Now that Thanksgiving is over, we’re already thinking about Christmas. But that’s for a good reason! 3 days countdown to those Christmas feels, Holiday shopping, all of the prepping and decorating, mulled wine in Covent Garden after work and mince pie madness!
This Christmas, will you be spending your break at home with friends and family or are you dreaming of a relaxing Christmas spent surrounded by a scenic countryside, curled up with a book, catching up on sleep followed by long walks and a mug of hot cocoa by a fireplace somewhere beautiful? Sounds dreamy, doesn’t it?
If you are opting for the latter, the period between Christmas and New Year is a great time to jet off, as it is a little quieter, meaning that you can really enjoy your time away and the sites around.
We sat down to speak with Niamh Walsh, Senior Editor at travel search platform HolidayPirates, who shared her best recommendations for a Twixmas break.
For the one who wants to unwind – Cotswolds
If the Christmas period has left you feel exhausted and stressed, then there is no better place to escape for a little bit of peaceful relaxation, than the Cotswolds. Recognised as a place of outstanding national beauty, the Cotswolds offers the opportunity for total rejuvenation before New Year. With a vast array of beautiful villages, such as Cirencester, Naunton and Bourton on Water, you will not be short of great hotels and bed and breakfasts to choose from for your stay.
For the one who wants to see something different – Amsterdam
While many European cities tend to wind down after Christmas before gearing up for New Year, Amsterdam continues its party atmosphere, making it a great place to visit if you are looking for a livelier Twixmas break. Many of the attractions that were set up for Christmas, such as the outdoor skating rings, are still accessible and as many people flock to Amsterdam at this time of year, lots of restaurants and bars remain open. Visiting Amsterdam during this period, also ensures that you can catch the Amsterdam Light Festival, a display of over forty works from international artists, designers and architects, who come together to create incredible light sculptures around the city. You can take dedicated canal cruises around Amsterdam which ensure you see the best of the displays, or follow specific walking routes in order to take in selections of the spectacular displays.
For the one who enjoys outdoor activities – Lake District
Recognised this year with a World Heritage status by UNESCO, the Lake District is a tranquil destination to spend Twixmas. It offers the opportunity for a range of activities depending how active you feel, from riding bikes, renting boats (if you can bear the cold) hiking, or perhaps just staying in and relaxing.
The Lake District is not only acclaimed for its natural beauty, but also its culinary delights, boasting an impressive number of Michelin star restaurants, that ensure you will never be short of great places to dine during your stay.
For the one who wants to extend the festive season – Prague
Prague gets extremely busy in the run up to Christmas, as tourists flock in to visit the renowned Christmas markets so you want to visit the city during the time in between Christmas and New Years.
Unbeknown to many, Prague’s Christmas markets actually continue after Christmas, until the beginning of January, meaning that you can still enjoy the festive atmosphere on your trip and enjoy great street food such as smoked BBQ cheese with raspberry jam, a local favourite.
