After last year's rather muted Christmas celebrations (thank you Omicron), this year sees a more generous bounty of possibility for those seeking a winter retreat before 2023 arrives, with all its challenges and opportunities…

See below for the very best Christmas and New Year escapes suggested by the team of luxury travel specialists at Red Savannah, from welcome bursts of sunshine in the Mediterranean, Oman and Mexico to cultural and wildlife adventures in Africa and Asia.

OMAN

A restorative winter retreat, The Chedi sits amongst a landscaped oasis of palm-filled gardens in between the Gulf of Oman and the backdrop of the rugged Hajar Mountains. Minimalist and contemporary in design, this beachfront sanctuary is imbued with a feeling of calm and tranquillity, and the exotic influences of Arabia and the Far East.  Work up an appetite for lunch with a game of tennis on one of the clay courts, restore your balance with a complimentary yoga class, or retreat to the largest spa in Oman.  Outside of the resort, enjoy the services of a top guide to explore the amazing Grand Mosque, the glistening Opera House, and the bustling, frankincense-perfumed so

Red Savannah (01242 787800, redsavannah.com) offers a seven-night, package in Oman from £5,399 per person based on two people sharing. Based on seven nights' accommodation at The Chedi Muscat in a Deluxe Room, daily breakfast, a half day tour of Muscat with a private chauffeur-guide, private transfers throughout, VIP meet and greet, Omani visas and return Oman Air flights from London Heathrow to Muscat.

(Based on departure from the UK on 22nd December)

SOUTH AFRICA

Beginning in Cape Town, the Mother City, Table Mountain provides an incredible backdrop for your explorations. Visit one of the local farmers markets or the Zeitz Museum of Contemporary Art Africa. Wander down to the V&A Waterfront for a spot of shopping, or to the Bo Kaap to join a Cape Malay cooking class. Travel east along the coast to the town of Hermanus, where the dramatic Atlantic Coast affords fabulous walks. A two-hour drive north will take you to the Cape Winelands, a must for any lover of excellent wine and food. Visit some of best wineries in the world and explore the historic towns of Franschhoek and Stellenbosch – all accompanied by Michelin-star dining.

Red Savannah (01242 787800, redsavannah.com) offers a nine-night holiday to South Africa over Christmas from £6,769 per person based on two people sharing. Includes three nights at the Belmond Mount Nelson in Cape Town, two nights at The Marine in Hermanus, two nights at Akademie Street Boutique Hotel in Franschhoek, a private full day tour of Cape Town and of the Cape Winelands, private transfers throughout, economy class overnight flights to/from Cape Town.  Accommodation on bed and breakfast basis.

(Based on departure from the UK on 22nd December).

INDIA

Begin in Delhi, exploring enticing street food stalls, colourful markets, and enigmatic temples with a top local guide.  Cycle through Delhi's streets as the city comes to life, enjoying a cup of chai with the locals along the way and joining children of the Salaam Baalak Trust for a walk. In Rajasthan, there will be the opportunity to spot tigers in Ranthambore National Park, explore local villages and stay in an authentic fort hotel before continuing into the Thar Desert for a few nights in a luxury tented camp and adventures by camel. The last few days will explore the megalopolis that is Mumbai, with its slum community, fascinating dabbawalas, incredible art scene, magnificent monuments and even the world's largest outdoor laundry, the Dhobi Ghat.

Red Savannah (01242 787800, redsavannah.com) offers a ten-night itinerary in India from £9,995 per person based on two people sharing. Includes two nights at the Oberoi Delhi, three nights at Six Senses Fort Barwara, three nights at the Serai Jaisalmer, two nights at The Taj Mahal Mumbai, daily breakfast, privately guided sightseeing throughout, private transfers, tiger safari, village walk, Thar Desert by camel, domestic flights and international economy flights via Muscat from London.

(Based on departure from the UK on 22nd December).

MADEIRA

Set on a private peninsula on the wild Atlantic coast, Reid's Palace has earned its reputation as one of the best hotels on Madeira with its subtropical gardens and spectacular cuisine. Madeira's dramatic landscape of laurel forests and volcanic peaks helps to offset any over-indulgence as hiking trails and botanical gardens lend themselves to long afternoon strolls. The waters around Madeira are teeming with life all year, but between November and February some especially rare dolphins and whales can be spotted. The mild ocean temperatures also make diving a popular sport at any time of year. Those who do not wish to venture beyond the grounds can enjoy the hotel's two heated pools, a game of tennis or dissolve into bliss in the spa.

Red Savannah (01242 787800, redsavannah.com) offers a five-night break to Madeira over Christmas from £3,720 per person based on two people sharing. Includes five nights on bed and breakfast basis at Reid's Palace, private airport transfers from/to Funchal Airport and return economy flights from London to Funchal.

