Why not make the most of Christmas and New Year? Whether it’s a warming break or a city escape, don’t sink into that sofa, drowning in the half-munched box of chocolates, get a ‘twixmas’ break booked instead. Not sure where? No problem, we’ve hand-picked our favourites...

Tenerife

Who wants to live in the no-man's land of boredom between Christmas and New Year? Take yourself off for toastier temperatures in Tenerife! With year-round warm climes, you can ditch the woolly knits and dig out the summer fits over the ‘twixmas’ period instead. Football fans can still catch those all-important Boxing Day fixtures in Playa de las Americas. The bars will still be buzzing after the Christmas Day rush and there will be plenty of big screens showing your favourite games in the sun. If you didn’t get the white Christmas you wanted back home, you might still get to experience one up at Mount Teide. Stay wrapped up and journey to the top in the cable car to catch a glimpse of the snow-capped summit, then head back down to soak up the sunshine.

Fuerteventura

When the rest of Europe shivers, Fuerteventura enjoys warm days and with some 3,000 hours of sunshine a year, there’s no better place for a flop and drop break this ‘twixmas’. The sand-swept island has beaches galore and while some are perfect R&R, others are primed for water sports on world-famous waves. If you’ve not quite had enough of the seasonal spirit, then from mid-December until early January, you’ll find all the towns dolled up in their festive finery and in the likes of Corralejo, decked out in market stalls. There are all the usual knick-knacks along with some festive additions, a great opportunity to stock up on some unique decorations for next year!

Costa Blanca

Say a stylish farewell to December in the Costa Blanca this year! Wintery walks in warmer climes are on the cards in Albir, with its bronzed beaches and go-slow pace, you’ll be in the right place to enjoy some well-deserved downtime. The mild weather is also a great time to experience all that Mother Nature has to offer. Just a 30-minute drive from Albir, you’ll find the Algar Waterfalls and while it might be too cold to dip your toes in, it’s ideal to enjoy some water-side dining. Looking for something a little livelier? In Benidorm, it’s business as usual. The town that never sleeps has plenty going on in between Christmas and New Year so whether that’s eating al fresco, lazing on the beach or hitting the shops, you’re bound to find something going on.

Prague

At the Prague Christmas markets, foodies will think they’ve died and gone to heaven. Open every day from late November until 6th of January, there’s still ample time to enjoy this winter wonderland over the ‘twixmas’ period. If you’ve munched your way through the good old Christmas goodies back home, why not sample some traditional Czech ones instead? Try spit-roasted ham (Pražská šunka) and salty potato pancakes (bramboraky). If you’ve got more of a sweet tooth, get stuck into a cinnamon-dusted trdelník. It’s a warm, hollowed pastry filled with oh-so-smooth ice cream. Had your fill of full-blown festivities, why not venture further afield? Kutná Hora is the Czech Republic’s UNESCO-stamped city and it’s only just over and hour’s drive from Prague. There’s a smattering of sights in this mesmerizing town including a Gothic cathedral, art-studded galleries and a medieval mine, which was once adorned in silver.

Krakow

It’s not hard to see why Krakow is popular year-round and especially over the festive period, with its centuries-old buildings and grand squares, it’s almost as if the city was tailor-made for the season. Come November, Rynek Główny, Krakow Old Town’s main square transforms into a whimsical, wintery wonderland and it doesn’t end on Christmas Day. With lots of the markets running right through into January, you can still get your fill of festive delights over the ‘twixmas’ period. If tums are feeling full after all that feasting, then get your skates on and head over to one of Krakow’s ice rinks. Come winter, plenty spring up all around the outskirts of the Old Town where you can whizz around under the twinkling fairy lights.

French Alps

You’ve carved the turkey, now it’s time to carve out the slopes! If you’re in a slump after all that over-indulging, then a ski getaway might be the answer. Resorts are in full swing, so you can be assured that there’s still plenty going on over the ‘twixmas’ period, especially in the likes of Val d'Isere. With its cinematic scenes and stretching slopes, it’s the ideal choice. After a full day out on the mountain, it’s time to get your après on. There’s a suite of bars that pepper the snow-covered town, ready for you to warm your mitts and have something warm to sip. Chilly nights can be spent cosying up in the local eateries. For some quintessential post-ski scran, choose some gooey fondue with crusty bread on the side – delicious!