Whether you will be celebrating it or not, whether you are looking forward to it or not… There are only 45 days left until Christmas!
Many of you want to jet off as soon as the Christmas pudding has been eaten and the presents have been shared. When holidaying, you and your family pride yourselves on following your passions. So as the end of the year approaches, you are looking forward to sharing an adventure that has been meticulously planned for you, a custom-made itinerary that has been put together thanks to the creativity and knowledge of our experts. Some of you may long for a cultural experience, to gain more in-depth historical knowledge; others may want to escape into nature, at the heart of an up-and-coming destination; the more curious among you may be looking for an immersive voyage, blending art and traditions. Let our advisors design a road map for you, filled with authentic experiences and memorable meetings in which you will be the main characters. The perfect gift to usher in the new year! Let Looking for Charly whisper a few evocative names in your ear…
Friluftsliv in the Troms
Friluftsliv forms part of the national identity of Norway, and literally means “participating in outdoor activities”. More philosophically, it involves “de-stressing in nature and sharing a common culture”. This is what we can offer you, by travelling to the north of the country, when December unveils a festive atmosphere in this fairytale region in the Arctic Circle. February and March provide good opportunities to observe the Northern lights dancing above the Lyngenfjord, undimmed by light pollution. You will spend your time on boat safaris, spotting humpback whales, dolphins and sea eagles, or driving a team of sled dogs through the countryside enveloped in silence, experiencing an incredible sensation of freedom.
For sports lovers, hikes can be carried out on snowshoes, through a landscape of forests, lakes and mountains, as you look for families of elks. Ascend on ski skins, then enjoy the descent as you zigzag through the wide glacial valleys, on the most magical and isolated pistes in the world. The more intrepid among you can ride off on snowmobiles, a traditional activity in Nordic countries and the ideal way to combine thrills and spills with an escape through vast, pristine landscapes.
During your downtime, local instructors will initiate you to the practice of Vinyasa yoga, a slow form of yoga focusing on alignment, suitable for all fitness levels. Finish the day off in the outdoor jacuzzi or sauna with views over the fjord. Let go during a steam session in the dedicated barrel sauna, equipped with a wood-burning stove, to complete your Scandinavian dream…
Flights via Oslo. From there, SAS and Norwegian Air Shuttle.
Our choice:
Lyngen Lodge is a cozy hotel discreetly tucked away on the shore of the fjord of the same name, 3 hours from Tromso and with magnificent mountains as its backdrop. Built using traditional frames made of local wood, the building blends perfectly into its surroundings. The geothermal heating, complemented by a thick turf roof, ensures the temperature is perfect all year round. The 8 double rooms, small but elegant and comfortable, can accommodate up to 18 travellers. Delicious fusion cuisine is served at the table, prepared by passionate and creative chefs using some of the best fish and game available locally.
Ao som do fado
As the novelist Mary McCarthy once wrote, “Any Portuguese town looks like a bride’s finery – something old, something new, something borrowed, and something blue” … Porto is the perfect illustration of this, an ideal destination for a city break even in winter, because it offers multiple opportunities for indoor and outdoor entertainment. Designated as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO, the medieval neighbourhood of Ribeira, its historical centre, proves to be captivating, thanks to its colourful old houses. Remarkable monuments and landmarks jostle for space here, such as the Sé de Porto Cathedral, the São Bento railway station and the Clérigos Tower. And then there’s the night life: at dusk, crowds fill the streets lined with traditional eateries, known as tascas, and trattorias. It feels good to wander and lose yourself in the maze of steep, narrow streets, which for centuries have been decorated with ornate blue tiles called azulejos.
Take the Dom Luís bridge, the emblematic metal structure inspired by Gustave Eiffel’s creations, and cross the river Douro to reach the town of Vila Nova de Gaia, where you can enjoy a tour of the wine cellars serving the typical Porto wine. The landscape gently unfolds around this coastal city, creating the terraces that have shaped the region for millennia. From growing on vines to ageing in barrels after the grapes have been trampled barefoot, the wine-making process ends with the produce descending downriver on board traditional sailing ships. You will better understand the process and the major role played by the city through history in exporting this unique beverage. Return by cable car and enjoy a different perspective of the old city, gleaming below you.
