Just a couple of hours’ flight away from the UK, the French Alps offer a vast choice of resorts catering for absolute beginners, intermediates and pros.

Here’s our guide to the top ten most affordable ski resorts in France…

1. Les Corbier
Best for: Families
Located in the Les Sybelles region of France, the resort of Les Corbier is purpose-built, compact and traffic-free. Designed in the 1960s by architect Le Corbusier, the resort has become the fourth largest ski resort in France. Nearly all of the accommodation is ski-in/ski-out apartments and with two supermarkets in resort, self-catering ski holidays are a breeze. There are several bars and restaurants.

Hot deal: Pierre & Vacances Residence Maeva Les Pistes is located 500 m from the slopes, the ski lifts and shops and offers fully-equipped apartments with mountain-view balconies. A week in a one-bedroom apartment for up to four people, costs from just 199 Euros.

2. Chamonix
Best for: experienced skiers
Chamonix is a much-loved ski resort due to the variety of outdoor activities you can participate in here. The summit of Mont Blanc is the third most visited natural site in the world and the mountains hosts activities such as ice climbing, alpine mountaineering and extreme skiing. There are all sorts of terrain, but this is the perfect destination for the expert winter sports enthusiast and the adventurous. Chamonix is famous for its cable car up to Aiguille du Midi as well as the panoramic restaurant at the top station of the Brévent cable car, which boasts impressive views of the Mont Blanc Massif.

Hot deal: The Residence Maeva La Riviera is located in the district of Chamonix Sud, 300 m from the Aiguille du Midi cable car and five minutes from the resort centre. Studio apartments for up to four cost from just 244 Euros for seven nights.

3. Valloire
Best for: Intermediates
Valloire offers the combination of an old mountain village mixed with modern architecture. Valloire is the best known of the Maurienne valley resorts and its narrow streets, bustling shops and various restaurants makes it a charming location for your winter holiday. The slopes spread widely across three sunny sectors and are particularly good for intermediates. 70% of the Valloire/Valmeinier ski area is above 2000m and it offers 150 km of slopes.

Hot deal: The Pierre & Vacances Chalets Valoria at Valloire is located on the heights, overlooking the valley and the resort. A high standard residence built in a style typical of the region; these spacious apartments are located 300m away from the ski lifts. Studios for up to four cost from only 279 Euros per week.

4. La Clusaz
Best for: intermediates
The French ski resort of La Clusaz is one of its kind as it is still, essentially, a genuine mountain ski village. This ski resort exudes rustic charm and an infectious Gallic atmosphere. La Clusaz offers 200km of largely intermediate slopes, above and below the treeline, and makes a fantastic base for an enjoyable, relaxed week.

Hot deal: Residence Maeva La Perriere overlooks the resort on the southern slope and is available at 320 Euros per week for a 4 person studio apartment.

5. Serre Chevalier
Best for: Snowboarders
Serre Chevalier is one of the major ski resorts in France. Located in the Haute-Alpes region, Serre Chevalier is a large valley between the Lautaret and Briançon passes. Its 13 villages and hamlets, which blend tradition and modernity, are scattered across the valley with its large skiing areas covering 250km. The resort also offers a wide range of activities for the whole family, and with its large natural terrain is also considered one of the best snowboarding destinations in France. Serre Chevalier lies at the foot of the most beautiful peaks of the Ecrins National Park and boasts approximately 300 days of sunshine a year.

Hot deal: Résidence Pierre & Vacances L’Alpaga, situated in the mountain village of Villeneuve, has comfortable, spacious apartments close to the shops and ski lifts. Studio apartments for up to four people costs from 378 Euros for a week’s ski holiday.

6. Isola 2000
Best for: Skiers of all abilities
The little known Isola 2000 is a ski resort in the southern region of the French Alps that offers great skiing for all levels. This modern resort’s altitude is at 2000 meters and pisted runs reach the height of 2610 meters on the summit of Sistron where, on a clear day, it is possible to see the Mediterranean Sea.

Isola 2000 has an excellent snow record too. Snowboarding is popular in Isola and there are plenty of ‘board-friendly’ lifts and a dedicated snowboard park. There are lots of shops, bars, clubs, restaurants and supermarkets adjacent to the slopes and there are numerous cafes and restaurants should you wish to take a break and bask in the Mediterranean sun.

Hot deal: The Pierre & Vacances Les Terrasses d’Azur residence in Isola 200 is in perfect keeping with the resort’s natural environment of pines and larches. It overlooks the resort and is close to the ski runs and shops. The apartments are very comfortable and have a panoramic view over the skiing area and the Chastillon valley. Studio apartments that sleep up to four people cost from just 441 Euros per week.

7. Les Carroz d’Araches
Best for: Families
Les Carroz d’Araches is an expansive, sunny and traditional resort with plenty of terrain to suit everyone. It has the lived-in feel of a real French village and its array of pavement cafes and restaurants around the main square offers a homely and lively atmosphere.

The resort caters particularly well for families, offering excellent facilities for children so is perfect for a family ski holiday. There are good woodland runs immediately above the village for bad-weather days, with a scenic setting to enjoy when the sun shines.

