There are many fabulous and exciting countries to visit for a New Year holiday worldwide.

Cheap holidays to Dominican Republic in the Caribbean are available at the moment (13 December) for one week departing from Gatwick on Wednesday 30th December with Thomson Holidays.  Stay in the four star plus all inclusive ClubHotel Riu Bambu in Bavaro, Punta Cana including coach transfers from £1393 per person.  Wake up on New Year’s morning to the beautiful sight of fourteen miles of white tropical beaches, and blow away the cobwebs of 2009 with games of water polo and volleyball, scuba diving lessons and windsurfing.

The beautiful Maldives and spectacular Seychelles in the Indian Ocean are extra special New Year holiday destinations. Kuoni Holidays have last minute offers for 7 nights from 28 December staying at the boutique five star Velassaru Hotel in the Maldives from £2263 per person, and Labriz Hotel in the Seychelles from £4401 per person.

Tropicalsky are offering holidays at the end of December to Le Meridien on the island of Phuket in Thailand, from £1209 per person for six nights and holidays to the Grand Mirage Resort and Thalasso Spa in Bali for 7 nights from £1439 per person.

If you are looking for a New Year Holiday for the family with lots of activities, a holiday in Orlando, Florida is always popular. Not only is there an extensive choice of accommodation in and around Orlando, but so much to keep the youngest to the oldest member of the family happy. Travel to the Orlando Theme Parks, Movie Studios and Orlando Shopping Malls and factory outlets for an exciting Florida holiday at New Year.  Holidayhypmarket have New Year package holidays available from £1193 per person for 7 nights, flying from Gatwick on 28 December and staying in a two star Resort hotel on room only basis.

If you are looking for a December City Break holiday to buy that special Christmas present or simply to escape the crowds at home, then here are a few pre Christmas city break suggestions for you!

We have blog entries on Christmas Markets in the UK and European Christmas Markets, as well as Christmas Holidays and New Year Breaks, and of course, December holidays.

But, you want to be at home for Christmas, and you have plans for New Year – so what can we find for you?

If you don’t want to travel too far, how about Lille in Northern France close to the Belgium border? This beautiful city is linked directly to London by Eurostar train and is actually where many Parisians come to do their designer shopping.  But historic Lille isn’t just exclusive boutiques (although they are fabulous) it also offers a wealth of budget shopping in its massive shopping centre and quaint one off stores along the delightful cobbled streets.

In the central east side of Poland is the capital of Warsaw, divided by the Vistula River into the left and right side (like Paris).  One of the fasted growing cities in Europe, romantic Warsaw is a beautiful combination of contemporary and historic architecture and life styles. In Warsaw’s Old Town is the Royal Castle on the Plac Zamkowy (square) and in the New Town, Stalin’s Empire State.  

How about Las Vegas, Nevada in the USA?  This magnificent desert city never sleeps and is the perfect location for non-stop partying, family holidays, gambling weekends and adventure holidays.  Jump in a helicopter for a tour of the Grand Canyon or stay overnight on a ranch. Watch a spectacular Cirque du Soleil performance in Las Vegas or retrace America’s Indian routes. Stay in a fantastic sprawling five star European recreation hotel resort or a smaller basic self catering apartment. Las Vegas has something to suite everyone – and a rental car is definitely recommended!

Guaranteed there’ll be rain in the UK – but don’t let the weather get you down, there is plenty to do to escape it!

So where to go on your December holiday?   Hot or cold?

As Christmas approaches, the Caribbean is the perfect hot spot to spend the festive season. There is still last minute holiday availability in Grenada, Dominican Republic, St Lucia, Barbados and a selection of other Caribbean islands for Christmas holidays and New Year holidays; however, if you can complete your holiday before Christmas Day, you are likely to find that your total holiday package is a few hundred pounds cheaper per person than if taken during the end of December. For your December Caribbean holiday, choose to stay in a luxury all inclusive spa resort or in low cost self catering complex – there are December holidays to suit all budgets!

Alternatively, how about slightly further north of the Caribbean, off the Florida coast and north of Cuba; the Bahamas?  Over 700 islands and 2,500 cays make up The Bahamas, although most people are only familiar with New Providence Island where the city of Nassau is located, a charming and colonial setting with many exclusive beachfront hotels.

Head south to South America in December, and 400 miles off the coast east of Argentina are the Falkland Islands. An ideal winter holiday location to unwind and escape the hustle and bustle of daily life, the Falkland Islands is a natural paradise. Over 740 islands make up the Falklands, with beautiful long sandy beaches and outstanding flora and fauna.

