For Britishers, France has been the traditional destination for skiing holidays. Each year, millions of British tourists descend upon the slopes of the French Alps. Despite the burgeoning popularity of Austria and Switzerland, France remains the number one skiing destination for UK residents.

Courchevel Ski Resort, France by Matt Squirrell / License: Creative Commons

Part of the reason for France’s popularity as a skiing destination is the quantity and quality of ski resorts in the country. Eastern France is dominated by Alpine ski resorts, many of which date back to hundreds of years. Some of the most popular ski resorts in France are:

1. Courchevel, Saint-Bon-Tarentaise

Courchevel is where celebrities, royalty and multimillionaires go for their skiing holidays. One of the most exclusive ski resorts in the world, Courchevel offers facilities like no other resort in France. There are 11 five-star hotels in the resort, and two hotels have even been awarded the rare and much sought after six-star, or “palace” rating. Further, there are a total of seven restaurants sharing 11 Michelin stars between them.

All these facilities come at a price, of course. Courchevel can be frighteningly expensive for the average holidaying family. But if you want the finest ski holiday possible, you can’t go wrong with a trip to Courchevel.

2. Les Deux Alpes, French Isere departement

The second oldest resort in France, Les Deux Alpes has a rich history, challenging runs and plenty to offer for beginners as well as intermediate skiiers. The resort is located at a height of 1,650m with chair lifts going as high as 3,600m. There are plenty of accommodation options, including a Michelin star restaurant. Les Deux Alpes also boasts one of the best nightlife scenes among French resorts.

3. Chamonix-Mont-Blanc, Haute-Savoie

The oldest ski resort in France, Chamonix has grown over the centuries into one of the central skiing destinations in Europe. Unlike many of the other resorts on this list, Chamonix is spread over a vast area and has extensive accommodation and dining options. Skiing in the town of Chamonix is very affordable and the views are breathtaking. You can take a cable car up to Aiguille du Midi which has stunning views of the Alps. The skiing is moderately difficult with very rough terrain.

Aiguille du Midi, Mont-Blanc, France by Cristian Bortes / License: Creative Commons

4. Montgenevre, Haute-Alpes

No resort can match Montgenevre for budget conscious holidayers. The little ski resort town is tucked away near the Italy-France border and offers plenty of challenging skiing opportunities for intermediate to beginner skiiers. The resort has plenty of cheap accommodation options, including all-expenses paid packages that run less than £400 per person.

5. St. Martin de Belleville, Rhone-Alpes

Another value-for-money ski resort nestled in the Rhone-Alpes region of France, St. Martin de Belleville is the quintessential Alpine town. Located at a height of over 3,500m, the resort has plenty of challenging ski routes and is a part of the Three Valleys ski area. Besides affordable hotels and challenging slopes, the resort is also well known for the 2 Michelin star restaurant, La Bouitte.

6. Val d’Isere, Savoie

One of the favorite ski resorts among British skiiers, Val d’Isere is famous throughout Europe for its challenging slopes. The terrain is rough and more suitable for intermediate to advanced skiiers. The accommodation is cheap and plentiful and caters to the British snowboarding/adventure tourist crowd.

7. Flaine, Haute-Savoie

Reasonably priced accommodation, good dining options, and moderately challenging slopes along with good beginner courses have turned Flaine into one of the most popular ski resorts among families. Add breathtaking views of Mont-Blanc to the mix, and you have the perfect recipe for a French ski holiday.

Brad Chambers is a blogger and journalist at Sealskinz.com a centre for sporting apparel and waterproof ski gloves. Brad enjoys, running, climbing and travel and holidaying in the South of France with his two daughters.

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Photo by Mike Cattell

This diversity is also reflected in the range of accommodation options that are available. As you might expect, there are hotels of all shapes and sizes across the country, from independently owned seaside palaces to international chains that are familiar to all. In addition to the hotels, there is an enormous number of self-catering properties to be found in all regions of this beautiful nation.

