obergurgl

Snow Stopping Family Fun in Obergurgl!

The Austrian village of Obergurgl has a reputation as a great family ski resort for good reason: practically guaranteed snow and a range of winter sports activities for families to enjoy together. If you prefer the atmosphere and beauty of a traditional Alpine village to the monstrous purpose-built resorts, then Obergurgl in Austria’s Ötztal Valley is definitely for you. At 1,930m it is the highest village resort in Europe, and has a reputation for almost guaranteed snow – a reputation that has been strengthened in recent years by its lift links to the higher Hochgurgl with its 3,080m glacier. A

Innsbruck, Austria

Out and About with Kids in Innsbruck

Whether you come in winter to ski in Austria’s beautiful Tyrol region, or in the summer to enjoy the wealth of alpine activities, it’s well worth stopping off in Innsbruck to take in the sights of this pretty Austrian city. Known as the ‘capital of the Austrian Alps’, Innsbruck holds an important place in the country’s history, a fact that is illustrated by its historic castles and palaces as well as modern investments in stunning contemporary architecture. While beautiful buildings and a rich local history may charm you, there’s also plenty here to keep the kids entertained. My children will

Samöens

Grand Adventure in the Grand Massif: Family Fun in Samoëns

While most families are drawn to the beautiful, historic resort of Samoëns because of its position in France’s Grand Massif ski area, you’ll discover there is plenty more than skiing and snowboarding to challenge adventurous kids (and their parents!) here. The Grand Massif – with its resorts including Flaine, Les Carroz, Morillon, Sixt Fer à Cheval and, of course, Samoëns – sits at the heart of the Alps at 2,500 metres. With access to 256km of runs, Samoëns lies opposite the more famous Flaine in a north-facing position, meaning that snow (when it falls) tends to last pretty well here.

The Bonne Bouche of Belgium

You’ve had a bad day, you are curling up with a good book, or you are tackling a challenging task at work. While these scenarios seem to have nothing in common at first glance, they all share one thing: they’d be infinitely better with chocolate! As Gene Wilder once said, “there are two types of people in this world: people who love chocolate and liars”. So, let’s be honest: if you’re hoping to improve your day, enhance your riveting read or reward yourself for working hard, a chocolaty treat is the way to go. If you’re a true connoisseur, you’ll

Barcelona

Discover the Secret Art Spaces of Alternative Barcelona

There has probably never been a more fascinating time to visit the beautiful city of Barcelona, the capital of Spain’s Catalan district. While the Catalonian people are making their stand for independence, the artists of the city are expressing their passion and political position through a vibrant modern scene that is well worth exploring. The Catalan capital has always been a key destination for art and culture lovers, with its stunning Gaudí architecture, Picasso Museum, Museum of Contemporary Art and the Museum of National Catalonian Art. And while these are all still great places to visit, if you want to

Skiing Shenanigans in St. Anton am Arlberg

There’s nothing quite like a ski holiday in an authentic Austrian village, and with its narrow streets, wood beamed buildings and historic onion-domed church, St. Anton am Arlberg certainly fits the bill. But there is much more on offer here for a young, lively crowd than just a picture-perfect resort – St. Anton is also famous for its excellent skiing, vibrant nightlife and a good restaurants and bar scene. A Whole Range of Skiing Located in a region that’s known as ‘Europe’s snowiest area’, one thing you can rely on in St. Anton is the snow. But while nearby resorts

Athletic Adventures in Los Cristianos

If you think that Tenerife on Spain’s Canary Islands is just about sea and sun, then you obviously haven’t visited Los Cristianos with kids. From beautiful, family-friendly beaches to diving, hiking and a range of high-octane water sports, there’s loads here for families who are looking for a more adventurous getaway. I must confess that my perfect holiday is a week of lying in the sun with the occasional dip in the sea. But when I travel with my kids, I have to remember that lying still for any length of time is their idea of hell! So, as a

Venecia

Uncover Venice’s Hidden Gems

Venice is made up of over one hundred charming little islands separated by canals, which hide many veiled gems in their passageways. It is a beautiful Italian city that has so much to offer, boasting unique architecture with stunning marble palaces and countless bridges that attract travellers from across the globe every year. While Venice is often considered a tourist trap – and although this may be arguably true in the busy summer months – if you look beyond the superficial sightseer’s checklist, it has plenty of quirky and original activities just waiting to be discovered. Diverge from the traditional

ski

Let’s Get Active in Les Gets

Les Gets is a brilliant Savoyard skiing resort in the Alps. With a terrific atmosphere, great skiing slopes for people of all levels and a buzzing après-ski scene, it is the perfect holiday destination for a group of friends looking for a good time and some great memories. Winter Sport Activities for You and Your Mates Skiing Les Gets has pistes for skiers of all levels, reached by gondola and chair or draglift. If you’re not very confident, you might want to stay within the Chavannes area which has easy blue and green runs. If you fancy something a bit

Salou

Sun, Sea, Safari: Family Adventures in Los Gigantes

When you’re shivering at your desk in the dead of winter trying to conjure up visions of a holiday paradise to keep everyone in the family happy, if your imagination’s working at optimum level chances are the Canary Islands are somewhere in the mix. And, if they’re not, they should be. The sun-kissed Canaries are chock-a-block with family-friendly resorts, where you can hang your cares at the door and not have to even think about them until it’s time to go home. Sounds like holiday heaven, doesn’t it? Well it is. Because everything you’ve heard about the Canaries is true

The Best Ways of Beating Jetlag

While choosing a holiday destination that’s far away from home is intriguing, an exotic escapade always has one downside: jetlag. No matter how often you tell yourself that sleep is for the weak, there’s no denying that most of us spend the first day of a special getaway wandering around like a zombie, instead of enjoying the experience to the fullest. Luckily, you’re about to wave goodbye to this sleepy spoilsport. Thomas Cook’s infographic, 15 Ways to Beat Jetlag, may be short, but makes a world of difference. Here are some easy and effective ways to make the most of

Coffee and Cake on a City Break: Munich’s Coolest Cafes

Munich is a fabulous city to explore, with a host of iconic attractions and a cosmopolitan street vibe that feels almost Mediterranean at times. The central district is extremely walkable and, in fact, for the adventurous traveller, that’s really the very best way to see some of its quirkiest attractions. But part of really getting to know a city is being able to slide beneath its skin and blend in with the local life whenever possible. In Munich, one of the most delicious and fun ways to “make like a local” is by enjoying the social atmosphere of some of

Savour Slovakia’s Specialties

When you think of Slovakia, you probably think of its charming castles and its dreamy landscapes, both of which look like they’ve come straight out of a fairytale. But while the hype around the country’s cultural and natural gems is 100% warranted, it often pushes another amazing perk of visiting Slovakia into the shadows: its delicious cuisine. After a long day of sightseeing and hiking, prepare yourself for a typical – and very hearty – Slovakian meal. Here are three national specialties that will leave you coming back for more. 1. Bryndzové Halušky Ever heard of the saying “good things

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