Seasonal

Many people assume Siberia is an inhospitable wasteland of frequented by bears and convicts, largely due to the more than 14 million people who were deported to the Gulag prison camps there between 1929 and 1953. But head to teh eastern slopes of Russia yourself and you will soon find this assumption is incorrect.  Stretching from the Ural Mountains to the Pacific Ocean, Siberia covers a whopping 5.2 million square miles. It accounts for 77 per cent of Russia's territory but is home to only 25 per cent of its population. Meaning, lot of uncrowded slopes!

2015 marks the twenty-fifth year the Jukkasjarvi village IceHotel has been in operation. The village of Jukkasjarvi comes alive each winter when the hotel is recreated by carving and chiselling out tons of snow and ice from the nearby Torne River - which is really as much an art installation as a novelty hotel.

Alta Badia is known for its food and as much as a skiing destination. The ski resort forms part of the South Tyrol Dolomiti Superski ski region but in addition to its skiing reputation the valley has taken the combination of skiing and food to the next level making it a must visit winter destination. The Alta Badia valley is made of six picturesque alpine villages: Corvana (1550m), Colfosco (1650m), LaVilla (1430m), San Cassiano (1540m), Badia (1320m) and La Val (1350m).

Italy’s most northernly region, South Tyrol (also known as Sudtirol) is one of the country’s most enticing area for winter sports fans.  Its home to the world’s largest fully interconnected ski area, the Dolomiti Superski (1200km) and the world’s second largest interconnected ski area around the Sella Ronda (500km), skiers and boarders can feel that they can ski forever from one cosy village to another, always with the spectacular pale limestone and sedimentary rock cliff formation of the Dolomites towering dramatically above.

A ski break in Les Contamines-Montjoie is a road less travelled by popular winter holiday operators and skiers alike.  I have to admit it is a break on the quiet side unlike the après-ski resorts around Mont Blanc i.e. Chamonix but don’t let this put you off.  Les Contamines has its own charm, first it has the white stuff in abundance along with its 120km of serene piste and rolling hills of untouched powder.  Little known of this charming resort even though it is only an hour’s drive from Geneva, the Swiss capital to Mont Blanc.

Do you want to get away for the autumn half-term school break? we have found a bunch of activities that you might by interested in; they include farm visit, water sports, history and culture, high adrenaline adventure activities and glamour for those who want to just hangout.

There is nothing quite like watching lights twinkling on a beautiful tree while sipping mulled wine and watching the buzz of people around you at a Christmas market.  The mix of traditional huts, soft carol music, beautiful handcrafts and delicious food and drink make strolling around a festive fete a seasonal must.  So this year, why not try a Christmas market break and visit some of Europe’s winter wonderland.  I have selected three cities with Christmas markets that are a must see.

If you find yourself in the middle of September with autumn just round the corner and you have not taken your summer holidays yet, you don’t have to put it off until next year.  We have found five places in Europe where you can go to get the last of the summer warmth.

PUGLIA, ITALY
Often over looked for its more manicured neighbour of Tuscany, but Puglia, the eastern region that stretches down to the heel of Italy’s boot, is the country’s  most underplayed gem, with temperature up the 27c its not bad.  Dotted with olive groves and ancient fortified towns, you can find many gems – such as the turquoise waters and quiet beach at Casalabate, the baroque beauty of the Chiesa di Santa Croce in Lecce and the enchanting seaside town of Polignano a Mare, which inspired everybody’s favourite singalong tune Volare.

If the only footprint you want to leave on your holiday is in the snow then let the train take the strain as you head off on your winter break. Independent research by Eurostar found that travelling from London to Paris by train rather than plane cuts your CO2 emissions by a staggering 90 per cent. Also the views, drinks, internet coverage and luggage allowance are all far superior on trains. Above all there’s just something enduringly romantic about using the train.

Irish hospitality is legendary – it even comes with its own vocabulary whether in Belfast to the north or Dublin to the south. Enjoying ‘the craic’ is part of the culture, and these cosmopolitan, cool and  charismatic capital cities charm the visitor with their history and heritage, good food, great nighlife, live music and amazing museums.  Plus, at this time of the year, there’s fantastic festive markets to add to the list.

One of the undeniable must-sees in the north is the state-of-the-art Titanic Belfast, housed in an iconic six-floor building, right beside the historic site of this world-famous ship’s construction.