BRATS LIFE

Few cities devote themselves to the Christmas-market craze like Prague – which is effectively one big vat of mulled wine in December. And, good lord, that means lots of tourists. So go to its less-loved neighbour, Bratislava, instead. The Slovakian capital also knows its way around a carved wooden toy (visitbratislava.com/christmas), but tends to be far less busy. Three-night breaks, with flights, start at £199pp, via citiesdirect.co.uk.