Family Friendly Ski Chalets

Family Friendly Ski Resorts

Ski holidays are a great way to entertain the entire family during a break. Ski holidays mean that everyone can get a slice of what they are after. The kids can hang out in the chalet with a nanny while the grown-ups hit the slopes. An activity based holiday is also a good idea for a family get away as it means that everyone will be busy skiing and won’t have any time to be bored!

Booking family friendly ski chalets can be tricky as you will need to do some research and make sure the resort covers everyone needs and has a wide range of difficulty ski runs and also that the chalet is suitable for young children. The following ski resorts have family friendly ski chalets and lodges:

Val d’Isere – Good resort for non-skiers and flight links to Manchester and Gatwick
Meribel – Intermediate heaven with traditional villages and a good night life
Morzine – A traditional family resort with a short airport transfer
Alpe d’Huez – Ski in and out chalets with activities included in lift pass

The family friendly chalets in these resorts will be fully equipped with all the essentials such as stair gates, changing mats, microwave sterilisers and sterilising tablets, washing machine access and a selection of toys. Bed guards, potties, toilet steps and seat and table boosters are also available on request from most holiday operators.

A lot of holiday operators also provide full fat fresh milk for infants, home-made purees and food for babies, children’s cutlery and crockery, car seats in resort and pre-bookable infant packs.

Rooms in ski chalets tend to be sizable, as they are designed for accommodating a large number of guests. As such most rooms in ski chalets can fit cots. It could be a good idea to book a nanny if available, through your holiday operator as this will free up parents times and allow you more opportunity to enjoy your holiday. Ensure that nannies are qualified and their experience is checked by the holiday operator.

"A short airport transfer will also reduce stress levels"

The main considerations when choosing a chalet for a family ski trip is the length of the airport transfer as you don’t want all your troops packed onto a bus for any longer than is needed. A short airport transfer will also reduce stress levels at the end of the holiday, as you will have more time for packing and won’t have to worry about being held up on the way to the airport.

If there are going to be parents looking after the children in the group you will need to make sure that there is lots to do in the resort and that everything is within walking distance from the chalets. Also check whether activities are included in the lift pass price as this will mean any parents taking care of the kids will be able to head into the resort and keep the kids entertained at no extra cost.

Family ski holidays are a great alternative to the usual break as you can take the kids during the winter holidays which will mean that you don’t have to interrupt school terms and everyone gets a slice of the fun!

Jonathan is a freelance writer who has frequently taken some family ski holidays so understands the stress they can involve!

Five Tips for Planning the Perfect Cruise

A cruise vacation has a lot to offer; sparkling waters, world-class cuisine and exotic locales. For first time cruisers, the whole process can be a bit overwhelming. Just remember that this is the trip of a lifetime and you’re going to have fun no matter what. To help you out, here are a few tips for planning that perfect cruise vacation.

Pick the right cruise line for you
Ages, activities, and ambiance vary greatly from company to company, even from ship to ship within a single cruise line. For example, Disney caters to children and families; where Norwegian typically attracts older couples. Take time to research which company aspires to provide the atmosphere you’re dreaming of.

Pick the right destinations
Each ship within a line’s fleet does more than just one cruise. If you have picked a cruise line, looking at the cruises offered by them is the next step. Think about the places you’d like to go and the activities you like to do. Each port has a unique selection of wildlife, history, shopping, and beaches. A quick internet search of a particular port of call will help you determine what the place has to offer.

Don’t be afraid of days at sea
You will notice that every cruise will have at least one day at sea. This isn’t just time to get from one place to another, it’s a time for you to take advantage of the facilities provided on the ship. Many ports excursions are a rush of arrivals, departures, and being herded from one place to the next. Your time on the ship is lower key and days at sea often provide the rest and relaxation that separate vacation from regular life. Don’t worry about being bored; your floating home is full of surprises just waiting to be discovered.

A ship is more than just your room
There are lots of choices of staterooms on a cruise, but you may find that you have very little need of your room when you consider all the public areas available to you on the cruise ship. Upper decks offer quiet corners and comfortable seating in which you can curl up and relax. Café type restaurants are open 24 hours to provide a gathering place as well as coffee. Most ships also have game rooms or libraries where you can find board games, books and televisions. A quick look at the ship’s amenities will give you an idea of where you can spend your time outside of your stateroom.

Do Your Homework
That is a phrase dreaded by school children, but just a little time planning can help your whole trip to be more relaxing. Cruise line websites offer lists of things to pack and the documentation required for leaving the country. Port reviews let you know the best things to do at each port of call, and ship reviews can give you a clue to anything extra you might want to bring along.

