thetelegraph--2020-01-21--Travel on Trial: Hovering high above Victoria Falls – in a glorified scooter with wings

Like any work of fine art , Victoria Falls – a masterpiece of tectonic creation and one of the Seven Wonders of the Natural World – is a spectacle best viewed from several angles .
Which is how I found myself in the most precarious of positions , buckled up in what appeared for all intents and purposes to be a scooter wearing a kite , powered by a lawnmower motor .
How microlights even make it off the ground still baffles me .
These machines look more like an early prototype of an eccentric engineering project than a chariot @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , as I gripped the seat , my pilot steered our wobbly aerodyne along the runway and lifted it into the sky .
The feeble-sounding engine stuttered at the back , the canvas above our heads fluttered in the wind , and the bellowing boom of the Victoria Falls reverberated below .
“ I wonder if death would be instant , ” I pondered , peering down as the ferocious cascades below us veered into sight .
I also wondered who might write my obituary , which friend would take ownership of my @ @ @ @ @ @ @ read my teenage diaries when she cleared out my belongings .
Mortality feels more imminent in a ceiling-less , windowless microlight than it would in the capsule of a helicopter or plane , which only adds a thrill to the experience .
“ Scenes so lovely must have been gazed upon by angels in their flight , ” wrote Dr David Livingstone wistfully when he became the first European to witness Victoria Falls in 1855 .
The Scottish explorer named the site after the then-monarch of his homeland , but its original Lozi @ @ @ @ @ @ @ : “ the smoke that thunders ” .
I had seen the falls – which at 360ft tall and a staggering 5,604ft wide form the world ’ s largest body of falling water – closer to earth the previous day , by way of the slippery path that meanders through the rainforest facing it on the Zambian side .
The recently refurbished Avani Victoria Falls Resort , where I was based , has a private entrance to the park for guests on its doorstep , handy given that this is a stroll you @ @ @ @ @ @ @ early in the morning before the walkway gets bottlenecked by bloggers and selfie-stick wielders .
The falls are at their most powerful in April , while the best vantage point on the ground is from Knife Edge Bridge , a narrow gangway that faces an eastern portion and overlooks the main gorge , where I had stood shrouded in a cloud of fine spray ; vanishing , it felt , into the scenery .
From high above , on that clear , sunny day , was a Monopoly-board view of the Zambezi river @ @ @ @ @ @ @ mouth of the plateau , then toppling from its shelf into the cascades I ’ d been admiring so close-up the day before .
The mist , seen from the elevated vantage point of our microlight , looked like a linear cloud of smoke emanating from a deep gash in the landscape .
The rainbow , a mighty arc that crowned this two-million-year-old geological amphitheatre , was the final flourish .
In total , the flight lasted a little over 15 minutes , by which point I had concluded that my mother would @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it would be a disaster .
I was , for the duration , suspended in a dual state of fear and awe .
At no point did I lose awareness of the fact that I was hovering 2,000ft above the planet ’ s most gargantuan waterfall in little more than a glorified scooter with wings .
There is much debate as to which side of the border offers the best views of Victoria Falls , Zambia or Zimbabwe .
The answer is neither ; it must be seen from above .
Standing near @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ticked off your list , but it ’ s impossible to take in the majesty of the falls from ground level .
Avani offers other ways to enjoy this mighty landmark ; by river cruise , white water rafting , or aboard the Royal Livingstone Express – a restored steam locomotive that totters back and forth over the Victoria Falls Bridge .
But when Livingstone first arrived here , he imagined angels soaring overhead , and this is about as close as you ’ ll get to such a viewpoint .
Having now @ @ @ @ @ @ @ can safely say that there is no better way to experience the smoke that thunders .

Like any work of fine art, Victoria Falls – a masterpiece of tectonic creation and one of the Seven Wonders of the Natural World – is a spectacle best viewed from several angles. Which is how I found myself in the most precarious of positions, buckled up in what appeared for all intents and purposes to be a scooter wearing a kite, powered by a lawnmower motor.
How microlights even make it off the ground still baffles me. These machines look more like an early prototype of an eccentric engineering project than a chariot capable of flight. But sure enough, as I gripped the seat, my pilot steered our wobbly aerodyne along the runway and lifted it into the sky. The feeble-sounding engine stuttered at the back, the canvas above our heads fluttered in the wind, and the bellowing boom of the Victoria Falls reverberated below.
“I wonder if death would be instant,” I pondered, peering down as the ferocious cascades below us veered into sight. I also wondered who might write my obituary, which friend would take ownership of my cats, and whether my mother would read my teenage diaries when she cleared out my belongings.
The thundering Victoria Falls are at their most powerful in April Credit : guenterguni • Travel on Trial: To infinity and beyond? An out-of-this-world weekend at Space Camp
Mortality feels more imminent in a ceiling-less, windowless microlight than it would in the capsule of a helicopter or plane, which only adds a thrill to the experience. “Scenes so lovely must have been gazed upon by angels in their flight,” wrote Dr David Livingstone wistfully when he became the first European to witness Victoria Falls in 1855. The Scottish explorer named the site after the then-monarch of his homeland, but its original Lozi moniker, Mosi-oa-Tunya, is more evocative: “the smoke that thunders”.
I had seen the falls – which at 360ft tall and a staggering 5,604ft wide form the world’s largest body of falling water – closer to earth the previous day, by way of the slippery path that meanders through the rainforest facing it on the Zambian side. The recently refurbished Avani Victoria Falls Resort, where I was based, has a private entrance to the park for guests on its doorstep, handy given that this is a stroll you’ll want to repeat, preferably early in the morning before the walkway gets bottlenecked by bloggers and selfie-stick wielders.
The falls are at their most powerful in April, while the best vantage point on the ground is from Knife Edge Bridge, a narrow gangway that faces an eastern portion and overlooks the main gorge, where I had stood shrouded in a cloud of fine spray; vanishing, it felt, into the scenery.
Annabel Fenwick Elliott meets the local wildlife • Travel on Trial: Striving for perfection on the pistes with the world's first digital ski instructor
From high above, on that clear, sunny day, was a Monopoly-board view of the Zambezi river’s silver tentacles merging at the mouth of the plateau, then toppling from its shelf into the cascades I’d been admiring so close-up the day before. The mist, seen from the elevated vantage point of our microlight, looked like a linear cloud of smoke emanating from a deep gash in the landscape. The rainbow, a mighty arc that crowned this two-million-year-old geological amphitheatre, was the final flourish.
In total, the flight lasted a little over 15 minutes, by which point I had concluded that my mother would read my teenage diaries, and that it would be a disaster. I was, for the duration, suspended in a dual state of fear and awe. At no point did I lose awareness of the fact that I was hovering 2,000ft above the planet’s most gargantuan waterfall in little more than a glorified scooter with wings.
There is much debate as to which side of the border offers the best views of Victoria Falls, Zambia or Zimbabwe. The answer is neither; it must be seen from above. Standing near its base is an experience to be ticked off your list, but it’s impossible to take in the majesty of the falls from ground level.
Avani offers other ways to enjoy this mighty landmark; by river cruise, white water rafting, or aboard the Royal Livingstone Express – a restored steam locomotive that totters back and forth over the Victoria Falls Bridge. But when Livingstone first arrived here, he imagined angels soaring overhead, and this is about as close as you’ll get to such a viewpoint. Having now seen it from every angle, I can safely say that there is no better way to experience the smoke that thunders.


thetelegraph--2020-01-21--The best budget hotels in Dubrovnik, including historic farmhouses and city-centre apartments

The hotel is situated one block back from the waterfront in Gruž , making it perfect for early-morning ferry departures @ @ @ @ @ heated pool and whirlpool tub next to a sundeck and beds ( open in the @ @ @ @ @ small spa offers reasonably priced massages and treatments .
All rooms have king-sized beds and @ @ @ @ @ at the front on the upper floors , which look down onto Gruž port .
@ @ @ @ @ practical set-up make this probably the best affordable hotel in Dubrovnik .
The hotel owns @ @ @ @ @ up and down the coast and to the Elafiti islands .

The hotel is situated one block back from the waterfront in Gruž, making it perfect for early-morning ferry departures. There's an outdoor heated pool and whirlpool tub next to a sundeck and beds (open in the summer only). The small spa offers reasonably priced massages and treatments. All rooms have king-sized beds and balconies; the best are at the front on the upper floors, which look down onto Gruž port. An easy-going atmosphere and highly practical set-up make this probably the best affordable hotel in Dubrovnik. The hotel owns a motorboat for private excursions up and down the coast and to the Elafiti islands.


thetelegraph--2020-01-21--The 8 most romantic hotels in Edinburgh, from seductive spas to riotously rococo bedrooms

Luxurious suites , intimate dining , opulent décor and historic surroundings – reasons for visiting this beautiful and fascinating city @ @ @ @ @ endless .
While its history is enough to draw you from your slumber in the @ @ @ @ @ a sexy , cosmopolitan side to the city too .
Afternoons and evenings can be @ @ @ @ @ , exploring the vibrant and varied nightlife , shopping à deux , or taking in @ @ @ @ @ .
Or , if you just want a snow-drift-deep bed , room service and a @ @ @ @ @ spa treatment and a decadent meal before you roll back up to bed – there @ @ @ @ @ dotted around .
Here 's our pick of the most romantic hotels in Edinburgh .

