Fancy getting away from it all this winter? Looking for something a little bit special to ease you into 2015?
Whether you want to remain in the UK or step further afield, we’ve put together a list of some of the greatest getaways this winter.
ITALY
Located in the popular tourist region of Val d’Aosta, La Thuile retains an authentic mountain village feel, with beautiful views of the Alps.
Nira Montana is a brand new five star hotel from the luxury hotel group Nira Hotels and Resorts, situated at the foot of Mont Blanc and just steps from the ski slopes and hiking trails of the Italian Alps.
Nira Montana features an authentic Italian restaurant, a bar with an extensive wine cellar, as well as an al fresco area Рperfect for an apr̬s-ski or post-hike drink.
The hotel has an extensive wellness facility, including an indoor pool, a large spa with sauna and steam rooms, four treatment rooms plus a private spa with double treatment room, and a Technogym fitness centre.
Prices starts from Euro 275 per night in a deluxe room, including breakfast, dinner (four courses at Stars restaurant, drinks not included) and is valid for two people.
OMAN
The perfect destination for winter sun, The Chedi Muscat’s six restaurants reopened in October with a huge array of flavours from Oman to Japan. With relaxing shisha bars, poolside cabanas and restaurants on the private beach, The Chedi Muscat is food heaven.
As a winter sun getaway, The Chedi Muscat offers golfers the opportunity to continue playing throughout the winter in the Omani sunshine, when temperatures are at their most pleasant.
Located within fifteen minutes of The Chedi Muscat, stretching 2km along the magnificent Omani coastline, players can enjoy spectacular ocean views and white sands.
Pioneered by Greg Norman, winner of two Open Championships, this 18 hole, par 72 championship course at Almouj Golf has been created in such a way that it can be played by all levels of golfers.
MOROCCO
A short flight from the UK, Mazagan Beach Resort is the ideal winter sun getaway. Located on the northern coast of Morocco this extensive resort encompasses 250 hectares of Atlantic coast boasting over 500 spacious rooms and suites.
The resort includes an 18 hole golf course designed by Gary Player, fully equipped spa, night club, casino, and complementary kids club and provides a range of activities from horse riding, beach volleyball, surfing and swimming.
The hotel also offers a spa with 19 treatment rooms and hammam, as well as a casino and nightclub for night owls.
Eight restaurants can be found at Mazagan allowing a variety of dining styles, raging from traditional Middle Eastern cuisine to barbecues – a culinary experience for all to enjoy.
NORTHERN LIGHTS
Hunt the Northern Lights in a new heated Aurora Sleigh. Complete with heating, comfy seats and transparent walls and roof, the brand new Aurora Sleighs transports guests through the Arctic wilderness to admire the night sky in style (and warmth).
Embark on an Aurora Sleigh Safari and travel in one of these Northern Lights-viewing cocoons, pulled by a snowmobile, 250km north of the Arctic Circle. At an Aurora Camp on Lake Inari, enjoy a hot berry juice or a romantic dinner à deux.
The Aurora in the Wild trip to Nellim costs from £1,981 pp (two sharing) including flights (London), transfers, six nights’ full-board, activities (including cross-country skiing, Aurora workshop, Northern Lights snowshoe, wilderness snowmobile safari, day with a reindeer herder, husky safari and minibus hunt for the Northern Lights), the new Aurora Sleigh Ride and dinner, guides and instructors, and cold-weather clothing.
Departures available from December to March.
SEVILLE
The perfect winter city break, Seville offers an enviably mild climate throughout the colder months. It is a wonderful city in which to enjoy an alfresco tapas lunch while planning your sightseeing for the afternoon.
The 15th Century Cathedral of Seville is one of the largest in the world, and its imposing 12th Century tower, ‘La Giralda’, provides a focal point at the heart of the city.
Originally founded as a Roman city, Seville has since been ruled by Moorish empires and Christian kings, each of whom has added to the unique blend of architectural styles which make it a fascinating destination to discover on foot.
The city is also renowned for its nightlife and is home to some of Spain’s best tapas bars, flamboyant flamenco dancers and is a wonderful place to sample sherries from the nearby bodegas of Jerez.
