THE ULTIMATE HOLIDAY ESCAPES FOR 2025/6

Story and Photos Courtesy of Perowne International

As 2025 draws to a close and the festive season approaches, we are embracing holiday traditions around the globe – from frosted English gardens and glamorous festive feasts, to Parisian palaces and enchanting workshops for all.

This year’s holiday roundup captures a spectrum of spirited celebrations in every locale, with the scent of mulled cyder at The Newt in Somerset, fireworks over Table Mountain from the iconic Cape Grace, island-style visit from Santa Claus at Jumby Bay Island, and festive fortune telling at Gleneagles. From European grandeur to South American sunshine, find our favorite festive escapes below… 

United Kingdom

SOMERSET CHRISTMAS AT THE NEWT WITH FEASTS, FESTIVITIES & FIRESIDE CHARM

Step into The Newt in Somerset this December, where mulled cyder scents the air, fairy lights glow across the estate, shops brim with gifts, and a program of workshops, tastings, and feasts brings the festive season to life.

Christmas stays include nightly dinners, a four-course Christmas lunch, cream teas, and Boxing Day brunch, while New Year’s stays feature gourmet dining, the Hadspen House Party, New Year’s Day brunch, and the annual Croquet Championship, offering guests the chance to win a future luxury stay.

Seasonal workshops invite guests to craft hand-printed Christmas cards and create willow creatures, accompanied by coffee, pastries, and a picnic-style lunch.

Throughout December, bespoke itineraries pair time in the spa, gardens, and exhibitions with festive highlights ranging from bauble painting, chocolate making, carols, and jazz to movie nights, falconry displays, and a much-anticipated visit from St Nicholas for younger guests.

The Newt Somerset offers two Christmas packages at The Newt, including their four-night Christmas break (23 – 27 December) and three-night celebrations over New Year (30 December – 2 January). Rates start from £785 (approx. $1,035) per night on a B&B basis. For more information, please visit thenewtinsomerset.com

A QUINTESSENTIAL LONDON CHRISTMAS AT THE LANESBOROUGH

FEATURING FESTIVE AFTERNOON TEA AND AN EXCLUSIVE HARRODS PARTNERSHIP

Pairing country house elegance with the vibrancy of the British capital, The Lanesborough, part of the prestigious Oetker Hotels, is one of London’s most distinguished settings for Christmas, complete with refined seasonal décor, a lively festive spirit, and unrivalled city access.

This year, the hotel introduces the Festive Shop & Stay Experience, in partnership with Harrods, incorporating a luxury in-store personal shopping experience and a welcome Harrods luxury hamper in each room or suite on arrival.

Executive Chef Shay Cooper leads this year’s dining celebrations with a trio of festive menus – an elegant Christmas Eve dinner, a traditional Christmas Day feast showcasing the best of British produce, and a spirited Boxing Day Jazz Dinner.

The Lanesborough Club & Spa invites guests to recharge after Christmas shopping with The Yuletide Glow – a restorative treatment designed to revitalise skin and refresh the eyes.

Rates at The Lanesborough start from $1,259 per night for a Deluxe Room on a B&B basis. 

www.oetkerhotels.com/hotels/the-lanesborough

AN UNFORGETTABLE FOLKLORE-INSPIRED SCOTTISH HOLIDAY AT

GLENEAGLES & GLENEAGLES TOWNHOUSE

Set across 850 acres of countryside, Gleneagles invites guests to step into a fairytale Christmas inspired by Scottish folklore & enchanted forests. Fires are stoked, Champagne is chilled, and mince pies warm in the oven, setting the scene for Scotland’s most luxurious seasonal gathering.

Throughout the festive season, Gleneagles comes alive with country pursuits, ice skating, pantomimes, and arts and crafts, alongside indulgent dining, whisky tastings, and fortune telling. Guests can enjoy axe throwing or Champagne pairings, while families meet Father Christmas and his reindeer, and children delight in storytelling, chocolate treats, and the lively Talent Academy.

Christmas Day lunch will see Gleneagles serve up the very best of Scottish winter fare as guests are presented with a menu designed for feasting. 

In Edinburgh, an hour away from Gleneagles, the season means cobbled streets and twinkling lights, turning the city into a glittering wonderland. Located on St Andrew Square, Gleneagles Townhouse offers opulent guest accommodation alongside glamorous dining and drinking experiences. 

