It might be a little early to be hanging up the stockings and getting Classic FM on, but if you want a Christmas with a difference, now is the perfect time to be looking at a Christmas break with Not In The Guidebooks.
Whether it’s a break to the Christmas markets and incredible wineries around Strasbourg, or a getaway to snowy Lapland to see the Northern Lights (and Santa of course), here at Not In The Guidebooks we have just what you need to make this Christmas one to really remember.
We’ve put together a collection of some of our most inspiring Christmas experiences, so that you can get off the beaten track at the most magical time of year and discover something new.
4 Night Family Lapland Adventure
When it comes to Christmas, it doesn’t get much more Christmassy than visiting the home of Santa himself. On this 4 night Lapland adventure, you can take the family to one of the last true wildernesses in Europe, and stay in a cosy, glass-roofed cabin that allows you to drink in the spectacle of the northern lights flickering above the pine trees, all from the comfort of your bed.
By day you can enjoy living in a genuine winter wonderland, heading out on reindeer rides through the snow-covered forest and treating the kids to a meeting with Santa. After a day of activities and satisfyingly wearied by a day in the great outdoors, sit by a roaring fire and enjoy top-quality meals made with local ingredients – the perfect way to unwind and get that cosy winter feeling.
As darkness falls, choose to lie in the calm stillness of your cabin and gaze at the Aurora Borealis, or head out on snowshoes into the dark wilderness, sitting by the campfire under the stars on an unforgettable adventure into the night. For a genuinely magical Christmas, there’s no better choice than a Christmas break in Lapland.
Christmas Market Break in Strasbourg
Nestled against the border with Germany, the Christmas markets in Strasbourg combine the very best of German and French Christmas traditions – sizzling Bratwurst and top-class cheeses and pastries, quaint wooden chalets and stunning Christmas illuminations, all of this comes together to make one of the very best Christmas markets in Europe.
On this Christmas market break with Not In The Guidebooks, you’ll find the very best spots and the hidden gems thanks to the expertise and local knowledge of your guide, but you’ll also go a little deeper during your time in Strasbourg to go beyond the markets themselves.
Visit old, family-run wineries along the famous Alsace wine route, stopping at various points to immerse yourself in some of the world’s best food and wine, all produced right on site. You will also get the opportunity to enjoy one of the most memorable meals of your life in the renowned Au Crocodile restaurant, as you sit at the chef’s table, virtually in the kitchen, and enjoy stunning French cuisine in the midst of the action.
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By the time you leave this incredible whirlwind tour of Iceland, you’ll already be looking back on the adventure of a lifetime with real nostalgia thanks to the invaluable local knowledge of your guide for the duration of the trip.
Set sail on a northern lights cruise from Reykjavik and drink in the majesty of the aurora borealis, walk in the footsteps of the Vikings at Þingvellir National Park, and visit local eateries and small, family-run restaurants so that you can truly get under the skin of Icelandic culture, and come away feeling as if you have lived a few days like a true Icelandic.
Christmas and Champagne
While you might already be thinking of a bit of Champagne at Christmas, it certainly won’t come close to this Christmas markets break in Reims, where you’ll get the chance to immerse yourself in the world of Champagne like never before in the very region where the famous grape is grown.
You’ll get to explore the famous Christmas markets at Reims, in the shadow of the beautifully illuminated cathedral, and sip mulled wine as the sounds and smells of the market wash over you. Drift along a night time river cruise and drink in the famous lightshow from the river, and stay in a beautiful 4* hotel in the centre of Reims, the perfect base from which to explore.
Of course, as with all Not In The Guidebooks breaks, you’ll be able to deep dive into the culture and cuisine of the region, with visits to famous Champagne houses and the renowned Champagne Avenue, as well as Champagne masterclasses with dedicated families who have committed their lives to producing the wine.
Here at Not In The Guidebooks, we offer a wide variety of Christmas market breaks and winter experiences designed to get you off the beaten track and exploring further than your average tourist. Whether it’s a Christmas break to Lapland or a winter holiday in Iceland, you’re sure to find a winter experience designed to suit you and make the shortest time of year the most special.
20/05/2021 
