The Great Christmas or New Year Getaway
Every year around 200,000 Scots plan to book a winter escape. This year, this figure is expected to be even greater with the rise in popularity of Scottish staycations.
After another challenging year, and travel plans uncertain last winter, we can now begin to book breaks away again. Choosing to organise a winter getaway in Scotland will be something to look forward to in the run-up to, during or after all the festivities.
So are you ready to take the first step in planning your Great Christmas or New Year Escape? Before you do, there are many things to consider, the most important being location. Of course, when it comes to holidaying in Scotland, you really do have everything on offer – whether you prefer a coastal town with a sandy beach or dream of getting away from it all by heading to a remote mountainous destination. There are many books on the Highlands and Hebrides out there for you to do your research! Interestingly, the Highlands topped the table for the “most popular region for travel in Scotland in 2021”, according to the Sykes Scottish Staycation Index for 2021. A big city also brings travellers from here and abroad much enjoyment, as does the quieter, quaint little villages sprinkled across our proud Scottish communities.
Did you know that Edinburgh became one of the “leading postpandemic hotel markets in Europe”?
Research by Siteminder World Hotel Index found that the capital’s hotels bounced back from 18 months of chaos to 120% of bookings on the same day in 2019.
Perhaps you aim to tick off some bucket list entries on your winter break? Could this include seeing the Northern Lights or going on a whale-spotting boat trip? Choosing the right location is so important.
Accommodation type is also one of the big considerations when planning a Christmas or New Year getaway, and with winter well and truly on its way, comfort and cosiness are two main priorities for travellers. Hotels have been experiencing a boom in the last year as the industry re-opened, with many almost fully booked, so sometimes it is beneficial to seek out a little guest house, cottage or consider self-catering accommodation to guarantee you get booked for your chosen travel dates. However, there are still some good deals and lucky finds to be had, so get researching.
What type of trip are you hoping for? Planning a family trip away anytime is so special, but particularly at this time of year. There are many benefits of multi-generational families embarking on a winter getaway together. Perhaps you have not spent as much time with your loved ones as you would have liked to? This Christmas, New Year or the few days between could be the ideal time to indulge in some quality time together. Trips like this not only bond and strengthen relationships during the time away, they also have a positive impact on families on their return.
Getting away as a couple could be the answer. We may have spent a lot of time together lately because we are working from home or not socialising as much as we used to. However, this has caused couples to enter into a routine and reduced the amount of fun they are having. A winter escape could be just what you need. Perhaps it is time to reconnect with each other and reminisce about the good times you have shared during your relationship, before making plans for the future together. Some co-habiting couples may feel they have lost their spark during the pandemic, a winter getaway could be the very way of igniting that again.