Jetsettersblog

Rail Europe, a distributor of European rail products in North America, announced the launch of Trenitalia’s new Milan to Rome high-speed rail link. The new line shaves an hour off the route, connecting Italy’s political and financial capitals in 3 hours and 30 minutes. The new route establishes Milan as Italy’s main point of connection with Europe’s high-speed larger rail network for the benefit of business and leisure travelers alike. Milan is currently served by Artesia trains from Paris, Cisalpino from Basel, Bern and Geneva, Riviera from Nice and Elipsos overnight trains from Barcelona.

Trenitalia’s ETR500 AV Red Arrow Train, which will service the new route and will be available for reservations on www.agent.raileurope.com in January, was designed by Italian automotive designer, Giorgetto Giugiaro. Giugiaro was recently named Automotive Designer of the Century for his achievements in designing for Audi, Alfa Romeo, Fiat, Maserati, Volkswagen and others. The Red Arrow reaches a maximum speed of 186 miles per hour, offering rail travelers in Italy an equivalent level of speed, service and convenience as other European countries.
Passengers can order from a menu of breakfast, lunch and dinner selections from the restaurant car, as well as snacks and beverages from the bar car. TrenItalia’s InterCity Plus and Eurostar Italia trains, offer speedy connections between Rome, Florence, Venice, Milan, Bologna and Naples and convenient access to many smaller Italian towns. Rail Europe offers a full range of TrenItalia tickets that can be tailored toward each traveler’s individual needs.

To book any of Rail Europe’s wide range of economical railpasses and point-to-point tickets on trains throughout Europe, call 888-382-7245 or visit Rail Europe’s website at the banner at the right.

Snowfall Boosts Demand

Prices From £13* Per Day

With heavy snowfall already reported in the Alps, car hire comparator Carrentals.co.uk is advising customers to book ski car hire early to secure the best prices and essential accessories such as snow chains and child seats.

Many resorts in Switzerland, Austria and Italy are enjoying prime conditions, opening early to make the most of the snowfall, with skiers being attracted to snow levels of up to 130cm and more in places.

Gareth Robinson, managing director of Carrentals.co.uk, says: “With the ski resorts enjoying a fantastic start to the season, we’ve seen demand for car hire in these areas jump significantly over the last couple of weeks. There is still availability but prices for rental can vary significantly between suppliers, so our advice is to compare the best deals in advance and book early to secure specific requirements such as snow chains and baby seats.”

Carrentals.co.uk compares car hire deals from leading rental companies in over 9,000 locations, including ski destinations such as Lyon, Turin and Chambery, with prices starting from just £13* per day at Aspen; £18* per day in Lyon; and £21* per day at Banff and Geneva.

Gareth added: “If this level of snow fall continues we are likely to see a rush in bookings over the next couple of weeks. Leaving car hire to the last minute, or, worse, leaving it until you arrive in resort, is likely to mean you pay a premium to secure the car you need, so book early and shop around for the best prices.”

Carrentals.co.uk compares car hire prices from up to 50 companies including Holiday Autos, Alamo, Budget and Thrifty. To compare the best ski deals visit www.carrentals.co.uk

*Prices are based on seven-day rental from 31 January and are subject to change.

Hassle free vacation planning with all-inclusive river cruises

According to a new survey conducted by Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) and Cruise Critic, “Cruising can be a great choice for multigenerational travel, with over 60% of the respondents on this survey saying they sometimes or always travel as an extended family (with grandparents and/or grandchildren).” Uniworld understands this, and has developed multigenerational family-friendly river cruises specifically to appeal to grandparents and parents who wish to share the gift of Europe with the special young people in their lives.

According to Guy Young, president of Uniworld Boutique River Cruise Collection, “With such a huge demand for new opportunities for multigenerational travel, it was a natural evolution for us to offer river cruising programs geared towards families. Our family-friendly programs have been developed around summer vacations in July and August, so planning a vacation is always easy.”

