Innsbruck is unlike any other European cities, located deep in the Inn valley it is encircled by soring, jagged mountains. The city sits on the banks of the Inn River, which flows from the Switz Alps and into the Danube.  Behind the quaint, colourfully painted houses that line the cobbled streets stand the Alps offering a captivating backdrop.

Dolomites - Italy
In the Bond movie ‘For Your Eyes Only’ 007 stayed at the five-stared Miramonti Majestic Grand Hotel, in Cortina d’Ampezzo part of the Dolomiti skiing area. Here you can enjoy the luxurious facilities with one exception; you will not get the chase down the slopes by some rifle wielding rogue assassins. The Dolomites is will know for it majestic ski slopes and an ideal winter break destination.

Jamaica

Not all of us can and want to visit the European type ski resorts; we want to enjoy the sports without the fashion show.  Heading further east to Slovakia is one of our recommendations. Slovakia home to some untouched and quietly hip ski resorts.  The country has five main ski areas in what is called the High Tatras and Low Tatras, an hour by road separate them.  The Low Tatras is the better of the two, although its considered low, the area is 2,000m above sea level.

Jasna is the Low Tatras is one of the better ski resorts in Slovakia.  It has over 90 snow cannons covering a 12Km area of slops and allowing skiing on both the north and south of the Chopok mountains, guaranteeing snow for five months).  Parts of the slopes are illuminated for night skiing as well.

A river cruise along Russia’s rivers and canals offers a fantastic opportunity to see two of the country’s biggest cities (Moscow and St. Petersburg) and the rural life in between. A cruise of 10-13 days will take you from Moscow to St. Petersburg or vice versa along the Neva, Svir and Volga rivers, lakes Ladoga and Onega and scenic waterways.

Most of us visiting Argentina flock to popular Buenos Aires, Mendoza and other hotspots, but the outback of Salta and its adjoining Puna Desert in the Catamarca are some of the gems waiting to be explored.  At altitude of over 3000m, Salta and Catamarca are located in northwestern Argentina; this giant adventure playground shows you another side to Argentina. The scenery of the region rivals that of Atacama and Uyuni allowing you to come up close to its volcanoes: llamas, flamingos and vineyards.

As you travel south of Salta down to Puna and Catamarca, you pass through the red-rock canyons of Quebrada de las Conchas, home to the Devil’s throat – a sort of stone amphitheatre.  Next is Cafayate, one of Argentina’s most famous wine towns, known for the fruity white Torrontes, the red malbec, Tannat and Cabernet Sauvignon.

Many of us had wanted to visit Burma/ Myanmar at some stage but because of the political situation were deterred.  Following the released of pro-democratic leader Aung San Suu Ky in 2009, her party is asking ethical tourists to visit. Burma is where it neighbour Thailand was before mass tourism - many areas are in their natural state waiting to be explored.

In winter the city of Montreal becomes a hive of winter activities and especially in the Jean-Drapeau Park (home of the Canadian Formula1 Grand Prix) - they have created the Montreal Snow Village. Like Hotel Kakslauttanen in Finland they have created an ice worshiper paradise. With Montreal city landscape in the background, the snow village is the celebration of everything Ice; there is the ice hotel, bar and restaurant all house in huge igloos.

Venice is Italy’s most romantic city and one of the jewel of the Adriatic.  Its glorious mix of Renaissance and Byzantine architecture, gondola-lined canals and beautiful bridges has inspired poets and painters through the ages.  For centuries Venice was one of the grandest cities in the world. Modern day Venice still is impressive, packed with lavish palaces, ornate churches and great works of art, and it wonderful watery landscape hasn’t changed much in three hundred years.

The need to pick between a ski and spa break is slowly being removed as more ski resorts are mixing the best of both worlds.  Below we have highlighted places where you can double up your seasonal skiing trip to destination that have invested time and money to create the ultimate winter breaks. These spas utilise state-of-the-art technology to cure injuries and make you feel up to face the rest of the year.

Cheval Blanc, France
Cheval Blanc is a four-star luxury hotel in the heart of the Alpine Garden. It is the first hotel to feature a Givenchy Spa Des Neiges (Snow Spa).  Covering nearly 600 sq meters, the treatment centre offers specialised pre- and après-ski  treatments, intended to prepare and relax muscles in order to enjoy the snow and the skiing.
 

Ski Resorts across the world are doing more to woo us to their resorts.  They are adding more to the usual winter sports, now there is a combination of festivals, celebrating music, food and comedy.  Starting in November, there are ski festivals through out the winter until April, when the season closes.  So if you want to add a bit more to the usual skiing on your next ski break we have collated a list of resorts drawing the crowed.

Chef’s Cup, Alta Badia – Italy
The Chef’s Cup is a high altitude celebration of haute cuisine in the heart of the Dolomites, it was created by Michelin-starred chef, Norbert Niederkofler.  It is the perfect destination for culinary enthusiasts who want to improve on their culinary skills along with their skiing. The Chef’s Cup combines the best of skiing with the best of food. The event attracts up to 400 of the world’s finest chefs; to show of their dishes and share their expertise with visitors. The Chef’s Cup - Alta Badia, takes place in the last week of January (chefscup.it).