Short Break Ideas

Many of us had wanted to visit Burma/ Myanmar at some stage but because of the political situation were deterred.  Following the released of pro-democratic leader Aung San Suu Ky in 2009, her party is asking ethical tourists to visit. Burma is where it neighbour Thailand was before mass tourism - many areas are in their natural state waiting to be explored.

Burma is bordered by China, Laos, Thailand, India and Bangladesh and it is the second largest country in Southeast Asia. Visitor to the country is relatively low (less than 1 million) capered to Thailand (over 15 million).

In winter the city of Montreal becomes a hive of winter activities and especially in the Jean-Drapeau Park (home of the Canadian Formula1 Grand Prix) - they have created the Montreal Snow Village. Like Hotel Kakslauttanen in Finland they have created an ice worshiper paradise. With Montreal city landscape in the background, the snow village is the celebration of everything Ice; there is the ice hotel, bar and restaurant all house in huge igloos.

Venice is Italy’s most romantic city and one of the jewel of the Adriatic.  Its glorious mix of Renaissance and Byzantine architecture, gondola-lined canals and beautiful bridges has inspired poets and painters through the ages.  For centuries Venice was one of the grandest cities in the world. Modern day Venice still is impressive, packed with lavish palaces, ornate churches and great works of art, and it wonderful watery landscape hasn’t changed much in three hundred years.

Take a vaporetto (water bus) ride along the Grand Canal- a two mile long waterway lined with houses rising straight from the water and crossed by the famous Riatto Bridge.  The Grand Canal flows into the lagoon near St. Mark’s Square, the city’s spectacular main piazza.  It’s surrounded on three sides by elegant colonnades and expensive cafes.

The need to pick between a ski and spa break is slowly being removed as more ski resorts are mixing the best of both worlds.  Below we have highlighted places where you can double up your seasonal skiing trip to destination that have invested time and money to create the ultimate winter breaks. These spas utilise state-of-the-art technology to cure injuries and make you feel up to face the rest of the year.

Cheval Blanc, France
Cheval Blanc is a four-star luxury hotel in the heart of the Alpine Garden. It is the first hotel to feature a Givenchy Spa Des Neiges (Snow Spa).  Covering nearly 600 sq meters, the treatment centre offers specialised pre- and après-ski  treatments, intended to prepare and relax muscles in order to enjoy the snow and the skiing.

Ski Resorts across the world are doing more to woo us to their resorts.  They are adding more to the usual winter sports, now there is a combination of festivals, celebrating music, food and comedy.  Starting in November, there are ski festivals through out the winter until April, when the season closes.  So if you want to add a bit more to the usual skiing on your next ski break we have collated a list of resorts drawing the crowed.

Chef’s Cup, Alta Badia – Italy
The Chef’s Cup is a high altitude celebration of haute cuisine in the heart of the Dolomites, it was created by Michelin-starred chef, Norbert Niederkofler.  It is the perfect destination for culinary enthusiasts who want to improve on their culinary skills along with their skiing. The Chef’s Cup combines the best of skiing with the best of food. The event attracts up to 400 of the world’s finest chefs; to show of their dishes and share their expertise with visitors. The Chef’s Cup takes place in the last week of January (chefscup.it).

Golfing doesn’t get more treacherous or difficult than at these golf courses scattered around the world. From Camp Bonifas in Korea, which is considered the most dangerous course to the $1 Million(US) hole in South Africa - needs a helicopter to reach the tee, we have list them here. If you are a golfing enthusiast you can add a visit to one of these courses as part of your next short break.

Coober Pedy Golf Course, Australia (Any Hole)
There are no bunkers, no trees, no obstacles and no grass either.  Coober Pedy is a town in South Australia with fewer than 2,000 inhabitants. It’s famous for its opal mines and it is bleak. To make the golf course remotely playable, oil is used to keep the sand compact and to stop it from blowing around.  Players are allowed to carry around a small that’s all the help they get on this nine-hole course.  Bizarrely, Coober Pedy has reciprocal playing rights with St. Andrews.

Copper Canyon also called Barranca Del Cobre in Spanish is a lush canyon system in Chihuahua state northwest Mexico.  The Barranca Del Cobre canyon system is four times the size of neighbouring Arizona’s Grand Canyon and deeper in some areas. Apart from its natural beauty and breath taking views the Copper Canyon offers a train journey that travels from sea level to 7,500 feet in less than 150 miles; giving it the name “Train in the Sky”.

The ride on the Copper canyon railway is the main attraction of the region because from the train it’s like you are seeing the entire world.  The railway system took almost 100 years to build and is considered to be an engineering marvel.  The copper canyon rail excursion is voted the most exciting train journey in the world.

Austria is well-known as a skiing destination but not a lot is known about the ski resort of Ischgl in tyrol.  Tyrol is a lovely mountainous are in the western parts of Austria near the Alps and bordering with Italy, Germany and Switzerland.  In the spring and summer months it offers an excellent landscape for hiking and mountain biking.  But come winter, the area is changed, drawing a different set of trill seekers (the snow worshipers).

Ischgl is also known for its free open air concerts, which have featured headline acts like Elton John, Lionel Richie, Rod Stewart and Tina Turner; attracting over 20, 000 people. The concerts are staged as part of its opening weekends late November, so you never know who you will see from one season to the next.

If you though Thailand was just a beach holiday destination, then think again. Northern Thailand offers all kinds of exciting things to do – once you’ve worn yourself out experiencing all it has to offer, a couple of days relaxing on a beach is the perfect antidote. Here are our top five activities in and around the northern provinces of Chiang Mai and Chiang Rai for you to enjoy.
1.    Jungle trekking and hill tribes
If you’re adventurous enough for jungle trekking, head for Chiang Rai.  It’s a truly magical experience exploring the mountains of the north.  Many of the hiking trails pass through the villages of Thailand’s famous hill tribes, who still maintain their traditional way of life.

Pictures of beaches in Scotland were shown to the public and they were asked where in the world they think the beaches were. Surprisingly many thought the pictures were of beaches in Thailand and other places in the Far East. From the north (Scotland) down through Wales to the southern tip of England there are beaches to suit different beach activities. So whether you live in the UK or on holiday why not give one of its beaches a try – my favourites are in Cornwall.