One of the more intriguing options, however, is one that most overseas visitors rarely consider, despite the fact that it has become something of an institution to UK-based travellers. The traditional British guest house offers travellers a comfortable room in a more homely location, and is generally far cheaper than a conventional hotel, a fact that comes as very welcome news to those who are on a tight budget.

Head to the seashore

Guest houses have been around for many years in the UK, and are especially common in seaside towns. Over the decades, a large number of British people have stayed in them, enjoying extremely affordable holidays in the process. Although the number of guest houses in Britain has dropped in recent times, there are still a great many to be found in places like Blackpool, Scarborough and Brighton.

One constant you’ll find in almost all of them is the opportunity to start the day with a traditional fried breakfast. Even if you wake up feeling as though you’re not hungry at all, the aroma of sizzling sausages and crispy bacon will soon have your taste buds tingling with anticipation. Not many guest houses offer an evening meal, but in the morning it’s a different story altogether.

Visitors to London have the widest choice of accommodation options of all, and although there aren’t many guest houses in the centre of the city there are some in the outlying suburbs. The extensive rail, tube and bus networks ensure tourists who stay away from the middle of the capital can still get to the major attractions and landmarks in no time at all.

Jamie Anderson works for https://www.anycarhire.co.uk/ and is a big fan of the British guest house.

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Explore Alternative Accommodation Options

Hostels have become the go-to crash pad for millions of students and young travelers making their way through the streets of Europe, but there is no question many of these lodgings leave something to be desired. Instead of sleeping on a dirty pillow or sharing a room with a stranger, there are quite a few alternatives that remain less expensive than a hotel. Exploring these options could make the difference between the trip of a lifetime and a nightmare vacation.

Apartment rentals have become increasingly popular in recent years, allowing travelers to take up residency in a typical apartment wherever they might be staying. Most apartment rentals are offered through an agency that works directly with the landlord, and rates are incredibly affordable. This option is likely best explored when traveling with friends, as the cost can be split between several different people. In addition to being more comfortable than a hostel, an apartment will likely have a kitchen that can be utilized to make inexpensive meals.

Take a Look at Transportation

Ground transport is often one of the most important aspects of a vacation, allowing travelers to get around in the city they visit. Unfortunately, many tourists end up spending way too much money on tickets that could otherwise be less expensive. It pays to thoroughly research transportation options before departing, getting information about how different tickets work. Some European cities offer tourist tickets that include discounts to local museums and destinations, but they do not always offer the best bang for the buck.

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Engage with the Locals

Regardless of whether travelers speak the local language, engaging in conversation with the locals is often one of the best ways to learn about restaurants, cafes, and other local attractions. Guidebooks often include tourist traps or expensive dining options. Locals will not only share knowledge about more affordable options, but they can help open tourists’ eyes to an entirely different side of the city being visited. When it comes to exploring Europe, it’s easy to be tempted to spend a small fortune. Armed with these helpful tactics, travelers should find themselves more than able to stay on a tight budget, yet nevertheless experience a truly unforgettable journey. With all of that money saved, another trip to Europe might even be a possibility in the near future!

Sarah writes for Reserve Apartments, the serviced accommodation specialists who have hundreds of apartments throughout London, Edinburgh and Glasgow. Reserve Apartments can help you find fully serviced Glasgow, London or Edinburgh Holiday Apartments quickly and easily.

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Accommodation in Val d’Isere

Val d’Isere offers a great selection of accommodation options, suitable for every budget; self-catering apartments offer a cost effective way to enjoy your trip, although food at the supermarket or eating out can be expensive. For the mid-range budgets the resort is home to more than 30 hotels, many of which are 4 and 5 star rating with a handful of lower spec options too.

But to do Val d’Isere properly luxury chalets are undoubtedly the way to go. This Alpine resort is the undisputed king of ski chalets with hundreds of luxury chalets replete with designer furnishings and mod cons such as LED televisions, first class en-suites, saunas and hot tubs. These chalets also offer breathtaking views and, due to the central locations boasted by many of them, easy access to the ski slopes, restaurants and nightlife.

