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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Open Air Theatre, Regent’s Park, London, UK by Andrew Eason

The Open Air Theatre is one of my favourite London theatres, although my recent visit was my first in some time. One of the best features of the theatre is the range of productions that it puts on each year, most of which find some innovative way to use the open air staging. Past productions have included Lord of the Flies, and reimaginings of The Crucible and Into the Woods. My recent visit was for a new production of A Midsummer Night’s Dream. Directed by Matthew Dunster, the ambitious performance updates Shakespeare’s farce to a gypsy camp, and uses contemporary music.

It wasn’t the best version of the play I’ve seen, and the songs sometimes got in the way of the dialogue, but it’s worth catching this summer. The show is on till September. The Open Air Theatre’s other show, Ragtime: The Musical, which explores the early years of the American 20th century, has had some good reviews, but I might not be able to make it this year. It’s also worth pointing out that the Open Air Theatre is about more than just plays, and has a lineup of shows this summer that includes comedy from Jimmy Carr, film screenings, and live music.

Key Strengths and Weaknesses

In terms of the venue as a whole, the strengths of the Open Air Theatre can also be its weaknesses. When the weather is good, Regent’s Park makes for a great location, and the atmosphere can be great. Wandering around the Park before the show also means that you can take a peek at its many villas, or explore the boating lake. If you have the time, spending the afternoon at the Park before a show can mean that you can relax and avoid the rush on the theatre to get into the venue.

Open Air Theatre, Regent’s Park, London, UK by Kevan Davis

This rush is one of the problems I’ve had with the theatre in the past. Being outdoors can mean that people don’t always get to the theatre in time for the performance to start, which can be a problem when the main Queen’s Mary Garden gate is locked after dark. Most of the time this isn’t a problem, but a badly timed journey can mean that you get caught out. Moreover, there’s always a chance of bad weather cancelling a production, although this is rare. The Open Air Theatre provides ticket exchanges when this happens.

Food and Drink

Although I tend to like eating after a show, the Open Air Theatre does an excellent barbecue and packaged picnic service, and is well served by the Cow and Coffee Bean and Garden Cafe outlets within the park. Given the potential for noise, food can’t be taken into the auditorium. Being in West London means that you have a lot of choices for pre and post show food and drink. I like going to the Prince Regent on Marylebone High Street, which is just off the Park, and then onto either the Iberica or Langan’s Bistro on Devonshire Street.

One thing I would recommend is giving yourself plenty of time to get to Regent’s Park on the Tube, particularly in the early evening. Going to the Park early for a wander and a picnic is usually a good idea. Baker Street on the Bakerloo Line is the easiest Tube stop, although the Regent’s Park Bakerloo line is also handy, as is Great Portland St if you’re coming West on the Hammersmith and City line. Altogether, the Open Air Theatre is highly recommended if you want to see great theatre in an unusual location, but does require a good deal of forward planning.

About the Author

Serena Grant is an avid theatre lover, achieving an AS Level in Drama and a distinction at A Level Musical Theatre. Regularly booking tickets and attending productions around the UK, she would recommend theatre tickets from UK Theatre Tickets as the number one seller of discount theatre tickets online.

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St Johns Co-Cathedral, Valletta, Malta

St Johns Co-Cathedral, Valletta

The first destination you’ll want to beeline for out of a Malta hotel is St Johns Co-Cathedral, an ancient wonder over 500 years old. The history of Malta and Catholicism in Europe is intrinsically linked to Valetta with St Johns Co-Cathedral marking one of the most important destinations or piece of property in Malta’s rich history. It was the noblemen of Europe charged with defending their faith against invading forces that led to Malta being a strategic centre in the Mediterranean and after the Great Siege of 1565, Valetta was established, fortified and made a holy place. A mere 12 years later St Johns Co-Cathedral was completed as a destination; no doubt the perfect Malta weather aided this rapid completion. Today St Johns Co-Cathedral acts as a cultural centre for Valetta with many traditional events taking place here which makes it a must-see site in Malta.

The Grandmaster’s Palace, Valletta

The most important modern spot in Valetta also happens to be one of the most important in its history. Travel to this Malta destination if you want to experience the definition of opulence in architecture, because The Grandmaster’s Palace fits many roles. As a tourist destination there is more than enough to awe at, as is houses the House of Representatives and the Office of the President of Malta it is the most important governmental structure in Malta and as a historical building it was once simply the home of Eustachio del Monte built in 1571. Antique weapons and halls of empty knights line the corridors and it’s not uncommon to see a chandelier more elegant and opulent than the last. The Grandmaster’s Palace is amazing to behold and should be a priority to visit in Malta.

