New Zealand

I'm starting to get excited about a planned trip to New Zealand this summer, which has me checking out "adventure" tours. I say "adventure" because while there are actual tours for people who enjoy having elastic cords tied to their ankles and jumping off cliffs, some of these so-called adventures are walking tours where your luggage is actually transported by car.

I like this option.

There are two problems, though:

1. There are too many out there! Apparently New Zealand is known for this kind of tour. It's amazing what you turn up if you do a search for New Zealand adventure tours. There are literally dozens of companies, each offering several tours.

2. Our summer is New Zealand's winter, which means some of the tours aren't running.

Still, I'm excited about this idea. Usually when I travel somewhere I tend to think of the touristy spots first -- you know, the "sights." I love the idea of getting off the beaten track, although given the number of adventure tours, I suspect the track will remain fairly worn.

Sales!

Guess what? We're coming up to the off season! And if you can manage it, this is THE time to travel.

Off season is a fancy way of saying, no one else wants to come here right now, so we've slashed our prices. And there are certain places you really WON'T want to go during off-season. If, for example, your main holiday goal is skiing, you won't want to hit the slopes in the dead of summer. But if you're short on cash and high on enthusiasm and creativity, off-season travel can be the perfect way to go.

First of all, unless you're absolutely determined to spend all your time on the beach, think about hitting a tropical location during rainy season. As long as you don't get actual typhoons or something, everything will be dirt cheap, and you can still do all the indoor type stuff. Not only that, but rainy season doesn't guarantee rain. We went to Thailand during rainy season and spent most of the week lounging on the beach.

Sometimes we're drawn to on-season due to specific events. That's great if you're really determined to see those things, but sometimes they're more trouble than they're worth. The Takayama festival in Japan is a perfect example. Sure, it's neat, and the floats are pretty cool, but is it really worth fighting the crowds? I would say no. Go see the floats at the museum and go during a quieter time when you can actually take a step without tripping over a tourist.

It's up to you when or where you travel. But if you want a deal, and if you haven't set your heart on a specific event, off-season travel can save you a bundle. Besides, there's something charming about exploring any location away from the hordes. Get a group of friends and plan a holiday outside the ordinary.

Winding Down

In the aftermath of the Christmas holiday, I find myself reconsidering the whole meaning of travel. For a long time I thought every time you set off on a holiday it should be an adventure. But how many times do you come back from a trip and think, I need a holiday to recover from my holiday???

Currently I'm on holiday at my parents' home, and I'm enjoying doing absolutely nothing. It got me thinking: sometimes you need a holiday where you do nothing. And you don't have to stay home to do it, either. Actually, you shouldn't: the thing about your home is that there's always something you could be doing there. Besides, people know how to get in touch with you! :)

No, if you want a do nothing holiday, find a secluded hotel somewhere you love. Pack a big bag of books, movies, sketchbooks, or whatever you think you'll enjoy. Grab a significant other or best friend if the mood strikes you. Hit the library and get a book that'll teach you a skill you've always wanted to learn: painting, woodburning, pottery. Make sure you have the supplies and take off!

Of course, if you're cringing, you could always hit a spa, someplace with lots of quiet nature trails, or an isolated section of beach (even some of the less-traveled islands in Thailand are great for this). The idea is to relax and return home refreshed, relaxed, and definitely not in need of a holiday to recover from your holiday!

Traveling by Car Sucks

I just drove 600 km in a single go, which took me almost six hours. Usually it wouldn't take so long, but after both the person in front of me and the person behind me were pulled over, at the same time, by two different cops, I decided I could take a hint, and I slowed the heck down.

You know, I could have flown this same distance in about forty five minutes? Of course, it's the cost that's so prohibitive: if you're traveling a (relatively) short distance, it still makes more financial sense to go by car.

Traveling by car has a whole host of disadvantages, though, noteably:

1. It's boring, and if you're tired, you start drifting off.

2. The aforementioned cops.

3. It's slow.

4. The roads sometimes suck (although today, thankfully, they didn't).

5. If you live where I live, deer constantly run across the highway in front of you, scaring you out of your wits (OK, by "constantly" I mean once. Still).

It has some advantages too, though:

1. Price

2. Traveling on your own schedule

3. It's far easier to travel with pets

4. The scenery is slightly more interesting (or I assume it is, if you don't live in the middle of a barren wasteland)


Hmm. Maybe traveling by car isn't SO bad, after all. What do you think? I guess a lot depends on whether you like to drive. I don't particularly, and I do like to fly. On the other hand, if I have enough new music to listen to, driving isn't that bad -- so thank heavens for the iPod!

The Most Wonderful Time...

Phew! My posting's been on-and-off lately, and it's all because of Christmas.

Speaking of Christmas, have you noticed how stressed everyone gets at this time of year? And travelers are no exception. Every airport is crowded with angry, flustered people trying to make their ways home -- or wherever. Better still, most of them have children in tow, and the kids are angry and flustered too. What a joy!

Honestly, if you're going to travel at Christmas, do yourself a favor and leave yourself a buffer. I'll never forget the time I was coming home from Japan on Christmas eve and our flight broke down. We were stranded in Osaka, and what would have been an annoying experience at any time became a nightmare as we all began to panic we would miss Christmas with our families. If I had to do it again, I'd definitely leave a few days earlier.

Or take a couple years ago, when I came down from my apartment on December 23rd to find someone had heaved a rock through my windshield.

There are a couple rules about Christmas traveling:

1. Assume everyone's in a bad mood

2. Don't engage in an argument, ever, with anyone, if you can avoid it. It won't be a short one.

3. Leave yourself extra time when possible.

4. Try to have fun. No matter what happens it won't be a total disaster. Try to look on it as an adventure.

Of course, that's easier said than done when you're spending your tenth straight hour in an airport, but nonetheless....

