Christmas Gift Experiences

As we tip-toe towards December, the festive spirit is growing stronger, the hope for a better year flickers brighter

As we tip-toe towards December, the festive spirit is growing stronger, the hope for a better year flickers brighter and Christmas is drawing nearer. It’s not all decorations and carols, though… this also means that Christmas Gift Shopping season is upon us. Your loved ones (and yourself for that matter!) deserve a getaway to make up for all the time spent indoors over the last 18 months. Gifting an experience means gifting a memory for the years to come, one that you can possibly share with your special one.

Or, if you’re pooling in money with friends and family, you can gift them a UTP Travel Voucher on any value that they can later use to book the experience (or experiences!) of their choosing. Just email us at info@untravelledpaths.com and the team will assist you.

For something more personal than a voucher, however, here are our Untravelled choices…

For the Romantic

Perfect for a significant other or a couple. These escapades combine magic, once-in-a-lifetime experiences and romance.

Hot Air Balloons flying over Cappadocia, Turkey (left), Husky sledding in Slovenia (center) and the Aurora dancing over the Lappish forests, Finland (right)

The Hot Air Balloon Experience: A 4-night adventure in Turkey, including a buzzing Istanbul and the rocky landscapes of Cappadocia. Explore the hustle and bustle of Istanbul before flying away to Cappadocia. Here is the land of cave accommodation, curious rock formations and and out of this world scenery. All topped by a sunrise Hot Air Balloon Ride, soaring over the moon-like landscapes below.

Season: Apr – Nov

Duration: 4 nights

Price from: £649 pp

The Husky Experience: This one is the perfect combination of a romantic getaway and adventure. Start off in charming Ljubljana, then travel to the winter wonderland of Kranjska Gora, where you can admire the snowy splendor. Then, get your heart racing with Husky sledding, racing across the powdery plains. Lastly, let the picturesque Lake Bled and its church mesmerize you.

Season: Dec – Mar

Duration: 3 nights

Price from: £365 pp

The Lapland Experience: Frosty landscapes, crisp air and dancing Auroras. This is the Lapland Experience in a nutshell. Spend your days with snow activities or relaxing in an outdoor hot tub, and your nights glancing up at the skies from your own glass accommodation. It’s as romantic as it can get – just the two of you surrounded by nothing other than snow and, hopefully, the Northern Lights.

Season: Oct – May

Duration: 4 nights

Price from: £840 pp

For the Adventurer

If the person you’re gifting is a thrill-seeker, always looking for the next bucket-list item to tick off, here are our suggestions

The Ice Hotel in Transylvania, Romania (left) and the vast Sahara Desert, Morocco (right)

The Ice Hotel Experience: Discover the wintery magic of Transylvania. Complete with a buzzing Bucharest, charming Brasov, castles, and winter fun, this is a winner. Travel all the way to the remote Ice Hotel, nestled between the icy Carpathian peaks. Here, get your heart racing with winter activities, enjoy dinner in the Ice Restaurant and get a cosy night’s sleep in your own Ice Hotel suite.

Season: Dec – Mar

Duration: 4 nights

Price from: £361 pp

The Mini Sahara Desert Experience: This one is for the romantic adventurer. The mayhem of Marrakesh welcomes you to venture into the souks and witness the chaos of Djmaa el-Fnaa square at dusk. Then travel through the winding Atlas Mountains all the way to the never ending Sahara Desert. Begin your quest on the back of a camel at sunset and spend a night under the starry skies of the desert. If you’re feeling particularly generous, you can even opt for the 7-night Sahara Desert Experience, with an added stay at the gorgeous Kashbah Bab Ourika in the Atlas Mountains.

Season: Sep – Jun

Duration: 4 / 7 nights

Price from: £467 pp (4 nights) / £765 (7 nights)

For the Wildlife Enthusiast

Make a wildlife lover’s Christmas (and year!) by gifting them one of these experiences.

Basking Sharks off the Scotland coast (center), An Iberian Lynx in Andalucia, Spain (left), and brown bear in the Transylvanian forests, Romania (right)

The Iberian Lynx Experience: The world’s most elusive feline, a Seville full of colour and passion and tasty tapas. Spend your days searching for the Iberian Lynx, one of the rarest and most mysterious cats. Venture deep into the Sierra de Andujar Nature reserve on its trails, and spot other wildlife such as wild deer, Iberian Ibex, or eagles on the way.

Season: Dec – Jan

Duration: 4 nights

Price from: £549 pp

The Basking Shark Experience: Not far from home, you can encounter this curious but gentle shark. Off the coast of Scotland, swim with giant Basking Sharks, learn about the legends of Loch Ness, and of course sample some of Scotland’s finest whiskey. All in three days’ work!

