Ukraine as a whole as well as its capital Kiev, Crimean Peninsula, Lviv, the Chornobyl site and even the Salt Tunnels of Solotvyno appeared in the international travel ratings. Thus, Southern Ukrainian Crimea opens the 2013 list of the 20 Must-See Places, picked by the National Geographic Traveler editors. “The Crimean Peninsula, with its voluptuously curved Black Sea coast of sparkling cliffs, is paradise — with Riviera-grade vistas but without Riviera prices,” according to the popular tourist magazine.

TripAdvisor’s Travelers ‘ Choice 2012, named Ukrainian Kiev as the top destination on the rise among the cities of the Old World. The Ukrainian capital placed third in the world’s top 10 rating. “Having survived the Mongol Empire, WWII, Chornobyl and Soviet rule, Kiev is the proud capital of the Ukraine,” describes the city TripAdvisor.

Globe Spots featured Ukraine in their Top Countries to Visit in 2013 list. Ukraine took the eighth spot in the Top 10. “Ukraine provides a surreal combination of rock-till-you-drop coastal party towns to Crimean holiday resorts to cosmopolitan capitals to villages you’d swear were still in the USSR,” according to Globe Spots.

Lonely Planet mentioned Ukraine on three occasions. Firstly, Lviv, home to a number of UNESCO World Heritage Sites, became the number two entry in the 6 Weekend Breaks in Europe list. Chornobyl Reactor #4 — the site of the world’s biggest nuclear disaster in 1986 — was named eighth among the Spookiest Buildings Around the World, while the Salt Tunnels of Solotvyno was ranked 10th World’s Saltiest Sights.

We’ve spent a lifetime searching for the best places on the mountain for you to eat, drink and party…

Our team of angels at www.snowangel.co.uk have spent seasons drinking and eating their way around the alps to bring you the best of what the mountains have to offer.

Whether you’re looking for a Michelin starred restaurant for a special occasion, or just want to know where the best happy hour and straight from the slopes aprés is this season, snowangel.co.uk has it covered.

Snowangel.co.uk is easy to navigate, simply choose which country and resort you’re heading to and we’ll do the rest for you. You can also click on various other options depending on what you’re looking for whether it’s dinner, DJs, live music or even child friendly venues.

Each bar entry has a review, pictures, Youtube footage as well as map. The site is also mobile friendly, so if you didn’t do your research before you went on holiday then you can access it from the comfort of your ski lift.

We’ll be adding and updating bars throughout this season and updating pictures and adding new video footage.

Founder of SnowAngel, Sam Cope says: ‘There’s nothing worse than happening upon a brilliant bar on the last day of your holiday, or ending up in a bad restaurant at the end of a ski day.

‘And while we love being on the slopes, we know that après is just as important. Our aim is to give users insider knowledge so you’ll be as genned up as the resort rep before you go.

‘The site is all about the detail, so as well as telling you where to go, we give you the heads up on when’s the best time to head there.

‘We’ve aimed to include the important stuff too, like who sells the cheapest beer, does the best cocktail, where you can pick up the best tartiflette and even where’s showing Sky Sports so you don’t miss that all important match.

‘If you have a family, we’ve identified the child friendly bars and eateries. And if you’re on a budget or if you want to splash out there’s something for you.’.

There will be a Comedy Night and Curry at CONKERS on 7th December followed by a beautiful carol service with Ibstock Bric-Brass Band on 21st December. Flip and Dippy clown show and disco will be hosting a fun-packed Christmas party on 22nd December. And don’t forget to book tickets for CONKERS’ popular annual New Year’s Eve Family Party.

Rudolph is having a night off as Santa is coming to the National Forest Adventure Farm by tractor on 25th November. Children will be able to meet him and the farm’s resident reindeer at weekends and school holidays until Christmas Eve. They can receive a present from the Elves’ workshop, get dressed up and take part in the nativity scene in the barn and make Christmas decorations.

Christmas celebrations kick off at the National Memorial Arboretum on 2nd December with a fun-filled day of activities for all the family, including a Christmas market. Visitors can take a horse drawn tour of the Arboretum on 2nd, 15th, 22nd and 23rd December. There will be free Christmas craft and story-telling workshops for children with artist Sylvia Royal on 2nd, 20th and 21st December. Santa will be in his grotto at the Arboretum every weekend from 2nd-16th December and every day from 21st December.