Heather Johnson a leading honeymoon planning resource. Learn about the best honeymoon destinations today!

Sightseeing Fairbanks: Off The Beaten Path

Fairbanks, Alaska is a fortuitously founded city, occurring when Captain E. T. Barnette's steamboat was stranded on location on the Chena River. He was convinced to set up his trading post there rather than further up the river in 1901. The town experienced its first "boom" one year later when gold was found in the area.

Modern day visitors to Fairbanks come not for trading but to experience the history, culture and sights. Fairbanks is a top-ten destination for the more than one million visitors to Alaska each year. Many travelers take a Fairbanks vacation for the cruises and tours, but there are also sights to be seen outside of the visitors guide and off the beaten path.

For a taste of true gold rush culture, the Pioneer Museum offers glimpses of artifacts such as dog sleds, handmade tools and snowshoes. The Big Stampede, housed in the same building, is a cyclorama presentation of colossal oil paintings by Alaska's own C. R. "Rusty" Heurlin. The Big Stampede depicts the difficult and dangerous times of the gold rush.

Another way to travel back in time is to embark on the Tanana Valley Railroad to the El Dorado Gold Mine. The two hour guided tour transports passengers through history to talk to miners, learn about gold mining and modern mining methods.

When it's time for some relaxation, visit the warm springs at Hutlinana. They are accessible even in winter off of Eliot Highway, which is not well-marked. Once upon a time, gold miners traveled to these springs for some relief from the physical labor of panning for gold. Now, those on a Fairbanks vacation can enjoy the soothing waters that bubble up from deep within the earth.

Travelers who would like to experience Fairbanks' local produce and handmade crafts will want to stop by the Tanana Valley Farmers' Market. The market features native artwork, jewelry, pottery, local honey, fresh flowers, baked goods and much more. Special events such as the holiday bazaar in December are also hosted by the market.

The Alaska House Art Gallery is where visitors can take in native Alaskan art. House in a log building, native masks, sculpture, jewelry, carvings, artifacts and more are all on display. Many times local artists who are being showcased are present to interact with guests of the gallery.

Fairbanks does have a nightlife scene. One venue where travelers will be able to rub elbows with the locals is the Howling Dog Saloon. They serve local brews from the Silver Gulch Brewery and feature live entertainment from local bands.

Putting aside the visitors guide while in Fairbanks will allow travelers to truly experience the warm welcome of this charming town.

Adam takes a Fairbanks vacation every year, and has used the same visitors guide for over 20 years.

Tips for Enjoying Your Travel Destination

With summer upon us, it’s time to plan that special family vacation, and what better place to enjoy the sun, fun, and all that summer has to offer than a trip to La Jolla. The city has numerous attractions for the whole family as well as delicious places to eat, shop, and lounge, making it nearly impossible to spend all day in a salon in La Jolla!

Here are a few tips to help you enjoy your stay in La Jolla.

For the Artists

La Jolla is a place of rich, distinct culture perfect for the aspiring artist seeking inspiration. There are dozens of art galleries in La Jolla, namely the downtown area. From classic paintings to contemporary pieces, these art galleries show the area’s great sense of diversity. The town is, of course, home to UC San Diego. The campus holds all sorts of fun performances, both musical and dramatic, and activities to satisfy the intellect and artful mind. Make sure to check the school’s website for details. If that’s not enough, the Museum of Contemporary Art San Diego is located in La Jolla. The museum holds new exhibitions every few months so keep your eye out for exciting new events.

For the Hungry

As well as some sweating yourself silly with Bikram Yoga, La Jolla, CA offers dozens of delicious restaurants and eateries. La Jolla’s Burger Lounge is the place for some great, classic burgers. Burger Lounge runs on the philosophy that a burger should taste great and make use of healthy ingredients, all produced within a sustainable environment. The menu is simple and caters to health-conscious eaters and burger lovers alike. You have your choice of tallgrass beef, turkey, or quinoa patties, along with a side of fresh cut fries or onion rings. Burger Lounge also offers salads, chicken tenders, cupcakes, and milkshakes, all made from fresh, healthy ingredients. These are the type of burgers you don’t have to feel guilty about.

Nearby is Whisknladle. This restaurant is best known for making everything in house, from the sauces to the main courses. All their produce is organic and supplied by local growers. Eating at the Whisknladle really gives you the authentic taste of San Diego.

If you would like to indulge yourself, La Jolla is also home to several unique pizzerias. Regents Pizzeria offers some divine pies in thin New York style or thick, rich Chicago style. You have numerous options for toppings, all of which are purchased fresh from local suppliers. The dough is handmade and your pizza is cooked in a special stone oven that ensures optimal crunch when you finally get to take a bite.