Last Christmas, I spent 3 nights in the lovely village of Bernkastel Kues. The town is an ideal backdrop for a Christmas Market. Winding cobbled streets run between impossibly slanted old wooden houses from the 16th and 17th century. Most buildings have a Christmas theme with the ‘piece de resistance’being the Adler Apotheke which is transformed into a giant Advent house for the season. While we were there St. Nichols himself popped out from behind a window to greet the crowds below! The Spitzhausen weinstube is the place to enjoy a nice glass of local wine while overlooking the ancient marktplatz. There are stalls selling gluhwein and stollen, Christmas decorations and gifts.

A highlight has to be the annual torchlight swim down the moselle by up to 200 hundred hardy souls to guide St. Nick to the town. Its a spectacular sight after dark and followed by a procession up to the old town. All the while the ruins of Burg Landshut are visible high up on the ridge above the vineyards. A nice way to relax is to take a riverboat trip where again stollen and gluhwein are served. The people of the town certainly go out of their way to add to the festive atmosphere with each house putting up a tree or lights outside.There are several good restaurants to choose from, with our favourites being Zum Landsnecht and Thiesen.

Fly direct from Kerry, easy peasy !!

Have recently spent a weekend in the lovely New Forest area of southern England. I have been here a few times and its well worth a trip. We rented a house in the little village of Mudeford , just a few hundred metres from the old Quay. I would recommend the old fishermans inn ‘The Haven Inn’ for food and a few drinks. Its a pretty little quayside with some very old houses. Day trips are possible by ferry to nearby Hengistbury head. Nearby, the towns of Christchurch and New Milton have plenty shops as does the very old world town of Lymington, with its pretty cobbled streets. We travelled by Aer Lingus to Southampton Airport , about 40 minutes away.

All along the coast are great views of ‘The Needles’, the rocks at the western end of the Isle of Wight. Ferries to the island run frequently from Lymington. The island itself is a bit like stepping back in time to an era with a  slower pace of life. Lots of visitor attractions on the island to keep all ages/interests happy.Check it out !!