Sound nutty? Read on to learn about some of the most unusual places to stay in the UK. Feeling fruity? Book yourself into a 75-foot pineapple! At Dunmore Park, near Stirling in Scotland, guests can bed down in a giant pineapple-shaped stone folly, which was built for the earl of the region back in the 18th Century, when pineapples were considered the height of tropical sophistication. Rooms can be booked through The Landmark Trust.

Dunmore Pineapple, Scotland, UK by giannandrea

For a romantic stay that is a little less off the wall, how about a night in a lighthouse cottage? There are over 30 lighthouse cottages in the UK that have been converted for use as holiday lets and all enjoy incredible sea views, wonderful proximity to wildlife and a feeling of being alone in a rural retreat. Perfect for snuggling up to a partner on a chilly night with a bottle of wine.

Not lofty enough for your tastes? How about spending your holidays in a windmill? In Cley Village, Norfolk, a windmill has been transformed into a wonderfully romantic place to stay, with four-poster beds, log fires, hidden rooms and viewpoints that are perfect for bird watching. There are six bedrooms, making it a good choice for holidays with friends or family.

Cley Windmill, Norfolk, UK by Martin Pettitt

A night in a prison may sound like most people’s idea of a night out gone very, very wrong, but here in the UK a night in the cells can actually be a pleasure. Just check in to Malmaison Hotel in Oxford, a 19th-Century former correctional facility that now offers all the mod-cons that one could ask for, including a cocktail bar, flat-screen TVs and an acclaimed restaurant. To compare cottages take a look at this site.

Many original features, such as the metal prison landings, have been preserved, giving an almost eerie feel to the place. The prison-turned-plush-hotel lies in the grounds of Oxford Castle, whose history stretches back to 1701.

Malmaison – Oxford Castle, England, UK by Douglas Neiner

For less lavish accommodations, the scary-sounding House of Correction in Folkingham, Lincolnshire, offers limited-frills lodging for up to four in a building that is part of a former prison.

For something a little more fun, the Treehouse in Somerset is a wonderful place for small and big kids alike. Located in a rural Somerset idyll, it makes a great romantic retreat, with a wood stove and a spiral staircase leading to a comfy double bed and a vintage-style roll top bath.

There’s even a hot tub outside and in this remote setting guests are unlikely to be troubled by onlookers.

Treehouse in Somerset, England, UK by treehouseholidays.com

To really escape the madding crowd, head to Dent Station in Yorkshire. This Grade II-listed building is not open for overnight visitors (but exclusive accommodation can be booked in advance) and is four miles from the nearest village.

As unusual accommodation options go, spending the night in a train station is up there with the best of them and the views over the Yorkshire Dales are second to none.

Also in scenic Yorkshire, the Temple Flooy in Swinithwaite is an 18th-Century landmark and was built to allow local ladies to watch their men on fox hunts.

The expansive views take in mile after mile of glorious Yorkshire countryside and the two-room folly has its own kitchen, along with a balcony and a host of original features.

Written by John a Traveller and writer in the UK. He has written for many reputable publications including The TravelSupermarket Site.

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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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Charles de Gaulle Airport, Paris, France by Jeff Warren

The black cabs you can come across in Paris should not be confused with the black cabs of London. Instead of being the Hackney carriage cabs, some of the services you can find in Paris include the supply of various types of transport including private saloon cars, limousines, mini-buses and so on. You can also find some extremely reasonable prices around the city which is another highly significant benefit.

There are plenty of reasons why you should choose chauffeur services over other types of transport. Convenience is of course a big attraction and the door-to-door service offered will always be well received, especially after a long journey. Also the touch of luxury aspect; the vehicles that are used are not only in beautiful condition for the utmost comfort but they are usually fitted with all the mod-cons you would expect in nice vehicles. Also, and this is probably overlooked sometimes, driver knowledge is key. For example, you may be going to a destination which is away from the usual tourist routes and this is where driver knowledge will come into play. In these scenarios the local driver knowledge is extremely hard to beat. The chauffeur will make sure you arrive at your destination in style. If for some reason he or she does not know the route then there is always the sat-nav.

It is clear that when you are on a trip it pays to get with a good chauffeur company. They are usually easy to find online and you can book their services in this way too. Taking the chance to let someone else take up the slack and drive you around in is a very desirable option and this can also be the mode of transport that makes your trip that bit more relaxing and less stressful.

Article written by Tony Rothen representing https://www.parisblackcabs.com/ who offer Paris airport transfers, limousines, shuttles and other services to such destinations as Disneyland.

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