Christmas trips

We pick our stress-free places to look for Christmas presents

Deck the halls with boughs of holly, fa la la la la, la la la la…’ Yes, it’ll soon be Christmas, and shopping for presents is much more fun if you indulge in a festive mini-break at the same time. Here’s some suggestions Yule really love (sorry)…

Follow the traditional three-kilometre Lane of Light to the gates of Gothenburg’s Liseberg Amusement Park and its famous Christmas market, decorated with a million glimmering lights and 700 Christmas trees and open from 18 November. Stalls sell traditional arts and crafts and you can sample marinated herring, roasted reindeer meat and mulled wine. There’s even an ice bar and ice rink. Sunvil Discovery offers a three-night stay in Sweden at the Hotel Royal Gothenburg from £502 per person, including flights. 020-8758 4722, www.sunvil.co.uk

Manchester’s award-winning Christmas market runs from 17 November until 23 December, with 200 stall offering treats galore from Dutch mini pancakes to Hungarian goulash, and an array of gifts from amber jewellery to handmade leather goods. Great Little Breaks offers stays at the Grade II listed Palace Hotel in the city’s theatre district from £55 per person per night, including breakfast. 0844-848 8488, www.greatlittlebreaks.com

Head for Prague in the Czech Republic, where Christmas markets are staged in Old Town Square and Wenceslas Square from 1 December. Enjoy carol concerts, hot wine and waffles, and stock up on straw decorations, wooden toys and other handicrafts. Kirker Holidays offers a threenight break for the price of two at the fourstar Casa Marcello, from £499 per person, including flights, transfers and breakfast. 020-7593 2283, www.kirkerholidays.com

Germany is famous for its traditional Christmas markets, with more than 2,500 throughout the country. Frankfurt stages one of the largest and most popular, with 30-metre tree and 200 stalls selling blown-glass decorations, advent stars and toys. Feast on wurst and glühwein while brass bands, carol singers, ice skaters, lantern processions, and of course Santa and Rudolf entertain you. German Travel Centre offers two nights, including flights, from £249 per person. To save £40 per person, quote ‘The Lady’ when booking. 020-8429 2900, www.germantravelcentre.co.uk
Stock up at Manchester's award-winning market

Dertour’s new Christmas Markets And Winter Breaks brochure features markets in 14 European countries. New for 2012 there’s Venice – the small Christmas market near the Palazzo Grassi features handmade lace, paper, perfumes, glass and leather goods. A two-night break between 29 November and 24 December, costs from £269 per person, including flights and a stay at the three-star Hotel Bisanzio, with breakfast. 020-7290 1111, www.dertour.co.uk

National Trust properties throughout England stage special festive events. For example, Waddesdon Manor in Buckinghamshire, is the venue for a Christmas food festival (8, 9, 12 to 16 December). Sample chutneys, specialist cheeses, handmade sweets, smoked meats and delicious fresh pies. 01296-653226, www.nationaltrust.org.uk

In other news...

Inn fashion
Alastair Sawday’s new edition of Special Places To Stay: British Hotels And Inns is on sale now featuring more than 330 of Britain’s finest hotels and inns. There are 50 new entries, from an ex-Baptist chapel and a lighthouse to a groovy little Cornish bolthole and stylish new offerings in West Country cities. The guide, £15.99, is available from all good bookshops or online. www.sawdays.co.uk

Resort to Vuitton
A new Louis Vuitton resort will open in the Maldives next year. Currently under construction on the island of Randheli in Noonu Atoll, the resort from Cheval Blanc, the high-end hospitality brand developed by luxury giant Louis Vuitton Moët Hennessy, will feature a Guerlain spa and 46 luxury villas, each with private infinity pool.

Lone stars
ITC Classics has launched new Solo Traveller Tours to New York, Mexico, Marrakech and South Africa. The holiday company wanted to provide solo travellers with a chance to travel with a group of like-minded individuals. 01244-355550