My Travelog

The Resort

Courchevel 1850 is ‘the place’ to enjoy a luxury ski vacation.  Boasting the largest skiable area in the world, Courchevel is one of the hottest ski destinations.  This high altitude glacial resort is situated in the guts of Les Trois Valles.  It is both the highest and the largest of the 5 resorts, offering a chic blend of luxury ski holidays, shops and stylish restaurants and bars. 

Courchevel shares Les Trois Valles skiing area with Courchevel 1650, Courchevel 1550, Courchevel Le Praz 1300 and La Tania.  Courchevel 1650 better known as ‘Sunny Moriond’ thanks to being washed in sunshine from most of the day, is the second highest of the villages.  It is an attractive old town crammed with eateries serving Savoy specialties and is conveniently just a short gondola ride away from Courchevel 1850.  Courchevel 1550 and Courchevel Le Praz 1300 and La Tania are charming and peaceful resorts nestled between fir and pine woods.  Skiers are spoilt for choice as the Les Trois Valles area offers in depth and varied terrain across its 5 resorts. 

Famous for great skiing Courchevel also offers a variety of aprs-ski activities.  The epitome of luxury and elegance there could be over 100 shops with well-liked brand names and famous artwork in its art studios.  Other activities include snow shoeing, snowmobiling, ice-karting and tobogganing. 

There are many ski faculties, all with classes for youngsters and ESF runs Le village des Enfants for non skiing and skiing children ( advisable to book in advance ). 

On the Snow

The well groomed Courchevel ski area promises fantastic skiing with 600km of slopes, 189 lifts, 1932 hectares of slopes and 24,711 acres of off-piste skiing and snow trustworthiness from xmas thru to mid April. 

whether or not you are a noob or professional skiers, all capabilities are catered for at the resort.  There are glorious beginner slopes in both 1850 and 1650, as well as challenging off-piste couloirs with some highly tricky black runs set to test even the most experienced.  Ski between Courchevel’s four villages, or head further out to Meribel and other resorts inside Les Trois Valles.  During top weeks, you may want to head for the quieter slopes of Courchevel 1650 or the satellite resort of La Tanis, avoiding the more crowded highwaies of Les Trois Valles. 

For snowboarders there is the snow park at Le Plantrey, the canyon and dunes of Les Verdons and the hoops at Biolley.  And it’s not difficult to get around on your luxury ski vacation using the modern lifts, with some great free-riding available.

If you enjoy traveling and would like to read more on some of the most famous places in the world, visit famouswonders.com and also check out Le Puy-en-Velay France.

Planning your summer holidays in Lanzarote this year?  Anyone venturing to this small Canary Island will find that there are lots of different types of accommodation to select from.  Often at prices that offer much better value than elsewhere in Spain.

Lanzarote is one of the seven Canary Islands – the best known of which are Tenerife and Gran Canaria.  Which are all located close to the shores of West Africa – creating a semi tropical climate and plenty of sunshine whatever the time of the year.

During the 1970´s package holidays to the island started to grow in popularity.  As General Franco opened Lanzarote up to overseas tourism.  With millions of tourists all keen to discover this unique holiday destination.  Today Lanzarote is not such a novelty as it once was – but that doesn’t in any way diminish its appeal.

Lanzarote is probably best known for its volcanic terrain which was forged by eruptions in the 18th century.  Creating a 200km square area in the centre of the island that is dominated by now dormant peaks and lava fields.  A sight so dramatic that many big budget movies have been shot on location here.  Such as the upcoming new release of Clash of the Titans 3, which stars Liam Neeson and which will be screened in 3D.

Most of the major travel companies, such as First Choice, Thomson and Thomas Cook feature Lanzarote in their travel brochures.  And this summer it’s possible to book flight and accommodation summer breaks on the island from around £280 per head.  With accommodation available in both hotels and apartment complexes.

There are three main resorts on the island – as well as an upmarket marina at Puerto Calero which is home to some fine hotels such as the Hesperia and the Costa Calero.  As well as an abundance of Lanzarote accommodation options in the countryside.

Eco tourism has also started to gain ground – with visitors able to enjoy a stay on a former finca in Arrieta which is entirely powered by solar and wind energy.  And where guests can even pick their own organic fruit and veg straight from the garden.

Tourists staying in outlying areas such as this are advised to book car hire in Lanzarote – as the local bus services are infrequent outside of the main resorts. Rental rates are really reasonable here though – starting at €15 per day.

Being one of the most popular islands in the Canary Islands, Lanzarote is a popular holiday destination.  It offers year round heat due to it being close to the west coast of Africa.Locals call the wind that this produces the ‘Saharan Winds’ which blow from the Sahara desert.  All this couples with the exceptional beaches and warm seas makes it obvious why Lanzarote holidays are so popular.Lanzarote is one of the favourite holiday destinations which can be seen by the amount of people who choose to go back.  Here are some of my personal highlights that have made my holidays memorable.