It’s clear from these two very good examples, that Malta is more than enough to sate the curiosity of the historic enthusiast. Malta destinations are among the most important in existence with numerous World Heritage Sites dotting the island; it truly is a place of unique importance.

Eugene Calvini has been on enough Malta holidays to know the island is a special tourist spot and enjoys exposing the best the country has to offer.

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Football lovers from around the world will know and appreciate the quality of teams and players produced by the country in recent years, and their stadiums don’t disappoint either.

With many being newly built for the European 2004 football tournament, Portugal really does have some of the best stadiums in Europe on offer for the sports mad traveller.

Here are 6 of the best for you to visit:

1. Estádio da Luz – SL Benfica

Photo by Crystian Cruz

In terms of highest capacity the Estadio do Sport Lisboa e Benefica (Estadio da Luz) wins the day holding a massive 65,647 supporters.

It is home to Benfica who are a team in the Primeira Liga which is the top division of the Portuguese football leagues.

Despite being one of the largest and well supported clubs in Portugal, Benfica’s last Primeira Liga title came back in the 2009/2010 season.

2. Estádio do Dragão – F.C. Porto

Photo by senalbuquerque

Located in Porto and home to the F.C. Porto football club, the Dragao can house just under 51,000 fans making it an impressive stadium by any measure.

Opening for business in late 2003 this stadium has seen its fair share of trophies over its short history including 7 Primeria Liga titles, 4 Portuguese Cups and a UEFA Cup amongst others.

3. Estádio José Alvalade – Sporting Clube de Portugal

Photo by blvesboy

Another Lisbon based stadium, the Jose Alvalade is the home ground of Sporting and has a capacity of just under 51,000 similar to the Dragao of Portugal.

The Jose Alvalade also opened its doors  in the second half of 2003 and was built with the Euro 2004 football tournament firmly in mind like many of Portugal’s top capacity stadiums.

Unfortunately Sporting have not won the league title since moving into their new stadium, but have won a Portuguese Cup back in 2007.

4. Estádio Cidade de Coimbra - Académica de Coimbra

Photo by Elapsed

Another relatively new stadium built for the Euro’s, the base of Academica (Portugal’s oldest registered football club) has a maximum game capacity of almost 30,000.

Located in Coimbra which is further north up the western coast of Portugal from Lisbon, Academica are classed as being in the second tier of Portugese football having never managed to clinch a league title.

The stadium has hosted some big pop acts in recent years including the massive U2 360 tour.

5. Estádio Nacional

Photo by Koshelyev

The National stadium of Portugal is in Lisbon however it is not really used very much anymore after falling into some disrepair according to many Portugal football fans.

The nation side tends to use one of the other Lisbon stadiums for their home games now, but the Estadio Nacional does still host the Portuguese Cup final every year.

It has a seating capacity of around 38,000 and is well worth a visit if you’re staying in or around Lisbon.

6. Estádio Municipal de Braga – Sporting Clube de Braga

Photo by LeonL

No list of Portuguese football stadiums would be complete without this one, which is home to Braga and has a capacity of slightly over 30,000.

Probably one of the most striking stadiums in Europe, it has been built on the side of the quarry of Monte Casto and the quarry wall sits directly behind one of the goals, at the other end there is also no stand giving panoramic views of the city of Braga in the distance.

A truly wonderful design that should not be missed.

Darren Atkinson is a keen football fan and runs a holiday accomodation website found at: www.villasinportugal.com.

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Lagos

Known for its abundant nightlife and young crowd, Lagos has a reputation as a bit of a party town, but there is more to it than just the vibrant party atmosphere.  The stunning coves and beautiful, sweeping beaches attract surfers in to catch the amazing waves and then hit the clubs and bars when the sun goes down.  Picturesque homes and cobblestone streets, along with a rich history, are a must for sightseers, and Lagos is known for being an excellent destination for backpackers as well.

Tavira

Tavira is referred to as the Venice of Portugal, thanks to the Rio Gilao running through its center and the elegance of the homes and buildings within.  That’s not all that Tavira has to offer for those seeking beauty and history in architecture, there are castle ruins, 37 churches, and a multitude of 16th-18th century buildings to be seen.  Finally, the Igreja da Misericordia, a renaissance monument built in the 1540s, is a must see with its striking arched, carved doorway that is topped with magnificent statues.