The city is dynamic, famous for its Baroque architecture and rich in architectural wonders. We suggest getting to know a more informal side of Porto, in picturesque neighbourhoods off the beaten track, to discover the true soul of the Portuguese people.
Finally, no voyage of discovery through the Iberian Peninsula would be complete without experiencing Fado music, classed as an Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity by UNESCO. We can point you in the direction of iconic venues where this mournful song is played, the cradle of a beautiful, deep and emotionally raw ritual.
Our choice:
Porta Nobre Exclusive Living Hotel – Go back in time in the historic Miragaia district, the old Jewish quarter, located between the shores of the river Douro and the hills of Vila Nova de Gaia. The hotel’s 300-year-old building, which has been carefully renovated, features the restored original materials. You will be just a few minutes’ walk from all of the city’s main attractions, and the riverside nearby will be the perfect place for moonlit walks. With just 19 apartments, each unit is fully equipped and decorated in a different style. The hosts’ unique way of welcoming their guests and taking care of them is what makes staying here so special. Add in the restaurant, and you have a unique combination of qualities that make this elegant, urban retreat the perfect choice. The panoramic rooftop terrace, for example, is universally adored and fosters a friendly vibe around the swimming pool.
Portugal is brimming with splendours, and curious travellers who wish to visit the inland will find Porto to be the ideal starting point to explore a different part of the country.
Ideal in all seasons but less busy in winter – 2-hour flight from Paris.
Romkocsma* in Magyarország
This is what the Hungarians call their home country.
Budapest is in fact the merging of two cities, Buda and Pest. Separated by the Danube, reunited in 1873, Buda is known for its hills and historical sites, whereas Pest is famous for its lively streets. The so-called ‘ruin’ bars characteristic of Hungary are a testament to this: artists’ squats housed in dilapidated buildings have been converted into pubs or concert halls, to provide the perfect venue for nights of pure hedonism. In this same working-class neighbourhood, the walls are decorated with colourful street artwork, to be discovered in the surrounding streets.
There is lots to do during the day as well. The city remains one of the jewels of Europe, thanks to its stunning gothic buildings and Art Nouveau architecture. The Fisherman’s Bastion monument is an unmissable spot from where you can admire the city at sunset.
Several private rooftop bars offer spectacular views over the Pearl of the Danube, but the Fisherman’s Bastion in the Castle district is a must as the sun sets. Sail down the meandering river and the capital’s greatest treasures will file past you. As you cruise down the Danube, you will admire the city’s heritage of a turbulent history and hear stories of the many cultures that have co-existed here.
And then there are the baths, an ancestral form of living that is anchored into the inhabitants’ daily lives: locals can choose among more than one hundred thermal springs that bubble up all over Budapest. Follow their lead and benefit from the curative and preventive effects of the waters, enjoy a massage, relax or simply splash about…here, the locals go to the spa as often as we would go to the cinema or a coffeeshop! Thermes Rudas are the most old-fashioned baths, but the very large Széchenyi thermal baths, featuring outside pools, should not be missed and are very popular with tourists and locals alike.
Our choice:
a UNESCO World Heritage Site transformed into a luxury hotel, Matild Palace takes pride of place in a historic building on the Pest side, east of the Danube and just a stone’s throw from the Elisabeth Bridge, one of the main bridges across the river. The modest façade of the former residence of Archduchess Marie Adelaide Clotilde hides splendid interiors, with vaulted ceilings and decorative mouldings blended with a contemporary design. The rooms and suites on the top floor are decorated differently as a homage to the artists who once stayed there. A hidden gem among the city’s rooftops, the bar is a veritable liquor library, stocked with the very best beverages from around the world and offering a different view over the Budapest skyline.
Full of glacial charm at the time of the Christmas markets. Delightful but very busy in spring and summer.
2-hour direct flight from Nice. 2h 10minutes from Paris.
