With Christmas now just a couple of weeks away, many of us will be thinking about how we plan to spend the holidays. For some, this will mean returning home to spend time pulling crackers with family, friends and loved ones. For others, especially those who find the commercial side of Christmas a little overbearing, it might mean getting away from it altogether.
Luckily, whether you’re a fan of the festive season or not, Europe has some fantastic last-minute winter retreats, catering for a variety of tastes. And what’s better - most are only a car journey away, so no need to shell out on expensive flights.
For example, take the famed Christmas markets, which are now a familiar sight not only in Germany, but right across Europe. Nuremberg, Dresden and Düsseldorf have some of the largest, but there are many, many other options. Take Colmar in north-eastern France, with its festive cobblestone streets packed with stalls, shops and stands, for example. Belgium, The Netherlands and Italy also boast their fair share of Christmas markets, usually with a few local twists.
Of course, if you’ve already completed your Christmas shopping (and well done on being so organised), there’s plenty of festive fun to be had away from the shops and markets of Europe.
Perhaps your family has outgrown the dinner table and you’re looking for a holiday house to act as your Christmas base? Or maybe you’re looking to take some of the hassle out of the season, by checking yourself into a boutique hotel or cute AirBnB? Whatever your budget or requirements, there are still plenty of last-minute options available, even at this time of year. This is particularly true if you have access to a set of wheels and can reach those remote Christmas getaways.
But speaking of remote getaways, what about those who would rather escape the festive adverts, packed shops and carols on repeat? Luckily, just like the Christmas lovers, there are plenty of options on offer.
For example, rather than spending the season on the sofa, piling on the pounds, an increasing number of us are choosing to use the Christmas break to concentrate on our physical fitness or wellness. Yoga retreats are popular throughout the world and southern Europe in particular offers a wide range of options, from Portugal to Croatia and the Balearic Islands.
If flexibility isn’t your strong suit, and your downward dog yoga move is more of a dog’s dinner, how about a relaxing spa weekend instead? Find the holidays just a little too much? Then how about treating yourself to an indulgent break away from the stresses and strains of the season. Get your nails done, enjoy a facial and start the New Year looking and feeling refreshed. Or how about switching off completely and spending a few days at an eco retreat, away from phones, TV and gadgets. Just remember to take something interesting to read when you pack the car.
So whether your ideal holiday is sipping champagne in a spa robe, or pulling crackers in a Christmas jumper, we hope this blog post will help to inspire you, either for this year or next.
And of course, if you are spending time behind the wheel this Christmas, we’ve got ten top safety tips for you to consider.
From all of us at Hertz, whatever you’re up to this Christmas, we hope you have a great one!
