Christmas Travel – Too early to plan, or perfect timing?
I know many of you are currently enjoying the height of summer, perhaps even sat on a sunny pitch as you read this, so Christmas might be the last thing on your mind. But for others, now is exactly the time to start thinking about festive travel plans.
Over the past couple of weeks, we’ve already seen a noticeable rise in interest for our Escorted Christmas Tours, both here in the UK and overseas. It seems plenty of members are getting organised early, which got me wondering – do you like to travel over the Christmas period? Have you done it before, or is it something you’d like to try?
For those still weighing up their options, we’ve got some fantastic tours departing this winter, including:
In the UK
- Thursford & Sandringham Festive Delight – departing late November, a 3-night break featuring the magical Luminate Sandringham light trail and the dazzling Thursford Christmas Spectacular.
- Festive London Lights & Delights – departing early December, a 4-night break visiting Windsor Castle’s Christmas decorations, festive afternoon tea, Kew Gardens’ light display, and time for Christmas shopping in Central London.
On the Continent
- Christmas Markets & André Rieu – departing early December, a 6-night tour visiting the Netherlands and Germany, including the market caves of Valkenburg, Cologne’s famous Christmas market, a visit to the Nativity Sand Sculpture, and an unforgettable André Rieu concert.
Whether you’re firmly in the “too early” camp, already planning, or even booked and ready to go, I’d love to hear how you approach Christmas travel – and what makes it special for you. I’ll be here to join the discussion and share more details if you’re tempted by any of the tours above.
Comments
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Thanks for sharing your view @Hja. It’s always good to hear different perspectives. One of the things I really value about the caravan and motorhome community is that freedom for everyone to shape their trips in their own way. For some, that might mean embracing the Christmas sparkle, for others it’s the joy of escaping it entirely, and both are perfectly valid.
I guess the decorations are a bit like putting lights up on the house. For those who enjoy it, it’s part of the fun and creativity. And while it might not be everyone’s cup of tea, it’s all part of the mix that makes our community so varied and interesting.
Personally, I tend to avoid tinsel, but I must admit I enjoy the lights (that's on my house, rather than van).
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We regularly take our van away to the Xmas Markets, Bath ,Bristol and Winchester to name a few.I use this as an excuse to use the van,before the Christmas panic.
Longleat light show was amazing,but it is not a festive theme.
I cannot remember any units being decorated overly though,in any of the caravan clubs sites we use.
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Club sites weren’t designed for sociable Christmas group activities, so rather than simply queuing for a glass of sherry and a mince pie in the wardens office some might prefer to park up at a pub - however simple the setting outside provided there were big fires, mulled wine and big meals indoors , plus carol singing and a live band too. Jamaica Inn on top of Bodmin Moor in Cornwall might be one, but a list of other suggestions might turn up - especially from Motorhomers
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@eurortraveller have you ever been in a club site over Christmas?
Remember not all are open but the ones that do are perfectly suited to socialise. And it's not just a case of visiting the wardens' office as you think.
We had a seasonal that ended in January at the site we're on and we were there the weekend before Christmas and the very large games and linked information (to give you an idea or size there's a large leather settee and chairs in both) rooms was used for the gatherings or people stayed in their outfits.
Personally I love the Christmas lights, trees,inside and outside outfits and the sites look wonderful. Why shouldn't people want to celebrate Christmas like that?
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@Cornersteady I for one would not want to spend my Christmas staring at loads of units done up to the nines. We go away every Xmas and New Year to get away from all of that, staying at quiet CIs etc enjoying ourselves as want. But every one to their own thing.
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We've been away for Christmas, and not at all bothered about others lights.
The only time you see them is going to or from from the caravan, and most of the dark hours are spent either in the pub, socialising, or indoors watching telly with blinds up.
Can't say we've ever spent time staring out of the window at other peoples lights
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Jamaica Inn has recently been taken over by The Coaching Inn group and offer top quality Christmas 2 and 3 night packages (we have booked this year having enjoyed it at a different place of theirs last year.) Doubt they'd welcome motorhomers turning up en spec!
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Yes of course it would be wise to book. Motorhomes are more common overnight there than caravans - sometimes half a dozen stopping over. either on the car park or the overflow field.. It’s listed on a number of websites and thecharge is £10 pernight .
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