Italy

Italy’s most northernly region, South Tyrol (also known as Sudtirol) is one of the country’s most enticing area for winter sports fans.  Its home to the world’s largest fully interconnected ski area, the Dolomiti Superski (1200km) and the world’s second largest interconnected ski area around the Sella Ronda (500km), skiers and boarders can feel that they can ski forever from one cosy village to another, always with the spectacular pale limestone and sedimentary rock cliff formation of the Dolomites towering dramatically above.

VAL THORENS, FRANCE
At 2,300m Val Thorens is the hightest resort in Europe (slopes 1,260m-3,230m) – and with 99 percent of its ski area above 2,000m, the white stuff is guaranteed.  It’s part of the vast 600km Three Valleys area, but Val Thorens offers skiing for all levels across a 150km pistes.  The majority of runs are intermediate blues and reds; there is also some fantastic off-piste to be found. The powder is reliably good here, too. Try the famed Lac du Lou, 1,400m of vertical easily accessed from the Cime de Caron.

Do you want to get away for the autumn half-term school break? we have found a bunch of activities that you might by interested in; they include farm visit, water sports, history and culture, high adrenaline adventure activities and glamour for those who want to just hangout.

If you find yourself in the middle of September with autumn just round the corner and you have not taken your summer holidays yet, you don’t have to put it off until next year.  We have found five places in Europe where you can go to get the last of the summer warmth.

PUGLIA, ITALY
Often over looked for its more manicured neighbour of Tuscany, but Puglia, the eastern region that stretches down to the heel of Italy’s boot, is the country’s  most underplayed gem, with temperature up the 27c its not bad.  Dotted with olive groves and ancient fortified towns, you can find many gems – such as the turquoise waters and quiet beach at Casalabate, the baroque beauty of the Chiesa di Santa Croce in Lecce and the enchanting seaside town of Polignano a Mare, which inspired everybody’s favourite singalong tune Volare.

CAPE TOWN, SOUTH AFRICA
Framed by craggy mountains and lush scenery.  Cape Town – the sparkly jewel in South Africa’s crown – is on every cool-hunter’s radar this summer thanks to its hip hangouts, stunning beaches and burgeoning art scene. But that’s just the tip of the iceberg.  Just minutes from the city’s urban buzz sits an outstanding wine region.

QUINTA REAL ZACATECAS, MEXICO

You’ll be hard-pressed to find a more achitectually impressive hotel than this.  Built into the grandstand of the restored San Pedro Bullfighting ring in central Mexico, Quinta Real Zacatecas is so seamlessly built into the original structure that you wouldn’t be surprised if a matador with a red cape swooshed by.  Rooms overlook the central former bullring, which witnessed its last bullfight in 1975.  It dates back to the 19th century and is now converted into a cobblestoned courtyard and dotted with overflowing plant pots.

Many of us might have saved all year to buy our love ones that special gift for Christmas or we want to treat ourselves for the hard work we have doing all year.  This year why not treat yourself and fill those stockings from the shopping mecca of Milan. I am sure those gifts will not find themselves in the charity shops or being passed on as gift the following year.

Milan might not have the charm of Florence or Venice but it is famous as a destination for designer shopping, it is also a treasure trove of quirky boutiques, tucked away down bohemian side streets.  Whether they are selling fashion, food or furniture they are mouth wateringly chic.  A trip to this austere Lombardy city for your Christmas shopping is worth every penny spent on a plate of pasta, designer handbag or clothes or even just taking in the atmosphere of the city.

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

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.

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).