Thoughts on Traveling with Children

As a teacher, I have WAY too much exposure to kids! One thing I've realized, though, is that kids are actually pretty easy to please. They're just as happy with a family camping trip as they are with a voyage to Disneyland (well, almost). There are a couple things you can do, though, to make your family holiday run a little smoother.

1. Build it up. Even if you're not sure the kids will have much interest in where you're going next, try to get them excited. When they're on board, they won't drive you crazy whining. And you might be surprised what they find interesting!

2. Feed them properly. I'm not saying not to give the kids a bit of an extra treat now and then, but if you stuff them with hot dogs, sugar, and fast food, they're going to be tired and cranky. Treats are fine, but square meals are important, too.

3. Make sure they get enough rest. Schedule nap time into your day if you have to. Try to avoid the hottest parts of the day if you're in a tropical location, and bundle them up warmly if you're someplace cold.

4. Involve them in picking a few special spots for your holiday destinations. If they feel like they have a stake in the trip, they'll be more likely to view it positively.

5. Make sure you pack plenty of small, portable, age-appropriate entertainment and diversions: colouring books, reading books, travel games, puzzles, even video games: things to keep them occupied in the car, on the plane, and even in the hotel room.

6. Check with your hotel. Many hotels offer babysitting services. Don't be afraid to let the kids take advantage of the hotel pool with a caregiver while you have a night on the town. After all, it's your holiday, too!

With a bit of planning, traveling with children can be fun for everyone -- even if you get stuck in three hour lines at Disneyland!

Where to Winter?

I know a lot of people who want to get out of the snow three days after it arrives. On the other hands, I have friends who live where it never snows, and they're itching to go someplace white and fluffy for Christmas. Why are we never just satisfied with where we are?

Okay, I'm not satisfied, either. Actually, I much prefer a temperate climate: extreme heat and extremem cold always get me. Nonetheless, either one can be a lot of fun to visit.

Snowy Climates:

Snow can be a lot of fun in the winter. You get to enjoy the "winter wonderland" feel of newfallen snow, bundle up against cold, crisp air, and enjoy loads of winter sports: snowmobiling, snowshoeing, cross country and downhill skiing, snowboarding, skating -- the list just doesn't end!

On the other hand, where there's snow, there's cold. The termpature can easily become unbearable in some winter locations. And with windchill, you might find yourself running for a fire and a mug of hot chocolate, not your ski poles.

Warm Climates:

Warmth is always nice. Hot sun, toasty beaches, bright sun, skin-cancer inducing suntans: the summer has it all! On the other hand, the heat and humidity can get to you after a while, too. Besides, what's Christmas with a palm tree covered in garland?

So whether you head somewhere warm, cold, or just stay at home this Christmas, it's really a matter of personal choice. Whatever you decide, you're sure to have fun!

#1: Ski Everest (if you dare)

That's right: you can actually make your journey into the Himalayan mountains and brave Mount Everest. This is less a holiday, though, than a hardcore adventure. Mount Everest is a hazardous ski slope and certainly not for any but the most experienced skiers.

At 29 035 feet, Mount Everest is the highest slope anyone has ever skied. The first successful attempt was made in 1996, and the first uninterrupted descent wasn't until 2000.

Before you can ski down Mount Everest, you have to climb it. This is a hardcore adventure, not a ski resort, and it shouldn't be undertaken by anyone who doesn't think they can handle it. If you do decide to give it a try, you need:

-an experienced guide
-a lot of practice with mountain climbing
-a first aid kit (and someone who knows how to use it)
-a cell phone (charge it first, okay?)

When climbing you should take things slowly. If you plan to climb all the way to the peak, beware of altitude sickness. You should turn around at the first signs that it's getting worse, because the oxygen is pretty thin up there, and if you're not used to it, the results can be disastrous.

Obviously, Mount Everest is not your typical ski holiday! But if you're searching for the ultimate adventure, it doesn't get any bigger than this!

Still afeared of flying

I'm continuing to dwell on this topic because I watched the Supernatural episode where Dean is afraid of flying last night. If you're not familiar with Supernatural, you should be: it's one of the best-written, most genuinely scary shows on TV.

But I digress.

The point is, in the show they mention how the Japanese have a belief that a specific demon or spirit controls every disaster, and of course, there's a demon particularly interested in plane crashes. I was watching this episode with the same friend who made me question the sanity of flight last time we took to the air, and he went on at some length about how much sense the demon-crashing airplane made to him.

He then directed me to a flight on the Discovery network where they sift through the ruins of plane crashes, personalize the victims, and air prolonged scenes of screaming passengers on a crashing plane.

To quote Bill Watterson from Calvin and Hobbes, "when you think about how well basic appliances work, it's amazing that anyone ever gets on an airplane."

But of course there's a but, because I LOVE to travel, and I have no intentions of stopping because planes occasionally crash, anymore than I plan to stop driving because hundreds of people die every year in car crashes. I think the reason we hear so much about plane crashes is because, although they're rare, they're horrible. They kill hundreds, not one or two or three. Still, when you actually sit down and look at the statistics, plane crashes are so rare that there's just no point panicking about them. Also, a significant portion of crashes are due to stupidity, not mechanical failure -- meaning you take your life in your hands every time you eat in a restaurant, too.

So keep flying, and don't worry about demons making the plane crash ;) It'll probably come right in the end.

Crash!

I have to pause once more to talk about something we've all probably encountered in one form or another: the fear of flying. Why? Because I traveled recently with a friend who is absolutely terrified of planes, and I made a unique discovery: the fear of flying is contagious.

Seriously. I'm a bit of a freak in that I actually love to fly. I love the rush of the plane cruising down the runway. When I flew from Osaka to Tokyo, the airline had a camera fixed to the front of the plane, and they channeled that picture to the screen in the cabin. Because Osaka is on the coast, the runway extends over the water. So what you saw on the screen looked like the ground vanishing, probably leading straight to a crash. The friend I was flying with absolutely hated it. I thought it was one of the coolest things I'd ever seen.

