Breaking Blue : Helping you explore the world!

Skiing does not have to end with the après ski down the pub. Night skiing is widespread across Europe with many ski holiday resorts setting aside several nights a week to give their skiers a little something extra.

The High Tatras in Slovakia may be one of the smallest mountain regions in the world, but is good for night skiing. The area is recommended for beginner and intermediate skiers and snowboarders. Another plus is that all the resorts are conveniently linked by an electric train system.

With over a hundred night-skiing pistes, night skiing is very popular from Upper Austria to Lower Austria. Resorts in Tyrol, Carinthia, Salzburg and more has night skiing and the mountains are floodlit for skiing. The municipality of Söll has the largest night-skiing area in the Tyrol and is being expanded to offer six kilometres of floodlit skiing.

Germany has fifty pistes throughout the country with night skiing. Oberaudorf in Upper Bavaria has the country’s longest night run. Willengen in the district of Sauerland offers evening skiing on several pistes too.

In Italy there is night skiing in the Val d’Osta, Lombardy, Veneto, Trento, South Tyrol. The pistes at San Martino di Castrozza are among the latest to stay open – past 11pm.

Night skiing is growing in popularity in France where several resorts have night skiing that is either floodlit or torch lit. A few ski resorts locations that provide night skiing include Chamonix at the Glacier des Bossons that offers a single red piste, and in Les Houches there is the Tourchet piste. Courchevel 1650 has free night skiing for those with a valid lift pass.

read comments (0)

Having impaired mobility or certain special needs should not stop anyone from enjoying a cruise holiday.  Many cruise operators are fully equipped to cope with any extra needs a passenger may have.  On arrival, extra assistance can be provided to allow safe and easy boarding of the ship and if flying to meet the ship, special transportation can be provided to transport you between the airport and the pier. 

Mobility impaired passengers will still have a choice of staterooms that offer plenty of space and any extra mobility aids that a disabled person may need, such as grab bars, lower level bathroom sinks, a fold down shower stool, easily accessible balconies and no doorsills which may cause an obstruction.  Some rooms will also have slightly wider doorways to allow for wheelchair access.  Equipment can be provided if necessary for those who just need a little extra help rather than a fully equipped stateroom for a disabled person. 

It is possible that some excursions may not be suitable for those in wheelchairs or with impaired movement but the staff on the cruise ships are happy to help you choose the excursions which are suitable for you and will provide every assistance.  Some of the activities can be adapted so that children with special needs can also take part. 

All cruise ships are equipped with medical facilities and lifts, making the whole ship accessible for the mobility impaired.  There are facilities in place to help those who have specific medical conditions that may need monitoring, but arrangements must be made with the cruise lines in advance.

read comments (0)

Florida is a popular holiday destination for British tourists and with its 16 million citizens and 170,000 square kilometres of land Florida is as large and varied in landscape as a small country.

The state is world famous for its sun, surf and sandy beaches; there are 1500 kilometres of beaches in total.  Added to this are the attractions of the unique and natural wonders of the Everglades and the modern theme parks including Disney World. Although this might sound enough Florida has even more to offer the visitor.

Florida’s western Panhandle has some of the best beaches in the USA. It also has caverns and some of the finest canoeing around. In this region is found Tallahassee with its interesting museums and the famous Suwannee River. Cave diving, fishing and cultural tours are also all on offer.

Jacksonville, the state’s largest city is located in northeast Florida and is home to the Professional Golf Association. Golf, fishing, historical tours and the oldest marine park in the country make visiting this part of Florida very worthwhile.

Further south there is the world famous Daytona Beach and the site of NASA the American space agency. Orlando, famous for its theme parks, including Universal Studios, Disney World and Sea World, dominates Central Florida. Each of these theme parks contains so many attractions that it can take a family a whole week to explore them. However, for those who are interested in something more than theme parks the area is also home to beautiful cities such as Tampa and St. Petersburg. One of the biggest attractions of this area is the Gulf of Mexico with its stunning beaches and calm green waters.

Even further south are the Everglades, Miami and the Florida Keys. The Everglades are an experience not to be missed and Key West is the ultimate vacationer’s paradise, a place where you can fill your day with activities or just simply hang out and relax.

Not surprisingly Florida has a huge range of privately owned villas or holiday apartments that are available for rental. Some rental sites also offer extras such as Florida theme park tickets that can be delivered to the villa. Villas can be rented in various locations in Florida and some can be booked at the last minute, although it is a good idea to compare prices and offers.

read comments (0)

Families wanting the versatility of a self-catering ski holiday in France can find wonderful resorts full of modern conveniences and picturesque charm.  It is just as important, if not more important, for a family to have a variety of choice off the mountain in a welcoming environment suitable for all ages.

