Courcheval offers a wide variety of ski slopes for all levels of expertise, from beginner runs – complete with ski schools and fully trained instructors – to the more advanced slopes and off-piste skiing areas for the more competent and advanced skier.

Courcheval is made up of regions, or ‘villages’, named after the altitude at which they sit. The higher regions are extremely chic and cosmopolitan, with Courcheval 1850 being the most glamorous of all. Shopping in these regions tends to be very pricy. The lower regions cater more for families, with a fun and friendly atmosphere, and are more suitable for those on a budget. There are 117 ski runs which cover a total area of 150 km. The resort boasts 63 ski lifts giving the skier easy access to the higher slopes.

The non-skier need not miss out on the fun to be had at Courcheval, as there are many activities to keep them occupied including hot air ballooning and skating. A free bus service links all the ‘villages’ in Courcheval and is perfect for those who want to visit the other areas of the resort.

There are lots of ports of call you can look forward to visiting if you pick a cruise that takes you to the Mediterranean region of the world.  For example, you could explore more of the Spanish coastline than you may ever have seen before.  Alternatively you might like to try out Greece and the many Greek islands that are on offer.  You could spend your entire cruise just drifting around and exploring all the islands from the comfort of your cruise ship.

Another option is to try Turkey, and indeed this can often appear on Mediterranean cruises that visit Greece, since they are quite close to each other.  You also have the option of visiting parts of Italy on your cruise travels.

The main thing to consider is whether you have a particular country in mind or whether you would rather see a number of different ones.  If the latter is the case you need to find a cruise that will meet your requirements.  A cruise and stay deal might be a better option in some cases, especially if you have two or more weeks you want to go away for.

So as you can see, Mediterranean cruises can open up a whole new world to you.

For those who like the city buzz, you can stay in the romantic surroundings of Budapest with its gothic architecture, spa centres and sense of history. Dubrovnik is stunning and relatively undiscovered, and Prague has a deserved reputation as an enchanting city.

Beach lovers will not be disappointed in Eastern Europe either. With sunny weather, clear blues seas and attractive scenery, the beach resorts offer just as much as the more traditional destinations, but with some important advantages. Firstly, the cost of living is very low compared to the UK; food and drink is cheap, and there are lots of deals available for package holidays. Secondly, the standard of accommodation is good and ranges from brand new apartment blocks to elegant old stone villas.

Some resorts such as Sunny Beach on Bulgaria’s Black Sea coast are very busy, and overdeveloped, but are great fun. For a more tranquil seaside holiday, Montenegro and Croatia are worth checking out for their dramatic scenery, gorgeous old towns and unspoilt shingle beaches.

The great thing is that you can enjoy all the on board facilities on Caribbean cruises before you even get to the Caribbean itself.  And when you do arrive you will see your destination in the distance and you can watch from a vantage point on deck as you finally reach those wonderful islands.

There are some spectacular places to visit as well, which is one reason why Caribbean cruises are much sought after by many holidaymakers.  You could opt for the Bahamas in the eastern part of the Caribbean or try Jamaica in the western part.  Either way there are lots of other destinations and ports you may well end up calling into as well.

There is a certain degree of luxury about the Caribbean as well, which fits nicely with the whole culture surrounding cruises.  If you have never been on a cruise before you could do no better than to choose the Caribbean as your destination.  It gives you the opportunity to explore more than one island in the region, which is another distinct advantage of this type of holiday.

A seven day cruise in this region is the ideal choice for many people, although you can have a longer cruise if you wish.

Borovets is most popular during the winter and offers a wide range of skiing activities such as cross-country skiing and ski jumping. In addition to these, visitors can also engage in a wide variety of exciting winter sports in the Rila Mountains and enjoy the top quality services of one of the resort’s many luxurious hotels. Skiers can also enjoy stunning views of the town from the slopes.

Bulgaria is home to Bansko, an historic ski resort that is located in the south-western part of the county. Bansko offers many fascinating buildings, including a church that was built in 1835. The town offers challenging slopes that are ideal for expert skiers as well as easy routes for beginners. Although the town is not the best choice for accommodation due to many buildings being unfinished or not open for business, it is still worth a visit for those interested in exploring the town’s history and it is still popular amongst skiers.

For some stunning scenery, Vitosha is worth a visit. This mountain offers beautiful views of east Sofia, Bulgaria’s capital and is home to the Boyana Waterfall. Vitosha also has many interesting plant species and Vitosha National Park is one of the most popular tourist destinations in the area.

