Mediterranean cruises feature Cannes as one of the premium destinations depending on which company you travel with, but the one thing that is true no matter which cruise company you eventually settle on is the simple fact that there is so much to see and do in Cannes that it is literally impossible to take it all in during just one visit. If you are on a cruise and stopping here for the day there is definitely enough to keep you busy, but in order to really experience Cannes a couple of weeks is the minimum amount of time that should be scheduled.

Even so, if you are here on one of the many Mediterranean cruises there are a few things that can be seen in the few hours you will have in port. The old town is arguably the best visual experience, with plenty of winding streets and restaurants, but the covered market and the Palais des Festivals should not be missed. And if your budget can afford it, La Croisette is one of the most expensive shopping districts in the world.

The most obvious place in Spain for skiing is the Pyrenees, the mountain range that spans the border with France.  Many holiday makers will head to the Pyrenees if they want a skiing holiday.  Other options include the Sierra Nevada in the south of Spain, which in spite of its southern location has the longest winter season, totalling almost 5 months.  The city of Madrid is close to several ski resorts and La Rioja near the north is also home to a few ski resorts. 

The ski resorts offer all the facilities that you would expect, including skiing lessons for beginners and hire of ski equipment.  Most people choose to rent an apartment and go self-catering but all the resorts boast excellent hotels to suit all budgets.  The restaurants represent most of the world’s cuisines and there are other options for an evening out, such as cinemas and nightclubs.

Spain offers good value for money when it comes to ski deals as it is one of the cheapest places in Europe for holiday makers.  Finding cheap flights is easy as there are several budget airlines which fly to most of the main cities in Spain.  If you are prepared to shop around for your skiing holiday then you should be able to find an inexpensive skiing holiday for the whole family.

There are some fabulous vineyards that you can visit whilst you are in the country; where they produce the finest wines, which are exported all over the world.  You can visit the champagne region and sample the very best they have.  Or if you prefer something with a few less bubbles why not try the Burgundy region?  You will see field upon field of grapevines and realise just how seriously the French take their winemaking skills.

To reach France you can hop on board a ferry from one of the many ports in the UK.  Enjoy the relaxing atmosphere on board and have a meal while you’re waiting to dock.  There are also many flights from UK airports to many parts of the country.  Or you can catch the train and use the Channel Tunnel, which will transport you to the French border within 20 minutes.  Since the tunnel has been built, trips to France and other parts of the continent have increased.  It has certainly made life easier for frequent travellers.

So why not travel to France and enjoy everything that the country has to offer? Go and stay in one of their many villas, hotels, and holiday cottages or even stay on one of their campsites, the choice is yours.

If you have a whole week to spare, then a cruise from the UK can take you down the French coast to Spain, visiting several holiday destinations such as Brest, La Rochelle Bilbao and Corunna in one go. At around £600 – £800 per person, they aren’t a cheap option but if you shop around there are usually plenty of bargains, especially at the last minute. You also have to remember that the cost includes all your food and entertainment, and that it is the equivalent of staying in a luxury hotel. If you have children, there is entertainment on tap, you can have meals at any time, and you don’t have to worry about organising sightseeing trips.

You’ll also find short cruises starting from places such as Mallorca, Corfu and Turkey, as well as further afield, where you fly out to meet the ship, then fly home at the end of the cruise.

One of the most snow-sure resorts in the country is the enchantingly named Obergurgl, which also happens to be Austria’s highest at 1930 metres. If you’d like access to a lively nightlife after your day’s skiing, you’d be hard-pressed to beat Kitzbuhel. This resort has exceptionally varied and, it has to be said, challenging terrain, with plenty of adrenaline-charged moguls and off-piste skiing (the snow does tend to get a little patchy at lower altitudes here, though).  A similarly exciting resort can be found in St Anton, which hosted the World Alpine Ski Championships in 2001. You’ll get some of the most breathtaking off-piste skiing in the country here, along with plenty of Austrian après-ski.  At the super-sophisticated (and very expensive) end of the spectrum, Lech and Zurs are widely recognised as the most exclusive ski venues in Austria, with exquisite hotel accommodation, beautifully scenic village settings and superb eateries to round the day off.

Ski accommodation in Austria is generally of a very good standard indeed, but bear in mind that a skiing holiday can work out cheaper than self-catering here – food and wine are usually included in the package price.