Hot deal: Pierre &Vacances Residences MGM Les Fermes du Soleil is a luxury 4-star residence, just a stone’s throw from the centre. Each apartment is designed to offer you maximum comfort with large bay windows giving exceptional views over the village, the valley or the skating rink. The closest ski lifts, 800m from the residence, are accessible via a free shuttle bus. One-bedroom apartments for 3-4 people cost from 630 Euros per week.

8. Flaine
Best for: Intermediates and families
Flaine is a high-altitude resort sharing a big, broad area of varied slopes with more rustic alternatives. Flaine is a resort proud of its Modernist and artistic design, which is a dramatic contrast to the natural landscape of the French Alps. As well as the architecture, several large public art works adorn the base of the resort, including a Picasso.

Loved by many, due to the extent of its ski area and range of runs, this is a resort ideal for intermediate skiers as well as being one of the most family-orientated ski resorts in Europe.

Hot deal: Pierre & Vacances Terrasses d’Eos residence is a brand new addition to our ski residences for the 2009/10 ski season. Built in 2008 by Intrawest, this top-of-range residence is located in a new, entirely car-free hamlet of Flaine Montsoleil and features 145 comfortable apartments.

The two buildings that make up the residence have direct access to the pistes and chairlifts, providing you with a direct link to the Flaine and Grand Massif ski areas.
One-bedroom apartments cost from just 572 Euros for seven nights and sleep up to four people.

9. Valmorel
Best for: First timers and families
A great choice for first-timers and families, Valmorel is a purpose-built French ski resort comprising several small satellite villages in the Grande Domaine. Valmorel and St Francois Longchamps together offer 165km of marked pistes.

Valmorel’s resort centre is car-free and it also scores top marks for families as most of its pistes cater for beginners and intermediates, and there are plenty of designated practice areas. The ski area is on your doorstep which means you can literally ski to your door – another big plus if you’re skiing with kids. While it is great for families, those who also want lively après-ski should go elsewhere as there are only a handful of restaurants and bars.

Hot deal: P&V is offering seven nights in a studio apartment at Résidence Maeva Planchamp et Mottet in Valmorel from just 405 Euro.

10. Alpe-d’Huez
Best for: thrill seekers and skiers of all levels.
Home to La Sarenne, which at 16km is Europe’s longest ski run, Alpe d’Huez is often thought to be the sole preserve of ski pros and adrenalin junkies. While the infamous ‘Tunnel’ run remains a must do ride for experienced skiers, the resort also has a good choice of gentler runs for beginners. The best of the less challenging slopes are found on the outskirts of the resort and there are plenty of blues and reds for intermediates.

Situated in a large sunny bowl, Alpe d’Huez is known as the ‘l’Isle au Soleil’ (‘The Sunny Island’) thanks to its high levels of sunshine throughout the year.

This resort is a great choice if you’re travelling in a group which has mixed abilities – leave the pros to La Sarenne while the novices play it safe.

Hot deal: Situated in Les Bergers district of Alpe d’Huez, the Pierre & Vacances Bergers residence has comfortable apartments and a heated outdoor swimming pool. Seven nights in a studio that sleep 3-4 costs just 405 Euros.

All P&V residences featured are ski in/ ski out and are self-catering apartments with fully equipped kitchens and cooking facilities.

Pierre & Vacances have also just launched a euro-busting offer which means customers can save up to 35 percent off all ski resorts throughout the winter season. This means, if you book fast enough you could be saving a third and spend just 55€ for a weeks accommodation! And it gets better…this major ski discount can be used on all dates throughout the winter ski season including the school holidays, Christmas and New Year.

The Eurobuster deal can also be combined with any other P&V deal currently on offer, including the 20% early booking discount, leading to savings of up to 35% on your winter ski holiday.

Stats be damned, there is no denying that the lure of the road is undeniable and probably eternal; it almost seems embedded in our very makeup. This is more true for some folks than others, but there is a richness to traversing the land an inch at a time that is absent from the experience of climbing into a metal canister and climbing out at your destination. If this is what you’re looking for this summer, here are some tips to maintain the romance while minimizing the rigors of the road.

Clean your car before and during your trip.

Go ahead, leave the napkins and gum wrappers under your seat. Leave the receipts from your last business-related drive in the glove box. Don’t sweat the dog hair in the back bed … but you’ll be sorry you did. A few days into your trip, when the old gum wrappers are joined by new fast food wrappers, when the glove box starts overflowing with hotel receipts and local maps, when dog hair starts sticking to your luggage and your gear, you’ll rue the day you failed to pull out the Shop-Vac.

As your trip proceeds, take time every couple of days to purge your car of undesirable flotsam and jetsam. Even if you can tolerate some chaos (as I can), the accumulated junk and minor filth will start to drive you mad in the close quarters that define a road trip.

Have a loose Plan.

Delays are the one thing that you can count on when driving significant distances. Admittedly, the archetypal “BRIDGE OUT” sign is a rare sighting these days, but the flashing “Road Work Ahead, Merge to One Lane” message is not. You don’t have to have seen a lot of Chevy Chase movies to know that things aren’t always going to go your way. If you over-schedule your road trip, it is almost a lock that you will find yourself slogging the last few miles long after you had intended to be asleep, trying to cancel one hotel reservation so you can pay for another well short of your originally planned destination.

On the other hand, having no plan at all is only recommended for the most hardy souls. On a trip through New England a few years ago, our plan was simply to pull over when we got tired to crash in a hotel; after taking three exits without success, we finally stopped at a hotel at which the front desk person asked, “are you staying the whole night?” Ugh.