Not so far from home, in the north of Africa is the fascinating country of Egypt, bordering the Mediterranean to the north and boasting some of the world’s most beautiful and ancient historic artefacts, as well as many world famous seaside and diving resorts along the Red Sea.  The days are pleasantly warm during the winter although the evenings may be a little chilly – take a light jumper or cardigan rather than a thick ski jacket though!  Combine a Nile Cruise with a city break in Luxor or Aswan, or spend a few weeks relaxing on the luscious pale sandy beaches or exploring the colourful sea life.

Christmas ski packages are exceedingly popular with families and groups, many staying in chalets which offer a very sociable atmosphere with everyone dining together.  Snow in Europe tends to be good around the Christmas to New Year period, especially in the French Alps, Switzerland and Austria, although of course, you could also ski in Canada or America. Ski resorts that you can almost guarantee will have snow throughout the ski season because of their high altitude or glacier location include Val d’Isere, Tignes, Les Deux Alps, La Plagne, Courchevel 1850 and Meribel in France, Courmayeur in Italy and St Anton, Austria.

There are lots of cheap winter deals available online.  Choose winter package holidays or make your own dynamic packages, putting together flights, transfers, car hire, accommodation and insurance.

Today (5th November), I found the following cheap and reduced deals online.

The Thomas Cook brand Airtours, is offering self catering holidays to Gran Canaria in the Spanish Canary Islands from £217 per person. For seven nights departing on Monday 23rd November, stay in the busy and popular seaside resort of Maspalomas in a studio with bath, shower, WC and balcony or terrace.

Airtours are also currently offering the four star Benalmadena Palace in the Costa del Sol for £123 per person for seven nights with flights from Manchester on Sunday 6th December staying in a self catering studio.

Thomson Holidays are also offering holidays to Gran Canaria from £125 per person flying either from Gatwick or Luton on 14 December, staying in a 3T self catering apartment for 7 nights. Depart Gatwick on 1st or 8th December and for just £132 per person based on four people sharing an apartment, you can travel to Malta for 7 or 14 nights.

Cosmos have last minute holidays to Kenya. Leave Gatwick on 23 November and for just £285.50 per person you could stay at the three star Reef Hotel in Nyali Beach for 7 nights on bed and breakfast basis.  Meals are included on the flight, but don’t forget you need a visa either purchased from the Kenyan High Commission or on arrival at Mombassa.

Travelling further afield, Virgin Holidays are also selling holidays at low cost prices.  Stock up on your winter wardrobe in New York with 3 nights staying at four star W New York costing just £649 per person for 3 nights departing on 14 December, a saving of £370 per person.  Ten nights in Thailand are going for £882 per person staying at the five star Sheraton Hua Hin Resort and Spa in Pattaya, departing between 7 November and 4 December, a saving of £497 per person.

There are many excellent low cost and reduced priced hotel offers in the UK too.  Premier Inn are offering deals at over 500 hotels in the UK from just £29 per night as long as you book 21 days in advance, on selected days for two or more nights before end of January (check premierinn.com for full terms and conditions).  Best Western are offering saving of up to 50%, free nights and free wine, in separate offers around Christmas time, as well as last minute offers for the coming weekend.

The central county of Warwickshire lies in the east of the West Midlands bordered by Leicestershire, Northamptonshire, Oxfordshire, Gloucestershire, Staffordshire and Worcestershire.

The ancient town of Warwick is easy to reach by car as it is close to the M41, M6 and M1 motorways; there are also good rail and coach links from London, Birmingham and further afield.

During your holiday to Warwick, you can’t leave without visiting the fantastic medieval Warwick Castle which is open every day except Christmas Day and is a great day out for the whole family whatever their age. Medieval machines, the turreted Castle, delightful Castle grounds and the Dungeon, State Rooms, the Great Hall, and special monthly entertainment – you’ll be planning your return visit before you’ve left!

From the castle look down on town and you’ll be able to see the ancient structure of Warwick and the remaining medieval timber framed houses. Head to the Market Place on the third Friday of every month for the Warwickshire Farmers’ Market or on (every) Saturday for the bustling Charter Market, or to see what event is on there. There is the medieval Lord Leycester Hospital nearby and also the military museums.

There are many antique shops, tiny boutiques and second hand book stores in Warwick; go to Swan Street to purchase your holiday gifts or to visit St John’s Museum, or to Jury Street. There is an enormous choice of eateries in the town, including Thai, Italian, Portuguese, gastro pubs, homemade delicacies and bijou bars, and as a University town, Warwick has a thriving nightlife.

Whilst there are a number of good hotels and smaller bed and breakfasts in Warwick, do look at the QHotel chain with the Chesford Grange Hotel being closest to Warwick. If flying to Warwick, then Coventry and Birmingham International Airports are the closest.