But on this recent flight, we encountered some pretty heavy turbulence, and my flying partner was clearly convinced we were headed for a horrible death. To my surprise, I found myself getting kind of nervous myself. I don't know if his nervousness leaped over the armrest or my own latent nerves sprang to life or what, but I was really surprised how much the turbulence on this flight bothered me. I never LIKE turbulence -- who does? -- but it's never frightened me before.

So my theory is this: if fear of flying really is contagious, those people need to be sedated or something before they get near a plane. Think about it. If you get enough people really freaked out, their fear might travel to the cockpit and infect the pilot, and the last thing we need is a terrified pilot guiding us through basic turbulence!

And just in case you think I'm being nasty, I mentioned this idea to my friend and he was all for it. Sedation, heavy doses of alcohol or drugs -- anything to keep him from thinking about his impending doom.

#2: Yabuli

These last two sites aren’t so much the best resorts around as they are just interesting places to visit! And if you can get some skiing done along the way, so much the better!

China’s Yabuli Ski Resort, home of the third Asian winter games and just miles from the Russian border, is one of China’s main ski resorts.

You may not think “China” and “skiing,” and I wouldn’t recommend going to Yabuli if all you’re looking for is a great skiing adventure. But if you love to ski and the idea of checking out China appeals to you, Yabuli is a great place for a side trip!

Better still, you don’t even have to pack your own equipment: Yabuli expects their visitors to come from a great distance, so they keep a wide variety of extremely high-end ski equipment on hand as rentals. Accommodations are far from luxurious, but are extremely affordable (the location is popular with locals, however, so you’d do well to book ahead).

Yabuli also boasts English-speaking ski instructors, beautiful ski areas, some very challenging slopes, and authentic Chinese food (which may or may not appeal to you, depending on how you feel about eating things we usually trap in the garden). All in all, Yabuli is a great side trip and a wonderful way to get in a few days of skiing as you tour the Far East!

#3: Andorra

As we come to the end of my little consideration of the world’s best places to ski, we arrive at a hidden gem. Andorra is a tiny (200 square foot) ski resort tucked in between France and Spain, and encompassing the best of what those countries have to offer.

Andorra’s deceptive size hides a treasure of a ski resort where well over a hundred and fifty ski slopes benefit from the use of nearly a thousand snow cannons. With that much artificial snow behind you, a great ski season is guaranteed!

Better still, Andorra is just well-known enough to boast luxury hotels, high-speed ski lifts, and fantastic facilities. The weather is generally sunny and warm, and the snow is second to none. Many people who’d never heard of Andorra before are discovering this gorgeous ski resort.

Andorra has a good mix of beginner, intermediate, and expert trails, along with a large ski school and eight miles of cross-country skiing. You can reach Andorra through Barcelona, which makes a great stop-off to finish your skiing holiday.

If you’re a true skier, Andorra is the perfect location: sunny, beautiful, a refuge from the crowds, and with near-perfect slopes.

#4: Garmisch

I'm almost at the end of my twenty ski resorts :( It's been a lot of fun to explore what the skiing world has to offer! Man, do I need a holiday! But on with the show....

The hard to pronounce but beautiful ski site of Garmisch-Partenkirchen (better known simply as Garmisch) is located at the foot of Germany’s tallest mountain, Mount Zugspitze. As always, the Bavarian Alps provide a spectacular view, great skiing, and a well-rounded holiday opportunity for those who don’t intend to isolate themselves with a few mountain goats for
the duration!

With cross-country skiing, downhill slopes second to none, and fantastic snowboarding, Garmisch is also an historic site: it hosted the 1936 Winter Olympics. As always, some of the atmosphere of those games lingers in Garmisch, and the resort is known as one of Germany’s premier locations for winter sports.

If skiing isn’t to your taste – or if it is, but not for the entirety of your holiday – Garmisch has far more to offer. World class spas, shops, and restaurants line the streets, and you’d be hard pressed not to find something you liked. In fact, Garmisch features one of Germany’s most popular spas, a great place to relax for a massage after a hard day of skiing!

Whatever your tastes, Garmisch is sure to please you. It’s a rare combination of natural beauty, winter fun, luxury, and quaintness, all wrapped into a single resort.

#5: Innsbruck

It’s impossible to talk about skiing without bringing Innsbruck into the equation. Austria’s premier ski resort certainly deserves its reputation as one of the world’s best. Whether you’re intent on skiing throughout your holiday or just want a place for a winter getaway, Innsbruck never fails to deliver.

The town of Innsbruck is nestled in the Austrian alps, but it’s far from a secret: Innsbruck has hosted two sets of Olympic winter games, and it has the sports facilities to back up that claim. There’s far more to do than ski in Innsbruck: if you can do it outdoors, you can probably do it here!

Innsbruck primarily has intermediate runs, but advanced and beginning skiers are sure to find something to suit them. Snowboarders, too, are fond of Innsbruck’s natural beauty and many trails.

The town of Innsbruck is over 800 years old, and you can tell the moment you arrive: not because things are old and dilapidated, but because of the location’s historic and natural beauty. In addition to the ample skiing, Innsbruck boasts a host of historic sites and fascinating tourist spots, making it the perfect holiday destination for families, couples, and singles alike.

For a great winter vacation with great skiing on the side, Innsbruck simply can’t be beat!

#6: Bornio

Nestled high in the Italian alps is the picture-perfect ski resort of Bornio. Bornio has long been known for not only its famous skiing but its incredible beauty. The Italian mountainsides are home to incredible Roman-esque architecture, making it seem like you've stepped back in time the moment you reach Bornio's snow covered slopes.

Of course, none of this is to say that Bornio is a well kept secret (or even a secret at all). In fact, over 16,000 skiers and snowboarders brave the Italian alps every hour in search of fun and adventure. Don't let that stop you, though: Bornio is beautiful enough to brave the crowds. Waking up in Bornio is like waking up on the cover of a Christmas card.

