Celebrate the Christmas season in style by taking part in a range of festive activities and events such as ice skating, chestnut roasting and Christmas concerts.
Valsana Hotel, Arosa – Winter’s Whimsy: Sculpting Snow Mandalas
What could inspire the Christmas spirit more than chestnuts roasting on an open fire? At Valsana hotel, guests can make home-roasted chestnuts in a fire bowl, while sipping on a homemade wintery punch. The hotel also runs a ‘Snow Mandalas experience’. Guided from Prätschli through the snowy forests of Arosa, guests arrive at an open plain – a fresh white snowy canvas where they can let their creativity run wild using their snow boots to practice the art of Snow Mandalas and capture their finished masterpieces from a drone’s perspective. Valsana is also the first hotel in Switzerland to be heated by geothermal probes and an ultra-modern ice battery, warming the heart, not the planet.
Book it: Valsana Hotel, Arosa offers rooms starting from CHF 454 based on two adults sharing a Lifestyle Double on a B&B basis. tschuggencollection.ch
Bovey Castle, Dartmoor National Park – Christmas Calendar in the Castle
The majestic Bovey Castle, set within 275 acres of idyllic countryside and rolling valleys within Dartmoor National Park is the perfect place to experience the magic of Christmas. The hotel transforms into a winter wonderland, with rooms illuminated by spectacular Christmas trees and plump armchairs nestled against tables laden with walnuts and oranges.
Bovey Castle has stocked their winter calendar with a whole host of festive activities. Catch one of their festive days this December – which include a Christmas Cocktail Masterclass on the 8th from £59 per person, a Festive Dinner and Carols from £79 per person on the 14th, and their Christmas Craft classes, where guests can enjoy wreath making, willow star weaving and decoration crafting all from £45 per person on selected dates throughout December. Treat a loved one to exclusive Bovey Castle vouchers, all under £75. They are gifts that keep on giving, as they offer a range of activities and experiences for making long-lasting memories.
Book it: Bovey Castle offers rooms from £239 per night, based on two adults sharing on a B&B basis. Lodges are available from £649 per night, based on up to six adults sharing on a self-catering basis. boveycastle.com
Schloss Elmau, Bavaria, Germany – “Mushing” and Music
Schloss Elmau is a spa retreat and cultural hideaway, set in the calm of the Bavarian Alps just 100km south of Munich. Located in a 900-acre valley, it plays host in its magnificent concert hall to many of the world’s greatest living musicians and singers.
This Christmas, experience the Christmas concert with Nils Landgren and friends, accompanied by the Jazzrausch Big Band. Other concerts include Max Herre, Joy Denalane and Maxim, as well as Christmas readings with Thomas Quasthoff.
The Christmas activities aren’t just limited to the indoors, Dogsledding at Schloss Elmau is a popular experience that introduces “Mushing” terminology, teaching guests to control the dog sled, race against each other and bond with the huskies for the day. The hotel also offers ice skating and ice hockey on the property’s own ice rink, and guests even get to try their hand a Bavarian Curling.
Book it: Schloss Elmau offers double rooms from €280 per person per night, based on two adults sharing on a B&B basis. This includes admission to cultural events, Yoga, Sports & Active programmes, access to the six Family & Adult spas, participation in the Edutainment Workshops and soccer camps and supervision in the kids and creative club. schloss-elmau.de
Carlton Hotel, St. Moritz – Festive Feasts and Father Christmas
The festive season at Carlton Hotel runs from 24 December until January 6. Guests can experience a truly special few days, with Christmas treats throughout the day, mulled wine and children’s punch. In the Kids’ Club, children can listen to Christmas stories and make their own Christmas decorations. On Christmas Day, Father Christmas brings presents accompanied by a magic show with Captain Green. To wrap up the year, the hotel hosts its Candyland-themed evening with an aperitif, a dinner in the Empire Ballroom with live band Electric Beat Club Deluxe and a New Year’s party with Swiss house DJ Tanja La Croix. An Orthodox Christmas dinner is held on January 6. Carlton Hotel offers 60 rooms and suites all facing south and a captivating panoramic view of Lake St. Moritz.
Book it: Carlton Hotel St. Moritz is available from CHF 880 per room per night based on two adults sharing a deluxe room on a B&B basis, with 100 CHF food and beverage voucher per adult per day, butler service, minibar, service, VAT and complimentary access to the hotel’s spa. carlton-stmoritz.ch
Borgo Egnazia, Puglia – Merry & Bright
As the festive season draws near, surround yourself with the magic of Christmas at Borgo Egnazia as they once again welcome guests and visitors to enjoy their unforgettable Christmas Markets at the Piazza del Borgo. Tickets cost €30 for an adult and €15 for a child, and include a hot chocolate or similar, snacks and local delicacies.
Commencing on 18th November, embrace the winter season with a rich calendar of seasonal events to make your holiday truly memorable. Whether you are a culinary enthusiast, wine connoisseur or are simply seeking the warmth of this holiday season, Borgo Egnazia has something for everyone; from cooking and cocktail classes to wine tasting in the Castellana caves, to fitness classes and vintage car tours. The Christmas spirit can be found in abundance at Borgo Egnazia with their timeless tradition of the Living Nativity Scene in the Lama del Trappeto.
Book it: Borgo Egnazia offers double rooms in La Corte from €429 per night, based on two people sharing on a B&B basis. borgoegnazia.com