One of the big items you should note is that not everything on the cruise is free. In fact, alcohol and soft drinks are not free on most cruises. In most cases you have to set up a charge account, which eliminates the need to carry cash or credit cards on the ship. The main drawback of this system is that it can be hard to keep up with just how much money you are spending. If you are buying drinks or other items that aren’t included in the cost of the cruise that money can add up very quickly.

One other aspect to note about cruises is the provision of on-shore excursions on the various locations you visit, if you do it through the cruise provider you will be paying quite a bit more than if you organise the on-shore activities yourself. Scheduling the activities through the cruise line can offer you the convenience of not having to deal with it yourself, but you must be willing to pay for the service provided.

Overall, cruise holidays are extremely enjoyable, but you don’t want the hidden costs to exceed your planned holiday budget, making you regret your vacation choice.

One of the most popular locations in the area surrounding the Rocky Mountains is Banff National Park. Packed with stunning views of Moraine Lake and the Valley of the Ten Peaks, the park is the perfect location for sightseeing and long walks. The area surrounding Moraine Lake is ideal for hiking, although tourists are advised to take care due to the area being home to grizzly bears. The park also contains many other wildlife species, several of which are endangered.

The Rocky Mountains offer a wide range of other activities in the area. The area is home to a wide variety of ski resorts, which offer a number of routes that are suitable for both beginners and expert skiers. Aspen is a popular location for skiers and also offers beautiful scenery.

There are a wide variety of restaurants in the area to suit all tastes and budgets. Colorado is an ideal location for those looking for a variety of places to eat. The area offers restaurants that serve a variety of cuisine, such as Thai and Italian. There are also many fast food restaurants in the area.

With its wide variety of exciting activities and stunning scenery, the Rocky Mountains are sure to provide you with everything you need to make your holiday enjoyable and memorable.

If you go to Antalya in March or April you can go skiing in the mornings and in the afternoon you can take a swim in the tepid waters of the Mediterranean.  There are many places of historic interest to visit and the olive and citrus groves together with extensive pine forests provide a wonderful backdrop to any excursion.  If you like exploring local history, you won’t be disappointed with the museums and exhibitions that this region has to offer.

With its wide range of accommodation and friendly locals, the Turkish Riviera is considered the tourism capital of Turkey.  Antalya is the principal resort in Turkey and is a very attractive city with a prize-winning marina.  The old quarter of the city with its winding streets and old wooden houses is also worth exploring, especially on those days when you prefer to relax and absorb the local atmosphere.

There is no shortage of accommodation in Turkey, whether you prefer the busy resorts or the quiet of the countryside, all budgets and tastes are catered for.  What could be more amazing than staying in a place where you can see picturesque mountains and the Mediterranean from your balcony? Luxury villas in Turkey are not as expensive as you might imagine and group rates are available; why not book yours today?

Sometimes the best guidebook for your trip comes as a package where one book may provide you with a cultural sense of the country, while another helps you with the language.

When travelling to France you have to take a moment and consider the key things you know about the country. One, they speak French. Two, they are known for their food. Three, there are well known sites within France such as the Eiffel Tower and Notre Dame. Considering these aspects, you might want a guidebook that has common French phrases. You might also want a guidebook that has the translation of common French food items. Finally, you might want a  book that covers facts and details on the common tourist sites.

You may think it inconvenient that there isn’t just a single book and if you search long enough you might find the perfect book. However, if you buy a combination of books you will be able to take titbits from each book. You should study them before you leave for your trip so that you don’t spend a large part of your vacation trying to figure out what you want to do next.

Your specific needs will determine whether you should go with a catered ski chalet or a self-catered chalet, do you want to be pampered with cordon bleu food or are you happy with self catering? Location and convenience are two huge factors when it comes to an overall satisfying experience. If you are unsure of where to go, you should consider the French Alps. La Plagne is one of the best locations because of how accessible it is to everything you need for an invigorating ski experience. The good news is that there are nice locations that suit both needs. From a catered ski chalet to a self-catered chalet, your stay in La Plagne is one that will go at your pace.

No matter what you want from your winter adventure choose a ski chalet with all the comforts that you expect for your skiing getaway, and you’ll never want to go anywhere else on your skiing holiday!