It may still be August but once Selfridges start selling Christmas decorations, the festive season will be here before you know it. If the thought of inevitable family arguments, M25 traffic jams and burnt turkey fills your heart with dread – we have a list of places to get away from it all.
Bergen, Norway
This European city may well be the “most photogenic place in the world” – chocolate box houses, sea views and Norwegian fjords make it a stunning place to spend Christmas. Despite the lack of sunlight hours, especially in the North of the country, its Christmas spirit and almost inevitable snow more than make up for it.
Flights in December from €100 return
Helsinki, Finland
Where better to spend Christmas than the home of Santa Claus himself? With almost guaranteed snowfall, hot glogi – spiced wine with almonds and raisins – to warm the insides and the possibility of seeing reindeer, Finland makes for a very authentic winter break. Helsinki, the capital, offers beautifully decorated streets and a festive ambience.
Flights in December from €90 return
Ljubljana, Slovenia
A lesser known – but equally beautiful – European winter destination is the Slovenian capital Ljubljana. As good in December as it is in July, when the famous Lake Bled sparkles blue, Ljubljana is a fairytale city at Christmas. It has a Christmas market along the banks of the Ljubjanica river, with carol singing on the steps of the town hall and an ice-skating rink in the main square; the perfect place for feeling festive.
Flights in December from €50 return
Bolzano, Italy
The self-proclaimed ‘Christmas Capital of Europe’, mountain town Bolzano has Christmas spirit in excess. Close to the Austrian border, its Christmas markets are legendary and surrounded by enchanting gothic buildings. On the edge of the Dolomites, a few days here would be a good start to a skiing break in one of Italy’s best winter sport areas.
Flights in December from €44 return (Venice Treviso)
Colmar, France
A town that feels much more German than French, its streets are full of chocolate box houses, cobbled streets and fairy tale architecture. At Christmas the whole town is alive with lights, Christmas trees and German-style markets – it has a similar atmosphere to big market towns such as Berlin and Munich, but more boutique and less touristy.
Flights in December from €160 return (Strasbourg)