Christmas getaways 2007

Christmas markets, concerts, shopping, festivities and foodie treats are some of the fun activities you can enjoy with a Christmas getaway this December.

Whether you are looking to combine your break with a spot of skiing on the first snow of the season in the mountains, pick up great gifts at bargain prices with a city break, or grab the opportunity for a helping of winter sun, there are lots of Christmas holidays out there.

Here's a selection of some of the top places to go and things to do from travelbite.co.uk:

Get traditional treats and go skiing in Austria

The experts at self-catering specialist Interhome recommend Austria for its 'chocolate-box' style villages and traditional feel over the festive season.

Holidaymakers can benefit from owners getting into the festive spirit themselves by decorating their properties inside and out - in some cases even providing a Christmas tree on request.

Plus, being one of the top ski destinations in Europe, those that do not want to just stay indoors can combine their Christmas getaway with some time on the slopes.

Among the places Interhome recommends is Strobl, a town on the eastern edge of Salzburg, which has a long-established Christmas market and festive singing in the village square, as well as homely traditions such as burning herbs to ward off evil spirits for the coming year.

Further west, also in Salzburg, is the historic lakeside town of Zell am See, which has a Christmas market selling homemade regional specialities, ideal for those planning a self-catering Christmas break.

These include fruit breads, gingerbreads and biscuits. And if you prefer a warming treat the market also has roast chestnuts. Other traditions include Christmas choirs and advent walking tours.

Zell am See also offers plenty of skiing opportunities, with almost 100 miles of runs, and around 125 miles of cross country skiing routes at the high-altitude resort of Kaprun. And if it is romance rather than adrenalin you are looking for, you can also enjoy horse-drawn snow rides among the mountains.

If you are looking for more of a city break experience in the region then one of the most festive places to visit is Salzburg itself.

The city is Austria's fourth biggest and is famous for being the birthplace of Mozart. Its well-preserved old town centre is a world heritage site, as is the Schönbrunn Palace - making the city ideal for holidaymakers looking for a stylish, historic getaway.

Christmas is particularly eventful in Salzburg, with five Christmas markets and several music events to choose from, running through late November up to Christmas Eve.

One of the city's most important Christmas markets is Christkindlmarkt, held at Residenz Square in the town centre. It has 85 different exhibitors selling punch, mulled wine, cakes & biscuits, crafts, toys, decorations, jewellery and textiles.

Another tradition holidaymakers will get the chance to experience in Salzburg is the Krampus run - when a demonic figure with a whip (Krampus) runs through the streets. It may seem more Halloween than Christmas compared to the usual associations with friendly old Santa Claus, but legend has it Krampus is one of St. Nicholas' helpers.

The wild spirit runs takes place in different locations in Salzburg every day from December 1st - 6th 2007, before the main run at Christkindlmarkt on December 21st 2007.

Christmas holidays in France

If you prefer the French style of Christmas to the Austrian one, but do not want to compromise on the mountain views and traditional feel you could head to the Franche-Comté region.

Located between Burgundy and the Swiss border, Franche-Comté is home to the thickly forested Jura Mountains.

Families planning a late Christmas short break can head for Moirans-en-Montagne, which has an excellent toy museum. There will also be special events in the town from December 15th to 17th 2007, including sleigh rides with Santa, and a Christmas Market.

One of the region's largest Christmas markets is held in the city of Besançon, which, as well as having 100 huts selling festive specialities from all over Franche-Comté, also features the traditional wares of its twin cities. Among them is Tver in Russia - which gives holidaymakers a chance to buy authentic vodka and Russian dolls. The market runs from December 1st - 24th 2007.

Other sights and activities to enjoy in the city include skating on the ice rink, exploring the citadel, visiting the spectacular Italian Renaissance-style cathedral, and taking in the 300-year-old collection of the Musée des Beaux Arts, rebuilt by one of Le Corbusier pupils in the 1960s.

In the north-east of the region there is another festive attraction to enjoy at the town of Montbéliard, which sees the town brightened up with 60,000 lights.

The Lumières de Noël will run from November 24th to December 24th 2007, and will also feature a light parade for children at Montbéliard.

If you are looking for a getaway in France that is quick to get to then Picardy, in northern France, is good place to head.

The region is around two hours drive from Calais, and offers lots of cities and towns to explore. Its close proximity to Paris also means you could easily combine a stop in Picardy with a trip to the French capital.

Holidaymakers looking for the big Christmas market experience should visit the region's capital, Amiens. The city has the biggest in northern France, which includes 120 stalls, a merry-go-round and an ice rink. The market runs from November 24th to December 29th.

Amiens also has a breathtakingly tall 13th-Century Gothic Cathedral, which will be specially lit in the evenings using coloured lights.

A more traditional-style of Christmas Market can be found in the town of Saint Quentin, which runs from December 8th to January 6th 2007.

As well as a huge 820-metre square ice rink, a sledging slope and chalets selling Christmas wares, there is also a chance to try specialities of the region.

These include soups, pain perdu (French-style eggy bread), hot chocolate and hot wine, served by waiters and waitresses wearing traditional costume.

For horse-lovers a visit to the Living Museum of the Horse in Chantilly, also in Picardy, will give holidaymakers a chance to see festive races and equestrian shows. The museum is set among the grand stables of the Château de Chantilly, and will be running a special programme from December 1st to January 7th.

Christmas luxury and style in Copenhagen

With high-end shops, restaurants, design and boutique accommodation, Copenhagen is fantastic destination if you are looking to spend a bit more and get fantastic gifts.

As well as beautifully decorated streets, holidaymakers can also take advantage of the Danish capital's gastronomic excellence – with eight Michelin-starred restaurants located in the city.

The top shopping street is the pedestrianised Stroget, where you can find top Danish brands, such as Georg Jensen, as well as a department store dedicated solely to design called Illums Bolighus.

Another excellent shopping destination is Kongens Nytorv, which has the Bang & Olufsen flagship store, as well as cultural attractions such as the grandly decorated Royal Theatre, as well as the Krinsen gardens - which features a large ice rink.

Amager Torv Square is also well worth visiting, not least for the Royal Copenhagen flagship store, housed in a 17th-century property that sells the brand's porcelain and crystal as well as exclusive Georg Jensen silverware. At Christmas time the store features a special festive display, where celebrity Danes show off their design skills by putting together lavishly decorated Christmas tables, which runs from November 22nd - December 30th 2007.

Slightly more out of the way, and therefore quieter, streets such as Kompagnistræde, Klosterstræde, Niels Hemmingsensgade, Kronprinsensgade and Store Regnegade can offer shops specialising furniture, clothing and interior decoration.

However, as well as plenty of shops and restaurants Copenhagen also offers outdoor markets and finely decorated parks.

At the end of Stroget there is Nyhavn - which from mid-November until Christmas will have a festive canal-side market located by within sight of the sailing boats surrounded by picturesque blue, yellow, pink and red terraced houses which tower over the water.

Copenhagen's famed Tivoli gardens will have trees decorated with festive lights from mid-November as well as a Christmas market, with around 60 stalls selling Danish handicrafts and foods.

The gardens, which are considered the world's first amusement park, are also home to some excellent restaurants. For a modern take on Danish Christmas food you can head to Fregatten, which has special festive menus. The park also has a Michelin-starred restaurant, The Paul, headed up by British chef Paul Cunningham.

Other Michelin-starred eateries include NOMA (two stars), and the one-starred Ensemble and MR restaurants.

For more information on visiting the city see the Copenhagen tourist board website.