Elia Juárez Sirvent

Méribel

The Best of Méribel’s Ski and Après Ski Scenes

Founded by a Scotsman in the late 1930s, Méribel has enjoyed a special place in British skiers’ hearts ever since. Its largely British demographic and its thriving multicultural community give it a uniquely welcoming atmosphere, without losing that easy intimacy and relaxed après scene common to the very best Alpine resorts. Méribel’s high altitude is another reason it’s so highly regarded. With resorts ranging in height from 1,600 metres to Mont du Vallon’s dizzying heights of close to 3,000 metres, visitors enjoy thick, quilted snow throughout a long season. This combination of a pleasant, welcoming village atmosphere and heavy, reliable

Saalbach-Hinterglemm

Saalbach-Hinterglemm: Austria’s Largest Ski Area

The two Austrian ski resorts of Saalbach and Hinterglemm have experienced a complete revamp over the past couple of years, meaning that they now vaunt a total of 270 kilometres of mainly intermediate pistes. These combine with a prominent partying atmosphere to make Saalbach-Hinterglemm one of the best European resorts for exciting ski opportunities during the day and a wild nightlife. Thus, if despite being attracted to its hyped up après ski scene, you are unsure of whether Saalbach-Hinterglemm can offer you the thrilling, sporty holiday you are after, I can assure you that these resorts won’t let you down

Sölden

Sölden: A Typical Day on the Pistes for the Adventure Junkie

If you are ready to take your skiing holidays to the next level, Sölden is a brilliant resort to do so. Its reliable snow conditions, guaranteed snowfall, and seven-month long season have helped Sölden become one of Europe’s best-loved ski and winter sports destinations. Adventure junkies looking to get their heartbeat racing will not be short of ways in which to achieve their aim. From seriously vertical runs to satisfying off-piste challenges; an exciting snow park with over 40 obstacles; and a exhilarating après ski scene with one of the liveliest nightlives in the area – you never have to

La Clusaz

The Low Down on La Clusaz for All the Family

After visiting plenty of ski resorts throughout the years, I can say that it is unfortunately common for the little villages around which these resorts were born and developed to eventually – but inevitably – lose their charm and become an impersonal row of streets leading up to the slopes. La Clusaz, however, is a wonderful exception. Despite its popularity, it is to this day a delightful and beautiful jewel of the Savoie region. Not only does it boast of quaint streets lined by wooden chalets, a lovely 19th-century church, and a peaceful but still entertaining atmosphere that exudes from

Kaprun

Kaprun: Perfect for Skiing During Half-Term

It can be harder than expected to successfully merge the kids’ half-term break with great snow. What’s more, you’ll need to find a teen-friendly resort that also has enough variety when it comes to activities and food opportunities that will keep the adults happy. Kaprun, in Austria, is a fantastic resort for those planning on taking their ski holidays earlier than most. The Atmosphere The picturesque Tyrolean village is lively and welcoming, with friendly locals and delightful eateries where you can enjoy traditional Austrian cuisine. Furthermore, it doesn’t have the sort of après ski scene that might put you off

Sauze d’Oulx: A Ski Resort for the Genteel Traveller

Located on the edge of the Via Lattea, Sauze d’Oulx has been a popular ski resort for a few decades. Formerly known as a drinking destination for raucous British après skiers, Sauze d’Oulx is a much quieter, better-behaved resort nowadays, popular with upscale visitors and families. Its pistes are perfect for intermediates, although there are plenty of options for beginners and experts, and they are surrounded by a gorgeous landscape of larch trees and sharp mountain edges. With peaceful, crowd free slopes, beautiful woods to explore off-piste, off-the-beaten-path accommodation and great restaurants, Sauze d’Oulx is a wonderful resort for those

Courchevel

Courchevel 1850: The Most Prestigious Ski Resort in the Alps

Courchevel 1850 (recently renamed as simply Courchevel) is one of four villages making up the Courchevel ski area in the Three Valleys. The region offers a fantastic terrain for both skiing and snowboarding and, with over 600 kilometres of pistes, many visitors never even feel the need to travel further into other Three Valleys territories. The snow is some of the best in Europe, and the terrain suits everyone from total beginner to advanced skiers. Nevertheless, if you want to add a touch of glitz to your skiing adventure, Courchevel 1850 is definitely the resort to pick. Renowned as the

Kitzbühel: The Most Beautiful Ski Town in Europe

If you are not a full-time skiing aficionado, choosing a ski resort to spend your holiday in might prove a bit tricky. It has to be exciting enough when it comes to the slopes, but still offer some comfortable runs for lazier days. It has to be pretty and welcoming, allowing you to enjoy wandering around the town on random afternoons, and offer a suitable amount of dining and wining options. Don’t worry, though, because I have found the perfect destination for you. Kitzbühel meets all these criteria and more, with pistes ideal for intermediates, a stunning town to get

Comer

Where to Base Your Holiday Around Lake Como

Lake Como is an unmissable destination for art and culture lovers, and it has been attracting visitors of all walks of life for centuries, from aristocrats in Roman times to politicians such as John Kerry, celebrities such as Madonna, and everyday people with widely varied interests and holiday checklists. Although you could practically spend a whole holiday on the lake, if you are looking for some cultural highlights and are hoping to investigate the history and traditions of the region a bit more in depth, you should visit some of Lake Como’s surrounding towns and cities. With stunning sights and

Lake Como

Explore the Best Cities and Towns Around Italy’s Lake Garda

The stunning Lake Garda, in northern Italy, has been a popular holiday destination for Italians for decades, and recent years have seen a boom in foreign visitors to the region. Not only is it surrounded by striking scenery, from green, rolling hills on the south to sharper, taller mountains further north; it also boasts of five main islands and of numerous lovely towns and cities scattered around the mainland. If you have been to Italy before and want to experience the country’s culture, cuisine, and beauty once again but are not sure of where to set off to this time

Sitges

Discover Sitges’ Nightlife and its 4 Best Places to Party Hard!

Sitges is located just a short drive from Barcelona, and is popular with holidaymakers who are attracted by the cosmopolitan culture and legendary weather of the region, while searching something a little quieter and often more affordable than Barcelona for their stay. It’s not just popular for its proximity to the Catalan capital, however: as its tourist trade has built over the years, Sitges has developed into a thriving town with a fantastic gay-friendly holiday atmosphere and some of the finest nightlife in the country. You’ll likely spend your days wandering Sitges’ charming streets, lounging on the beach or strolling

Berlin

Discover Berlin’s Best Gay Bars!

“’Ich bin schwul, und das ist auch gut so!” First spoken by Berlin’s then-mayor in 2001, this sentence (“I’m gay, and that’s just fine!”) neatly encapsulates the city’s gay-friendly philosophy. Berlin’s nightlife and EDM scene are famous across Europe, and the city also caters spectacularly well to its gay residents and visitors in the form of gay-friendly clubs and bars, as well as an all-around welcoming atmosphere. Daytime in Berlin is equally fascinating, as it’s a diverse, cosmopolitan city that’s very much in touch with traditional German culture as well as other cultures. There is plenty of historical sightseeing to

Country Profile: Iceland

Iceland is a superb and diverse island country situated on the Atlantic Ocean, very close to the Arctic Circle. In it, you can find some of Europe’s biggest glaciers as well as some of the world’s most active volcanoes. Gorgeous fjords in the north become barren highlands in the centre and mossy lava fields in the south. Iceland’s culture is also fascinating, mixing pagan and Christian traditions that still stand to this day.