Nothing gets us into a festive mood quite like a trip to one of the world's best Christmas holiday destinations. From picturesque snowy scenes in winter wonderlands to cosy evenings by the fire at historic hotels, Christmas really is the most wonderful time of year – and the perfect chance to escape for a seasonal break.

Whether we're soaking up the yuletide cheer in the UK with a trip to Bath Christmas Market or hopping over to Europe to take in the breathtaking views of Lake Bled, the best Christmas holiday destinations offer everything we love about the festive month.

If you're looking to celebrate the season with a short break, either in a cold weather location or somewhere sunny yet festive, our guide to the top Christmas holiday destinations will help you choose the right place for you. Here are some of the best places to visit for a Christmas holiday in 2019.

1.Bath

With its twinkling lights and array of Christmas events, the UK is a terrific place to spend the run-up to the big day. Head for the cobbled streets of Bath, where the lovely Bath Christmas Market awaits.

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Here, you can shop for festive gifts, feast on bratwurst and gingerbread and get your skates on at the ice rink. This November, you can combine your visit with a stay at the Country Living Lansdown Grove Hotel and gin or wine tasting with TV wine buff Susy Atkins. FIND OUT MORE

2.Lake Bled

You'll be hard-pressed to find a more picture-perfect setting for a magical Christmas holiday than this Slovenian beauty spot. Surrounded by mountains blanketed by snow, Lake Bled is arguably most beautiful at this time of year, when you can take in its natural views while enjoying fun, festive goings on.

Christmas holiday destinations
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There's an ice rink with views, a Christmas market, nativity scenes in Bled Castle and plenty of opportunities for winter strolls. Try Titan Travel's Christmas in Lake Bled holiday, which will take you to Ljubljana for Christmas Eve, before spending the day itself in Bled. FIND OUT MORE

3.Cotswolds

For another attractive UK destination at Christmas, look no further than the dreamy Cotswolds, where you can really get away from it all. Castle Combe, often referred to as the 'prettiest village in England' offers all the chocolate box cottages and cosy pubs surrounded by beautiful woodland.

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Castle Combe

At Christmas, there's a lovely market selling unique gifts that you can browse before stopping for some good pub grub. Nearby Lucknam Park is a luxury hotel with stunning grounds that make for wonderful winter walks - especially if you're looking for a dog-friendly location. Stay at the end of November and you can take part in wreath making or festive baking. FIND OUT MORE

4.Swedish Lapland

This winter wonderland feels Christmassy all throughout the cold weather months and offers a super snowy getaway. One for those who like to get active in their Christmas holiday destination, Swedish Lapland offers snowmobiling, husky sledding, snowshoeing and Northern Lights hunts.

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Check into the Icehotel for a truly unique winter experience. You'll sleep on an ice bed covered in reindeer skin to keep you warm and can spend the day exploring the marvellous Arctic landscapes. FIND OUT MORE

5.Algarve

For a festive holiday in the sun that won't take you too far from home, Portugal's Algarve is a great place for mild weather and good value.

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Albufeira, Praia da Rocha, Vilamoura and Lagos are where you'll find the palm trees sparkling with Christmas lights and events for everyone to enjoy. You can expect street parties, Father Christmas parades and concerts, too. Book an Airbnb to have a place all to yourself in the Algarve. FIND OUT MORE

6.Banff

For a quintessential Christmas experience with pine trees covered in snow, the town's high street twinkling with colourful lights and a lake freezing over for skating on a natural ice rink, head for breathtaking Banff in Canada. There's a Santa Claus Parade and Christmas market in November, plus an array of festive goings on at Banff Gondola in December.

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Nearby Lake Louise is the place to get out and about to take in the fresh air on a snowy walk or by ice skating, and you'll find fantastic slopes for skiing. You'll find the top hotels in Banff for Christmas on Booking.com. FIND OUT MORE Alternatively, Inghams has ski holidays to Banff in December. FIND OUT MORE

The 10 best weekend bags for your next mini break
Most practical weekend bag
Lisbon Duffle Backpack Large
Kapten & Son Lisbon Duffle Backpack Large

This duffle bag/backpack hybrid has been a game changer for our senior homes and lifestyle writer, Megan Geall, as it can easily transport days' worth of outfits and belongings. There’s also a chest buckle for better support and security – perfect for when you’re carrying heavy loads!

The design feels very high quality and we love the two end compartments for keeping everything separate. There’s plenty of storage inside too, including two mesh pockets and a laptop compartment. It also comes with laundry and shoe bags, so you’ll have everything you need to stay organised on the go.

Good roll-top weekend bag
Stockholm Backpack
Helly Hansen Stockholm Backpack

This Helly Hansen backpack would make a thoughtful unisex gift for travellers. Thanks to the roll-top design, the main compartment is adjustable and easy to fasten. It also comes with a laptop sleeve and padded straps, making it a great pick for those who commute via public transport or bike.

It’s not the biggest backpack so is best suited to light packers or one-night stays but it’s an affordable buy.

