys has a four-day Markets of Bruges & Brussels break, as well as Christmas markets holidays to Germany, Switzerland and Luxembourg.

Prague

In Prague the Christmas markets run daily throughout December with the main ones being held in the Old Town Square – with its massive Christmas tree – and Wenceslas Square. The brightly decorated wooden stalls sell traditional Czech handicrafts – such as wooden toys, scented candles, hand-made jewellery and Christmas tree ornaments - svarene (hot wine) and hot food. Cities Direct has three-night Christmas market breaks in Prague, as well as to seven German cities, Budapest, Copenhagen, Riga, Tallinn and Vienna.

European Christmas getaways
There is no better time to visit the stunning medieval city of Bruges than over the Christmas period, when the city's main square comes alive with the hustle and bustle of the Christmas market. Browse tables laden with elegantly wrapped chocolates, brightly coloured sweets and handmade decorations while admiring the lights that adorn the cobbled streets and historic buildings. At the centre of the market is a beautiful ice rink and for those who would like an extra wintery experience, Europe's only Snow and Ice Sculpture Festival is held in Station Square.

Copenhagen is especially wonderful at Christmas time and a shoppers delight. From mid November onwards, shopkeepers in Stroget, northern Europe's longest pedestrian shopping street, try to outdo each other in creating the most attractive window displays. For quality Christmas tree decorations head for Illums Bolighus, or the Royal Copenhagen Christmas shop next door in a wonderful 17th century building on Amagertorv Square. Royal Copenhagen is also famous for its display of Christmas dinner tables – taking place from November 20th to December 31st this year. They use a different theme each year and in 2009 six actors and dancers from The Royal Theatre will be presenting their own inspirations from different dances in The Nutcracker. Be prepared to queue for this annual visual highlight!

Another highlight of Christmas in Copenhagen is a visit to the annual Christmas Market at Tivoli Gardens (open from November 13th to December 30th). Tivoli Gardens is the most popular attraction in Denmark, and this time of the year they put on a fabulous display of the best illuminated trees you will ever see. Many stalls sell Danish handicrafts, seasonal foods and gifts. To keep warm sip some spicy Glogg and nibble on sweet Klejner bread. For a traditional Danish Christmas dinner try the restaurants around Nyhavn harbour as many serve seasonal dishes.

Copenhagen

Just 25 minutes away across the Oresund Bridge in Malmo there is a whole other world of Christmas cheer in Sweden. From November 25th Malmo puts on its Christmas market, attracting more and more visitors each year. A good time to be in Malmo is on the December 13th when Lucia - The Queen of Light - wearing candles in her hair, together with her attendants, travels through the city in a horse drawn carriage up to Stortorget Square where locals gather to sing traditional carols and watch the official crowning. It is obligatory to have the Lusse Bun, a tasty yellow saffron bread with raisins enjoyed with coffee. From Lucia Day onwards Swedes start looking forward to the Christmas Smorgasbord, which contains of a vast number of dishes including a leg of Christmas ham, sausages, herring salad, pickled herring, liver pate, rye bread and crisp breads, potatoes and a special fish dish, lutfisk. Lutfisk is a dried ling then soaked in water before cooking.

Visiting Santa on his home turf
For some a trip to Lapland to meet Santa Claus is the ultimate Christmas holiday and with fairy-tale landscapes, Christmas attractions and magic in the air it's little wonder the old gent chose the snowy wilderness of Lapland to be his home. Enjoy starlit firework displays, visit the Snow Ice Park and the amazing ice hotel, go husky dog sledding, snowmobiling and of course meet Santa and the elves.

Visit the snowy white Finnish resort of Saariselka with free child places for children aged two to five years old, including a private family visit to see Santa Claus. Enjoy a traditional Arctic Circle Ceremony, a husky sled ride and reindeer sleigh ride. Or discover a winter wonderland in a snowy Lapland wood at the resort of Rovaniemi, where you can stay at the Ounasvaara cabins in a winter woodland setting. Take a private family snowmobile safari to find Santa Claus, a husky sled ride and reindeer sleigh ride, visit to Santa's Christmas Control Centre and the Joulukka Elf School.

Christmas in the sun

Hawaii

How about a festive escape with a tropical twist? Treat yourself to a Hawaiian Christmas this year and enjoy stunning beaches, sun-filled vistas, dramatic landscapes, welcoming locals, the world's best surfing spots and a balmy 28 degrees Celsius during winter. Christmas in Hawaii comes with a definite (hula) twist, from street parades to rice cake making, there's a variety of activities across all of the islands for the whole family to enjoy.

Those with more of a ‘bah humbug' attitude may be interested to know that in 1969 Fidel Castro removed Christmas from the Cuban calendar as it interfered with the sugar harvest. However, in 1997 he restored the holiday and Cubans now celebrate Christmas with fresh enthusiasm and revelry. Give Christmas or New Year a festive Cuban welcome in the warmth of the Caribbean visiting Havana and Santiago de Cuba.

Christmas holidays in the United States
For an event capturing the traditional spirit of a pioneer Christmas, how about a trip to Texas? The National Ranching Heritage Centre hosts the annual ‘Candlelight at the Ranch' event, when luminarias light the paths around historic structures and Ranch Hosts recreate holiday scenes of trimming trees with home-made decorations, playing traditional music and gathering around the campfire on a cold winter's night. Visitors can experience authentic yuletide celebrations that took place on the open prairie more than 100 years ago.

Christmas holidays on a budget
When it comes to Christmas the Dutch do it in style, with Amsterdam transformed into the ultimate winter wonderland with its very own Christmas Square and a glittering array of free seasonal concerts.

Indulgent Christmas holidays
Escape the cold and dark days and celebrate the festive season Polynesian style at the St Regis Bora Bora . Dream of a turquoise Christmas at Bora Bora's pristine lagoon, fringed with coral islets and soft sands. Have a festive season of indulgence and leave your winter woes behind as you enjoy the special programme of culinary treats, as well as pampering in the Spa Miri Miri. Father Christmas himself even makes his way to the French Polynesian island bearing gifts for all on Christmas Day - after the champagne brunch of course.