The Culture Bank

When you think of a holiday, it is hard to pass up the lure of the sun, no matter what time of year it happens to be.  Spain is one of the most popular holiday destinations in the world, due in a very big part to the sun.  Whilst planning your Spanish holiday you will find that there is a wide variety of accommodation throughout the country, however your best bet may actually be a self-catering apartment.

Self-catering apartments can offer the best of both worlds.  Such accommodation allows you the independence of planning your holiday on your own terms while at the same time controlling your expenses.  If you are planning on finding holiday apartments in Spain, here are some things to think about.

Choosing a Time
Depending on the time of year you’d like to visit Spain, you may need to book quite early and ensure that you coordinate your air travel with your apartment rental.  To prevent any problems upon arrival ensure that you find out when you can check in and out of your apartment. 

Cooking & Transportation
An important part of any self-catering holiday is cooking and because you will be staying in an apartment, you will need to do your own cooking unless you plan on eating out every night.  It is a good idea to make sure the apartment has adequate cooking facilities and that there are food shopping facilities located nearby.  Another way to save money is on car hire and as Spain has a very good public transport system you may find that you either do not need to hire a car or that you only need to hire it for part of your holiday.

The most popular ski resort in Bulgaria is Bansko and it has one of the most modern and best ski resorts in the country.  In recent years it has seen a lot of investment which has brought new skiing facilities.

Bansko has one of the best snow records and one of the longest ski seasons of all the Bulgarian resorts. The town of Bansko lies at the foot of the Pirin Mountains near the river Glazane. It is 160 kilometres from the capital Sofia and just six kilometres from the town of Razlog.

Bansko’s skiing area lies at 2000 to 2600 metres.  The ski pistes are sited at two main ski centres, Shiligarnika and the Chalin Valog; both are easily accessible from Bansko.  The marked piste is 65 kilometres in length.

The slopes offer tracks and runs that are suitable for skiers of all abilities whether they are beginners or experts.  Snowboarders are well catered for with jumps for all levels.  Advanced skiers can tackle the slalom and giant slalom runs.  There is also a cross country track covering five kilometres.

Borovets is Bulgaria’s oldest and largest ski resort.  It lies in the pine forests of the Borovets col on the northern slopes of the Rila Mountains in western Bulgaria.  The resort has the highest peak, Mount Musala at 2,925 metres, of any Balkan ski resort.

The winters are mild, but snowfall is heavy with Borovets often having snow on its slopes from mid-December to April.  The town is small, but it has an eclectic and lively nightlife.

Pamporovo is a modern ski resort which lies at the heart of the Snezhanka Mountain.  It is renowned as the sunniest of Bulgaria’s ski resorts.  The resort is suitable for both established skiers and novices.

Andorra lies in the Pyrenees between the borders of Spain and France.  Its beautiful location has some of the most dramatic scenery in the Pyrenees.

Andorra offers skiing holiday deals for everyone from complete beginners to intermediate skiers.  It can also cater for advanced skiers with its challenging off-piste skiing.

The three main resorts in Andorra are Arinsal, Pas de la Casa and Soldeu.  Each location offers good après ski and tax free shopping.  All the resorts are linked and each has modern ski lifts and a variety of skiing accommodation including apartments, hotels and chalets.

In addition to skiing there are many other activities that visitors can try.  Snowboarding or sleigh rides are also available.

Soldeu is a popular ski resort in the area.  It has an excellent ski school that is rated as one of the best in Europe.  The resort caters mainly for beginners or intermediates.

Arinsal, like Soldeu, is a small alpine village.  It caters mainly to beginners and intermediates.  With excellent childcare facilities, it is a family-friendly resort and its lively nightlife is also attractive to young people.

Pasa de la Casa is a good option for a cheap ski holiday.  With over 100 kilometres of pistes that cover the linked area of Soldeu, it has one of the largest skiing areas in the Pyrenees.  Its slopes are also particularly good for snowboarders.

Andorra has slopes that suit all levels of skiers.  The resorts are popular because not only do they offer cheap ski holidays, but also duty free prices, excellent shopping and a lively après ski scene.  If you want to ski but your budget is limited look for ski deals in Andorra.

To get the most out of your holiday budget without sacrificing the joys of sun, sea and sand, you might want to consider renting a holiday villa.  Holiday villas are abundant on the Continent, especially in France and Spain, and you should easily find one that will meet your requirements.

