A SEA of sparkling fairy lights, giant Christmas trees and illuminated archways greeted us as we walked through the hotel doors.

Classic festive tunes drifted across the holiday park, as scores of parents and their excited offspring hurtled around in their Rudolph jumpers, elf hats and Santa suits.

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Christmas had officially arrived.

I was at Butlin’s Bognor Regis which had become a little less “Hi-de-Hi” and more “ho, ho, ho”.

The resort, better known for Redcoats and red sunburnt faces in the summer months, had been transformed into a winter wonderland for a series of special Christmas breaks.

And it’s already preparing to do the same for 2024.

Christmas at Butlin’s is a non-stop round of festive parties, Crimbo films, themed activities and special stage shows including Goldilocks And The Three Bears.

And completely new for this year, a favourite character from Butlin’s Jack And The Beanstalk show, Dotty, will be dishing out presents in her dairy for those who don’t have time to visit Santa himself.

We’d barely finished checking into our room at the Wave Hotel before my children were dragging us to a festive pottery painting session.

My son Harvey, 11, picked out the Nutcracker soldier plaster cast, while daughter Luella, nine, grabbed a sign that read “Family” and got to work bringing their models to life with a splash of colour.

Then it was straight on to the much-anticipated Father Christmas’ Express Delivery, newly launched in 2023 and returning this year.

The children began their immersive grotto experience by scrawling their wish lists and posting them into the “magic letter box”.

When the light on the lift went green, it meant Father Christmas had received the letters and was ready to receive us too.

The jolly red man cheerfully, and meticulously, went through every item on their lists before asking whether they had been naughty or nice — I don’t suspect the answer mattered that much as he handed them a chocolate multipack each.

Real magic happens

There is so much for the kids to do at Butlin’s, that it makes for a dream getaway for adults, too, who needn’t worry about what to do next.

A couple of rounds of Wild-West style laser tag got our children’s blood pumping. And if you have a head for heights, Aerial Adventures with a climbing wall and high ropes course are a must.

Then there’s the Football Academy, for boys and girls, offering an hour-long session on Astroturf, helping kids become the next Harry Kane or Lucy Bronze.

Whatever you do, do not leave Butlin’s without visiting Splash Waterworld.

This seaside-themed water park is a godsend in the winter months when the weather is not good enough for the real beach.

The Adrenaline Flume had us zooming through tunnels in pitch black, and the high-velocity Stick of Rock slides saw me almost lose my shorts.

We couldn’t leave without taking advantage of the on-stage entertainment either, especially as it’s such a huge perk at Butlin’s.

Christmas movies were broadcast in the Skyline Pavilion earlier in the day.

But it’s the evening that the real magic happens with shows like Festival Rock hosting sing-along sessions with Queen’s We Will Rock You and The Killers’ Mr Brightside.

Then, the perfect way to end a festive trip, with a performance from an Elton John tribute act. The encore of Step Into Christmas left us truly in the festive spirit.

I can already guess the first item on my kids’ Christmas list for this year: a return trip to Butlin’s.

A SELECTION of eye-catching themes cruises will be setting sail across Europe next year.

Punters can nab their cabin on a fun fleet of voyages, including one where blokes are banned.

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And they won’t have long to wait either, as all cruises will embark on their respective trips in 2025.

“Travellers have demonstrated an increasing desire for more specialised and unique experiences,” Ellen Bettridge, President and CEO of Uniworld, said.

“We are expanding our portfolio to further cater to a range of interests, passions and communities.”

MUSIC CRUISE

Uniworld’s Music Cruise will offer up exclusive ‘Music of the Danube’ sailings on August 3 and November 2 aboard the ‘Enchanting Danube’ itinerary.

The voyage will come complete with a Sound of Music tour in Salzburg in Austria, a spine-tingling concert at Abbey Durnstein and a yodeling workshop.

Travellers can experience all of these pinch me moments for £2,665.

GOLF PACKAGE

If you’re into your golf as well as your vino, Uniworld’s ‘Premium Golf Package’ is a no-brainer and is available on six summer sailings.

The package is tethered to the ‘Brilliant Bordeaux’ itinerary and comprises 18-hole rounds at Cabot Bordeaux and St. Emilion.