Get off the highways – But beware the Blue Highways.

Unless you have a specific destination and a strict schedule, there is little point in hitting the roads to see the country if you don’t spend some time on the back roads. However, some blue highways (as certain back roads were called in the popular book by William Least Heat-Moon) are not much more than endless strip malls. Most U.S. road maps have some indicator of whether a “back road” is an interesting one; the map I use most has small red dots along those roads recommended as scenic routes. I have found these recommendations to be fairly reliable; most have at least a few miles of interesting local scenery, offer driving experiences ranging from a rambling bucolic feel to truly stunning views of America the Beautiful, and pay off handsomely for those with the time, patience and inclination to wander a bit. However, that being said…

…have an escape plan to get off the country roads.

When I was a kid, my family took a trip down the East Coast by cutting inland to take the Skyline Drive. The Skyline Drive is certainly beautiful and occasionally visually stunning, but after a few official overlooks and an intensifying bout of car sickness on the winding roads, the kids in the car were ready to come down from the hills. It was also fantastically slow going; average speeds were about 35 m.p.h., which, starting in New Jersey, gets you to Florida in about four days of 10-hour drives. After about 600 sharp turns surrounded by a whole lot of trees and mist, I-95 never looked so good.

Anticipate trouble shots.

If you are grinding out long miles on a road trip, it’s not hard to find yourself in the wrong place at the wrong time — like trying to cross the Hudson River at rush hour, or driving the long bridges to Key West on the Friday afternoon of Memorial Day weekend. You’ll want to plan ahead so you cross the Hudson at, say 10:30 a.m., or blast down to Key West on a Thursday.

Consider a satellite radio subscription

The days of regional radio offering a musical or informational palette that you can’t find anywhere else are almost all but gone, so tapping into the local vibe via radio is far less satisfying than it used to be. Were this not the case, I wouldn’t recommend a satellite radio subscription. But it may be the traffic reports from major cities that tips the balance; if a city like New York or Los Angeles lies in between your car and your destination, you are going to need some timely traffic information to hope to beat the inevitable traffic congestion. XM features traffic and weather for about 80 cities; Sirius offers about 30.

Tend to division of labor.

Some people are good at navigating; others couldn’t read a map if they tried. Some people are good at planning meals, while others think a big bag of chips counts as a good dinner. Know who does what well, and what really matters to your traveling companions, and you will get things done efficiently and to the satisfaction of all. Divvy up and delegate jobs by talent and predilection.

Join a roadside rescue service.

If you take enough road trips, eventually you will end up stranded on the side of the road outside East Gibbip a few miles from Podunk, equidistant from the four corners of Nowhere. Having that 800-number that immediately ties you in to approved local tow services and mechanics is going to save you a lot of hassle, and also shield you from some of the dangers of the road that none of us wishes to encounter.

Supplement your cell phone with a phone card.

On a recent trip that took us to the far reaches of the Olympic Peninsula, we had a plan to connect by cell phone with friends from one of the many small towns dotted along Route 112. A friend who lived along the route said he had an intermittent but functional cell signal, and thought our plan should work fine.

Save for one problem: He had a different cell service than we did. Our service worked great near our hometown; his was pretty much the only one that worked well on the Peninsula.

Long story short, the only pay phone in existence on the Peninsula ate $3 of loose change, and I ended up in a small grocery store begging to use the landline. It all worked out, but I really could have left my cell phone home that trip. Had I a reliable and easy-to-use phone card, my problems would have been solved. I know you can use your credit card for many phone calls, but it’s an added step you’ll be happy to avoid if you get in a jam.

Have your documentation and a clean record.

I don’t know about you, but it sometimes seems like my new insurance card takes days or weeks to get into my glove box. If you are traveling without current documentation of license, registration or insurance, you could be in for a world of hurt if you are pulled over for any reason. Further, you may want to clear up any old traffic and parking tickets before you go; under the right (or perhaps wrong, in this case) circumstances, your car can be impounded for your scofflaw sins.

Know when to hold’em, and when to fold’em.

Sorry for the hokey country song phrase, but sometimes on the road you need to play the hand you are dealt, for better or worse. This advice might apply to road trip decisions both small and large. On an eight-week, 15,000-mile circle of the border states of the United States in 1991, we were driving up Route 1 near Big Sur with a mind to staying with friends in Santa Cruz. We pulled over to stretch our legs near a restaurant/hotel, fully intending to get back behind the wheel in short order to continue grinding northward. It took only two or three deep breaths for us to decide we were going no further that day. It ended up being one of the best long afternoons of the trip.

However, later on the same trip, we woke up in a state park in Wisconsin with about a week to go with a plan to linger in Chicago and Detroit, cut across Canada to Buffalo, come down through the Finger Lakes region, and generally finish off our trip at a leisurely pace. As we headed for a gas station to fill up for the day, we turned on the radio to listen to the news from the previous evening that the United States had invaded Iraq to repel their advances into Kuwait. When we arrived at the gas station, we found that gas prices had spiked about 25 percent, and the proprietor told us to expect more increases in the next few days. We quickly made the decision to make a stop in Chicago — we couldn’t blow off one of the country’s greatest cities — and then to bolt eastward to get ourselves home. It turned out that the sight of our front door and our own bed was more welcome than we had anticipated; we weren’t home early, but rather right on time.

