9 extravagant last-minute travel locations for Christmas
| 14th December 2021
| 14th December 2021
This year, Christmas is set to be more special than ever, with families finally able to get back together and celebrate in style. Providing that Boris doesn’t throw another curve ball and form ‘Plan C’, that is?!
Whether you’re looking to book a bucket list trip, seeking some winter-sun, or perhaps you prefer to celebrate closer to home with family over a festive dinner or afternoon tea, VIVA has all your travel & leisure destinations covered with some fantastic festive offers that are still available to book right now.
These are just some of our favourite travel locations for the Christmas holidays that will make you want to book your next trip abroad sooner rather than later!
Lepogo Lodges in South Africa’s Limpopo Province is one of Africa’s few entirely non-for-profit safari resorts and is inviting guests to spend the Festive period at this luxurious place that’s a safari camp for the ultimate bucket-list adventure.
Visitors can spend Christmas Day basking in the unspoilt beauty of Lepogo Lodges resort and its private setting with a freshly prepared Christmas breakfast in the bush, while kids can take part in an exciting Christmas treasure hunt
Rates start from £815 per person per night for a luxury clifftop villa on an all-inclusive basis.
The ideal spot to get some winter sun this Christmas, Windjammer Landing Villa Beach Resort is situated on a steep 60-acre hillside estate on the northside of St Lucia and made up of individual whitewashed villas.
Windjammer is an oasis with a collection of villas, private residences and hotel rooms overlooking the sparkling Caribbean Sea. To celebrate the festive season, Windjammer Landing has announced their 12 Days of Christmas lineup of activities.
Highlights include a resort-wide celebration of St Lucia’s Carnival with live music and elaborate costumes, A Christmas Eve Resort Parade featuring a marching band and acrobats, and the Traditional Masquerade of St Lucia on Christmas Day.
Room rates start from £320 per night with prices for villas starting at £500.
Christmas at Courmayeur Mont Blanc is a true snow-covered wonderland. Renowned for its warm Italian welcome and fabulous winter sports scene, the resort is ideal for families, friends, skiers, and non-skiers looking to spend time outside in the fresh mountain air.
During the festive season, visitors can enjoy the nearby Marché Vert Noël, a festive holiday market featuring handmade products from local artisans, and plenty of food, wine and Christmas treats.
In December Courmayeur celebrates “its own” Santa Claus, Rhémy de Noël, a local traditional folk poetic figure.
Children from all over send their letters or leave them in a special postbox located in Abbé Henry square; a group of volunteers answers each and every one of them.
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Courmayeur offers superb heliskiing, off-piste and cross-country skiing, as well as joy skating, snow tubing, hiking, snow shoeing, climbing, cycling and much more.
Calura is a stunning and lovingly restored villa on the north coast of Sicily. With stunning sea views, a panoramic jacuzzi, and a prime location nearby some of Sicily’s most popular towns, this villa is ideal for a peaceful getaway this Christmas season.
Featuring an outdoor kitchen, cozy fireplace, and a ping pong table for a festive family tournament, families will love their festive stay at Calura. The Italian Christmas season has officially begun with many enjoying competing with friends and family at card parties.
While in north Sicily, guests can check out the traditional living nativity display at Termini Imerese for a truly authentic Sicilian Christmas experience. The 3 bedroom villa sleeps 6 guests and is priced at £1,806 per week.
Podere Brogi is a beautifully restored farmhouse and barn on the edge of the Chianti, converted into a luxury residence managed superbly by the Brogi family who live 10 minutes away.
Originally used to produce oil, wine, cereals and fruit the property has now been entirely renovated to make it functional for sustainable tourism and is the ideal home-away-from-home this Christmas. The nearby city of Arezzo becomes a wonderful Christmas Village until the end of December.
There are festive workshops and visits with Santa for the kids, and an authentic “Tirolese” market for picking up some last minute gifts and treats before the holiday.
The beautiful infinity pool which looks out over the countryside is completely run by an internal solar thermal system and disinfected using top of the range salt technology.
There is also a dedicated pool for children to learn to swim with a depth of 1.1m. There are also three hydromassage jets for the adults evening relaxation. This 6 bedroom property sleeps up to 10 people at Podere Brogi from £6,865 per week.
Enjoy a true British Christmas at either of Coppa Club’s cozy hotels this festive season. The Great House at Sonning – a boutique hotel featuring 49 bedrooms and nestled in the Berkshire countryside.
The Swan at Streatley – a tranquil countryside getaway which has been recently refurbished and offers rooms opening onto the garden lawn and overlooking the river, making it a great option for a dog friendly getaway so even your furry friends can join in the festive fun.
Both properties are roughly an hour from London, and situated along the River Thames boasting a large terrace, sweeping lawns and ample riverside space. In the lead up to the festive season, guests can enjoy activities such as wreath making and crisp winter strolls through the nearby village.
the Great House festive packages are available from £146 per night and Christmas Stay packages are available from £355 per night, or if The Swan at Strealy appeals to you then festive packages are available from £151 per night and Christmas Stay packages are available from £410 per night.
Ballygally Castle offers a fantastic selection of festive events this holiday season. Throughout the holiday season guests can enjoy a festive afternoon tea with mulled wine or prosecco, which is served daily.
Guests who would like to spend Christmas Day at Ballygally Castle can enjoy a delicious Christmas Day Grand Buffet Lunch with friends and family. This buffet consists of a fantastic 5 course feast and a visit from Santa and a gift for every child.
Christmas Eve and Day Packages start from £125 per person sharing a room, which includes a dinner and overnight accommodation and a full Irish breakfast in the morning. If you’d prefer to pay using crypto from your digital wallet, book through an online portal like Travala.
Christmas at The Fellows House Cambridge is like stepping foot into a storybook. Situated a stone’s throw from River Cam and Jesus Green, the property is ideal for both long and short stays and provides access to everything the historic city has to offer.
Just a short winter stroll from the hotel is Cambridge’s Christmas Market, great for picking up some last minute goodies, and the North Pole in Parker’s Piece, a fun and festive day out with an ice rink, ice slide, and even an ice bar.
All rooms feature fully equipped kitchens for those looking to cook a Christmas feast, and families can comfortably stay in connected rooms.
The signature restaurant, The Folio Bar & Kitchen, serves plant-based dishes made from locally sourced ingredients, and guests can enjoy The Sage of Cambridge as both a coffee and wine bar – both of which will be given a festive twist for the holidays to include favourites such as Norfolk Turkey and Oven Roasted Romanesco.
Rates from £170 per night for 2 people staying in a Kipling King room on a B&B basis.
Have a Merry Christmas with a stay at Quinta do Lago this winter. Guests can start the festivities off right with the resort’s annual Christmas Lights Switch-On on 4th December at the plaza at Dano’s, while enjoying some mulled wine or hot chocolate.
In the week leading up to the big day, from 17th December to Christmas Eve, guests can collect bespoke Christmas Hampers with a pre-prepared three-course meal for up to 10 people.
Those staying at The Magnolia Hotel can make sure every member of the family is included in the festivities, even furry friends, as dogs are considered guests of honour and welcomed free of charge. Rates: a standard room is available from £69 on a B&B basis.