Bornio is the perfect location for a romantic getaway with a touch of adventure underneath. The runs are pretty evenly divided between beginner, intermediate, and expert, so no matter your skill level, you're sure to find something to your taste. The resort also has the standard ski schools. Start your day off with a trip up the slopes, spend the afternoon at one of Bornio's world famous thermal spas, and relax for dinner in a beautiful Roman restaurant, enjoying the glittering snow and night time sky. Bornio is a great spot for a picture-perfect holiday!

#7: Takayama

Most people don't think Japan when they think skiing, but buried in the heart of the Japanese alps is the well kept secret of Hida Takayama. The city (composed of the characters takai -- high -- and yama -- mountain) is a relatively small city often refered to as Little Kyoto (Kyoto being Japan's cultural and historic centre).

Like Kyoto, Takayama is loaded with temples, old streets, and history; unlike Kyoto, it's a small, sparsely populated (for Japan) area -- as long as you don't try to go during festival weekend in April, when the population of this small city literally triples overnight.

Looming over Takayama is Mount Norikura, known through Japan for its fantastic skiing. There aren't a lot of actual ski resorts, but Takayama makes a great base from which to explore the mountainside: buses run frequently, carrying you up to the mountain's peak. The region receives a great deal of snow during the winter months and can get quite chilly. Japanese skiing enthusiasts flock to Norikura because, unlike Japan's other mountains, it's actually a wonderful natural skiing spot!

Again, Takayama isn't for hardcore skiiers. But if you're looking for a ski holiday with lots of exploration and culture thrown in, it's the ideal spot!

#8: Moena

Moena is an Italian ski resort perfect for weekend ski trips. It's near an airport, easily accessed, and branches to other skiing locations in Italy, all of which complement its fifty eight ski lifts and awesome peaks.

Moena is also a charming area in its own right, making it an ideal location for any holiday. It's an excellent base of operations for a join skiing and traveling holiday, as the ski trails cover about 500 km of intermediate alpine tracks.

Moena joins up to the skiing villages of Alba, Canazei, and Campitello. It also connects to the very attractive and quaint holiday areas of Pozza di Fassa and Viggo, both of which are rich in culture, history, and heritage. They also have small ski areas of their own, creating a much more intimate skiing experience than, say, St. Moritz.

Moena isn't for everyone, but if you're into a holiday that combines skiing, exploring quaint rural villages, and enjoying the great outdoors as opposed to wild parties, you'll have a great time in Moena, Italy.

#9: St. Moritz

Well, you had to know we'd get to St. Moritz eventually! Switzerland's most famous ski resort isn't nearly as expensive as you might think (as long as you're willing to cut corners and not spend much once you get there!). It's definitely not for the hardcore ski enthusiast – the slopes are almost all intermediate, with a decent selection of beginner. But if you want a flashy, glamorous, and highly entertaining holiday with skiing thrown into the mix, St. Moritz is the place for you!

St. Moritz focuses on providing all-around winter fun, so in addition to skiing, they boast winter golf, polo, and cricket (yes, in the snow), as well as fantastic fireworks displays and family activities. The town site, while not particularly attractive, is comfortable with its status as a tourist magnet, and provides plenty to see and do. You're sure to find something to your taste in St. Moritz!

Furthermore, the resort's surroundings are some of the most breathtaking Switzerland has to offer. A family hike will lead to spellbound silence as you gaze at the snow-covered Alps in all their glory.

And there's certainly no shortage of sophisticated, luxurious places to stay and eat – after all, that's what St. Moritz is known for!

#10: Big Horn

Big Horn Ski Resort is a relatively new resort located in Wyoming, west of Buffalo in the United States. Big Horn doesn't have anything particularly spectacular to recommend it in the surrounding area, but if you're a skier, you're sure to appreciate the top-notch runs and long skiing season (from November to April, not dependent on weather).

Big Horn is also famous for its snowboarding, and they have a special area set up for snowboarders. If you like to surf your way downhill, Big Horn definitely won't disappoint!

There isn't much to do at Big Horn besides ski, but if you're interested in other outdoor activities, they have snowmobile rentals and beautiful scenery. There are also a variety of new lounges and restaurants, perfect spots to wind down after a hard day on the slopes.

One of Big Horn's best attractions, though, is its super-quality artificial snow system! You'll almost never find closed runs at Big Horn. They even have an early season snowmaker which they use to get things started on the right foot. Big Horn's artificial snow has been so successful that they've upgraded their machines, meaning that this year's snow should be better quality than ever.

Big Horn is for hardcore skiers not worried about taking a day or two from the slopes, but if you want to focus on skiing and the outdoors without distractions, it's the perfect destination!

# 11: Japser

Back to Canada, and even Alberta. Banff is a lot of fun, but if you're up for a slower pace, or you just really want to focus on the skiing and enjoy nature without the hordes of tourists, Jasper might be for you! Geographically, it's not that far removed from Banff – both are nestled in the Rocky Mountains in western Canada – but there the similarities end. While Banff is a madhouse of activity, Jasper is one of North America's least crowded ski resorts

That doesn't mean it's unpopular – everyone north of the 49th parallel knows the name Jasper when they hear it! With spas, massage parlors, luxury hotels, conference areas, spectacular restaurants, and, of course, great skiing, Jasper is a retreat that can't be beat! Runs are split pretty evenly between advanced, intermediate, and beginner, so it's fun for all levels. What's more, you'll get to enjoy the crisp, pristine Canadian wilderness only a few miles from the Jasper town site!

Located in Marmot Basin, Jasper is accessible from Calgary, Alberta (you remember Calgary – home of the eighty-something Olympics?). It's widely acknowledged as one of the best ski resorts in Canada. If you're looking for an authentic outdoors experience with luxury just minutes away, check out Jasper and Marmot Basin!

#12: St. Anton

We're back on skis. I'm inspired -- there are two inches of snow outside my window!