Sierra-at-Tahoe is often overlooked by destination skiers visiting the South Shore due in part to the areas own strategy of being “Lake Tahoe’s Full Service, Value Oriented, DAY Use Snowsports Resort.” What exactly does that mean? Basically that other than on-site lodging, Sierra-at-Tahoe has pretty much everything else you are probably looking for in a ski resort like 2,000 acres of terrain, a 2,212 vertical rise, 46 trails, 6 terrain parks, 9 chair lifts and 3 surface lifts and…oh yeah, about 560 inch of snowfall on average. As for that whole lodging thing, the resort is located just 30 minutes away from South Lake Tahoe where there are plenty of options and Sierra at Tahoe even runs a shuttle which stops at over 40 of them.

Terrain

If there is one common complaint about Sierra at Tahoe it’s that it doesn’t ski as big as it is or that it doesn’t feel like the trails are really 2,000 acres worth. Here’s the thing, a good amount of that acreage is in the trees. In fact, you’ll find some of the best tree skiing in the country here making it a must visit, especially on a powder day. You might have to look around a little for your line but they’re there. In West Bowl, try the trees between Horsetail and Clipper. Off the Grandview Express the area between Preacher’s Passion and the Tahoe King lift is a good spot as well. There are also a total of five backcountry access gates, all accessible from the top of the Grandview chair, and guided tours of the backcountry are available. So the trees are great but you aren’t ready to go into the woods yet? Don’t worry there are also some excellent beginner and intermediate terrain here as well. Beginners will enjoy trails like Wagon Trail from the top of the Grandview Express or Sugar N Spice of the Hob Hill double. However, be aware that Sugar N Spice does cross several advanced trails so make sure you look up hill. The Westbowl area is a great place for the intermediate skier or rider and also has a terrain park coupled with a few more advanced trails to keep things interesting. When the day is done head for the Sierra Pub for live bands and tasty beverages.

Off-slope Fun

Sierra-at-Tahoe also offers tubing, snowshoeing on-site. Cross-country skiing, dog sledding, snowmobiling and other outdoor activities are all available nearby and of course there is plenty to do in South Lake Tahoe from daytime shopping to night time bar hopping.

Crystal Mountain, Washington

Crystal Mountain has undergone some major improvements since being bought by Boyne USA back in 1996. Part of the sales agreement was that Boyne had to invest some serious money into the resort over the next 10 years and that is exactly what they have done, and continue to do. This upgrading has included the Forest Queen and the Chinook Express, both high-speed “six packs,” the Green Valley high-speed quad up to Grubstake Point and most recently, the Northway double which added 1,000 acres of lift serviced backcountry style terrain. In addition to the updated lifts they have also expanding the trail system, increasing the size of the rental shop, renovated bathrooms, added new groomers, built the Campbell Basin Lodge, and they still aren’t done! The already approved Master Development Plan also includes an all-season 80-passenger tram, the conversion of some of the fixed-grip chair to high-speed lifts, a slope side hotel and more base facility upgrades. The bottom-line is that Crystal Mountain Resort is doing everything it can to make itself THE place to go in Washington and perhaps the whole West Coast. Crystal welcomes skiers and snowboarders to its slopes; however, a downside to Crystal is its complete lack of man-made freestyle terrain. As of this writing there is no terrain park or halfpipe at Crystal. So, if you are looking for terrain your best bet is the backcountry.

Terrain

With a total of 2,600 acres and over 50 runs there truly is something for everyone at Crystal. The terrain breaks down to 11% Beginner, 54% Intermediate, and 35% Advanced/Expert which makes Crystal an experienced skier or rider’s dream! However, although percentage-wise the newbies or those without a lot of mileage seem to get the short end of the stick, keep in mind that this is a good-sized resort so there are still plenty of options. Discovery, Quicksilver, Chinook Express, Miner’s Basin, and the Forest Queen Express all assess beginner terrain so you should have no trouble finding something you can handle. For the intermediates, you might try warming up on Gold Hill or jump right in and take Chinook Express to Rainier Express and get to the top of the tree line. The backcountry crew will have plenty of options here and the true experts will want to head to Northway Peak. At the end of the day everyone can meet up at the Base Lodge and head to BullWheel Pub for some great casual food.

Off-slope Fun

Although parts of Mount Rainier National Park are not open in the winter there is still plenty to do there including ranger-guided snowshoe walks, snowplay at Paradise, camping and snowmobiling. In nearby Enumclaw there is cross country skiing and even trout fishing in the nearby rivers. Restaurants, shops and lodging can also be found in town.

Blue Mountain, Ontario

Ontario may not boast of tall peaks (at 2275 feet, Ishpatina Ridge is its highest point) but the province is ski and snowboard crazy nonetheless. That’s evident at Blue Mountain, where 34 trails are spread over a two-and-a-half-mile long ridge, with 720 feet of vertical. And there’s more. The area has three terrain parks, two superpipes and a standard half pipe, 12 lifts including four detachable sixpacks and a detachable quad, and a tubing park. The resort is about 90 minutes north of Toronto and sits at the southern end of Georgian Bay, so it benefits from Lake Huron’s lake-effect snow. But there’s also 100% snowmaking. Of more import, perhaps, to visitors is Blue Mountain’s status as a four-season resort, thanks to a spate of development the past few years by Intrawest. The result has transformed the base area, which now has a full range of fine lodging, condominium clusters, a spa and conference center, restaurants, shops, and night life.