Package: Until March, stay four nights for price of three from £449 per person (two sharing) including flights (London), return private transfers, accommodation with breakfast, Kirker Guide Notes to restaurants, museums and sightseeing, and the services of the Kirker Concierge to book opera tickets, expert local guides or a table for dinner. Visit www.kirkerholidays.com.
SWITZERLAND
Nira Alpina is located in the Swiss ski resort of Surlej, just 10 minutes from St Moritz. With direct access to some of the best slopes in the area, the ski-in ski-out hotel offers guests genuine, heartfelt service served up in a cool and quirky style.
This winter the hotel is offering a series of new winter packages including the 150th Anniversary Nostalgic Package.
150 years ago four Brits became the first winter tourists in the Alps, after the Engadin hotelier Johannes Badrutt placed a bet that, even in winter, they could enjoy mild Engadin sunshine in their shirtsleeves.
The guests who were used to enjoying Switzerland only in the summer came back that winter – it was 1864 – and stayed until after Easter. That is how winter tourism was successfully born.
Nira Alpina offers a two-night ‘Nostalgic’ package. Guests can honour the traditions of St. Moritz, in fireside discussions with families who have lived in the valley for three generations, ski races, bob sleigh rides and get involved in the exciting St Moritz event calendar launched for 150 years of winter tourism.
Those wishing to stay longer Nira Alpina would only be charged an extra CHF 7 (£4) per room per night – the average room rate visitors to the Engadin valley would pay back in 1864.
SCOTLAND
Set in the Western Scottish Highlands at the end of a spectacular sea loch, The Torridon – complete with Rapunzel-like towers – is an 18-bedroom luxury hotel set in 58 acres of grounds, complete with grazing Highland cattle.
The hotel offers an action-packed programme of complimentary activities, which encourage guests to explore the stunning surroundings, including archery, rock-climbing, loch-kayaking, mountain biking and guided walks. Sightings of red deer, golden eagles, otters, seals and a myriad of other local wildlife are a frequent bonus.
The Torridon is known for its well-stocked whisky bar featuring more than 350 malts and the restaurant, headed up by chef David Barnett – who combines fresh Scottish ingredients with French flair – boasts three AA rosettes.
All of the 18 en-suite guest bedrooms have wonderful views and many boast freestanding claw-foot baths.
There is also a private boathouse on the loch shore that accommodates up to four guests.
WEST COUNTRY
Christmas and New Year is the perfect time to visit the West Country. Classic Cottages, the UK’s leading independent cottage holiday specialist in the South West, offers a fantastic selection of cosy cottages for Christmas and New Year.
Enjoy the wind in your hair, watch the waves crash along the coast, curl up with a good book next to the fire and look forward to a glass of mulled wine in the local pub.
CARIBBEAN
Opening 1 December, the brand-new Capella Marigot Bay joins St Lucia’s top tier of luxury hotels and is located on the west coast of the island on a hillside overlooking Capella Marina.
The extraordinary natural harbour was famously described by Pulitzer prize-winning novelist James Michener as ‘the most beautiful bay in the Caribbean’.
Sensitively carved into a hillside, the five-star resort’s luxuriously furnished rooms and suites (many of which have an outdoor Jacuzzi) are striking with deluxe modern facilities and pretty views to the yachts and super yachts below.
The colonial-style Boudreau Restaurant provides an elegant setting for fine French Caribbean cuisine and the Hurricane Hole Restaurant and Bar overlooks the bay.
NEW YORK:
No other city offers the dizzying array of shopping opportunities that the Big Apple. Over the festival period the buzz in the city steps up a notch and the atmosphere is electric with over-sized trees, outdoor ice-skating, festive windows and, of course, shopping galore.
Visit World famous department stores for designer-label shopping such as Bloomingdales, Sak’s 5th Avenue and Macy’s. Don’t forget to browse the iconic department-store window displays while on your shopping spree – the themed extravaganzas feature video, light installations and pretty snow scenes.
The Grand Central Holiday Fair inside Grand Central Terminal is a convenient and elegant choice, with everything from contemporary jewellery and art to African crafts and Christmas ornaments.
Perhaps most exciting of all are the pop-up Christmas shops which are an iconic fixture of the holiday season.
The shops appear in empty storefronts or on street corners and both independent crafters and major chain stores participate in the trend.
Call Apple Core Hotels (0808 178 6363, www.applecorehotels.com).