Luxurious suites, intimate dining, opulent décor and historic surroundings – reasons for visiting this beautiful and fascinating city with a loved one are endless. While its history is enough to draw you from your slumber in the long mornings, there is a sexy, cosmopolitan side to the city too. Afternoons and evenings can be spent tucking into Michelin-starred meals, exploring the vibrant and varied nightlife, shopping à deux, or taking in the strong contemporary arts scene. Or, if you just want a snow-drift-deep bed, room service and a good view – perhaps a spa treatment and a decadent meal before you roll back up to bed – there are some wonderfully romantic hotels dotted around. Here's our pick of the most romantic hotels in Edinburgh.


thetelegraph--2020-01-21--How to cheat your way to skiing like a pro

You know the feeling .
You ’ ve been looking forward to your ski holiday all year , you get to the resort , the snow ’ s perfect , the sky is blue .
And then you just can ’ t do it .
In your head and your heart you ’ re carving perfect tracks on piste , or skimming through powder , but in reality your legs are exhausted by 2pm and you ’ re falling over six times a day .
Or simply shying away from more challenging runs because you ’ re afraid you ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ anticipation , what a downer .
You could have lessons of course - and naturally they ’ ll help - but there is another way .
Whether you ’ re a beginner or an expert , these insider tips are the savvy skier or snowboarder ’ s way to give skills a boost and enjoy every minute of slope time , without booking a week with an instructor .
Though we do confess that some of them may just have been recommended by the instructors themselves .
If you ’ re most at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ don ’ t pick a famously tough resort known for its black runs .
St Anton , Verbier and Chamonix may have great reputations among the off-piste ski-eratti , but swanning around Courchevel ’ s beautifully groomed slopes will make you look SO much better .
Those underworked muscles in the stomach area are not only useful for keeping a lunchtime lake of cheese fondue under control .
Work on activating them as you ski or snowboard and they ’ ll help prevent undignified flopping forward at the waist in moguls or at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from light fluff to solid glue .
3 .
Get into the compression zone Baselayers and socks with targeted compression zones increase blood flow around the body , transporting oxygen to where it ’ s most needed - the muscles that are working hard to make the perfect turns you know you could do , if only your legs weren ’ t so dang tired .
Pioneered by the brand Skins , there ’ s now lots of choice in various guises , from a mild squeeze for gentle support to an intense @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Bonus - they also protect muscles from injury and help them recover from exercise more quickly .
We know what you want .
Fresh croissants and jam for breakfast , big cheesy lunch , hot chocolate with lashings of cream and maybe a dash of schnapps in the afternoon .
And cake at afternoon tea .
But for the sake of having more energy to jump turn for longer , porridge for breakfast folks .
The slow-burning carbs will keep energy levels higher for longer than a sugar rush .
The good @ @ @ @ @ @ @ widely considered a recovery drink .
But ( sorry ) if all you ’ ve done is slide in a straight line down an easy green run to to the nearest mountain restaurant , you don ’ t need to recover .
It ’ s all about tactics .
If you don ’ t want to be cowering under a duvet with the hangover from hell when the ultimate ski morning dawns - freshly fallen overnight snow glitteringly set off by blue sky and sunshine - play smart .
Start après ski as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ intent on looking like a pro is banned from starting earlier ) and end it at a reasonable hour .
Have a stomach-lining dinner , drink plenty of water and go to bed no more than mildly squiffy .
You know it makes sense .
Now , where ’ s the Jäger ?
Marching into a ski shop and demanding the most expensive of everything is not ( thankfully ) the way to become more skilled on the slopes .
Choosing comfortable boots , and skis or snowboard that match your level , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ can no longer blame your tools .
What ’ s more , trading up to extra wide and long powder-orientated kit on a powder day will go a long way to making you feel - and look - like a god .
Especially in the lift queue .
The standard advice for making sure there ’ s snow on your pistes is holiday in a high-altitude resort .
But there is a downside .
No matter how solid your skills , if you ’ ve just arrived at a ski resort perched at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , you ’ re likely to have to stop halfway down your first run ( which started about 900m higher ) puffing like an amateur , because there ’ s less oxygen up in them there hills .
Do yourself a favour and try a lower altitude resort .
Insider tip - lesser-known resorts whose slopes get less traffic than big ones may hold their snow well even though they ’ re lower .
8 .
Get some new knees Lost your mojo thanks to years of asking your knees to bounce down @ @ @ @ @ @ @ can buy it back for a mere £450 .
Ski-Mojo is a robo-like shock-absorbing contraption that attaches to the back of ski boots and straps to the legs .
It basically helps users do more while working muscles less .
Result better skiing ( it works with some snowboard boots too ) , improved fitness and less muscle pain too .
Wear under baggy ski pants so no one can tell you ’ re cheating .
Hesitating ?
Well it ’ s good enough for four-time British Winter Olympian Chemmy Alcott , Ski-Mojo @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is a buzz word among professional athletes , but don ’ t let that put you off - it ’ s just as useful for the average holidaymaker .
Instead of shying away from a challenging run , look down it , take a few deep breaths and imagine your perfect descent .
Then just do it .
Tensing up with fear as you approach a tricky section will not make getting down it any easier .
Fool your body into feeling confident and help turns flow in an outwardly carefree manner by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , row , row your boat ” works better than head-banging techno in our view .
NB Avoid the temptation to use alcohol as a relaxant .
This tends to backfire after the fifth shot .
You know this one right ?
But it ’ s not all about reps at the gym - though they help - getting a little more balance in your life ahead of the holiday will work wonders .
Stand on one leg while cleaning your teeth .
Then try it with your eyes closed ( hold on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in a balance board to use at home .
Hell you could even dig the Nintendo Wii balance board ski game out from under the stairs .
Get your skis or board out and your boots on , then get into your best ski/snowboard position .
OK , kidding .
But it is possible to get ahead in the comfort of home , with the help of some specialist equipment .
Actilean is a pair of foot-sized balance boards shaped to mimic the gradient of a ski slope .
Standing on them , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as if edging , trains ski muscles and helps remind your legs what they ’ re supposed to do on the slopes .
For those with more space ( and more cash ) a Skier ’ s Edge machine - as used by Ski Sunday ’ s Graham Bell - replicates the side to side movements of skiing , helping with technique , balance and coordination .
Uncomfortable boots lead to technical slip ups .
Replacing the insoles with specialist footbeds designed to mould to the feet , support them and help keep @ @ @ @ @ @ @ only helpful for easing foot pain but also for getting the best out of skis or board .
Customised comprehensive footbed fitting , including full biomechanical assessment , costs £170 with fitting experts Profeet .
For entry-level customisation , off the peg trim-to-fit ski/snowboard footbeds , such as Superfeet Orange for men and Berry for women , cost less .
Of course looking the part helps you perform well , that ’ s a given .
But wearing jacket , pants and baselayers that are designed for getting active in cold and possibly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ zipped vents to open when it ’ s warmer , and that allow freedom for skiing movements , is more important in the long run .
Where sharpness is a real help however , is on your feet .
Get those skis and boards tuned and ice will hold no fears .
Almost none .
No - not lessons .
But spending days on the slopes with friends whose skills you admire forces you to perform to the best of your ability .
This doesn ’ t mean taking risks - no cliff @ @ @ @ @ @ @ but it ’ s better for improvement than cruising around in the comfort zone .
It also gives you someone to imitate ( and impress ) .

You know the feeling. You’ve been looking forward to your ski holiday all year, you get to the resort, the snow’s perfect, the sky is blue. And then you just can’t do it. In your head and your heart you’re carving perfect tracks on piste, or skimming through powder, but in reality your legs are exhausted by 2pm and you’re falling over six times a day. Or simply shying away from more challenging runs because you’re afraid you’ll fall over. After all that anticipation, what a downer.
You could have lessons of course - and naturally they’ll help - but there is another way. Whether you’re a beginner or an expert, these insider tips are the savvy skier or snowboarder’s way to give skills a boost and enjoy every minute of slope time, without booking a week with an instructor. Though we do confess that some of them may just have been recommended by the instructors themselves.
1. Choose the right resort
If you’re most at home cruising along on blue pistes, don’t pick a famously tough resort known for its black runs. St Anton, Verbier and Chamonix may have great reputations among the off-piste ski-eratti, but swanning around Courchevel’s beautifully groomed slopes will make you look SO much better.
2. Identify your core
Those underworked muscles in the stomach area are not only useful for keeping a lunchtime lake of cheese fondue under control. Work on activating them as you ski or snowboard and they’ll help prevent undignified flopping forward at the waist in moguls or at that awful moment when snow texture changes from light fluff to solid glue.
3. Get into the compression zone
Baselayers and socks with targeted compression zones increase blood flow around the body, transporting oxygen to where it’s most needed - the muscles that are working hard to make the perfect turns you know you could do, if only your legs weren’t so dang tired. Pioneered by the brand Skins, there’s now lots of choice in various guises, from a mild squeeze for gentle support to an intense grip that should really up your game. Bonus - they also protect muscles from injury and help them recover from exercise more quickly.
4. Eat right
We know what you want. Fresh croissants and jam for breakfast, big cheesy lunch, hot chocolate with lashings of cream and maybe a dash of schnapps in the afternoon. And cake at afternoon tea. But for the sake of having more energy to jump turn for longer, porridge for breakfast folks. The slow-burning carbs will keep energy levels higher for longer than a sugar rush. The good news is that chocolate milk is now widely considered a recovery drink. But (sorry) if all you’ve done is slide in a straight line down an easy green run to to the nearest mountain restaurant, you don’t need to recover.
5. Drink right
It’s all about tactics. If you don’t want to be cowering under a duvet with the hangover from hell when the ultimate ski morning dawns - freshly fallen overnight snow glitteringly set off by blue sky and sunshine - play smart. Start après ski as soon as the slopes close (anyone intent on looking like a pro is banned from starting earlier) and end it at a reasonable hour. Have a stomach-lining dinner, drink plenty of water and go to bed no more than mildly squiffy. You know it makes sense. Now, where’s the Jäger?
Hit the bar immediately after the slopes close and head to bed early Credit : Mike crane
6. Choose the right kit
Marching into a ski shop and demanding the most expensive of everything is not (thankfully) the way to become more skilled on the slopes. Choosing comfortable boots, and skis or snowboard that match your level, are. It does however mean you can no longer blame your tools. What’s more, trading up to extra wide and long powder-orientated kit on a powder day will go a long way to making you feel - and look - like a god. Especially in the lift queue.
7. Stay low
The standard advice for making sure there’s snow on your pistes is holiday in a high-altitude resort. But there is a downside. No matter how solid your skills, if you’ve just arrived at a ski resort perched at a lofty 2,925m like Breckenridge in Colorado, you’re likely to have to stop halfway down your first run (which started about 900m higher) puffing like an amateur, because there’s less oxygen up in them there hills. Do yourself a favour and try a lower altitude resort. Insider tip - lesser-known resorts whose slopes get less traffic than big ones may hold their snow well even though they’re lower.
8. Get some new knees
Lost your mojo thanks to years of asking your knees to bounce down lumpy snow fields? Happily, you can buy it back for a mere £450. Ski-Mojo is a robo-like shock-absorbing contraption that attaches to the back of ski boots and straps to the legs. It basically helps users do more while working muscles less. Result better skiing (it works with some snowboard boots too), improved fitness and less muscle pain too. Wear under baggy ski pants so no one can tell you’re cheating. Hesitating? Well it’s good enough for four-time British Winter Olympian Chemmy Alcott, Ski-Mojo’s latest UK ambassador.
9. Plan ahead
Visualisation is a buzz word among professional athletes, but don’t let that put you off - it’s just as useful for the average holidaymaker. Instead of shying away from a challenging run, look down it, take a few deep breaths and imagine your perfect descent. Then just do it.
10. And relax
Tensing up with fear as you approach a tricky section will not make getting down it any easier. Fool your body into feeling confident and help turns flow in an outwardly carefree manner by sing a happy tune. “Row, row, row your boat” works better than head-banging techno in our view. NB Avoid the temptation to use alcohol as a relaxant. This tends to backfire after the fifth shot.
A smile on your face will help conquer your fear on the slopes Credit : Ross Woodhall
11. Get fit first
You know this one right? But it’s not all about reps at the gym - though they help - getting a little more balance in your life ahead of the holiday will work wonders. Stand on one leg while cleaning your teeth. Then try it with your eyes closed (hold on to something at first). Invest in a balance board to use at home. Hell you could even dig the Nintendo Wii balance board ski game out from under the stairs.
12. Start skiing at home
Get your skis or board out and your boots on, then get into your best ski/snowboard position. OK, kidding. But it is possible to get ahead in the comfort of home, with the help of some specialist equipment. Actilean is a pair of foot-sized balance boards shaped to mimic the gradient of a ski slope. Standing on them, then rolling feet from side to side as if edging, trains ski muscles and helps remind your legs what they’re supposed to do on the slopes. For those with more space (and more cash) a Skier’s Edge machine - as used by Ski Sunday’s Graham Bell - replicates the side to side movements of skiing, helping with technique, balance and coordination.
13. Pimp your boots
Uncomfortable boots lead to technical slip ups. Replacing the insoles with specialist footbeds designed to mould to the feet, support them and help keep the body in optimum alignment is not only helpful for easing foot pain but also for getting the best out of skis or board. Customised comprehensive footbed fitting, including full biomechanical assessment, costs £170 with fitting experts Profeet. For entry-level customisation, off the peg trim-to-fit ski/snowboard footbeds, such as Superfeet Orange for men and Berry for women, cost less.
14. Look sharp
Of course looking the part helps you perform well, that’s a given. But wearing jacket, pants and baselayers that are designed for getting active in cold and possibly wet conditions, and with features like zipped vents to open when it’s warmer, and that allow freedom for skiing movements, is more important in the long run. Where sharpness is a real help however, is on your feet. Get those skis and boards tuned and ice will hold no fears. Almost none.
15. Follow a leader
No - not lessons. But spending days on the slopes with friends whose skills you admire forces you to perform to the best of your ability. This doesn’t mean taking risks - no cliff jumps before you’re ready - but it’s better for improvement than cruising around in the comfort zone. It also gives you someone to imitate (and impress).


