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DH has 4 holiday days left to use before the end of the year. We've already got a week in Blackpool Oct Half Term and we're on a family holiday for the new year, so thinking we might have a few days away. I work Mon-Wed so it would have to be Thurs-Sun and I'm just wondering if anyone could suggest any places that are nice to visit this time of year (non-camping by the way, I'm talking hotels here!)

The options we're considering at the moment are:

London - can get Twickenham Travelodge for £27 a night and go on the megabus for about £42 return for the two of us, so that is a real bargain. Would quite like to visit the Winter Wonderland in Hyde Park, is there anything else Christmas-themed going on?

Liverpool - we love Liverpool and usually visit for our anniversary in February, but never been during the festive period. Woudl we enjoy it, is there anything special going on?

Any other ideas please, budget around £150 for accomodation and travel, plus extras for eating out etc.

Thanks in advance for your input.

Quote: Originally posted by BadToTheBone on 29/8/2013

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A little further afield but probably not much more expensive, Bruges is lovely on the run up to Christmas. You can get a coach trip for not much money or go by car (as we tend to) for a little more. It really isn't far from the ferry - we tend to pop over for lunch now and again.

Formula 1 hotels are the equivalent of travelodge out there and are just as cheap.

In addition to its typical "Venice of the North" beauty, the added festive feel with the horses, great cafes, the Linen Market bells and the Christmas markets make it a great place to be on the run up to Christmas.

They sell some seriously good beer too!

Whatever you decide to do, have a great time.

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Quote: Originally posted by Ronni54 on 29/8/2013

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If you decide to go the Christmas markets in Belgium, check out the Megabus site. My daughter travelled from Birmingham to Amsterdam (stopping off at Bruges) in June for £25.50. This was one way as she came back in the car with us. She left Birmingham at 5.15 pm on Friday and arrived at 9.00 am on Saturday.

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If you can avoid Winter Wonderland on a weekend.  It was absolutely heaving last year with queues just to walk around and getting from one stall to the one opposite was impossible, also the loo queues.

Loads of christmas stuff in London, South Bank had stalls etc.  Harrods just for the food and toy departments - you dont have to buy.

Loads of free musuems dont forget V&A, Science, NAtural History.  I could go on for ages on this one.

We had a weekend in Newcastle last December mainly for Fenwicks window  (put it in You Tube) and there is always the Quayside.  We had a lovely night out there and a fantastic Indian meal in the Bigg market. 

We are thinking of Birmingham this year as the christmas market is supposed to be good,

Manchester has a brilliant Christmas market too - I spend too much time and money there after work.

Thanks Jana.

If we do decide to do Winter Wonderland it would be on the Friday, is the Magical Ice Kingdom worth the money, are you only in there half an hour, as you have to book a half hour slot, but it's £9 per person. Was thinking of booking for about 10 in the morning.