Terrain

With just a couple of exceptions, the beginner terrain is clustered in two pods. Novices should head to the South Base Lodge, where there’s everything needed to get started and gentle learning terrain. There’s another pod of easy terrain at the main base area. The rest of Blue Mountain’s offerings are pretty much evenly split between wide fall-line cruising trails and advanced terrain, including several black diamond trails. Of course, with three parks and three pipes, there’s a lot of air play at Blue Mountain, and you’ll find that the radical riders and twin-tippers gravitate to these more formal playgrounds. You can also enjoy the place at night, when about two-thirds of the terrain is lighted. The resort’s accommodations range from the modern Blue Mountain Inn (where you’ll find a spa, tennis, and indoor pool), to The Grand Georgian, done in the style of Canada’s great railway hotels. Also of note is the Weider Lodge, a handsome inn finished in the rugged style of old alpine ski lodges.

Off-Slope Fun

The tennis pavilion houses five Omni courts open all year. And there are a number of retail establishments where you can satisfy a shopping urge. But much of the post-ski action centers on a quiet meal at one of the several good restaurants about the resort and an early bedtime, or one of the night spots. The original Jozo’s is the place to be if you have energy to burn and the stamina to stay up until the wee hours, but mere mortals will enjoy the slower pace of the Indian Motorcycle Cafe and Lounge or the Copper Blues Bar and Lounge. In the nearby town of Collingwood, check out Planet Collingwood for dancing and pool, or The Admiral’s Pub for darts and conversation and about a dozen different ales and stouts on tap. Inside Line Weekend after-lunch lift lines at the Silver Bullet Express Quad – fast though it may be – can be rather long. Best bet is to lunch at the South Base Lodge, lunch early, lunch late, or lunch long.

Located closer to Africa than Italy, Sardinia’s turquoise sea and white sandy beaches rival the tropics. Sant’Antioco & San Pietro, off the coast of Southwestern Sardinia, are charming islands as yet unspoiled by too much tourist development. The seaside resort of Santa Teresa di Gallura offers all the attractions of the coast without the sometimes-soulless glitz of the Costa Smeralda. Further east, Palau & Arcipelago di la Maddalena are pretty laidback, too: the archipelago itself comprises a national park with loads of island-hopping opportunities.

Away from the coast, the scenery can be similarly stunning with a pastoral quilt of forested mountain peaks, valleys of citrus groves and pastures of happily grazing cattle and sheep. In contrast, the urban scene can be disappointing. Some towns are, frankly, dull and depressing with breeze-block buildings and graffiti. Others, like medieval Bosa in the west, are impossibly picturesque with their pink-and-golden buildings flanking the river. Alghero, in Northern Sardinia, has a fascinating Catalan history (the language is still spoken here) and a delightful old centre; the lively town of Iglesias also retains an appealing Spanish legacy. Calgliari is historic and cosmopolitan at the same time, while the equally historic Oristano is quietly elegant. Traditional culture thrives most vigorously in the heartland where the elderly women are still draped in black; here tourists are rare – stared at – but ultimately welcomed.

Across the landscape are scattered 7000 nuraghi, strange conical stone fortresses seemingly built by a Sardinian Fred Flintstone. Curious temples, tombs, mysterious menhirs and remains of entire Bronze Age villages complete the prehistoric cartoon.

Sardinia distinguishes itself in the kitchen with hearty pastas and a love for pungent local cheeses, like pecorino and smoked ricotta. Sardinians also produce notable wines and a head-splitting firewater, filu e ferru.

Avoid visiting during broiling, crowded July and August, as well as in winter when the island goes into hibernation and many restaurants and hotels are closed. The best times of the year to visit are in the spring, when the wildflowers are in bloom, and during the early autumn when the temperatures are still pleasantly warm and most of the tourists have left.

Ibiza, Spain

Ibiza is the most extreme of the islands, in landscape and visitors.

The Greeks called Ibiza and Formentera the Islas Pitiusas (Islands of Pine Trees). The landscape is harsh and rocky, and the island receives little rainfall. Alongside the hardy pines, the most common crops are olives, figs and almonds. Perhaps surprisingly, about half the island (especially the fairly unspoilt northeast) remains covered by thick woods. Indeed, driving around the back roads of the north is to plunge into a rural idyll – not what one associates with Ibiza at all!

A rugged coastline is interspersed with dozens of sandy beaches, most consumed by intensive tourist developments. A few out-of-the-way beaches remain, but in summer you won’t be doing much solitary swimming.

Ibiza’s beaches and laid-back attitude first became a major drawcard in the flower-power heyday of the 1960s – while North America’s hippies were ‘California dreaming’, their Euro‑pean counterparts were heading here to tune in, turn on and drop out. It’s hard to believe that in 1956 the island boasted only 12 cars!

Initially for the hip and fashionable, Ibiza (a mixed World-Heritage site because of Ibiza city’s architecture and the island’s rich sealife) soon latched on to the money-spinner of bulk tourism and started shipping in summer sun-seekers by the thousand. Today the island populace of 111, 100 watches on as millions (more than four million passengers are registered annually through the airport alone) of hippies, fashion victims, nudists, clubbers and package tourists pour through S’Illa Blanca (the White Island) each year.