thetelegraph--2020-01-21--Best ski holiday deals for February half-term 2020, and top family resorts to avoid the crowds

Half-term week on the slopes is one of the busiest of the season , especially in big name European ski resorts .
The key week when most UK pupils will be on holiday in 2020 is from Saturday , February 15 .
A few areas have half term the following week , but the majority of school children will be off from February 17-21 .
UK half-term dates notoriously coincide with the French holidays , taken at different times over a four-week period depending on country zone .
The key zone , because it normally leads to the highest number @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is zone C , covering Paris .
In 2020 this is February 10-21 , so a week 's overlap with the main UK half term .
Also on holiday from February 17-28 will be zone B , which is northern France , so expect exceptionally busy slopes .
Families looking to book holidays from the weekend of February 22 should not feel too smug though , as this coincides with the bulk of Dutch school holidays as well as the French zone A , which is the south-west and central region .
So @ @ @ @ @ @ @ finding a family-friendly resort without the masses ?
One of the best bets , if budget allows , is to go to North America .
As a general rule slopes are far less busy than in Europe and notably so in February , when there are no North American school holidays .
Facilities for children are excellent as is instruction and the snow tends to be plentiful .
However , there are still good options closer to home .
The over-riding advice is to avoid big-name , British favoured high-altitude French resorts such @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and La Plagne .
Choosing a holiday in Italy or Austria has the benefit of resort prices tending to be lower than in comparative French destinations ; if price is not an issue then consider Switzerland .
If only France will do , lesser-known , lower altitude destinations will deliver lower prices and , reassuringly , at this time of year snow cover tends to be reliable .
Another option for families with the budget is Scandinavia .
Resorts here are less well-known internationally and so tend to be relatively crowd free .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ such as husky sled rides and snowmobiling .
Whether they ’ re underrated , high on value or simply less likely to attract crowds , even at peak time , these family-friendly resorts will help keep costs down during February half-term .
Unless stated otherwise , prices are per adult , based on two adults and two children aged two to 12 sharing a family room , half-board for seven nights , including flights and transfers .
Half-term 2020 is almost sold out , so consider thinking ahead to 2021 – some operators @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Sweden ’ s biggest downhill resort , with three separate ski areas strung out beside a frozen lake , and a ski season that goes on well into April thanks to the long hours of sunlight and warmer temperatures later in the season .
It ’ s popular with families who love the off‑slope activities including dog or reindeer sled rides , tobogganing , snowmobiling , skating , curling and ice fishing .
During the ski season EasyJet flies to Östersund , about an hour ’ s drive away , avoiding a change @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reach this far-northern resort .
In general , Åre ’ s slopes suit beginners and intermediates – most of the runs are green and blue , set among trees on the lower part of the mountain .
The main ski area is above town , while Björnen ( a dedicated ski area for kids ) and Duved are along the valley .
A special piste map highlights fun things and areas of slopes for children , and those aged seven and under get a free lift pass so long as they wear a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ made up of pretty , coloured wooden buildings and some larger modern additions .
Families often take their children to the lively après sessions as the lifts close , so expect to be dancing next to six year olds – as well as resort mascot Valle the Snowman , who pops up all over Åre to keep children entertained .
While there are few piste challenges for experts , the terrain park in the main ski area has red and black lines of varied kickers , plus a mix of rails , boxes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ It ’ s also open at night , illuminated with colourful LED lighting .
There ’ s another main park with beginner and intermediate features , and a couple of children ’ s parks in Björnen .
Availaibility is very limited for February 2020 's half term , so plan ahead and take advantage of Ski Safari 's early booking offer at the Copperhill Mountain Lodge , Åre 's only five-star hotel .
From £1,307 , with Ski Safari .
The 200km Monterosa ski area is one of the most underrated in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , with one small-scale resort in each : Champoluc in the west , Alagna in the east , Gressoney in the centre .
Champoluc is a charming village , with a typically Italian laid-back atmosphere and some decent bars .
The scenery is beautiful and there ’ s a general lack of crowds and traffic in the area .
From the village , a gondola goes up to Crest and the beginner slopes .
From the nearby hamlet of Frachey ( served by a free ski bus ) , a funicular gives direct @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , unspoilt ski area .
Gressoney and Champoluc are suitable for intermediates , while runs out of Alagna hold more challenge for experts .
The slopes are tucked beneath the mighty Monterosa massif , which reaches 4,364m and divides Italy from Switzerland ( Zermatt is on the other side ) .
Child care tends to be limited in Italy because Italian families bring granny and grandpa along to look after the little ones .
A big plus point in Champoluc is the nursery with British nannies , run by tour operator Ski 2 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for over 20 years and has its own ski school with a mix of British and local English-speaking instructors teaching children from four years old .
The Italian Scuola Sci Champoluc also has a good reputation for teaching both adults and children .
Book one of Champoluc 's last remaining rooms for half term 2020 at the three-star Hotel Villa Anna Maria , in the centre of the village .
From £1,588 for adults and £1,388 for children , excluding flights , including six-day Monterosa lift pass , lunch at mountain restaurants , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ under 12 , departing 15 February 2020 , with Ski 2 .
The largely car-free resort village at Panorama is very family friendly .
There are two levels linked by a free gondola , and the Upper Village is the best place to stay ; it ’ s close to the main slope lifts and has lots of accommodation with direct access to the snow .
It ’ s based around a skating rink and outdoor hot pool complex , with swimming pools , water slides , hot tubs and a sauna .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ aged 18 months to five years , with a combination of child care and ski school available for kids aged three and up .
Daily activity programmes are offered and there ’ s a list of babysitters for out-of-hours care .
Panorama mountain has a 1,300m vertical , one of the biggest in North America , and there ’ s terrain to suit all levels .
Near the foot of the mountain , the Discovery Zone has easy-to-use lifts and gentle green runs , ideal for beginners and young families , while the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ piste of the mid-mountain suit intermediates .
For experts , there are two black-run powder bowls accessible from the resort high point of 2,365m , and plenty of gladed tree areas .
A luxurious 12-seater snowca makes it easy to lap the highest terrain .
RK Heliski specialises in taking out first-timers and provides fat skis or snowboards to make powder easier .
A short walk from the slopes , the Upper Village Condos are comfortable , spacious , and residents have free access to the hot pools complex.From £2,247 on a room @ @ @ @ @ @ @ largest of five French resorts in the 265km Grand Massif ski area , Flaine is all about family-friendly convenience .
Its concrete apartment blocks were designed in the 1960s in Bauhaus style , with outdoor sculptures by Picasso , Vasarely and Dubuffet , so some find it hard to love – but everyone appreciates the ski-in/ski-out access to the slopes .
Flaine Forum is the main part of the resort , based around a big square with an ice rink , a children ’ s sledge run , and the main gondola to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ bowling , a driving simulator for ages seven and up , an airbag and tubing .
Above Forum is Flaine Forêt , and lifts run between the two 24/7 .
Both have bars and restaurants serving reasonable food to a largely family clientele .
Two more chalet-style bases , Hameau de Flaine and the Montsoleil apartments , sit just outside the main arena .
The Grand Massif ’ s ski area is nicely varied and big enough to keep even the keenest intermediate happy for a week .
Nearly all the pistes in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ intermediates best : a few easy cruising blues , but mostly reds with short steep sections .
For experts , there is off piste to be explored with a guide .
But Flaine is dominated by families and first-timers , and has two nursery areas , short green runs and a long gentle blue to move on to .
There are no terrain parks , but the Grand Massif has various fun areas , aimed mainly at children , with bumps , banked turns and trees to negotiate .
The ski-in/ski-out Residence Les @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the main gondola in Flaine Forum has a indoor pool , hot tub and sauna .
From £739 for a one-bedroom self-catered apartment sleeping up to four , including ski passes , departing 15 February 2019 , with Sunweb .
Wengen might have been designed for families .
The village is essentially car-free ( with the exception of taxis ) , and at its heart there ’ s a snow-covered meadow that serves as a combined playground and gentle nursery slope .
It shares a ski area with Grindelwald , and most of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lovely long red and blue runs under the towering north face of the Eiger .
The village sits on a sunny shelf and is made up of a mix of small chalets and bigger , more institutional-looking hotels .
The main way up the mountain is a cog railway that is easy to use , and also gives access to the village from Lauterbrunnen down in the valley .
The Jungfrau region lift pass covers the slopes of neighbouring Mürren as well as Wengen and Grindelwald .
While Switzerland is generally expensive , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and reduced for children aged up to 19 .
A six-day Wengen/Grindelwald pass costs 309CHF for adults in 2019/20 .
There are plenty of family-friendly activities on offer , including 50km of toboggan runs .
The most obvious of these is the 4.5km run from Wengernalp down to the train station in town , but there are also long runs from the top of the mountain going in the opposite direction towards Grindelwald .
In the middle of the village there ’ s indoor curling and outdoor skating .
The four-star Hotel Silberhorn @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cog railway station , with the nursery slopes not far away .
There are outstanding views from the south-facing rooms , a playroom and spa that ’ s open for children until 5pm .
From £2,299 , departing 15 February 2020 , with Inghams .
Best for little ’ uns If taking young children to the Alps a short transfer and low-risk environment is preferable .
Obergurgl ’ s traditional village is set around a fine church , there ’ s no through traffic , and the ambience is essentially family friendly .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ families return every winter , for the low-key atmosphere , traditional hotels and scattering of chalets .
Set at 1,930m , Obergurgl happily obliges with guaranteed snow cover at village level .
The ski area is ideal for beginners and improving intermediates and is linked by lift to higher Hochgurgl .
The more advanced will find challenging runs in nearby Vent and Sölden , both of which are covered by an Obergurgl lift pass , and excellent off piste to explore .
There ’ s a small selection of ski schools in Obergurgl @ @ @ @ @ @ @ English .
British family tour operator Esprit runs its own classes for children , and also provides child care for ages between 17 weeks and 12 years .
Weekly lesson packages are available for children aged three to 12 years , priced from £290 ; while six full days of child care costs from £349 .
Chalet Alpenblume is 200m from the nearest piste , and also close to the Festkogl gondola .
From £1,849 , departing 15 February 2020 , with Esprit .
It ’ s hard to believe there are any @ @ @ @ @ @ @ del Sol and Andaluçia ’ s sun-baked hills , but in fact the Sierra Nevada boasts some of Europe ’ s highest peaks .
The Penibético mountains are spectacular enough to rival Granada ’ s incredible Alhambra , in all its Moorish grandeur .
The resort base sits at a snow-sure 2,100m , with slopes going up to 3,330m .
The highest viewpoint on the slopes is Veleta at 3,398m .
From here , on a sunny day , the Mediterranean sparkles in the distance in one direction ; in the other , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Two gondola lifts rise from the base to Borreguiles at mid-mountain , the main hub for ski schools and from where a huge nursery area caters for beginners , and lifts fan out across the mountains .
A large self-service restaurant here offers excellent value , while the table-service Alcazaba above it serves high-quality , beautifully presented local fare , including barbecued meat dishes and teen-friendly burgers .
The après scene swaps tartiflette for tapas and paella , and typically doesn ’ t get going until very late .
When it does , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
While a day out from Sierra Nevada to Granada is easy enough , it ’ s well worth topping or tailing a ski trip with a night staying in the ancient UNESCO-recognised city , where it ’ s easy to feel further from home than southern Spain .
The three-star GHM Hotel Monachil is located at the foot of the slopes in Sierra Nevada , and has a games room and spa , family rooms sleeping four , and family menus in its Cervino restaurant .
From £1,292 , departing 15 Feburary @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for learning the ropes With 75km of slopes above two bases , Høyfjellssenter and Turistsenter , Trysil is the largest ski resort in Norway .
The slopes are less crowded than in the main Alpine resorts – worth knowing when holidays have to be taken at peak holiday times such as half-term .
The majority of hotels here are ski‑in/ski‑out , which is great news for beginners .
Trysil is so convinced of its snow reliability that it guarantees there will be white stuff in the village during high season .
On the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Mountain ) offers the best part of 360 degrees of runs .
While the resort is definitely best suited to beginners and early intermediates , and has dedicated , closed-off children ’ s ski areas on the slopes , there is some challenging terrain in the Høgegga sector .
There are also four levels of terrain park , from an advanced black line , via red and blue , down to green for small children ( or nervous adults ) .
Trysil is fairly laid back , though there are several good spots @ @ @ @ @ @ @ mountain , and a decent selection of bars and restaurants at the two village bases .
At Turistsenter , Sindrestua is an unpretentious , friendly coffee shop-cum-bar that encourages après for the whole family ( in contrast with noisier places ) , while Sagbruket near the nursery slopes serves hot chocolate .
The ski-in/ski-out Radisson Blu Mountain Hotel in Høyfjellssenter sits below a network of green runs and has a children ’ s playroom and games room , two on-site restaurants , a bakery and a well-equipped spa .
From £1,167 , B @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , with Crystal .
Les Menuires , with its prime location in the centre of the 600km Trois Vallées ( 3V ) ski area , has long had an ugly duckling reputation thanks to some monstrous 1960s architecture .
These days , while hardly a swan , it has matured into a pretty presentable drake , but remains underrated and easier on the pocket than 3V big hitters Courchevel , Méribel and Val Thorens .
The village is at 1,850m , and Les Menuires ’ local slopes are great for all standards .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ intermediate runs , both on and off piste , in the entire 3V ski area .
The lifts go up to the 2,804m summit of Pointe de La Masse , with superb runs on and off piste that remain uncrowded , even during peak season .
The benign blue Bouquetin run allows enjoyment of the views from the top without the challenges of the more extreme descents on either side .
Lifts towards the rest of the 3V are fast and efficient .
The modern , largely ski-in/ski-out satellites of Reberty and Le @ @ @ @ @ @ @ style , with their own shops and restaurants .
Most accommodation is in self-catering apartments , and nightlife tends to be sedate .
Restaurants such as La Ferme de Reberty do good-value grub for families who want a break from cooking .
Ski Amis has limited availability at its catered , ski-in/ski-out chalet Delfina , which serves three or four course meals on six of the seven nights .
From £929 , excluding travel , with Ski Amis .
Best for pounding pistes as a family It ’ s not difficult to find @ @ @ @ @ @ @ you ’ re prepared to compromise on either the quality or quantity of the slopes .
There are dozens of small villages with loads of charm , but limited terrain and lift systems .
However , Söll has plenty to offer – the extensive SkiWelt area of largely intermediate pistes , plus lots of budget places to stay .
The traditional Tirolean village with its onion-domed church is set in the middle of a wide valley .
The slopes are a kilometre away and best reached by ski bus .
If the SkiWelt @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for keen piste-bashing families , the region is directly linked ( by a short bus ride ) through Westendorf and Kirchberg to Kitzbühel .
This adds another 54 lifts and 179km to the tally , though on a separate lift pass .
In town , the Hochsöll gondola takes kids and adults up to the 4km Moon toboggan run , which is floodlit until 10.30pm Wednesday to Saturday evenings .
Söll was once known for its raucous nightlife , and best suits those who come to attack the slopes with gusto or to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ recent years the resort has started attracting families , too , with plenty of accommodation .
The Hotel Tyrol is one of Söll 's top hotels , a short walk from the village centre and opposite a bus stop .
From £1,440 , departing 15 February 2020 , with i-ski.co.uk .

