Christmas Holiday Ideas

It’s come around to that time of year again- the countdown has begun & we have all started dusting off the holiday decorations & searching for the ideal x-mas party outfit. Recent trends in the last few years have seen more & more people eagerly get away from the hustle and bustle of Christmas at home & choose to spend the holidays away on holiday! Even if you want to have your heart set on a Christmas at home you can still get in a quick cheeky weekend away under the pretence on getting into the spirit of things and a quick trip abroad in search of bargain presents for your nearest & dearest. Loads of destinations are available where you can either spend the run up to Christmas or Christmas itself & I’ve taken a little to time to compile my top five Alternative Christmas Ideas.

Christmas Markets in Munich:

An obvious choice to get in the Christmas spirit. The markets run from the end of November until December 23rd and promise to get you humming your favourite Christmas Carols. The city is transformed into a picturesque backdrop rivalling any image shown in your favourite childhood fairytale. The markets offer loads of handmade ornaments & traditional Bavarian cuisine and are definitely an area where inspiration can be drawn for personal gifts for friends & family. The traditions of the Christmas market in Munich date back as far as the 14th Century and the whole city get involved in the spirit of things with fabulous Christmas lights turned on at the beginning of Advent & regular Nativity plays being preformed around the city.

Check out Cheap deals to Munich on www.trav.com/Properties/Germany/Munich

Birmingham for Cadbury World:

An unusual choice for a Christmas Treat but I have to say, for me, Christmas Day normally means one thing (after the religious side of things, the tree, Mr. Claus & the turkey obviously J) and that thing is “The Selection Box Challenge”. A favourite activity in my house- this entails eating as much of the largest selection box imaginable after the dinner, which is quite filling in itself I might add- obviously the loser is whoever gives up first- but in a game like this there really are no losers as either way your too stuffed with chocolate to care. For me a trip to the Cadbury visitor centre Cadbury World in Birmingham would be the ultimate warm up to the annual family SBC as not only as the trip involves learning loads about the yummy stuff but also involves some free samples. The shop on site sells lots of chocolate goodies which make the ideal gift for those back home. Birmingham itself also has a lot to offer in respect of regular Christmas activities including the world’s largest authentic German Christmas markets outside of Germany or Austria.

Check out Cheap deal to Birmingham on www.trav.com/Properties/England/Birmingham

Ho Ho Ho Helsinki for Santa Claus:

Helsinki may not immediately spring to mind when thinking about Christmas but a province outside of Helsinki might ring a bell- Lapland. The home to the Real Mr. Claus this is the picture & definition of Christmas for every child- both big & small. The famous area closest to where Himself resides is known as Rovaniemi and it really comes alive around the festive season with lots of Christmas markets, concerts & even Ginger bread house competitions. The province is a short flight from Helsinki and while it is bustling with activity it does pale in comparison to the Finnish capital. Helsinki has lots of markets & concerts too and with many tour companies offering day trips to Lapland it is possible to squeeze both areas into the one trip. On a point to note though- as with travelling to many countries traditions in relation to food can vary & in Finland it is common to eat Reindeer- it is worth a try although I don’t know how your conscience could handle if you ate Rudolf on Christmas Eve!

Check out Cheap deals to Helsinki on www.trav.com/Properties/Finland/Helsinki
Check out Cheap deals to Rovaniemi on www.trav.com/Properties/Finland/Rovaniemi

Traditional Christmas in Belfast:

Belfast is an ideal location for a quiet traditional Christmas. The city is relatively small meaning all shops & activities are within walking distance of each other. The city also features many of the main large retailers such as Debenhams, Zara, all the Arcadia Group and all the large supermarkets too- so bargains to be had all round. The city is bustling after years of living in the shadow of the troubles and is really coming into its own after a strong period of rejuvenation. In tune with the festive season the city is featuring lots of Christmas markets & concerts, with the city’s lights being officially turned-on at the end of November. From a traditional point of view, events not to be missed in Belfast are the many pantomimes performed throughout the city- favourites include Dick Whittington & Robin Hood and many more.

Check out cheap deals to Belfast on www.trav.com/Properties/Northern%20Ireland/Belfast

Desert in Dubai:

It doesn’t get more alternative than this- celebrate the “Winter” season in searing desert heat. If a traditional Christmas is not your thing I really would advise trying it in a less conventional location. The country is predominantly Arab, but in recent years in the Dubai emirate a strong ex-pat community has developed, with a mix of American, British & a huge Irish settling; and with these developments Western traditions have also travelled. The city is famous for its fabulous shopping malls and state of the art technology and come December the city begins to transform into an alternative Winter Wonderland. However some traditional Christmas activities are still available such as ski- on the world’s only snow slopes in the desert. The most apt way however to celebrate the festive season here is relaxing on a beach, with your Santa hat on!

