Posted on December 18, 2008 by Fiona Hilliard

Up to three million passengers are set to escape the doom and gloom engulfing the UK economy and head overseas this year. 

The busiest days in the run-up to Christmas are expected to be on Friday and Saturday as holidaymakers set off in search of sun and ski breaks.  Zurich Insurance company predicts that 18 million UK drivers will hit the roads over the coming weeks. 

It looks as if Christmas getaway numbers have not been affected by the economic downturn.  Tenerife, Egypt, the Caribbean, Dubai and Turkey remain among the most popular sunshine destinations for Brits.