IF you haven't used all your annual leave yet, now might be the time to book a last-minute holiday.
And the good news is, there are still plenty of deals for trips from November and right until Christmas.
Some like it hot, some not.
That's why we've rounded up the best deals around for those who fancy some winter sun as well as those looking for a festive destination.
For example, you can head on a romantic city-break to Venice for £99 per person in November or explore Amsterdam in December for the same price.
Fancy something a bit more festive? Why not spend two days in Reykjavik, the world's northernmost capital city, for £159pp including flights and a Northern Lights tour.
And if you want to escape Britain's cold winter, head to Portugal, where holidays are currently available for £174pp for a week-long stay.
Here are our suggestions:
European breaks
- Two nights in Venice, Italy, with return flights from a London airport of your choice – book here from £99pp
- Three nights in Krakow, Poland, breakfast included with return flights from London Stansted – book here from £115pp
- Two nights in Amsterdam, Netherlands, with return flight from London Gatwick – book here from £99p
Fewer crowds and cheaper package holiday prices mean Venice is an ideal city to visit in winter.
With almost nine hours of sunlight every day in December and January, all you have to do is wrap up warm to enjoy one of the world’s most beautiful cities.
Thanks to this deal from Wowcher, you can explore the city's winding streets, take a ride on a gondola or walk along the famous Rialto Bridge for just £99 per person.
Book your two-night stay anytime from December 8 to 12 to take advantage of the deal.
Not convinced? You can also spend two nights in the award-winning XO Hotels Couture in Amsterdam – including flights – for the same price.
The city is super pretty, with beautiful buildings towering over those canals, which you can explore by boat.
Those looking for something new should head to Krakow, where a four-night stay at a three-star hotel – with breakfast included – costs £155 per person this December.
Krakow is also one of the cheapest cities in Europe for a weekend break, if you need any more encouragement.
Its traditional streets are a winter wonderland in the snow, and then there’s the famous Market Square.
Leave London Stansted on December 11 to take advantage of the deal.
Winter sun
- Seven nights in Albufeira, Portugal, on a self-catering basis with return flights from London Southend – book here from £71pp
- Seven nights in Malta with return flights from Cardiff – book here from £197pp
- Four-night in Orlando, USA, with return flight from London Gatwick – book here from £426pp
From sunny weather to beautiful beaches and tasty food, the Algarve in southern Portugal is the perfect place for a quick fix of winter sun.
Remember that it's not exactly bikini-wearing season from December to February, but the region will have significantly better weather than back at home, with temperatures as high as 16-18C.
Book a one-week holiday in Albufeira in November – for a self-catering apartment and flights – from £71pp with Love Holidays.
Or head to Malta where temperatures sit between 11C and 17C in December – which will be a welcome change from the chilly UK.
The deal includes a week-long stay at the four star db Seabank Resort, with flights leaving from Cardiff on December 1 or December 3
Its capital, Valletta, is an Unesco World Heritage site, with a mixture of forts, temples and Baroque palaces to explore and Instagram, so there will be plenty to do even if it's too cold for the beach.
If you don't mind flying 10 hours for some sunny weather then travelling to Orlando this November is one of your best choices.
The Florida city remains balmy even in the winter months, with temperatures of up to 29 degrees in the day, and no lower than 15 degrees at night.
Prices start from £426pp on LoveHolidays for a four-night stay.
Winter wonderland
- Two-nights in Reykjavik, Iceland, with Northern Lights tour and return flights from London – book here from £209pp
- Two-nights in Cologne, Germany, with return flights from London Stansted – book here from £109pp
- Two-nights in Budapest, Hungary, with return flights from a London Airport – book here from £89pp
For those who want to see the Northern Lights, there’s a deal on a holiday to Iceland with two nights at a three-star hotel and flights thrown in, as well as the all-important Northern Lights tour.
To take advantage of the deal you'll need to travel between December 5 and 6 or December 8 and 12.
Bear in mind that Iceland is a popular destination so we would advise to book quickly if you don't want to miss out.
December is also the perfect time to visit Cologne as the city really flourishes after November 26, when its famous Christmas markets burst into life.
It will also be your chance to see Germany's biggest cathedral and explore the city's authentic brewery restaurants and traditional beer houses on romantic cobbled streets.
Flights and a two-night stay at a four-star hotel are currently available from £108pp when travelling from London Stansted.
There's another deal on a cheap break to historic Budapest on Groupon from £89pp.
It includes flights, hotels and two nights in the beautiful Hungarian capital.
Or you can upgrade the package to three nights in the city from £99pp.
There's also an option to book an entry to Széchenyi Spa – the largest public bath in Budapest, made of up 18 indoor and outdoor pools, for an additional £10.
Budapest has two main Christmas markets, the market on Vorosmarty Square and its Christmas fair at the Basilica, so it's the ideal place to stock up on presents ahead of Christmas.
Travel between December 1 and 2 or December 8 and 11 to take advantage of the deal.
Christmas is one of the most expensive times of the year to travel, so check our round-up of the best European city breaks under £100 to cut the costs.
We've also put together a guide of the best cheap European Christmas market destinations.
Would you rather spend the festive season on a beach instead? Here are the best offersfor winter sunshine.
Prices were correct at the time of publication.
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