Birthplace of the rave, Ibiza is home to some of Spain’s most (in) famous clubs. The outrageous summer scene is complemented by a diverse collection of bars.

Away from the bars are the woods, coastal walking trails and quiet (if not deserted) beaches that allow you to elude Ministry of Sound–style madness. Places such as Santa Eulària d’es Riu and the small resorts and coves of the northeast are ideal for family holidays.

Interesting websites include, www.ibiza-spotlight.com and www.ecoibiza.com.

Around about 20 beautiful and comfortable hoteles rurales (rural hotels) in renovated country houses are scattered about the island’s north.

Corsica, France

Shaped like a bunch of vine-ripened grapes, Corsica (Corse) ripples with mountain ranges covered in vivid green chestnut and pine forests, pastures and fragrant maquis scrubland. Grape cultivation dates back over 3000 years, with exceptional vineyards on the island. Bastia, in the north, is famed for its laidback feel and lively spirit, without being heavy on tourism.

Corsica’s coastline curls around 1000km of chic seaside towns like Ajaccio, plunging cliffs at Golfe de Porto and glistening beaches and bays at Calvi. The silhouette of Bonifacio’s cliff-top citadel morphs seamlessly into the serrated limestone cliffs rising up from the sea. But until the early 19th century, the coast was considered worthless, susceptible to invasion. Corsicans took shelter in the mountains, and even today it’s Centru di Corsica, encompassing the town of Corte (Corti), that defines the culture. Typical Corsican cuisine consists of inland victuals like cured sausages, cheeses and lamb seasoned with wild herbs. Fishing traditionally took place around Cap Corse (the rugged ‘stem’ in the northeast). Away from the coastal resorts and bustling ports, the interior – which often stays snow-capped until July – is still where you’re most likely to encounter Corsica’s language, Corsu, as well as its distinctive customs and festivals.

The mountains make for exhilarating hikes, the most famous and challenging of which is the legendary GR20. (The death-defying switchback roads make for some dizzying driving, too.)

Pick your timing carefully – Corsica swells to bursting with summer visitors; all but withering in winter when many activities, accommodation and transport services slow or cease. The wildflower-filled spring and red-hued autumn months let you experience this Île de beauté (island of beauty) at its best.

Marrakesh, Morocco

Capital of the south and epicentre of Moroccan tourism, Marrakesh is changing fast. Once the hub of camel caravans from the south, Marrakesh remains exotic, but just as Moroccans craved modern housing, Euro­peans arrived dreaming of old houses in the heart of the medina. This happy exchange has transformed the place, bringing money and work to a city that lives off its looks and its wits.

U.S. Citizens

  All persons, including U.S. citizens, traveling by air between the United States and all foreign countries are required to present a valid passport to board the aircraft. 

  While recent legislation has deferred the passport deadline for some cruise passengers to these areas until summer 2008, Cruise Planners strongly recommends that every traveler possess a valid passport.

  If your cruise departs from and returns to the U.S., a passport is now required in both of the following unexpected situations:

·         To fly to a foreign port to catch up with the ship if you miss its U.S. embarkation, or;

·         To fly home to the U.S. from a foreign port if you are forced to cut your trip short.

  New Application for a U.S. Passport—U.S. Citizens

  To obtain a passport for the first time, you must go in person to a local passport office along with two photographs of yourself, an original or certified copy of your birth certificate and a valid form of photo identification such as a driver’s license. Passport offices can be found inside many post offices and court houses. For complete information and instructions please visit the U.S. Department of State’s website at:

www.travel.state.gov/passport.

  Here you can also print passport forms and search for a passport office in your neighborhood. New passport applications take a minimum of 6 weeks to process. Please allow enough time prior to your cruise departure.

  Renewal of a U.S. Passport—U.S. Citizens

  Check the expiration date of your passport and how your name appears. Many countries require your passport to be valid for six months after the completion of your travel. It is imperative that the name on the passport exactly match the name on your cruise booking. Also, your passport must contain blank pages for entry and exit stamps and required visas. Allow sufficient time to renew or update your passport.

  Documentation for Non-U.S. Citizens

  Non-U.S. Citizens who are permanent residents of the United States must have both a valid passport and alien registration card (Form 1551). You may also be required to have visas to enter certain countries. Foreign cruise passengers must travel with a valid passport and multiple-entry visa for the United States (B-2 Visitor’s Visa). For more information, and to learn the entry requirements of the countries on your itinerary, please check directly with each representing embassy or consulate.

  Travel to Canada—Non-U.S. Citizens

  The Canadian government requires a visa for foreign citizens from many countries. This law affects all travelers on cruise itineraries that begin or end in Canada, as well as those that make a port of call in Canada. Failure to present the required visa will result in denied boarding with no refund. To learn if Canada requires a visa for citizens of your country please call the Canadian embassy or consulate.

  Names on Travel Documents

  Names on all travel documents must exactly match the name on proof of citizenship/passport. Please check your itinerary carefully and call us immediately if there are any discrepancies.

According to an October 9, 2009 article on Hotel Chatter, the USVI Department of Tourism is offering 25 cent rates at participating hotels. Why? It’s to celebrate the first-ever United States quarter for the U.S. Virgin Islands.