Families that spend more time outside may not want much except a place to sleep after a day on the mountain, but other families may like the idea of being able to stay in a home away from home offering everything right down to the broadband internet and the PlayStation console.

Regardless of type of lodging, here are three resort areas in France known for their quality, self-catered family holidays with plenty of choice for adults and children:

Valmorel is a family-friendly, modern ski resort built with a traditional style. It has a number of beginner slopes and a challenging assortment of black runs. The traffic-free design of the resort allows for virtual ski in/ski out accommodation throughout the resort.

Samoëns is another area where families can enjoy themselves. Its down-to-earth atmosphere can even be found in the nicer restaurants with their welcoming attitude towards children.  Samoëns Village has the honour of being the only resort in France to be designated a national historical monument with the Caisse des Monuments Historiques.

Les Gets is a 12th century farming village with a ‘chocolate box’ appeal. The easy accessibility to the slopes, friendly atmosphere, and many activities for children off the slopes makes Les Gets an attractive choice.

read comments (0)

A glitzy atmosphere, busy casinos, and pristine beaches are all characteristics of the city of Monte Carlo.  It is a gambler’s Mecca as well as being a culinary paradise for every palate.  For all intents and purposes, this storied city which is located on the French Riviera is a mystical dream-world.  The city is situated in between the coastal mountains and the Mediterranean Sea offering the holiday visitor an exceptional locale that is a combination of culture, spectacular gardens, and an air of wealth all wrapped up into one package.

Monte Carlo is one of the most exciting night time cities in the world featuring numerous casinos and nightclubs providing the visitor with endless entertainment possibilities that will keep them going until the sun rises starting another day.  Needless to say, it is ideal for romantic getaways unlike any to be found elsewhere in Western Europe.  Athletic and cultural amenities are the icing on the cake and makes Monte Carlo one of the most desirable holiday destinations in Europe.

Once you have considered your travelling arrangements to Monte Carlo, you will want to look at the different lodging venues that are available.  TripAdvisor.com is filled with numerous options where apartments, hotels, and lodging in Monte Carlo are concerned so be thorough in your search.  Another holiday option that you should consider are the Monte Carlo river cruises that are available to entertain you while you are there on holiday.  CruiseCompete.com is your best bet for finding the ideal cruise at the best price possible.

read comments (0)

There are other considerations besides money to take into account when planning a cruise. And, with some excellent cruise deals available, it may turn out to have a lower priority than you imagine. The more modest cruises cost around  £70 a day – for an en suite cabin, all meals, evening entertainment and a versatile range of onboard facilities. Are you ‘time rich’ (maybe retired and able to take a more leisurely excursion), or ‘time poor’ (needing to get back to work PDQ)? Do you have young children, or are you a young adult in search of a unique holiday experience? Whatever your ‘demographic profile,’ there’ll be plenty of bespoke cruise holidays out there for you.

Families should generally aim for the biggest ship the budget can accommodate. They come with babysitting services, so you can go for a romantic meal and a dance in the evening, kids’ clubs and plenty of swimming pools for the youngsters. You’ll even find climbing walls, spas, ice rinks and golf driving ranges on some.

Young couples can marry onboard (captains are legally empowered to do this) – the ideal prelude to romantic Caribbean cruises. Why not combine beach and ship by opting for one of the many ‘cruise and stay holidays’ run by industry giants like Royal Caribbean Cruises, Carnival Cruises and Thomson Cruises?

A slightly more modest-sized ship should suit the older cruiser; in addition to being cheaper (especially on last minute cruises), they’ll let you stroll ashore every day as you meander genteelly from port to port.

You’ll soon discover that cruise holidays are no snooze holidays!

read comments (0)

Jetting off to a romantic hideaway is easier these days than ever before. On a romantic holiday, skiing may be a secondary consideration but comfort should not be. Romantic ski holiday breaks can be found to fit people on a budget and those where money is no object.

La Rosière, Haute Tarentaise, Savoy, France has a holiday package that includes seven nights in a two-star accommodation and a ski pass for Espace San Bernardo. A non-skier package can be had for about a 25% discount.