Skiing in Val d’Isere

Val d’Isere features hundreds of ski trails in the snowfields surrounding the resort. Ninety nine ski lifts capable of moving 135,000 skiers to the top of the slopes each hour also ensure that skiers are able to quickly access the pistes, which cater to every skill level.

Nursery areas with gentle slopes can be found towards the centre of the resort. Here, new skiers can practise and learn the basics of skiing. While experienced skiers can skip past the nursery areas and head straight to the Solaise and Bellevarde areas where leisurely trails can be found with plenty of variation.

Seasoned skiers will want to head to the Olympique area in Bellavarde which features a number of challenging black pistes and fast downhill runs, including the hair-raising downhill runs that were created especially for the 1992 Winter Olympics.

Famous for its high quality snow and reliable snow fall levels Val d’Isere is busiest around Christmas and New Year with thousands of skiers flocking to the area to enjoy the fresh snow. January is a quieter time to visit and the snow quality is arguably better than in December. February sees the slopes fill up with families – French and English (particularly over English schools’ half term week) families. While March quietens down as a result of the declining snow quality, due to the warmer days. April is often the snowiest month of the year and the snow can even keep falling into the month of May although with warmer air temperatures and faster melting snow skiing tends to be somewhat off the cards by this point.

Food and drink in Val d’Isere

Val d’Isere features a number of eateries where a quality meal can be enjoyed. From cafes and delis offering tea, coffee and croissants throughout the resort to gourmet restaurants such as ‘La Table de l’Ours’, Val d’Isere’s only Michelin starred restaurant, serve fine gourmet delights. Mountain restaurants, such as the Bellevarde restaurant located at the top of the Bellevarde Mountain, serve food and wine to weary skiers looking for a relaxing recline over lunch. Featuring stunning views and warm fireplaces, these mountain restaurants are the ideal place to relax before indulging in some afternoon skiing.

Nightlife in Val d’Isere

Val d’Isere is famous for its vibrant nightlife offered among its array of bars, pubs and clubs, with such a large après ski community the partying beings from around 4pm everyday – even earlier on bad visibility days – and shows no signs of stopping until well into the early hours.

Probably most famous place for après ski is La Folie Douce, on the piste with a live DJ every day you won’t want to leave. Located towards the centre of Val d’Isere, Café Face, Le Saloon Bar and La Belle Etoile offer chic and comfortable surroundings to enjoy a drink and meet other skiers after a day on the slopes. Partygoers looking to dance the night away will want to head to Dick’s Tea Bar, Le Graal Nightclub and Doudoune Club. Featuring guest appearances from major DJs from around the world, these clubs offer loud music, huge dance floors and relatively affordable drinks.

It’s easy to see why Val d’Isere is known as the world’s best ski resort. With fantastic skiing, exquisite accommodation, world class restaurants and a vivacious nightlife, Val d’Isere is the ideal location for a holiday – and to enjoy some excellent skiing at the same time.

This post is from VIP SKI, the specislists in luxury ski holidays, providing chalets in Val d’Isere and many other Alpine resorts.

Photos courtesy of VIP SKI: https://www.vip-chalets.com/

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Self Catering Holidays in Spain by admin

Sharing the Cost of Holiday Travel

Villa rentals and holiday flats are available in almost every destination on the planet. Find your target city and explore all your self-catering accommodation options provided by professional holiday lodging management companies. Book your holidays with friends, co-workers or family and settle in to a rented multiple bedroom home to call your own. Prices are fixed on the unit rental cost and rarely calibrated by the number of persons staying in the home. This means serious holiday savings when two or more will split the cost of the accommodation. Self-catering flats and houses are priced comparatively to four and five-star hotels, so the more people joining you on your holiday, the less financial burden it will be on your group.

Take A Leisurely Pace

The self-catering holiday craze is the best way to beat the rat race. Take your time and explore the countryside or take a break in the world’s most dazzling cities. Unlike a standard holiday tour that keeps you on a tight schedule, the self-catering way to stay and play affords you the maximum freedom and flexibility to see what you want without watching the clock. Add a car hire to pick up the pace and the self-catering holiday plan is a custom fit to meet your budget and personal touring style.

