While those with young families may think a city like Vienna doesn’t have much to offer in terms of child-friendly attractions and activities, in fact, this lovely city is actually a wonderful destination for youngsters. And, with a little research, it doesn’t have to blow out the hard-earned holiday budget.
For lovers of literature, Paris is the ultimate destination. This wonderful city, famous for its architecture, art, culture and cuisine, has been the muse of so many of our literary icons and the inspirational setting for countless works of fact and fiction. Even if you’ve visited the city many times before, following in the footsteps of these creative greats is a wonderful way to see it through very different eyes.
Just because you’ve got a young family doesn’t mean you have to give up your annual trip abroad – in fact, it’s even more important to your collective sanity! What it does mean, however, is that while you certainly don’t have to go entirely mainstream, you do have to choose your destination with the children in mind. A traditional bucket and spade beach holiday always goes down well, but for something a little different, Augsburg, in the German state of Bavaria, has everything you’re looking for.
Greece has always been a firm favourite as a touristic destination, and as one of the most important cities in world history its capital, Athens, attracts a diverse range of visitors. Some come specifically to immerse themselves in the myths and legends of Ancient Greece, while some are just stopping off before heading out to party on the islands. But more and more people are showing up simply because the word is out that this is a pretty cool city.
El invierno. Heard of it? No? Well, if you’re planning an escape to Benidorm around the tail end of the year it’s one Spanish phrase you’re not going to have to learn – because el invierno means “winter”, and it seems they didn’t get that memo down on the Costa Blanca.
If you’ve got teenagers, you may have thought your days of spontaneous city breaks were behind you. But if you’re looking for a safe, accessible destination that has enough personality to appeal to everyone in the family, Amsterdam rates high.
Planning the annual family ski break? Yes? Read on! No? Read on and you just might be tempted! If you’ve got a house full of teenagers and a long, cold winter stretching out ahead of you, a ski holiday is pretty much the only thing this time of year’s got going for it.
Sitting at an elevation of 1869m, Alpe d’Huez is part of the monumental Grande Rousses Massif ski area in the French Alps. The resort encompasses parts of the 250km of linked pistes throughout this popular region and is renowned for its magnificent views across the Alps.
Part of one of the largest ski regions in Europe, Verbier, in the Swiss Valaisian Alps, is a Mecca for powder hounds. Along with more than 400km of diverse terrain, its snow sure slopes and constant supply of sunshine make it a favourite amongst skiers looking for their next big challenge. And, for those willing to take on the legendary Mont-Gelé and Mont-Fort to find it, they’re well rewarded.
Every jazz aficionado worth their salt has a story to tell about about Montreux, and the city’s annual two-week jazz festival is one of the most important events on the global music calendar.
Situated in the heart of the massive Trois Vallées ski area – which, with 600kms of pistes is the largest in the world – the purpose-built satellite resort of Méribel-Mottaret (just up the valley from Méribel) is one of the most family-friendly in the Alps. With much of the accommodation set right on the pistes of Le Chatelet on the eastern side and Le Laitelet on the western side and surrounded by natural beauty, everything is literally at your fingertips. This friendly resort’s convenience and ski-in ski-out accessibility are matched by its very reasonable prices, making it the perfect choice
With pistes at a top altitude of 3,500 metres, the world’s longest on-piste vertical drop, and Europe’s largest skiable glacier, Les Deux Alpes an obvious contender for an energetic winter sports holiday. But while the resort has plenty of diversity over its 225km of pistes, it’s what it offers off-piste and in its outstanding snowpark that is so appealing to freestyle skiers. And, what makes it unusual is that many of the easier runs sit at the higher altitudes, while the tougher, adrenaline producing off-piste action takes you right back into the resort. So, freestylers – if you feel the
Moulded into the picturesque contours of Lake Geneva, Lausanne lives up to its location with a wealth of art and culture to rival some of the greatest cities of Europe. The impressive centrepiece is the magnificent Gothic cathedral, but the city’s cultural appeal extends far beyond its physical beauty. Alongside a number of important institutions (including the IOC and Switzerland’s highest court) it’s blessed with far more than its fair share of galleries and museums. Whatever time of year you choose to visit, for those willing to fully immerse in the culture, the city more than repays the effort with