The three-night Christmas at Gleneagles package, is available from 24–26 December 2025, includes all food and entertainment, with rates starting from $10,208. For more information please visit https://gleneagles.com/. Festive rates at Gleneagles Townhouse start from $784 per night with a two-night minimum stay, valid from 22 December 2025 – 1 January 2026. The Spence will host Christmas Day dining starting from $244pp. For more information please visit, https://gleneagles.com

EUROPE

HOME FOR THE HOLIDAYS THE THINKING TRAVELLER WAY – GATHER WITH LOVED ONES IN A PRIVATE VILLA AND EXPERIENCE A SPECIAL LOCAL TOUCH ACROSS THE MEDITERRANEAN

Founded in 2002 by Rossella and Huw Beaugié, The Thinking Traveller is celebrated for its curated collection of over 300 unique, exclusive properties across Sicily, Puglia, Tuscany, Greece, and Corsica. 

Ideal for festive getaways, the portfolio offers families and friends the opportunity to come together in the privacy and comfort of a luxurious Mediterranean villa.

Whether spending Christmas in Sicily, ringing in the New Year with sweeping coastal views in Corsica, or celebrating Epiphany in Puglia, families and friends are spoiled for choice. From intimate stays at Villa Kamares to grand estates like Palazzo Musmeci, or coastal escapes such as Le Cannelle, each property offers something truly special for the festive season, framed by breathtaking sea views and the timeless charm of the Mediterranean.

Spacious kitchens, wood-burning ovens and welcoming living areas set the scene for festive dining and joyful days spent together. The Thinking Traveller offers private chefs to create festive menus inspired by local flavours, while their Villa Specialists and Local Specialists curate every detail with care, ensuring each stay feels effortless and full of festive charm.

For more information, please visit: www.thethinkingtraveller.com

 BELGIAN HOSPITALITY AT BOTANIC SANCTUARY ANTWERP FEATURING A VEUVE CLICQUOT CHAMPAGNE LODGE & FESTIVE TEA BY ONE OF THE WORLD’S MOST ESTEEMED PASTRY CHEFS

Botanic Sanctuary Antwerp’s festive season begins on 19 November with the opening of their Magical Hideaway, when the monastery gardens sparkle with lights, market stalls, and the Veuve Clicquot Lodge — an elegant retreat in the heart of the garden, serving the finest Veuve Clicquot champagne alongside refined small bites. 

Advent Sundays fill the chapel with children’s choirs, while Roger van Damme’s (voted best pastry chef in the world 2017) Festive High Tea inspired by local ingredients, runs through mid-January. 

Guests can look forward to highlights such as a Dom Pérignon Champagne & Dine at Henry’s Bistro on 4 December, gala dinners on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day across the Amaryllis Ballroom, Chapel, and Henry’s Bistro, and a festive program of music and dining.

Celebrations culminate on New Year’s Eve with an intimate five-course menu at Henry’s Bistro, a glittering White Night Gala, and a lively Chapel party, followed the next morning by a lavish New Year’s Brunch, featuring a selection of gourmet options from fresh oysters to live cooking stations. 

Rates at Botanic Sanctuary Antwerp start from $525 per night on a B&B basis www.botanicantwerp.be/

HOLIDAY SPLENDOR IN THE CITY OF LIGHTS AT LE BRISTOL PARIS – THE TIMELESS ICON OF PARISIAN ELEGANCE

As the festive season approaches, Le Bristol Paris, part of the prestigious Oetker Hotels and France’s first ‘Palace’ hotel, radiates in holiday splendor. In the French Garden, sparkling firs transform the courtyard, while a handcrafted Neapolitan nativity scene brings the lobby to life.

From November, Pastry Chef Maxence Barbot presents an elegant afternoon tea featuring his signature creamy flan, while Chef Arnaud Faye at Epicure unveils a spectacular festive menu, where every ingredient shines under his masterful touch. At 114 Faubourg and Café Antonia, guests can savour joyful menus and New Year’s celebrations in true Parisian style.

Beyond the table, the hotel offers a curated selection of gifts, from the limited-edition CLUEDO: Palace Edition and Sporty & Rich x Le Bristol Paris capsule to the Honoré fragrance collection by Maison Trudon each a celebration of French art de vivre.

Rates at Le Bristol Paris start from $2,432 per night, room only. For more information please visit https://www.oetkerhotels.com/hotels/le-bristol-paris/festive-season/

ULTIMA COLLECTION CELEBRATES THE SEASON WITH GRAFF DIAMOND EXPERIENCES & ZUMA’S ALPINE RESIDENCES IN GSTAAD AND COURCHEVEL

This winter, Ultima Collection celebrates the festive season in partnership with Graff Jewelry, bringing the brilliance of diamonds to the Alps. Across Ultima Hotel Gstaad and Ultima Hotel Courchevel, guests can experience a holiday season defined by craftsmanship, beauty, and refined celebration. From glittering Christmas trees styled by Graff to intimate diamond masterclasses, the collaboration blends artistry with elegance.