Saving Money On Food and Beverage

Self-catering flats, villas and houses come complete with a fully stocked kitchen and plenty of counter space to whip up your own meals. On a traditional hotel holiday, the food and beverage bill can take a bite out of your budget when you must rely on hotel restaurants and costly room service deliveries three times a day. However, the self-catering accommodation allows you to cook your own healthy dishes just the way you like them and save a bundle on food costs. Rather than draining your wallet in expensive restaurants, the local grocery stores are just minutes away.

Extended Living Spaces

The self-catering holiday is like having a home away from home. Choose an efficient studio or one bedroom unit or upgrade to a four or five bedroom home. Guests enjoy a private balcony or patio space in the smaller units and the larger homes provide a furnished backyard ideal for outdoor entertaining at the BBQ. Swimming pools are available upon request and many homes and villas provide a single or double garage.

On-site Amenities

Guests at a self-catering flat are entitled to all the perks and privileges of a full- time resident at that address. High-end rentals include access to the gym, sauna, game rooms and may provide a concierge service on select units. Washers and dryers are available inside the flat or provided on-site in a self service laundry room.

Self-catering flats and private homes are available in all the places you want to be. Choose a fabulous Orlando villa located just minutes from the Disney World attractions, a romantic beach house in Portugal, or a classic cottage in England’s Lake District. The popularity of the self-catering holiday industry has expanded the lodging inventory and brought the prices down to meet most budgets. Get more and spend less when you trade your tiny hotel room for a spacious and gracious private home for hire.

Rosie writes for Highcliffe Holidays, who have a great selection of Polzeath Cottages self-catering accommodation. They love pets and are proud to be amongst the top providers of dog friendly cottages in North Cornwall.

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One of the most amazing attractions in the area is the Corrieshalloch Gorge and Falls of Measach in Scotland. The waterfall drops more than 150 feet into the gorge and an incredible bridge spans it all. There are viewing platforms to better see the remarkable waters and it is a popular spot in the area.

If you are planning a trip to the Scottish Highlands and in particular the area around Ullapool, be sure to include the Corrieshalloch Gorge and Falls of Measach during your trip. This guide will provide information on the site, nearby accommodation options and other exciting attractions in the region.

A view of the magnificient, Corrieshalloch Gorge and Falls / Wojsyl

Travelling In and Around the Destination

Travellers who plan to come to Scotland to see the Corrieshalloch Gorge and Falls of Measach should plan to travel first to the small village of Ullapool. Ullapool is just ten miles from the gorge and is a beautiful destination in the Scottish Highlands. Most travellers will arrive by car to the area which is recommended as this area of the United Kingdom is quite spread out. If you plan to rely on public transportation, however, your best choice is to take the regional bus from Inverness. The journey will cost just £12 each way and the trip is made at least once each day.

History of Corrieshalloch Gorge and Falls

While it is unclear when the falls were first discovered by humans in Scotland, it has been proven that people were writing about the incredible scenic attraction as early as the 17th century. It wasn’t until the middle of the 19th century, however, until the architect John Fowler built the first suspension bridge for viewing the falls and for crossing the Droma River that the attraction was visited by the masses. Today that same bridge that crosses over the gorge and is an impressive structure.

Visitor’s Information

The Corrieshalloch Gorge and Falls of Measach is a completely unmanned attraction. There is no staff onsite regularly which means visitors should take personal responsibility when touring the area and pay close attention to all signs. The area is open daily throughout the year, but it is recommended that you only visit during daylight hours. The falls will be most impressive after heavy rains, and they are best avoided during a drought. Admission is just £1 per person to be left in an honesty box on site.

Nearby Attractions

Visitors to the Scottish Highlands will have no shortage of attractions to visit after touring the Corrieshalloch Gorge and Falls of Measach. In nearby Ullapool some of the most popular attractions include the Ullapool Museum as well as taking a boat tour in warmer weather. Attractions throughout the area include the impressive Eilean Donan Castle and hikes on famous paths like the Speyside Way and the West Highland Way.

