16 • Festive Travel, Days & Nights Out


Christmas Inspiration - brought to you by APL Media • Wednesday 26 November 2025 Eat, drink and be merry


T ese fi ve festive experiences across the UK and Europe are guaranteed to melt the heart of even the frostiest Scrooge. Words: Kerry Ryan


Jack Frost is nipping at toes, the scent of mulled wine is in the air and Christmas is just around the corner, so now is the perfect time to start planning some seasonal fun.


HAMPTON COURT PALACE AND ICE RINK Kings and queens assemble for one of the most regal festive experiences in the land. With the majestic Hampton Court Palace serving as a backdrop, glide across the elegant ice rink by day or at night, when the palace and grounds are lit up. On select dates, visitors can witness traditional feasts being prepared in Henry VIII’s kitchens and listen to live Christmas music in the Great Hall and King’s Guard Chamber. Special seasonal talks explore the history of royal Christmases past, too, bringing the palace’s unique stories brilliantly to life.


CHRISTMAS MARKETS, COLOGNE Germany invented the Christmas market, and the city of Cologne has some of the best in the country — if not the world. Each winter, Cologne transforms into a glittering wonderland with up to 10 markets


scattered across diff erent parts of the city. The grandest, Weihnachtsmarkt am Kölner Dom, is set beneath the gothic spires of the 13th-century cathedral, where around 150 wooden stalls brim with yuletide treats, from spiced meats and sweets to mulled wine and handcrafted gifts. For a more serene experience, The Market of Angels at Neumarkt off ers twinkling fairy lights, trees all aglow and avenues of alpine chalets selling all kinds of crafts and local food.


EDINBURGH AT CHRISTMAS Its magical all year round, but come Christmas, Edinburgh’s winter festival dials everything up to full-on festive. Funfair rides, live outdoor shows and traditional markets teeming with crafts and good things to eat make this Scottish city one of the best places to visit in the UK during the winter season. In the evenings, the iconic castle is illuminated with light installations that bring the spirit of Christmas to life. With the warmth of wood- panelled pubs, whisky-tastings and exuberant Hogmanay celebrations, this really is the ideal spot to drink in the holiday cheer.


ROVANIEMI, LAPLAND, NORTHERN FINLAND Lapland may be the offi cial home of Santa, but it’s also the perfect spot for a grown-up festive escape. Try dog-sledding, snowmobiling or even snow-shoeing through fairy-tale forests and alongside frozen lakes. Expect thick snow, free-roaming reindeer and, if conditions are right, the Northern Lights dancing overhead. Why not spend the night in the local ice hotel, complete with snow sauna, ice bar and even an ice chapel? If that’s too chilly a prospect, there are plenty of cosy lodges with roaring fi res nearby.


CHRISTMAS AT WADDESDON MANOR, BUCKINGHAMSHIRE Every year, Waddesdon Manor puts on a feast of dazzling decorations and new for this is the immersive light and sound trail with installations and specially themed shows. The popular Christmas Fair and Food Village returns with artisan gifts and plenty of mulled wine. Indoors, enjoy a festive-themed tour of the manor’s beautiful rooms, showcasing Waddesdon’s world-class collections Europe.


WADDESDON MANOR/ALAMY


ICE RINK AT HAMPTON COURT PALACE/ALAMY


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