Christmas shopping breaks

Combine your Christmas shopping this winter with one of these exciting breaks and relax knowing that you are covered by Direct Line travel insurance.

Get great deals in… New York

With exchange rates standing so favourably for the British pound against the US dollar for the last couple of years, shopping trips to New York have become even more popular for Brits then they were before – and what better time to cash in on a good deal then in the run up to Christmas! You'll also find that flight prices have been coming down, so getting there won’t cost you the earth either. Once there, take advantage of the amazing Christmas window displays at department stores such as Macy's and Bloomingdale's, head to designer label heaven on Park Avenue, get cut price street style on Broadway, or find a unique gift from creative havens in Soho and the Lower East Side. You can find more details on great New York shopping spots, plus where to eat and stay, what to see and how to get cheap flights and package deals from www.nyctourist.com/xmas_in_nyc.htm.

Prepare for the party season in… France

A day trip to France can provide you with all the booze you need for the Christmas party season – but at a snip of the cost. Whereas slashed prices used to be down to duty free, the great deals now come courtesy of new custom laws where Brits can bring back more alcohol per person per trip (at present it stands at 110litres beer, 90litres wine, 10litres spirits and 20litres fortified wine). Subsequently more traders and markets selling wholesale alcohol have set up at the easy stops of Calais and Boulogne. And remember, this is France, where not only does the wine come cheap, you can also get some great quality deals from vineyards across the country. For advice on where to buy, what to buy, how to get there – including details on ferry crossings and the Eurotunnel – plus where to eat and stay if you want to make a real seaside holiday out of your trip, visit www.day-tripper.net/shopwine-wine.html.

Go traditional in… Nuremberg

There are numerous traditional Christmas markets across Europe but probably the most famous is the Christkindlesmarkt in Nuremberg, Germany. Open since as early as 1628, it now boasts over 2million visitors to its festive stalls by Christmas Eve each year. The special charm of Christkindlesmarkt lies in the historic backdrop of the Nuremberg main market square with the Church of Our Lady, the beautiful fountain and the view of the Gothic Church of St. Sebaldus. The stalls themselves number around 180 and make up a 'little town of wood and cloth' with their red and white striped canvas roofs. There's also plenty of Christmas wares to bring back from gingerbread and candies for the tree, sausages and mulled wine for the table, and handmade toys and crafts for the children. You can get more information on the Nuremberg market from www.christkindlesmarkt.de. Or find Christmas markets in destinations across Europe and the UK including Budapest, Vienna, Innsbruck and Bath from www.christmasmarkets.com.

For more details on travel insurance from Direct Line – and how we can help cover you on a shopping trip abroad – visit our policy documents online or apply for a travel insurance quote.

Please note that there are limits in the personal belongings section that may not be enough to cover expensive items such as jewellery and photographic or video equipment. However, you can usually insure these items separately under the 'All risks' extension of your home insurance. Full terms and conditions are available online, within the travel insurance policy wording.