With the Easter break starting this coming weekend, now is the time for skiers, in particular families, who have a holiday booked abroad to ensure they are familiar with all the last remaining Covid procedures for travel and in ski resorts.
While the UK government has scrapped all Covid travel restrictions for returning travellers, the rules remain, and continue to shift, in Europe and further afield. And not always in the right direction.
The good news is the majority of ski destinations have significantly eased requirements at the border and Covid passports have been largely scrapped, but the red tape is different in each destination and varies greatly if you have children in tow.
To avoid getting caught out by this, here is our country-by-country checklist of the Covid regulation requirements needed for your ski trip this Easter.
France
Entry requirements
A week before travel
▢ Ensure all over-16s have received final vaccine dose
72 hours before travel
▢ Unvaccinated 12-17 year olds must take a PCR test, or;
48 hours before travel
▢ Unvaccinated 12-17 year olds must take a lateral flow test
▢ All over-12s must complete ‘sworn statement’
▢ Download documents to prove full vaccination, booster or recovery
The rules in detail
Children under 12 years are exempt from all regulations. To holiday in France, anyone aged 12 years or over must be double-jabbed or show proof of recovery within 180 days of a positive PCR test. If you received your second dose more than 270 days (nine months) ago, you will also need to show evidence of a booster, received at least 14 days previously. Final vaccine doses must be administered seven days before travel. Unvaccinated adults are permitted under specific circumstances, but must quarantine on arrival. Unvaccinated children 12-17 can travel without isolating if accompanied by a fully vaccinated adult, but must test before travel. All travellers over 12 must complete a ‘sworn statement’ that they are not suffering from any Covid symptoms and have not been in contact with confirmed Covid cases in the preceding fortnight.
Covid passports
On March 14, France scrapped its health passport scheme, making life much easier in the nation's ski resorts.
In-resort rules for skiers
Masks
Despite France easing its rules on mask wearing in most settings, high grade FFP2-type masks are advised for everyone over the age of six in indoor lift queues and on enclosed lifts, such as gondolas, but not required while skiing or on open-air chairlifts or drag lifts, or in shops, restaurants or hotels.
Après ski
Nightclubs and bars have reopened and table service is no longer mandatory. Après ski is back in full swing.
Austria
Entry requirements
72 hours before travel
▢ Unvaccinated over-12s must take a Covid PCR test, or;
48 hours before travel
▢ Unvaccinated over-12s must take antigen test 48 hours before
▢ Download documents to prove full vaccination (including booster 180 days after second dose) or recovery
The rules in detail
All travellers must show either proof of full vaccination, recovery from Covid in the past 180 days or a negative test to enter Austria – referred to as 3G status. If showing proof of vaccination, you must demonstrate that you received your second dose or a booster no more than 270 days before arrival. A medical certificate including the date of recovery is needed if proving recovery. PCR test results are valid for 72 hours, antigen test results are valid for 48 hours. Travellers entering Austria with 3G proof do not need to fill in a pre-travel clearance form.Under 12s are exempt from all entry restrictions, all other children must follow the 3G rule (vaccinated, recovered or tested) to enter Austria.
Covid passports
On March 5 Austria lifted scrapped its health pass scheme, meaning you no longer need to provide proof of your Covid status to hit the slopes.


thetelegraph--2020-01-21--The best luxury hotels in Brussels, including sky-high spas and award-winning cocktails

Hotel Amigo is as close to the historic centre of Brussels as you can get .
Many rooms look directly @ @ @ @ @ the Hôtel de Ville ; cast your eyes upwards and you can see the gilded @ @ @ @ @ on the tip of its spire .
At the very top of the range is @ @ @ @ @ or Presidential ) Suite , with a large rooftop terrace overlooking the city .
This @ @ @ @ @ where the staff seem know you need something almost before you yourself do – the @ @ @ @ @ , film stars and presidents , but also of lesser mortals who don ’ t @ @ @ @ @ staying somewhere special .