The value of an all-inclusive Uniworld cruise is unbeatable. Uniworld’s offers special family pricing with young people between 8 and 18 traveling at 50% off the cruise price when traveling with an adult. Add in all meals with soft drinks, entertainment, lectures and demonstrations onboard, and exciting shore excursions, fully hosted by local guides, and you have the ideal, hassle-free, value-packed family vacation.

Uniworld’s multigenerational programs provide the opportunity for families to explore amazing countries, gain valuable insights, and intimately learn about different cultures up-close and personal as a family. “It is important to note that Uniworld’s itineraries are different from ocean cruises in that the goal of our programs is to give young travelers an understanding of European culture, art, music and history in an engaging way,” adds Young.

Family-friendly itineraries include:

A 9-day Castles Along the Rhine River Cruise sailing the Rhine River between Amsterdam and Basel. The fairytale castles, combined with the breathtaking landscape, old-world towns with quaint half-timbered buildings, exciting museums with self-playing musical instruments and legendary myths are certain to enchant the entire family. Special highlights include a mini-train ride to Siegfried’s Mechanical Museum, home to one of the largest collection of self-playing musical instruments in the world, and the Speyer Technical Museum with a walk-in Boeing 747, the largest propeller aircraft in the world, a U9 German Navy submarine, fire engines, locomotives, aircrafts and helicopters.

Cruise only prices are from $2,399 per person, based on double occupancy for July and August departures. Children between 8 and 18 years of age receive 50% off cruise-only rate when accompanied by an adult.

A 9-day Paris and Normandy River Cruise sailing along the Seine from Paris the” City of Lights,” past the luminous countryside of Northern France to the nostalgic beaches of Normandy and then back to Paris. This unique program offers the adventures family-friendly guided tours of Paris, Honfleur, Rouen and Giverny, and the real-life education of standing on the beaches of Normandy as a family sharing in the meaningful events that forever changed the world. Special highlights include: Joan de Arc Museum in Rouen, the Naturospace Museum in Honfleur, and a hike to the Stronghold of Richard the Lionheart, Chateau Gaillard.

Cruise only prices are from $2,599 per person, based on double occupancy. Children between 8 and 18 years of age receive 50% off cruise-only rate when accompanied by an adult.

About Uniworld Boutique River Cruise Collection
Los Angeles-based Uniworld Boutique River Cruise Collection, the premier river cruise company, was recently named to Travel + Leisure’s World’s Best Top 10 Small Ship Cruise Lines, Condé Nast Traveler’s Gold List and their Readers’ Choice Awards for World’s Top 10 Small Ship Cruise Lines. Uniworld features intimate, elegant boutique, hotel-style cruise ships with an average capacity of 134 guests, an award-winning staff with a ratio of one staff member for every three guests, world-class cuisine, and expertly planned itineraries with custom-blended shore excursions. The company offers over 500 departures on more than 40 itineraries sailing on 12 rivers in over 20 countries throughout Europe, Russia, China, and Egypt.

For more information, contact your Preferred Travel Professional. Call Uniworld at 1-800-733-7820 or visit www.uniworld.com

Auto Europe has announced details of a new partnership with Europe’s largest golf travel company, Golfbreaks.com. Auto Europe will now be a sole supplier of rented vehicles for www.Golfbreaks.com  offered via its call centre and website booking system. Auto Europe will be providing Golfbreaks.com with a system designed specifically to help its call centre process car hire requests simply and quickly. Golfbreaks.com was formed in 1998 to make booking golf breaks as simple and straight-forward as possible. It offers a range of golfing breaks and holidays across the world.

For more information, visit www.golfbreaks.com or www.auto-europe.com

Independent luxury tour operator, Prestige Holidays, is offering 18 special interest Holidays, including seven new additions for 2009 through tours specialist, The Travellers’ Club. Packages lead in at £975 for the Alsace and Lands of the Rhine tour including return scheduled flights, BB accommodation and guides. The new tours are:

• The Best of Tunisia Tour, 24 March to 4 April, exploring the fascinating culture, art, history and beautiful landscape of the country. Cost from £1445 per person.