A holiday villa is like a home away from home; you change your own sheets and wash your own towels, but you also get privacy and a kitchen in which you can cook meals for your family using local ingredients.  This can work out to be much cheaper than staying in a hotel and having to pay inflated prices for restaurant food and drinks at the bar.

To save even more money, look for a villa that is being let by a private individual rather than a company, and see if you can negotiate on the price.  The worst that they can do is say no, but they are much more likely to be flexible on price than a company with a strict policy.

Many luxury Maldives holidays villas have private pools or those that are shared between just a few nearby villas on site, meaning that you have much more ownership and easier supervision of children in the water.  Others have beautiful and relaxing private gardens as an amenity.

Be sure to check transport links before you book your villa, as some may not be easily reachable by train and may recommend that you have a car.

While the mountains of Bulgaria yield many small ski resorts, there are four major skiing holiday resorts for avid ski enthusiasts. All four, Bansko, Borovets, Pamporovo and Vitosha, have been garnering positive reviews for their well-executed ski networks, gorgeous scenery and abundance of snow.

Bansko is located 925m above seal level between the mountain of Pirin, Phodopes and Rila. With a new high-tech lift in place, Bansko in a prime location for abundant snow cover, that during the winter often reaches 2m thick. There are other attraction in the area with 120 cultural monuments, a new village development, a historical museum and ethnographic exhibitions.  Bansko is a haven for experienced skiers with the longest run measuring 2.5 km.  Beginners will find exceptional ski equipment rentals, and multilingual instructors.

The oldest resort in Bulgaria is Borovets, situated in the Rila Mountains on the northern slopes of Mount Musala. Ski runs are differentiated for the various ski levels with multilingual signage and international markings. Expect great snow cover from mid-December to mid-April on highly maintained ski runs. Day care is provided all day long for 3-7 year-olds in the ski kindergarten.

Pamporovo lies in the midst of the Rhodope Mountains and is the southernmost ski resort in Europe and the sunniest in Bulgaria. While the advanced skiers are enjoying the Giant Slalom run, beginners will find plenty of lower slopes for advancing their skills.

Finally, Vitosha, the highest ski resort in Bulgaria, is located 10 km from the capital of Bulgaria, Sofia. Vitosha is also the smallest resort with six ski runs of varying skill levels. However, a number of drag and chair lifts plus a gondola keep the ski crowd moving along without long delays.

Saint Petersburg, Russia has been called the most “western” of the Russian cities.  Called Leningrad under the communists, it was returned to the name it held for most of the 19th and 20th century in 1991.  St. Petersburg was founded in 1703 by Tsar Peter I of Russia, and the history you will find here is amazing.

St. Petersburg is where you will find The Hermitage, the world’s largest art museum.  If you are an art lover, a holiday in St. Petersburg is a must, and several days of that should be devoted to The Hermitage. The museum is massive, with amazing works of art, and you simply can’t see it in one day or even two.

Outside the museums, the city houses spectacular architecture.  The Winter Palace is a study in the Baroque style, while the Church of the Saviour was built in a more medieval Russian style.  Complete with onion domes, this church radiates colour on the inside from over 7,500 square metres of mosaics designed by notable artists of the late 19th century. 

St. Petersburg can be cool or warm depending on the time of year, and it is very humid in the summers.  Winters are long and cold.  However, if you are visiting to tour some of the fabulous artwork, most of which is inside, some very good deals can be had for travel there in either the winter or during the “shoulder” seasons of spring and fall.  Summer will, of course, be the most expensive, but will allow very pleasurable viewing of buildings like the Mariinsky Palace or St. Isaac’s Cathedral as well as participation in outdoor activities.

And of course, no visit to Russia would be complete without a sample of some of its famous vodka.  The Russian Standard Vodka brand is headquartered here with its main factory on the banks of Lake Ladoga, source of the softest water on earth.

St. Petersburg is an often-overlooked luxury holiday location, and offers the opportunity for an exciting holiday.

France is one of the premier ski countries in the world.  There are more than 80 ski chalets and resorts in the country, all with superb skiing throughout the season.  The scenery is spectacular and you will not soon forget your French skiing holiday.