Brussels has some very grand hotels indeed, with presidential suites and all the luxury and services that five and four-star ratings imply. Some of these lie to the south of historic centre, close to the luxury-brand shops around the Place Louise. Others are within walking distance of the Grand Place, a central square at the heart of the historic centre surrounded by sublime and surreal art collections (Brueghel, Rubens, Magritte), impressive churches, alluring shops, high-quality eateries (including the legendary chip stands), and splendid eccentricities such as the Manneken-Pis and a comic-book museum (Tintin et al.). A fastidious international clientele ensures that the hotels all remain at the top of their game; here's our pick of the best luxury hotels in Brussels.


thetelegraph--2020-01-21--Europe's 10 best budget skiing holidays: top ski resorts and deals for 2020

Getting value for money on holiday is high on the list of most skiers and snowboarders .
Staying away from the famous , fashionable resorts , where everything from lift passes and accommodation to lunch on the mountain are likely to cost the most , is the obvious advice .
However , while a more obscure resort may cost less , it can also mean a much smaller ski area , lower altitude and hence less chance of good snow .
Since most of us are reluctant to compromise on the good times , while many of the resorts in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are not necessarily the cheapest .
Rather they offer value for money plus a quality experience .
There may be compromises to be made somewhere – a longer transfer time from the airport , lifts that are slower and less comfortable , a base village that is far from the chocolate box ideal for example – but the money savings over bigger-name destinations should make them well worth the trip .
Unless stated otherwise , prices are per person , based on two sharing a double or twin room , half-board , for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Best for hitting the park or the heli The Italian resort of Livigno is set in a high , wide , remote valley close to the Swiss border , meaning that airport transfers to get here are long and winding .
It takes the best part of three hours to get there from Innsbruck , and even longer from Italian hub airports .
However , it ’ s worth the long journey , not only for its low prices but also for the quality of its parks and reliable snow cover .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ tree line , and Livigno is known as ‘ Little Tibet ’ because of its height and remoteness .
Livigno suits those on a tight budget partly because it has a special tax status that dates back to Napoleonic times .
There ’ s no VAT , which makes drinks , petrol and consumer goods some of the cheapest in Europe .
Many of the old wooden houses in the traffic-free village centre have been converted into atmospheric bars , restaurants and clubs .
The remote village is strung out along 10km of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ stop in winter at a heady 1,816m , close to the Swiss border .
It ’ s a great area for beginners and low intermediates , with terrain on both the Mottolino and Costaccia/Carosello sides of the valley , and has a long , snowsure season lasting from November to May .
For experts , Livigno is embracing freeriding with the Freeride Project , a series of managed off-piste routes , mostly off the back of Mottolino .
Every Sunday from 6pm to 7.30pm the resort organises meetings at the Birrificio Livigno ( @ @ @ @ @ @ @ experts advise on safe off-piste , the equipment needed ( which includes transceiver , probe and shovel ) and how to check the daily avalanche report .
Although the words heliskiing and affordable don ’ t usually appear in the same sentence , Livigno presents a rare opportunity for both .
Livigno is one of Europe ’ s best resorts for terrain parks – hence it being chosen to host the freestyle and snowboarding events of the 2026 Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics .
The main terrain park is on Mottolino , with kickers to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ There are also rails , and an airbag for perfecting tricks .
The second main park , at Carosello , is geared more towards intermediates .
It also has a large airbag , rails and tabletops , plus a boardercross course .
Two more parks – Amerikan , near the Carosello gondola , and Del Sole , near the centre of town – are aimed at beginners and children .
Cable Park , in the Costaccia sector , has a variety of rails , boxes and jumps of varying difficulty .
A dedicated @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , making tricks easier .
Just a short walk from the Carosello gondola , and with a reputation for good food , the three-star Hotel Cristallo is convenient and comfortable .
From £750 , bed and breakfast , with SNO .
Beginners don ’ t need the complexity of a large resort , so a novice ’ s visit to this Tirolean chocolate-box with oodles of atmosphere – it regularly wins prizes as the prettiest village in Austria – should result in a lifetime of piste enthusiasm .
Alpbach has a special relationship @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 50 years ago when a Major Billy Patterson came here on leave and enjoyed the pistes and the pubs .
He told his army friends and they told others .
Thousands of British have since learnt the basics here , and many return year after year .
It ’ s also great value for money – prices are low , even by Austrian standards .
A single nursery slope in the village centre is ideal for practising after lessons , but the main ski area is a five-minute bus , then a gondola @ @ @ @ @ @ @ schools in the resort , Alpbach‑Inner Alpbach is the original learning establishment , while Alpbach Aktiv and Skischule Alpbachtal also have fine reputations .
During the resort ’ s dedicated family weeks , under-15s get a free lift pass .
Alpbach ’ s ski area is linked to that of Auffach in the neighbouring Wildschönau valley , together they form the Ski Juwel ski area .
Despite this expansion Alpbach itself , only a 40-minute drive from Innsbruck airport , has remained remarkably unchanged over the years .
The only difference is that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ now have the incentive to return to explore the respectable 109km of pistes served by 45 lifts in the two valleys .
Haus Edelweiss is a traditional and informal family-run bed and breakfast , run by Frau Moser , close to the nursery slopes and bus stop .
From £309 , bed and breakfast , with Inghams .
Think of this as the laid-back country cousin of A-list French resorts such as Val d ’ Isère or Courchevel .
It ’ s smaller and less high-tech , but friendlier and more relaxed , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cheaper French resorts , but few can match Serre Che ’ s extent .
Serre Chevalier is the collective name for a dozen villages along the road from the town of Briançon in the southern Alps .
Monêtier Les Bains is the pick of the main villages , a picturesque spa resort with a fast chairlift into the western end of the ski area – it ’ s quieter and altogether more charming to stay in than the others , Villeneuve and Chantemerle .
The ski area is split up into four distinct @ @ @ @ @ @ @ intermediates of all standards , giving a real feeling of travelling around .
The resort used to claim 250km of pistes but now says 410 hectares of pistes instead , including the uphill areas used for lifts .
Whichever , it is a big ski area with more than enough terrain for a week ’ s holiday .
If you ’ re stuck on a plateau , as well as the ESF , there are lots of other schools to choose from and most have very good reputations .
British ski school New @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Crosby , who offer group lessons , private coaching and guiding throughout the season .
Book well in advance .
Modern and close to the Pontillas lift on the outskirts of Villeneuve , with slopes back to the door , Residence Aquisana offers 76 one- and two-bedroom apartments sleeping from four to six .
There ’ s a heated pool and steam room .
From £184 per person self-catering based on four sharing , including Eurotunnel crossing , with Zenith Holidays .
Pas , as it ’ s known to its denizens , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the duty‑free side of the French/Andorran border .
While it is isn ’ t the most attract resort it has a reputation for wild partying .
Part of the extensive Grandvalira ski area , which includes Soldeu , Pas de la Casa has slopes best suited to confident intermediates .
Separated from the rest of the principality by a mountain wall , it has largely missed the facelift that has taken a lot of Andorra ’ s other resorts upscale , so prices are welcomingly lower .
The nightlife in Pas has something @ @ @ @ @ @ @ renowned for having a party atmosphere popular with stag and hen dos .
A wide selection of pubs and clubs , including themed bars and a bar where you pour your own beers , stay open until the early hours – one of the resort ’ s pub crawls , which stop at many of the top establishments , is a recommended way to see it all .
Thanks to Andorra ’ s duty-free status , a litre of vodka costs the bar less than a small can of Red Bull , so @ @ @ @ @ @ @ giving it away .
Count the cost of a night out in headache pills .
La Perla Negra is a pirate‑themed bar with DJs , plus a pool table .
KSB ( Kamikaze Surf Bar ) is a popular bar/restaurant/club with food served late .
Underground Bar & Club stays open late playing crowd-pleasing music , as does Bilbord , which is one of the largest and liveliest clubs in the resort .
Watch your step on the way home – the streets are icy , steep , and patrolled by the police @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is a shining exception to the usually simple accommodation options in Pas de la Casa .