• Tour of Tuscany and Umbria, 1-9 April, taking in the sights of Siena including: the Duomo, the national gallery and the buildings of Campo plus visit to Montepulciano, Pienza and Perugia. Packages start from £985 per person.

• The Toulouse, Carcassone and Cathar Country tour, 16-23 April from £1095 per person. Highlights of this tour include visits to the Toulouse-Lautrec Museum and a boat trip on the Canal du Midi, a UNESCO world Cultural Heritage Site.

• Discover Bulgaria, 8-17 May from £985 per person. The tour takes in the picturesque city of Plovdiv, the conservation village of Koprivshtitsa and also visits Kazanluk and Sofia

• Milan, Lake Garda and the Art Cities of North Italy, 8-15 May, cost from £1275 per person

• Alsace and the Lands of the Rhine, 20-27 September, from £975 per person

• Seville for Opera Lovers, October (dates and prices to be confirmed)

The 18 tours range from four nights to one nearly a month in length and also include a four night break to the Puccini festival in July from £995 per person and a splendours of Jordan and Syria tour from 21 October to 2 November at £1985 per person.

For a full list of the tours and further information consult (www.thetravellersclub.com  or call 01243 773597) and to book call Prestige Holidays on 01425 480600.

The Travellers’ Club offers imaginative and comfortable holidays taken at a leisurely pace which appeal to the elderly as well as younger people. Also as travellers tend to meet before departure, single travellers have the option of sharing rooms, avoiding the cost of single supplements. Groups vary between approximately eight and 30 in number.

Hurtigruten is introducing three April itineraries of eight, 12 and 14 days that incorporate both ocean and river cruising, cumulatively forging a path from the Mediterranean to the Baltic aboard the 318-passenger MS Fram. The trio of sailings, which when combined make a 34-day voyage, includes an eight-day “Easter Cruise,” sailing from the Canary Islands’ Las Palmas to Lisbon, Portugal on April 8, cruising Spain’s only navigable river, the Guadalquivir; a 14-day “Spring in Western Europe,” departing from Lisbon to Hamburg, Germany on April 15, with visits to seven countries as the ship sails the Gironde, Seine, Thames and Elbe rivers; and a 12-day “Baltic Sea” April 28 sailing, embarking in Hamburg and cruising the Elbe River to the Kiel Canal, and calling at a host of Northern European capitals — Stockholm, St. Petersburg and Finland. Depending on itinerary selected, fares range from $2,479 per person, double to $10,849. A 15% space available discount reduces the fares to $2,107 to $9,222.

Two leisurely days at sea combine with five ports of call on the eight-day “Easter Cruise,” including Las Palmas, where travelers can get a dose of the island’s culture and architecture in the charming, historical Vegeta section which boasts the Santa Ana Cathedral, begun in the early 15th century and completed 350 years later.

In Funchal, the 500-year-old capital of the Portuguese island of Madeira, guests will find a charming seafront promenade lined with restaurants and cafes, as well as a majestic Gothic cathedral. Cruising the river Guadalquivir, MS Fram sails into the heart of Seville, providing the chance to visit the Alcazar palace and garden complex that was first a Moorish stronghold and then of Christian kings; and the Cathedral of Seville, the largest in Spain. From Portugal’s Portimao, guests can embark on an optional excursion to Lagos, a fishing port once inhabited by Phoenicians, Greeks, Romans and Moors. Discounted rates range from $2,107 to $4,963 per person, double; normal rates are $2,479 to $5,839.

The 14-day “Spring in Western Europe” voyage from Lisbon to Hamburg offers one of Europe’s most extensive sailings, taking in highlights of seven countries while ensconced in a deluxe ship. Setting sail along Portugal’s River Tejo, the MS Fram makes its way to the country’s Leixoes at the mouth of the River Douro, and near the 12th-century port wine center of Oporto.

