It's a good time to... book a winter-sun break
The Christmas lights will be switched on in Oxford Street tomorrow, which can mean only one thing – it's time to flee the country. Happily there are some great deals around to help you do just that. The Canary Islands are a safe bet with December temperatures hovering around a balmy 22C. Monarch (monarch.co.uk/ offers/holidays/canary-islands) is offering a three-night package at the Teide Mar self-catering apartments in Puerto de la Cruz in Tenerife for £177pp including flights from Gatwick, based on a 6 December departure.
If you prefer to avoid package-holiday hotels, you can fly to Lanzarote with Ryanair in December for a credit card-friendly £87 return (ryanair.com) and stay at the charming Casa de Hilario in the palm-studded village of Yaiza for €86 per night (casadehilario.com).
For something a little more exotic, Thomson has flights to Marrakech from £128 return in late November (flights.thomson.co.uk). Combine this with a stay at the laid-back Riad Al Jazira, which is offering 25% off its rates for the rest of the year, bringing the cost of a night's stay to £69 per room, and you'll have some spending money left over for Christmas shopping in the souks (i-escape.com/riad-al-jazira).
Take me there: Motel One, Edinburgh
The German Christmas Market is a much-loved feature of Edinburgh's festive scene. But the glühwein and stollen won't be the only German imports causing a stir in December. Promising big style for a small price, German budget-hotel chain Motel One will open its first UK property on Edinburgh's Market Street next month. Expect slick contemporary design, with Arne Jacobsen egg chairs and Arco floor lamps, free Wi-Fi and iPads on loan, and an informal bar and cafeteria. There are plans for further properties in Edinburgh and London. Single rooms start from £69 per night (motelone.com).
Give me a break: The week's best deals
Home Indulge in a weekend of bracing beach walks and hearty food at the small but classy Hambrough hotel in Ventnor on the Isle of Wight. The two-night break costs from £175pp (based on two sharing) and includes two nights' B&B accommodation, one dinner at the nearby Pond Café, lunch at the Garlic Farm and return car-ferry travel with Wightlink (wightlink.co.uk).
Away See Red Square in the snow and discover the treasures of the Hermitage on an eight-day trip to Moscow and St Petersburg with Audley Travel. Book before 30 November for a 15% discount on pre-Christmas departures, bringing the price to £1,790pp including flights, four-star hotels and some private guiding (audleytravel.com).
