Photo by FearfulStills

1) Edinburgh

Heading up this Christmas-filled list is Edinburgh, one of the best cities in the world to celebrate Christmas in. Edinburgh is the king of Christmas celebrations, with six weeks of festivities for people to get stuck into. There’s everything from street performances, fairgrounds, Christmas markets, comedic acts and traditional Scottish pipers to entertain the crowds. Along with all of this, Edinburgh is also home to a number of fantastic attractions and amazing restaurants you can visit during your winter break.

2) London

Just shy of getting first place, London is still an incredible city to enjoy Christmas in. London is lit up with spectacular Christmas lights and other decorations during the Christmas season, making it a sight for sore eyes at night. There are also all kinds of entertaining activities you can enjoy throughout the city of London, such as going ice skating, visiting Hyde Park’s Christmas market, watching the carolling in Trafalgar Square and much more.

3) The Peak District

The Peak District’s beautiful rolling hills and quaint towns and villages are the ideal destination for your Christmas holiday if you’d like to enjoy a traditional break. Full of stunning sights, the Peak District would also be ideal for those that enjoy walking – you could even go for a Christmas Day walk to get back to nature a little bit!

4) Skegness

While it might seem a little strange to visit the seaside in the middle of winter, the one thing Skegness has that a lot of other seaside destinations don’t is a Butlins holiday park. Butlins is one of the best places to spend your Christmas, and it’s also family friendly which is a definite plus. You could book yourself into The Spa to enjoy some relaxing treatments while the kids enjoy some Christmas-themed activities, and afterwards you could go and watch the panto for some side-splitting laughs.

5) Yorkshire

Yorkshire is a fantastic place to spend the Christmas holidays – this county is packed with good cheer around this time of year and you’re bound to be given a traditional Yorkshire welcome when visiting. There are excellent Christmas markets, beautiful attractions and great shopping opportunities, which would be ideal for those after a chance to pick up some last minute bargains.

No matter where you choose to spend your Christmas this year, make sure you do your research before settling on your final option. You should find that the internet is a great resource when planning your holiday, so why not start your search now?

This guest blog was contributed by Steve Williams a freelance writer who regularly blogs on the subject of Christmas breaks and how to have the most fun over the festive season.

The post The Best Destinations For The Full Christmas Experience In The UK appeared first on Europe Explored.

Cruise from Seil Island / Tim Kelly (aka Aleister Kronos)

One of the most difficult decisions to make, however, is when it comes to where you visit if you’re looking for a quiet retreat in beautiful surroundings – and this isn’t because Scotland doesn’t have many of these areas, but because it has them everywhere!

From the northern coastline right down to the English border, if you’re looking for somewhere to completely unwind and relax, Scotland is without doubt your place.  But where exactly?

Well, you can’t go far wrong with the Argyll coast.

Where is the Argyll Coast?

Covering the south western part of the country, the Argyll coast, unlike other parts of Scotland, is known almost solely for its sheer natural beauty above all else and although the islands in the area are well-connected by road and ferry crossings to the county’s bigger cities, they’re worlds apart when you’re actually there.

Iona west coast / Phillip Capper

Plus, with just 90,000 people scattered throughout the whole region (that’s approximately a quarter of the population of Edinburgh, but in an area of land that’s 30 times bigger), it very often seems as though there are only a few dozen people near you – at most – wherever you are.

What to See on the Coast

So what should you expect from the Argyll coast area of Scotland?

With 26 inhabited islands, lots of dramatic coast lines is one of the most notable expectations!  From awe-inspiring cliffs to wonderful, gentle beaches, paddling in some of the areas many crystal clear bodies of water will take you away to a completely different part of the world.

And with quaint towns and villages offering the ability to sit back and soak in the relaxed pace of life wherever in the area you’re visiting, the simplicity of life just oozes out and it’s impossible to not be absorbed by it.

Easdale Island / nz_willowherb

If you fancy something a little more physical, however, try ambling along one of the many well-laid out paths in the area.  Some away from the beaten track for the more adventurous, but just as many available for everyone to enjoy, for some, walking isn’t fun or exciting in anyway – walk around the Argyll coast, however and it’s almost guaranteed you won’t want to stop.

If you’re planning on basing your Scottish stay around relaxation, you really can’t go wrong if you head to any part of the Argyll coast.  Fantastic coastlines, a beautiful, serene atmosphere and enough breathtaking scenery to give you completely different views of the country every day of the year, the Argyll coast really is the ‘Secret of Scotland’ – and possibly the best kept secret the country has.

