Christmas is just around the corner and why not choose an alternative festive celebration this year, from a white winter wonderland in New York, or a luxury foodie break in Washington DC, to an arctic adventure in Norway. If you prefer to stay closer to home, Jersey serves as a 'home from home' break or simply just revel in the festivities which the capital has to offer. 

Winter Wonderland family Christmas at The Lowell

For an unforgettable family winter wonderland, enjoy the very best of the luxurious Upper East Side at The Lowell, New York City.

The Lowell's concierge has the holiday season wrapped up, with visits to museums, walks in Central Park, world-renowned dining, countless child friendly theatre options and shopping possibilities guaranteed to please the entire family.

For a taste of timeless New York, stroll one block west to Central Park and ice skate under the stars at the Wollman Rink, in the shadow of skyscrapers. The Lowell's concierge can arrange a private heated tent ringside, with hot toddies to warm up. The holidays would not be complete without a true Christmas musical, with A Christmas Story the musical, or the Nutcracker by New York City Ballet. Families will love the Big Apple Circus at Lincoln Center, and the lighting of the world famous tree at Rockefeller Center with exciting live performances.

Indulge in pre-Christmas shopping or the post-Christmas sales, at the three B's (Barneys, Bloomingdales, and Bergdorf-Goodman) which are all conveniently nearby, or enjoy the holiday markets with a cup of hot apple cider

A discreet and elegant hotel, with 47 individually decorated suites and 27 deluxe rooms, The Lowell Hotel is located in an historic landmark Art deco building on New York's fashionable Upper East Side, just steps from the shopping and dining haven of Madison Avenue, Fifth Avenue, Museum Mile and Central Park. 

Deluxe King rooms from $800 per room per night

Reservations at The Lowell can be made by visiting www.lowellhotel.com, calling 0800-221-4444, speaking to the sales team direct at 001 212-605-6819 or emailing reservations@lowellhotel.com.

A magical Christmas feast overlooking The White House

Get into the festive spirit this season in the nation's capital at The Hay-Adams. Enjoy an overnight luxury stay, a seasonal welcome gift from pastry chef Josh Short, and continental breakfast for two each morning. Packages are available from $539 per night.

Celebrate Christmas with an exceptional Christmas Eve dinner or Christmas Day lunch for two, served in the Top of The Hay suite on the top floor of the Hay-Adams, giving spectacular views over the White House, Washington Monument and Jefferson Memorial.

Make the most of all things Christmas, with plenty of festive fun all throughout the city. Enjoy open air ice-skating with festive music at the National Gallery of Art Sculpture Garden Ice Rink, and share the magic whilst visiting the National Christmas Tree, which is illuminated daily at dusk until 10pm, with musical groups and entertainment. Do not miss a very special showing of The Nutcracker at The Warner Theatre. Expect plenty of surprises on this year's 10th anniversary of high highly-acclaimed production, replete with swirling snowflakes, cherry blossoms and historical characters, including George Washington as the heroic nutcracker.

About The Hay-Adams

The historic Hay-Adams offers guests the City's most prestigious address in D.C. with views directly overlooking the White House, and just minutes from The Smithsonian, the Washington Monument and the Capitol Building. Originally home to John Hay, the personal secretary to President Abraham Lincoln. The Hay-Adams is an iconic building, dating back to the 1800's and launched as a hotel in 1928.

hayadams.com / (800) 853-6807 

Relax and unwind on a coastal Christmas break at The Atlantic Hotel

Indulge yourself in a tranquil Christmas by the sea at the award-winning Atlantic Hotel, one of Jersey's finest hotels. With magnificent views over St Ouen's Bay, the hotel makes the perfect setting to enjoy the festive period in style from £495 per person for a three-night half board package.

Take in the majestic beauty of the Jersey coastline from the hotel's spectacular viewpoint across the cliffs and on to the horizon. Festivities begin on Christmas Eve with Champagne and a dinner that will feature hand-dived Jersey scallops and a roast loin of venison. 

For the main event, Executive Head Chef Mark Jordan will create a festive feast with all the trimmings for you to indulge in and celebrate with family and friends, from lobster risotto to a Christmas classic - roast breast of black leg turkey accompanied with sage stuffing and thyme juices. Boxing Day provides a fitting end to the break with a gourmet dinner and entertainment in Ocean Restaurant.

Prices start from £495 per person for a three night stay based on two sharing including full English breakfast, Christmas Eve dinner, Christmas Day lunch, buffet supper and a Boxing Day gourmet dinner all served in the hotel's Michelin-starred Ocean Restaurant. A hire car is also included for the duration of the stay.*

To book please call 01534 744101 or visit www.theatlantichotel.com

* Includes rental of a Hertz Group B hire car, with insurance, local hire tax, optional extras and fuel to be settled by the client directly with the hire car company.

About The Atlantic Hotel, Jersey

Situated in six acres of beautifully landscaped gardens on the west coast of Jersey with stunning views across St Ouen's Bay and its five miles of glorious sand, guests staying at this family owned hotel can explore the island's beautiful bays, medieval castles and coastal trails. The hotel has 50 bedrooms and an indoor and outdoor swimming pool. The Atlantic Hotel is the sole Jersey member of Small Luxury Hotels of the World. 

