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Family Christmas break ideas for 2006
Make this Christmas one to remember. Head off for a last-minute Christmas break and experience festive fun the whole family can enjoy
- Family fun in the Magic Kingdom
- A special encounter in the frozen North
- Head for the hills in Bulgaria
- Sun with Santa in Tenerife
- Fresh air and festivities in the Lakes
- Family-friendly luxury in Cornwall
Family fun in the Magic Kingdom
For a fairytale Christmas break with the minimum of hassle, there is nowhere quite like Disneyland Resort Paris in late November and December. On Main Street USA, which looks like a traditional small town in America, there's guaranteed snow every day and carol singers to add to the magical atmosphere. The Town Square is home to a giant Christmas tree, where you'll also find Santa, as well as Mickey and Minnie in their special festive outfits. The daily parade features everyone's favourite Disney characters, along with Father Christmas and his reindeer. In the evening, there are more parades and shows. Even the grown-ups will be swept along by the whole experience.
For details:
Disneyland Resort Paris www.disneylandparis.com
Where to stay
There are seven themed Disney hotels to suit all budgets and tastes, from the rustic Davy Crockett's Ranch to the swish Disneyland Hotel at the entrance to the park itself. Among the more affordable is the Hotel Santa Fe, inspired by the American South West.
Younger visitors have a video games room and indoor children's area, as well as the Totem Circle outdoor playground, and there is a children's menu at the Mexican-style restaurant. Fancy dinner with Donald Duck or breakfast with Pluto? The Disney characters pay house calls to the hotel.
A three-night stay between now and 19 December at Disney's Hotel Santa Fe, including continental breakfast, direct return travel on Eurostar's new high-speed link and four days unlimited access to both Disneyland Park and Walt Disney Studios Park, costs from £243 per adult and £152 per child (two adults and two children aged 3-11 years inclusive sharing a family room).
For details:
Leger Holidays www.legerholidays.co.uk
Disneyland Resort Paris www.disneylandparis.com
What to do around and about
Paris is just 20 miles away, with speedy train connections to the centre. The French capital has plenty to keep children amused, especially at Christmas. The decorative lights in the Champs-Elysees, a broad avenue nearly a mile long, are quite something. There's more festive fun at Father Christmas's Village - or rather Villages - there are two this year in different parts of the city.
Enjoy the atmosphere and burn off some energy at the outdoor rink by the elegant town hall (2 December-4 January). Want a break from the lights and tinsel? Gaze at Egyptian mummies in the Louvre, be amazed at the Magic Museum, or visit the animals at Vincennes Zoo. If the sun's out, head to the Luxembourg Gardens, a beautiful park with a kids playground, pony rides and roundabouts.
For young nature-lovers, the huge Sea Life Aquarium at Marne la Vallee - just five minutes from the resort - has everything from scary sharks to serene sea turtles and delicate sea horses (open daily 10am-5pm).
For details:
Paris Tourist Office en.parisinfo.com
Sea Life Paris www.sealifeeurope.com
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