It ’ s a clean and smart hotel with a spa and pool , and it ’ s well placed for easy access to the slopes and the nightlife .
From £619 with Inghams .
Best for getting away from it all This unknown gem of a resort is tucked away in the Maurienne Valley n the edge of the Vanoise National Park .
Despite concessions to tourism , the traditional village at the foot of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for anyone wanting to combine a winter-sports holiday with the ambience of rural France .
Prices are far more sensible here than in the big-name destinations of the neighbouring Tarentaise Valley , such as like Courchevel and Val d ’ Isère .
With just 55km of slopes , Aussois itself is not a place for those who want a huge daily mileage and is best suited to those looking for easy beginner and intermediate skiing .
There are other larger Maurienne resorts nearby , including La Norma , easily reached on the other @ @ @ @ @ @ @ further afield , more extensive terrain is available at Val Cenis , Valfréjus and Bonneval .
A lift pass which includes access to them along with free shuttle buses is available .
Non-skiing/snowboarding activities include snowshoeing , paragliding , ice climbing , exploring the surrounding plateau by dogsled or tobogganing .
Bessans , a 40-minute drive away , has a huge cross-country skiing centre .
The ski-in/ski-out Résidence les Flocons d ’ Argent is at the foot of the slopes and near the ski school meeting point , with an indoor pool .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ self-catering in a two-bedroom apartment and including FlexiPlus Eurotunnel crossings for self-drive , with Peak Retreats .
Best for value in Switzerland The rule about getting away from the high‑profile , fashionable resorts to find good value is particularly applicable in pricey Switzerland .
In this respect , it ’ s difficult to beat the four resorts of Grimentz , Zinal , St Luc and Chandolin in the Val d ’ Anniviers valley .
The villages are traditional and small-scale , and Grimentz and St Luc in particular have charming old-fashioned town centres @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 25 per cent lower than in the big , better-known Swiss resorts .
There are cheaper places to be found in Switzerland , but most people on a week-long winter-sports trip will find that Val d ’ Anniviers delivers more .
Crucially , the two ski areas – Grimentz-Zinal on one side of the valley , St Luc-Chandolin on the other – deliver the quantity and variety of pistes likely to keep visitors occupied for the duration of a week ’ s holiday .
In 2014 the link between Grimentz and Zinal was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ car costing 28 million CHF , cutting the journey time to eight minutes – previously a bus was the only route back to Zinal .
This serious investment was partly aimed at increasing the ski area ’ s appeal to intermediates , who can now more easily get piste-cruising value from the 75km of long , mainly red runs covered by the valley lift pass .
Val d ’ Anniviers was an early adopter in the freeride revolution – in 2002 , a transceiver search park and an avalanche-controlled ( but not patrolled @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Since then , more avalanche-protected itinerary runs have opened throughout the valley .
Grimentz-Zinal Backcountry Adventures runs guided off-piste day tours in the area .
Hotel Bella Tola is a traditional four-star in a building that dates to the 19th century – it was the resort ’ s first hotel and the interior reflects its history , with a period dining room , library and great chandeliers .
From £1,190 , bed and breakfast , with Ski Solutions .
Best for clocking up the miles It ’ s not difficult to find low-cost @ @ @ @ @ @ @ either the quality or quantity of the slopes .
There are dozens of small villages with loads of charm but limited terrain and lift systems .
Yet , Söll has much more to offer – one of the largest ski areas in Austria , plus plenty of budget accommodation .
The traditional Tirolean village is set in the middle of a wide valley and is the unofficial capital of the SkiWelt , a dozen villages with 90 lifts and over 284km of largely intermediate pistes .
The region is also directly linked through @ @ @ @ @ @ @ adds another 54 lifts and 179km to the tally , though on a separate lift pass .
A decade ago Söll was best-known for its raucous laddish nightlife .
But with the highest density of hotel beds in the region , it is now trying to appeal to a much wider clientele , including families .
Nevertheless , it ’ s best suited to those who want to attack the slopes with gusto , or to party – or both .
At the Hotel Gänsleit , Austrian Rosi and her English husband Steve @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Austrian hospitality and style , and a friendly and welcoming atmosphere .
The hotel has been beautifully decorated and includes a modern spa and wellness suite .
From £779 with Crystal Ski Holidays .
This is the largest and most challenging ski area in Slovakia , a 45-minute drive from the nearest airport at Poprad .
Jasná , ( pronounced Yaznah ) , has sufficient terrain and facilities to keep even advanced skiers and snowboarders happy for up to a week .
Slovakia offers amazing value for money compared with mainstream Alpine resorts @ @ @ @ @ @ @ four-star hotels with extensive wellness facilities from around €50 b & b per person for two people sharing .
A pint of beer costs €3 or less , many main course meals €8 to €10 .
The first ski lift was opened in 1949 and most of the resort buildings were built since then .
It has grown into a fair-sized ski area with 28 lifts and 49km of pistes , most of them suiting intermediates best .
It ’ s not a huge area by Alpine standards but it does have some @ @ @ @ @ @ @ both sides of the mountain , and hotels , shops , bars and restaurants have sprung up around these bases .
The pisted area covers both the north and south sides of 2,024m Mount Chopok .
The south side is mostly blues and reds , while the north side accesses more challenging slopes .
Measured against resorts in the Alps , the 49km of pistes in Jasná might not sound like much , but there are also substantial free-ride zones as well as two terrain parks .
The Dragon ’ s Lair is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ down the valley from Jasna ski area .
There ’ s in-house ski hire , a sauna , an outdoor hot tub , and massages and yoga can be arranged .
On the ground floor is a bar open to the public .
From £533 , b & b , including transfers , six-day lift pass ( half-board can be provided for whole chalet bookings ) , excludes flights , with Jasna Advetures .
Only an hour from Lourdes airport ( 50km ) , or 90 minutes from Pau ( 110km ) , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 100km of pistes in the Grand Tourmalet ski area - one of the biggest in the Pyrenees .
Package prices to these resorts can be half as much as in the French Alps .
Barèges is a centuries-old spa town a bus ride from the lifts , while La Mongie , over the Col du Tourmalet pass ( closed to cars in winter , frequently used in the Tour de France during the summer ) , is a purpose-built ski station .
It ’ s slightly lacking in charm , but is convenient @ @ @ @ @ @ @ intermediates best , but there ’ s also some challenging off piste , including from the Pic du Midi observatory ( where it ’ s possible to stay the night ) , reached by cable car from La Mongie .
The terrain above La Mongie is open and treeless and includes black runs that are considered to be among the toughest in the French Pyrenees .
The slopes in Barèges are gentler and tree-lined , but are much smaller in area .
Le Pic du Midi residence sits just 300m from the slopes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ apartments have south-facing balconies , plus there ’ s a swimming pool , wellness area , equipment shop and kids club .
From €190 , self catering for two nights , with Pierre et Vancances .
Best for combining old town and modern slopes Often named the cheapest resort in Europe , Bulgaria has bargain-basement prices , with package holidays , equipment hire , lift passes and lessons half the price or less than in the most expensive Alpine resorts , and food and drink a quarter of the cost .
Bansko is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ two-and-a-half-hour drive south of Sofia airport , in the Pirin Mountains , close to the Macedonian and Greek borders .
On a clear day there are views of the Aegean Sea .
The original town below the more recently constructed resort village features old stone buildings and cobbled streets and has always been popular with tourists .
Bansko itself is a modern resort , with 75km of varied intermediate slopes covering two mountains and 16 lifts that include a six-person chairlift , four quad chairs and a gondola , which goes up to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of town .
The resort ’ s slopes cover two mountains .
There ’ s enough variety to challenge intermediates for a week , provided the snow conditions are good .
The slopes can be quiet and are well groomed but some pistes are not always open if the weather dictates .
The utilitarian cafés and Dickensian-era shops that served the town centre before the advent of mass tourism have been replaced by boutiques , pizzerias and wine bars .
There are also plenty of traditional pubs called mehanas , often with live @ @ @ @ @ @ @ all in all , it ’ s a fun place with wild après .
Greeks , Russians and a large number of Britons flock to Bansko , so it ’ s best to avoid the busy peak period between Christmas and the end of February .
Four-star MPM Hotel Sport is in a ski-in/ski‑out location by the gondola base .
It has a lively Irish pub and a wellness area with a large pool , hot tub , sauna , steam bath and gym .
From £503 with Balkan Holidays .
For more @ @ @ @ @ @ @ holidays this winter .

