The Brits are no slouches when it comes to taking an extended break during the Christmas holiday season, a TripAdvisor survey has found...

TripAdvisor, the largest travel community in the world, this week announced the results of a survey of more than 1,600 travellers worldwide about the coming festive season. It found that forty-three percent of British travellers said that they would be taking a break of more than one week during the festive season, which was ahead of the Americans (21 percent), French (33 percent), Italians (36 percent) and German travellers (40 percent).  Eight percent of TripAdvisor respondents said that except public holidays, they will not take any time off during the holidays.

Overall, thirty-six percent of respondents will travel for the holidays this year, up two percent over last year.  Twenty-eight percent intend to travel for New Year, up four percent over last year.

New York City was selected by travellers as the top holiday season destination, followed by Las Vegas and London.

The family, a mixed blessing...

Eighty percent of travellers will be spending time with family and relatives this holiday season, almost exactly the same as last year.  Perhaps taking a cue from that Christmas favourite, The Great Escape, about 20 percent of travellers said they plan to escape family, relatives or friends this year.  When asked who they are most likely to escape from during the holidays, respondents chose parents, followed closely by in-laws, friends and siblings.

Forty-two percent of travellers said gift buying is the most stressful holiday activity of them all. The next most stressful activity was spending time with relatives, (22 percent).  35 percent of respondents disagreed, however, saying that the best thing about the holidays was spending time with the family.

Other activities that significantly raised the blood pressure were considered to be preparing holiday meals (13 percent) and travelling (12 percent).

“The survey seems to confirm that the week between Christmas and New Year has now become an established holiday break in Britain. Meanwhile, despite the potential for stress and the temptation of travel to sunnier climes, it would appear that most travellers still plan to dedicate this time of year to quality time with family,” said Ian Rumgay, European communications director for TripAdvisor. 

Top ten likely holiday escapes, according to TripAdvisor Travellers

1. New York City
2. Las Vegas
3. London
4. Orlando
5. Paris
6. Maui
7. Cancun
8. The Maldives
9. Aruba
10. Puerto Vallarta