The Christmas List

December 11, 2010 Destination inspiration

With 15 days to go until Christmas, time is running out to find the perfect present to put beneath the tree. But some of the best gifts don’t need wrapping. Save yourself the stress of a shopping trip and give an unforgettable experience from our list of Hays Travel’s best Christmas presents…

A Festive Escape: Get away from it all and spend the big
The Pool at Crowhurst Park

day in a cosy pine lodge at the award-winning Crowhurst Park in Battle, East Sussex. There are plenty of activities for all the family, an on-site restaurant and leisure club and indoor pool, sauna, steam room and spa bath. 4 nights in a lodge to sleep 4 from the 23rd December costs from £342. Upgrade to a lodge with its own private hot tub from £129. Other lodge and cottage holidays are available from Hays Travel. Call 0800 408 4130.
New Year’s Eve Somewhere New: Surprise your loved one with a trip to somewhere altogether different to see in 2011. Hays have lots of options for New Year’s Eve city breaks, overseas and abroad. To try out a new city on home soil, check into a great-value serviced apartment. Hays have two night breaks in contemporary apartments in the centre of Leeds and Manchester on 30th December from £208 (apartments sleep up to four: £52 per person at full capacity.)
X Factor Getaway:If you know someone who won’t know what to do on Saturday nights when the X Factor’s over, give them an unforgettable present: tickets to the X Factor live at London’s O2 Arena on 20th March, with an overnight stay in a nearby 4* hotel. From £125 each based on two sharing with breakfast included. Rail travel can also be arranged and Hays have similar packages to other big concerts and London theatre breaks available too. Call 0800 408 4130.
Spontaneous Sunshine: Has someone you know been complaining about the weather lately? Treat them to some winter sun. Hays Travel have a huge range of last minute winter sun holidays to destinations like the Canary Islands, the Caribbean and Egypt. You could pick up a real bargain and give yourself – and someone else – something to look forward to when Christmas has finished. We found seven nights bed and breakfast at the 3* hotel Alaiye in Alanya on the Turkish Riviera from £125 per person including flights and transfers. Click here or call 0800 408 4130.
A Ski Holiday: When the decorations have come down and you’re feeling decidedly unfestive, whisk the one you love to the mountains for more wintry scenes and apres-ski cheer. Hays Travel have lots of good deals on last minute ski holidays, but we picked out this one for value. 7 nights half board at the Prespa Hotel in Pamporovo, Bulgaria (where lift passes cost aound £86 a week) from £249 per person. Click here or call 0800 408 4130.
A Valentines Getaway: Now’s a great time to book a trip away for the most romantic day of the year. Leave it too late to book for this popular date and the prices can rocket. Hays have lots to choose from, like this 4* Valentines break at the popular hotel Amaika on the Costa Brava, for three nights from £175 each – including meals and drinks. Relax by the the sea or head to nearby Barcelona for culture and sightseeing. Click here or call 0800 408 4130.
American Dream: A trip to New York is the top of many people’s wish-list and The Big Apple is a must-visit destination, especially in winter. Piles of snow and sights that make you feel like you’re in a film set all add to the the magical atmosphere in this iconic city. If you know someone who’s always wanted to go, give them their dream ticket and to take advantage of the legendary January sales. Three nights room only at the 3* Wellington in Manhattan from £495 per person including flights. Click here or call 0800 408 4130.
Right Royal Break: The perfect treat for someone who can’t wait for Prince William’s spring wedding to Kate Middleton: a three night Royal Wedding 2011 break in London, including rail travel from any East Coast railway station. Also included in the price are breakfast, a ride on the London Eye and a year’s membership to the Hi-Life dining scheme, which offers 2 for 1 meals at restaurants all over the UK. From £299 per person from 28th April 2011 with a 3* hotel - upgrades to 4* and 5* available. Call 0800 408 4130.
A City Break: A great option for a quick get away, city breaks are an affordable way to pack romance, good food, culture and nightlife into one heady weekend. Britain is perfectly positioned for fast flights to many European cities, with classic destinations like Prague, Barcelona, Dublin, Rome and Amsterdam all within easy reach. We found this great deal to Lisbon over Valentines Day, which would make a lovely Christmas present. Two nights room only in the Radisson Blu hotel from £149 inc transfers. Click here or call 0800 408 4130.
Pure Indulgence: If someone you love needs some rest and relaxation in the new year, take them on a pampering spa break. Hays have a huge range of spa packages in the UK and overseas. Many UK breaks include use of leisure facilities and selected treatments. The Girl’s Night In package at The Peak District’s 3* Moorside Grange Hotel includes use of the leisure club ‘par excellence’, a 1 hour treatment, dinner, breakfast, overnight accommodation, box of luxury chocolates, bottled of chilled sparkling wine and a in-room movie with popcorn. It costs from £109 per person, based on two sharing. Other areas and packages are available, call 0800 408 4130.