And we're off to Austria! St. Anton's to be precise. Now, St. Anton's is definitely not for those who are looking for a slower pace, and it also might not be the best spot for a family holiday. But if you're into high-paced, fast action skiing, St. Anton's is definitely somewhere you should check out!

St. Anton's is a narrow valley with as much stuff as possible crammed into its confines – a strange and eclectic mix of traditional and new structures, ski aficionados from all over the world, and great places to eat, drink, and make new friends. Why are so many skiers drawn here? Because St. Anton's has some of the best ski slopes in the world – if you're lucky. St. Anton's is like the little girl from the poem – when it's good, it's very very good, and when it's bad, it's horrid. You can wind up with melting patches and slushy snow when conditions are bad.

Still, skiers from all over the world continue to flock to St. Anton's, and if you're as interested in discos, dancing, parties, and meeting new people as you are in skiing, it's not likely to disappoint.

Interlude

We interrupt this consideration of fantastic ski resorts around the world to bring you the following! :)

People are too rich. That’s my opinion. You should not be able to afford these hotels. But if you CAN...

I mean, wow. These hotels are nicer than my home, or the home of anyone I know. If you’re filthy rich and looking for a vacation, this is the way to go!

Hotels are always interesting places, though. I haven’t stayed in a lot of really upscale hotels (although I did stay at the Century Hyatt in Tokyo... it wasn’t all it was cracked up to be. Nice, sure, but not worth the hype). Sometimes I think it’s better to stay in places with character. Of course, by character I don’t necessarily mean cockroaches. I would actually prefer a cockroach-free environment.

I’m reminded of a friend of mine, who tells a story about traveling to Cuba and finding a huge cockroach in her room. She called the desk to complain and they hung up on her.

I feel VERY privileged to live without cockroaches.

This has become rather stream of consciousness, but that’s okay. I think the fun part of travel is rambling on about it later. Back to these hotels, though -- when I saw them, I just couldn’t resist bringing them to your attention. I mean, they have style AND character. What more could you want?

Aside from a couple thousand bucks in your pocket, that is...

#14: Charmonix

Up until now, we've been focusing on North America (with the notable exception of, naturally, Lillehammer). But it's time to broaden our view and take a look at some of the spectacular skiing Europe has to offer -- beginning with the town of Charmonix, France.


If you're looking for a challenge, Charmonix offers a notorious selections of advanced and expert ski trails. As one of France's most famous ski resorts, Charmonix offers all the charms you would expect from a small French town: pastry shops, cafés, and that indefinable French mystique.



One of Charmonix's most famous attractions is the Grand Montets ski area, an infamous ski path aimed at true experts. The mountain peaks at over 12, 000 feet and drops of 9.000 feet. It also offers miles of cross-country trails, an excellent ski school with dozens of instructors, and a decent number of beginner and intermediate ski trails.



Charmonix is France at its best: beautiful mountains, quaint shops, and dozens of pastries and other delights. You'll need a few days on the ski slopes to balance out the pounds!

#15: Whistler

If you want to experience the Canadian Rockies without the commercialism of Banff thrown into the mix, try jumping the Alberta border in favor of B.C. Whistler includes over 8,000 feet of skiing and drops of nearly 5,000 feet! There are also miles of cross-country trails winding through the mountain terrain.

British Columbia is one of Canada's warmer locations. At ground level, its inhabitants rarely see snow. That means that you can travel down-mountain for non-winter fun, and then drive back up for an afternoon of skiing. Whistler also features a world-famous golf course and a quaint village with a European feel. It's the perfect place for a holiday!

Whistler is a great place for any ski levels. The vast majority of its trails are intermediate, but there are a good chunk of beginner and advanced paths for you to follow. Whistler is a great place to bask in the combined charm of the best Canada and Europe have to offer.

If you go, you'll likely fly through Vancouver, which is worth a few nights' detour on its own. Vancouver is Canada's answer to Hollywood – many television shows and movies are filmed in the diverse terrain surrounding B.C.'s largest city. Vancouver has a unique feel unlike any city in the world, and is widely lauded as the best place to live in Canada.

#16: Banff

You can't talk about skiing without mentioning certain places—the Alps, the Himalayas, and, of course, Canada. And the most famous Canadian ski location is undoubtedly Banff.

Canada's certainly not hurting for snow, but Banff maintains immaculately groomed slopes that are rare, even for the frozen north. Most of Banff's ski trails are aimed at intermediate and advanced skiers, but they do offer skiing lessons and a decent number of beginner trails. Don't look for cross-country skiing here, though: Banff is all about the mountains!

The Banff town site is another thing altogether. Tucked in the Canadian Rockies, it offers all the picturesque charm you can desire. Flower gardens, hot springs, and waterfalls are just some of nature's joys you can experience without skis.

Of course, the site is far from unspoiled: Banff is definitely one of the more commercialized places in Canada. It's a hotspot for Asian tourists, so you'll find a lot of signs in Asian and even a few non-English speakers. Banff is a great spot for nightlife, and you're sure to find a party somewhere, no matter what your taste.

Banff is surrounded by gorgeous mountains. It's a great place to hang out, party, and ski – just as long as you're not searching for that authentic outback experience!

#17: Lillehammer

Lillehammer, Norway. The name rings familiar because of the Olympics, and they sure haven't hurt Norway's tourist business! But even before the Olympic Games, Lillehammer was a great ski resort, and it's still a fun place to check out.

The Olympic venues are still open, so you can bobsled, luge, toboggan, downhill and cross-country ski in Lillehammer. We're not talking a small, intimate mountain atmosphere here: the resort is huge, and you're sure to meet hordes of interesting people.

Lillehammer is a great place for an adrenaline rush. You won't find gentle, long slopes here. It's all about the thrill! If you're into rocketing downhill with the rush of wind in your face, Lillehammer might be for you.

