England's lofty cathedrals and ancient churches are superb settings for performances of the great oratorios and other choral works. The music of Handel ( a Londoner for much of his life - and death - he's buried in Westminster Abbey) has always been favored around the Christmas holiday season and no work more so than his Messiah. Traditionally, many of the UK's most beautiful churches and cathedrals host performances of the Messiah during the season of Advent, in the weeks before Christmas. All those rousing "Hallelujah!"s have got to get you in a celebratory mood. There are even a few sing-alongs where you can join in.

• Find out where to attend a performance of Handel's Messiah in the UK during the festive season.
• Hear carols in cathedrals around Britain

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If you live in the UK or you are planning a visit to the Lake District soon, you may have heard about the heavy rainfall and severe flooding that has been going on there.

But before you rush out and cancel plans, take a look at this report from our correspondent in the North, Valerie France.

"...the weather/flooding/doom and gloom in the Lake District - bad as it is - is localised. We stayed with family in Kendal over the weekend - even though it was much featured on flood reports.

"Although it was wet and gloomy (Lake District in November, what do you expect?) there was no evidence of flooding or traffic disruption.

Yet when we went out to supper on Saturday evening, the restaurant-with-rooms had received several cancellations..."

Let's face it, if you were thinking of a Lake District getaway this time of year, you weren't thinking of warm, dry, sunny weather. If you were, it's time to consult a new guidebook - or read my pages more closely.

But the Lake District has many pleasures at this time of year, including:

• Cosy inns with gourmet food
• Dramatic scenery
• Literary connections from Beatrix Potter and Rathur Ransome to William Wordsworth

The recent flooding has only had an impact on a small part of the region and there is probably no reason to change or cancel your plans. Just make sure you get local information about routes and road conditions before you go.

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With the holiday season fast approaching, spare a thought for your traveling friends and family. Think of:
Gifts that make traveling easier, more relaxed and more fun, like -

• Great Gadget Gifts for Travelers
• 10 Great Gadget Gifts Under $50
• MP3s, iPods, Portable DVD and Video - Great Electronic Entertainment Gifts for Travelers

Gifts that save time and money, like -

• Top Discount Passes for UK Visitor Attractions
• Hotel Gift Cards - A Great Anytime Travel Gift.

You might want to put a few of these on your own wish list.

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The full line-up for Edinburgh's rockin' Hogmanay Street Party has just been announced. If you're thinking of heading for Edinburgh for Hogmanay, the city's four day New Year's bash, you'll need a ticket for the New Year's Eve street party and all its concert stages - and they are already selling fast.

Loads of local, UK national and international acts are planned for each of the party's stages. Each stage will have a different musical theme but one Street Party Pass is good for admission to all three:

• The Waverley Stage - The Enemy headlines, along with Frightened Rabbit, We Were Promised Jetpacks and Stanley Odd.
• The Party Stage - Guest DJ The Great Calverto hosts The Cuban Brothers and Glitterbanditz.
• The West End DJ Stage promises the world's biggest dance floor, with DJ MYLO, Gary & Tom (Snow Patrol) and guest Richard Colburn (Belle & Sebastian).

All this and one of the biggest street parties in the world.

• Buy a Street Party Pass online to guarantee your place in the action
• Find out more about Edinburgh Hogmanay before you decide