Photo licensed under the Creative Commons, created by Cayetano

Monchique

This gorgeous town is centered in Serra de Monchique, Algarve’s forested mountain range.  It’s a nice contrast to the coastal regions that the Algarve is known for.  It is known to be a great region for hiking, horseback riding, and bicycling, but it also features lesser known but no less rewarding experiences in hidden spas and a private zoo for endangered species.  It really is a great region to visit if you are looking for a more laid back and relaxing experience in the Algarve.

Silves

Silves’ two biggest attractions are the Castle and the Museu Municipal de Arqueologia.  The Castle, restored in 1835, has a fantastic view over the town and nearby countryside.  As you walk around its sandstone walls, you can see the site’s Roman past in the unfinished archaeological digs throughout.  The Castle is believed to have been built in the 11th century, and shows evidence of its Moorish occupation with its deep well and water cistern.

The Museu Municipal de Arqueologia was founded after a Moorish well, over three times as deep as the one in the Castle, was discovered, along with numerous archaeological sites in the area.  The museum displays pieces from prehistoric, Roman, and Moorish times, and has one glass wall that displays a supporting fort wall of the building.

Faro

Located on the southernmost end of the Algarve, the Faro is a great place to visit if you are looking for entertainment and nightlife, with a little sightseeing and history thrown in.  If you are a younger traveler, the Rua do Prior features multiple bars and clubs with students from the area keeping them going every night, especially on weekends.  The Taverna da Se is an in-crowd bar that you will also find to be going strong every night of the week.  If you are looking for a more low key bar, A Capelinha is a beautiful outdoor bar centered around a fountain where you can enjoy excellent sangria while browsing the internet on the computers they have supplied.

Photo licensed under the Creative Commons, created by Greg Pye

As to the entertainment aspect, you can find drama, music, and dance at the Teatro Lethes, a building that was built in 1603 and adapted into a theater in 1874.  If football is your thing, Faro has its own team, the SC Farense, and you can catch one of their games at the 30,000 seat Estadio Intermunicipal do Algarve.

Finally, if you want to do some sightseeing, be sure and check out the Se.  The Se was finished in 1251 on the site of a former Roman temple and Visigoth cathedral.  It features several of the old chapels and gate, as well as beautiful tile work, a baroque organ, and beautiful carvings.  You also can climb on to the rooftop and get a magnificent view of the surrounding town and countryside.

As you can see, no matter what kind of holiday you have planned, the Algarve has something to accommodate you.  The Algarve villas are amongst the best type of holiday accommodation available in the region and the Owner’s Direct website has a lot for you to choose from.

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Photo licensed under the Creative Commons, created by Jiuguang Wang

And how did the period get its name? Just after Hallstatt village, which was at that time an important trading center. There was the salt mined in its vicinity, which was also exported to far away places. The history of the local salt mining extends at least from 2nd millennium BC up to the present and gave the region not only wealth and prosperity, but also created a specific cultural landscape, where nature blends with human activity in unusual harmony. It also led the Commission of UNESCO to add this area “Hallstatt-Dachstein Salzkammergut Cultural Landscape” on the list of World Heritage in 1997.

Very interesting on Hallstatt is that it has long been accessible only by boat across the lake, or along narrow mountain trails. The first road was built along the shore in 1890, but only thanks to the power of explosives. Despite of this apparent inaccessibility the people settled here anyway seven thousand years ago. The rich history recalls not only architecture of Hallstatt, but also the local museum, which collects extensive archaeological excavations. Many of them come from the necropolis on the plateau above the town, where were discovered the remains of 4,000 people. And those remains were the main reason to name the period as “Hallstatt period”.

Photo licensed under the Creative Commons, created by Party Lin

It is understandable that many places in Hallstatt are related to salt. The local salt mines are reportedly the oldest in the world and you can see them in an unusual museum. Why unusual? Well, how many museums have you visited which had 64 metres long wooden roller coaster…? But the underground salt mines offer much more than this unusual attraction. You can learn about the life of people who mined salt here for thousands of years. The body of one of them was found here in 1734, perfectly preserved by salt. Notable is also an underground salt lake with an area of ​​1400 m2.

