Christmas decorations at the Galleries Lafayette
This time of year provides the perfect opportunity for a relaxing pre-Christmas getaway before the stress of hectic family get-togethers. Many people flock to the glittering lights of New York or the traditional atmosphere of Germany’s Christmas markets, but there are many other options for those in search of some festive spirit.
Paris
Everyone talks about Paris in the springtime, but I prefer Paris in the winter – particularly around Christmas, when the Champs Elysees are lined with sparkling lights and the windows of famous department store the Galleries Lafayette come alive with animated displays. The city’s shops are perfect for picking up unusual gifts, while the ice-rink outside the Hôtel de Ville provides wintry fun in a romantic setting overlooking the Seine.
Edinburgh
Fascinating at any time of year, Edinburgh is especially worth a visit in December. As well as the starkly beautiful castle – illuminated at Christmas by a striking lighting scheme – it boasts a huge German market, a fair, an outdoor ice-rink, lively bars and fantastic shopping opportunities.
Edinburgh also offers a wide array of fantastic boutique hotels, of which my favourite for festive breaks is The Bonham in the city’s West End. Set in a converted Victorian town house, it blends contemporary style with luxurious interiors, rich colours and period touches such as huge bay windows, black and white tiled bathrooms and an imposing spiral staircase. The hotel’s restaurant is similarly warm and sophisticated, serving an innovative menu of modern French food with a Scottish twist in a wood-panelled dining room.
The Cotswolds
If you’re looking for a more rural festive escape, the Cotswolds’ picture-perfect stone and thatch villages offer stylish hotels, unusual boutiques and cosy pubs. The area also boasts a growing art, restaurant and spa scene, attracting increasing numbers of celebs to its rolling hills and village greens.
Those searching for all-out luxury should try Lower Slaughter Manor, Cowley Manor or Cotswold House, while the Burford House Hotel – set within a 17th century building on Burford’s High Street – is perfect for those seeking comfort and style on a lower budget. Its eight individually decorated bedrooms are crammed with antiques and luxurious fabrics, while the hotel’s two lounges come complete with roaring fires, an honesty bar and resident cats.
Hotel L’Aviatic – www.aviatic.fr
The Bonham – www.townhousecompany.com/thebonham
Lower Slaughter Manor – www.lowerslaughter.co.uk
Cowley Manor – www.cowleymanor.com
Cotswold House – www.cotswoldhouse.com
Burford House Hotel – www.burford-house.co.uk
