Jonny Hughes

Morzine

Morzine’s Famille Plus

Seeking a family friendly ski destination? It can be challenging to find resorts that enable both parents and kids to get the most out of their ski break, but there is one that stands out from the crowd and is perfect for families looking for kid-friendly dining, activities, facilities and accommodation. This is the lovely French village resort of Morzine, which is located in the pretty Haute-Savoie department in the Portes du Soleil skiing area.

Check out our useful guide to the Portes du Soleil area here.

A key reason for this is that Morzine has a wonderful and well-crafted Famille Plus package. This is packed full of kid-friendly services and entertainment (for all ages) so that the little ones will have a blast, while mum and dad can enjoy a stress-free holiday and even get a little time to themselves.

Here is what the Famille Plus package has in store for your brood.

Méribel Mottaret

Méribel Mottaret: Springboard to Les Trois Vallées

Skiing fanatic? Then you will already be familiar with the legendary Les Trois Vallées region in the stunning Tarentaise Valley in the French Alps – but did you know that Méribel Mottaret is the best place to stay to explore the world’s largest skiing area?

This magnificent resort is brilliantly situated right in the heart of Les Trois Vallées, so each day it is incredibly easy to get around and find all the best action (both on and off the slopes!). Les Trois Vallées boasts over 600km of superb skiing within epic natural surroundings, so any skiing enthusiast simply must make the trip to this outstanding integrated area.

Read up on Les Trois Vallées with this handy ski area profile!

Les Carroz

Make the Most of the Grand Massif from Les Carroz

Deciding on family holiday destinations when the kids get a little older can be a tricky and daunting decision. You will desperately want them to have a great time so that you can bond and make many happy memories, so it must be somewhere with plenty to keep them entertained. In my humble opinion, you cannot beat skiing vacations – these combine fun and thrilling activities with incredibly peaceful and idyllic surroundings.

It is likely that you will all have different abilities and learn at a different pace, which means that you will want to find a resort that caters for all abilities. Les Carroz in the French Alps is a superb family-friendly resort that provides easy access to the legendary Grand Massif ski area – here you will find a huge variety of pistes for beginners, intermediates and experts.

Read this handy guide to see what awaits at the magnificent Grand Massif region!

Les Carroz is a pretty traditional French village with dozens of charming restaurants, bars and shops. This means that after an exhilarating day of shredding powder, you can all catch-up and share your stories over a delicious meal within a cosy, idyllic eatery (with a glass or two of red for mum and dad!).

Here is what you can expect on the slopes around Les Carroz.

Barcelona

The Ultimate Lad’s Stag in Barcelona

For a true lad, there is no greater honour than being asked to be best man at a wedding. This also gives you the fantastic opportunity to organise an absolutely epic stag weekend which will be ones for the ages. In order for your stag to stand out from the rest and to show your to-be-wed mate an unforgettable time before he makes the plunge, it is important that you find the perfect destination.

There are a number of obvious choices (and places that you may have already been!) which will be fun, but why not pick somewhere a little more unique? I highly recommend the fantastic city of Barcelona as a stag destination, as here you can enjoy plenty of booze, sun, beaches, fun activities and, of course, seeing the legendary Camp Nou stadium first hand – a real pilgrimage and once-in-a-lifetime experience for any huge football fan.

Unsure where to head for the day? Check out this guide to seeing the best of Barca.

Here is what you could get up to on the ultimate lads’ stag in Barcelona.

Playa Blanca

Sun and Sophistication in Playa Blanca

With summer on the horizon, now is a great time to start planning your first summer sun holiday as there is no better way to embrace the best season by jetting off to somewhere glamorous. If you are anything like me, then you will want to find a new destination that is somewhat of a hidden gem – this always ensures for the best adventures and will create plenty of great stories to make your friends envious upon your return.

If this sounds like your kind of break, then I highly recommend Playa Blanca – the most southerly resort on the fantastic island of Lanzarote. This is the fastest growing resort on the island and a tremendous amount of building work has been completed in recent times. It is now a peaceful, upmarket and beautiful area with plenty of opportunities for sun worshipping, shopping, celebrity spotting and indulging in a superb food and drink scene once the sun goes down. Perfect.

Fancy island hopping? Read up on the variety of the Canary Islands here.

Zell am See

Dazzle the Little Ones: The Night of the Balloons

Looking to dazzle your children and give them an unforgettable experience? Zell am See is the best place to be this February for the mesmerising Balloonalps 2017. This spectacular event is any toddler’s dream – 30 colourful hot air balloons sailing through the Austrian skies in a race across the Alps – and it is sure to take your breath away too!

Taking place between the 11th and 18th of February in Zell am See-Kaprun in Salzburg, this wonderful occasion is a great experience for a young family. In addition to colourful balloons contrasting against the fresh blue of the sky and white of the stunning snow-capped Alps, Balloonalps is also jam-packed full of fun activities. There will never be a dull moment!

Salou

Discover the Culture and Traditions of Salou

Craving winter sun? I know the feeling, which is why I highly recommend jetting off on a break to the mesmerising Spanish resort town of Salou. Located in the Tarragona province along Spain’s brilliant eastern coastline, this is the perfect destination for chilling out on the beach.

Obergurgl

Enjoy the Fine Wining and Dining of Obergurgl

Fine food is an essential ingredient for any holiday, but I think that this is particularly true when it comes to winter breaks. You can’t beat a plate of hearty food with a glass (or two) of fine wine in a classy restaurant, whilst the cold weather outside creates a warm and magical atmosphere inside.

Playa de las Américas

Cheap Winter Sun for the Lads – Playa de las Américas

Looking to escape the doom and gloom for a fun-filled, action-packed winter sun holiday? Playa de las Américas should be the top of your list, as this is a brilliant party destination on the Canary Island of Tenerife. The sun blasts down during the day when you can enjoy plenty of thrilling activities or chill out on the beach, before hitting the town for a wild night at one of the many pubs, bars and clubs where the drinks flow and the prices are low.

Mailand

Ring in the New Year in Milano

This year, why not go big and have a New Year’ Eve to remember? I am a firm believer that celebrating the occasion overseas is an incredible way to end one year and bring in the next, plus it can be fascinating to see how different cultures celebrate.

Kaprun

Out of Season Skiing: Kaprun & Kitzeinhorn Glacier

Unable to get your skiing fix this winter? Fear not, as there are some excellent resorts which allow you to shred the slopes even in the middle of summer. My personal recommendation is Kaprun in Austria, as this resort features the breathtaking Kitzeinhorn glacier which is covered in snow ten months of the year and is located a staggering 3,203 metres above sea level.

Kitzbühel

Keep Active after Dark in Kitzbühel

In many ski resorts, you will find that the real fun begins once the sun goes down. Instead of slinking off for an early night, these resorts have plenty of great activities and a buzzing après scene – perfect for those that like to burn the candle at both ends!

München

Discover Some of Munich’s Quirkiest Attractions

Munich: famous for the Glockenspiel, Marienplatz, Viktualienmarkt, Nymphenburgh Palace and, of course, the Hofbräuhaus and Oktoberfest. Finished taking notes? All those places (and plenty more) are definitely on the “must-do” list, but once you’ve ticked them all off, drunk the steins and posed for the obligatory selfies to prove it, why not take a deep breath and dive into some of the city’s quirkier attractions?