Skiing in Slovenia

The weather has got a lot colder here in the UK, and snow could even be on its way, but one good thing about snow – it makes you think of going skiing! If you have the idea that skiing holidays are only for well-heeled, expert skiers, then think again, and take a look at Slovenia which offers great skiing holidays in the most utterly beautiful locations, at prices that are very affordable, and with plenty of runs for the beginner and intermediate skier. The après-ski is also laid back and inexpensive.

If you go to the picturesque resort of Bled with its beautiful lake surrounded by mountains, you can combine skiing with visiting one of Slovenia’s top tourist spots. You can take a boat to the lake’s fairytale island topped with a pretty church where you can ring a wishing bell.

The skiing around Bled is well suited to beginners and intermediates. The atmosphere in Bled is quiet and relaxed, and the nightlife tends towards relaxing rather than noisy.

The main ski resort in Slovenia is Kranjska Gora set in a beautiful valley, which offers skiing that is good for beginners, as well as some more challenging runs for the more advanced skiers. There is some lively après-ski here, with nightclubs and casinos, where you can truly chill out after a hard day on the piste.

In the Julian Alps there is the unspoilt ski resort of Bohinj on Slovenia’s largest lake, Lake Bohinj, and it is the small villages around the lake which make up the resort. The skiing here is mainly beginners and intermediate, and it is a great resort for families. The après-ski here is fairly quiet, but there are one or two good bars.

So if you like the sound of skiing in Slovenia for its beautiful surroundings and low cost, there are definitely some good ski holidays deals around at the moment, and it could be just worth taking a look before the rush!

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New Park Hyatt Hotels for Beijing and Shanghai

Hotel watchers will be interested to see that the Global Hyatt Corporation, based in Chicago, is expanding its brand ever outwards, with a fair number of new Hyatt Hotels and Resorts opening in China, India, Europe and the USA, and yet more plans to open new hotels far and wide. The company has a few different hotel brands, and the Park Hyatt brand aims to offer small, discreetly relaxed and sophisticated hotels for the individual traveller, incorporating good business amenities, excellent cuisine, and a fine standard of comfort, in top city centre locations around the world.

China wowed the world recently with unmatched spectacles when hosting the Summer Olympics, and is fast becoming the place to visit, with no shortage of top places to stay. In keeping with this trend, the Park Hyatt Beijing which opened in September is right at the centre of the city, in the tallest building on the road that leads to Tiananmen Square, and right above the beautiful shopping area “Park Life”. With its own China Grill restaurant, and a fabulous rooftop bar with outdoor open fireplace, this really looks like an up-to-the minute place to stay in this ancient city.

The sophisticated city of Shanghai, and rival to the northern capital, also has its Park Hyatt from this month, with Park Hyatt Shanghai opening in October 2008 to be what is currently the highest hotel in the world. The entrance to the hotel takes you through a traditional Chinese zig-zag series of courtyards which meet a 20 metre high lobby. The hotel restaurant, 100 Century Avenue, is not only one of the biggest restaurants in the world, but also the highest restaurant in the world.

These two additions will give tourists and business people the opportunity for a comfortable and delightful stay when visiting these two of China’s top cities.


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The best of Spain

A criticism I often here levelled at the idea of a holiday in Spain is that they lack any kind of cultural experience and rarely offer travellers an insight into the real Spain beyond bucket and spade package holidays, crowded beaches and cheap Sangria.

However, if you dig deep enough you will discover that there is much more to discover. Fiesta Bonita is the ultimate Spanish experience not to be missed on the Costa del Sol.

It is bridging the gap between tourists and true Spanish fiesta enabling them to experience authentic Spain. Founded by a small team with over 40 years experience in the leisure and travel industry, the fiesta Bonita concept was conceived through their united passion for all things great in Spain including Flamenco - a passionate art form and a mysterious and misunderstood culture that has been burning in Andalucía for hundreds of years.

This exciting firm promises customers a traditional view of Spain, beginning with a journey through the rolling hills amid stunning scenery, to a secret country location. From there, you will be stunned at the views and overwhelmed by the wonderful cortijo complete with a mini bullring where a flamenco horse show takes place. Following a taste of local wines, cocktails and traditional cuisine, a two part flamenco show will give visitors the opportunity to learn to dance and enjoy an authentic Spanish party in its true environment.

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York - city of history

The ancient walled city of York, about two hours by train from London, is a great place for a day out or city break, and particularly so if you love museums and history. As soon as you set foot out of the railway station you see the ancient Roman walls, and walking along them gives you the finest vistas of the city and its beautiful Minster. Along the walls are the old entrances to the city known as “bars”, and Micklegate Bar, just around the corner from the station, is particularly beautiful.

York Minster is the largest gothic cathedral in Northern Europe, and is acclaimed worldwide as a stunning work of artistic and architectural beauty, combining fine stonework with colourful stained glass.

If you want to step back into the daily life of the past, then York Castle Museum has recreations of rooms through the ages, to the cottages of the Ancient Britons, to the chintz and ornamentation of the Victorians. There is even a kitchen and living room from the 1960’s complete with small-screened TV and state-of-the-art washing machine.

Come out of the Castle Museum and you will find the ancient fortification known as Clifford’s Tower, which was once part of York Castle, and dates back to the Norman Conquest.

A little further on you will find the narrow street known as The Shambles, with its overhanging timber framed buildings which date back to the 14th century. At one point the upper floors of opposite houses are so close together that people can shake hands across the street from their bedroom windows.

Because this part of England was once settled by the Vikings from Scandinavia, York has the Jorvik Viking Centre, which has an excellent and authentic recreation of a Viking settlement, based on original archaeological evidence. York is also home to the National Railway Museum, where you can see many fine old steam engines, and beautiful carriages.

So if you want to get a feel for history, York is the place to go. For a little more quintessential Englishness, why not head south for the city of Exeter?


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Greece - A classic beach destination

Greece is a long-standing favourite with British holidaymakers due to its classic beach holiday ingredients: friendly resorts, fine beaches, sparklingly clear water, brilliant sunshine, family-run tavernas and exciting excursions.

With an atmosphere all of their own, Greece has a delicious blend of hot sunshine, stunning beaches, alluring white villages, welcoming resorts and the perpetual romance of island life.
One of its main attractions is the sheer variety which Greece offers. Each of the Greek Islands in particular, have their own distinct character and appeal, whether the dramatic scenery and sophistication of Santorini and Naxos or the energetic youth-orientated resorts on Kos and Mykonos.

Even so, whilst many holidays in Greece without doubt tend to focus on the islands, there is a wealth of richly gratifying Greece holiday destinations on the Greek mainland, from the Peloponnese to Thessaloniki. Visit Greeceholidays.biz For the most popular and comprehensive travel guide to Greece! Also the biggest Greece directory with travel related sites.

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