Best World Skiing Destinations

Top 5 luxury ski resorts in the worldCopyright © 2009 directline-holidays.co.uk

Skiing has increased in popularity over the years and it has become apparent that some people are willing to spend a small fortune to get as much out their experience as possible. Listed below are the top 5 skiing resorts in the world which all promised to offer a top class, luxury holiday.

1. Badrutt's Palace Hotel, St. Moritz, Switzerland

If you are in search of the most luxurious ski resort in the world, pay a visit to Badrutt's Palace Hotel. Baddrutt's is world renowned as being the premier hotel for a ski break. Located in the Swiss Alps It boasts some of the best views money can buy and is internationally renowned for its involvement in making skiing and winter sports as popular as they've become. This Hotel has accommodated Royalty and the rich and famous. Having been open for more than a century, Badrutt's Palace Hotel has set the benchmark for other ski resorts. If you want a piece of the
luxury lifestyle you should expect to pay a minimum of £300 per night.

2. The Game Creek Chalet - Colorado

The Game Creek Chalet is located in the popular skiing resort called Game Creek Bowl. These privately owned chalets 10,500 feet above sea level and compromise of four bedrooms and 4 bathrooms. With these chalets you don't just get the stunning views, the ski in 'ski out resort offers your own Jacuzzi, personal tour guides and you very own gourmet chef to cook you top class food at the end of the day. All these luxuries are yours if you happen to have a spare £1700
to spend per night!

3. Chalet du Mont d'Arbois, Megève,France

Nestled in to the alpine trees above Megève, this Swiss style hotel can be found. Guests at Chalet du Mont d'Arbois can expect Bordeaux's fine Wines in constant supply and Savoyard cuisine. This hotel is compact with only 37 rooms, however, what it lacks in size it makes up for in luxuriousness. Nowhere else on the French Alps will you find such a peaceful and exclusive atmosphere. The Chalet offers free-standing apartments from £1300 per night to individual rooms from £270 per night.

4. Fairmont Chateau, Whistler, British Columbia

Sitting at the bottom of Whistler Blackcomb in the Canadian Rockies, Fairmont Chateau offers one of the most luxurious skiing resorts in the world. Not only does the hotel offer top class amenities and top class service but it's also home to the exquisite restaurant, Wildflower. Wildflower relies on locally sourced organic foods to offer world class dining. For a room in this 12 storey chateaux style hotel you should expect to pay a minimum of £180 per night.

5. Capella Niseko Hotel in Niseko, Japan

Although not open yet, Japan have built one of the most luxurious skiing hotels in the world on the open mountains of Japan. The 32 acre resort will feature 80 rooms and has been designed by Japanese architect Tadao Ando. Each room will house its own fireplace and onsen (natural hot spring bath). The hotel will also offer a range of other luxury amenities such as top class restaurants, a spa, tennis courts and high-end retail stores. If this new build attracts you, be ready to fork out several hundred pounds a night

Things to do on a city break in Rome

Rome is a fascinating blend of old and new traditions, many hotels and shopping sites, delicious dishes and classical culture. With a history of over two thousand years, legend says that the city was founded by the twins Romulus and Remus on April 21st, 753 BC. As you would expect with a bustling European capital city, there is plenty to do here.

The Criminal Museum in Rome

The Criminal Museum, run by the Ministry of Justice, is housed in what used to be a prison so its authenticity is not in question! Built in the early 1800s for Pope Leo XIII, several offices of Rome's police departments call it home. The museum has three sections: one dedicated to the main categories of crimes; one that deals with investigation techniques and police search methods; and one that covers what is involved in serving a criminal sentence. 'Punishment and Crimes' - gory and gruesome - attracts the most visitors. Life-sized models illustrate how criminals were dealt with for centuries the world over, including the infamous Iron Maiden.

Coliseum

No trip to Rome is complete without a visit to the iconic structure. This was the biggest venue built during the Roman Empire and took ten years to finish. Standing 160-feet tall with a seating capacity of up to 50,000, the stadium hosted infamous gladiatorial contests, public spectacles and it was also the place Romans fed Christians to the lions.

Circus Maximus

This place makes Wembley Stadium seem woefully inadequate. The Circus Maximus was one of the largest sports arenas ever built with an apparent capacity of several hundred thousand. It is famous for the 64 AD fire that left masses of casualties, and the city in ruins.

Vatican City

Home of the Pope, Vatican City is one of the holiest places in the world and the only place on earth where people speak Latin. It is an independent state right in the middle of Rome. Just 108.7 acres, with an estimated population of 800, the Vatican has its own broadcasting facility, flag, postage stamps, currency, citizenship, newspaper and station. The must-see sites are St. Peter's Basilica and the Sistine Chapel.

Stay on your feet

The best way to see Rome is on foot. At street level is also where you will discover those unexpected gems; the warm aroma of a bakery, the handmade leather of a local craftsman or perhaps the tucked-away piazza that seems stuck a world long since past.

A guide to snowboarding in Italy

Italy is a great place to snowboard and one of the cheapest European countries to visit. Resorts stretch across the northern part of the country, with many linking with neighbouring countries and if you're planning to drive in Italy, remember: they can't drive. The term 'giving way' doesn't really exist!
The most popular destinations
The majority of Italy's resorts are situated in the north of the country, in the Alps. The ten most popular are; Cervinia, Livigno, Alba, Passo Tonale, Prali Sestriere, Sauze d'Oulx, Val Gardena, Courmayeur and Madonna di Campiglio.
Getting around
Due to the fact that Italy has loads of small, remote resorts tucked away off normal public transport routes, driving is the best way to reach them. Italian resorts are not always well located for airports as most places require an average of three hours transfer. Train services are not too convenient - but are cheap - and you can get fairly close to many places. Bus fares are also inexpensive but services are not very reliable.
Madonna di Campiglio
Madonna di Campiglio is generally considered to be one of the best resorts in Italy for snowboarders. The Ursus terrain park here is a rallying point for boarders across the surrounding region of Trentino and set at 2,400m, on rolling ex-glacial terrain, it is home to good-quality snow for most of the season, and features a wide range of kickers, rails and other features. Boarders will be pleased to know that snowfall here is higher than in the Dolomite resorts further east, and the climate is colder than in the Italian resorts to the west. The resort sits in something of a snow pocket.
Courmayeur
Superb off-piste boarding. But remember, this is the sunny - and therefore less snowy - side of Mont Blanc. There are some fantastic off-piste routes in the area. This is a place for more accomplished riders so bear in mind that there is often a lot less snow on this side of Mont Blanc than there is in Chamonix. Intermediates should only consider Courmayeur for a weekend, while beginners should go to more snowboard-friendly resort.
Where to stay
On the whole, accommodation is basic and cheap. It is fair to say that around resorts facilities are not as full-on as in France but the hedonistic aprés ski is still the same. For a great snowboarding holiday, Italy is well worth a visit.

Copyright © 2009 directline-holidays.co.uk