If you adore the stunning Alpine setting of Europe’s ski resorts but want a new challenge that doesn’t involve skis, then why not try the Cortina Snow Run. This 17km night time run – held on 25 February next year – will take you through the stunning Dolomites scenery, running on prepared pistes, on a course which organisers believe should take no more than five hours.
The Danes have a word – hygge – that describes “a feeling or moment, whether alone or with friends, at home or out, ordinary or extraordinary as cosy, charming or special”. Although a range of situations and sentiments may be labelled as “hygge”, it applies perfectly to one time of year in particular: the holiday season. After all, there are few occasions that are more delightful (or perhaps dysfunctional…) than Christmas with your loved ones. While you may be partial to putting your feet up and spending Christmas at home, you’ll find that Denmark takes the peace, togetherness and joy
The Hintertux Glacier is a family-friendly ski resort in Austria that offers a terrific all-round experience. The snow-covered resort boasts a wide range of fun-filled and adrenaline-fuelled activities that are suitable for all ages. In fact, the resort won the test-winner award by the famous test portal skiresort.de in the snow-safety category. No need to worry about keeping the kids safe!
No trip to France would be complete without a degustation of its fabulous gastronomy – it is, after all, the home of haute cuisine. There’s no better time to sample some delicious French fare than Christmas, when delicacies from the skies, the seas and the fields all crowd the dinner table. The gastronomic highlight of the holiday season in France is le Réveillon, the long dinner held on Christmas Eve. Although menus vary depending on the region, here are a few of the dishes that you might find at a French Christmas feast. Succulent Starters Although popular all year round,
Located in the south of Lanzarote, Playa Blanca is a charming resort that has won many awards for both its beauty and serene atmosphere. While it boasts stunning sandy beaches, you can also visit the gorgeous Timanfaya National Park.
If you’re getting weary of the traditional Christmas turkey, mince pies and pudding, why not plan a festive getaway to experience the festive season in a new light? If you’d like to break with tradition and venture off the beaten path, one of the most unique and underexplored places on the list is undoubtedly Lithuania. Although this country was the biggest in all of Europe back in the fourteenth century, it’s frequently and unfairly overlooked today – but only because you haven’t heard about its remarkable Christmas traditions yet! Let’s talk about the Lithuanian holiday rituals that are best experienced
Annecy is a charming Alpine village in France. Nothing beats strolling through its beautiful old town. You can admire the gorgeous canals lined with colourful flowers and the stunningly designed bridges, which add to its archaic charm. Known as the ‘Venice of the Alps’, it is also Haute-Savoie’s city of art, offering travellers a delightful range of cultural attractions, such as local museums, medieval castles and Gothic churches.
Opting for a winter holiday in Germany this year? Whether you’re taking the ski pistes or the famous Christmas markets by storm, you’ll find that Germany is nothing short of wunderbar in the winter months… so wunderbar, in fact, that it’s worth staying for the holidays! While you’re surely looking forward to zooming down snowy pistes and strolling through festive markets, there’s one thing you probably haven’t thought about: Germany’s cuisine, which is frequently overshadowed by its cultural and natural attractions. During the holiday season, however, trying the locals’ favourite drinks, main courses and desserts should be at the top
Not everyone has time for a week-long holiday in the Alps. If you are going through a busy period at work, have young children, or often both, a long weekend on the slopes is the perfect antidote and a great chance to recharge those batteries. The weekend is a great time to ski as other tourists often transfer to and from their holidays on Saturday, leaving quieter, more open pistes to enjoy.
Let’s be honest, skiing is more about the partying than the pistes. There is nothing better after a day on the slopes than a few drinks and a boogie to loosen up those legs. Young people from across Europe flock to the twin resorts of St Anton and Ischgl in Austria for this very reason. Nowhere else in the Alps can you find such a vibrant après scene where skiers count down the hours until 3pm when the bars open and the dance floors beckon.
The ski resort of Flaine, part of the Grand Massif ski area in France’s famous Haute-Savoie region, is the perfect place for a family ski holiday, not least because it really knows how to entertain young visitors. Created as a purpose-built resort in the 1960s, Flaine has become hugely popular with families, thanks to its compact, car-free centre and excellent skiing opportunities for all ages. Whether you and your children are beginners or old hands who want to try out some of the 265km of runs in the Grand Massif ski area, there is something for all ability levels here.
Is a short break in Brussels high on your travel list? It should be! Belgium’s capital has much to offer those seeking a weekend away. You won’t be surprised to discover that it has an impressive collection of historical churches and chocolate shops, but the city also offers plenty of quirkier sights for the off-the-beaten-track traveller. You can find out everything you need to know in this handy infographic from Accor Hotels. Cartoon Central Did you know that Brussels has the most cartoonists per square metre than anywhere else in the world? It was home to both Hergé, the famed
Made famous as the location of the snow sequence in the James Bond movie Spectre, Sölden, in Austria’s Ötz valley in Tirol, is a great place for a winter sports getaway. But don’t limit yourself to the excellent intermediate runs or to the two snow-guaranteed glaciers, because there’s much more going on in this popular resort than just skiing. (And I’m not even talking about the very lively après ski scene in this bustling resort.) There are so many winter activities on offer that, whether you are travelling alone or with a group, you will always find something rewarding and