Eilean Donan Castle fairly near to Corrieshalloch Gorge and Falls of Measach / lenivor…

Accommodation Options in the Area

If you are looking for accommodation options as close as possible to the Corrieshalloch Gorge and Falls of Measach, your best options are the small inns and guesthouses in the village of Ullapool. There are also several pubs and inns that accept overnight guests throughout the Cairngorms National Park. For something more private, you might enjoy the Scottish apartments in the city of Inverness. Rental apartments give visitors a way to truly see the city from a local perspective. With a private kitchen, this kind of accommodation can often be cheaper than staying in a hotel.

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London / Photo licensed under the Creative Commons, created by Andrew Gatt

Regarding accommodation there are a wide range of accommodation options available to you. From budget hostels to luxury rentals London is bursting with exciting opportunities. Where you stay in London will largely depend upon your budget and plans.

A cheap way to stay in London

If you are on a shoestring budget then a luxury hotel will obviously be out of the question and there are a number of youth hostels, cheap bed and breakfasts and shared university accommodation. You will find these all over London and although more expensive than a lot of bed and breakfasts, hostels etc in other parts of Britain, they will provide you with a good base from which to explore everything the capital has to offer. During the Olympic period however, even these options can be expensive as accommodation has largely sold out.

Location, location, location

If your weekend trip includes a trip to the theatre or to the museums then you will probably want to stay nearby. This will limit your options slightly although you should still find something within budget if you look around. If you are prepared to travel though you will find that the London underground is extremely reliable and useful. If the idea of the Tube doesn’t appeal there are countless taxis you can hail or you could even hire a car and driver.

A more expensive way to stay

You can spend thousands of pounds per night for some of the finest luxury hotels London has to offer or you can rent a property for the duration of your stay. For luxury rentals London cannot be beaten. You will find hotels that blow your mind away but if you would like to keep your independence you can rent a luxury apartment or house for the duration of your visit. These obviously don’t come cheap but you will be able to stay in a high-end London rental property in the heart of the city. This will give you easy access on foot to all the major attractions whilst allowing you to live a home away from home.

This article was written by Brandon Barnes on behalf of Rhodium RH45 which offers luxury properties in London both for sale and rent.

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The City of London is the centre of the UK’s financial industry, ranking on a par with New York City as one of the world’s most important financial centres. It is often referred to as the City and is just over one square mile in area. In medieval Britain the City was the full extent of London. Today, it is now only a small part of the metropolis but remains a notable part of central London with an average of 320,000 people primarily working in the financial and legal professions. It also has a resident population of approximately 8,000.

The City has excellent transport links with eight tube stations. It also has a huge range of hotels, serviced apartments and other accommodation options.

Photo licensed under the Creative Commons, created by Ben Sutherland

2. Canary Wharf

Canary Wharf is London’s second largest financial district, 2.5 miles to the east of the City in the London borough of Tower Hamlets. Canary Wharf forms a spectacular part of London’s skyline, with three of the UK’s tallest buildings. One Canada Square, occupied by HSBC, is the tallest of the three and provides 14,000,000 square feet of office and retail space.

Over 90,000 people work in Canary Wharf with some of the biggest names in the banking industry using the much desired location as its headquarters, including Barclays and Citigroup. Many Canary Wharf serviced apartments are within easy reach of the financial district, making them a popular choice for employees who are relocating or visiting London.

Although many hotels are present in the area, the range of serviced apartments Canary Wharf offers provides business travellers with a comfortable and luxurious stay. Slightly further east than the City, Canary Wharf will be busy during the much anticipated London 2012 Olympics. The extensive transport links in the area make it easy to travel from Canary Wharf to Stratford, or elsewhere in London.

Photo licensed under the Creative Commons, created by bram_souffreau

3. Covent Garden

Covent Garden may not spring to mind as a business hub, but many business travellers choose to stay here – and network here – because of its great transport links and central location. Home to a number of law and financial firms, the area also attracts businesses who want to take advantage of the extensive shopping facilities, famous theatres and mouth-watering delis. Any business traveller staying here is also sure to find plenty to entertain themselves in the evenings and weekends.

