Christmas is unavoidable, so coming up with a plan of action is a must. No sooner have the stores taken down their Halloween displays than they’re replacing them with huge icicles, gold stars and beaming Santas. Even those with a real love for Christmas can struggle to keep up with the pace for that long - there’s no escape.

Or is there? Maybe it’s time to start thinking outside the festive box.

It’s not necessary to forget about Christmas altogether, unless of course you want to; rather, it’s a case of having a different type of Christmas, one which takes a bit more imagination and planning, but one which you will forever remember.

How about, for example, a city break? Not only are they reasonably priced, but you get to have a break whilst still being back at home for the majority of the festive season. Prague, with its rich history and opulent beauty, is a firm favourite and the wonderful Christmas markets are open throughout the festive season, including Christmas Day itself. In Vienna, the Christkindlmarkt in the City Hall Square is famous the world over for its elaborately decorated trees, dozens of wooden huts selling gifts and food and, of course, welcome glasses of hot Gluhwein.

Curiously, although renowned as one of the most romantic and magical places in the world, Venice is comparatively overlooked when it comes to spending Christmas away from home. Gone are the souvenir stalls and sweltering August crowds, as the population seeps to just half of its summer size. Spending Christmas in Venice gives the visitor a chance to enjoy the real city, with its wonderful architecture fully on show and evening concerts in its vast, albeit chilly basilicas.

If it’s that traditional White Christmas you’re dreaming of, then the ski resorts of Switzerland, France and Austria are great places to head for. Sunshine on crisp snow, pine-covered mountains and crackling log fires all make for that perfect Christmas card scene. And, away from the slopes, a glass or two of hot punch always goes down well as the snow softly falls.

Then there is the ultimate Christmas experience - a visit to Lapland. What could be more perfect than spending your Christmas at the place that Mr. Christmas calls home. What could be better than watching, from within your snug log cabin, the snow fall outside as Reindeers run across the scenic landscape. For those of you with children, this can turn out to be the most memorable and magical trip of your lives.

We hope we’ve offered something for everyone in our variety of Christmas hotel breaks. So, before you dig out those fairy lights for another year, stop for a moment. Do you really want to spend another Christmas half asleep on the sofa with indigestion?

This Christmas, why not have a festive adventure away from home? Our Christmas hotel breaks guide offers a number of ideas for a wonderful Christmas spent at one of the worlds most festive destinations. Cheap Hotel Chains price compare all latest cheap hotel deals across the world.

Are you planning a visit during the Walt Disney World holidays? A Disney vacation during the Christmas season can be especially magical, filled with fun, festivity, and good food as well. This article will focus on what you should know about meals at Disney World during this time of year, and some strategies for the best way to plan a Disney vacation to make the most of your time and dining budget.

First of all, when making your dining plans….and if you are going between Christmas and New Year’s you MUST make dining plans….you need to realize that you will be at Walt Disney World during the busiest time of the year. While this does not mean that you can’t have a wonderful vacation, what it does mean is that you have to plan ahead, because you will be visiting with many, many, many other people.

So the first tip is to make your dining plans in advance, and if you plan to have any table service meals, make your Advanced Dining Reservations (ADRs) before you leave for Disney World. More importantly, if you are visiting during Christmas week, make them now.

It is important to understand that, when it comes to ADRs, Disney policy allows people the chance to make Advanced Dining Reservations months ahead of time, currently’0 days in advance. So this means that folks have been making ADRs for Christmas week for a long time now. The most popular restaurants and times fill quickly, especially for the big days of Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, New Years Eve, and New Years Day. So it is not realistic to expect to just walk up and get a table during this week: you might get lucky, but why chance it? If table service dining is something you really want to do, then don’t delay on this.

What do you do if you can’t get ADRs for any of your restaurant choices? All is not lost, because while the most popular ones at the parks may be full, it is likely that the ones at the hotels are still available. The resort hotel restaurants are frequently quite good, and it is a great way to see some of the lovely Holiday decorations at the resorts. Plus, it can be very nice to get away from the crowds at the parks for a few hours.

You can also think about eating meals at “off” times. Try having your main, table service meal for lunch instead of dinner. Eat early: lunch at 11, dinner at 5…or late: lunch at 2, dinner at 8. You may actually be able to get table service seating this way, and if you want counter service meals, the crowds are usually a little thinner this way, especially the earlier times.

Of course, typical advice about eating some meals in, especially if you have access to a kitchen, can be helpful. Many folks with these types of amenities in their accommodations actually do the entire turkey and fixings, which can be very nice and a great way to create some special memories….and save some money in the process.

So what is the best way to plan a Disney vacation during the Walt Disney World holidays when it comes to meals? Plan ahead. You will be rewarded with less stress for dining, and a wonderful trip filled with special holiday memories.

Nancy Bobby has been visiting Disney World (and doing it frugally) for over a decade, and has experienced 11 (and counting) family vacations to Walt Disney World. To learn how to plan an affordable Disney family vacation, and to receive a free Disney vacation planning guide, visit www.theaffordablemouse.com.