Head for the slopes in Kitzbühel

Christmas is typically the most stressful time of the year.

The expense of buying gifts, the last-minute shopping scramble, and the heightened expectations of family togetherness can all combine to undermine our best intentions.

There is however one guaranteed way to combat Christmas stress: travel.

With the festive season fast approaching, World Travel Awards, “the Oscars of the travel industry”, polled its database of travel professionals worldwide to list ten favourite ways to experience this Christmas.

The panel suggested:

• For the energetic: skiing and après-ski in Kitzbühel.
• For the complete getaway: winter-sun relaxation in the Maldives.
• For the sporting: a Christmas Day round of golf in Scotland.
• For fab food: gourmet dining in Peru.
• For the naturalist: whale watching off Cabo San Lucas, Mexico.
• For tradition: midnight mass in St Peter’s Basilica, Vatican City.
• For the romantic: celebrate in a Yorkshire castle.
• For a life-changing experience: tiger safari in India.
• For the kids: wizardry with Harry Potter at Universal Orlando Resort.
• For a great party: non-stop celebrations in Rio de Janeiro.

Kevin Taylor, group vice president, WTA, said: “Christmas should be the most relaxing and memorable day of the year, but staying at home can often end up an anti-climax.

“The choices of the professionals we polled feature experiences to suit all tastes. If you want barefoot luxury, as far removed as possible from the daily stresses, then head to the Maldives.

“If you crave winter action and adventure then Kitzbühel in the Austrian Tyrol offers world-class skiing with high-octane nightlife to match.

“For a traditional family feast, staying in a castle in Yorkshire will be a once-in-a-lifetime family Christmas with log fires and loads of atmosphere,” he added

World Travel Awards Grand Final

This Christmas will cap a busy year for WTA.

The prestigious awards programme culminates on December 12th2012 with its Grand Final Gala Ceremony in New Delhi, India.

The glittering, red-carpet evening will mark the climax of a year-long search for the very best travel and tourism brands in the world, and will feature the winners from WTA’s 2012 regional heats in Dubai (UAE), Turks & Caicos, The Algarve (Portugal) and Singapore competing head to head.

The event is officially supported by ministry of tourism, government of India, and will take place at The Oberoi, Gurgaon.

Set over nine lush acres featuring water bodies, gardens and the city’s most spacious accommodation, the hotel welcomes guests with space and serenity.

Luxuriously appointed rooms and public spaces as well as award winning dining options, makes The Oberoi, Gurgaon a lifestyle destination in the heart of the National Capital Region of Delhi.

More information on the official website.