There are also children's areas and novice sections of the Alpine ski slopes, but they aren't the focus here. Of course, that doesn't mean it's not a good place for families! Lillehammer boasts shops, beautiful parks, swimming, museums, indoor playgrounds: even the most hardcore skiers will want to look into some of Lillehammer's non-snow related attractions!

Europe is a completely different experience from the States, and it shows when you look at Lillehammer: the scenery, activities, and even the approach to a skiing holiday all stand out. But they're both a lot of fun, and if you're looking for skiing and adventure, Lillehammer can't be beat!

#18: Big Bear

Big Bear provides two things: a great skiing experience and an excuse to go to California!

That's right, California. We're on the opposite coast now. You probably don't think of California and skiing together very often, but California has more than just a beautiful climate: it has mountains, and where there are mountains, you can strap something to your feet and make your way down.

Big Bear Mountain is 8 900 feet high and gets snow every winter. And even if there's a freakish hot spell, Big Bear has the capability to make up to 5 feet of snow artificially! Big Bear is aimed at hot doggers: you'll find a lot of places to show off your skills and get a little crazy on its slopes.

That doesn't mean only hard core ski aficionados should check out Big Bear Mountain, though. The nearby town site offers a quaint village atmosphere and many fun activities, including jet skiing and windsurfing. If you want to keep skiing but need a change of pace, there's a 7 000 foot mountain nearby (Snow Summit Mountain) with its own share of thrills and trails.

Big Bear is a great opportunity if you like to ski but don't necessarily want it to consume your entire holiday. Since Big Bear is only two hours east of Los Angeles, you're always near the excitement. You can make a day trip, but it's worth staying the night. Think about making Big Bear part of your next holiday out west!

#19: Lake Placid

Lake Placid is another American ski resort soaked in history. Like Timberline, it has a few movies to its credit. Lake Placid is the setting for an extremely cheesy creature film, and it also hosted the legendary "Miracle on Ice" hockey game in 1980.



The Olympic Regional Development Authority preserves Lake Placid as a national landmark because the 1932 Olympic Games played out here. But that means more than just visiting a pretty historic site. Because the Olympic venues are all preserved, Lake Placid also offers bobsledding, luge, ski jumping, skating and hockey facilities, snowmobiling, and cross country skiing.



If you're a purist who's just looking to ski, Lake Placid has you covered, too. Whiteface Mountain is nearby. Fully a third of its trails are aimed at beginners, so don't panic if you're a new skier. But if you're really in the mood to show off, Whiteface Mountain features treeless, sheer stretches on the East's longest plummet into space. If you're up for a challenge, you'll find it here.



Lake Placid is located in New York State. It's nearly hidden in the northeast, and New York City this isn't. What you will find, though, is a wild collection of winter sports and activities you can't try anywhere else. If you're the adventurous sort, Lake Placid might be the resort for you – and yes, you can check out New York City on the way if you absolutely must!

Top Ski Resorts #20: Timberline

Timberline Ski Resort in Timberline, Oregon is one of the United States' premiere ski locations. In fact, it's open longer than any resort in the USA. Aside from two weeks in September when Timberline closes for maintenance, they're open all year long – so if you're looking to ski in the middle of July, this is the spot!

Timberline is rich in history. It's the site of one of the earliest chair lifts (built in the 1930s), and it was used as a setting in the movie The Shining (you know, the one where Jack Nicholson goes all nuts… er, I guess I'd have to be more specific! The one where he goes nuts in the hotel).

Timberline is also a great place to bring the family. They have activities for experienced and novice skiers alike, and special classes for children, as well as numerous friendly lodges and hotels. Timberline also features snowboarding and night skiing.

Located in the northern United States, Timberline is a friendly resort with an established feel. It's near Portland (a large city you can use as your base in Oregon) but far enough up the mountain to give you a sense of privacy. If you're looking to ski in the USA, Timberline is a great place to check out!

SKI!

With winter coming, it's only natural for a traveler's thoughts to turn toward SKIING! There are so many great places to ski you really can't miss. Just about anywhere you want to go in the world, you'll find a handy hill or mountain you can whiz down at the speed of wind!

If you're not a skier, don't think a ski resort is off-limits for you. First of all, there are a lot of easy resorts aimed at families, and you're sure to find something to do – don't make the mistake of thinking the only thing to do on a ski holiday is, well, ski. Most ski resorts also offer ski lessons, and they almost all have easy beginner hills where it's nearly impossible to fall.

The great thing about ski resorts is that almost all of them are multi-level. Even if you're a beginner, you're daughter's intermediate, and your father's an expert, there's a resort that will accommodate everyone. There's nothing quite like a long day of exhilarating cold followed by a hot fire and a mug of cocoa!

This month we're going to look at some of the best places to ski across the world. There are a lot of neat destinations out there: hopefully, you'll find one that calls to you!

Winter's Coming!

Feeling that chill in the air? A lot of people think of travel as a summer activity, but that’s just silly. There are so many fun places to go in the winter months, and so many cool things to do, that you can’t limit yourself by eliminating an entire season!

There are three ways to travel in winter. You can do things that are only available in the colder months (things like skiing, snow shoeing, etc.), you can switch hemispheres and get away from the cold, or you can check out off-season activities in other locales.

Personally, I love to travel off-season. The flights and hotels are cheap, the crowds are absent, and you get a very different view of your destination. There’s nothing quite as quaint as a Japanese village under a gently falling snow, or a resort town without the hordes of tourists.

Of course, there are certain activities that are simply off-limits during the winter, but don’t let that stop you. Find out about your destination. You might be surprised what activities you can find to occupy a snowy night. Traveling in the middle of the off-season isn’t for everyone, but it can be an absolute blast -- especially if you take the right company with you!

Mixing Business with Pleasure

From weekend jaunts to a nearby city to month long treks across Europe, every holiday has its own unique charms. Even business travel can be fun if you approach it with the right attitude. Of course, this assumes you're not going to spend your entire weekend trapped in a hotel in the middle of nowhere, but if you have even a little bit of free time, there are some quick, fun ways to take in the local ambience.

