Winter Wanderings - Snow or Sand?
With the hours of daylight rapidly diminishing, many Britons start hatching winter escape plans at this time of year.
To avoid the dreary UK weather, thousands will head towards sunnier climes to swim in warm seas, laze on sandy beaches and sip cocktails in the sun.
Others will embrace the cold and relish the opportunities for snow sport that the winter brings.
Either way, snow or sun, many people like to get away for the winter.
Sun worshipers have plenty of choice of hot destinations available to them; from the old favourites such as Spain, the Balearic Islands and the Caribbean, to the emerging hotspots of Egypt, Tunisia and Morocco, which are becoming popular due to their cultural exoticness and low prices.
Many enjoy spending their holiday doing very little; others prefer to get active by going snorkelling, windsurfing, or scuba diving.
Night life can vary from a moonlit walk on a deserted beach, to a night of drinking and debauchery at a fashionable night club.
Accommodation options vary from hostels for those on a budget to luxury hotels.
Those looking for an apartment or villa will have little difficulty; there are thousands of holiday rentals to be found all over the internet or at the back of travel magazines.
However, for those who prefer snow to sun, the countries of France, Austria, Switzerland and Italy (FASI) continue to dominate the British ski market - which is not particularly surprising.
These countries offer some of the finest skiing terrain, best hotels and restaurants and are all just a couple of hour's flight from the UK.
However, other more exotic ski destinations are beginning to gain favour with British skiers and snowboarders, especially a younger, more adventurous generation who are seeking a cultural experience in addition to a snowy one.
The ski industry seems to be moving east, with more snow sports fans venturing into new territory such as Slovenia, Slovakia, Bulgaria, Romania and Russia than ever before.
Further still, Japan is proving to be an increasingly attractive destination to those who want a ski experience and a cultural adventure wrapped into one holiday.
Mountain accommodation comes in a number of forms; hotels, self catering or catered chalets, apartments, cottages, hostels, and believe it or not even caravans! So whether you prefer sparkling snow, or scorching sand - one thing is certain; thousands will be heading for sunnier or snowier countries this winter, in an attempt to escape the UK gloom.
To avoid the dreary UK weather, thousands will head towards sunnier climes to swim in warm seas, laze on sandy beaches and sip cocktails in the sun.
Others will embrace the cold and relish the opportunities for snow sport that the winter brings.
Either way, snow or sun, many people like to get away for the winter.
Sun worshipers have plenty of choice of hot destinations available to them; from the old favourites such as Spain, the Balearic Islands and the Caribbean, to the emerging hotspots of Egypt, Tunisia and Morocco, which are becoming popular due to their cultural exoticness and low prices.
Many enjoy spending their holiday doing very little; others prefer to get active by going snorkelling, windsurfing, or scuba diving.
Night life can vary from a moonlit walk on a deserted beach, to a night of drinking and debauchery at a fashionable night club.
Accommodation options vary from hostels for those on a budget to luxury hotels.
Those looking for an apartment or villa will have little difficulty; there are thousands of holiday rentals to be found all over the internet or at the back of travel magazines.
However, for those who prefer snow to sun, the countries of France, Austria, Switzerland and Italy (FASI) continue to dominate the British ski market - which is not particularly surprising.
These countries offer some of the finest skiing terrain, best hotels and restaurants and are all just a couple of hour's flight from the UK.
However, other more exotic ski destinations are beginning to gain favour with British skiers and snowboarders, especially a younger, more adventurous generation who are seeking a cultural experience in addition to a snowy one.
The ski industry seems to be moving east, with more snow sports fans venturing into new territory such as Slovenia, Slovakia, Bulgaria, Romania and Russia than ever before.
Further still, Japan is proving to be an increasingly attractive destination to those who want a ski experience and a cultural adventure wrapped into one holiday.
Mountain accommodation comes in a number of forms; hotels, self catering or catered chalets, apartments, cottages, hostels, and believe it or not even caravans! So whether you prefer sparkling snow, or scorching sand - one thing is certain; thousands will be heading for sunnier or snowier countries this winter, in an attempt to escape the UK gloom.
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