Buyers will also enjoy a shared caddy service and a sumptuous gourmet dining experience after a sapping day on the course.

Nab your spot from £919 per person.

WOMEN’S CRUISE

The first-ever ‘Women’s Only Cruise’ will leave the dock on August 24 as part of the ‘Burgundy and Provence’ itinerary.

Ladies of all ages are invited for a cluster of excursions including truffle hunting and a bike ride to the Chartreuse.

Guests are also invited to partake in lavender weaving, an inviting chocolate and wine tasting experience and burlesque dancing sessions.

Further details are yet to be revealed so keep an eye out for further details.

It’s not cheap though – don’t expect to fork out anything below £4,300 for the privilege.

OCEANS OF FUN

Meanwhile, holidaymakers can also opt to secure their place on the MSC World America.

This voyage is another exciting new cruise ships launching next year and promises to take your breath away, quite literally.

That will be on the water slide that starts with a scary 90-degree drop.

Packing in 6,769 passengers and more than 30 places to eat and drink, World America will be island-hopping in the Caribbean from Miami starting in April, with prices from £779pp for seven nights.

Next up it’s Norwegian Cruise Line’s Norwegian Aqua, a lively ship where fun-seekers can ride the first hybrid rollercoaster and waterslide at sea.

The ship has lots of places to eat, even more places to drink, with no one telling you what to wear, and a sports complex that becomes a nightclub in the evening.

Aqua holds 3,571 passengers and will be sailing from Port Canaveral in Florida to NCL’s private island in the Caribbean from April, with seven-day prices from £1,041pp.

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THE Kingdom of Fife has no king and never did – but this magnificent peninsula which stretches from the doorstep of the Scottish capital, Edinburgh, right up past the home of golf, St Andrews, proved to be majestic.

I was staying about 20 minutes away from St Andrews at Letham Feus (pronounced fuse) Holiday Park in a beautiful log cabin with its own hot tub, just a short drive from the south east coast of Fife in Leven.

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Lochleven Castle, the first place Mary, Queen of Scots was imprisoned in 1567, was close by.

Feeling royally looked after at the holiday park, the regal theme continued at Scone Palace (pronounced scoon) in Perth, a 45-minute drive – where Scottish kings were enthroned since the first monarch Kenneth MacAlpin.

Subsequently the most famous Scottish kings, Macbeth and Robert the Bruce, were enthroned there with the Stone of Destiny, most recently used in King Charles III’s coronation in 2023.

It was also the Scottish Parliament from the year 910.

The reason I know all this is because I was privileged to have the Viscount William Stormont take me on a tour of the Palace, his ancestral home.

His ancestor was David Murray of Gospertie, who was best pals with King James VI (later James I of England).

Of course that had its downside as he was a whipping boy for the king, which meant that when the young monarch was naughty it was poor Murray who got the punishment because, as the Viscount revealed, they could not smack the royal backside.

After a busy day it was great to get back to our own hot tub at the lodge, tucking into some of the lovely treats left for us, including Mrs Tilly’s Scottish Tablet (you won’t get this on prescription as it’s made of sugar, cream, condensed milk and butter).

It was an idyllic location with a farm nearby and a delightful woodland walk where you can watch the Scottish “coos” and sheep doing their thing.

That was before a lovely night’s sleep in a comfortable double bed with an en-suite.

The holiday park is also just 50 minutes by car to Edinburgh.

We spent the day strolling its historic streets and refuelling with some traditional Scottish grub like haggis, neeps and tatties.

Local attraction

Being a keen golfer I was also excited to get a walking tour of St Andrews.

Sports fans will know the famous old bridge on the 18th hole which has seen so many champions pass on their way to Open glory.

It was fascinating to learn the history of the complex – now home to seven golf courses – from tour guide Stephen Hotchkis.

We learnt it has the oldest putting green in the world – dating back to 1867.

Golf is believed to have been played here since the 1400s.

All that walking had worked up an appetite so we headed off to the Bonnybank Inn, a Mexican restaurant just a mile from Letham Feus.

Portions are huge but we did justice to a fabulous range of dishes from enchiladas and fajitas to tacos and tostadas.

We retreated for another relaxing evening in our hot tub. Bliss.

And that was our visit to the Kingdom of Fife, no kings but lots of little treasures.

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