Check out Cheap deals to Dubai on www.trav.com/Hotels/United%20Arab%20Emirates/Dubai

Stag Party Ideas

The famous last night of freedom. Traditionally held on the eve of the wedding Stag Parties have expanded over recent years & now a Stag is not a Stag if it doesn’t last at least two nights and definitely involves behaviour which would be frowned upon by your soon-to-be other half. Like the ladies equivalent the responsibility for planning this bad boy of a weekend away does not fall to the Groom but to his numero-uno wing-man the Best man and as it’s his best mates last days of singledom this weekend needs to be one to remember. As a girl it’s unlikely I’ll ever actually attend one, however I have done a little research into the best destinations- in my opinion- for this Boys Only event. Just remember what goes on tour stays on tour is the moto of this weekend away.

Amsterdam:

An obvious first choice for a Stag party- for most lads it holds the equivalent level of excitement as the thoughts of Santa Claus on Christmas morning for an eight year old. The Dutch capital city has all the elements desired for a stag party. What this city is most famous for does not need to be spelled out but the Red Light District & its “speciality cafes” are defiantly a draw! In addition to these areas, which I’m sure the New Missus would not 100% approve of, Amsterdam also has many other attractions including museums (including the Heineken Experience- that way you can tell herself you spent the weekend in museums but really you were on the beer) and activities- such as cycling tours & canal boat trips- the ideal cure to clear your head after a night of heavy boozing with the lads.
Check out cheap deals in Amsterdam on Trav.com on:
www.trav.com/Properties/Netherlands/Amsterdam

Las Vegas:

The ultimate lads holiday destination- its a city where time is irrelevant & whether its 10am or 10pm you are guaranteed that the bar will be hopping, the cards will be dealing & the showgirls will be dancing! Vegas has it all & as its technically your last weekend of freedom before the aule ball and chain gets firmly attached no better way to kiss goodbye to your bachelor days in style then by a weekend away in this city. If semi-clad dancing girls, 24 hour gambling & bars & clubs aren’t your thing Vegas still has something for you with Rollercoasters on top of skyscraper hotels & shows like the famous Cirque du Soleil.
Check out cheap deals in Las Vegas on Trav on: www.trav.com/Properties/USA/Las%20Vegas

London:

I hate to break it to you but- your days in charge of the TV remote as well as your days of freedom are numbered now so before you kiss goodbye to getting to watch the match in peace (or even getting to watch the match at all!) a live football weekend is a must. London & football clubs go hand in hand with a choice of clubs to choose from- so why not combine the Stag weekend with 90 minutes live of the beautiful game. There are a wide range of clubs & stadiums to choose from why not spend the weekend cheering on your favourite players. My recommendation would be to aim for planning the weekend around a Big Game like the FA Cup Final- held annually in the new Wembley Stadium. Tickets are like gold dust so if your best man can swing it & get you some he really was the right man for the job as no matter who is playing the match promises to be an experience to remember. If he can’t manage it though there are plenty of club & league games to catch with most clubs offering guided tours of their grounds so it’s easy to make a day of it. As it’s a capital city London is also teaming with bars, clubs, restaurants & other activities so when the final whistle is blown it doesn’t mean the end of the weekend as there is loads more to keep you busy.
Check out cheap deals in London on Trav.com on: www.trav.com/Properties/England/London

Galway:

This may come as a surprise but this small city in the west of Ireland is a great spot for Stag Parties. The city is full of pubs & clubs with most bars featuring great bands on a regular basis- perfect for the lads compulsory air-guitar competition! As well as a lively nightlife scene Galway also features loads of day time activities for the guys. Deep sea fishing in the Atlantic (so you can be like the lads from your favourite Deadliest Catch episode), Pay & Play golf (you can compete as who has the best swing and could give Tiger a run for his money) or maybe just plain old fashioned paintballing so all the lads can beat the hell out of each other- Galway has it all and promises to offer a memorable weekend for all involved!
Check out cheap deals in Galway on Trav.com on: www.Trav.com/Properties/Ireland/Galway

Hen Party Ideas

You are only going to do it once (in theory!), its the last proper girlie weekend with your best friends before you become properly grown up & responsible so you may as well do it right and make a weekend of it! And for every Bride (and Bridezilla) the Hen Party is as important and key to the wedding as your dress- what makes this part of the preparation the hardest is that you must relinquish the power & the preparation of this element of the Big Day and hand it over to your Bridesmaids and Maid of Honour. Now you love her to bits, but chances are you didn’t pick her for the job for her event planning skills so now letting go of the responsibility is getting tough, but no need to panic I’ve picked a few of my top Hen Party Destinations for you to choose from all that needs to be done now is pick where you want to go & decide which party shoes to pack!

