The festive period is a great time to think about getting some rest and relaxation. For many of us, that means leaving home for Christmas because staying at home might not always be the best way to switch off - this is becoming more common with many of us working from home. Getting away for Christmas is a wonderful idea because it's a quiet period for a lot of us when it comes to the usual commitments.

Question is, what if you haven't planned this break in advance? Not to worry, it’s still a possibility because you have lots of options if you’re thinking about being spontaneous. Since last-minute Christmas breaks might take a bit of short-term organising, we’ve prepared some of our top tips to help so it’s a less stressful endeavour for you.

Did you know that Quidco works with lots of incredible travel and hospitality brands, which you can find by browsing our offers. To take advantage of the best travel deals for your last-minute Christmas break, join Quidco today.

Plan your annual leave

A lot of us get time off over the festive period anyway, but if you have a few extra days of annual leave left to take, it could be a good idea to use them for your last-minute break. Just think of the difference a few extra days away could make! It takes planning but it's a smart move to get the most out of your holiday allowance for the festive period.

Do your research

When you are ready to begin your search for a Christmas trip away, it’s important to bring your expectations for your holiday along with you. This would allow you to narrow down your search to a few preferred options. For example, if you’re looking for a place that has snow, you’d be looking for destinations in the northern hemisphere. Taking the time to think about what you want from your Christmas break and carrying out the necessary research may deliver a few surprises along the way - you may find a new destination you had not considered!

Be flexible with your dates

Prices can go up and down in the lead up to the festive period, which is why it’s important to be flexible with your dates. You may find additional discounts on different arrival and departure days, so it's a good idea to give yourself the opportunity to find and bag these deals.

Choose your destination wisely

Sometimes you may receive additional discounts if you choose less popular destinations when you’re booking last minute. You may be able to find less popular destinations that have fewer tourists which would be great for peace of mind and relaxation.

Leverage discounts and deals

When you’re booking a last-minute Christmas break, it’s important to find the best discounts and deals. Christmas can be an expensive time as it is, so getting the best deals will work wonders for your budget over the festive period. You can find the best travel deals for your last minute christmas break by joining Quidco today.

Where to go on a Christmas break

We’ve suggested a few destinations and travel offers that you may find useful when booking your last-minute Christmas break.

Last-minute Christmas breaks in the UK

There are lots of festive hotspots closer than you think, so don’t worry about having to travel far for your festive trip away. For example, you can get great cashback deals on a New Forest Cottage which is a great last-minute Christmas break idea if you have a dog.

Alternatively, you could opt for a city break to London, which is always really beautiful over the festive period and especially great for shopping. A trip to Manchester or Leeds can provide you with some fantastic last-minute deals on hotel breaks, and both have great festive markets over the Christmas period. When booking your travel, you could even get discounts on your train or coach travel to your chosen destination.

Last-minute Christmas market breaks

Most of the major cities in the UK host Christmas markets. If you’re looking for somewhere closer to you that is accessible by train or driving, Manchester and London are both famous for their great Christmas markets.

There are many destinations in Europe that are famous for their festive markets, including Cologne, Germany or Salzburg, Austria. There are so many options when it comes to finding Christmas markets abroad, especially in major European cities, so we’d recommend looking for discounts first, such as those available via lastminute.com or booking.com, then check to see if that location has a Christmas market to make your decision on whether to take the trip.

Last-minute Christmas breaks abroad in the sun

Many of us suffer with the winter months in the UK and it can get very cold over the festive period, which is why many people consider going somewhere warmer. You can get great deals on package holidays and all-inclusive holidays over the festive season. What's more relaxing than not having to worry about your food and drink over the festive period? Tui has some great options when it comes to these kinds of breaks.

If you have a larger budget, you could venture further afield to top destinations such as to New York, which is sure to be magical over Christmas. Imagine skating at the Rockefeller Center on Christmas Eve, or shopping at Times Square. You can get great cashback deals on flights through Quidco if you’d like to travel far - British Airways is likely to have some great offers as it gets closer to Christmas.

FAQs

Where is the cheapest place for Christmas?

Malta is a great option if you’re looking to go abroad this Christmas, with great deals on hotels and flights. What’s more, Malta typically remains warm over the festive period and yet it will still be full of festive cheer. However, the cheapest option would most likely be to go somewhere in the UK, as you can keep your travel costs down.

Where is the best place to holiday over Christmas?

If you’re in search of winter magic and want to bring back some festive cheer, one of the most popular destinations is Iceland. Here you can expect to find the winter wonderland of your dreams and you could even catch the Northern Lights which is a truly spectacular sight of its own.

Where is the best place to spend Christmas in the UK?

Edinburgh is considered one of the best places to visit in the UK at Christmas because there’s a variety of activities for families and couples to enjoy. There’s a range of activities including ice skating, visiting Edinburgh Castle for a winter walk or shopping. Scotland and its historical scenery is quite magical over the festive period and attracts lots of tourists, making it one of the best places to spend Christmas.

£15 TRAVEL EXTRAS BONUS

Driving, flying or train-ing home for Christmas this year?

Buy your travel extras through Quidco and get a £15 Bonus when you opt in and spend £25 or more with one of our selected retailers.

*Hurry, this bonus ends 08/12/2022 at 23:59

Opt In HERE