Hollydays IN THE SUN
Why freeze yourself at home when you can have this?
DECK the halls with boughs of holly... oh, the thought of it, and for the umpteenth year at that. Why not let somebody else do it while you lie back on your lounger on the beach.
If the thought of Christmas is turning you green, with the shops having already started filling up their shelves with Festive goodies and cranking up Fairytale of New York, then there is an alternative.
It’s not too late to get away from it all with a Christmas in the Sun. Here at Weekend Mail Travel we show you where.
TAMPA BAY, FLORIDA Busch Gardens Christmas Town
You don’t have to be overly-traditional about these things... you deserve a bit of sun, and besides Santa deserves to catch the rays too what with being cooped up in icy Lapland the whole year.
Guests will be treated to millions of twinkling lights, Christmas shows and a Sing-A-Long Train, and, of course, visits with Santa and Rudolph, right through until New Year’s Eve.
This being Florida, of course, there will fantastic additions to the Santa story.
So don’t be surprised if you bump into Cookie Monster and Elmo nutcracker figures along the Sesame Street Safari of Fun walkway,
The best value ticket for visiting SeaWorld Parks is the Discovery Cove Ultimate Package, which includes a one-day reservation at Discovery Cove (with 30minute dolphin swim experience, all meals, snacks and beverages included) plus 14days unlimited entry to SeaWorld, Busch Gardens and Aquatica Orlando, with free parking included at all parks. Prices from €220 per person.
The 3-Park Ticket offers 14 days unlimited entry to three parks - SeaWorld Orlando, Aquatica Orlando and Busch Gardens – for the price of two, when guests book and visit before 31 December 2019. Tickets include free parking at all three parks. Prices start from €125 per adult and €120 per child. Visit www.seaworldparks.co.uk. Multiple airlines fly to Orlando from Dublin. Aer Lingus flies nonstop return from €423. Visit www. aerlingus.com.
MAURITIUS Mon Choisy Beach Resort
It’s always worth surfing...
Yes, on a board in the Indian Ocean. But also surfing the net to find the best deals. We found this great deal with www.expedia.ie at sale price. The Mon Choisy Beach Resort is €1,596 for two down from €2,128.
BARBADOS, THE CARIBBEAN Tamarind by Elegant Hotels
Those of us of a certain age. and those who watch Christmas repeats of Top Of The Pops, will be familiar with Boney M dressed up in snow-white costumes doing their special calypso pop of Mary’s Boy Child.
And, yes, it worked. It was a huge hit.
Well West Indians do all the traditional stuff, only on the beach.
Tropical Sky is offering a great deal to Barbados including seven nights B&B at Tamarind by Elegant Hotels from €1,489pp including flights.
Book by December 1 and save up to €550pp for travel completed by January 4.
LANZAROTE Haria
The perennial Irish favourite for a winter holiday (heck, we’re there in the spring, summer and autumn too. Why not try it at Christmas?
Seven nights self-catering with GoHop and staying at the Club JM Lanzarote, departing from Dublin on December 21 is from €531pp. Visit gohop.ie or call (01) 536 3769.
CYPRUS New York Plaza Hotel Apartments
So where is hot at this time of year? We’re told you have to go further afield than the Med. Wrong!
Cyprus is perfect for a sun-seeker’s break. A seven-night stay at the New York Plaza Hotel Apartments in Paphos is from €316pp.
Dep. December 22 and fly with Ryanair. And prise yourself away from the beach for historic sites. Visit sunsearchholidays.ie.