If you’re not looking forward to the thought of winter, the idea of chasing the Northern Lights and exploring the fairytale snowy landscapes of Lapland is one way to brighten up the dark.
And from December 14, Wizz Air is starting a new direct flight from London Luton to Tromso in the Norwegian Arctic Circle, running until March 29 and costing from £22.99 one-way.
The new flights make it easier to create your own independent trip to Lapland, rather than a package holiday.
Activities are available to book from Visit Lapland, including aurora hunting through the fjords from £86 or a Northern Lights Dinner cruise from £133, plus reindeer feeding, husky sledding, snowmobiling or discovering the landscape in a Tesla.
Thailand's new golf retreat
One of Thailand’s best-known wellness destinations, Chiva-Som, has reopened this month after a six-month closure as part of a major renovation, including the launch of a new golf retreat.
The renovations have already seen upgrades to facilities, as well as its Ocean Rooms, but have now also updated many of the public areas including the Niranlada Medi-Spa to make it more spacious and add a contemporary finish to the Thai style decor.
And the new Total Golf Enhancement retreat offers a mix of specialist training to help golfers improve their skills, along with post-game treatments, from muscle recovery to relaxation.
The retreat also includes rounds of golf with in-house professionals, on one of Hua Hin’s leading courses.
Celebrity style Mexico
While Mexico’s Yucatan peninsula has long been a favourite of British tourists searching for sun, the country’s west coast celebrity hotspot, Los Cabos, will be opening up to the UK even more from next year.
TUI is flying direct to the destination, beloved of Hollywood A-listers including Jennifer Aniston and George Clooney, twice a week for winter 2019.
The only direct flights from the UK, they will depart from Gatwick from next November.
The holiday packages will feature hotels in both Cabo San Lucas and San Jose Del Cabo, including stays at the Hard Rock Hotel Los Cabos, RIU Santa Fe and RIU Baja California. TUI already flies directly to other destinations in Mexico, to Cancun and Puerto Vallarta.
The company has also launched its summer 2020 programme early this year, with bookings now open for the various hotel brands including TUI Sensatori, TUI Family Life, Splashworld, First Choice Holiday Village and Suneo Club, including thousands of free kids places.
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