Three Weekend Trips for Christmas in Europe

The most important things at a glance
– London’s oldest 5-star hotel from 1837, just a few steps from Bond Street.
– Cobblestone Cottage in Ireland is a restored stone house with sea view.
– The Van der Valk Hotel is located directly on the historic market square of Hildesheim.

Christmas shows Europe from its best side. Every city has its own rhythm, its own mood and its very own way of celebrating Christmas. And sometimes it does not take long journeys at all, but simply the right place to feel the magic of the festive season.

Three destinations, three atmospheres, three ways to spend a Christmas weekend home away from home.

London: Christmas at Brown’s Hotel, Mayfair

London sparkles in December like almost no other city. Bond Street looks as if someone has brought down all 
the stars from the sky, and even the rain falls with a touch more festive glamour than at other times of the year. Right in the heart of Mayfair, just steps from the dazzling Bond Street, lies Brown’s Hotel, London’s oldest five- 
star establishment.

Since 1837, it has welcomed writers, state guests, and artists – from Oscar Wilde to Agatha Christie – and is now part of the Rocco Forte Collection. Those who step through the revolving door leave the world outside, while inside, a crackling fireplace, oranges, carnations, and evergreen boughs create Brown’s unmistakable Christmas signature.

Even in the lobby, with its exotic wallpaper, imposing crystal chandelier, velvet armchairs and old wooden fireplace, you immediately sense why generations have returned to this house time and time again.

During the holidays, the hotel turns into a winter fairytale

Afternoon Tea in the Drawing Room is a festive ritual, accompanied by scones, fine sandwiches and winter delicacies, interpreted by Executive Pastry Chef Ross Sneddon according to historical recipes from the English Heritage archives.

When the lights dim at Charlie’s Restaurant in the evening, the next chapter begins. Curated by Chef Director Adam Byatt and Executive Chef Andrew Sawyer, the menu evolves with the seasons, featuring daily game specials presented on a golden serving trolley. A Christmas dinner to remember, even before you read the menu.

Cobblestone Cottage, Arranmore Island: Christmas at the End of the World

On the wild west coast of Ireland, where the Atlantic crashes endlessly against the rocks, lies Arranmore Island. Anyone who wants to spend their holidays here must first prove that they have nerves of steel – because manoeuvring the car backwards onto the small ferry is part of the compulsory programme. The wind at the pier often rises suddenly, the waves press against the boat with quiet insistence, and the whole scene feels like a small initiation before the crossing even begins.

Whoever manages that is officially island-proof. And Cobblestone Cottage is the most beautiful reward you can treat yourself to here: an old stone house with sea view that looks as if it had stepped out of a novel by Ann Cleeves. Here, originality meets subtle refinement. The American owner Deana restored the cottage with her own hands. She had fine quartz crystals worked into the lime walls, which shimmer in the winter light like frozen stars and give the rooms an almost delicate glow.

Every room tells of her love of detail: from the freshly stacked peat in antique wooden barrels to the small library with books by Louise Hay and the fragrant bath products of the Irish natural cosmetics line WASI. There are soft blankets, well-chosen colours and corners that invite you to settle in for a moment. It is these small touches that bring the house to life.

Hildesheim: Half-timbering, Christmas Lights and the Van der Valk Hotel on the Market Square

Anyone who prefers to stay in a festive mood without spending many hours in the car will find in Hildesheim one of the most beautiful Christmas markets in Germany. The city is a small miracle of half-timbering, history and warm light.

Whoever manages that is officially island-proof. And Cobblestone Cottage is the most beautiful reward you can treat yourself to here: an old stone house with sea view that looks as if it had stepped out of a novel by Ann Cleeves. Here, originality meets subtle refinement. The American owner Deana restored the cottage with her own hands. She had fine quartz crystals worked into the lime walls, which shimmer in the winter light like frozen stars and give the rooms an almost delicate glow.

Especially in December, the market square turns into a backdrop that looks as if someone had taken the most beautiful pages of a historic fairytale book and brought them to life. Between stalls selling roasted almonds, regional handicrafts, mulled wine and artistic Christmas decorations, you quickly lose your sense of time but never your sense of atmosphere. Directly on the market square lies the Van der Valk Hotel Hildesheim, which is so well positioned that you can practically watch the market bustle from your window.

The house tells a story that goes far back

The Van der Valk family started in 1929 as a small excursion restaurant in the Netherlands and developed into a hotel group that, despite its impressive size, has preserved its family atmosphere. You feel this in every room. The guestrooms are spacious, warmly designed and offer exactly the kind of retreat you need after a long stroll around the market. The restaurant serves a mix of regional classics and international dishes that are so reliably good that even frequent travellers are happy to stay longer. Hildesheim is a destination for everyone who is looking for a cosy, traditional and relaxed Christmas weekend. The proximity to Switzerland makes the journey easy, the atmosphere makes arriving pleasant and the Van der Valk ensures that you feel looked after from the very first moment.

When the lights of the market glow outside and a warm dinner is waiting inside, you know that you are exactly in the right place.