WIN 2-4 22/9/09 10:36 Page 41
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IN THE EUROZONE
Foodsellers, storytellers and snake charmers: Djemmaa-el-Fna, Marrakech
Lille is perfect for a handy shopping blitz by Eurostar.
The huge Euralille complex is next door to the Eurostar
hotel with three pools. A First Choice four- visit in the run-up to Christmas, you can tie
terminal and there’s more fashion, jewellery and home-
night all-inclusive deal costs from £315 per in culture and pre-Christmas shopping in
ware to be found in the winding streets of the Old Town.
Lille’s Christmas Market (November 18-December 30)
person departing Manchester in November. one long weekend.
is one of the best in France and good for cheese, wine and
■ firstchoice.co.uk How much: HotelConnect features Edinburgh
meats as well as handicrafts, toys and decorations.
at Christmas for the first time, with B&B Rail travel is a good way of combining two or more of
KRAKOW. prices from £41. Superbreak offers a two-
Europe’s best traditional festive markets. Treyn Holidays,
When: December 1-23 night deal at the Barcelo Oxford Hotel
for example, combines the Belgian cities of Brussels,
Bruges and Ghent in a four-day tour.
Why: This medieval city holds a lively festive during October and November from £84.50,
In Brussels, the big market around the Grand Place
market in the old Town Hall Square where while Bicester Village offers support and
(November 27-January 3) is ideal for buying chocolates,
you can search for Christmas decorations commission to agents via its trade website. cakes and handmade lace – and testing the ice rink.
and inexpensive gifts while listening to the
For clients who would rather fly, Dertour suggests
■ chicoutletshopping.com/travel-industry
carols or sipping local fruity Polish vodka.
Stuttgart, which offers great shopping: a two-night
EAST COAST US.
break is only £30 dearer than Cologne by rail. Stuttgart’s
At the Cloth Hall you’ll find Bohemian glass,
imposing Schlossplatz is the backdrop to a Christmas
amber iconography and furry slippers. When: Anytime
market (November 25-December 23) comprising 280
How much: Interhome offers a central two- Why: Just because the pound doesn’t buy wooden stalls offering gifts from foodie items to hand-
room apartment for four people from £475 two dollars anymore doesn’t mean the US is
carved decorations. From Stuttgart it is a 10-minute train
for seven nights in November (flights extra). not great value. Pricing is generally lower
ride to Ludwigsburg, whose magical market (November
24-December 22) is set in the Baroque square with stalls
■ inghamsvillas.co.uk than in the UK; you can get the very latest
recreating the tales of the Brothers Grimm.
designs in New York; and tax breaks in
THE UK. Philadelphia make it a viable alternative or Lille: Cresta offers two nights’ B&B at the Grand
When: Anytime part of a shopaholic’s twin-centre itinerary.
Hotel Bellevue, with Eurostar travel, from £189
Why: There are plenty of Christmas markets Elsewhere, the likes of Boston, Washington
■ bctagent.co.uk
close to home, including in Edinburgh, and even Miami offer great shopping with a
Brussels, Bruges and Ghent: Treyn’s four-day mid-
where a traditional German-style market is relatively short flight time.
December tours cost £295, with B&B at a two-star
complemented by a new Highland Village How much: Virgin Holidays offers three hotel in Ghent, all rail travel and tour manager
outlet selling Scottish produce between nights in New York and Philadelphia from
■ treynholidays.co.uk
November 27 and January 4. £595 for travel between October 1-29. The
Stuttgart: Dertour charges from £229 for two nights’
For bargain hunters, suggest visiting outlet price includes flights with Virgin Atlantic
B&B at a three-star hotel and Stansted flights
villages such as Bicester Village, just outside and basic car hire.
■ dertour.co.uk
Oxford. With the city itself a great place to ■ vhols4agents.co.uk
Roundup: More Christmas treats
Agents’ special £499 for five nights. The cruise O little town of Vegas... and has already launched its 2010
The TTG Travel Club is offering departs Newcastle on December 12 Escorted tours specialist Titan progamme.
agents a special price for their own onboard the line’s cruise ferry, with HiTours has a brochure dedicated to ■ shearings.com
travel on Fred Olsen’s seven-night two nights on the ferry and three on Christmas and New year tours. The
Christmas Markets cruise, depart- a river cruise ship. brochure has more than 100 pages Classic gold
ing Dover on December 12, taking ■ dfds.co.uk/agent of ideas, from a Las Vegas Christ- Stoke Park in Buckinghamshire
in Copenhagen, Hamburg and mas to New Year’s Eve in Auckland. – made famous by the James Bond
Amsterdam, with prices from £249. Mistral and mistletoe ■ titanhitours.co.uk film Goldfinger – has a Christmas
■ ttgtravelclub.co.uk Mistral Holidays has unveiled a party where guests can get items
brochure dedicated to festive Sell the Moselle such as iPods and mobile phones
Ferry Christmas holidays to Spain, with flights from Shearings Holidays is offering a plated in 24-carat gold. Priced at
DFDS Seaways is offering a Brussels 20 regional airports. range of Christmas markets river £55 including a three-course dinner.
and Antwerp River Cruise from ■ mistralholidays.co.uk cruises on the Rhine and Moselle, ■ stokeparkclub.com
25.09.2009 41
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