Schools go back this week – it's time to mention the 'C' word
With operators trumpeting their biggest ever Yuletide market programmes, it’s time to count down to Christmas and profit on the popularity of December city breaks with these new packages
In response to the growing demand for festive-themed holidays, Newmarket Holidays has expanded its range with eight new tours for 2024/25. These include a Dresden Christmas Market break exploring Germany’s oldest Christmas market, which dates back to 1434; Christmas in the Black Forest; and Christmas in Yorkshire.
Verity Rice, director of product at Newmarket Holidays, says: “Dresden is a hugely popular and beautiful city on the banks of the Elbe that’s surprisingly compact, so it’s easy to explore on foot and perfect for a short break. At Christmas, the streets come alive with festive magic and the city’s mix of modern and historical architecture provides the perfect backdrop – it ticks lots of boxes for our customers.”
She adds: “It’s also a place that customers may struggle to get to on their own as there are no direct flights. We are the only UK operator to offer it, with flights into Berlin and transfers to Dresden included, which opens up this fantastic destination to more travellers.”
The four-day Dresden Christmas market break starts from £628pp, departing from Gatwick on 26 November. The price includes three nights’ B&B, a guided walking tour of Dresden, a river cruise on the Elbe, and coach travel and transfers through. There’s also an option to add on a full-day tour to Leipzig for an additional cost.
HOME AND AWAY
Another new Christmas Market tour is Just Go! Holidays’ two-day Stratford-upon-Avon Victorian Christmas Market coach break. Traders in the pop-up market wear Victorian costumes, and there’s live entertainment plus a carousel.
Claire Dutton, trade sales manager at Just Go! Holidays, says: “Set against the backdrop of the town’s historic streets, which are adorned with twinkling lights, there are more than 200 stalls to enjoy with entertainment integrated throughout.”
This tour, which departs on 7 December, is priced from £129pp, and includes return coach travel from selected pick-up points in the south of England, and one night’s B&B accommodation, based on two sharing.
Inspiring Travel has also expanded its range of European city breaks to maximise the popularity of Christmas markets. For example, in Prague, the operator is offering the Four Seasons Hotel (three nights from £1,429pp). The riverside property is a short walk from the Old Town Square, the location for Prague’s biggest Christmas market.
Meanwhile, Jet2 has revealed its biggest winter Christmas markets programme for 2025/26. More than 250,000 seats are on sale, with all 12 of Jet2’s UK airports offered for the first time, representing a 16% capacity increase over this coming winter. Newest base Bournemouth Airport is featured among eight brand new routes, with flights to Prague and Vienna. Other new additions also include Belfast International – Vienna; East Midlands – Berlin; Glasgow – Budapest; Liverpool John Lennon – Vienna; London Stansted – Krakow; and Newcastle International – Gdansk.
Steve Heapy, chief executive, Jet2.com and Jet2holidays, says: “The demand we are seeing for our enormously popular Christmas markets programme continues to increase, which is why we have responded with our biggest choice ever for Winter 25/26.”
Jet2CityBreaks offers three nights’ B&B at Prague’s Hotel Design Metropol from £749pp, based on two adults sharing. Includes flights departing from Bournemouth on 27 November, 2025, with a 22kg baggage allowance.
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