Sounds like an amazing deal right? Well that’s not all you get. Hotel Chatter also states that the promotion includes a $25 per person dining credit, $25 per person activities credit and a commemorative quarter Scotiabank coin set. Now if I were a coin collector, I think that last tidbit of info is all I would need to get me to book this once in a lifetime deal.

Wondering what the catch is? So were we, so we investigated—here’s what we found: to book the promotion, you must go to Bookit.com from now through November 2, 2009. Then you must travel between the days of October 9 and November 15. That doesn’t leave you much time to let your work know you’re taking some time off so do it soon. It’s time to unpack the flip-flops and swimwear hat you just put away for the fall.

You may be wondering what hotels have decided to join this insanely cheap promotion. Well, you will not find any Ho-jos or Super 8’s here. You can choose from top rated hotels such as Bolongo Bay Beach Resort, Carambola Beach Resort & Spa, Hibiscus Beach Resort, Hotel Caravelle, Marriott Frenchman’s Reef & Morning Star Beach Resort, Secret Harbour Beach Resort, The Palms at Pelican Cove, Windward Passage, and Wyndham Sugar Bay Resort & Spa.

There are a couple more things to keep in mind though. The 25 cent promotion does not include taxes and fees according to Hotel Chatter. Be sure to check with each property to find out the final cost. Also, you have to book a flight with your hotel room at Bookit.com. Not many of us actual live in the USVI so I’m sure we all have to book a flight there regardless. I think the 25 cent hotel rate should offset that airfare quite a bit.

Management at the Westin Resort, located in Palm Beach on the island’s northern coastline, have devised the scheme in an effort to attract would-be mothers and fathers.

Couples will be rewarded with a $300 ‘Conception Credit’ if they can prove that their baby was conceived while they were staying at the hotel.

A doctor’s note confirming that the likely conception date coincided with the couple’s stay will be accepted as evidence, according to a spokesperson for the resort.

The offer is open to any guests staying at the hotel before December 18, 2009.

Rooms at the Westin Resort start at around $200 (£120) a night, so couples can claim at least one nights’ complimentary accommodation should they succeed in taking up the offer.

The offer includes a bottle of Asda sparkling wine, a hamper of Boots spa treatments, a punnet of strawberries or a box of chocolates and his and hers nightwear by Primark.

1. Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park, Northern Territory

Visit Uluru and you’ll see why the rock and surrounding land have such huge spiritual significance for the Anangu Aboriginal people. According to their creation myths, ancestral spirits formed Uluru, which lies in Australia’s red centre like an enormous, moody heart. Aboriginal guides will share these ancient tales as you walk around the rock’s base. Just 32 kilometers away is another sacred site – Kata Tjuta. You’ll be awestruck by these steep, rounded, russet domes over 3,500 hectares.

2. Kimberley, Western Australia

Featuring vast horizons and ancient gorges, the Kimberley region is one of the world’s last great wilderness areas. See Wandjina figures painted in caves and the mysterious Gwion Gwion paintings. Ride a camel on Broome’s breathtaking Cable Beach and 4WD the red-dirt road along the Dampier Peninsula. Learn the legend of the orange and black beehive domes of the Bungle Bungles and fly over vast Lake Argyle in Kununurra.

3. The Daintree, Queensland

More than 135 million years old, our stunning Daintree Rainforest is the oldest rainforest in the world. Traverse this canopy of green with traditional owners the Wujal Wujal people. Learn about bush tucker and fish for barramundi. See fresh-water crocodiles sunning themselves on the mangrove-lined river banks and rare tropical birds and animals, many of which are not found anywhere else on earth.

4. Coorong, South Australia

Become one with nature as you kayak along the lagoons and waterways of the Coorong. Your Ngarrindjeri guide will tell you about bush tucker, traditional medicines and the incredible local birdlife. As night falls, you can listen to stories unfold and smell the mouth-watering aroma of fresh damper (outback bread) as it is pulled from the embers of a campfire.

5. Gippsland, Victoria

Discover a rich Aboriginal history along Gippsland’s rugged coastline. Wander the fern gullies, sandy beaches and eucalypt forests of the sacred land now known as Wilsons Promontory National Park. Trace Aboriginal trading routes up to 18,000 years old. Watch local Aboriginal people make baskets, spears, shields and canoes in the traditional way at Bairnsdale. Or learn where the Dreamtime touched the rugged gorges, rainforest and gullies of Woolshed Creek.

6. Sydney cultural tours, New South Wales

Get a glimpse into the lives of Sydney’s original inhabitants on a harbor cruise or walking tour. You can learn the Aboriginal names and meanings of significant Sydney landmarks as you cruise the harbor with Aboriginal guides. Visit rock-carvings and old Aboriginal settlements and stop off for a traditional Aboriginal welcome on Clark Island. Off the boat, you can taste bush food and learn about Aboriginal use of plants on a walking tour through Sydney’s lush harbourside Botanical Gardens.

7. Bangarra Dance Company, National

You can’t miss a performance by one of Australia’s oldest, youngest and most innovative dance companies. Bangarra blends a living tradition stretching back 50,000 years with contemporary dance influences from across the world. See this truly Australian dance language in its home theatre in Sydney or on stages in cities across the nation.