Season: Aug

Duration: 2 nights

Price from: £599 pp

The Brown Bear Experience: With over 6,000 brown bears in the wild, Romania is the best place to spot them. The rich forests of the Carpathians hide these beautiful creatures, and you will get a chance to get up close and personal. From the safety of a bear hide, witness the brown bears roaming freely. Then, visit the Libearty Bear Sanctuary where over 90 bears have been rescued from unthinkable conditions, and hear their stories. All of it complete with nature, fresh air, charming towns and castles.

Season: Apr – Oct

Duration: 4 nights

Price from: £408 pp

Read more about the Brown Bear Experience

For the Foodie

Pretty self-explanatory. Full of food and wine, these experiences are guaranteed to go straight to a foodie’s heart.

Wine tasting in Ronda, Spain (left) and fresh fruit in Bari, Puglia (right)

The Andalusia Experience: There’s no experience more flavourful than Andalusia. Starting in Seville, you will get a chance to visit the tapas bars or learn about the combined history and food of Andalusia on a tour. Then it’s off to Cordoba for an Equestrian Dancing Show, followed by more food in Ronda. Here, the outdoor cooking class will show you the secrets of Andalusian cuisine, paired with wine tasting.

Season: Mar – Nov

Duration: 4 nights

Price from: £649 pp

The Dolce Vita Experience: Another one for the taste buds. The Dolce Vita combines the Pugliese cuisine with the sun-kissed towns of Matera, Alberobello, and Bari. The Southern Italian masterclass will show you the ins and outs of cucina povera, while the bakery tour visit will delight your senses with delicious focaccia, bread, and other nibbles. Wash it all down with some wine and olive oil tasting before reaching Bari with its pasta making and street food goodness.

Season: Apr – Nov

Duration: 4 nights

Price from: £480 pp

For the Outdoor Lover

For the active, outdoorsy person in your life. These experiences are full of natural beauty, rural charm and adventure.

Cows grazing at the remote eco village of Velika Planina, Slovenia (left), local bridge over Tara River, Montenegro (center) and wildflowers on the meadows of the Albanian Alps (right)

The Mini Slovenia Experience: All of Slovenia’s highlights packed in a mini adventure. From the colourful capital of Ljubljana to the remote Velika Planina and its stunning sceneries. Complete with Lake Bled and an activity day in Bovec. Here, you can choose from an array of activities such as rafting, kayaking, canyoning or zip-lining for full adrenaline and great memories to take home with you.

Season: Apr – Nov

Duration: 4 / 7 nights

Price from: £480 pp (4 nights) / £675 pp (7 nights)

The Mini Montenegro Experience: Small and mighty Montenegro is a loaded punch in just a few days. Start off by the dreamy coast of Kotor with the blue waters of the Adriatic. Then, travel onwards to the National Parks, spending two nights in remote eco villages, surrounded by stunning landscapes. Lastly, give white water rafting on the Tara River a try, or opt for any other activity on hand.

Season: Apr – Nov

Duration: 4 / 7 nights

Price from: £399 pp (4 nights) / £600 (7 nights)

The Mini Albanian Alps Experience: The epitome of “out and about”, the Mini Albanian Alps Experience will let you uncover the rugged landscapes of these mountains. Hike your way across peaks and valleys, through remote villages, and by impressive sceneries. At last, trek into Montenegro in order to catch your flight home. This one is for the active ones and nature lovers alike.

Season: Apr – Nov

Duration: 4 / 7 nights

Price from: £399 pp (4 nights) / £549 (7 nights)

For the Culture Vulture

History buffs, bookworms, and all the culture-thirsty people in between.

Stari Most bridge in Mostar, Bosnia (left) and Bran Castle in Romania (right)

The Mini Bosnia Experience: Go back in history as East meets West in an impressive display of architecture and culture. Sarajevo awaits with its melting pot prevalent in the architecture, cuisine and culture. Then, visit Mostar with its iconic bridge. Lastly, jump over to Croatia for a night in Dubrovnik. A pinch of nature included as well!

Season: Apr – Oct

Duration: 4 nights

Price from: £340 pp

The Dracula Experience: For the history lovers and vampire fans alike. Start off in Bucharest, once called Little Paris, and marvel at the mismatched architecture and bohemian feel. Then, follow in the footsteps of Vlad the Impaler, all the way from his birthplace in charming Sighisoara, through the Princely Courts and his final resting place.

Season: Apr – Nov

Duration: 4 nights

Price from: £349 pp

Still unsure? Have a look at our Mini Adventures for some further inspiration.

For the Romantic

For the Adventurer

For the Wildlife Enthusiast

For the Foodie

For the Outdoor Lover

For the Culture Vulture

Enquire about a trip with Untravelled Paths