(Based on departure from the UK on 23rd December)

SICILY

Widely considered the region's best hotel, Villa Igiea once belonged to the entrepreneurial Florio family and now delivers atmospheric, palace-style accommodation on the shores of the Gulf of Palermo. With more sunshine than anywhere in Europe, Sicily in December offers ample chance to explore vibrant Palermo on the back of Vespa as you eat your way around the city's fabulous culinary offerings. Perhaps visit the nearby Segesta temples and the salt pans in Trapani.

Red Savannah (01242 787800, redsavannah.com) offers a three-night break in Sicily over New Year from £1,845 per person based on two people sharing. Includes three nights on bed and breakfast basis at Villa Igiea, private airport transfers from/to Palermo Airport and return economy flights from London to Palermo.

(Based on departure from the UK on 29th December)

KENYA

Experience the best of Kenya on this seven-night adventure taking you first to northern Kenya and Loisaba Tented Camp, set on an escarpment on the Laikipia Plateau with views toward Mount Kenya. As well as game drives, enjoy mountain biking, nature walks, riding and camel treks. Then head to Elephant Pepper Camp, a traditional tented camp in the midst of some of the world's best wildlife action in the Maasai Mara. Its remote location affords superb star gazing opportunities and nights surrounded by the sounds of the bush, with days spent tracking predators and plains game alike.

Red Savannah (01242 787800, redsavannah.com) offers an eight-day safari holiday to Kenya over New Year from £6,944 per person based on two people sharing. Includes: One night at Tamarind Tree Hotel in Nairobi, three nights full board at Elewana Loisaba Tented Camp, three nights full board at Elewana Elephant Pepper Camp, return flights from London to Nairobi, internal flights, all transfers, game drives and conservancy fees.

MEXICO

Experience Mexico's fascinating history and glorious Pacific Coast on a one-week break combining Mexico City with Riviera Nayarit. Spend a couple of nights at contemporary Las Alcobas in Mexico City's Polanco District, noted for its fine restaurants, and head out to Teotihuacan, the vast archaeological complex of the Mayans. The site was once one of the world's largest cities and an important religious and economic centre. One&Only Mandarina is a delightful contrast to bustling Mexico City, with beautiful treetop and cliffside villas located within a stretch of undeveloped coastal jungle on the Riviera Nayarit. Five nights at this chic eco-resort, enjoying gourmet cuisine, an excellent spa, beach rides and rainforest walks will leave even the most jaded souls ready to embrace the New Year.

Red Savannah (01242 787800, redsavannah.com) offers a week in Mexico over Christmas from £10,795 per person based on two sharing. Incudes two nights on bed and breakfast basis at Las Alcobas in Mexico City and five nights at the One&Only Mandarina on Riviera Nayarit, a guided tour of the Teotihiacan pyramids and internal and international flights.

(Based on departure from the UK on 22nd December).

SRI LANKA

Combine wildlife adventure with a blissful beach break in southern Sri Lanka: Spend three nights at Wild Coast Tented Lodge, which is tucked between beach and bush at the tip of Sri Lanka's south-eastern coast.  This wild, off-grid tented lodge borders one of the country's best nature reserves, home the highest density of leopard in the world.  Embark on double-daily game drives and sleep in cocoon-like tents crafted from leather-laced canvas. Continue along the southern coast towards palm-dotted Hikkaduwa, an area famed for its long sandy beach and strong surf, for six nights at Haritha Villas and Spa, where just nine chic residences sit amongst lush gardens. Take a five-minute tuk tuk to the beach, enjoy the superb Jungle Spa complex and enjoy pampering massages and enjoy delicious farm-to-table cuisine.

Red Savannah (01242 787800, redsavannah.com) offers a nine-night, package in Sri Lanka from £8,885 per person. Based on three nights' all-inclusive accommodation at Wild Coast Tented Lodge in Yala National Park in a Cocoon Suite, four shared safari drives, plus six nights' accommodation at Haritha Villas Hikkaduwa in a Contemporary Pool Villa with daily breakfast and a complimentary beach dinner, private transfers throughout and return Economy Class flights from London Heathrow.

(Based on departure from the UK on 22nd December).

About Red Savannah

Awarded the prestigious Queen's Award for Enterprise in 2020, Red Savannah is a luxury travel company that creates ruggedly exciting African safaris, beautifully designed private journeys across the Americas, Indian sub-continent, Southeast Asia & Australia, idyllic restorative holidays on palm-fringed Indian Ocean islands and the most stunning portfolio of hand-picked journeys and luxury villas in Europe & the Caribbean – all delivered with charm, passion, integrity and style. Founded in 2011, the team of extraordinarily knowledgeable travel designers - most of whom have 15-20 years' experience and whose address books range from Kings to Concierges - offer only the most superlative life-changing travel. For more information, please visit redsavannah.com  and follow facebook.com/RedsavannahHQ, twitter.com/redsavannahhq and instagram.com/redsavannahhq.

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