With Oktoberfest now a distant memory, Germany’s flavour of the month again as the Christmas market season gets into full swing. Boasting sixteen markets, Hamburg’s festive cheer is guaranteed to warm the cockles long after the haze of the office Christmas party. If you still have a few days leave left before the New Year, grab a gluhwein and delve into Germany’s most diverse festive markets on a mini break to Hamburg.
Reut C Hamburg Christmas market
With darker evenings casting a menacing shadow over the evening commute, what better time of year to escape for a long weekend to deepest, darkest Eastern Europe. Known for its towering castles, endless forests and the Prince of Darkness himself, what more fitting choice than a mini-break to Transylvania? Stocking up on garlic cloves, I set off for the Romanian wilderness.
Kyle Taylor Bran Castle, Transylvania
Home to prosperous merchant towns, international cat walk shows, glitzy seaside resorts and dark, brooding mountains, Montenegro is following hot-on-the-heels of Croatia as one of Europe’s most sought-after destinations. Attracting the attention of the international jet-set and the Russian elite, I decided it was time to leave office life behind and see if my ship might come in amidst the bright lights of the Adriatic.
David Bailey Kotor Bay Montenegro
Summer holiday been and gone in the blink of an eye? If you’re left to pick up the pieces amidst the office tumble weed, a day hike to the Jurassic Coast offers sun, sea and an adrenalin-rush like no other. With a landscape dating back to the days of the dinosaurs, spectacular sea views and a helter-skelter ride of petrifying peaks and knee-trembling descents, this trip could provide just the thrills you’re seeking.
Office Breaks Jurassic Coast
With summer now in full swing, weekends are all about escaping the city and heading for the coast to relax, unwind and indulge. Arriving hot-on-the-claws of the Whitstable Oyster Festival, the Dorset Seafood Festival offers a torrent of tentacles to sink your teeth into. Grabbing my flip flops and shades, I got stuck in.
Office Breaks Lobster
With so many countries to cram into our limited annual leave allowance, it’s always a bonus to find a destination that provides a gateway to other countries. Nestled on the Adriatic coast, Dubrovnik provides the perfect base to discover other Balkan gems. Offering a frothing melting pot of Eastern and Western heritage, the historic town of Mostar in Bosnia grabbed my attention. Famed for its ramshackle old town, Islamic influences and infamous dare-devil “diving” bridge, I nipped over the border to find out more.
Office Breaks Mostar
As bronzed colleagues waft into the office on a trail of Ambre Solaire, the battle is on to see who can win top trumps in the holiday sweepstakes. Among the top contenders, Dubrovnik offers centuries of culture, sea-faring adventures, botanical islands and a cable car to zip you up to some of the most impressive views in the Eastern Med. Throw in a few bargain meals in top-kuna restaurants and what colleague wouldn’t wish they were there?
Office Breaks Dubrovnik
The battalions of rucksacks and wellies gracing the morning commute can mean only one thing. The Glastonbury Festival is upon us again. Providing the ultimate escape from order and routine, the five-day mud-fest is a reminder of our carefree pre-office days. But for those who want to experience more than just pongy portaloos and the insides of a battered tent, Glastonbury offers a whole other dimension filled with sacred sites, healing energy and vibrant New Age life.
Nick Glastonbury Village
Deep in rural Pembrokeshire lies a secret sanctuary for frazzled urbanites. A utopia where absent phone signals banish calls from the boss and limited Wi-Fi deters heart-racing peaks at the inbox. Could Bluestone Wales National Park Resort be one of the last places on earth to unplug from the corporate pressure cooker? Fellow blogger, Jaklien Van Melick and I tried one of their spa breaks to find out.
Trussed up in feathers, flounces and furls, the masked figures at the Venice Carnival seem a world away from the uniform skirts, suits and jeans that now dominate office life. But like the mysterious Carnival figures, our true selves are often masked by the requirements of our 9-to-5 roles. Perhaps it’s only when we’re dressed up in disguise that we have the freedom to express who we really are. With these thoughts in mind, I jetted off to Venice to find out what the fascination with fancy dress is all about.
Office Breaks Venice Carnival