Cueva de los Verdes
Lanzarote was created by a volcanic eruption over 3000 years ago.The main attraction of the caves is the amazing green tint on the walls.Water in the caves are incredibly calm which adds to the magical experience.  It is only on breaking the water that you can see this deception.

Jameos del Agua
This is located quite close to Cueva de los Verdes which is a nice surprise.Jameos del Agua Cave is a volcanic forms cave~Jameos del Agua {is a volcanic formed cave}~is a beautiful cave formed because of the eruption}.  Jameo refers to a cave with a collapsed roof.With a tropical feel, white beautiful sand, blue clear pools and palm trees you will have an amazingly relaxing time here.

The Timanfaya Park
The Timanfaya Park amounts to 51sq kilometres of volcanic soil~Timanfaya National Park {is popular for its volcanicsoil and lunar landscape}~{is famous for its amazing lunar landscape and volcanic soil}~is famous for the amazing views of lunar landscape and volcanic rock}.The scenery from the park are amazing and will make you feel like you aren’t even on this planet.  Touring the park is an experience in itself.On boarding these busses you entrust the driver with your life, the roads are only just wide enough for the bus.  They weave you around craters up hills and take you to some of the best views that the park has to offer.
A Meal Cooked by Volcanic Heat
The most impressive moment of the tour is at the Restaurant el Diablo.  Prior to going into the restaurant the guides like to prove to you that this is an active volcano.To do this, you could try it in three ways.  There is a natural cavity in the floor that goes down a fair way; the first experiment you see is the guide placing some straw into the cavity.  After what feels like a few seconds the straw turns to flames, all this with the natural heat that is there just a few feet below us.  At the next experiment you see a tube in the ground again it only goes down a few feet.They will dramatically pour some cold water and wait until only 3 seconds late steam and water shoots out, often making all the tourists jump.

The final magical experience is to try and walk over the huge hole which has been converted into an oven, whose natural heat is hot enough to cook the food in the restaurant.  You are allowed to look in and you can feel the heat of what’s below.You need to move fast in this room as it has metal floors rightover the volcano, it starts to feel slippy which must be the soles of your shoes melting.You can then sit and eat while watching the beautiful sunset.Lanzarote promises to give you a memorable holiday suitable for families, couples and friends.

The Western Cape of South Africa is one of the few places in the country that has many naturally occurring tourist attractions. This is one place that you can visit without a plan because of the many choices to choose from. There is the famous Garden Route which passes along Indian Ocean coastline going through the Tsitsikamma and Outeniqua Mountains towards the mainland. It has a diverse bird’s species, sunny beaches and attractive blue lagoons.

If you are going to be flying to South Africa you can find flight information for flights to South Africa and flights within the country at any one of the following: flights from cape town to durban, fly cape town to mmabatho, flight from durban to cape town

The Winelands

The three towns Paarl, Stellenbosch and Franschoek have centuries old buildings and just going through these towns is a tour on its own. they boast the finest cuisine when it comes to restaurants and have the best wine cellars you’ll ever come across.

The West Coast

Along the West Coast is where you will find the best in South African hospitality. Any of the restaurants you choose to dine in will offer you a wide array of seafood and fish, all this served with the best lavish wine you can find. Here you will have a beautiful view of the ocean and the range of mountains.

The Garden Route

Just traveling through this beautiful town on this route is a tour on its own. The beautifully designed and modern beach front houses and the traditional colonial style houses of this place will keep you in this part of town longer than you would expect. The atmosphere is just good for those who want that fresh country side feeling in a modern environment.

The number of place that you can visit in the Western Cape are just so many; once you get there you will know what I mean. As I mentioned previously it is one of the few places in the country that still has such a diverse and well preserved environment.The Western Cape is just one place that you will only get to appreciate after being there for yourself.

So many car rental offers are now available online that the choice is overwhelming. Basic questions you need to ask include:

• Are all car hire deals the same?
• Is there are difference between the big and lesser known rental firms?
• What if a book direct with the actual hirer who will supply the car?
• Can the collect point alter the hire rate charged?
• Is the time of year a factor in the price I am quoted?