Guests can take an optional excursion to Santiago de Compostela, the city said to be the final resting place of Saint James, from Spain’s La Coruna; and choose to visit some of Bordeaux’s more stunning vineyards and chateaux as the ship makes its way up the Gironde River. Next are the Channel Islands ports of Sark, the smallest of the island group featuring breathtaking coastal views and a pastoral interior; and Guernsey, whose landscape blends cliffs, beaches and a bustling harbor town.

Other highlights include cruising the Seine River to Rouen, France, a cathedral city that has flourished since the Middle Ages; sailing up England’s Thames through the heart of London; calling at Antwerp, the northernmost province Belgium’s Flanders’ region; and exploring Amsterdam, with its romantic canals and Van Gogh Museum, housing the largest collection of paintings and drawings by Vincent Van Gogh. Discounted fares are $3,799 to $9,222 while normal rates are $4,469 to $10,849.

Roundtrip from Hamburg, the 12-day “Baltic Sea” sailing explores Northern Europe, plying the 61-mile Kiel Canal connecting the North and Baltic Seas. The MS Fram calls at Ronne, the capital of the Danish island of Bornholm; Stockholm, known as the Venice of the North;

 
 Finland’s capital, Helsinki; and Russia’s St. Petersburg, with its gilded czarist palaces and Hermitage, housing one of the largest collections of Western European art. Other destination highlights include the World Heritage Site of Tallinn, Estonia, featuring cobble-stoned streets, open-air cafés and the 13th-century Toompea Castle; and Visby one of the best-preserved European medieval cities located on the Swedish Island of Gotland. Discounted rates are $3,679 to $8,669; regular rates are $4,329 to $10,199.

Onboard Expedition teams educate and guide the guests with lectures, activities and daily programs. Optional excursions possibilities are extensive and can be pre-booked. Highlights on the Easter cruise include a tour of the romantic island of Las Palmas, a Jeep Safari that takes in many of Funchal’s hidden secrets, and an extensive tour of Lisbon, Sintra and Cascais.

The 14-day adventure offers walking tour of the first capital of Portugal – Guimarães; a exploration of the Medoc Vineyards and a wine tasting; and a visit to Feudal Sark, the smallest independent feudal state in Europe where there are no cars or high-rise developments – just peaceful surroundings. Optional excursions on the “Baltic Sea” include an evening waterway cruise through Stockholm, a visit to St. Petersburg’s Catherine Palace followed by a Russian lunch and River Neva cruise, and an a gala event with champagne and caviar at Yusupov Palace.

MS Fram, the world’s newest expedition ship, accommodates 318 guests in suites and staterooms and features a restaurant, two bars, panoramic lounges library, and Internet café and conference rooms. A new program aimed at the suites includes two optional excursions for free, beverages, a bottle of champagne on arrival and other amenities.

For more information on Hurtigruten, contact the company at (800) 323-7436 or (212) 319-1300; fax (212) 319-1390; for brochures (800) 666-2374, 24 hours a day; www.hurtigruten.us

The Jewels In Europe

There are so many to choose from that a Pan European web site has been created and relaunched with 2008 details www.christmas-markets.org

Over 100 individual destination pages with descriptions, timings and images to get you into the festive mood. In many instances there are also direct links to local web sites.

Also included are some of the major Attractions that have a host of events in the build up to Christmas….to get you in the Festive mood.

Developed by tourism industry experts, the site is easy to navigate, with a page for each European destination or attraction and is unbiased and not attached to any Tour Operator. www.christmas-markets.org

 Regent Holidays has a fabulous selection of New Year city breaks which are sure to be a perfect way to welcome in 2009. Enjoy Belle Epoque style in Bucharest, the charm and grace of Dubrovnik or out and out luxury in Kyiv. With all of these city breaks at seriously resonable prices they will be hard to resist.

A 3 night New Year city break in Bucharest from £669 per person including flights

See in the New Year in Belle Époque style in Bucharest, Romania’s capital city. With its wide, tree-lined boulevards and fondness for the high life, it’s easy to see why this bustling metropolis was known as “Little Paris” in the early 1900s.