Whether you are looking for a destination that offers plenty of activities or a location with a rich history, Bulgaria is sure to make your holiday a memorable one.

One of the biggest operators is the aforementioned Diamond Resorts, which offers its members over 24,000 guest beds in 26 countries in 160 affiliated resorts.  Once you’ve purchased your points you have a range of high quality (and constantly improving) accommodation to chose from in destinations including the United States, Mexico, the Caribbean, Europe, Africa, Asia and Australia. The points system means that you can travel at any time, not a specific window in the year, and you’re guaranteed top quality (and continually updated) apartments and villas.

If timeshares of yore were inclined to become a bit of a millstone around the neck, these points-based apartments and villas are precisely the opposite. With superb facilities and luxurious comfort as the standard, including restaurants, bars, swimming pools and health clubs onsite, these apartments and holiday villas are continually upgraded and kept at the cutting edge of the holiday experience.

If cruises are your thing you will be pleased to know you can find last minute cruises quite easily with Virgin Holidays Cruises.  Unlike some other providers Virgin has a dedicated section on their website that caters just for those last minute cruises.  The prices to be found here can represent significant discounts on the usual prices as well.

The lowest price is currently listed as £449, so you can see that this could be the best way to get a good value cruise if you are prepared to go with little notice in advance.  You just need to ensure you have your passport and all the other essentials you will need before you book anything.  The last thing you want is to have to cancel your holiday because you aren’t as prepared as you thought you were.

The site has a good search facility as well so it will bring up the latest cruise deals for the part of the world you would most like to visit.  Be aware that if you want to take advantage of last minute cruises it can pay to be more flexible about where you would like to go. 

Due to their location and the fact they are not as high as the Alps, the Pyrenees offer a more accessible range of ski resorts, although the variety of runs is limited due to the fact they stand at a lower altitude.

Ax-Bonascre ski resort is situated between the Bonascre Plateau and the Saquet peaks. It is one of the most beautiful of all the Pyrenees ski resorts. There are also thermal springs in the area, something which will help the skier unwind after a hard day on the slopes.

The highest ski resort in the Pyrenees is Piau Engaly ski resort. The altitude ensures excellent snow cover and here it is even possible to ski at night. The facilities at this resort are of top quality and the views from here are amazing.

Non-skiers need not worry as there will be plenty to occupy their time. There are many historical villages to visit and areas of natural beauty to behold. Activities for non-skiers vary from resort to resort, but it is possible to swim or skate at many of the resorts, and some even offer archery or mountaineering. For those who prefer something a little less strenuous walks, along natural trails might be just the thing.

Wales has many stunning seaside resorts, including Llandudno, which has a wide variety of interesting attractions. Llandudno is home to the Great Orme, a nature reserve that offers gorgeous views of the Welsh countryside. The area is widely populated by sheep and Kashmir goats and is perfect for taking long, relaxing walks. There are several paths available, from short paths for those wanting to take a quicker route to longer, more challenging paths for those wishing to explore the whole of the Orme and enjoy stunning views of Llandudno and its surroundings.

For a bit of history, Conwy is an ideal place to visit. Conwy is a small town and is home to Conwy Castle. Construction of Conwy Castle began in 1283 and the castle is now a popular tourist attraction. Also located in Conwy is the Smallest House in Great Britain, which is so small that visitors are unable to enter some rooms. The house is a fascinating structure and worth a visit for those looking for an interesting and memorable attraction.

Wales is home to Snowdonia, where visitors can explore Mount Snowdon. Snowdonia National Park is one of the most popular attractions in Wales and is perfect for those who love nature.

Wales offers a variety of hotels and restaurants to suit all budgets. Visitors can either sample the Welsh cuisine or enjoy a variety of English food at the many restaurants and cafes available.

With breathtaking views of the countryside and a variety of wildlife to explore, your visit to Wales is sure to be a memorable one.

One of the beauties of Bari is the simple fact that the oldest sections of the city still retain the medieval layout, including some significant Roman and pre-Roman buildings and sites that allow the intrepid adventurer a chance to step back in time. Regardless of whether you are visiting Bari as a port of call on a cruise of the Adriatic, or staying here in one of the many villas or apartments for an extended holiday, there is plenty to explore in the old sections of the city.

But Bari is not just about the history. The modern sections of the city have continued to increase their technological advancements in the 21st century, and there are plenty of bars and restaurants offering food and spirits from after nightfall until daybreak. And if you are a connoisseur of wine and seafood there is no better place to be than Bari, with Primitivo being a local favourite, poured alongside fresh sea urchins and mussels as a local delicacy.