At Ultima Hotel Gstaad, the season sparkles with refined celebrations – from a private Graff masterclass in diamond artistry to a Zuma restaurant takeover with festive omakase menus. Highlights include Christmas Eve and Day feasts, a lively New Year’s Eve with champagne and live music, and a relaxed New Year’s Day brunch with spa treatments. Families can enjoy festive films and a “Lost Graff Diamond” treasure hunt for children.

The celebrations continue to unfold at Ultima Hotel Couchevel with alpine elegance as guests enjoy Graff-adorned chalets, pastry workshops, and après-ski treats. In partnership with Zuma, private in-chalet dining features festive or omakase menus with dishes like foie gras terrine, King Crab roll, and roasted venison. Guests can also enjoy a Winter Mixology Masterclass, a private New Year’s dinner, and a Festive Glam & Glow beauty experience with champagne.

Rates at Ultima Hotel Courchevel start from $8,617 per night. Rates at Ultima Hotel Gstaad start from approx. $1,388 per night including an a la carte breakfast.

THE CARRIBBEAN

A VERY CARIBBEAN CHRISTMAS AT JUMBY BAY ISLAND WITH ISLAND ADVENTURES AND A NEW PARTNERSHIP WITH THE NATIONAL SAILING ACADEMY

Ringed by coral reefs and reachable only by boat, with not a car in sight, Jumby Bay Island from Oetker Hotel’s featuring pristine white-sand beaches and winding bicycle paths, creating a magical hideaway just two miles off the mainland of Antigua and the perfect sun-soaked escape this December to spend the holidays. 

New this season, Jumby Bay Island guests can participate in an exclusive partnership with the National Sailing Program, where families learn Caribbean sailing from certified instructors against the backdrop of Antigua’s crystal-clear waters and trade winds  

Throughout the entire month, guests have the opportunity to participate in a range of daily activities from turtle spotting tours, paddleboard races, rum history and tasting courses, to gingerbread decorating classes, gin & golf games, pickleball, cooking demonstrations, tai chi, and so much more. 

On Christmas Eve, savor a special à la carte dinner with your loved ones, followed by an exclusive White & Red Night celebration — an elegant beachside celebration of festive glamour, perfectly poised to herald Santa’s arrival in style.

On Christmas morning, get ready for Santa’s grand island-style arrival at 11:00 a.m. – a magical moment when children and guests gather to welcome him as he appears with sand beneath his boots and the salt air in his hair. Afterwards, continue the celebration at The Veranda with an indulgent Christmas Buffet lunch, brimming with festive flavors, island specialties, and holiday cheer.

Rates for Jumby Bay Island start from $2,250 per night in a Beachside Suite, inclusive of all meals, beverages, cocktails and house wine by the glass, as well as all watersports activities and kids club. Rates are subject to an additional 14% ABST government tax and 10% service. For more information visit https://www.oetkerhotels.com/hotels/jumby-bay-island

AFRICA

SWAP SNOW FOR SUN AT CAPE GRACE: BASK IN WARMING MOMENTS & JOYFUL CELEBRATIONS

This holiday season, Cape Grace invites sun-seekers to celebrate in true Cape spirit and against the stunning backdrop of Cape Town’s V&A Waterfront, with a carefully crafted lineup of joyful activities and unforgettable family-forward experiences. 

Seasonal indulgences including Christmas Eve and Christmas Day dinners at Heirloom Restaurant allow guests to enjoy a festive welcome drink and a celebratory festive menu. Festive treatments at the Fairmont Spa and time at the heated outdoor pool are encouraged, too. 

Welcoming the New Year in true style, Cape Grace’s exclusive Heirloom dinner invites fresh seasonal flavors and a complimentary welcome drink featuring private fireworks over the iconic Cape Town skyline with a glass of bubbles as the clock strikes midnight. Party the night away at a late evening pool party featuring live entertainment and dance floor fun or dress up for the ‘Day of the Dead’ themed party at Bascule Bar to welcome in the New Year with a selection of DJ’s and a complimentary countdown cocktail.

Kids can join in on the festivities with magical Christmas storytelling, biscuit decorating with lots of icing, sprinkles, and cheer, in-room milk & cookies storytime before drifting off to sleep on Christmas Eve, and a special hotel visit from Santa himself. 

Fairmont Harbour View Rooms start from $950 per night.  Rates for the signature Cape Grace Suite start from $10,000 per night. www.capegrace.com

— V —

---