Learn more about Australia’s vibrant, sophisticated and welcoming capital cities.  Here our relaxed outdoor lifestyle meets a melting pot of cultures and a whirlwind of theatre, restaurants, nightlife and events. Enjoy beach barbeques and ballet, open-air cinemas, jazz in the park and alfresco dining with 5-star food.  What’s more the skyscrapers and shopping strips are just a short drive from mountains, ocean, river and bush. Come, stay and celebrate, then start the rest of your Australian adventure.    

Chicago, Illinois: The Skydeck at Willis (formerly Sears) Tower. The world’s fifth tallest building (1,451 feet; 1,730 including antenna) boasts killer views of Chicago’s “Gold Coast” skyline along Lake Michigan and the Chicago River. From the top you can see up to 50 miles and four states. Step out, if you dare, onto the “The Ledge”—a brilliantly designed and reinforced glass bay that juts out 4.3 feet from the building.

Denver Colorado: The Denver Museum of Nature and Science. The view is free from adjacent City Park, but this world-class museum brims with interactive edu-tainment and exhibits from Saturn’s moon Titan to totem poles. The outdoor Anschutz Family Sky Terrace offers the fab photo op of the downtown skyline silhouetted against the snowcapped Rockies, while the glass-enclosed Leprino Family Atrium—straddling three floors linked by architectural rings symbolizing the natural world’s circles, orbits, and cycles—oozes cushy sophistication. You can see 120 miles of mountains, including more than 200 named peaks: 32 soar above 13,000 feet, topped by “fourteener” Mt. Evans.

Las Vegas, Nevada: Top of the Stratosphere. The Strat rises 1,149 feet: the tallest structure west of the Mississippi. Unlike hipper-than-thou rooftop bars like Mix (THE Hotel at Mandalay Bay) and GhostBar (The Palms), there’s no steel-hand-on-velvet-rope door policy and the panoramas encompass not only the Strip’s surreal Top-40 International Architectural Hits but downtown (Glitter Gulch). There’s the obligatory observation deck and fancy restaurant, but three thrill rides elevate the cool factor, including X-Scream (a giant teeter-totter) and Big Shot (thrusting passengers straight up 160 feet at 45MPH—over 4 Gs). Though not that terrifying, locals quip you should have your chiropractor on speed dial.

Los Angeles, California: Griffith Observatory. Even the other kinds of stars come out to play at this handsomely designed working planetarium/astronomic facility nestling like a celebrity-owned mansion amid lush landscaping in Griffith Park. Free public telescopes are available for stargazing most evenings, but even by day the city views out to the Pacific and around the coastal mountains redefine stellar, thanks to its lofty 1,134-foot perch on the southern slope of Mount Hollywood.

New Orleans, Louisiana: Café du Monde. Though a local joke runs that the best Big Easy view is from any barstool, we prefer this institution revered for its downy beignets. It sits smack dab in the middle of the French Quarter by the mighty Mississippi. You can drink in river views with the strong chicory-laced coffee at the patio, which percolates with character and characters 24/7.

New York, New York: Top of the Rock. The Top of the Rock Observation Deck crowns Rockefeller Center’s GE Building, straddling the 67th-70th floors. Unlike the even more iconic (and crowded) Empire State Building, glass panels rather than wire mesh guarantee unobstructed views of the city from Harlem to Wall Street, as well as the Hudson and East Rivers and other landmarks like the Statue of Liberty. You can combine the deck with a tour of the 1933 Art Deco masterpiece for a discount.

Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania: The Duquesne Incline & Observation Platform. Built in the 1870s, one of America’s few remaining funicular railways ascends to the stylish Mount Washington neighborhood in red cable car chugging like the little engine that could. From the summit observation deck, sightseers discover why Steel City is considered a shining example of urban renewal. The Allegheny and Monongahela rivers converge to form the Ohio, the watery troika ringing downtown’s glittering Golden Triangle with landmark skyscrapers and 15 modernistic bridges, all lit up like Christmas trees at night.

San Francisco, California: Coit Tower. Though imbibing at Top of the Mark is another tourist itinerary mainstay, it’s impossible to ignore this 1933 Art Deco beauty crowning Telegraph Hill. Avoid the only road up (often clogged with parking near-impossible). Instead climb the steep Filbert Steps: landscaped stairways and footpaths emanating from various directions. Zoning regulations ensure unimpeded 360-degree panoramas from the tower base, but take the elevator in the conical Coit for the really eye-popping look: Alcatraz, the Golden Gate, the Bay Bridge, Transamerica Building, Fisherman’s Wharf, Nob and Russian Hills, Lombard Street (itself in/famous for its zigzag of tight hairpin turns). The interior is just as magnificent, with dozens of 1930s WPA murals by local artists depicting various neighborhoods and daily scenes.

Seattle, Washington: The Space Needle. Opened in 1962 at the height of the architectural world’s futuristic fever, this 605-foot-tall civic symbol of progress showcases why eco-centric Seattle’s nicknamed the Emerald City. Views from the 520-foot Observation Deck encompass Puget Sound, Bainbridge Island, and Mount Rainier, with the distinctive skyline poking up amid the green spaces like manmade weeds. We can’t resist mentioning one revolving restaurant, so order a Lunar Orbiter at SkyCity. The Needle anchors Seattle Center, embracing the equally must-see Pacific Science Center and über-cool Experience Music Project.