10 of the Best Gift Experiences Money Can Buy This Christmas

A true haven for culinary connoisseurs, a foodie retreat at the renowned Le Manoir aux Quat’Saisons in Oxfordshire is the perfect blend of luxury and gastronomy. This is a place that has nurtured 28 Michelin-starred chefs, including luminaries like Ollie Dabbous, Michael Caines and Marco Pierre White, after all. In celebration of its 40th anniversary, guests can currently enjoy the fruits of its legendary garden-to-table philosophy with an exquisite three-course a la carte dinner deal, and you can simply stumble upstairs to bed when you’re done. chef’s kiss

From £1,430 per night including breakfast and dinner, belmond.com

Theatre tickets for London shows make the best gifts for the festive season, and for fans of the big screen, Moulin Rouge! The Musical is our pick of the bunch. Adapted from Baz Luhrmann's 2001 Oscar-winning film starring Nicole Kidman and Ewan McGregor, the musical features more than 70 pop classics by the likes of The Beatles, U2, Elvis, Dolly Parton, Queen, Beyoncé and more, which will transport you directly to Paris’s most infamous and hedonistic nightclub. All you need is love!

From £25, moulinrougemusical.co.uk

Whether they are a complete beginner or consider themselves a bit of a pro, a cooking class is always guaranteed to be lots of fun, and even something you can do together. At Jamie Oliver HQ in Islington, London, attendees can choose from a range of cuisines including North Indian, Vietnamese street food and Italian, to name a few, with each class run with two expert chefs guiding them every step of the way. The best bit? There’s a delicious meal included at the end.

From £59, jamieolivercookeryschool.com

As modern travellers yearn to escape the rush of daily life and embrace the elegance of a bygone era, luxury train travel is enjoying a glamorous revival. Leading the charge is the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express, A Belmond Train, famed for curating some of the world’s most exceptional rail experiences. For a true treat, make a booking in the soon-to-launch L’Observatoire Suite which, reimagined by acclaimed artist JR, features a double bedroom, a marble-clad bathroom, a private lounge for dining and relaxation, a hidden tearoom with a cosy fireplace, and a library stocked with hundreds of Gallimard classics.

Available for bookings starting March 2025, pricing is available upon request, belmond.com

For fans of the beautiful game, give them the gift of surprise with Mystery Away Days. Pay a set fee and you’ll be surprised with return flight tickets from the airport of your choice to a European country (think Italy, France, Spain and the like) and a ticket to a football match in that country as well as accommodation (if requested) for your stay. The catch? You’ll only find out where you’re going when you receive your tickets around two weeks before departure.

Prices vary depending on packages, mysteryawaydays.co.uk