Holiday homes for Christmas and New Year Holidays
The most wonderful time of the year
Self-catering holidays are all about family. Renting NOVASOL villas in Italy or cottages in Belgium, families create unique memories and spend quality time together. This is very in keeping with the Christmas spirit which is, to the surprise of many first-time Christmas holidaymakers, just as strong abroad as it is in the UK. Whether you are somewhere sunny or somewhere cold, wet and windy, expect to hear Christmas songs and plenty of holiday cheer, albeit in different languages to what you are used to.
Markets and attractions
Everybody loves a Christmas market. Although the markets that begin to appear in British towns and cities are charming, they have nothing on the delights of the markets on the continent. Stay in rented accommodation in Europe and experience the magic of local Christmas markets. Expect to find local food, beers and activities at whichever Christmas market you go to. Also, many of the markets have plenty of activities for families and children, including ice rinks and fair ground activities. Make sure you wrap up warm though as these markets are almost always outside.
Food and weather
Two of the biggest draws of holidays at any time of the year are the food and the weather. With Christmas getaways, the food gets even better! Enjoy hearty stews and slow roasted beef dishes across Europe such as Spezzatino di Manzo in Italy and Boeuf Bourguignon in France. That’s not to mention the chocolates, cakes and breads that are on offer, washed down very nicely with local wines and beers. In terms of the weather, if you are looking for snow, you will likely find it in the hilly regions of eastern France and northern Italy, as well as across Scandinavia. For winter sun, rent accommodation in Portugal, apartments in Spain, or villas in Greece and Cyprus.
Skiing and other activities on self-catered family holidays
Another great reason for holidaying in the new year is the extra snowy activities that become available on family holidays. NOVASOL has a large number of ski chalets in Germany, Austria and across the alps region, perfect for hitting the slopes in the cold weather. If you prefer more gentle winter activities such as walking and nature watching, we have holiday homes near to national parks, nature parks, mountains and lakes. For an extra special experience, head to Rømø Island in Denmark where they have a porpoise safari!
Self-catering in Belgium and Holland
Holiday homes in Belgium and Holland are great way to enjoy the markets and Christmas festivities of the Benelux region. Christmas markets can be found across Belgium, with one of the very best in the city of Ghent which snakes through the town centre, across the river and past the cathedral. Along this route, lined with wooden stalls selling everything from chocolate truffles to Glühwein, you will find families taking in the atmosphere. For even more picturesque scenery, rent holiday homes in Holland and visit the picturesque frozen canals and cute villages that dot the country.
Christmas accommodation in France
Another country within easy reach of the UK, France is one of the most popular New Year and Christmas destinations for families. Cottages in Normandy are so easy to get to either on the ferry or on the Eurotunnel car shuttle, so it only takes a day’s travelling and then you are there. If you are looking for a super easy holiday break, stay near Montreuil-sur-Mer, only a 30 minute drive from Calais. This delightful town has all the French indulgences you need at Christmas such as rich food and plenty of cheese shops. The town is ringed by its medieval ramparts which are fun for families to walk along.
Italy villas
New Year’s villa holidays in Italy are very different in northern regions such as Piedmont and Lombardy to southern regions of Calabria and Sicily. The northern regions, at the foot of the Alps, are cold and snowy for much of the festive period. The higher up you go, the snowier it gets with ski parks and other activities opening up. You can also find some fabulous Christmas markets in this region selling all manner of Italian goodies. In the south however, the weather remains mild and is sometimes warm enough for beach days. Renting villas in Sicily, the atmosphere is still very Christmassy as the locals throw many festive parades and events.
Festive apartments in Spain
Head to southern Spain for Christmas if you want plenty of sunshine and a relaxed poolside holiday. Apartments in Spain are in high demand in the colder months as people flock to the country to escape the British weather. Particularly popular are apartments in Marbella and generally on the Costa del Sol and the Costa Blanca which bathe in sunshine and temperatures in the high teens right through until the spring.
Why NOVASOL?
With over 50,000 holiday homes across Europe, there is something for every family when booking with NOVASOL. Thousands of families choose self-catering each Christmas, renting villas in Italy, chalets in Austria and much more. An advantage of Christmas and new year holidays with NOVASOL is that they are often less expensive than summer holidays, enabling families to save a bit of money by choosing this time of year. NOVASOL has homes in 28 countries, so pick your favourite and see how the locals enjoy the festive period.