Top ten: Christmas Getaways
Friday, 16 December 2011 2:46 PM
Thinking of doing things a little differently this Christmas? Choosing to spend the holidays away from home is far more common than you might think.
We have a look at some of the rental options available this Christmas and how you might look to enjoy a slightly different Yuletide to normal.
Call it our top ten Christmas getaways, if you will.
1. Knysna – South Africa
A regular choice families make at Christmas is to swap freezing conditions for a bit of sun.
If sunnier climes suit your taste then where better than South Africa?
Fish Eagle Drive, on the exclusive Pezula private golf estate comes equipped with dramatic views over the indigenous forest and Indian Ocean.
It also has five bedrooms and bathrooms, three reception rooms, a rim flow pool (that's a pool which looks as if there is no side) terraced ponds and wood burning fire.
The whole property is available for £1,135 a week and includes access to the golf course, horse riding, canoeing, tennis courts and spa and restaurant facilities of the nearby five-star hotel.
Who says Christmas has to be about cheap crackers with naff jokes?
2. Holly Cottage – London (Hampstead)
Does South Africa seem a bit far away? It's a lengthy commute for the sales. If you'd rather be nice and close on Boxing Day morning then you could try Holly Cottage in London.
This three bedroom cottage is in the heart of Hampstead Village so you'll have little problem hopping on the tube.
It's available for £2,000 a week... but it does come unfurnished, so you might just have to move there.
3. Ski Chalet – Verbier (Switzerland)
For the slightly bigger budgeted amongst you: check out this huge ski chalet in Switzerland, offering the ultimate luxury white Christmas:
Pretty incredible eh? At a cool £108,433 a week we guess it'd have to be, but it does have everything. Private cinema, gym, Asian lounge disco (what?), Turkish steam bath, cigar club, wine cellar, game room, nine spa treatment rooms... (you get the picture).
Also, this isn't a badly located table for Christmas dinner:
4. Modern Cala Carbo Villa - Ibiza
Snow snow snow. If snow is your worst nightmare then Ibiza at Christmas might be your answer. We can guarantee no snow and Ibiza isn't all nightclubs, you’ll also find quiet, secluded spots.
It won't be as hot as it is in the summer time, but you'll certainly escape the cold.
Available for around £5,700 a week.
5. Rutland Gate – London (South Kensington)
Switching off from work can be tricky at Christmas. This ground floor apartment comes equipped with a hidden work station which means you can keep up to date with everything, but won't miss Christmas altogether.
After all someone (other than Santa) has to pay for all those pressies.
Apartment available for £900 a week.
6. Tuscany – Italy
On the other hand, Christmas is about relaxing. That is exactly what you'd be able to do in this beautiful rustic country house in Tuscany, which comes with a five-hectare estate, guest cottage and large swimming pool.
With six bedrooms and seven bathrooms this property could provide you with the perfect location to bring all of the family together.
It's also a cook's paradise with fresh rosemary, sage and olive oil all available within the grounds, although you'll still end up peeling all of the potatoes.
This slice of Tuscan paradise is available for £5,422 per week.
7. St Moritz – Switzerland
If you don't fancy cooking this Christmas then your best option might well be this new-build chalet in St Moritz, which comes complete with a private chef.
We wouldn't mind waking up to this view on Christmas morning:
There's accommodation for 11 guests and room to entertain and dine 18.
There's also a large ski room for when you get in off the slopes, with facilities for boot, clothes and helmet heating.
You can rent the whole thing for a cheeky £36,432 per week.
8. Avenue Road - St John's Wood (London)
Christmas is all about entertaining family and friends, so you may want to consider how you could do that a bit closer to home. If so then here's a house that's ready to party in over the festive period:
It comes equipped with an expansive carriage driveway for up to eight cars, meaning your guests can really call for carriages at midnight. Alternatively you can put them up in one of the six bedroom suites.
This stylish pad has fabulous entertaining space and a dramatic staircase and hallway for the hosts to make their entrance in style.
Available for £15,000 per week.
9. Mykonos – Greece
Greece might be in the spotlight for all the wrong reasons of late, but that's no reason to avoid the beautiful Greek island of Mykonos at Christmas time.
This picture pretty much sums up what's on offer here:
No snowmen to be seen.
Available for around £4,150.
10. Bosco Dei Tartufo – Tuscany (Italy)
Nice as some of the pricier places we've looked at are, often it is quaint charm that wins out, especially at Christmas time. That's why we've chosen this lovely little piece of Tuscany as our top Christmas getaway:
We've rather fallen in love with the six bedroom farmhouse conversion, with its carefully constructed garden, rolling woodland surround and out of the way location.
If it's a retreat you're looking for, this is probably your place.
Available for around £2,753 per week.
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