South Tyrol, Italy’s most northernly region, plays host to the jaw-dropping beautiful mountains of the Dolomites.  And that’s not just our opinion.  The range was awarded UNESCO World Heritage Site status in 2009.  The area boasts some of the best ski and snowsport runs in the world, as well 300 days of sunshine every year and a snow guarantee that runs from December to April.  This is clearly the place to be for discerning snow enthusiasts.

Val Gardena is probably one of the best loved ski resort in the world also the most famous ski area in the whole of South Tyrol.  Val Gardena/Gröden is made up of three charming alpine villages; Ortisei at 1236m, Santa Cristina at 1428m, and probably the best known is Selva at 1563m.

There are a few corners of the globe that golf hasn’t managed to infiltrate, so it’s perhaps not surprising that Morocco, one of the world’s more westernised Muslim countries, has been bitten by the golfing bug.  Marrakech is spearheading Morocco’s bid to become a serious golf destination, with a dozen championship courses.  It’s fair to say this has little to do with finding the next Rory McIlroy – Moroccan youth only has eyes for football – but more with attracting the growing ranks of travelling golfers who will go almost anywhere for guaranteed sunshine and a half-decent links.

Why have just one luxury holiday when you can plump for two if you are flying over to Mauritius via Dubai . Here are two phrases I never thought I’d hear in my life: one of them is, ahem, ‘foot virtuoso’ (more of which later), the other is ‘pastry library’. I am confronted with the latter at Stay, the swanky signature restaurant situated in One&Only The Palm, sister hotel to the brand’s Royal Mirage resort – itself located a ten-minute speedboat ride away on what passes for Dubai’s ‘mainland’.

There are three main kinds of ski-breakers. There are those who come purely for the snow, champing at the bit to throw themselves down the piste. There are those who like the ski, but prefer the après – rogues who can be found making their way back from the slopes at 2pm for a quick power nap before they are back out for the night session.  There are those who dive into a bit of both, but whose overarching ambition from the time spent away is to take a load off, and enjoy a little bit of everything that ski-resort life has to offer.

In the northeast of Spain and onwards to Andorra and France are the Pyrenees, where the altitude and prices are generally lower. On the other hand, the Alps are iconic and well known. Some of the best skiing in the world is found in this dizzyingly picturesque European mountain range (its 1,200km cross Austria, France, Italy, Switzerland, Liechtenstein and Slovenia). So, whether you are looking for a bargain, uncharted slopes, somewhere to take the children or just a great meal up the side of a mountain. We have found 11 that will suite everyone’s budget in the Pyrenees and the Alps.

Europe has a lot on offer for free-spirited youngsters. We have listed ten of these adventures for children between six and ten. From nature walks to walking with dinosaurs, from winter fun to summers sizzle, from whale watching in Iceland and peering into caves full of bats in Bulgaria to playing princess for a day in Vienna.

With only a fraction of its 6000 islands known to travellers, Greece is still one of the most under-explored places in Europe.  A journey across any of these six islands will take you deep into Greece’s history and the lives of its people. They would be a treat for hikers, bird watchers, snorkelers and those who just want to relax and take it slow.

Located a little over 6km from Fethiye on the Turkish coast, The Hillside Beach Club has been describe as heaven on earth or what the Turks call cennet.  The Hillside Beach Club has almost everything for a rounded holiday in the sun; Aquamarine waters, hidden coves, awe-inspiring adventures, and ancient Lycian history for that necessary guidebook cultural tour.

The thought of jetting off to warmer climates and escaping the hustle and bustle of the daily grind is irresistible. But if the practicalities of life don’t allow for this, you can instead pay a visit to Urban Retreat at Harrods and discover The Moroccan Hammam marocMaroc. Here you can spend a few blissful hours leaving the outside world behind, enjoying a centuries-old treatment to sooth mind, body and soul, perfumed in exquisite surroundings.