Shop 'til you drop this Christmas in London

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas
Christmas is a special time, and nowhere is this more true than London. Tuesday, 3rd of November at 5pm marks the annual turning on of the Christmas lights in Oxford Street and Regent Street - announcing the Christmas season well and truly open. Flicking the switch this year will be the stars of the new 3D animation of Charles Dickens' A Christmas Carol: Jim Carrey and Colin Firth.

Santa Claus is coming to town
Department stores such as Harrods, Harvey Nichols and Selfridges each have their own special take on Christmas celebrations. Harrods hosts its annual Christmas Parade through the local streets on Saturday November 7th and each year releases a new Christmas Teddy, this year's bear is named Maxwell.

Selfridges' Christmas shop has been open since the 8th August to give customers plenty of time to get in the festive spirit! If you're on the hunt for some festive fare, why not pick up a Harvey Nick's Christmas hamper ranging from a cool £60 to a very hot £2,500!  Even if you don't have the cash to splash this year, the Christmas window displays in these stores are a sight to behold and not to be missed!

Walking in a Winter Wonderland
Hyde Park hosts it's very own Winter Wonderland from the end of November until the beginning of January. With a Christmas market, Santa's Grotto and London's largest ice rink to keep you entertained, this is the perfect place to get in the spirit of Christmas.

If you'd like to take a trip to London this festive season and need somewhere to drop off your purchases at the end of a marathon retail therapy session, hotelbook would like to recommend some of the most shopping friendly hotels in London.

Kensington House Hotel - 4* - From £110/$180
Oozing 19th century elegance and offering great access to Harrods, Harvey Nicholls and the exclusive Knightsbridge district. Read more

The Rathbone Hotel - 4* - From £100/$164
This classic boutique hotel offers ideal access to the shopping meccas of Oxford Street and Tottenham Court Road. Read more

Corus Hotel Hyde Park 4* - From £149/$244
Just minutes away from the gates of Hyde Park, the Corus Hotel is the perfect place to stay for a visit to the Winter Wonderland. Read more

St Giles Hotel 3* - From £84/$137
One of the best placed hotels in London, St Giles sits just off Tottenham Court Rd, for easy access to Oxford Street and Piccadilly Circus. Read more

Rates quoted are per room per night for 2 people sharing and are correct on the 28th October 2009 for selected stays in November and December. hotelbook tip: Many hotels offer the lowest rates on Sunday nights.

It's Beaujolais Nouveau Time!

Be one of the first to sample this year's Beaujolais Nouveau vintage at a great hotel in Paris!

Beaujolais Nouveau is a light red wine made from Gamay grapes in France's Beaujolais region which is fermented for just a few weeks before being released for sale.

Every year sees a race to get the first bottles of "Nouveau" to Paris in time for Beaujolais Nouveau Day, which falls on the 3rd Thursday of November.

Historically the wine was only made for local consumption, but over the years interest in Beaujolais Nouveau has increased and since the 1970's Beaujolais Nouveau Day has been a national event promoted with the slogan: "Le Beaujolais nouveau est arrivé".

Eleven of our favourite hotels in Paris are offering their guests a rare chance to sample this year's Beaujolais Nouveau on Beaujolais Day, Thursday the 19th November 2009:

Claridge Paris 4* - Rates from €230
Emeraude Helios Opera 3* - Rates from €114
Franklin Roosevelt Hotel 4* - Rates from €220
Le Senat Hotel 3* - Rates from €195
Le Tourville Hotel 4* - Rates from €150
Littre Saint Germain Hotel 4* - Rates from €179
Plaza Tour Eiffel Hotel 4* - Rates from €180
Powers Hotel 4* - Rates from €220
Rochester Champs Elysees Hotel 4* - Rates from €220
Splendid Etoile Hotel 4* - Rates from €220
Waldorf Arc de Triomphe Hotel Spa 4* - Rates from €185
Waldorf Trocadero Hotel 4* - Rates from €165

Stay in style and uncover your inner sommelier with a glass of this year's finest Beaujolais Nouveau at a top hotel in Paris!

All rates quoted are correct for a one night stay for 2 people sharing a room on Thursday the 19th November 2009 and are correct as of the 10th OCtober 2009.

Experience the beauty of the changing seasons in Japan’s National Parks

 
Japan is a country of contrasts, where the fast paced, hi-tech cities nestle side by side with areas of outstanding natural beauty.

Now is a perfect time to visit the National Parks of Japan to witness first-hand the changing of the seasons. The Autumn leaves spectacular attracts hordes of both Japanese and international tourists each year.

With so many wonderful parks to fit into a trip, we’ve picked our top 3 from the Japanese NTO’s suggestions to give you a flavour of what you can expect.

Lake Chuzenji-ko, Tochigi (3 hours north of Tokyo)
The highest lake in Japan offers a fantastic starting point for an Autumn nature tour. The banks of the Lake are teeming with Beech, Lacquer and Maple trees now bursting forth with a cacophony of red and orange hues. 
Visit late Sept. - early Nov.

Jingo-ji Temple, Kyoto
Standing on the hillside of Mount Takao-san, to the north-west of Kyoto, Jingo-ji Temple is another superb spot to see Autumn leaves at their best in Japan. Climb the steps for a breathtaking panoramic view of the Kiyotaki-gawa river valley dressed in its Autumn finery.
Visit mid to late Nov.

Momijidani-koen Park, Hiroshima 
The name Momijidani actually means "valley of Autumn leaves". This natural monument is situated just outside a medieval forest where magnificent maple trees of various varieties show-off their autumn splendour.
Visit early - mid Nov.

Stay independent in Japan with hotelbook.com
When you're done visiting the natural wonders of Japan, you'll need somewhere to stay. Here's our pick of hotels in Japan to complete your trip in style.

Kyoto Brighton Hotel
5* Kyoto Hotel from 20700 JPY ($231/£145)
Renowned for a delicate combination of five-star British elegance with unrivalled Japanese service.

Cross Hotel Osaka
4* Osaka Hotel from 15500 JPY ($173/£108)
A contemporary designed hotel suitable for both business and leisure travel.

Tokyu Inn Shinbashi Atagoyama
3* Tokyo Hotel from 11520 JPY ($128/£80)
Surrounded by historic temples yet within easy reach of the business district.

Century Southern Tower Hotel
4* Tokyo Hotel from 16920 JPY ($189/£118)
Offering a luxurious escape from the city below, this hotel is located in the heart of Shinjuku.

Dai Ichi Hotel Annex
4* Tokyo Hotel from 15000 JPY ($167/£105)
Its convenient and central location for transport links, makes this hotel a perfect base in Tokyo.

Looking for something different? See all hotels in Japan for more inspiration.

Please note: Rates are per room per night for 2 people sharing for selected stays in October and November 2009. Rates are correct at the 6th October 2009 and are subject to availability and may change at any time.