europe holidays
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Each year, deep in a Norwegian wood, a tree destined for Trafalgar Square is carefully chosen and ceremoniously felled. Christian House shares the moment
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Winter is the time for exploring snowy European cities full of cosy cafes – especially when they’re served by budget airlines with low-season fares
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With an increased security presence, the city’s annual festival of lights has been opened by France’s new prime minister, a year after it was cancelled following the Paris attacks
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For the novelist, Istanbul is rich in Byzantine, Roman and Ottoman history, and is a place where Russian submarines, supertankers and tourist boats all glide through the heart of the city
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Glühwein and hot chocolate, snowy views, empty museums and comfort food … Guardian readers pick the best European cities for an atmospheric winter holiday
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With independent art and street food scenes, and clubs and soundsystems bursting with bass, the second city has first-rate cultural credentials – if, like our writer, you know where to look
top 10s
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The Russian capital is full of cultural treats – from galleries and parks to its restaurants, bars and baths. Our writer picks the must-sees plus his own favourites
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Whether you’re in Berlin for its history, nightlife or design, Philip Oltermann picks out his favourite venues beyond the tourist haunts – plus a couple of must-see classics
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Rome’s sights, style and food inspire our foreign correspondent. Here, she picks her favourite places, from an authentic gelateria to a locals’ cookery class
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It is possible to enjoy a budget city break without compromising on comfort and facilities, as this selection from a new guide by Kash Bhattacharya shows
winter sports holidays
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Off-piste skiing paradise La Grave in the French Alps has raised more than €60,000 through crowdfunding to try and fight off developers
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Ischgl’s wild après is legendary, but if you can resist the lure of the resort’s party scene and hit the piste with a clear head, there’s pristine powder and untracked terrain to be enjoyed
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Weather forecasts promise resorts the best pre-Christmas runs for many years
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Kayaking is one of the only ways to get to Kornat, off Zadar. There are speedboats and superyachts around too, but travelling under his own steam, Kevin Rushby gives them the slip
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The kids would be happy to stick to the beach, but a stay on the coast near Bordeaux means mum and dad can fit in some surfing and vineyards, too
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beach holidays
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These picks are hardly household names but with their solitude and scenery they are the antidote to the more familiar, crowded, Med hotspots
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activity holidays
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This Channel Islands wellness bolthole offers a ‘detox without realising it’ by marrying the two disciplines and serving guests healthy, vegetarian meals
restaurants
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Restlos Glücklich’s meals taste all the better for knowing that they’re made from veg rejected by supermarkets because of damaged packaging or their odd shape
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Left-field Liverpool is thriving with a strong DIY culture and an art world bubbling with grassroots projects. Here’s our pick of the most exciting music and culture venues, and the best places to eat and drink
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The Basque city of San Sebastián has so many great places to eat it’s hard to narrow it down, so we’ve enlisted local chefs and foodies to select their favourites
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With the traditional Parisian brasserie in decline, a new website is pointing diners to alternative cheap eats. The founders of Les Petites Tables show us where to dine well on a shoestring
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Tenerife with a twist: winter sun, plus wildlife and wine