Ski Deals

Skiing deals will vary depending on the dates you would like to go.  Certain dates and times – usually coinciding with children’s holidays – are more expensive than others and the popular times will fill up quickly, so you’ll want to book early.  Look online for great deals.  You can specify your chosen time and area and then choose from the options presented to you.  Have a budget in mind before you look, as they do vary quite a bit.  The most popular resorts, such as those in Chamonix, can be pricier. Aim for a quieter area with less travellers.  The inn keepers may offer you a very good price and will be happy to have you stay with them.

Accommodation
 
You will find that, unlike other ski holidays throughout the world, France has a European style to their accommodation arrangements in the ski areas.  This means that the major ski resorts where you will actually be skiing may be a short distance from your room or chalet.  There are many charming bed and breakfasts, rooms to rent, and chalets for your family to enjoy independently and self catered.  Some chalets still have catering if you want that option.  The point here is that there are many different options for you and you can choose whichever you think might make your stay most enjoyable.

Kalami Resort is an unspoilt resort in Corfu, offering a peaceful and relaxing holiday surrounded by greenery, gorgeous views and long stretches of pebbled beach.  For the holiday maker seeking wild adventure and non-stop partying, Kalami may be too sedate, but for those wanting to unwind and find peace, Kalami is akin to heaven.

Nestled below the North East Corfu hills, Kalami Bay serves as a popular holiday location for career couples and young families.  While not as bustling as other Greek cities and resorts, Kalami does offer some evening entertainment closer to the city centre, while the outer edges of the village offer quiet seclusion and tranquillity.

Kalami Beach features three very popular tavernas right there on the beach front, with more within a short boat ride away.  Some favourites among visitors include Durrel’s White House, Taverna Agni, and Dimitris, all offering delicious food and a welcoming atmosphere.

The beach itself is an incredibly clean beach composed of fine shingle.  The water is also clean and clear, making it perfect for swimming.  Kalami Bay forms a natural cove, protecting the area from waves and making it a safe place for children.

In addition to spending time on the beach or in the tavernas, visitors can walk the coastal path to Agni Bay, Kerasia, and St. Stephanos.  Boat taxis and buses run regularly to take you to various parts of the island.  Accommodation includes luxury villas offering panoramic views of the sea, as well as other holiday rental properties.

While skiing in France, be prepared for the trip of a lifetime.  Your ski holiday has the potential to be the best trip you have ever had but it also has the potential to turn disastrous if you are not careful.  Follow a few key safety tips on your skiing holiday.

What Could be so Hard About Skiing?

Since you simply sit on a chair lift and get a ride to the top, then slide down to the bottom, what could be demanding about that?  Many people who have never skied before share the opinion that it’s great fun and not too physical.  That’s not true.  Pay a lot of attention to your body.  Appreciate that your body needs proper rest, stretching before you ski, and proper nutrition; that way, you’ll avoid most problems that inexperienced skiers encounter.

What About That Après-ski Party?

There are many places to enjoy the après-ski nightlife while on skiing holidays and it is part of the fun.  Be careful of drinking too much alcohol however. It tends to dehydrate the muscles, which leaves them more prone to injuries.  Have a few drinks and don’t stay out too late and you will be ready for your next day of skiing holiday. 

Dress warm and well, use sunscreen, drink plenty of water, and have fun after hours.  You’ll have much more fun if you can partake of all the activities available on your holiday instead of lying about with a hangover and very sore muscles.

The distinctive monument of Nelson’s Column rises above the open space of Trafalgar Square in the heart of central London.  Trafalgar Square is a popular meeting place and has become known as a centre for New Year’s celebrations; it’s also the location for London’s Christmas tree, which is traditionally a gift from the Norwegian city of Oslo each year.  It is also famous for the number of pigeons that used to populate the square, although these are now much fewer in number than they once were.

The square is adorned by a number of fountains and statues.  Four lions are placed at the base of Nelson’s Column, and among the plinths around the square is one that is used for the temporary display of work of national and international art.

Trafalgar Square is the address of the National Gallery, which provides free entrance to view its large collection of Western European paintings from between the thirteenth and nineteenth centuries.

Visiting Trafalgar Square

The National Gallery on the northern perimeter of Trafalgar Square is open daily from 10:00am to 6:00pm, with extended hours on Fridays. Like many London museums, it is closed for Christmas.

Trafalgar Square is in the centre of London and can be directly accessed by entrances to the Charing Cross underground station, which provides services on the Bakerloo and Northern Lines.  Trafalgar Square is easily accessible from London hotels with a good connection to either of these underground lines.  London hotel reviews are also available for those central London hotels near Trafalgar Square.