-Get a local business associate to take you to one of the city's hidden treasures – someplace off the beaten track, known only to the locals

-Explore the area surrounding your hotel on foot (but make sure you find out if it's safe, first).

-Head for a local pub with some fellow tourists

-Check with hotel staff to see if there are any fun evening activities you can check into

-Feel free to skip pre-planned social engagements if you can get away with it. You're there to conduct business, true, but why stick around for dull, organized events when you can check out a bit of local color? Make sure you attend official functions and blow off the rest.

Those are just a few ideas. I frequently travel for business, and I always manage to have a blast (WITHOUT getting fired). Don't let the words "business trip" deter you from having fun!

Vegas: What to Do

In a word, gamble. But I’m assuming you want to step outside the box here. If you don’t, you don’t need my help: you can’t throw a rock without hitting a casino on the strip!

But assuming you’re looking for an activity other than gambling, there are many things to do:

• Try a helicopter ride at night
• Climb to the top of the Stratosphere and experience a ride that threatens to
tip you right over the edge
• Take in one of Vegas’ many shows: Cirque du Soleil, comedians, music,magic:
it’s all there for the choosing
• Visit the Imax theatre in the Luxor
• Take in the variety of shops and attractions in the strip hotels (ranging
from lions to a light-and-laser show)
• Visit the circus at – where else? – Circus Circus
• Try the interactive Star Trek experience at the Hilton: even if you’re not a
fan of science fiction, it’s worth a visit
• Take a day trip to the Hoover Dam
• Head downtown to check out the evening light show
• Visit The Golden Nugget, Vegas’ first casino
• Lounge by the pool or head to the spa for a massage and facial treatment
• Check out the collection of classic cars at the Imperial Palace
• Shop, shop, shop! Vegas has a huge collection of malls and shops, some of
them with surprisingly good deals and interesting merchandise!
• Ride a gondola through the canals of Venice at the Venetian

As you can see, there’s a lot more to Vegas than casinos. If you’re looking for a holiday that will keep your entire family amused, you could do worse than to consider Sin City – even if you tuck the sin away!

Vegas: What To Eat

One word: Smorgasbord.

Yes, I know, it conjures up images of heavyset people in cowboy hats carrying a mountain of food back to their tables, but smorgasbords are the way to go when you’re in Vegas (after all, when in Rome…). Every hotel on the strip offers a smorgasbord, and they’re generally quite well priced and reasonably high-quality. This is especially useful if you have children. You’ve all heard the arguing about what to eat and where – well, when you have an assortment of food ranging from chicken chow mein to apple pie, it tends to put an end to the fighting.

Of course, if you’re looking for a finer dining experience, Vegas is eager to accommodate you, too. The city is crammed with cafés, restaurants, and bistros. Many of the strip hotels contain nicer restaurants as well. The Aladdin, in particular, is known for a very costly but thoroughly enjoyable dining experience. You might also consider eating atop the Stratosphere, with Vegas spread out hundreds of feet below.

As always, the key to Vegas is variety. Whether you’re looking for pizza, lobster, or the most delicious piece of cheesecake you’ve ever tasted (don’t forget to checkout the Cheesecake Factory!), you’re sure to find something to satisfy your cravings.

Vegas: Where to Stay

Las Vegas is known for flashy hotels and first class accommodations, but before you make any decision, it’s worth considering why you’re heading there in the first place. Is this a gambling trip? Are you planning to spend every waking moment in the casino? Are you going to be out till three in the morning? If that’s the case, you might want to opt for a lower-end hotel. It’ll still be clean and functional, but if you’re not planning to spend much time in your room, you don’t really need the frills.

On the other hand, maybe you’re hoping for a more laid-back experience: maybe you plan to spend your time lounging by the pool and catching up on rest, or you’re dragging kids along with you. In that case, it might be worth investing a little more in the place you call “home” for the duration of your holiday.

The other thing to keep in mind is location. If it’s your first trip to Vegas, there’s no point staying anywhere but the Strip. That’s where everything is, the center of the action. Even if you’re holidaying with children, you’ll want to be near the attractions. If you’re low on cash, try to stay near the center of the strip. That way, it’s fairly convenient walking distance to everything. If you’re not worried about money, on the other hand, the monorail runs frequently and efficiently back and forth along the strip all day long. It’ll just cost you an arm and a leg.

Whatever you decide, Vegas is full of great hotels. As long as you don’t wind up in the middle of nowhere by the airport, you’re sure to do well!

Destination of the Month: Viva Las Vegas!

One of the strangest places I’ve ever been is good ol’ Sin City herself, Las Vegas. I’m not much of a gambler, and for a long time I resisted the idea of Vegas because I figured I had enough expenses without a holiday where the main point seemed to be feeding your hard-earned cash into slot machines.

I was talked into it, though, and to my surprise, I had a blast. That isn’t to say you don’t have your surprises in Vegas (many of them involving, shall we say, inappropriate flyers randomly shoved into your hands, regardless of gender or age – keep your kids away from anyone with paper!).

But to my surprise, Vegas really was a place I could see taking your family on vacation. There’s just so much to see and do: the Strip is like one big theme park, complete with massive pyramids and a circus. And there are so many attractions in and around Vegas that you could conceivably stay there a week without ever setting foot in a casino (well, excepting the fact that pretty much every hotel doubles as a casino, and you have to walk through them to get to your room).

Of course, all of this assumes you don’t want to spend a week plugging coins into machines. If you do, then don’t worry: Vegas is still the place for you!

Love Hotel

All this talk about Japan and hotels has me thinking of another peculiarly Japanese phenomenon: the love hotel. Yes, you read that right. The politest way to describe these things is as hotels that would generally have an hourly rate. They’re weird places. And yet, some tourists love to visit them. After all, they’re clean, affordable, spacious (as opposed to Japanese capsule hotels, where you basically sleep in a coffin), and certainly interesting.

