Take me there: Lapland UK
No need to fly to the North Pole to meet Father Christmas. Lapland UK, the award-winning attraction which recreates Santa's arctic home in deepest Kent, complete with snow, elves, real reindeer and huskies, will open on 26 November. Now in its fifth year, the woodland site has added several features this winter, including an ice-skating rink and hands-on activities in the Elves' Toy Factory – but the highlight remains the opportunity to visit Father Christmas in his woodland cabin. Get your skates on, though, as tickets sell out fast. From 26 November-24 December. Tickets cost from £44.50 to £62.50 per person and are available at laplanduk.co.uk.
Joanne's travel clinic: family-free Christmas
The dilemma I recently got divorced and can't face a traditional family Christmas. I don't feel brave enough to travel alone, but please don't suggest a singles holiday! Sarah
Jo replies There are plenty of options for festive refuseniks. Yoga retreats can provide an ideal environment for solo travellers and could give you some much-needed breathing space after a rough year. Kaliyoga's Christmas Week includes daily yoga classes, walks, meditation and excellent vegetarian food and is based in an Andalucian farmhouse (from €895, excluding flights; kaliyoga.com). Closer to home, Champneys is offering a three-day package at its resorts in Henlow, Tring and Forest Mere, with access to gym, pools, exercise classes and spa treatments (from £499.95, champneys.com). Check out the group expeditions on offer from adventure specialists such as Explore and Exodus. There are still places left on Explore's five-day snowshoeing trip in the Rila mountains of Bulgaria which departs on Christmas Eve (£872, including flights; explore.co.uk), while On The Go Tours has an exotic eight-day tour taking in the deserts, kasbahs and souks of Morocco, departing 23 December (from £579, excluding flights; onthegotours.com).
Three of the best: affordable new London hotels
New hotels are springing up across the capital as it gears up to host the 2012 Olympics. Here are three that offer style and convenience at prices that won't break the bank
1. Premier Inn London Stratford Ideal for a pre-Christmas trip to Westfield shopping centre; a javelin's throw from the Olympic Stadium. Doubles from £120 (premierinn.com)
2. Aloft London ExCel, Docklands The UK's first Aloft hotel offers slick, urban styling and hi-tech features. Doubles from £120 (aloftlondonexcel.com)
3. Z Hotel Soho Cheap, chic and in the heart of Soho, the first hotel from this new budget chain ticks all the right boxes. Doubles from £85 (thezhotels.com)
