Where to go for Xmas?

Kelly_M_3

My boyfriend and I would really like to get away somewhere for the Xmas week, preferably leaving around Xmas Eve. We're on a limited budget and ideally could can only stretch to about £300 per person. I don't know where to start and everything seems very dear so all suggestions are greatly appreciated.

richardw

It's a popular time of year and demand forces prices up and package holiday hotels do the compulsory gala dinner on christmas and new year's eve, which can be a rip off.

Do you want a city break or coastal?

Where in the UK are you?

Kelly_M_3

I am totally flexible about where I want to go, city, coastal, country, abroad, England. I just want a bit of atmosphere and enough to keep us occupied for a week, I don't mind sitting in being cosy for a couple of days but not full 7-days.

I'm in Sidcup, Kent. Thank you for the reply

richardw

Any flight+hotel possibilities with https://www.expedia.co.uk from gatwick to Rome or similar?

LillythePink

Rome is nice but weird at Christmas!

We went there about 9 years ago for christmas and stressed about getting a xmas day lunch - when in actual fact we could have gone to Mcdonalds as it was open along with several gift shops etc.

We didn't find it full of atmosphere as such, but I suppose if you are into religeon etc then it may be different - it is nice that they close the main roads etc so you can walk about freely, but you get loads of the street sellers hassling you.

As I said, this was 9 years ago so may be different now.

ailuro2

Malaga on EasyJet flights then a cheap self catering apartment down the road to the West - Benalmadena etc. might have some spare capacity left.

The weather isn't guaranteed, but there's a 99.99% chance it'll be better than here.:D

Christmas is eyewateringly expensive, though, everyone in the world who might take a holiday is off at the same time... book early to get the best prices, if you like being away and want to do it again next year.;)

getmore4less

Check out the Holiday inn 2-4-1 thread and look at hotels in the UK
https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/1535105

Prices in the Xmas/Ny week are low £20pn in some express hotels.

If you find one in a location you like you can use as a base

or pick a few and tour a bit.

IF you go up to the full holiday ins they have pools/gyms for hanging out on those cold afternoons.

OK not the hottest place in the country but loads of resturants a few ok pubs theatre, snow dome etc. so an idea of prices for Xmas week

Milton keynes central holiday inn.
wetherspoons close by for cheap breakfast.
24-26 £27.50 pn room only
26-28 £34.50 pn
28-30 £42.50pn
30-1 £37.50pn

£284 8 nights + parking(most others don't charge)

Southampton can do 24-28 at £27.50pn

Norwich, loads in and around( we used these 2 last year)
express, includes breakfast, Asda and Wetherspoons next door, pool gym next door extra cost
8nights £172

Norwich north(next to park and ride/airport) has pool.
8 nights £220

Have a look around you might find something.

De vere have deals but are more expensive.

Wetherspoons have some hotels in OK places not priced up the xmas weeks

cubegame

Scratch that. I read your post wrong.

sassysar

There are some good flights to the canaries on ryanair this weekend . About £100 per person that leaves you £400 for a hotel. Alpharooms is good

Doshwaster

If you are going to book for Xmas week then you need to do it very quickly - or preferably several months ago! Now that the nights are getting darker people are starting to think about mid-winter breaks in the sun and prices are going up quickly.

Even EasyJet to Mallorca are showing as £100 each way over Xmas week while their usual price is typically £30-40.

http://www.skyscanner.net/ is a good site for searching for cheap flights if you aren't sure where you want to go.

markandkate

Bruges is lovely and very atmospheric, you could get Eurostar to Brussles and then train. Or if you wanted to drive you could go via Euro tunnel, Bruges is about 1 hours north of Calais

The old city is cobbled and has horse and carts. There are lots of little squares and canals as well as museums and plenty of bars The main sqaure is host to a christmas market with stalls and ice rink, It is nice to just wander round and find cafes and old buildings as well as quirky out of the way places to eat. There is a good choise of differently priced accommodation too