In keeping with the Japanese idea that it’s only dishonorable if someone catches you at it, love hotels are completely anonymous. Your license plate is hidden when you park outside, and you never see the people who take your money, bring room service, etc. Most love hotels have themes. Some are distinctly weird (for example, you may find yourself in a classroom with a bed, complimentary schoolgirl costumes included). Others are just really nice hotels that happen to be... for love.

At any rate, if you’re looking for a bit of a laugh and a cheap place to stay, you might want to think about finding one of these places. After all, who will ever know?

Checking it Out

The other day I was talking about comparing before you travel – not just hotels, but activities, flights, and the like. Not only is this the best way to make sure you’re getting a good deal, it alleviates a lot of stress from your holiday. You won’t have to worry about where you’ll find a vacancy or how to arrange a flight in Chinese, because it’ll all be taken care of!

So how do you go about it? Of course, you can always go to a travel agent, but some people prefer to plan their own holidays. Never fear – for those people, there is the marvelous resource called the internet! Before you head off, check travel blogs and places that review, contrast, and compare activities and accommodations from around the world (such as Lonely Planet).

You can also view individual hotel websites or check out the tourism resources for various countries online, but this isn’t my preferred method. Checking individual websites takes forever, and tourist resources often have deals with pricey hotels – you’ll never even hear about a discount.

No, my favorite method of comparing websites is through online travel agents and holiday sales such as http://www.directline-hotels.co.uk/. These companies often get special deals from hotels, and best of all, you can view side-by-side comparisons of different accommodations. These sites are great ways to compare before you travel!

Ryokan ni ikitai desu ka?

Speaking of hotels, I’ve been thinking about a few of the places I’ve stayed, and THAT got me thinking about a completely unique place to stay: a ryokan. Ryokans, for those who don’t know, are Japanese guesthouses -- traditional hotels. They’re wonderful for many reasons: they tend to be less expensive than a western hotel, they provide something of the authentic Japanese experience, and they’re usually clean and neat. Of course, they have a few drawbacks too, most notably that some of them have curfews -- but you can usually circumvent that problem by simply letting them know what time you’ll be in. Because the guest houses are typically owned by families, they aren’t staffed twenty-four hours a day, and they just want to know when they can lock the doors.

At any rate, if you’re thinking of heading to Japan, it’s well worth considering a ryokan. The Japanese Guest Houses website (http://www.japaneseguesthouses.com/index.htm) offers descriptions of typical ryokans, reservation forms, and lets you search Japan for guest houses. The types of ryokans they describe include:

1. Standard Ryokan: No frills, low-atmosphere, with Japanese-style rooms: a ryokan experience “on the cheap.”

2. Modern Ryokan: Has all the modern conveniences of a hotel, but with Japanese rooms and baths. Closer to a hotel than a traditional ryokan.

3. Traditional Ryokan: Low on modern conveniences but high on culture and atmosphere.

4. Minshuku: Inexpensive and personalized traditional Japanese experiences, although they tend to be small and drafty

These are just a few of the options out there. It’s well worth staying in a ryokan if you’re traveling to Japan, even if only for a few nights!

Backpacking for Grown-Ups!

Ah, the memories – trekking across Europe with a few friends and nothing but a few changes of clothes and whatever money you could scrape together, sleeping in youth hostels full of bugs and people who never seem to sleep… ever.

Who misses it?

But there’s something to be said for backpacking as a grown-up, albeit in a slightly more mature manner. You don’t need to be a multi-millionaire to have an enjoyable holiday, and you can do it without sleeping on the streets, too!

The trick is to compare before you travel. That before is key… once you’re there, it’s already too late. You’re either going to pay a fortune or wind up sleeping in a hostel. The thing is, no matter how good your intentions, once you’re at your holiday destination, you won’t want to shop around. You’ll be tired. You’ll be in the holiday mindset where price stops being such an object. You’ll just want to find a place to sleep and crash.

Which is well and good, assuming you’re either swimming in cash or don’t mind hostels. But if you want to enjoy a proper holiday and you’re on a budget, don’t waste your time on super-fancy accommodations. How much time are you really going to spend in your hotel room, anyway? You want someplace comfortable, clean, and cheap! When you’re on a budget, who wants to spend money on a hotel? There are bound to be more interesting things calling for your cash!

Vacation

There’s something about traveling that trumps a holiday spent at home. And there’s something extra special about traveling that’s done right -- that is, where you get to be a visitor and not a tourist. What’s the difference? Tourists are there to... well, tour. They take in the sights, they do the accepted tour, and they go home. Visitors do all of that, too, but they go out of their way to absorb the culture of the place they’re visiting.

For some people that’s as simple as learning a few words in another language. One of the best things I did in Thailand was learn how to say “thank you” in Thai. No one was fooled into thinking me a native (especially with my gleaming milk-white skin), but I found people appreciated the effort. It doesn’t take a lot of effort to become a visitor. I learned how to say “thank you” by asking a bellhop at our hotel. It’s useful to do a bit of reading before your trip, too -- not enough to turn a simple holiday into an academic research project, just enough to familiarize yourself with basic customs. For example, in the United States, tipping is expected, and if you don’t do it, you’ll find yourself shunned. In Japan, the opposite is true: the government discourages tipping, and Japanese service employees will be flustered by the gesture.

Of course, people are generally pretty kind to visitors (or at least, the ones who aren’t trying to con you are!). It’s still worth being culturally aware and sensitive. Another example: in a Buddhist temple, it’s the height of bad taste to sit with your feet pointed toward the statue of the Buddha. Will you be thrown out if you commit such a transgression? Probably not. People aren’t there to police you, and they can often tell at a glance that you’re an outsider. But the awareness allows you to observe rules of cultural respect and courtesy.