If you already have enough salt, you can target the other wonders of the underground world – Dachstein ice caves. And because we are in the Alps, it is not necessary to say that you can see lots of interesting also on the surface. Whether it’s a remarkable historical buildings, or simply “just” beautiful countryside with fresh air and a nice panorama of mountain giants.

There are lots of Austria hotels in the town as well as camp sites at the shores of the lake. Hallstatt is also a great starting point for your hiking tours around the mountains.

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Sicilian rich history is confirmed by a series of preserved monuments from ancient times. Here you can find about half of all such monuments from all over Italy. If you add a beautiful piece of nature to it, then you can certainly count with a perfect sightseeing holiday.

Sicily is a popular destination always well prepared for the tourists. You can get there by all possible means of transport. There are two main airports in Palermo and in Catania or you can use the ferry which take your car or bus over the Strait of Messina. Very interesting is getting there by train, when the whole train get on board of the ferry.

The entire island is covered by dozens of known and lesser-known resorts. Hotels offer a wide range of additional services that are at a very high level. Local people highly appreciate tourists, as they are in fact the main source of income.

Photo by admin

Each corner of the island has its own charm and has something interesting. The main season lasts from early May to late October, an ideal time for swimming and diving. The sea here is similar to that in Italy, however, is considerably cleaner. For travelling across the island you can use some of the car or scooter rental services (about 40 euros / day).

If you wish to discover southwest side of the island, then the town of Campobello di Mazzaro is the right place for do so. A few kilometers away you will find the ancient quarries. The stones from here were used for building an important ancient city of Selinunte.

The best starting point for discovering the beauty of the north-eastern parts of the island is the town of San Saba, which lies near Messina. Not far away is worth visiting Capo d’Orlando and Brolo, lying opposite Aeolin Islands. Popular tourist resorts are attractive mainly because of the beautiful countryside and many historical treasures.

Photo by admin

Where you definitely need to go and what should you know?
Taking a train to Giardini Naxos is a real experience. It lies in the middle of the bay, surrounded by steep cliffs.

Another interesting tip is traveling to the shrine in Tindari. Ancient sanctuary, situated on the hill above a large sandy beach, was considered a miracle. It contains one of many Byzantine Black Madonnas in Southern Italy. Tindari is also a place of rich archaeological excavations. You will find here the Greek theater and gymnasium, situated between the grassy slopes falling into the sea.

Up to Etna, the queen of volcanoes!
The highest active volcano in Europe has its place in the eastern part of the island. Nearly circular base has a diameter of an incredible 40 kilometres. There are two routes leading to the top – south (from Rifugio Sapienza at an altitude of 1900 m) and the North. For quite a big amount of money you can rent a jeep or go to the summit with a guide. Very nice walk is also to the craters of Monti Silvestri, where you find many souvenir shops. Absolutely unique view of Mount Etna offers a town of Taormina.

Photo licensed under the Creative Commons, created by Richard Leeming

Sicily is rich in all aspects of life
One of the most beautiful places in Sicily is considered the Valley of the Temples located near the ancient city of Agrigento. It is famous for the remains of seven Doric temples, built on a rocky ridge at the coast. In addition to historical sites, this location boasts beautiful sandy beaches, inviting to romantic evening strolls.

Sicily also has its own capital – Palermo, which is absolutely different from any other city in Europe, and according to me it is also the craziest city in Europe. The streets are full of hustle and bustle, and with the name of Palermo many of us imagine Sicilian Mafia. Despite all of this, the city has an irresistible charm and in any case worth a visit. Among the most beautiful sights in town is the Palatinate Chapel in the Royal Palace and the Cathedral of the Virgin Mary. Very romantic is the ruin of the monastery of San Giovanni degli Eremiti. The local archaeological museum is one of the most important in Italy.

Not far from Palermo, in a small provincial town of Monreale, stands one of the most beautiful sights of the old Norman kingdom – Cathedral of Monreale. It was built in the 12th century by the most powerful Norman King William II as a symbol of his enormous power.

Photo by admin

Do not forget to visit medieval town of Cefalu, which is situated on the north part of the island.

The last stop on our journey through the ancient cities of Sicily, is Syracuse, formerly one of the most powerful in the Mediterranean. Besides its medieval square attracts visitors mainly for the remnants of the ancient city (theater, amphitheatre, remains of temples). Notable is the archaeological museum with unique finds from around the island, or underground catacombs.

Is it enough, or did I miss something? If you are curious about other great destinations in this island, just go through our tips in the section of the Most beautiful places in Sicily.