Barcelona:

The old Catalonian capital city to Spain’s North East has it all- the Mediterranean Sea with beautiful beach (perfect to get that real pre-wedding tan), beautiful culture & architecture courtesy of Gaudi (to keep the Mothers of the Bride & Groom happy) & of course the famous Las Ramblas bulging with bars, restaurants & all night clubs where the girls can party the evenings away. If lounging on the beach working on a tan isn’t for you- check out some of Barcelona’s many museums & Cathedrals, or alternatively for those looking for something completely different hop on a train & head for PortAventura one hour from the city- it’s one of Europe’s best theme parks & promises a memorable day for all. Barcelona has it all & can be achieved on no matter what the budget is- food & drink are reasonable priced, as with most Spanish resorts & with a city this size the choice of accommodation types is huge.
Check out cheap deals in Barcelona on Trav on www.trav.com/Properties/Spain/Barcelona

New York:

The ultimate girlie/shopping destination. New York New York so good they named it twice- so famous it almost doesn’t need an introduction. All I can say is the city is made for Hen Parties! The shopping alone can, in theory, cater to all the activities elements needed for a Hen, but New York as so much more to it than that. Have a weekend based around your favourite TV stars like Friends, Will & Grace & of course the Sex & the City girls. The list of things to do are endless a part from the shopping, there are Broadway shows to be seen (Mama Mia anyone??), the fabulous Central Park Zoo is an alternative day out, as well as countless tours of this amazing city including trip to Elis Island to see the Statue of Liberty. With a city this size naturally there are countless amazing restaurants, bars & clubs to kick back in relax in & discuss the days adventures over a very apt Cosmopolitan.
Check out cheap deals in New York on Trav on www.trav.com/Properties/USA/New%20York

Dublin:

Ireland’s capital city- this small city to the east of Ireland has become synonymous with Hen & Stag parties for both Irish & European visitors. It may be an association the city is trying to shake but with the partying spirit of the Celts the Irish just can manage it! The famous Temple Bar area in the centre of the city is a plethora of pubs & clubs. The pedestrian streets come alive each weekend with hoards of Playboy bunnies & naughty brides-to-be! But there is more to this city then boozy weekends- the city also features fabulous Georgian architecture & streets filled with history & culture. With many museums & bus tours there is plenty to do to keep busy during the day. If your group is particularly active, paintballing or quad biking activities are all available within a half an hour of the city centre & prove to be a quirky alternative to the traditional hen party activities.
Check out cheap deals in Dublin on Trav on www.trav.com/Properties/Ireland/Dublin

Prague:

This beautiful, historical city is perfect for a weekend for the girls. The picturesque backdrop is ideal for a more subdued Hen and as not every Bride wants the alcohol-fuelled, mass frivolousness of a weekend dresses as Wonder Woman- with match L-plates, Prague offers such an alternative. A weekend spent relaxing enjoying the culture & architecture is the more mature option for the discerning Hen. The Czech Republic is also famous for its mineral water & spring water & as such the city of Prague offers a choice of day spas ideal for the girls to unwind. After splashing out on the spa why not, come evening time, enjoy a glass of wine or a famous Czech beer available in the local taverns which offer some of the cheapest beverages in Europe.
Check out cheap deals in Prague on Trav on www.trav.com/Properties/Czech%20Republic/Prague

Recession Travel Ideas!

In these recessionary times we need to look at cutting back on a few luxuries- travel & holidays need not be one though. Trav.com promises to offer the best internet rates made available directly from the hotel or property- meaning that the budget conscious among us can still enjoy that cheeky weekend or week away!
Trav features accommodation in a wide range of cities & towns around the world. With a range of property types to choose from- on a budget does not mean you need to scrimp on style or choice Trav offers hostels, B&Bs, self catering apartments, campsites & a wide range of hotels with varied star ratings. What’s more with its reviewing process you know before you book what other previous guest have honestly thought of the place.
The aim of this blog is not just blatant self promotion of the website I work for, but I hope it give an insight into the budget option available to all travellers. Yes a lot of my examples will use Trav.com as a reference point- but the roots of the ideas will stay the same-saving on cost but not on travel options.
Check out my latest blog entries:

• Hen Party Ideas
• Stag Party Ideas
• Christmas Holiday Ideas

Trav's Top Travel Tips:

1. Visit Trav.com for brilliant rates & reviews all year round!
2. Travel off Season- Everything is cheaper then.
3. When booking flights look at airports outside the city- you might have a bus ride to get there but it’s part of the adventure.
4. Tell check-in staff in accommodation & airports it’s your birthday/anniversary/honeymoon- You might get a cheeky free upgrade.
5. Look at booking accommodation outside the city/town centre- you'll get a better standard of hotel for the same price as a lower rated one in the city/town.
6. Avoid flights on Friday evenings/Sunday Evenings to/from big cities-demand is higher at weekends so prices go up.
7. Avoid travelling to cities while they are hosting major sporting events- Everything from flights to food will have an inflated price.
8. Skip the Travel Agent- it’s cheaper & more fun to do it yourself.
9. Only bring what you will wear/need & know luggage weight restrictions for the airline your travelling with-excess luggage costs add up quickly & eat into holiday spending money.
10. Research in advance & find out which attractions & museums are free & which offer discount rates on certain days- and plan your adventures in advance- that way you still get to see the sites but won't get ripped off.