Close to 4 million Britons went overseas during the holiday season last year to revel in the magic of traditional festivities elsewhere. Why not hop on the wagon and treat yourself to a well-deserved end-of-year holiday at one of our top Christmas destinations? From fairy-tale sleigh rides in the Swiss Alps to an exotic adventure in Africa, here are our top picks of where to stay and what to do for an enchanting and unique festive holiday abroad – plus this year's 'must-have' gift for mini-travelistas.

What: A fairy-tale holiday in the snow with sleigh rides, ski butlers and igloos

Where: Gstaad Palace, Switzerland

Festivities: This Christmas season Gstaad Palace guests can stay in the newly renovated Penthouse Suite, or spend the night in a frosty igloo on the Saanerslochgrat at approximately 1900m, where they can enjoy a wintry wonderland in a 0°C special winter experience. Start the ski season greeted by the hotel's own Ski Butler bearing sweet treats, savoury snacks and Swiss cheese on the slopes, and enjoy a glass of chilled champagne or a warm cup of Glühwein on top of Swiss mountain caps. The hotel also offers a 'sleigh ride to supper' including a canapé stop under the stars (£91 for 1 hour, 4 people maximum).

Other non-ski activities such as sledding, ice-climbing, winter hiking can also be arranged.

Rates: Three-night Igloo Experience package from £1,387 including two nights at Gstaad Palace, one night at the Iglu Village in a Romantic Suite, return tickets by cable car to the Iglu Village and use of the Palace Spa. Price is based on mid-week stays, half-board accommodation for two people sharing.

Sleigh ride supper £91 for one hour for a maximum of four people.

Ski Butler £98 per person for a minimum of two people

Bookings: palace.ch, +41 33 748 50 00
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What: Magical Toys, life-like bears and treasure hunts

Where: Baur Au Lac, Zurich, Switzerland

Festivities: Join in a whimsical Christmas season this winter, watching Zurich's largest Christmas tree light up, with a backdrop of the sparkling city and its beautiful lake. Franz Carl Weber, one of the world's oldest toyshops across four floors, will then exclusively open its doors to hotel guests after closing time. Little ones will be accompanied by a walking bear who will guide them through the toyshop wonderland, and an evening filled with fun activities such as painting, dressing up, and an exciting treasure hunt.

Rates: Stay at the Baur au Lac over the festive period with its special rates, which start from CHF 680 / £443 for a Deluxe Double Room per room per night. Rates include a complimentary mini bar (re-filled daily), VAT, Wifi and fitness.

Bookings: bauraulac.ch, +41 44 220 50 20
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What: A special Scandi-chic Christmas

Where: Ett Hem, Stockholm, Sweden

Festivities: Ett Hem invites guests to an elegant evening, starting with pre-dinner drinks, gingerbread cookies and cheese in front of a beautiful Christmas tree. Sit down to a festive Swedish gourmet supper and end the evening wrapped up in reindeer skin outside in the candlelit garden.

Rates: Swedish Christmas dinner £97 per person. Rooms from £284 a night including breakfast, in-room iPads, free internet access, a delightfully well-stocked mini-bar, full-size Kiehls bathroom products, as well as an array of fine books, newspapers and magazines.

Bookings: etthem.se, +46 8 20 05 90
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What: Spreading Christmas Cheer: new limited-edition SnowPages have a heart

Where: The Peninsula Hotels

Festivities: This year's must-have gift for mini-travelistas, The Peninsula Hotels has exclusively collaborated with cult Hong Kong toy designers Papinee to create ten uniquely designed SnowPages. Each of The Peninsula Hotels around the world has a bespoke festive mascot: a lovable Bellboy snowman dressed to impress in a customised costume with detailed designs and fine fabrics inspired by each destination. Only 300 iconic holiday ambassadors will be produced for each hotel, with proceeds split 50:50 between the Make-A-Wish foundation and the hotel's local children's charity. To add to the excitement, 'Golden Tickets' will be secretly hidden inside a select few SnowPage gift boxes in each city, giving lucky winners the chance to win suite stays, delicious dinners and festive afternoon teas.