Matthew Bettoli writes for Cottages and Castles who provide the perfect Argyll Islands accommodation for your next holiday.

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Photo licensed under the Creative Commons, created by Andrew Crump

An overview of the region

The largest city in the area is Nice with a population of about 350,000. It is a popular tourist destination among celebrities and common people alike. It features a beautiful flower market apart from its commercial port. The airport is the third busiest airport in France after both the airports in Paris. The low budget airlines have contributed greatly to the increased tourists arrivals in this region.

To the east of Nice you will find the resort of Menton, known for its lemon festival and stunning villas. Cannes, the city popular for its film festival, is also located on the French Riviera and witnesses a lot of tourist activity. Towns like Mandelie-La Napoule, located further to the west of the region, are known for their unique chateaux and marinas. St Tropez is another popular holiday destination, which is a favorite among celebrities and movie stars. Small villages surrounding St. Tropez have managed to retain a bit of their fishing village atmosphere.

Photo licensed under the Creative Commons, created by Michael Gwyther-Jones

The French Riviera is often associated with wealth, glamorous lifestyle and yachts. But taking a stroll into the old areas may change you outlook. You will find a number of quaint towns and villages on the coast. Several of these unassuming little towns attract artists, who find inspiration in the serenity and beauty of the region. Businessmen are known to purchase Cote d’Azur Villas in France, which are primarily used as holiday retreats. Other than painting, which is seen all over the region, Cote d’Azur is also known for activities like perfumery, pottery and glass blowing.

Villas at Cote d’Azur

France exhibits some of its most exquisite architecture in the villas located on the French Riviera. These properties are owned by some of the richest people in the world, many of whom are famous. Sean Combs, Tom Cruise, David Beckham and Johnny Depp are among the some of the rich and famous that own property here.

Cote d’Azur Villas in France, although expensive, are a worthy investment. The properties often include waterfront houses with private beaches with enough space for a yacht. Others are characterized by beautiful marble staircases and wrought iron grills. A large number of contemporary villas have been seen cropping up recently made entirely with chrome finished glass. This timeless destination is a hotspot for international investors, especially because of its warm sunny weather. Hiring a real estate agent can be helpful when purchasing or renting a villa as they are well versed with the local laws, tax regulations and other such rules.

Want to find out more about luxury holiday villa rentals in France, then visit Burger Davis Sotheby’s International Realty, the luxury property rental specialists for apartments to rent in Cannes and villas throughout the South of France.

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Photo licensed under the Creative Commons, created by Karen Melchior

South of France

The South of France is known for its great cuisine and Roman ruins. It has several tiny villages and also boasts of big cities like Marseille. This part is home to the Riviera and the Pyrenees, a mountain region separating the country from Spain. The Dordogne is one of the most beautiful regions in France and is a must see.

Central France

This region is one of the quietest parts of France but has the famous Loire Valley as a part of it. The valley is studded with extraordinary castles and quaint towns. The cathedral in Chartres makes it one of the most beautiful cities in terms of French property.

Photo licensed under the Creative Commons, created by frank wouters

Eastern parts of France

Alsace and Burgundy fall in the east of France. These regions are known for their wines and are characterized by magnificent hills. Dijon, Nancy and Strasbourg are some of the famous cities in this region.

Western France

Western France faces the Atlantic coast. It is adorned with beaches, beautiful cities and lush hills. The atmosphere in this part of France sets it apart from the rest. The Neolithic ruins on the beaches remind visitors of its Celtic origin and give the entire region an additional historic and enchanted aura.

Most of the attractions in France are in the form of natural or built heritage. Some popular sites include the Eiffel Tower, a 19th century tower that was built for the World Fair. It is comprised of 7300 tones of iron. The Louvre Museum, the first national museum in the country, hosting a collection of artefacts, sculptures and paintings from all over Europe. The Basilica of the Sacred Heart houses more than 200 steps that provide one the most splendid views of Paris. Apart from the major cities, some other small communes and villages are also breathtaking and must-see locations. France is also home to several famous cathedrals and the world’s largest traffic round-about at the Arc de Triomphe.

Chateauforsale.org is a website promoting the finest and best luxury french chateaux and vineyards for sale in France. The website regularly covers a variety of topics relating to France on their French Property Blog. Follow them on twitter @frenchchateaux.

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