Tag: France

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Ski

Skiing Holidays in the Pyrenees

If you’re searching for a destination with quality skiing, the reassurance of heavy snowfalls and a traditional welcome, relax… you’ve just found it. The French Pyrenees…

WHY GO?

If you’re searching for a destination with quality skiing, the reassurance of heavy snowfalls and a traditional welcome, relax… you’ve just found it. The French Pyrenees are a vast winter wonderland set in a breathtaking yet accessible location between the Atlantic and the Mediterranean, close to the borders of Spain and Andorra. These are real mountains, with 575km of high-altitude terrain, groomed to perfection for leisure skiers and families to enjoy, along with extensive off-piste potential for freeriders and ski tourers. They get big snow, too (Cauterets, for example, was named World’s Snowiest Resort in 2013) and as you’ll discover, they all offer a refreshing breath of French air.

WHERE TO STAY

In recent years huge investments have been quietly transforming the ski areas to satisfy a whole new generation of skiers and snowboarders, both on and off the mountain. So when it comes to deciding where to stay, there’s now plenty of choice. Cosy traditional villages in sheltered valley settings are still hugely popular, but if you’d prefer to be closer to the action on the mountain you’ll love the convenience of our ski-in/ski-out villages, from which powerful high-speed lift systems whisk you all the way up to (and sometimes beyond) 2400m, both faster and more smoothly than ever before.

When you get there you can head all the way down the mountain if the mood takes you, as a high proportion of runs are equipped with state-of-the-art snowmaking to keep the slopes open throughout what can be a satisfyingly long season.

THE AREA

Whatever you’re planning, you’re likely to be pleasantly surprised by the friendly company you’ll be keeping, for generations of French families learned to ski in the Pyrenees, and they return each season to enjoy re-skiing their favourite runs with friends old and new. Better still, you’ll find a similarly relaxed, easy-going spirit among local shopkeepers, hoteliers and restaurant owners, who take pride in offering quality service, combined with solid value.

RELAXATION

Talking of relaxation, the region has also long been celebrated for its thermal spas, many of which have also been undergoing something of a transformation. The result is an impressive selection of family-friendly aqua centres where you can unwind in real style at the end of an action-packed day on the mountain. Enjoy a soothing massage or some shameless spa pampering, with saunas, Jacuzzis and fitness suites, or simply let off any remaining steam in large heated indoor pools. Today they’re equipped with fun things like waterfalls, underwater massage jets and more.

HOW TO GET THERE

As for accessibility, there are short transfers from flights into Toulouse, Tarbes Lourdes, Pau, Carcassonne and Perpignan, or if you prefer greener rail travel take the Eurostar to Paris, followed by a smooth, relaxing TGV high-speed rail service to the main cities. Of course, for family and other groups driving can still have its advantages, particularly as you’ll be on the efficient French autoroute network from your choice of Channel port almost all the way to your ski destination.

BOOK

Holiday packages to the French Pyrenees are bookable through UK based specialist Pyrenees Collection

PYRENEESCOLLECTION.CO.UK; 0844 576 0176

Categories
France

Summer Lakes and Mountains Holiday: Europe

Make the most of your time together by taking your family to these beautiful mountain destinations.

Midi-Pyrenees, France

The Pyrenees snake along the border between France and Spain. Base yourself in the middle and, to really get back to nature (and save some money), go glamping. Campsites provide ready-made friends for your kids and peaceful surroundings in a natural playground of mountains, pine forests and lakes. This Basque region is rich in historical sights, too, from ancient caves to stone villages, castles, monasteries and the pilgrimmage site at Lourdes. 

WHERE TO STAY

Eurocamp’s Airotel Pyrénées is near Luz St Sauveur, gateway to the Pyrenees National Park. Choose from mobile homes, lodges or swish safari tents, all with beds and kitchen facilities. The site has pools, waterslides and a tennis court.

THE LOWDOWN

Price: A safari tent that sleeps up to six costs from £180 per week, excluding ferry crossings.

South Tyrol, Italy

Until 1918, the South Tyrol was part of Austria, and its people are proud of their unique identity and even have their own language, Ladin, although few of them still speak it. The area has gained a reputation for its cuisine, with more Michelin-starred restaurants than you can shake a wooden spoon at. So foodie families can fill up, after working up an appetite in the Dolomite mountains.

WHERE TO STAY

Dolomit Family Resport Garberhof is a Kinderhotel, part of a consortium of hotels that provide whacked-out parents with childcare and equipment such as back carriers, bibs and baby baths.

