Category: Travel

Escape and Explore: Unveiling the Hidden Gems of UK Christmas City Breaks

The UK shines even brighter during the festive season as cities transform into Christmas wonderlands full of holiday magic. When planning a Yuletide getaway, look beyond the well-known winter markets, light displays and ice skating rinks. Here are some of the best hidden gems waiting to be discovered on a UK city break this Christmas.

In London, eschew crowded Oxford Street in favor of the lesser known Christmas lights display along Regent Street. This elegant thoroughfare dazzles with over 400 glittering snowflakes and neon stars dangling above. The Admiralty Arch also gleams with festive light projections. Finish up with a ride on the historic carousel for classic holiday fun away from central London’s usual bustle.

For an intimate Christmas concert, catch a show at Wigmore Hall in London’s West End. The spectacular Renaissance-style venue hosts vocal groups performing Handel’s Messiah along with Bach, Vivaldi, and other baroque holiday compositions. With its outstanding acoustics and cozy atmosphere, Wigmore Hall makes experiencing the magic of music affordable and accessible.

Venture outside Edinburgh’s city center to the Royal Botanic Garden for a magical outdoor light exhibition. The family-friendly Luminate Garden transforms this green space with interactive lighting installations along a mile-long trail. Gaze at colorful fountains, stroll under canopy light tunnels, and warm up by the fire pits as you soak in the festive glow. This after-dark light adventure makes an atmospheric holiday outing.

Get in touch with medieval Christmas traditions at York’s Barley Hall. This 700-year-old restored townhouse brings history to life with decorations, carols, and customs from the era. Sample wassail punch, join in dances, and learn festive recipes from volunteer cooks and craftspeople dressed in period attire. The Barley Hall experience vividly recreates a medieval Christmas in one of York’s most historic buildings.

In Cardiff, explore the Victorian holiday splendor of Castle Coch. This fairy-tale castle dazzles with extravagant decorations straight from the 1890s. Ladies in bustled gowns welcome visitors to join in Christmastide traditions. You’ll find mistletoe kissing boughs, fresh oranges studded with cloves, and lavish feasts waiting in the castle’s opulent rooms. Feel like you’ve stepped back in time at Castle Coch.

Up in Manchester, go ice skating at one of England’s largest outdoor rinks located in Cathedral Gardens. Skate with a view of Manchester Cathedral’s imposing Gothic spires in the background. Surrounding market stalls sell festive street food, warm beverages, and gifts for enjoying after a spin on the ice. This scenic downtown rink lets you glide into the Christmas spirit.

In Belfast, C.S. Lewis Square comes alive with the sights and sounds of the season during Belfast Christmas Cathedral Quarter. Carolers, musicians, and dancers entertain in this public square dedicated to the Belfast-born author. The enticing aroma of roasted chestnuts and mulled wine fills the air as you peruse the artisan craft market. This jovial gathering spot evokes the nostalgic spirit of Christmas.

Across cities like London, Edinburgh, Cardiff and more, hidden gems await beyond the well-trodden holiday attractions. From illuminated gardens and medieval traditions to open-air skating rinks and intimate concerts, tuck these local finds into your UK Christmas city break itinerary. Exploring the road less travelled rewards you with unique festive magic.

Grabbing a bargain flight

If you are keen to get away for a few days but money is tight, you do not necessarily have to give up on the idea of going to a different country. Although going broad can cost a lot and often substantially more than vacationing in the UK, that’s not to say you can’t grab a bargain holiday if you are savvy and willing to spend a bit of time shopping around. Many of the budget airlines such as Ryan Air and Easy Jet will often put on flights to other major cities for less than it would cost for a full tank of fuel. You can sometimes find flights from London to Paris for around £30 a person. You will of course have to factor in cost for your accommodation, but when the flight is costing so little, you may be able to splash out a bit more on a hotel or if you really want to do it as cheap as possible, why not look to stay at a hostel. It may be that you have friends in another country where you could go and stay with them for a few days which would probably cost you nothing.

To grab a bargain you need to be looking often for flights and be willing to book them quickly when you see them. Be sure to have your passport ready before you book to avoid disappointment.

Is business travel a thing of the past?

Before Covid, lots of businesses had employees or directors that had to travel all over the world for various reasons. It may be that they needed to go and meet a new supplier in China or that they were trying to establish more business in another country, whatever the reason, travel abroad for business purposes was not unusual. During the height of the pandemic, many companies had to suspend virtually all travel and had to find new ways to continue working. This often meant that video conferencing platforms such as Skype, Zoom and Teams were used a lot more.

Although travel rules are now beginning to relax, will business travel every be the same again. Many companies have realised that they can save a lot of money by doing business over video calls and it may be that part of this continues. Of course, for some businesses or certain meetings, face to face will still be beneficial but it is likely to be reduced compared to what it previously was.

It may be that companies resume travel again but actually enforce stricter procedures themselves. These may be temporary, or they could be here to stay.

How safe is travel by plane?

If you are a nervous flier, you will constantly be thinking about your safety when going on holiday on a plane. For some people the thought of going on a plane is too much so instead they decide that they are never going to go on holiday abroad. This can be a real shame as they often miss out on enjoyable holidays and time with family or friends because they won’t catch a flight. But how safe is it on a plane?

