The way we travel has shifted over the last few years for two major reasons: the pandemic and the tangible effects of climate change. While the former revealed the sweet, accessible beauty of a UK staycation, the latter has pushed many to be more mindful when making holiday plans.
While long-haul destinations will always stoke wanderlust and urge to explore new landscapes, food and cultures, short-haul escapes - especially ones that are reached using greener road or rail routes - mean you can squeeze a guilt-free break into a weekend without eating up too much of your holiday allowance.
Lastminute.com's Travel Trends for 2025 forecast has thrown up some interesting trends, including becoming a Weekend Maximiser (supersizing a weekend by going away from Friday to Monday), going on a Gilded Getaway (spending the savings of a cheap flight on a lavish hotel), and nostalgia-driven trips where following in the footsteps of musical legends like Elvis or Bob Marley are the focus of the itinerary.
And the ongoing strain on finances but a reluctance to give up the great British jolly means that many holidaymakers are opting for alternative and cheaper shores to Spain's Costa del Sol. The contenders? Turkey and the Balkan Riviera with the Albanian coastline coming out on top.
When is the best time to book a holiday?
Holiday dates and prices wax and wane over the year, with prices spiking over the school holidays, Christmas break, Easter and the eight Bank Holidays that England and Wales enjoy ever year. If you’re keeping an eye on your budget, the best time to travel is outside of these popular dates, and avoid Friday departures where possible.
Whether you’re aching to watch the sunrise in a new time zone or fancy checking into a chic B&B right here in the UK, there are plenty of travel and hotel offers that will have you grappling for your plastic.
We’ll keep you tuned into the best of them right here on this page, updated every month.
Scroll on for the best deals for December to book now
Virgin Atlantic
East or west, Virgin has a route to suit. Close out January in the Big Apple from £426 return but with temperatures notoriously cold, routes to Orlando and Miami are also available.
Compass pointed east? Virgin flies to the Subcontinent’s big hitters: Delhi, Mumbai, Goa and Bangalore. Seats from £486.
Buy now, Virgin Atlantic
easyJet
The orange-coloured budget airline is famous for its low prices all year round.
December offers include £23.99 one way fares on flights for the next couple of months, meaning that, depending when you read this, you could bag a Christmas market break or New Year getaway on the cheap. With city break, winter sun and ski destinations all on offer, there really is a boarding pass for everyone.
Buy now £17.99, easyJet
Vueling
Pack your winter schedule with fun trips away thanks to Vueling. The carrier, which accepts Avios points as payment, has fares from €17 one way with destinations across the Continent.
Buy now, Vueling
WizzAir
For a cheap escape, WizzAir has some of the most enticing prices for European destinations around. Right now you can find one-way fares to the likes of Agadir, Antalya and Malaga for as little as £17.99.
Note these prices typically only include basic underseat luggage: if you want to take a standard cabin bag, there will be extra fees.
Buy now, WizzAir
Ryanair
If you're happy to fly from Stansted, Ryanair has winter escapes in the bag with 20 per cent off seats when travelling between January and February 2025. Use code FSOFF20P to secure your discount.
Fly from Stansted to Gran Canaria from £11.99, Santiago from £14.99 and Athens from £16.99.
Buy now, Ryanair
Eurostar
Connecting the UK to mainland Europe, Eurostar is your gateway to the Continent. The superfast train always has decent fares to its destinations: Brussels, Lille, and of course Paris.
Fares start at £39 one way for dates in January, February and March 2025.
Buy now, Eurostar
British Airways
Dreaming of a Home Alone 2-style Christmas? BA can make it happen with £655 return fares to the Big Apple from Heathrow. For those who crave excitement early in the new year, European destinations are on sale from £38 return.
BA’s winter sun deals are here too with the Canaries, Caribbean and Middle East all up for grabs from as little as £286pp.
Buy now, British Airways
Great Rail Journeys
Embrace slow travel in style by visiting stunning European destinations by sea or rail. The operator is offering up to £500pp off on selected packages in 2025.
Buy now, Great Rail Journeys
Lastminute.com
Lastminute has been in the impulse travel game since 1998 and still does it well. The company continually showcases incredible offers including flight and hotel packages for destinations near and far.
Right now, the hot ticket is to the Algarve where you can enjoy four nights with flights from £117pp, breakfast included.
Buy now, Lastminute.com
Booking.com
You may know Booking.com as the place to find cheaper rates on hotels, B&Bs and private rentals but the site also offers flight and hotel and train and hotel packages, allowing you to plan the major cogs of a break under one digital roof.
Find a fly-and-stay deal to Budapest from £85 or Portugal from £89.
Buy now, Booking.com
TUI
Specialising in east Mediterranean and Middle Eastern breaks, package holiday expert Tui takes care of all the details so you can get on with the very important business of R&R.
Need some inspo? You’ll find it all, from flights only, cruise deals, skiing and hotel packages. For those hankering for a real adventure, try multi-destination options and pack more into your time away or choose all-inclusive for a stress-free holiday.
If you’re looking for a quick deal, new offers are uploaded every Tuesday. Right now, the best of them is seven nights in Gran Canaria in early March including flights and a hotel with £300 off using the code DOTW.
Buy now, TUI