THE LOWDOWN

Price: Starting at £75 per adult per night and £24 per child per night, including all meals, childcare, baby equipment, bike hire and use of spa

Categories
Ski

The Best Ski Resorts for Non-Skiers

Best Ski Resorts for Non-Skiers

Not everyone wants to spend all day on the slopes. We’ve handpicked the best resorts for the non-skiers in your family.

Where to go?

Never have there been more options in ski resorts for ways to have fun and be entertained off the slopes. 

For skiing families, this is doubly important. Some children won’t want to ski all week, but many families will also have non-skiing relatives with them – grandparents and uncles and aunts, invaluable for babysitting duties – and they need to have plenty to do, too. 

FRANCE

Some resorts are better than others at the non-skiing fun list. Perhaps a surprise choice is the architecturally unappealing French resort of Avoriaz, part of the extensive cross-border Portes du Soleil region. It has won awards as a family-friendly destination. 

For a start, it is genuinely car-free, so offers a pleasant environment for those not hitting the slopes. Everything – shops, bars, restaurants – is reached by foot or horse-drawn sleigh. 

The Aquariaz waterpark has a sub-tropical atmosphere and boasts a waterfall and a series of pools, water-jets and slides. There are even currents to float you along and, for the adventurous, a water half-pipe with a 10m drop. Water gym sessions are held regularly. 

It’s the only place we know that features properly organised snowball fights, as well as Sumo wrestling on snow. 

The pretty town of Morzine, with a large range of shops and great for a day out, is easily reached by cable car. 

AUSTRIA

The Austrian village of Ellmau, part of the SkiWelt area of nine interlinked villages, has traditional charm. A bonus for non-skiers is the Hartkaiserbahn mountain railway – a scenic ride up into the skiing area and also an easy way to meet skiers for lunch at the top. 

Ellmau also has horse-drawn sleighs, a leisurely way of taking in the spectacular scenery, as well as curling and tobogganing. The Kaiserbad leisure centre has indoor and outdoor pools, saunas and steamrooms, indoor tennis and squash and a climbing wall. 

The medieval town of Kitzbühel, with its elegant pedestrianised centre of smart shops and lovely bars and restaurants, is also within easy reach by bus or car. 

SWITZERLAND

Another maybe-not-so-obvious choice is the ultra-smart Swiss resort of St Moritz, twice host of the Winter Olympics. Despite its expensive and sophisticated image, there are plenty of non-skiing possibilities here for youngsters and adults. For a start, there are the designer shops of the highest shopping street in Europe, the Via Serlas. You can watch World Cup polo on snow, as well as cricket matches on the lake. 

A visit to one of the grande-dame hotels here is a diversion in itself, even if only to take tea. There is a rack railway to get up the mountain, as well as other fabulously scenic rail trips available from the town’s station, the UNESCO-listed red train for one. 

For a peaceful day out, snowshoeing is a good bet. For those of a more frenetic bent, however, the opportunity to ride the Olympic bobsleigh run, with a professional driver, should satisfy your thrill-seeking side. Speeds of up to 80mph can be reached during the 75-second run of adrenaline-fuelled excitement. 

COLORADO, UNITED STATES

Youngsters could have trouble packing in all the activities that Breckenridge, Colorado, has to offer without ever going near the slopes. They could snowshoe, go snowmobiling, take dog-sled rides, have a trip in a hot-air balloon – and even visit a gold mine. 

The town itself, one of America’s liveliest resorts, and quick and easy to reach from Denver, has loads of shops, a cinema, swimming pool and even an art gallery. 

ITALY

The elegant and attractive ski town of Cortina d’Ampezzo, in the Italian Dolomites, is bursting with non-ski attractions. You can try horse-riding in the snow, indoor tennis, tobogganing, ice skating, ice hockey, curling and even ice disco dancing! Until the end of January, the bobsleigh run is open for rides with a driver and brakeman. 

Après-ski

Fabulous as it is to spend lots of time with the kids on a ski trip, a bit of après-ski for mum and dad can be great, too. Here are some of the liveliest resorts for nightlife:

ISCHGL, Austria 


The acclaimed Alpine capital of après-ski, this Tirolean resort boasts some legendary partying, at bars such as the Trofana Alm, Niki’s Stadl, Kuhstall and Schatzi’s (famous for its mini-dirndl-clad girls dancing on the bar). It even has a Pacha. British babysitting firm Merinannies, which employs local girls, operates here, so babysitting is easy to arrange. But book well in advance, especially at peak times. 