A commercial airline is actually really safe. Since the tragedy of 9/11 airlines all over the world have increased their security drastically. IT is very hard to get anything on to a plane that can cause damage or injury to others. The most risk when flying is that something goes wrong with the plane itself. This again is extremely rare and planes are designed to be able to continue even after suffering damage or failure. Planes are tested very vigorously and they are safety checked before every flight. The pilots that fly these commercial airlines have a lot of experience and have trained for many years in order to prepare them to delay with a number of different

Would you consider going on a coach trip?

If you drive, you may not think too much about coach trips but they can actually still be really enjoyable and work out better value that having to drive. They can also be a lot less hassle and allow you to enjoy your day more.

Coach trips are often put n by private companies. Usually, during the summer months lots of coach companies will put on trips to the seaside. This can be great if you don’t drive so usually struggle to get away but also even if you do drive you may like to try one. If you don’t have to drive you don’t have to worry abut trying to find parking. You also don’t have to pay for the parking which can easily add another ten pounds or so on to your day. Coaches can usually drop you off and pick you up right alongside the beach meaning you don’t have to travel fair with all your belongings.

Private coach companies also often do trips to the theatre which can mean you can get a huge saving. You can also enjoy a drink or two knowing that you do not have to drive back. Why nt have a look at what is on offer near you and give one a try?

The rules for travelling to and from the UK are set to change again

On the 4th October at 4am travel rules will again change for people leaving and entering the UK. There will no longer be red, amber and green list – just one red list with travel form the other countries all having the same rules. IF when you travel after the 4th October you are fully vaccinated by an approved vaccine and 14 days have passed since you had the second dose, then you will now follow the new guidelines. These rules also apply to those under the age of 18 and resident in the UK or one of the listed countries or territories with approved vaccination programmes or if you are taking part in a UK or USA vaccine trial. You will have to book and pay for a day 2 COVID-19 test which needs to be taken after arrival in England. You will also have to complete your passenger locator form – any time in the 48 hours before you arrive in England – so the address you’re staying at is known and take a COVID-19 test on or before day 2 after you arrive in England. If you are fully vaccinated you will no longer be required to take a pre departure test an 8 days test or quarantine at home for 10 days after your arrival to the UK. The rules if travelling from a red country are a lot stricter, so you need to keep that in mind before booking your trip.

Businesses may be able to start to resume trips abroad very soon

With the rules changing for the double vaccinated in the UK, it is likely that businesses that have put foreign travel on hold for a while may soon be able to start again. Although some business trips to certain locations have been allowed, the rules regarding isolation and costs etc has meant that for many businesses it simply wasn’t feasible. As the UK starts to lift some of the lockdown restrictions and the rules regarding isolation if you have received both does of the vaccine is changing, it is likely that the travel industry will slowly start to open up again. Because there is going to be a high demand for flights and accommodation you may expect to see an increase in prices. As many businesses meetings have had to take place over Zoom or other video conferencing software, it could be that some businesses no longer feel the need to travel abroad as much as they used to and are happy with their new way of working.

If you are asked to travel for your business, then be sure that you check up on what is needed to travel and also upon your return. If you do have to isolate you should not be made to take this as holiday, it should instead be classed as working time.

How to make the most out of your business trip

If you have to travel for work, you may be used to living in and out of a suitcase, but that doesn’t mean there aren’t ways in which you can make the experience more enjoyable and easier. Firstly, make sure that when booking a hotel that you stay close to the venue or places you need to visit. This will allow you to cut down on travel time when you are there and give you more free time to see the sights or simply have a lie in. Ensure you do your research too. If it is a place you haven’t been to before, make sure you know where it is and how to get there.

Try and be organised and have your outfits prepared. If they need ironing or steam cleaning you may be able to request this at the hotel to save you time on finding a place to do it for you.

Try and travel light, after a few trips you will probably start to figure out what you do and do not use. Try to avoid taking unnecessary items as this will just be more for you to carry.

Ask the hotel for a wake-up call and even to prebook you a taxi if you need one to go to a meeting.

Is it still ok to take business trips abroad?

At present the government has banned all but essential travel. Essential travel can be a little bit flexible as what one person may class as essential, another may not. If for example you are needed to travel for urgent medical care then this would be essential however if it was for cosmetic surgery which does not need to be done straight away then this may be seen as non essential.

When it comes to business trips, at the moment most are being classed as non essential. If the meeting can be done over a Zoom call or postponed until a later date then this should be done. Anyone who go’s abroad and is found to have gone for a non essential reason can be fined up to five thousand pounds. They will also have to stay in an isolation holiday which cost another £1200-£1500 pounds on top of the fine. For many, it is simply not worth the risk. Most businesses are finding that they can adapt very quickly and that they don’t always need to have face to face meetings with all their clients to enable them to do their job correctly, sometimes a video call will suffice.

Isolation hotels to come in to force over the next few weeks.

Although this has been discussed for a little while and many of us have known it was coming, isolation hotels will be launched very soon. Due to the spread of Covid and the government wanting to try and ensure no other variants are being bought in to the country, they have decided to make everyone arriving in the UK from a number of countries isolate in a specialist hotel. Anyone arriving from these red listed countries will need to isolate in a designated hotel for ten days and not only that but will have to pay in the region of £1750 per adult for the duration. There are currently 16 hotels on board and more may be set up if needed. This is a huge amount of money and will add an additional £3500 to the cost of a holiday for two adults. Most people simply will not be able to afford this and therefore will choose not to travel.

There are massive fines for those that do not follow the rules of isolating in these hotels and even the possibility of a jail sentence of up to 10 years. There are over thirty countries in the list at the moment, but this can change as and when needed so it is likely more will be added.