Getting value for money on holiday is high on the list for most skiers and snowboarders, no matter how long they've been waiting to return to the slopes.
Staying away from the famous, fashionable resorts, where everything from lift passes and accommodation to lunch on the mountain are likely to cost the most, is the obvious advice.
However, while a more obscure resort may cost less, it can also mean a much smaller ski area, lower altitude and hence less chance of good snow.
Since most of us are reluctant to compromise on the good times, while many of the resorts in this line-up may be unfamiliar, they are not necessarily the cheapest. Rather they offer value for money plus a quality experience. There may be compromises to be made somewhere – a longer transfer time from the airport, lifts that are slower and less comfortable, a base village that is far from the chocolate box ideal for example – but the money savings over bigger-name destinations should make them well worth the trip.
Best for hitting the park or the heli Livigno, Italy
The Italian resort of Livigno is set in a high, wide, remote valley close to the Swiss border, meaning that airport transfers to get here are long and winding. It takes the best part of three hours to get there from Innsbruck, and even longer from Italian hub airports. However, it’s worth the long journey, not only for its low prices but also for the quality of its parks and reliable snow cover. Most of the slopes are above the tree line, and Livigno is known as ‘Little Tibet’ because of its height and remoteness. Livigno suits those on a tight budget partly because it has a special tax status that dates back to Napoleonic times. There’s no VAT, which makes drinks, petrol and consumer goods some of the cheapest in Europe. Many of the old wooden houses in the traffic-free village centre have been converted into atmospheric bars, restaurants and clubs.
Livigno, Italy, is a three-hour drive from Innsbruck
The remote village is strung out along 10km of mountain road that comes to a full stop in winter at a heady 1,816m, close to the Swiss border. It’s a great area for beginners and low intermediates, with terrain on both the Mottolino and Costaccia/Carosello sides of the valley, and has a long, snowsure season lasting from November to May.
For experts, Livigno is embracing freeriding with the Freeride Project, a series of managed off-piste routes, mostly off the back of Mottolino. Although the words heliskiing and affordable don’t usually appear in the same sentence, Livigno presents a rare opportunity for both.
Livigno is one of Europe’s best resorts for terrain parks – hence it being chosen to host the freestyle and snowboarding events of the 2026 Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics. The main terrain park is on Mottolino, with kickers to suit all abilities and a superpipe. The second main park, at Carosello, is geared more towards intermediates. It also has a large airbag, rails and tabletops, plus a boardercross course. Two more parks – Amerikan, near the Carosello gondola, and Del Sole, near the centre of town – are aimed at beginners and children.
Where to stay
Just a short walk from the Carosello gondola, and with a reputation for good food, the three-star Hotel Cristallo is convenient and comfortable.
Beginners don’t need the complexity of a large resort, so a novice’s visit to this Tirolean chocolate-box with oodles of atmosphere – it regularly wins prizes as the prettiest village in Austria – should result in a lifetime of piste enthusiasm. Alpbach has a special relationship with the British that began more than 50 years ago when a Major Billy Patterson came here on leave and enjoyed the pistes and the pubs. He told his army friends and they told others. Thousands of British have since learnt the basics here, and many return year after year. It’s also great value for money – prices are low, even by Austrian standards.
Alpbach is a good choice for beginners
A single nursery slope in the village centre is ideal for practising after lessons, but the main ski area is a five-minute bus, then a gondola, away. Of the three ski schools in the resort, Alpbach‑Inner Alpbach is the original learning establishment, while Alpbach Aktiv and Skischule Alpbachtal also have fine reputations.
Alpbach’s ski area is linked to that of Auffach in the neighbouring Wildschönau valley, together they form the Ski Juwel ski area. Despite this expansion Alpbach itself, only a 40-minute drive from Innsbruck airport, has remained remarkably unchanged over the years. The only difference is that intermediates who might otherwise have moved on now have the incentive to return to explore the respectable 109km of pistes served by 45 lifts in the two valleys.
Where to stay
Haus Edelweiss is a traditional and informal family-run bed and breakfast, run by Frau Moser, close to the nursery slopes and bus stop. From £499, bed and breakfast, with Inghams.
Best for intermediate cruising Serre Chevalier, France
Think of this as the laid-back country cousin of A-list French resorts such as Val d’Isère or Courchevel. It’s smaller and less high-tech, but friendlier and more relaxed, with bags of character. There are cheaper French resorts, but few can match Serre Che’s extent.
Serre Chevalier will keep intermediate entertained Credit : luka leroy
Serre Chevalier is the collective name for a dozen villages along the road from the town of Briançon in the southern Alps. Monêtier Les Bains is the pick of the main villages, a picturesque spa resort with a fast chairlift into the western end of the ski area – it’s quieter and altogether more charming to stay in than the others, Villeneuve and Chantemerle.
The ski area is split up into four distinct sectors and makes a delightful playground for intermediates of all standards, giving a real feeling of travelling around. The resort used to claim 250km of pistes but now says 410 hectares of pistes instead, including the uphill areas used for lifts. Whichever, it is a big ski area with more than enough terrain for a week’s holiday.
If you’re stuck on a plateau, as well as the ESF, there are lots of other schools to choose from and most have very good reputations. British ski school New Generation is run here by BASI-qualified Gavin Crosby, who offer group lessons, private coaching and guiding throughout the season. Book well in advance.
Where to stay
Modern and close to the Pontillas lift on the outskirts of Villeneuve, with slopes back to the door, Residence Aquisana offers 76 one- and two-bedroom apartments sleeping from four to six. There’s a heated pool and steam room.
Rooms from £ 68 pp/pn Check availability Rates provided by Booking.com Find more of the best accommodation in Serre Chevalier here. Best for partying Pas de la Casa, Andorra
Pas, as it’s known to its denizens, has grown up at high altitude on the duty‑free side of the French/Andorran border. While it is isn’t the most attract resort it has a reputation for wild partying.
Part of the extensive Grandvalira ski area, which includes Soldeu, Pas de la Casa has slopes best suited to confident intermediates. Separated from the rest of the principality by a mountain wall, it has largely missed the facelift that has taken a lot of Andorra’s other resorts upscale, so prices are welcomingly lower.
Pas de la Casa is part of the Grandvalira ski area
The nightlife in Pas has something to suit every taste and it is renowned for having a party atmosphere popular with stag and hen dos. A wide selection of pubs and clubs, including themed bars and a bar where you pour your own beers, stay open until the early hours – one of the resort’s pub crawls, which stop at many of the top establishments, is a recommended way to see it all. Thanks to Andorra’s duty-free status, a litre of vodka costs the bar less than a small can of Red Bull, so (within reason) they are literally giving it away. Count the cost of a night out in headache pills.
La Perla Negra is a pirate‑themed bar with DJs, plus a pool table. KSB (Kamikaze Surf Bar) is a popular bar/restaurant/club with food served late. Underground Bar & Club stays open late playing crowd-pleasing music, as does Bilbord, which is one of the largest and liveliest clubs in the resort. Watch your step on the way home – the streets are icy, steep, and patrolled by the police.
Where to stay
The four-star Font d’Argent is a shining exception to the usually simple accommodation options in Pas de la Casa. It’s a clean and smart hotel with a spa and pool, and it’s well placed for easy access to the slopes and the nightlife.
Rooms from £ pp/pn 48 Check availability Rates provided by Booking.com Best for getting away from it all Aussois, France
This unknown gem of a resort is tucked away in the Maurienne Valley on the edge of the Vanoise National Park. Despite concessions to tourism, the traditional village at the foot of the 3,700m Dent Parrachée makes an ideal base for anyone wanting to combine a winter-sports holiday with the ambience of rural France. Prices are far more sensible here than in the big-name destinations of the neighbouring Tarentaise Valley, such as like Courchevel and Val d’Isère.
With just 55km of slopes, Aussois itself is not a place for those who want a huge daily mileage and is best suited to those looking for easy beginner and intermediate skiing. There are other larger Maurienne resorts nearby, including La Norma, easily reached on the other side of the valley. A little further afield, more extensive terrain is available at Val Cenis, Valfréjus and Bonneval. A lift pass which includes access to them along with free shuttle buses is available.
Non-skiing/snowboarding activities include snowshoeing, paragliding, ice climbing, exploring the surrounding plateau by dogsled or tobogganing. Bessans, a 40-minute drive away, has a huge cross-country skiing centre.
Where to stay
The ski-in/ski-out Résidence les Flocons d’Argent is at the foot of the slopes and near the ski school meeting point, with an indoor pool.
Rooms from £ pp/pn 13 Check availability Rates provided by Booking.com Best for value in Switzerland Val d'Anniviers, Switzerland
The rule about getting away from the high‑profile, fashionable resorts to find good value is particularly applicable in pricey Switzerland. In this respect, it’s difficult to beat the four resorts of Grimentz, Zinal, St Luc and Chandolin in the Val d’Anniviers valley. The villages are traditional and small-scale, and Grimentz and St Luc in particular have charming old-fashioned town centres.
Val d'Anniviers is it's best value resort
Prices in the valley are about 25 per cent lower than in the big, better-known Swiss resorts. There are cheaper places to be found in Switzerland, but most people on a week-long winter-sports trip will find that Val d’Anniviers delivers more. Crucially, the two ski areas – Grimentz-Zinal on one side of the valley, St Luc-Chandolin on the other – deliver the quantity and variety of pistes likely to keep visitors occupied for the duration of a week’s holiday.
The cable car link between Grimentz and Zinal, which takes eight minutes, increases the ski area’s appeal to intermediates, who can easily get piste-cruising value from the 75km of long, mainly red runs covered by the valley lift pass.
Val d’Anniviers was an early adopter in the freeride revolution – in 2002, a transceiver search park and an avalanche-controlled (but not patrolled) freeride zone opened in Zinal. Since then, more avalanche-protected itinerary runs have opened throughout the valley. Grimentz-Zinal Backcountry Adventures runs guided off-piste day tours in the area.
Where to stay
Hotel Bella Tola is a traditional four-star in a building that dates to the 19th century – it was the resort’s first hotel and the interior reflects its history, with a period dining room, library and great chandeliers.
Rooms from £ pp/pn 146 Check availability Rates provided by Booking.com Best for clocking up the miles Söll, Austria
It’s not difficult to find low-cost in Austria, if you compromise on either the quality or quantity of the slopes. There are dozens of small villages with loads of charm but limited terrain and lift systems. Yet, Söll has much more to offer – one of the largest ski areas in Austria, plus plenty of budget accommodation.
Söll is part of the SkiWelt area Credit : christian kapfinger
The traditional Tirolean village is set in the middle of a wide valley and is the unofficial capital of the SkiWelt, a dozen villages with 74 lifts and over 228km of largely intermediate pistes currently in operation. The region is also directly linked through Westendorf and Kirchberg to Kitzbühel. This adds another 54 lifts and 179km to the tally, though on a separate lift pass. Connecting the two, the KitzSkiWelt tour opened in 2021/22 and claims to be the largest ski circuit in the world.
A decade ago Söll was best-known for its raucous laddish nightlife. But with the highest density of hotel beds in the region, it is now trying to appeal to a much wider clientele, including families. Nevertheless, it’s best suited to those who want to attack the slopes with gusto, or to party – or both.
Where to stay
At the Hotel Gänsleit, Austrian Rosi and her English husband Steve combine the familiarity of home with genuine Austrian hospitality and style, and a friendly and welcoming atmosphere. The hotel has been beautifully decorated and includes a modern spa and wellness suite.
Rooms from £ pp/pn 60 Check availability Rates provided by Booking.com Best for adventurers Jasná, Slovakia
This is the largest and most challenging ski area in Slovakia, a 45-minute drive from the nearest airport at Poprad. Jasná, (pronounced Yaznah), has sufficient terrain and facilities to keep even advanced skiers and snowboarders happy for up to a week. Slovakia offers amazing value for money compared with mainstream Alpine resorts. You can get good rooms in four-star hotels with extensive wellness facilities on a budget.
Adventurous skiers will enjoy a trip to Jasná
The first ski lift was opened in 1949 and most of the resort buildings were built since then. It has grown into a fair-sized ski area with 22 lifts and 44.5km of pistes, most of them suiting intermediates best. It’s not a huge area by Alpine standards but it does have some outstanding off piste. Lifts rise from both sides of the mountain, and hotels, shops, bars and restaurants have sprung up around these bases. The pisted area covers both the north and south sides of 2,024m Mount Chopok. The south side is mostly blues and reds, while the north side accesses more challenging slopes. Measured against resorts in the Alps, the pistes in Jasná might not sound like much, but there are also substantial free-ride zones as well as two terrain parks.
Where to stay
Run by Paul Wilson, a former British snowboard instructor, Propaganda has four chalets sleeping eight to 16, including one right on the slopes and has been operating since 2005. It also has its own ski and snowboard school and rental shop.
Apartments from £ 74 pp/pn Check availability Rates provided by Booking.com Find more of the best accommodation in Jasna here. Best for easy access Bareges/La Mongie, France
Only an hour from Lourdes airport (50km), or 90 minutes from Pau (110km), these two hugely contrasting resorts share the 100km of pistes in the Grand Tourmalet ski area - one of the biggest in the Pyrenees. Package prices to these resorts can be half as much as in the French Alps.
Barèges is a centuries-old spa town a bus ride from the lifts, while La Mongie, over the Col du Tourmalet pass (closed to cars in winter, frequently used in the Tour de France during the summer), is a purpose-built ski station. It’s slightly lacking in charm, but is convenient for the slopes.
La Mongie is purpose-built Credit : daniele schneider
The runs suit intermediates best, but there’s also some challenging off piste, including from the Pic du Midi observatory (where it’s possible to stay the night), reached by cable car from La Mongie. The terrain above La Mongie is open and treeless and includes black runs that are considered to be among the toughest in the French Pyrenees. The slopes in Barèges are gentler and tree-lined, but are much smaller in area.
Where to stay
Le Pic du Midi residence sits just 300m from the slopes above La Mongie. All the self-catered apartments have south-facing balconies, plus there’s a swimming pool, wellness area, equipment shop and kids club. From €45, self catering for seven nights based on four sharing, with Pierre et Vancances.
Best for combining old town and modern slopes Bansko, Bulgaria
Often named the cheapest resort in Europe, Bulgaria has bargain-basement prices, with package holidays, equipment hire, lift passes and lessons half the price or less than in the most expensive Alpine resorts, and food and drink a quarter of the cost.
Bansko is Bulgaria’s top resort and is two-and-a-half-hour drive south of Sofia airport, in the Pirin Mountains, close to the Macedonian and Greek borders. On a clear day there are views of the Aegean Sea.
Bansko is Bulgaria's biggest resort
The original town below the more recently constructed resort village features old stone buildings and cobbled streets and has always been popular with tourists. Bansko itself is a modern resort, with 75km of varied intermediate slopes covering two mountains and 14 lifts that include a six-person chairlift, four quad chairs and a gondola, which goes up to the main mountain from the top end of town.
The resort’s slopes cover two mountains. There’s enough variety to challenge intermediates for a week, provided the snow conditions are good. The slopes can be quiet and are well groomed but some pistes are not always open if the weather dictates.
The utilitarian cafés and Dickensian-era shops that served the town centre before the advent of mass tourism have been replaced by boutiques, pizzerias and wine bars. There are also plenty of traditional pubs called mehanas, often with live music. Prices are low and, all in all, it’s a fun place with wild après. Greeks, Russians and a large number of Britons flock to Bansko, so it’s best to avoid the busy peak period between Christmas and the end of February.
Where to stay
Four-star MPM Hotel Sport is in a ski-in/ski‑out location by the gondola base. It has a lively Irish pub and a wellness area with a large pool, hot tub, sauna, steam bath and gym.


