A Christmas away from the madness

It looks like the festive season will be cancelled in this country. Run for the Caribbean, says Chris Carter

Belle Mont Farm © Preferred Hotels & Resorts
Belle Mont Farm on St Kitts combines luxury with sustainability
(Image credit: © Preferred Hotels & Resorts)

Christmas is cancelled. That is, at least, what the English have been led to deduce from the government’s latest ban on social gatherings of more than six people, says Greg Dickinson in The Daily Telegraph. Get caught with great auntie Mabel and uncle Bert in a group of seven and you could be slapped with a festive fine. “Merry Christmas.” But all is not lost. The Caribbean offers “the holy trinity of winter sun, no quarantine on arrival (or return), and no draconian restrictions on group sizes if you choose to travel with friends or another family”.

Of course, restrictions can be applied at a moment’s notice and requirements vary between the islands. But if you book through a reputable tour operator, you should be eligible for a refund or to rebook at a later date depending on the policy. So, why not spend Yuletide in St Lucia? “With its lush landscapes and gorgeous coastline… [the island] is an extremely tempting proposition at any time. But the weather is best December to April – perfect for a Christmas getaway, without the need to quarantine.”

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Chris Carter
Wealth Editor, MoneyWeek

Chris Carter spent three glorious years reading English literature on the beautiful Welsh coast at Aberystwyth University. Graduating in 2005, he left for the University of York to specialise in Renaissance literature for his MA, before returning to his native Twickenham, in southwest London. He joined a Richmond-based recruitment company, where he worked with several clients, including the Queen’s bank, Coutts, as well as the super luxury, Dorchester-owned Coworth Park country house hotel, near Ascot in Berkshire.

Then, in 2011, Chris joined MoneyWeek. Initially working as part of the website production team, Chris soon rose to the lofty heights of wealth editor, overseeing MoneyWeek’s Spending It lifestyle section. Chris travels the globe in pursuit of his work, soaking up the local culture and sampling the very finest in cuisine, hotels and resorts for the magazine’s discerning readership. He also enjoys writing his fortnightly page on collectables, delving into the fascinating world of auctions and art, classic cars, coins, watches, wine and whisky investing.

You can follow Chris on Instagram.