British Isles
Festivals in the coming weeks focus on food and drink, so make the most of them by combining a visit with a short break. The Edenmill Farm event, near Blanefield, in the Trossachs, features whiskies from the Glengoyne distillery, Loch Fyne oysters and West beer, with tastings and cookery demonstrations with top chefs. The Kirkhouse Inn, near by, has rooms for two with breakfast from £49 a night. 01360 771771
A skating rink beside the harbour, carols, tastings and a Christmas market are all part of the festival in Padstow, Cornwall, from December 4 to 6. Across the Camel Estuary, near Polzeath, is Mesmear, where a trio of luxury barn conversions cost from £130 a night for a property sleeping four to £280 for The Mill, which sleeps up to ten. 01208 869731
If you are exhausted by the thought of Christmas shopping, you will be relieved to know that Premier Inn has rooms for a family of four from £58 for two nights at properties within two miles of the Trafford Centre, Manchester, the Birmingham Bullring and Westfield London, Shepherds Bush. Book online at premierinn.com I
nstead of thinking about Christmas, enjoy the last of the autumn in regions such as the New Forest, where the golden leaves are still on the trees. The imposing Balmer Lawn Hotel in Brockenhurst has rooms for two with breakfast from £75 a night, Sundays to Thursdays. 01590 623116
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Celtic Haven, at Lydstep near Tenby on the Pembrokeshire coast path, has autumn offers in cottages at the resort for £149 a person for four-night midweek breaks or three nights at weekends. The deal includes dinner on the first night, a 30-minute spa treatment and use of golf, tennis and all leisure facilities. 01834 870000
A beautifully converted barn for four on a working farm and a luxury flat for six are among properties in South Devon, available at a discount this month with Coast & Country Cottages. Jack’s Place, at Harberton, has an inglenook fireplace, beamed ceilings and views to Dartmoor, while the Thurlestone Beach apartment has sea views and is close to the pretty village and its pubs. Prices are now from £345 a week. 01548 843773
Short haul
If you are thinking of shopping, where better than Milan — for fashion, cosmetics and crafts. Ebookers.com has a three-night break for £198, with a flight from London City airport on November 19 and B&B in the four-star Concorde Hotel Gerenzano. Closer to the festive season, three nights from December 11 in the Naviglio Grande costs from £177, with a flight from Manchester.
0871 2235000
Tallinn, the capital of Estonia, has much of interest to visitors: a historic old town, cobbled streets, cosy bars and intriguing museums, as well as a Christmas market next month — and can be enjoyed from £208 on a trip with Directline Citybreaks. Fly from Stansted on December 4 for three nights’ B&B in the recently renovated three-star Uniquestay Mihkli Hotel close to the old town. 020-8239 3399
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Combine visits to famous markets in the cities beside the Rhine, including Koblenz and Cologne, with cruising past fairytale castles, half-timbered villages and terraced vineyards. VFB Holidays has four-day guided trips starting on November 27 and 30 from £499, with a flight from Heathrow, three days’ cruising and most meals. 01452 716838
Instead of brandy and champagne, drink in Madeira this festive season with an early December visit to this balmy Atlantic isle. Holiday Jewels has a week’s B&B from December 8 in the Pestana Village Aparthotel, with a gym and spa bath for £308, with a flight from Stansted. 01293 533338
The Best of Morocco offers the choice of discounted deals to a new hotel among the palm groves outside Marrakesh or a boutique hotel in the Atlas Mountains. The launch offer at ClubHotel Riu Tikida Palmeraie is for an all-inclusive four-night stay for £555 between November 21 and December 18, flying from Gatwick. Four nights’ B&B at Kasbah Tamadot with a spa and infinity pools is from £790 with flights. 0845 0264585
Unusual ways of exploring Egypt by land, sea and air are currently on offer with savings. Seafarer Cruises has cut the cost of a week’s trip from November 27 on board the 25-cabin yacht, Harmony V, to £899 with flights from Gatwick or Manchester; port charges excluded. The cruise offers the chance to visit Luxor,the Valley of the Kings, Sharm el-Sheikh, Aqaba and Hurghada. A week’s tour taking in Sharm, Dahab and Cairo costs from £898 with Mosaic Holidays. 020-8324 3117/020-8574 4000
Long haul
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The season is under way in Goa but here is a low-season price for a week’s holiday from November 26: £319. It comes from Travel Deals Direct and includes a flight from Gatwick and B&B in the Riverside Regency Hotel in Baga. 0808 2024908
A week in Orlando for £399 is another bargain break, this one with Jetsave. It starts with a flight from Gatwick on November 24 for a room in Monumental MovieLand, a three-star hotel on International Drive with a restaurant, pool and games room.
0871 6640294
Ten nights in Thailand are on offer from £699 with Thomson Tailormade. Fly from Heathrow on December 7 for B&B in the Centara Karon Resort, Phuket, which boasts three pools, tennis courts, children’s club and spa. 0871 6640273
Prices are per person based on two sharing a room unless stated otherwise.