Lifestyle: Travel tips: savour the snow in Norway, go to a Christmas market, and the rolling hills of south-east England

The land of Santa's reindeer, seasonal fairs, and four places to stay on the North Downs

Take me there: Finnmark, Norway

Why go
The Arctic landscapes, spectacular fjords and Sámi culture of Norway's far north, where reindeer outnumber people two to one, provide the inspiration for Disney's new animation, Frozen (in cinemas this week). Come here for the pristine winter wilderness and, if you're lucky, a glimpse of the aurora borealis.

What to do
Join a husky sledding or snowmobiling safari across the frozen tundra. Explore remote fishing villages on the Hurtigruten coastal voyage (hurtigruten.co.uk). Don't miss the extraordinary titanium-clad Cathedral of the Northern Lights in Finnmark's capital, Alta.

Where to stay
Every January the Sorrisniva Igloo Hotel is carved from ice on the banks of the River Alta, only to melt away in spring (£220pp per night, sorrisniva.no). There's an ice bar and a sauna to warm up in. A cosy alternative is the Kongsfjord Guesthouse: simple but charming rooms in a 19th-century farmhouse in a tiny fishing village overlooking a fjord (doubles from £100, kongsfjord-gjestehus.no).

Where to eat
For no-frills Nordic cuisine, Alfa Omega is a popular choice in the centre of Alta. The house speciality is ole mattis hætta – smoked reindeer steak served on garlic bread with cranberries (alfaomega-alta.no). For a memorable meal freshly plucked from the Barents Sea, join a king crab safari in Kirkenes.

Insider tip
"For a true wilderness experience, try a husky safari with Birk Husky (birkhusky.no) on the Russian border," says Russell Davies, product manager for tour operator Discover the World (discover-the-world.co.uk). "You stay in wooden cabins and they are renowned for their cuisine."

Festive feasting: Seasonal fairs to get you into the Christmas spirit

Why limit the season of goodwill and gluttony to the 12 days of Christmas when you can start expanding your waistline now?

Abergavenny kicks things off with its Christmas Fair – a more intimate version of its famous Food Festival, with 90 stalls of seasonal goodies, food demonstrations and a celebration of British sweets (8 December, abergavennyfoodfestival.com). In the Cotswolds, Chipping Campden's miniBITE weekend offers a perfect Christmas appetiser, with an artisan food fair, workshops at Daylesford Cookery School, a masterclass with Sophie Grigson, and a pop-up Peruvian restaurant (5-7 December, thebite.co).

The ever-popular Winter Festival will be returning to London's Southbank Centre with a Chocolate Festival (7-9 December) and a series of festive farmers' markets (14-16 and 20-23 December) where you can try out a range of cheeses (pictured), charcuteries, chutneys and other tasty things that don't begin with "ch".

If you live in the southwest, find out what's happening at your local National Trust property, as several, including Killerton in Devon, Tyntesfield near Bristol and Montacute House in Somerset, are hosting food and craft markets (nationaltrust.org.uk).

If it's serious inspiration you're after, check out the festive cookery courses at the Bodnant Welsh Food Centre, where you can master the art of everything from edible gifts to the ultimate festive dessert (from £75pp, bodnant-welshfood.co.uk).

If you love rolling hills, head for... the North Downs, Kent

Octavia Hill Bunkhouse, Westerham This National Trust-run bunkhouse sits in the peaceful grounds of a former hop farm dating back to the 15th century, complete with listed oast house. It sleeps up to 14 in two dorms – a great budget option for groups or families, with a communal kitchen/dining room with Aga and hot showers. Walk in the stunning Kent Downs. £250 per night for the bunkhouse (nationaltrust.org.uk)

Thorpe Farm Shepherd's Hut, Faversham Your neighbours are a flock of Hebridean sheep at this charming shepherd's hut on a five-acre smallholding. A woodburner keeps things cosy, while a double bed with White Company bedding, Bose sound system and flushable loo (in an adjacent beach hut) provide home comforts. Breakfast can be delivered on request. £60 a night or £150 for three nights (thorpefarm.org)

Five Bells Inn, Brabourne This lovely 16th-century inn, popular with locals and walkers, offers beautifully prepared Kentish produce, local beers, wines and ciders on tap, open fires and, a refreshingly laid-back approach to dogs, muddy boots and kids. Last year it added five colourful, contemporary bedrooms – it's worth staying for the breakfast alone. From £100 a night (fivebellsinnbrabourne.com)

Thurnham Keep, Maidstone Old-fashioned elegance without a hint of stuffiness prevails at this Edwardian country-house B&B set in beautiful gardens. Bedrooms are large and airy, with antique beds and views of the Downs. Breakfast is served in the morning room and often includes fruit from the kitchen garden, honey from the owner's hives and eggs from the resident chickens. Doubles from £130 a night (thurnhamkeep.co.uk)

Joanne O'Connor