Covent Garden always has a lively atmosphere. Local pubs include The Nag’s Head and The Roundhouse which host great live music. If you are looking for somewhere to eat, the Fire & Stone Bar is excellent and offers a range of very exotic pizzas!

Photo licensed under the Creative Commons, created by David Baron

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Spain is a country which welcomes its tourists with open arms. Tourism forms inseparable part of a national economy. About 10,000 accommodation facilities is available here so you can choose from the cheapest one up to the most luxurious offering all types of service you can even imagine.

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Spain belongs to one of the cheapest western European countries, so this is why about 10% of all tourists travelling abroad choose this place for their holidays. Hotels are rated by stars from one to five and are marked with the letter H. Stars are awarded mainly for the room’s equipment but also for overall quality. Hotel restaurants are usually available also to other tourists.

If you prefer homelike atmosphere, you can choose from a network of Spain apartments. There are two kinds of such facilities – HA (Hotel Apartamentos) or RA (Residence Aparthotel).

Other accommodation options are Paradores Nacionales, which are state-owned hotels ranked from three to five stars, so those are luxurious and more expensive. The first Parador was established in 1928. Now you can find them both on the mainland and the islands. They are easily accessible, often presented as a mansion, medieval castles and other luxurious hotels.

Photo licensed under the Creative Commons, created by Cayetano

The most luxurious hotels are located on the Costa del Sol and Balearic Islands. Tourists across the country can choose from a wide variety of accommodation for different occasions, from short-stay apartments to long-term lease. Cheaper accommodation can be found in guesthouses, campsites or various casa rurales, which are family village hostels with a homelike atmosphere. They generally have a limited number of rooms/beds and are open only in the peak season. In Spain there are more than 600 campsites, which most of them are on the coast and offer standard services.

Accommodation prices vary by location, number of stars, and depend on the season. Prices should be displayed in each reception. It is common that rural and suburban hotels and hostels are cheaper than similar facilities in the city centers and along the beaches. Peak season starts in July and ends in August, but in some areas lasts from April until late September. At the time of national holiday (Fiesta) hotels may require a special fee.

Photo licensed under the Creative Commons, created by Wolfgang Staudt

One of the hottest destinations in Spain is Barcelona without a doubt. Barcelona is experiencing a real boom since the early 90′s, when the preparations for the Olympic Games have changed and modernized a character of the city. Today, Barcelona is really a busy city (sometimes too much in terms of traffic intensity…), full of culture, art and all sorts of activities.

However there are lots of Barcelona apartments, hotels, B&B and other accommodation facilities here, it is still recommended to book your room in advance to avoid any troubles and stress.

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The centre of Ķemeri National Park is Ķemeri town, where the tourist information center organizes expeditions to observe the bats, and half-day nature seminars. This spa town, hidden among the trees, is already since 30th of the 20th century, known for its healing mineral and sulfur springs. The spa is important especially for the people suffering from musculoskeletal diseases.

The town of Ķemeri is a great starting point for the tours to Ķemeri National Park, especially for Dumbrāja laipa route, which is formed by a raised wooden walkway. Another wooden walkway Laipa Lielajá Kemeru tīrelī is 3 km long, leads through the Great Ķemeri Moorland, which covers the entire southern half of the park. Kanieris lake which is home to 237 kinds of birds nesting on 14 islands, would be a great tip for bird-lovers and bird-watchers.

The reason for the declaration of the national park was an effort to preserve the unique local natural and cultural-historical values. The park contains many protected plants and microorganisms, which are typical for this climatic zone. Forests in the park are divided between numerous meadows and bushes. The lagoon-type lakes are e.g. Lake Dūnieris, Kanieris, Slokas ezers and Valhuma ezers. The largest swamps are Lielais Ķemeru tīrelis and Raganu purvs. Here you can find also the oldest Latvian primeval forest. Most of the park is situated in Zemgale region, a small part in Livonia in the cities Jurmala, Jelgava, Riga and Tukums.

In Ķemeri National Park there is a number of accommodation options, including camp.

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