Stay in splendour at the historic Athenee Palace Hilton Bucharest, a 5* hotel built in 1914 in the heart of the city with its own indoor pool, a La Prairie beauty spa and a selection of sophisticated bars and restaurants - perhaps you could try your New Year luck at the hotel’s casino?

The bustle of Bucharest is right on your doorstep - take in a concert at the nearby Romanian Athenaeum, stroll through the Cismigiu Park, just around the corner from your hotel or visit the nearby Vitan Mall for some retail therapy.

Price: from £669 per person for 3 nights at the 5* Athenee Palace Hilton Bucharest, including breakfast, return flights with British Airways from London Heathrow and all airport taxes and security charges.

New Year in Dubrovnik from £433 per person for 3 nights including flights

 Often referred to as the ‘Pearl of the Adriatic’, Dubrovnik is at its best over New Year, away from the crowds and heat of the summer. Overlooking the picturesque Dalmatian coast, Croatia’s capital city is an eclectic mix of ancient traditions and modern café culture.

Staying at the 3* Hotel Argosy on the Babin Kuk Peninsula, explore the historic buildings of Dubrovnik, which boasts many stunning Gothic, Renaissance and Baroque churches, monasteries, palaces and fountains. The city comes alive at New Year, when live music floods the city, especially the Old Town and the main square of the Babin Kuk Peninsula.

Price: from £433 per person for 3 nights in a Double Room at the 3* Hotel Argosy based on two sharing, including breakfast and a New Year’s Eve buffet dinner, return flights with British Airways from London Heathrow and all airport taxes and security charges.

3 Night of New Year Luxury in Kyiv from £599 per person including flights

Check into Kyiv’s newly-opened Radisson SAS Hotel for 3 nights of pampering and see in the New Year in style. Located in the heart of the city, the hotel is the ideal spot from which to explore Kyiv’s highlights. Cultural musts include the catacombs of the impressive Caves monastery, the gold-domed Mykhaylivsky Orthodox Church and the Rodina Mat for a great view of the Dnipro River. Stroll through the cobbled slopes of Andriyivsky Uzviz where market stalls sell all sorts of paintings and traditional souvenirs. Settle in at any of the city’s excellent restaurants, lively bars and pavement cafes, the perfect place to see in the New Year over one of the delicious local beers.

After a day’s sightseeing, your hotel has everything you could need for some pampering and relaxation as well as a choice of great restaurants and bars.

Price: from £599 per person for 3 nights at the Radisson SAS Hotel based on two sharing a standard room, including breakfast, return flights with Ukraine International from London Gatwick, all airport taxes and security surcharges and return airport transfers.

 Topdeck’s program for 2009/10 has been unveiled, with the new season’s trips including even more activities and Earlybird fares offering a 10% discount on all trips paid for before December 31, 2008.

With 35 years experience in creating memorable holidays to Europe, Egypt and Africa for 18-30 something travellers, Topdeck goes beyond the iconic sites to experience local cultures and gives travellers free time to explore destinations their way.

New for 2009 is the 36 day European Pioneer EuroClub trip. Offering excellent value-for-money, this five week trip covers 18 countries, visiting the French Riviera, Greek Islands, Croatian Coast, Prague as well as the must-see capitals of Europe. Activities and sightseeing tours of all cities are included.

Also new for 2009 is the Britain + Ireland (from $2530), a 15 day adventure through the UK and Ireland, visiting the capitals of London, Edinburgh, Dublin and Belfast as well as lively, historic towns such as York and Galway. Passengers can join for particular sectors or for the whole trip.
“We’re constantly upgrading our trips to include more activities within the price and expanding our itineraries. For 2009 we’ve introduced wine tasting and dinner at a Chianti vineyard outside of Florence, which we’re sure will be popular,” said James Nathan, Managing Director, Topdeck.