ALPE D’HUEZ, France 

A loyal British following returns to Alpe d’Huez each year. It isn’t pretty, but it has a vibrant nightlife and prices substantially lower than more fashionable resorts. Top venues include O’Sharkeys, Smithy’s, The Crowded House and Freeride. And now it also has a Folie Douce, where you might catch the outrageous Kelly Starlight hosting a cabaret show. Babysitting can be arranged here through Brit-run Snow Angel Nannies.

More info: crystalski.co.uk; vip-chalets.com


ST ANTON AM ARLBERG, Austria 


From mountain huts that rock by the piste to clubs in town, this is one of the world’s top ski destinations for nightlife as well as for fabulous slopes (it’s proud of its claim to be the ‘cradle of skiing’). On the mountain, skiers and boarders are drawn to bars such as Mooserwirt, the Krazy Kangaruh, the Griabli and the Senn Hutte. Intown, the Kandahar, run by Brit Jonathan Verney, and the Funky Chicken are popular. Merinannies also operates here.

More info: espritski.com


LIVIGNO, Italy 

A duty-free enclave in Lombardy (which means shopping for watches and perfume is a major activity), Livigno claims to have more bars than any other ski resort in the world – 150 at the last count. Among the most popular are Kuhstall, Mikey’s Pub, Gulliver Pub, the Echo Pub and, for cocktails, Jpioca. You will manage to visit only a fraction,even withdetermined effort. The tourist office has a list of recommended babysitting agencies.

More info: www.crystalski.co.uk

 

WANT A SKI HOLIDAY BUT DON’T WANT TO BREAK THE BANK? HERE’S HOW TO GO SKIING ON A BUDGET 

Categories
Ski

Ski Schools in Tignes, France

Tignes offers lessons for all abilities, stupendous mountain views and great family facilities.

Why go?

If you’re looking for a family skiing holiday that caters for different levels and needs a mixed-ability group, it’s not easy to find better than Tignes. At 2,100m, it’s a snow-sure destination and, sharing the massive L’Espace Killy with Val d’Isère, offers 320km of trails catering to every level of ability. There’s clear blue sky, jagged mountain peaks, a sweeping expanse of glacier and powder-topped piste – and then there’s the 360° view from the top of Grande Motte telepherique. Skiing really doesn’t get much better. ? 

Who is it good for? Children can learn to ski from the age of four, and the earlier you start them, the more naturally it comes. 

Activities

Ski school: Local ski school Ski Evolution can turn inexperienced skiers into confident jump fanatics. Mornings are spent in ski school learning control and technique and afternoons are used to show off their new-found skills. Beginners have access to nursery slopes (with free lifts) before moving onto a large ‘ski tranquille’ area of long, wide and easy-going green runs – perfect for those looking to practice after a morning of ski school. Pros can take to the ‘naturides’ – groom-free black runs, offering great powder skiing on avalanche-protected pistes.

Aprés ski: For kids there’s husky rides, snowshoeing, sledging runs, ten-pin bowling and a leisure centre with swimming pool and slides – there’s plenty to wear out little legs if the skiing alone hasn’t done the job.

The lowdown

Travel time: Tignes is close to four airports; Chambery-Savoie (1 hour 50 minute transfer), Lyon Saint-Exupéry (2 hour 35 minute transfer), Grenoble-Isère (2 hour 33 minute transfer) and Geneva Cointrin (2 hour 42 minute transfer), all are around 1 hour and 35 minutes from London.

How to get there: Between December and April British Airways flies from London City Airport to Chambery; from £153 return, and from London Heathrow (from £131 return) and London Gatwick (from £79 return) to Geneva, as well as London Heathrow to Lyon (Saint Exupery); from £133. Swiss flies from London Heathrow (from £98 return) and London City (from £104 return) to Geneva. easyJet flies from London Gatwick to Geneva; from £50.98 return, and, between December and March, from London Gatwick to Grenoble; from £57.61 return.

Best time to go: Tignes has one of the longest seasons in the Alps, – thanks to its Grande Motte glacier – running from the beginning of December to mid-May.

More information: skiclub.com / espritski.com / igluski.com

 

Pictures by Corbis, Getty Images, and Shutterstock.com

Categories
Adventure

On Your Bike! Three of the Best Cycling Holidays

If cycling through nature on a bike is your favourite thing to do, we have found the 3 top destinations for family bike trips with a stunning view.