Also in France is Brides-Les-Bains, a spa town and the former Olympic Village of the 1992 games. The après ski is generally quiet and laid back with restaurants and bars, but the resort does have a casino attracting visitors from other nearby resorts. Hotel Altis Val Vert is a two-star hotel providing half board and is situated 100 metres away from the lifts. Features include Jaccuzzi, sauna, WiFi and a bar.

If the possibility of rubbing against royalty sounds appealing, Hotel Vereina, Klosters, Switzerland is a half-board, chalet-style hotel only a few minutes away from the ski lifts. With six saunas, a beauty centre, and free internet access in each room, it may be difficult to remember to ski. Package ski holidays with flights from the United Kingdom are available.

Another luxury option is the Hotel Zuerserhof Ski & Well-being Resort in Zuers am Arlberg, Austria. This resort is also popular with the well-heeled traveller. The resort is next to a ski slope and a short walk away from Zuers.

read comments (0)

There are plenty of opportunities for outdoor adventure activities in the pure air and wild mountainous scenery of Scotland. From the ski slopes of Glencoe and the Cairngorms to scenic walks and cycling routes to rock climbing, white water rafting and sailing – Scotland has it all in spades.

If you are creating your own Scottish adventure, you can hire a holiday home as a base for part of the trip, or for the whole holiday. There are many different types of rental accommodation, in every location, from bustling towns to isolated cliff tops and islands. There are plenty of houses available for large groups, such as a historic Highlands mansion house sleeping 14. For families and smaller groups there are numerous cosy holiday cottages and log cabins, and you can even rent an apartment in a converted monastery.

The location of your Scottish activity holiday is important and there are several hotspots where you’ll find a range of sporty challenges on your doorstep. The Cairngorms region and the whole of Perthshire is a mecca for skiers, climbers, cyclists and water sport enthusiasts. You can go sea kayaking and sailing around the rocky coast of the Highlands and Islands, or explore the wild scenery and adventure activities of the Grampians.

For a break from all that sport and exercise, Scotland has myriad historic landmarks and castles to explore, such as Stirling, Inverary and Fyvie castle. There are also plenty of whisky distilleries offering tastings and tours, and excellent Scottish restaurants.

read comments (0)

Renting a villa in Spain makes for a refreshing and attractive alternative to the usual hotel. You’ll be in charge of your own holiday instead of having the hotel arrange your entertainment and provide often banal meals at set times, all of which you’ve  paid for and which it might seem self-defeating to miss out on.

Kids don’t enjoy being too organised at the best of times, and certainly not whilst on holiday, when they’d much prefer their own rooms and freedom to come and go as they please; they, in particular, will love having their own villa to chill out in. Apart from that, renting a Spanish villa can actually work out cheaper than a 5-star hotel if you’re going as a group, as you can spread the cost amongst you. Villas in Spain come complete with self-catering facilities, and shopping at the local market for fresh produce and cooking meals yourself can be a fun part of your villa holiday.

As a base, a rental villa in Spain is the perfect choice, as you can come and go as you please, treating it as your own home and not having to worry about disturbing other guests. Quieter than a hotel if you want an early night, you can also have a refreshing lie-in if the night was a particularly long and indulgent one.

Holiday villas come in types and sizes to suit all requirements, and can be rented either privately or through an agent.

read comments (0)

With the world opening up to the point where anyone can hop on a cheap flight to just about anywhere, this is a great time to get out and see the world. Flights to Aberdeen, flights to London and flights to Edinburgh have never been cheaper, but if you prefer something a touch more exotic why not try Amman, the fabled White City of Jordan? Flights to Amman from London take about five hours, shorter than the average drive from London to Newcastle.

Amman is steeped in history being one of the oldest cities on earth, and is even mentioned in the Bible, where it is called Rabbath-Ammon. Everyone from the Seleucids to the Romans has occupied it over the centuries.

In Amman you get a vivid flavour of the Middle East whilst at the same time having access to modern facilities. You can spend the day haggling in the souks and bazaars, shopping in modern malls and refreshing yourself in traditional coffee houses. Pretty exhausted you can then return to a modern, air-conditioned hotel such as the Marriott or Kempinski, have a cool drink, an excellent evening meal and head off for a good night’s sleep.

There are plenty of things to see in Amman, such as the steam locomotives in the Hejaz railway station and the remains of Roman Philadelphie (built 138 to 161AD) plus excursions to surrounding sights of international importance, such as Petra and Mount Nebo.

You don’t have to be Indiana Jones to live the adventure, simply log on and book one of the many cheap flights going at the moment.

read comments (0)