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Menorca boasts several “Best”, it is not only the second largest and geologically the oldest island of the Balearic Island, but also the easternmost and northernmost situated island. Covers an area of ​​702 km2, which is a mere fifth of Mallorca. From west to east is approximately 50 kilometres long and from south to north just 17 kilometres wide. In the north of the island there is the wild and unspoilt area called Tramuntana. South of the island known as Migiorn is characterized by reddish soil plains with snow-white beaches and rocky cliffs. Inland of the island is full of fields, pastures and picturesque villages where the time has stopped years ago. They are a far away from a lively tourist centers on the coast. Inland also houses the island’s highest peak, Monte Toro which is soaring to an altitude of 358 meters.

Many visitors of Menorca, talk about it as a “green island”. The green color is really typical for the island, lush green vegetation surrounding you at every step. This is due to high humidity. There are trees that managed to adapt to the quality of soil and climate. These are mainly oak, pine and wild olive trees. Along the roads you can see prickly pear or cactus figs. In addition, there are about 250 kinds of medicinal aromatic herbs and rare Menorca’s flowers Socarell and Daphne.

Photo licensed under the Creative Commons, created by Jaume Meneses

Green colour on Menorca is certainly the major, but not the only colour which the visitors encounter with here. The island is surrounded by azure waters of the Mediterranean Sea, warmed by the golden rays of the sun. There are red-brown rocks and along the coast you can see the villages with bright white houses.

Menorca has a rich history as well, in the past a number of nationalities have changed here, which left traces not only in architecture, gastronomy, nomenclature, but also in the style of life of local residents. So Menorca still retains its unique character and is quite different from the other Balearic islands. The Romans named it Balearis Menor, which means “small island”, which subsequently evolved the present name of Menorca.

Photo licensed under the Creative Commons, created by Miguel Perez

Local residents are working hard to save the virgin nature on the island and preserve it for future generations. In 1991, almost half of the island has been declared a protected area, two years later has Menorca been even declared a World Biosphere Reserve by UNESCO. As a result is a good balance between man and nature. On the island there are 19 protected areas under the highest level of protection. These areas are home to many animal species like small mammals, reptiles, insects and birds.

The construction of the high hotels is not allowed here and all accommodation structures have to meet certain standards. Thanks to it they all fit nicely into the landscape and does not affect its character. Menorca offers 60,000 hotel beds, which is in comparison with other tourist destinations very few. The number of tourists who can visit the island is so limited and hoteliers, of course, use this situation and raise the prices. All services on Menorca are significantly more expensive than in mainland Spain.

Coast of Menorca is very rugged, about 200 kilometres long and is made up of picturesque beaches, which are separated by rocky cliffs. Very interesting are the rocky bays having the shape of the fjord, a typical example is the area of ​​Cales Coves. The longest and of course the most popular beach on the island is a sandy beach Son Bou, reaching a length of over two kilometers. But will certainly find the beach that suits your needs and thoughts.

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Arta Caves have not just beautiful natural decorations, but also a rich history. The biggest natural attraction of the caves is 22 m high stalagmite. Caves are divided into several areas as called Inferno (Hell), Purgaturio (purgatory) and Paradisio (Paradise). The special lighting creates really magical and impressive look.

It is interesting that in the past the Arta Caves served as haven for pirates and smugglers. Among the most popular visitors of the Caves were such as Jules Verne, Victor Hugo, Alexandre Dumas and Sarah Bernhardt. Jules Verne’s even reportedly got the inspiration for his story “Journey to the Center of the Earth”.

Arta Caves are open all year round. From May to October, are open daily from 10 to 18 hours. From November to April is also open daily from 10 to 17 hours. Basic entrance to Arta Caves costs 11 €. Children under 6 are admitted free.

Tours of the caves takes about 30-40 minutes and are conducted in English, Spanish, French and German.

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The old city center of Tossa de Mar offers a network of narrow streets and its most important monuments include the Church of San Vicente. You also should visit a local gallery and city museum. Along the coast you can find the beaches like Gran Playa, El Codolar and La Baume, offering a complete tourist service. At sea you can enjoy a variety of water sports, such as the diving, sailing, surfing, water skiing or scooters. Along the coast there in a pretty nice promenade with shops and souvenir shops, clothing, jewelry and ceramics. Hotels in Tossa de Mar offer a large hotel complexes, but you will find also the camping here.

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