Scotland

Wilderness Scotland’s family cycling holidays from Fort William are suitable for kids aged 11 and up. You can mix up five days of cycling along tow paths and forestry roads with canoeing, horse-riding, castle visits and monster-spotting on Loch Ness.

Price: The Coast to Coast Family self-guided mountain biking break costs from £600 per adult and £575 per child, including five nights’ B&B accommodation, bike hire and baggage transfers.

More info: wildernessscotland.com

France

With the Tour de France coming to the UK this July, it’s time to get on your bike. The Camping and Caravanning Club has campsites along the route, including Cambridge and Yorkshire.

Price: Pitches cost from £22.50 per night for members. Membership for a family of four costs £41.

More info: campingandcaravanningclub.co.uk

Cuba

If you want guaranteed sunshine, Exodus has a family cycling tour of Cuba that takes in the capital Havana and the valley of Viñales. End your trip with a stop in Santa Clara to see where student icon Che Guevara is buried, with plenty of fun along the way from zip lining to river swims.

Price: Nine days cost from £1,549 per person (minimum age 11), including flights, accommodation, breakfast and some meals.

Mor info: exodus.co.uk

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Travel Tips

Ski Holidays: Best Mountain Restaurants

A good slope-side restaurant, with delicious food and plenty to entertain the kids, is essential on a family skiing holiday. Here are five of our favourites.

LA VACHE, VERBIER, SWITZERLAND

Opened a couple of seasons ago by celebrity Verbier fans James Blunt, Lawrence Dallaglio and Carl Fogarty, and with a seal of approval from chef Heston Blumenthal, La Vache (The Cow) is perched at the top of the James Blunt chairlift. It has a cosy, laidback but busy atmosphere, fabulous views, showbiz glitz and a menu of high-class hamburgers and prestige pizzas and pastas to entice any youngster, as well as lots of cows (decorative ones) on the terrace.

Find out more: lavacheverbier.ch or skisafari.com

SUNNY MOUNTAIN, KAPPL, AUSTRIA

Half way up a mountain at the family-friendly little resort of Kappl in the Paznaun Valley is a restaurant where kids are king. Menus, with Tirolean favourites such as kaiserschmarrn (chopped up pancakes) and germknodels (sweet dumplings), are tailored for young tastes and right outside is a children’s play area in the snow with a ski carousel, magic carpets, tubes and tunnels and a Zibob mini-sledge course, so parents can finish lunch in peace while their children are safely amused.

Find out more: kappl.com or zenithholidays.co.uk

SIGNAL 2018, ALPE D’HUEZ, FRANCE

The striking pyramid shape of Signal, on a lofty peak giving 360-degree vistas, is a draw in itself. Inside or on the terrace, families love the sheepskins, cowhides and cushions scattered over the furniture. Boot warmers mean your ski-boots toasty by the time you leave, while you have lunch wearing slippers. Kids are enthralled by the amazing views, and from the terrace they can also watch the paragliders take off from the nearby launch site.

Find out more: signal2018.fr or vip-chalets.com

I LARICI BAR AND PIZZERIA, MADESIMO, ITALY

The friendliest staff you could wish for (well, this is Italy, they love children), a pleasantly bustling atmosphere and some of the best food we’ve found on the slopes make this a super find (with, obviously, very fine pizzas). The terrace is great on sunny days (Madesimo has many), and you can buy lunch for the whole family for the price of a plate of chips in many French mountain restaurants.

Find out more: skiareavalchiavenna.it or momentumski.com

HOSPIZ ALM, ST CHRISTOPH, AUSTRIA

Oozing with Tirolean character from every weathered timber, this is the slopeside adjunct of the five-star Hospiz Hotel, and even youngsters gaze in delight at the magical, cosy and elegant interior. The atmosphere is added to by waiters and waitresses dressed in traditional lederhosen and dirndls, and even though the restaurant has been awarded two prestigious toques (chefs’ hats), simple, hearty fare is available. The highlight? Taking the slide beside the stairs down to the loos.

Find out more: arlberghospiz.at or inghams.co.uk

Categories
Europe Family-friendly Festivals News Story

The Festival of Lights, Lyon

Why go? From 6-9 December, millions of people will flock to Lyon for what is one of the country’s biggest cultural events, the Fête des Lumières or Festival of Lights. Over 70 installations designed by world-renowned artists will flash and flare in the streets, project on to buildings and float overhead creating a rainbow of colours across the city. Meanwhile, on ground level, a Mexican-inspired parade, with giant puppets, actors and circus acrobats will add to the surreal but rather magical experience. 