Take advantage of the first possibility ever to experience the high Arctic wilderness Christmas 2014 with Basecamp Explorer

Escape from it all this festive season with a one-of-a-kind, first time ever, seven-night Christmas trip to the far reaches of Arctic Norway with adventure travel pioneers Basecamp Explorer on Svalbard, Norway.  

Intrepid guests can wave goodbye to a commercialised Christmas trip, instead experiencing the festive event in the polar night of the Svalbard archipelago. Away from the hustle and bustle, this trip is perfect for couples and families with adult children to have a Christmas they will never forget.

On the edge of the Polar Circle at 78° North, the Isfjord Radio wilderness hotel serves as the stylish base for the stay. Getting to Isfjord Radio on Spitsbergen is an adventure in itself; travelling across the snow covered landscape, over glaciers and along fjords on snowmobile is the only way to reach this escapist hideaway. Once there, guests can enjoy a variety of arctic activities, from snowshoeing exploring the remote Russian mining town of Barentsburg on snowmobile (optional extra), catch a glimpse of the majestic Polar Bear, and hunting out the Northern Lights. With the long Polar night casting a twilight glow over the snow throughout much of the day, Isfjord's solitude means that this spot is of the best places in the world to witness nature's own version of Christmas tree lights.

After building up an appetite in the great space outdoors, as with Scandinavian tradition, the main Christmas meal will be served on Christmas Eve, a chance for guests to get dressed in their festive finest and indulge in a five-course feast of contemporary Norwegian cuisine.

Magnetic  North Travel is offering the seven day Christmas Adventure in Svalbard from £2810 per adult and £1795 per child. The price includes: return flights from London, an overnight stop in Oslo (including breakfast), two nights' accommodation at Basecamp Trapper's Hotel (including breakfast), four nights' accommodation and all meals at Isfjord Radio, activities, equipment and guidance.

Magnetic North Travel Ltd (www.magneticnorthtravel.com 0845 5195 242). www.basecampspitsbergen.com

The Perfect Pre-Christmas City break at Go Native Mayfair

This festive season, Go Native Mayfair is the ideal place to capture the essence of Christmas in the capital without compromising on style, privacy and luxury.  Situated in the heart of Mayfair, hidden behind a typical Georgian brick façade, the apartment at 10 Lees Place is the perfect location for experiencing Christmas without the chaos.

With its central location, Go Native Mayfair guests can enjoy a classic or alternative Christmas experience in the city just outside their doorsteps. Minutes away from the hustle and bustle of Oxford Street, visitors can take in the world famous Christmas lights and shop to their heart's desire in iconic Christmas departments in stores such as Liberty of London and Hamleys, before retreating to the indulgent privacy of the mews of Mayfair.

With all the indulgence of a 5* hotel combined with complete privacy or a private residence, this boutique property with 11 stylish suites is veiled within the quiet mews in the heart of Mayfair. Guests can experience the best of London right outside their front door, complete with a fully-equipped kitchen, a breakfast hamper to start their morning, the ease of free Wi-Fi access and even access to a private concierge. The property is the perfect place to entertain friends over the festive period after a long day Christmas shopping and sightseeing.

Choose from a Classic One Bedroom Suite offering a separate living room, kitchen and bathroom, a Premium One Bedroom Suite with additional floor space and a separate dining area or a Two Bedroom Suite, ideal for friends and families with two double-bedrooms, living room, kitchen and bathroom.

Prices start from £295 + VAT per apartment per night. To book a stay at Go Native please visit www.gonative.com or call 020 7313 3886.

Food and festivity in the capital this Christmas with Cookery School at Little Portland Street

Get ahead on Christmas preparations this year with a festive cooking and shopping weekend in London with Cookery School at Little Portland Street on Friday 28th and Saturday 29th November.

Begin the weekend on Friday by ticking off Christmas shopping lists at leisure in the retail mecca of Oxford Street. Peruse the iconic festive departments of Liberty of London, Selfridges and Hamleys under the world-famous Christmas lights, or seek out that unique gift in Mayfair's Burlington Arcade just around the corner. Guests can then retire for an overnight stay at the renowned Flemings Hotel in Mayfair.

On Saturday, make festive entertaining a ghost of Christmas with Cookery School at Little Portland Street. The 'Christmas Rehearsal' class will teach guests to master Christmas cooking with quality, locally sourced ingredients. Learn to cook an organic roast turkey, perfect roast potatoes, prepare chestnuts, bake a Christmas cake and create all the trimmings including stuffing, bread sauce, cranberry sauce and gravy. At the end of the class, the indulgent meal will be enjoyed together with a glass of Chapel Down Fizz.

Each guest will leave with freshly made fruit cake, mincemeat, cranberry sauce and stuffing for the freezer ready for use on Christmas day itself, as well as a cooking timetable to ensure a stress-free feast that will wow family and friends.

The Christmas Rehearsal class runs from 10am – 4pm on Saturday 29 November 2014 and costs £230 per person. Flemings Hotel is offering a rate of £100 per person per night, based on two sharing and subject to availability. For more information or to book a place, please visit www.cookeryschool.co.uk.