Most car hire packages are remarkably similar in terms of the types of cars, general terms of agreements and basic prices. Care hire quotes differ mainly in what they include in the price, or charge extra for. Hire car insurance cover is often the biggest variable, in terms of how much cover is included and therefore what you have to pay for in the hire car is damaged or stolen. If there is a claim you may have to pay a fixed sum, even if you have “collision damage waiver” included in your hire. There is often still a fixed amount which is not cover by the collision damage waiver and this can by hundreds or even thousands of pounds. It is only when then arrive to collect a hire car that customers are asked for a credit card to be ‘swiped’ as security against this cost, or to an additional insurance charge to alleviate, or in some cases, completely eliminate this additional risk. This is the single biggest potential extra cost and any such charges should be researched confirmed before booking.

Most car rental companies standardise prices although service at franchise-run locations can vary. The less well known, newer hire car firms are often little more than intermediaries who market a service under their brand but when you arrive you will find that your car might actually be supplied by one of the larger firms. Relatively obscure car renters can actually be partnering with the much bigger firms, so that you actually pick the car up from a familiar branded hire desk.

Comparing car rental prices is all very well but comparison websites allow you to also check the extra costs which are not included in the price quoted. Nearly all of the major rental companies can be compared in one place and so they all know that the need to offer their cheapest deals on car hire comparison websites. To compare all car hire prices online www.car-hire-rental.co.uk is in ‘partnership’ with a service which the British travel trade press decided was the “Best car hire website” in 2009.

Majorca is well known as a summer holiday spot, but it is also a good choice for holidaymakers looking for some sunshine, peace and quiet, and cheap deals over the winter months. Thousands flock to the many beaches, restaurants, bars and high quality cheap hotels in Majorca over the summer months. All types of holidaymaker enjoy the island, from budget conscious party goers to royalty. There’s no doubt that there is plenty of fun to be had during the summer season, but for a quieter sunshine break away from the crowds a winter trip to the island comes highly recommended.

Majorca’s broad appeal can be credited with its continuing success over the years. Whether you’re after beaches and seaside fun, or culture and fine cuisine, you’ll find something to suit. Families, couples, groups of friends, those on a budget, those with money, or those just looking for a change of scene can all find something in Majorca.

Majorca is certainly practiced at catering for the needs of holidaymakers and offers a tried and tested approach which means that you know what you’re getting when you go there. This is particularly comforting for holidaymakers who find that their budgets are stretched and who may not want to take too much of a gamble with their cash right now, while the many cheap hotels available help to ease the burden even further. In another way, though, Majorca has so much to offer that you could go back time and again and have a whole new experience each time.

The island’s year-round temperatures are a distinct advantage. With average temperatures reaching up to around 29°C in the height of summer and then levelling at around 20°C into October, autumn and winter visitors can experience the island’s offerings away from the crowds.

There is plenty to enjoy, from the tourist attractions of the capital, Palma de Majorca, to the many and varied stunning beaches. Visiting during winter, when the peak season crowds are dying down, is certainly a great way to get to know the real Majorca. You’ll also be able to take advantage of out of season prices at one of the many great value hotels in Majorca so keep an eye out for deals online to get the most out of your money on your Balearic Island holiday.

If the snow and freezing weather wasn’t enough here’s five good reasons for jetting off on a holiday to the sunshine island of Lanzarote.  Which is located in the Canary Islands off the Atlantic coast of Africa.

Weather
If there’s one thing that British holidaymakers want to see most when they arrive at a foreign destination it is usually the sun.  As a nation obsessed with the weather this only seems to intensify once abroad.  Especially for anyone who has booked a holiday during the winter months to escape the grey and cold of the UK.

The weather in Lanzarote is very good all year round.  Thanks to the islands location off the coast of Africa which creates a semi tropical climate.  As a result visitors can enjoy days on the beach or by the pool even in December and January.

At the same time Lanzarote is just a four hour flight from the UK.  So it is also much closer than any far flung winter sun destinations such as the Caribbean.  And consequently offers far better value for money.

Accommodation
This is especially true when it comes to booking accommodation in Lanzarote. As the island offers people the chance to get away without the hefty bill associated with s stay at Sandy Lane in Barbados.

Apartments in lanzarote offer the cheapest option – as these can be booked from as little as £180 per week.  Whilst villas and hotels are also much more reasonably priced than in many other holiday destinations.

Beaches
Lanzarote has arguably the best beaches of any of the Canary Islands – and many other holiday islands too come to that.

There are over 90 to explore and some of them are right up there with the best in Europe.  Such as the large bay and beach at Famara in the north.  Best of all the vast majority of the beaches on Lanzarote are made up of golden sands rather than the black grains common on other Canary Islands.

Attractions
For a small island Lanzarote offers a surprisingly large amount things to do and see.  A key reason why so many visitors to the island keep coming back for more.

The creations of César Manrique enchant many tourists – whilst there are few sights as awe inspiring as the Timanfaya National Park.  Home to hundreds of volcanoes and mile after mile of lava fields.  All of which were forged by massive eruptions some 250 years ago.