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Go hiking in La Gomera
Verdant and rugged, La Gomera offers days of winter sunshine (but without the blistering heat that makes hiking a chore). The second smallest of Spain’s Canary Island chain, this gorgeous volcanic island has a network of hiking paths through its crenellated landscapes. They’re not for the faint-hearted, but you get rewards in pretty colour-daubed towns, like Vallehermoso in the north, or the larger Valle Gran Rey in the southwest. Make time to toast your escape while enjoying one of the dreamiest views in the Canaries from the Mirador de Abrante.
A seven-night B&B Christmas break at the Hotel Jardin Tecina from £1,289pp; sovereign.com
Christmas in Camogli
Two years ago we enjoyed a festive break in Camogli – a pretty Ligurian town with all the visual appeal of Portofino, but minus the bling. Christmas is no big deal for Italians (they save that for Capodanno/New Year’s Day), but still there’s a holiday vibe among Camogli’s narrow painted houses and cliff-perched castle, generation-run focaccia shops and cosy bars. Even better, and perfect for insomniacs, is the constant tympanic crash of waves on rocks. During our stay, temperatures hit 20C. We ate fried anchovies and seafood pasta in the sunshine at Ostaia da ò Sigù, and toasted to our having escaped the overload of tinsel and turkey back home.
Stella Marina, from £70 per night; bed-and-breakfast.it
A unique stay in Yorkshire
Photograph: Jill Tate
It’s hard to believe this dinky Grecian-temple lookalike once housed prized white porkers, but the Pigsty was an eccentric creation of Victorian landowner and travel aficionado Squire Barry of Fyling Hall. Now owned by the Landmark Trust, it’s the perfect quirky retreat for those wanting peace, quiet and stunning sea views over Robin Hood’s Bay, a small village in North Yorkshire. Beautifully furnished with antiques and wood-burning stoves, The Pigsty is also well placed for day trips to Whitby and its Abbey, and healthy yomps over the North Yorkshire Moors.
A week’s stay at the Pigsty from £1,197; landmarktrust.org.uk
Enjoy seclusion in Exmoor
Stock up on food and drink, gather like-minded friends, and get away from it all at an idyllically remote West Country lighthouse. Foreland Lighthouse Keeper’s Cottage, which sleeps 10 and is booked through the National Trust, has a dramatic cliff-edge setting on the Exmoor Heritage Coast. And with South West Coast Path hikes on the doorstep, and surfers’ favourite Woolacombe Beach nearby, you can divide your time between high-octane adventure and atmospheric sea-gazing.
Three-night break at Foreland Lighthouse from £791; nationaltrust.org.uk
Go slow in Gozo
The island of Gozo is like a mini Malta, but smaller and quieter in the best way. Stay at the four-star, family-run Grand Hotel above the harbour of Mgarr and use this as a base for exploring. Inntravel’s week-long break here includes tips and walking maps of Gozo, taking in Mgarr’s Napoleonic fort, the capital, Vittoria, with its historic traffic-free lanes, as well as the neolithic It-Tempji tal-Ggantija and the red-sand Ramla Bay – arguably the best beach on the island.
Seven nights B&B from £795pp, includes two dinners, two picnics, bus pass, and return ferry; inntravel.co.uk
Retreat to Lanzarote
Christmas is celebrated in Lanzarote, but the commercial buildup is refreshingly low-key. An ideal way to recharge over the festive period and into the new year is with a seven-day yoga and meditation retreat. Led by Ladan Soltani, and based in comfortable accommodation in the remote northern part of Lanzarote, days include yoga sessions followed by a healthy vegetarian brunch, then breathwork and guided meditation before dinner. In the afternoons, explore Lanzarote’s attractions, including the fire mountains in the Timanfaya National Park, the Cuevas de los Verdes, and the green lake in El Golfo.
A seven-day wellness retreat from £750pp, full board; bookretreats.com
Swap Christmas lights for the Northern Lights in Finland
With 2025 destined to be a vintage year for solar activity, your chances of catching a Christmas/New Year glimpse of the Northern Lights are pretty good. Head for Nellim in Finland’s far north and you’ll be high enough in the Arctic and at the right latitude for favourable sightings. A break with Best Served Scandinavia at the homely Wilderness hotel combines aurora spotting with exciting adventures, spanning a night-time ride across the drifts in a glass-roofed Aurora sledge, husky safaris or snowshoe trekking. And all the thermal winter gear you need is included.
Four-day Northern Lights at Nellim break from £2,725pp, full board, including activities; best-served.co.uk
Seek peace and quiet in Sicily
A Christmas stay at Collegio di Maria di Cefalù offers sea views, few tourists, a good chance of fine weather and easy access to Cefalù’s historic centre. This large, three-storey 15th-century monastery was originally established as a boarding house for disadvantaged girls, but today the sisters welcome guests searching for a few days’ respite from the busyness of life. You don’t need to have a faith – just a respect for the quiet rituals of the nuns who work here. Expect simple rooms with sea views, a dreamy roof terrace, and a range of nearby dining options.
Single rooms from £47 per night; monasterystays.com
Festive culture in Istanbul
Enjoy a crowd-free culture break in Istanbul. Find room to breathe in the colourful spice bazaar, the sparkling gold mosaics of the Hagia Sophia, and drink in the dazzling domes of the Blue Mosque. Balance these with a taste of contemporary Istanbul life: across the Golden Horn are Karaköy, Galata and Beyoglu, where locals come to eat, club, shop and gallery hop. If you like jazz, head for Nardis Jazz Club, below the landmark Galata tower – a buzzing venue for a cocktail and an alternative end-of year break with live music. Three-night stay at Pera Rose Hotel, B&B, including flights, from £296pp; travelsupermarket.com
Escape to Essaouira
December on the mild Moroccan coast enjoys an average high of 20C. And yes, this whitewashed town has gained tourist traction, but its relaxed feel remains in the ancient souk (don’t miss the colourful spice market), dinky riads and harbourside huts serving fish cooked straight from the sea. Go people-watching over croissants in Place Moulay Hassan, stroll the city walls, or sign up for camel rides along expansive sands. Dar Danse makes the perfect base, with comfortable rooms and home cooking just steps from the beach.
Dar Danse from £129 per night half-board; responsibletravel.com
