The Seven Wonders of the World earned the title because they were among the most spectacular creations. They can take your breath away because of their majesty – and be absolutely miserable because of the sheer number of crowds. Their fame is the biggest problem; too many people want to see the world’s most celebrated … Read more
Turkey or gravy?: Some of the stars we’ll see on our screens this Christmas (Sky/BBC/ITV/Channel 4) What do we think of when we think of Christmas? Michael Bublé maybe. Parsnip maybe. Television that ranges from delightful to terrible – absolutely. Christmas TV is a constant, but whether it’s any good is another matter. We’ve rounded … Read more
The Tawny Hotel’s collection of treehouses is about half an hour’s drive from the M6 “I’m driving home for Christmas,” Chris Rea sang in his festive song over busy roads. But while the idea of being stuck in traffic from head to toe sounded almost romantic in its raucous chatter, being stuck in traffic is … Read more
Tracey Davies in the Carrefour supermarket in Calais – Julian Simmonds/The Daily Telegraph It wasn’t opening the Advent calendar, stirring the Christmas pudding or hanging the mistletoe that marked the start of the holidays in my home. No. Christmas always started with the family drinking trip to France. The British tradition of taking a day … Read more
The fairytale Christmas lights in the old town of Colmar, Alsace – serts/iStockphoto The British Christmas and its trappings are wonderful. They are to be embraced with enthusiasm: baubles, high definition knitwear, unexpected cousins, trees, children, carols, Baileys at 10am, turkey forever, mince pies and an essential meeting with the monarch. I won’t hear a … Read more