Topdeck offers three accommodation styles. EuroHotel trips stay at charming hotels in great locations; EuroClub trips use multi-share accommodation in cabins, castles, yachts and hostels for budget conscious travellers and EuroCamping trips stay at Europe’s best campsites (many with nightclubs and swimming pools!) with roomy twin-share dome tents and air mattresses.

Topdeck’s 36 day European Pioneer EuroClub trip

Visits: Starts in London and travels through France, Switzerland, Spain, Italy, Greece, Albania, Croatia, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Serbia, Hungary, Austria, Czech Republic, Germany, The Netherlands, Belgium and back to London.
Cost: From $4395, plus food fund $1030 per person.

Includes: Modern coach transport, accommodation, many meals, sightseeing tours of cities, knowledgeable guide.

Stays at: Six free hotel upgrades, a variety of hostels, bungalows, cabins and one overnight ferry.
Highlights: Sightseeing tours of all cities, fun in the sun in Mykonos, beautiful Belgrade, Berlin night life, celebrity spotting on French Riviera, vaporetto on Venice canals, cycling tour of Amsterdam.
Contact: Topdeck on 1800 077 250 or www.topdeck.travel

To request a new Topdeck 2009/10 brochure to make a reservation, please contact Topdeck on
1300 886 332. For more information on Topdeck’s extensive range of European holiday options, visit www.topdeck.travel

Whether you are an incredibly accomplished skier who seeks out the most challenging of slopes each season, or more of an ‘armchair skier’ lured by the appeal of the après-ski rather than the number of ‘black runs’, be sure to experience one of Small Luxury Hotels of the World’s luxurious ski retreats this northern winter.

From the rustic charm of New England to the sophistication of Italy, the vibrancy of Spain or the uniqueness of China, Ski by Small Luxury Hotels of the World offers you some of the most inspiring choices. From chic, contemporary lodges to cosy chalets dotted throughout the world’s most renowned ski resorts, there is something to suit everyone, regardless of how proficient a skier you are. Reservations for any one of ‘Ski by Small Luxury Hotels of the World’ experiences can be made by calling the SLH reservations number +65 6232 5060 or by visiting www.slh.com/inspirations  

With over 20 exclusive ski properties in both the northern and southern hemispheres, Small Luxury Hotels of the World offers ski aficionados a wealth of options throughout the year. Here is just a sample of what you can experience this ski season:

North America is undoubtedly home to some of the world’s best ski terrain. In New Hampshire, The Manor On Golden Pond (www.slh.com/goldenpond)  is putting a slightly romantic twist on its ski experience. In addition to three nights’ accommodation in a luxury chamber on a full-board basis, a two-day ski pass and private lessons with an expert, guests can enjoy a gourmet ski picnic on the slopes and then return to the hotel to indulge in afternoon tea and chilled champagne, followed by a relaxing spa treatment of their choice (up to the value of US$110). The package is valid from 1 December 2008 to 27 March 2009, with prices starting from US$780 per room per night (excluding tax).

In Vermont, close to the Stowe Mountain Resort and Spruce Peak, is The Trapp Family Lodge, (www.slh.com/trappfamilylodge ) where guests can look forward to an authentic Austrian experience with sing-a-longs and live musicians reminiscent of The Sound of Music’s von Trapp family, whose history is in fact connected to this Vermont gem! With over 100km of snow trails in the most picturesque of settings this is the perfect ski retreat. The hotel is offering a two night package, including daily cross country ski rentals, a one-hour private cross country ski lesson, a three course dinner and daily breakfast, as well as a 20 percent discount on skis, boots and poles in the ski shop. The package is valid from 4 January to 14 March 2009, with prices starting from US$1,010 per room per two-night stay (including tax and service charges).

Set amidst the Adirondack Mountains on the shores of Mirror Lake in Lake Placid, is the old world charm of Mirror Lake Inn Resort & Spa (www.slh.com/mirrorlake)  There is a relaxing atmosphere here with a choice of rooms and suites in five idyllic lodges, all with stunning lake views and many with snug fireplaces and balconies. This ski season, the hotel is offering an overnight package, which includes breakfast and a one day lift ticket to Whiteface Mountain. The package is valid from 30 November 2008 to 31 March 2009, and prices start from US$320 per room per night (excluding tax and service charges).

