We are keen to book a holiday for Christmas 2007 with friends, (another family of 4); Kids currently aged 4,5, 7 and 9). We all get on brilliantly. Any ideas? Possibly in a villa, although the thought of organising a Christmas lunch for 8 in unfamiliar territory fills me, (as the most likely cook), with dread. The cost of staying in a hotel (suites) may be beyond our financial limit, so any ideas appreciated. Any other potential festive pitfalls? Maybe we could have a mini Christmas before or after, so our suitcases can take things other than presents?

Hi there, I have just seen your request from info on good places to go at christmas with the family, you were trying to set up something for last christmas and I am trying to do the same for this. although the forum on Take the Family showed no replies I was wondering if you had any good tips you could let me have, my children are 3 and 5.

I hope you did have a good christmas break!

Thanks

Samantha Payne

As I live here, I'd have to say that I think Bavaria is a great destination for Christmas. Germany is a very child friendly country anyway and the Christmas period is lovely - definitely better to come a few days before in order to enjoy the Christmas markets, which mainly end on 23rd December. Our village (Bayerisch Eisenstein) is a skiing resort so skiing and restaurants are all open Christmas Day and Boxing Day (no need to cook Christmas lunch if you don't want to) although food shops are shut. English visitors love the fact that they can ski on Christmas Day! Only Christmas Eve (the main celebration day in Germany) is a bit different - shops tend to shut early and restaurants shut in the village by 8pm to allow staff to get home to have Christmas dinner with their families.

Go to the Excalibur's Tournament of Kings. Great dinner show. Lot's of excitement for kids of all ages. Plus the dinner is served with no eating utensils. The kids have to use their hands ... how awful will that be for them.

Drive over to Ethel M's Chocolate factory in the evening and walk through their cactus garden. They decorate it with christmas lights and it looks great.