Take me there: Stockholm
Scandinavia is the coolest place on the planet right now. Fact. Having established itself as the crime-scene capital of the universe, it's about to get the Hollywood seal of approval. Filmed on location in a wintry Stockholm, the film adaptation of Stieg Larsson's Girl with the Dragon Tattoo is out on Boxing Day and will highlight the city's underrated charms. Much of the action takes place on the island of Södermalm, where you can mix with the bohemian crowd in arty coffee bars and beer halls such as the Kaffebar and Kvarnen, both frequented by the book's protagonists. The Stockholm City Museum runs Larsson-themed walking tours (stadsmuseum.stockholm.se).
January shopping breaks
The dilemma We want to go away for a weekend in January for the sales and sightseeing. We don't want to spend a fortune on the hotel, as our budget will be tight after Christmas. Rachel
Jo's response January is traditionally a quiet time of year for hotels, so there are some great deals to be had, leaving you some spare cash to splurge with in the sales. Check out the winter promotions on offer from budget chains Etap (accorhotels.com) and Premier Inn (premierinn.com), with rooms from £18 and £29 respectively on stays before the end of February. The deals are available at city centre hotels across the UK, and there are savings of up to 50% on certain dates. Best Western (bestwestern.co.uk) has reduced rates at many properties in January. Rooms at the Edinburgh Best Western Plus Bruntsfield Hotel are available from £67.20 per night, which represents 30% off the standard rate. The Malmaison (malmaison.com) and Hotel du Vin (hotelduvin.com) chains are offering heavily discounted stays if guests spend over a certain amount in the brasserie. For example, spend more than £75 between two people at the Malmaison Leeds or Birmingham and you can stay for £25 a night before 15 January.
Three of the best après-ski bars in Britain
Just because we don't have the "ski" why should we miss out on the "après?" Here are three pop-up bars which are bringing a taste of the Alps to Britain this winter
Netil 360, London E8 Hot cocktails and arty winter "happenings" on a Hackney warehouse rooftop. Après-ski goes urban (netil360.wordpress.com)
The North Pole, Cathedral Gardens, Manchester A little bit Bing Crosby, a whole lot raucous office Christmas party (thenorthpolebar.co.uk)
Candy Bar, George Street, Edinburgh A pint of glühwein, a cheese fondue and a side order of toasted marshmallow, please. And a doggy bag… (candybaredinburgh.co.uk)