Rates: Rooms from £383 per night, Papinee SnowPages available for purchase from £48 ($75)

Bookings: peninsula.com or contact aline@masonrose.com for an exclusive preview of the designs
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What: A very stylish Noël: French traditions in the spotlight

Where: The Peninsula Paris, France

Festivities: The Peninsula's signature afternoon tea is transformed into a much-anticipated Festive Afternoon Tea this December, created by the one and only pastry chef Julien Alvarez. The exquisite “Christmas Leaves” cake, Bûche de Noël, can be savoured at the hotel as well as many other sweet and savoury treats. For even more Christmas cheer, pop into the historic Kléber Bar for a Christmas Cocktail inspired by the iconic Bûche, combining Christmas flavours like vodka, amaretto, raspberry juice and white chocolate syrup, topped off with a candy cane.

Rates: Festive Afternoon Tea £31 (£3 pounds of which goes to Make-a-Wish France to grant wishes to seriously ill children)

Rooms from £561 a night including complimentary WiFi access and long-distance phone calls

Bookings: paris.peninsula.com,+33 1 58 12 28 88
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What: Tropical temperatures on your doorstep this Christmas

Where: Asia Gardens Hotel & Thai Spa, Alicante, Spain

Festivities: Celebrate an unforgettable South-East Asian-styled Christmas with Asia Garden's Grand Christmas Brunch on the 25th of December. The menu is designed to conquer the most demanding palates with a fine selection of traditional foods to eat on the twelve strokes of midnight, along with turrón (nougat) from Alicante and Moët champagne. Perfect for families, the hotel will offer a fun festive pineapple workshop, Christmas card workshop and “A Christmas Carol” film-and-popcorn night throughout the season to make sure guests of all ages get into the right Christmas spirit.

Rates: Christmas package £405 a night in a Double Deluxe room for two adults and one child up to 12 years old, including breakfast, welcome cocktail, Christmas evening dinner and Grand Christmas Brunch. Minimum 3 nights stay.

Bookings: asiagardens.es, +34 966 81 84 00
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What: Rooftop Ice Skating

Where: Peninsula Chicago, Chicago, USA

Festivities: Surrounded by Chicago's skyscrapers and twinkling winter lights, The Peninsula Chicago's rooftop, Sky Rink is tucked into a winter wonderland of festive music and snowflakes. Sip on delicious hot chocolate or a cup of mulled wine while enjoying the magnificent skyline. All profits go towards Chicago children's charities Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital and Hephzibah Children's Association.

Rates: Rooms from £252 per night with complimentary wireless broadband, local telephone calls and newspapers, as well as access to the fitness center and swimming pool.

Bookings: peninsula.com/chicago, +1 312-337-2888
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What: Festive Sunshine

Where: Yas Viceroy Abu Dhabi, Abu Dhabi, UAE

Festivities: Sun and fun are guaranteed, from the 3rd of December to the 3rd of January on balmy Yas Island, Abu Dhabi where there will be a whole host of seasonal activities on offer for the whole family.  Children will love the 'design your own cookie' station and Gingerbread House making classes.

Rates: Rooms from£128

Bookings: viceroyhotelsandresorts.com/en/abudhabi, +1 925 203 3096
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What: Christmas on the beach

Where: The Nam Hai, Hoi An, Vietnam

Festivities:  Enjoy a Christmas to remember against the backdrop of the South China Sea at the luxurious Nam Hai located just outside of UNESCO-protected Hoi An. Younger ones will enjoy the many colourful festive activities on offer at the Kid's Club while parents can relax on the idyllic Ha My Beach.

Rates: The festive package starts from £629 per room, per night based on two people sharing a one bedroom villa including airport transfers, breakfast, three-course festive dinner and a 60-minute Vietnamese massage each.  Valid between 23 December and 6 January for a minimum four-night stay.

Bookings: reservations@thenamhai.com, +84 510 394 000
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What: Wild Christmas

Where: Volcanoes Safaris, Rwanda & Uganda

Festivities: Book a Christmas safari adventure away from the UK's short winter days and frosty evenings this festive season to experience an unforgettable family holiday in the heart of the African forests. Travellers can avoid the holiday crowds and high-season rates by staying in a stunning eco-luxe lodge overlooking breath-taking views of the African landscape and take part in inspiring wildlife activities that will surpass any previous Christmas holiday celebration.

Rates: Lodges from $160 (approx. £106) per night

Bookings: volcanoessafaris.com, +44 3333 239 740
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For further information on any of these packages, please contact Mason Rose:

T +44 (0)20 7201 8060  E: pr@masonrose.com  www.masonrose.com