Good budget weekend bag
Stand+ Duffle Bag
Eastpak Stand+ Duffle Bag
Now 16% Off

After splashing out on a weekend away, the last thing you need is to spend a fortune on your luggage. That’s why we love this affordable, yet practical, bag from Eastpak. It’s lightweight and versatile with carry handles and an adjustable, detachable shoulder strap.

It folds away easily and comes with a compact pouch for no-fuss storage when it’s not in use. Plus, it's the ideal cabin-friendly size if you want something to fly with.

Weekender Holdall
Fjällräven Weekender Holdall

Popular luggage brand Fjällräven specialises in durable designs, and this weekender is no exception.

With a 30L capacity, it can be worn in three ways: crossbody, as a hold-all, or as a backpack. The handles are a little rough and they’re not the strongest, but while it may look small, it can hold a lot. Plus, there’s a 17” laptop compartment and the expandable front section is handy for keeping passports and phones within quick reach.

Good value weekend bag
Gatwick Travel Duffle Bag
ROKA Gatwick Travel Duffle Bag

We love the versatility of this bag. As well as top handles, it has a detachable shoulder strap, a side handle, and a sleeve handle to attach it to your suitcase so you can breeze through the airport.

The handy shoe compartment is separate from the main bag, and there are two pockets on the front that offer a lot more extra space than you’d initially think. There’s also a laptop compartment and interior pockets for valuables. It’s not the smartest-looking bag on this list but it’s practical, durable and more affordable than most.

Good lightweight weekend bag
Featherlight Weekender
Away Featherlight Weekender

Part of the brand’s ‘Featherlight’ collection, this weekend bag weighs in at least than one kilogram, so even if you fill it to the brim with your favourite outfits, it shouldn’t weigh you down. However, the polyester twill material does feel cheaper than a traditional duffle bag – something to keep in mind if you typically opt for a thicker fabric.

The bag comes with a 16” laptop pocket, an interior and exterior pocket, and a shoe compartment at the bottom. We also love the adjustable crossbody strap, which feels sturdy and secure and (most importantly) comfortable!

Good budget buy
Travel Duffel Bag with Cosmetic Bag
Kono Travel Duffel Bag with Cosmetic Bag
Now 33% Off

This is more of an overnight option than a weekend bag, but it’s super affordable, can be easily adjusted from handbag size to an overnight bag, and comes with a matching cosmetic bag for storing your beauty essentials.

There’s also a sleeve for attaching it to your suitcase so you can free up your hands in the airport.

SoFo Weekender M
Horizn Studios SoFo Weekender M

Sleek and sophisticated, travelling with this weekend bag certainly won’t cramp your style. It’s made with a water-sealed base and waterproof lining and features padded handles, and an adjustable shoulder strap made of coated cotton.

There are also pockets on the inside and outside for storing valuables or items that need to be within easy reach, and the 32L capacity means there’s plenty of room for everything you might need for a weekend getaway.

Good weekend backpack
Hybrid Backpack 30L
Stubble & Co Hybrid Backpack 30L

Our tech editor, Simon Cocks, says Stubble & Co's Hybrid backpack is fantastic for a long weekend getaway. It opens like a suitcase for packing, and the 30L capacity allows you to fit a lot in.

It weighs just 1.5kg and has smart features like a dual-access top pocket, a padded laptop and tablet compartment, and water-resistant zips. It might be a little bulky if you're travelling light, but if you've got a lot to carry, it's a comfy all-in-one travel backpack.

Good leather weekend bag
Boston Duffle Travel Bag
Aspinal of London Boston Duffle Travel Bag

Aspinal of London's classic Boston holdall is handcrafted from fine, full-grain leather with a gorgeous pebble finish, for a quality, durable finish that should last a lifetime.

Its soft shell and beautiful printed silk lining, paired with sturdy handles and a detachable strap, make it a both a practical and stylish choice.

best weekend bags

How we choose the best weekend bags

Our senior homes and lifestyle writer, Megan Geall, looks after all the Good Housekeeping Institute’s tried and tested luggage guides, so she knows what to look for in the ultimate weekend bag.

She spent weeks trying out many of the bags featured above, including taking two of them with her to Glastonbury this year. Others have been recommended by the frequent travellers in Team GH. We were looking for practical, durable, lightweight and stylish designs that could fit everything we needed for a weekend away. We also paid close attention to standout features such as suitcase sleeves, separate shoe compartments and extra pockets for easy access.

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How big should a weekend bag be?

The ideal weekend bag size depends on where you're going, how you’re travelling and the length of your trip. For example, if you're travelling by coach or train, we highly recommend something that’s lightweight with a generous capacity, such as the Helly Hansen Stockholm Backpack (15 x 30 x 45 cm).

However, for the airport, you'll want a design that fits everything and has easy-to-access pockets for holding your passport and boarding pass. We love the Kono Travel Duffel Bag with Cosmetic Bag, which also has a sleeve so you can safely attach it to the handle of your suitcase.

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More GHI Approved luggage to shop