Firstly, there's the sociable flight times and minimal time difference which are ideal if you're travelling en famille. And then there's the fact that much of it is malaria-free - a major bonus compared with many other African destinations. But aside from that what really makes South Africa so special is the old (but very true) precept that it contains the world in one country, from buzzing cities to epic wildlife, beautiful coastlines to looming mountains.

One thing most people don't want to compromise on at Christmas is food (who can deny the glory of a turkey-centric feast?) and you can rest assured that the trousers will definitely be feeling a little tighter on the return journey because the quality of food in South Africa doesn't disappoint. Cape Town itself has one of the best city food scenes in the world while if you head into the Cape and Winelands you'll find some excellent restaurants in impossibly pretty settings, and that's before we've even mentioned the wine.

Why not take a walk on the wild side over Christmas and go on safari? South Africa is home to some of the best game reserves in Africa and we have the inside track on where best to go to avoid the crowds and maximise the game viewing experience, as well as the best luxury camps to ensure your stay is a truly spoiling one.

And finally, the very best hotels book up very quickly for Christmas in South Africa so it pays to book well in advance... which is where we come in.