Food: All this fuels the already thriving culinary scene. In a country known for its food, Lyon still manages to stand outand there is an element of truth in the locals’ claim that its restaurants are finer than those in Paris. But if you can’t imagine the troops sitting through a three let alone six- course dinner, head instead to the multitude of street stalls and ‘bouchons’ (traditional Lyonnaise restaurants) serving good solid French dishes, like sausages, terrines, pâtés and roasts.

The history: It is surprising perhaps that such a lively and futuristic event has such a dark origin dating back all the way to 1643. During the outbreak of the plague, when the city was struck down with the disease, the council promised to pay tribute to the Virgin Mary should she save them. They were spared, and on 8 December every year candles were lit and offerings made in her name. This more subtle tradition still remains, alongside the more extravagant and vibrant offering of the Fête. 

 

THE LOWDOWN: 

Getting there: Flights to Lyon during the Festival start from just £47 one way with easyJet.

Accommodation: Stay at the cool and arty Mama Shelter Hotel (pictured above right) from €129 for a double room, or the boutique Collège Hotel (pictured above left) from €125 per night.

Categories
Europe News Story Ski

Ski School in Tignes, France

Why go? If you’re looking for a family skiing holiday that caters for different levels and needs a mixed-ability group, it’s not easy to find better than Tignes. At 2,100m, it’s a snow-sure destination and, sharing the massive L’Espace Killy with Val d’Isère, offers 320km of trails catering to every level of ability. There’s clear blue sky, jagged mountain peaks, a sweeping expanse of glacier and powder-topped piste – and then there’s the 360° view from the top of Grande Motte telepherique. Skiing really doesn’t get much better. ?

Who is it good for? Children can learn to ski from the age of four, and the earlier you start them, the more naturally it comes. 

Ski school: Local ski school Ski Evolution can turn inexperienced skiers into confident jump fanatics. Mornings are spent in ski school learning control and technique and afternoons are used to show off their new-found skills. 

Beginners have access to nursery slopes (with free lifts) before moving onto a large ‘ski tranquille’ area of long, wide and easy-going green runs – perfect for those looking to practice after a morning of ski school. Pros can take to the ‘naturides’  – groom-free black runs, offering great powder skiing on avalanche-protected pistes.

Activities: Aprés ski includes husky rides, snowshoeing, sledging runs, ten-pin bowling and a leisure centre with swimming pool and slides – there’s plenty to wear out little legs if the skiing alone hasn’t done the job. 

 

THE LOWDOWN:

Travel time: Tignes is close to four airports; Chambery-Savoie (1 hour 50 minute transfer), Lyon Saint-Exupéry (2 hour 35 minute transfer), Grenoble-Isère (2 hour 33 minute transfer) and Geneva Cointrin (2 hour 42 minute transfer), all are around 1 hour and 35 minutes from London. 

How to get there: Between December and April British Airways flies from London City Airport to Chambery; from £153 return, and from London Heathrow (from £131 return) and London Gatwick (from £79 return) to Geneva, as well as London Heathrow to Lyon (Saint Exupery); from £133. 

Swiss flies from London Heathrow (from £98 return) and London City (from £104 return) to Geneva. 

easyJet flies from London Gatwick to Geneva; from £50.98 return, and, between December and March, from London Gatwick to Grenoble; from £57.61 return.

Best time to go: Tignes has one of the longest seasons in the Alps, – thanks to its Grande Motte glacier – running from the beginning of December to mid-May. 

More information: skiclub.com / espritski.com / igluski.com

 

Pictures by Corbis, Getty Images, and Shutterstock.com

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Europe North America Rest of the World South America UK

My House is Your House with Kids & Coe

We’d all jump at the chance of staying in an authentic designer family home when travelling with our kids. So much more relaxing than a five-star resort and you get to experience local life.

Zoie Kingsbery Coe spent years managing her husband, DJ Sasha’s word tour schedule and their family travels. And she has used her expertise to create Kid & Coe, a new website of family-friendly design-led properties across the world including London, New York, France, Mexico, Tuscany, Cornwall and San Francisco.

 

THE LOWDOWN

The majority of homes have high chairs, cribs and toys and guests receive an online guide of nearby attractions, playgrounds and child-friendly restaurants created in collaboration with the owners.

Price: From £85 per night. Visit kidandcoe.com to book, or sign up your own home!