F O R C O U P L E S
Prague
Where?
The classic European city
destination for a romantic break.
Why?
Prague is light on crowds but big
on a fairy-tale feel over Christmas, when
the Old Town is often snow covered and
festive decorations shine out. Attrac-
tions stay open too, meaning you can
make the most of time off work.
What?
Hunker down in a cosy café
or bar after strolling round Prague
Castle or the Old Town
.
For the
perfect bolthole, aim for Hotel U
Raka (
romantikhotel-uraka.cz
),
an
18
th-century gem below the ramparts.
How?
Fly from Amsterdam, Bristol
,
London, Milan, Paris and Lyon.
F O R F R I E N D S
Salzburg
Where?
For skiing by day and living it
up by night with your chums in a proper
ski resort, try Kaprun for size.
Why?
If the snow’s a bit shy at
lower altitudes, there’s glacier skiing
at Kitzsteinhorn. And, as well as local
slopes, there are serious ski challenges
at Zell am See, a short bus ride away.
What?
If winter sports and excellent
après aren’t festive enough reasons for
you, Salzburg is close by, with
Sound of
Music
associations to delight even the
most reluctant yodelleh-hee-hoo-er.
Get there
Fly from Bristol, Liverpool
and London; Kaprun is an 80-minute
transfer from the airport.
F O R F A M I L I E S
Luxor
Where?
The Nile-side delights around
Luxor, Egypt – well and truly back on
the travel map and open for business.
Why?
Mummies, temples and pools for
the kids; and happy parents combin-
ing a sunshine break with some brain
food in a beautiful, good-value location.
Many of Luxor’s resorts and city hotels
offer family rooms and outdoor pools.
What?
Young minds will love the
Avenue of the Sphinxes and Colossi
of Memnon, while everyone will get a
kick out of a haggle on Sharia al-Karnak.
Sundowner drinks overlooking the Nile
are a novel way to toast Christmas.
How?
Fly from London
.
Where are the best
Christmas breaks?
Now’s the time to book your getaway for the festive break.
Lonelyplanet.com editor,
Tom Hall
,
gives his three top picks
PHOTO © ZELL AM SEE-KAPRUN TOURISMUS
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