However, if your preference is to head to the slopes in Europe, then Small Luxury Hotels of the World provides skiers with the perfect opportunity to make the most of the deep snow covered valleys, high altitude resort towns and endless choice of ski fields.

 Hotel Yastrebets Wellness & Spa in Bulgaria (www.slh.com/yastrebets)  is set on one of the country’s best and most picturesque ski runs. Here guests have a delightful choice of rooms, apartments and Finnish lodges surrounded by mountain pines. Choose the seven night package, which includes daily breakfast and dinner, a six-day ski pass with rental equipment for two people and use of the small ski lift in front of the hotel. Following a full day on the slopes, guests can relax with a glass of hot wine before unwinding at the hotel’s ‘thermo zone’, which offers herbal and steam baths, sauna and Jacuzzi. The package is valid from 15 January to 3 March 2009 and prices start from EUR240 per room per night (inclusive of all taxes).

Nestled at the foot of the Mont Blanc mountain range in Italy there is a cluster of pretty wood and stone chalets, which make up Mont Blanc Hotel Village (www.slh.com/montblanc)  Surrounded by the most awe-inspiring mountain peaks, the hotel has excellent access to the Courmayeur ski resort. This winter the hotel is offering a three-night retreat in a deluxe room with daily in-room breakfast, a degustation dinner with a bottle of Metodo Classico white wine, a two-day ski pass, shuttle service for Courmayeur and La Thuile ski resort areas and unlimited spa access where guests can unwind in the hotel’s steam grotto. The package is valid between 5 and 19 December and then from 11 January to 30 April 2009, with prices starting from EUR1,000 per room per three-night stay (inclusive of tax and service charges).

 An equally appealing Italian ski option is Alpin Royal Wellness Refugium & Resort Hotel (www.slh.com/alpinroyal)  located in the beautifully unspoilt, alpine landscape of the Ahrntal in South Tyrol. For those seeking something a little more exhilarating, the hotel’s seven-night package includes tobogganing on South Tyrol’s longest night-time toboggan run. The inclusion of an Ahrntal Wintercard provides guests with discounts on ski passes and ski rentals. Then, at the end of an exhausting day of the slopes, head to the hotel’s spa where gentlemen will receive a full body massage with aromatic bath oil, while the ladies will be treated to a gentle body peel treatment and facial. The package is valid from 31 January to 13 April 2009, with prices starting from EUR 1400 per room per seven-night stay (inclusive of tax and service charges).

Tucked away in Spain’s Baquiera-Beret ski resort is La Pleta Hotel & Spa, (www.slh.com/laplenta) an exclusive mountain spa retreat where every room has incredible vistas. The hotel’s seven-night ski package includes daily breakfast, La Pleta ski bag, lip balm and face balm, a bottle of Spanish Cava and hot drinks in the afternoon. Ski rental and lessons with an instructor are available for a nominal charge. The package is valid from 4 December 2008 to 19 April 2009, with prices starting from EUR1903 per room per seven-night stay (inclusive of tax and service
charges)

For something a little off the beaten track, Small Luxury Hotels of the World welcomes China’s first village-based mountain ski resort at the end of this year. Sun Mountain Lodge makes its debut this December with a special three-night ski experience, complete with daily VIP ski pass with rental equipment, a 90-minute Elements spa treatment, daily breakfast, roundtrip deluxe train ticket to/from Harbin Train Station and roundtrip transfers to/from Harbin International Airport to the train station. The package is valid from 20 December 2008 to 31 March 2009, with prices starting from RMB 10,186 per room per three-night stay (excluding tax and service charges).

When the melt has begun on the northern pistes, ski addicts still have numerous options with Small Luxury Hotels of the World’s southern hemisphere ski properties, where the season runs from June to October. For full details visit www.slh.com/inspirations  or www.slh.com

(All offers are subject to availability)