Celebrate the Holiday Season With Five Magical Winter Destinations in Europe

Sprinkle a dash of novelty on your festivities and embrace the opportunity to celebrate more than just the holiday season this year. In our fast-paced world there is no greater gift than the memories that you create, and the places that you create them. Take the time to indulge in unique customs, inspiring cuisine and breathtaking scenery. Embark on a magical journey as you reconnect with loved ones in Europe’s most storied destinations this holiday season.

Budapest – Hungary

As the temperature dips below freezing it is the perfect time to sink into the blissful heat of Budapest’s thermal baths. With the warmth deep in your bones, head onto the waters of the river Danube. The scenic shores of this winter wonderland are all the more sweet from the deck of a seasonal cruise. Budapest’s renowned chimney cakes are equally tasty. Have a nibble and indulge yourself as the ‘Christmas Light Tram’ shuttles you past lively markets and monumental basilicas. And when the evening draws in, a welcome retreat awaits you in the traditional inns scattered throughout this gorgeous city. A Hungarian folk dance show will amplify the festive spirit as you watch the authentic movement and swirling skirts of the dancers by a crackling open fire.

Where to stay: Take a trip back in time at Anantara New York Palace Budapest Hotel, where the glamour of the Belle Epoque awaits you. Adorn your festive season with a pinch of sparkle. Grab a glass of Champagne and toast the New Year in one of the most magical settings imaginable.

Rome – Italy

At this festive time of year, the piazzas of Rome are frosted not only with icicles but with shimmering lights as well. Where better to bring your loved ones together than a city where Christmas has been extravagantly celebrated for centuries. Stroll through the Piazza Navona and take in swirling carousels, gingerbread houses and carolling street artists who have a gift to offer for each and every one of you. And as you feast your eyes on the merry markets, fill your bellies with Italian delights. Biscotti and mulled wine heat the body as the company of those that you hold dear warms the soul.

Where to stay: There’s no better place to indulge for the festive season than at Anantara Palazzo Naiadi Rome Hotel. Bring your family, friends and loved ones together in the heart of this ancient city. Whether it’s for daytime excursions or cosy evenings by the fireside, our ideal central location will grant you your every wish this Christmas.

Dublin – Ireland

Kickstart your holidays with a dash of Irish spirit and let the festive cheer warm you from the inside as the weather grows colder outside. A stroll down Grafton Street will reveal shopfronts adorned with tinsel and baubles, if you can hold yourself back from pausing to listen to the tunes of the many talented musicians who perform along the way. Only a stone’s throw from this buzzing street lies The Temple Bar, a cultural hub which offers a wide selection of cosy pubs in which to sip on a fine pint of Guinness or simply enjoy a bowl of home-cooked Irish stew.

Where to stay: Celebrate the festive season in style at The Marker Hotel. A welcome respite awaits you on Dublin’s regenerated docklands, where the rooftop bar dares you to defy the winter weather. Sip on a warming festive Irish coffee, indulge in the brasserie’s award-winning cuisine and let the cosmopolitan charm of the terrasse satiate all of your desires this holiday season.

Marbella – Spain

In the balmy south of Spain, new possibilities for seasonal festivities emerge. Where better to ring in the first moments of the New Year than in the open air. Take in the dazzling colours of the spectacular fireworks display overhead as the bells toll. Revel in the relaxation that awaits you amongst the picturesque vistas of the Costa del Sol. Scattered around the countryside, Andalusia’s charming towns offer an irresistible staple of the holiday season. Their winding lanes hold delightful aromas of roasting chestnuts which entice you from under the eaves of red canopied stalls.

Where to stay: Opulent palatial luxury is to be found at Anantara Villa Padierna Palace Marbella Resort. Discover this lavish retreat nestled amongst the lush green grasses of the area’s three golf courses and gift yourself with a fulfilling festive season.

Algarve – Portugal

Escape to the Algarve and let the quiet charms of Portugal’s southern coast fill you with festive cheer. A drive to Vilamoura Marina ends amongst an enclave of designer boutiques where gift shopping is transformed from a chore to a breeze. At the Loulé Saturday Market you will discover the freshest produce for your holiday meal. Local seafood, vegetables and farmland products are gathered from the surrounding area for locals and non-locals alike. As the celebrations pick up, embrace the warm rays of winter sunshine falling upon your face as you step outside and stroll along the edge of a crystal ocean.

Where to stay: Come home to yourself at Anantara Vilamoura Algarve Resortand accept the gift of wellbeing this Christmas. Luxuriate in the multiple pools, golfing opportunities and fantastic cuisine that this serene haven will provide.