4 Of The Best Destinations For A Festive Getaway

Florence

Florence is an irresistible destination at any time of year, but visiting in the depths of winter will let you experience a less well-known side of the city. The famous museums of Uffizi and the Accademia are filled with renaissance treasures. The beauty is that they're much less busy at this time of year, closing only on the 25th December and New Year's Day, allowing you to explore in relative peace and relaxation.

There are also a number of smaller museums such as the Bargello Museum (housing Donatello's bronze sculpture of David) and historical wonders like The Sassetti Chapel in the grandiose Santa Trinità Basilica, which has incredible frescos that depict Florentine daily life.

With so much to see and explore it's almost impossible to get bored in Florence, and during the festive period there's a lot on offer. December 8th is Immaculate Conception Day and typically the starting point from where the local residents lavishly decorate their shops and homes.

From here on the festivities truly begin, with a large markets in Piazza Santa Croce as well as many smaller versions scattered throughout the city. There's also an ice rink in the Parterre area of the city, and you can really dive into the city's traditions by visiting the Duomo for midnight Mass on Christmas Eve.

Barcelona

Although the chances of getting a white Christmas in Barcelona are slim, the unique spirit of Barcelona makes it an interesting place to experience a festive getaway. The central square Plaça de Catalunya, designed by architect Francesc de Paula Nebot, is the location of a festival that lasts from 19th December to 4th January 2015, featuring a light and sound show that uses the square's fountains with stunning results.

There are also concerts, choirs and ballet performances across the city, including Handel's Messiah in the imposing church Basílica de Santa María del Mar. Barcelona's famous Magic Fountain is a key feature of the festive lights that are turned on at the end of November by the Mayor of Barcelona. With the beautiful lights covering around 85 km of the city, celebrating New Year in this lively city will be something to remember.

Prague

Prague is often thought to be at it's best in December, when the shop windows are illuminated with decorations and there are Christmas trees adorning every town square. There's even a good chance of snow, adding a romantic and seasonal edge to the city, and if you get a little too cold there's always to cosy cafes serving delicious coffee and hot chocolate. For some fine dining with an interesting twist, Café Mozart combines good food and live classical music, and if you want a traditional Czech meal, you can find out where to go and what to try at The Taste of Prague.

Grabbing a cup of mulled wine from a street vendor, the Christmas markets in Prague are really worth a look, while the gothic architecture and cobbled streets make this an incredibly quaint festive destination.

Jerusalem

Our reciprocal property The American Colony Hotel is a uniquely beautiful property that features an outdoor swimming pool, gardens and even a range of shops. Jerusalem has been considered holy to Jews, Christians and Muslims since biblical times and is one of the world's leading pilgrimage destinations. Whether you have a religious interest or are simply intrigued by the ancient and fascinating history of the Holy Land, visiting Israel will add a tangible sense of the past to your festive trip.

While Christians only make up a minority of the population in Israel, festivities are still very evident throughout the city with lights, concerts, carols and a giant tree. If you're inclined to spend the holiday itself here, The American Colony Hotel puts on a lavish Christmas Eve dinner and Christmas brunch, and the city of Bethlehem is only 5 miles away. From here you can visit the Church of Nativity, watch the parades and browse the numerous festive markets.