Don’t miss out on the Christmas Markets!

We may only just be heading into our summer but it’s never too early to start considering tours to magical Christmas Markets in both the UK and Europe. Believe it or not but these tours are extremely popular and are sure to be a sell-out so don’t miss out and book your place today!

Absorb yourself in the festive magic of Valkenburg where century old caves provide the setting as you follow a candle-lit cobweb of corridors to the beautiful velvet scene of this wonderful Christmas Market. Not only will you get to see the variety of stalls and their festive ware, but you’ll also have plenty of free time to explore Valkenburg itself. Head over to Belgium and see the stunning Christmas Markets held in Ypres, Ostend and Bruges. The wonderful festive season begins here in December with the St. Nicholas celebrations where shops display all sorts of fantastic sweety treats such as marzipan, ‘klaasjes’ (flat hard cakes) and ‘speculoos’ (gingerbread moulded into the shape of St Nicholas). In Liege, you’ll be able to wander around 155 decorated wooden cottages that form the magical ‘Christmas Village’. You’ll also be able to see the annual European Christmas Market in Brussels that is held on the Place St. Catherine. Belgium has something for everyone with fairy-lit nativity scenes and decorative stalls selling a wide variety of ornaments, decorations & wonderful local delicacies to sample – your short break to the Belgian Christmas Markets will truly be a magical one!

If you’re looking to shop beneath a twilight sky then choose coach tours to Germany where you can explore the traditional Christmas Markets in Cologne, Berlin, Rudesheim and Aachen. Here you’ll certainly escape the commercialism of Christmas and enjoy searching for original festive handicrafts, souvenirs and tree decorations such as crib figurines, wooden carvings, candles & lambskin shoes. Don’t forget to sample the local festive cuisine of hot chestnuts, grilled sausages, gingerbread and much more!

Join escorted tours to the Czech Republic where you can visit the Christmas Markets in Prague. Soak up the traditional festive atmosphere where the Christmas Markets light up the city with their twinkling fairy lights. Walk around the many brightly decorated stalls selling all sorts of Czech handicrafts and local specialities that will leave your taste buds tingling for more.

Cross the Channel to France where you’ll come across one of the largest markets in Northern France – the Lille Christmas Market. The children will simply love Disneyland® Resort Paris at Christmas as all the characters dress up in their festive gear and the resort itself transforms into a fabulously magical winter wonderland that will surpass any child’s imagination!

You won’t have to travel to Europe to visit Christmas Markets because we have plenty on our doorstep here in the UK too! The Bath Christmas Market is definitely one that you won’t want to miss. Here you’ll find 123 wooden chalets that cover the streets of the city between the stunning Abbey and the Roman Baths. Each chalet offers a wide range of festive items to buy such as handmade gifts, decorations and tempting food items. Not forgetting the German Christmas Market held in Edinburgh, the festive delights available at Chatsworth House, the St Nicholas Fayre in York and many more! Don’t miss your chance to experience Christmas Shopping with a difference and book your place to some of these wonderful Christmas Markets.

For the full range of UK and European Christmas Market tours available, visit www.door2tour.com.

Research carried out by hotel chain Travelodge has shown that many of us will be abandoning our usual Mediterranean breaks for holidays in the UK and this could mean seaside towns and theme parks will be making huge profits this year. So why not check out what is available on Door2Tour.com and book your UK holiday today?

The number of Britons choosing to holiday abroad this year is predicted to drop from 33% to 27% while 1 in 3 will take their holidays in the UK. Others will combine both options or simply stay at home. Cornwall is the number one destination for people holidaying in the UK this year with over 18% of us planning a break in The West Country. Places such as Isle of Wight, Edinburgh, the Yorkshire Dales and Kent are all expecting an influx of tourists in the summer with visitors bringing a predicted £1 billion of spending to these areas.

With its stunning beaches, picture-book scenery & fantastic music festivals, the Isle of Wight is expecting 157% more tourists this summer compared to 2008, earning the local economy £344 million. Theme Parks such as Thorpe Park, Chessington World of Adventures and Alton Towers are all set to get the biggest boost with 18% of holidaymakers planning a visit – this is up 10% compared to 2008. The study of 3,300 adults has shown that average spend for the summer break this year is down from £631 to £567. Even with the Pound freefalling against the Euro, some of us will still head overseas for their summer hols and Spain remains the favourite. Out of all the Britons heading over to The Med, 23.4% will spend their break in Spain. But for 1 in 4 of us, the economic downturn is all too much so many will not go away at all this year.

For the full range of UK tours available, visit www.door2tour.com.

You won’t need to dash off to the Med this summer for a sun-packed holiday as weather experts at the BBC are predicting the mercury to rise above 30°C in the UK. This will come as a treat to many after suffering from the dullest August on record last year and having to endure a snowy February in 2009. The sunny weather will delight Tennis fans as they’ll have many hours of uninterrupted play at Wimbledon - with or without the new roof on Centre Court.

Luckily, there are a few great UK destinations on offer if you’re thinking about a Staycation this year. Why not pack your suntan lotion and dust off the shades for a break to Bournemouth where you’ll enjoy miles & miles of golden sandy beaches and have fun in the arcades. Water sport enthusiasts must head over to surfing mecca Newquay - not only is it a ‘Surfers Paradise’ but the kids will love building sandcastles on the beach or crab-catching in rock pools. Visit Captain Cook country with touring holidays to Whitby and explore the Abbey made famous in Bram Stoker’s Dracula, or keep the kids entertained with short breaks to Blackpool where you can see the Illuminations and experience adrenalin-pumping rides at Pleasure Beach. And if you’re looking to get away from it all, head to ‘suntrap of the South’ Eastbourne, for fish, chips and a leisurely stroll along the colourful promenade.

Wherever you choose to go, just don’t forget the sun cream, shades and sunhat!

For the full range of UK tours available, visit www.door2tour.com.