thetelegraph--2020-01-21--10 magnificent masserie for a peaceful escape to Puglia

Set just back from the coast , but with its own nearby beach club , this family-oriented masseria hotel is @ @ @ @ @ place .
It would be easier to list the activities they don ’ t offer @ @ @ @ @ .
Among the most popular are the regular ‘ Festa di paese ’ nights , @ @ @ @ @ complete with food stalls , live traditional music and street artists .
You will eat @ @ @ @ @ and local ’ is becoming a bit of cliché these days , but here they @ @ @ @ @ out small local suppliers of lamb , capons , burrata cheese and other produce , @ @ @ @ @ best local fishermen and wild mushroom foragers .

An 18th-century farmhouse, near the coast, which was once an old resting stop for travellers along the Appian way. Come here for an authentic slice of Puglian rural living (with high-quality bedsheets). The masseria is located next to the ruins of the ancient metropolis of Egnazia, in what was a big rural estate. Hints of its agricultural past are displayed through the lines of farming tools and cacti leaves hung on the white walls of the reception area. It’s a photogenic place. Bicycles are available to explore the surrounding groves and Egnazia, or you can head to the nearby Masciola Beach Club (for a fee) – which belongs to sister hotel Borgo Egnazia.


thetelegraph--2020-01-21--The best hostels in Amsterdam, from old university lecture halls to former laboratory buildings

Meinigner is simple , spotless , functional and fine for a short break , or if you need easy access @ @ @ @ @ are helpful and welcoming , and though you ’ re in a dull part of @ @ @ @ @ centre , transport connections are swift and frequent .
There ’ s something of the @ @ @ @ @ , but enough of the style of a hotel to make it popular not only @ @ @ @ @ families and couples watching the pennies , and even businesspeople on a low budget .
@ @ @ @ @ few teeny singles , rooms are more spacious than you ’ d usually find at @ @ @ @ @ include private rooms as well as small dorms with bunks .

Meinigner is simple, spotless, functional and fine for a short break, or if you need easy access to the airport. Staff are helpful and welcoming, and though you’re in a dull part of town, out of the centre, transport connections are swift and frequent. There’s something of the air of a youth hostel, but enough of the style of a hotel to make it popular not only with backpackers, but also families and couples watching the pennies, and even businesspeople on a low budget. With the exception of a few teeny singles, rooms are more spacious than you’d usually find at this price range. They include private rooms as well as small dorms with bunks.


thetelegraph--2020-01-21--10 boutique Berlin boltholes, from Belle Époque bedrooms to garden terraces

Berlin grabs headlines for its slew of art spaces , notorious nightlife and burgeoning start-up scene , and the inner-city @ @ @ @ @ Kreuzber , for instance ) are peppered with hip bars and restaurants , as well @ @ @ @ @ shops and boutique hotels .
Matching slick furnishings with an intimate , often seductive atmosphere @ @ @ @ @ service , these discreet and stylish places to stay appeal to a range of discerning @ @ @ @ @ to hip city-hoppers .
We share our pick of Berlin 's best boutique hotels , @ @ @ @ @ more personal touches of travelling .

Berlin grabs headlines for its slew of art spaces, notorious nightlife and burgeoning start-up scene, and the inner-city neighbourhoods (Prenzlauer Berg and Kreuzber, for instance) are peppered with hip bars and restaurants, as well as quirky museums, independent shops and boutique hotels. Matching slick furnishings with an intimate, often seductive atmosphere and an emphasis on personalised service, these discreet and stylish places to stay appeal to a range of discerning travellers, from romantic weekenders to hip city-hoppers. We share our pick of Berlin's best boutique hotels, for those who appreciate the more personal touches of travelling.


thetelegraph--2020-01-21--Turkish baths and terrace views: where to stay on a budget in Istanbul

A solid , no-nonsense , family-run hotel on the fringes of the tourist heartlands of the old city .
Niles @ @ @ @ @ where experienced travellers go back time after time for its friendly atmosphere , good service @ @ @ @ @ .
The extensive lobby makes for a nice communal sitting area , especially as it @ @ @ @ @ based on a traditional Ottoman 'kahvehane ' , but most guests head up to the @ @ @ @ @ admire the sea views .
Get back to the hotel between three and five in @ @ @ @ @ are free cakes and other snacks on offer as well .
In common with most @ @ @ @ @ , Standard rooms are on the compact side , but otherwise tick all the right @ @

A solid, no-nonsense, family-run hotel on the fringes of the tourist heartlands of the old city. Niles is the kind of place where experienced travellers go back time after time for its friendly atmosphere, good service, comfortable and value-for-money rooms. The extensive lobby makes for a nice communal sitting area, especially as it has its own coffee shop based on a traditional Ottoman 'kahvehane', but most guests head up to the pot-plant festooned roof terrace to admire the sea views. Get back to the hotel between three and five in the afternoon, and there are free cakes and other snacks on offer as well. In common with most hotels on the historic peninsula, Standard rooms are on the compact side, but otherwise tick all the right boxes.


thetelegraph--2020-01-21--The best budget hotels in Amsterdam, including cool cafés, capsule rooms and canal views

CitizenM is really good value if you book well in advance .
The hotel – designer chic meets pod hotel @ @ @ @ @ of town , but there ’ s a direct tram connection ( in under 10 @ @ @ @ @ .
The lounge , bar , diner and lobby form a large area with an @ @ @ @ @ café and design-guru 's living-room and the rooms , though capsule-like , have large windows @ @ @ @ @ All come with tablets , which , in addition to their usual functions , control @ @ @ @ @ blinds .
Wi-Fi is superfast , and movies via the television are free .
Bicycles @ @ @ @ @ free .

CitizenM is really good value if you book well in advance. The hotel – designer chic meets pod hotel – is some way out of town, but there’s a direct tram connection (in under 10 minutes to the centre). The lounge, bar, diner and lobby form a large area with an atmosphere somewhere between a hip café and design-guru's living-room and the rooms, though capsule-like, have large windows and are cleverly designed. All come with tablets, which, in addition to their usual functions, control everything from lighting to the blinds. Wi-Fi is superfast, and movies via the television are free. Bicycles may be also borrowed for free.


thetelegraph--2020-01-21--The best budget hotels in Bath for a thrifty city break

You can appreciate much of the best of Bath for free , including the ground-breaking Georgian architecture of The Royal @ @ @ @ @ with the grandiose interior of the Assembly Rooms and historic Bath Abbey ( suggested donation @ @ @ @ @ eating and drinking , you are spoilt for choice for affordable cafés and pubs , @ @ @ @ @ by Bath 's large student population .
As for accommodation , while Bath has a @ @ @ @ @ , weekday prices tend to be much lower than weekends , and there are some @ @ @ @ @ stay .
Here 's our pick of the best budget hotels in Bath .

You can appreciate much of the best of Bath for free, including the ground-breaking Georgian architecture of The Royal Crescent and Circus, along with the grandiose interior of the Assembly Rooms and historic Bath Abbey (suggested donation). In terms of eating and drinking, you are spoilt for choice for affordable cafés and pubs, many of which are frequented by Bath's large student population. As for accommodation, while Bath has a deserved reputation as being expensive, weekday prices tend to be much lower than weekends, and there are some good, keenly-priced places to stay. Here's our pick of the best budget hotels in Bath.


thetelegraph--2020-01-21--The most romantic hotels in Budapest for a seductive stay in the Pearl of the Danube

You can feel this Baroque building ’ s rich history in its very stones .
It once housed an inn @ @ @ @ @ which had a famous café frequented by noblemen and Jacobin plotters alike .
Austrian commanders @ @ @ @ @ Independence War , and there ’ s a cannon from that period in the courtyard @ @ @ @ @ to the terracotta-painted walls , this is classically elegant accommodation .
The 25 elegant suites @ @ @ @ @ ( from Bronze to Diamond ) , and vary in size .
There are golden @ @ @ @ @ and romantic oil paintings .
Most suites have baths , although a couple have showers @ @ @ @ @ tubs .

This small hotel is owned by the Zsidai family, who have been leading restaurateurs in the city for more than 30 years. As you’d expect, its restaurant is top drawer, and the hotel has a colour, character and attention to design detail that makes it very special. The 11 rooms (including three suites) are each unique in design but share a creative, classy flavour. One has a feature wall showing Vermeer’s ‘Girl with a Pearl Earring’, another an unusual open bathroom with a shower cubicle overlooking the bedroom; some have parquet flooring while others are carpeted. Grilled dishes at the restaurant are the speciality, as well as variations of Hungarian classics.


thetelegraph--2020-01-21--Barcelona on a budget: 10 cool hostels in Catalonia's colourful capital

Teatro Hostel oozes with character and provides a home-from-home for twentysomething travellers looking to hang out with like-minded souls .
@ @ @ @ @ little different from its competitors is the theatrical theme that runs throughout , from the @ @ @ @ @ seats in the sitting room , to the marionettes that hang from the walls , @ @ @ @ @ after playwrights and literary characters .
There is no breakfast , but every night staff @ @ @ @ @ family ’ ( as they put it ) , and travellers are asked to donate @ @ @ @ @ Be prepared to join in and you won ’ t leave disappointed .

If you don't need a great deal of space, but you do need a touch of style in your surroundings, the Chic&Basic chain is just for you. All-white rooms are designed to be as open and airy as possible. The glass shower cubicles alongside the beds might not appeal to friends sharing, but the use of mirrors and semi-transparent twisted PVC curtains is both curious and clever. This is a basic hotel in terms of facilities, so contact with staff is fairly limited, but those on reception are friendly enough. No restaurant, but a simple buffet breakfast is available.