Bordeaux, SW France

Enter the mediaeval turreted gates of Bordeaux and explore the wonderful Parisian-style architecture and winding streets lined with small shops, cafés and historic attractions. Discover the Grosse Cloche, a massive bell hanging in the 13^th century Saint-Eloi Gateway above the Astronomical Clock. Stroll the waterfront beside the broad Garonne River, and see the grand buildings on the Place du Palais, cleverly reflected in the Mirror d’Eau water feature.

In contrast, take a tour into the surrounding countryside of Aquitaine and sample full-bodied Bordeaux wines at their famous vineyards.

Grosse Cloche de Bordeaux, France by Grand Parc Bordeaux

Munich, Bavaria

Even if you miss Oktoberfest in Munich, which confusingly is now held in September, the city still makes a splendid place to visit. Take a guided tour of the attractions, including the splendid Gothic Neues Rathaus on Marienplatz. Churches, museums, shopping, parks and palaces will fill your day, and if you find yourself in the English Gardens, watch the brave river surfers riding the manmade wave beneath the bridge on the River Eisbach. In the evening, join the lively Bavarian entertainment and bratwurst cuisine at the local Brauhaus.

Bad Gasteim, Austria

A visit to Bad Gasteim in the low non-ski season means first class hotel rooms are cheap, the crowds are gone and you are left to enjoy the delights of this beautiful Alpine valley. Divided by a rushing waterfall, the town has beautiful Belle Époque architecture left over from its days as a popular spa town. Small shops, gorgeous scenery and live music from bands almost every evening add to the charm of your stay.

Just outside the town there are opportunities for lakeside strolls, walks through alpine meadows, bread making on the farm, guided walking tours around Dorfgasteim, hot springs and cheese making demonstrations. The nearby archery course is great fun, shooting life-size target animals along a beautiful footpath enhanced by its woodland setting and banks of edelweiss.

Bad Gasteim, Austria by Dergreg:

Lake Maggiore, Italy

Make your luxury holiday base in Locarno, a lively city at the north end of Lake Maggiore, just inside the Swiss border. Explore the castle, walk in the foothills of the Alps and pop across the border into Italy.

In the heat of summer, nothing beats a day trip on the famous Vigezzina and Centovallina Railway, returning via a cruise on Lake Maggiore. Catch the slow but scenic train to Domodossola, then the Express train through the Italian countryside to Stresa, on the shores of Lake Maggiore.

Enjoy lunch overlooking the lake in Stresa, or perhaps explore the beautiful furnished palazzo and tiered gardens at Isola Bella before boarding the lake ferry. Sit at the stern and see an endless parade of old villas, churches, chateaux and gardens as the ferry zigzags its way back up the lake, calling in at countless picturesque lakeside villages. Three hours later you will find yourself back in Locarno, just in time for dinner!

Isola dei Pescatori, Borromean Islands, Lago Maggiore, Italy by kkmarais

Barcelona, Spain

Barcelona is a wonderful city where you can combine cultural attractions and museums with time at the beach. With 2000 years of history, the Old Town with its cathedral and famous pedestrianized Las Ramblas is a great place to start. The unfinished Sagrada Familia is well worth a visit, the pièce de résistance of architect Antoni Gaudi, who was responsible for many other masterpieces around the city. Base yourself in a hotel overlooking the port and beach at Barceloneta for the best of both worlds!

Josh writes for No.1 Traveller a luxury travel company based in the UK. They operate airport lounges at Heathrow, Stansted, Gatwick and Birmingham airports.

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Photo licensed under the Creative Commons, created by sacratomato_hr

Oberstdorf is the gateway to the five ski areas (Nebelhorn, Söllereck, Fellhorn / Kanzelwand, Ifen, Walmendingerhorn) which together have “only” 50 km of slopes, but this may just be ideal for a long weekend.

Right above the city rises 2224 metres high mountain of Nebelhorn with the skiing season lasting until May. It is a good place for snowboarders and freestyle enthusiasts. On the other side, six kilometers from the city you can get into the main and largest site of Fellhorn / Kanzelwand that overflows to the Austrian valley Kleinwalsertal. It offers a nice mix of shorter and longer rugged trails with modern comfortable lifts.

Söllereck and Ifen offers rather easier descents and are suitable especially for families with children. The smallest of the local centres is Walmendingerhorn primarily offering a unique experience of skiing in deep snow.

Oberstdorf is naturally very attractive, from Nebelhorn you can enjoy amazing views of 400 Alpine peaks.

Photo licensed under the Creative Commons, created by BildSpracheundCo.de

Fares are different in each of five centres, e.g. one-day ski pass to Nebelhorn will cost €37.50 for adults and €14 for children. In the centre of Ifen you will pay €32 for adults and €14 for children.

Oberstdorf ski resort offers all kinds of services at the highest level including spa and wellness activities, rich cultural program and great restaurants and bars. Right on the slopes you will find children’s areas, fun parks, several snowboard parks and a range of extreme sports. Practically under each lift you will find parking place, but you can travel by skibus for free. In addition, a resort offers the longest downhill slope in Germany.

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Construction of the Linderhof Palace began in 1870 under the leadership of Georg Dollmann and was completed in 1878 as a memorial to the absolute monarchy of the French kings. The castle was built in the Rococo style according to the style of Bourbon kings. Linderhof Palace is the only building constructed by Ludwig II. It was also his favorite residence until his tragic death in 1886.

The entrance hall is surrounded by a red marble pilasters, and there is an equestrian statue of Louis XIV. It is a copy of the statue from the Place Vendôme (square in Paris) which was made by Francois Girardon. Visiting a Palace is really a great experience, especially the Hall of Mirrors which is the most richly decorated room in Linderhof Palace.

The palace includes also the park with an area of ​​198 acres. There is even a waterfall and fountain with Neptune, or a classic circular temple with a marble statue of Venus.

Around the Linderhof Palace you can find romantic structures like Venus Grotto, Hunding’s Hut, Gurnemanz Hermitage, Moorish Kiosk or Moroccan House.

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When you come to Therme Erding for the first time, you really be just staring. The amount of attraction is incredible, there are slides, sauna, salt caves, bars, massages, restaurants, waterfalls and geysers with palm trees… Moreover, everything is perfectly clean, organized, imaginative.

Spa was opened in October 3, 1999 and has already hosted more than 10 million visitors, which regularly takes care of 600 employees. At peak times you can meet there up to ten thousand people a day and they all go here with one goal. Enjoy the hot spring emanating from a depth of 2350 meters below ground, at 63 degrees Celsius. The medicinal effect, which is accepted by the state, is useful for all who have problems with joints, spine, rheumatism, skin diseases or are after trauma.

Gigantic thermal world covers an area of 145,000 m2 and consists of five mutually separated, but still closely connected parts. You can buy ticket to each part separately, but definitely worth to take a ticket for the whole area.

Probably the biggest attraction in Therme Erding is its sauna paradise. On 13.000 m2 you can enjoy 25 saunas, designed like a world tour. Each sauna is dedicated to a particular country. In Britain you can find Celtic waterfalls and sauna with space sky at Stonehenge. In Italy there are Roman baths, etc… It just depends on your taste, and visit Bavaria, Spain, India or North Africa…

In Sauna pavilion you will find lots of naked people, who enjoy swimming at the world’s best dipping.

Admission to all parts of the Therme Erding (in VitalOase and Saunaparadies from 16 years only) per adult per day is 34EUR, on holidays and weekends to pay 4EUR more. Children under 3 are admitted free.

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