There are six dates available for visitors to enjoy a traditional Christmas lunch, followed by 1940s style entertainment from the glamorous Lola Lamour. These Nostalgic Christmas Lunches are 6th, 13th, 14th, 19th, 20th & 21st December.

Fancy a tipple? Join the wine tasting event at the National Memorial Arboretum with Worth Brothers Wines on 9th December. Also on this date there will be a winter wildlife walk, followed by a homemade soup in the Visitor Centre. Fancy learning how to arrange festive flowers? There will be a wreath and floral arrangement demonstration with florist Anne Brown on 11th December.

Peter Ralley will be sharing his secrets to setting up and creating the perfect picture at the Arboretum on 15th December. Visitors can sing-along to traditional carols with the Burton Salvation Army Band at the Carol Concert on 16th December. Drop off the children at one of the Creative Craft Sessions on 22nd and 23rd December with stories, quizzes and games (suitable for 5-10 years). From 22nd December until New Year’s Eve visitors can find the missing baubles in the Christmas Family Bauble Trail and on Christmas Eve there will be children’s festive activities – T’was the night before Christmas.

Visitors to Calke Abbey can catch a glimpse inside the house and follow a Christmas trail to the church every Saturday and Sunday before Christmas – 1st, 2nd, 8th, 9th, 15th, 16th, 22nd and 23rd December. There will also be craft activities for children and the chance to see Father Christmas in his grotto. Join in carol singing at Calke’s Christmas Evening on 7th December and browse around the Christmas Craft Show in the Riding School on 8th and 9th December. There will be a Family Afternoon Dance on 15th December with a festive afternoon of dancing and entertainment.

‘Foodies’ can pick up some wonderful locally produced goodies at Calke’s annual Christmas Fine Food Fair on 16th December. Christmas lunches will be served in the restaurant on 10th-14th, 17th and 18th December. And if you like food, you will love the Food Gusto Christmas Food and Drink Fair on 1st December in Ashby de la Zouch High Street and the Christmas Gourmet Evening at Calke Abbey on 20th December.

The great chamber of Donington le Heath Manor House will be traditionally decorated and resound with medieval and renaissance music played on authentic instruments for the Galliarda Christmas Early Music concert on 30th November. Visitors can experience a Tudor Christmas in this charming, medieval manor house on 1st and 2nd December, complete with Tudor decoration, music, carols, crafts and a traditional Mummers play.

Back by popular demand to Swadlincote Ski & Snowboard Centre are the Festive Umpah Nights with the brilliant Karl’s Bavarian Brass Band on 1st, 8th, 15th and 22nd December. Its Christmas Comedy Nights on 7th, 14th, and 21st December promise to be a ‘cracker’ of a night with great live stand-up from some of the UK’s best up and coming comedians, a buffet and disco. And the Christmas Fun Activity Days on 24th, 27th, 28th, 31st December and 1st, 2nd January are a great way for children to learn to ski or snowboard. The day includes ski or snowboard lessons, tobogganing, sno-tubing and a hot lunch.

Take an expert-led guided walk through Bosworth Battlefield Heritage Centre and Country Park on 2nd, 9th and 26th December to discover the real story of this historic battle. There will be a Christmas Special Owl Night on 22nd December complete with hot chocolate and gifts for children. Visitors can meet a Medieval costumed Falconer and even fly the owls and hawk themselves on Boxing Day.

The seasonal performances in Snibston’s Century Theatre include the classic panto Dick Whittington on 6th, 7th and 8th December and then A Medieval Christmas on 16th December, when theatre company, Blast From The Past, return after its successful 2011 Victorian Christmas show, going further back in history with a heart-warming show using authentic instruments. A Christmas Craft Fair and Santa’s Grotto will take place at Snibston on
8th and 9th December.

Join in the fun at the National Brewery Centre’s Christmas Party Night on 1st, 7th, 8th, 14th and 15th December with a four course menu and disco. Its Comedy Club Christmas Special, with brilliant acts and a great curry, was a sell-out last year – so make sure you book early for this year’s event on 21st December.

The new Hilton at St George’s Park will be hosting Festive Party Nights and serving festive lunches and dinners throughout December including a special Christmas Day lunch and Boxing Day lunch. The Mercure Burton upon Trent Newton Park Hotel is also offering a sumptuous five course festive feast on Christmas Day and Boxing Day.

Rosliston Forestry Centre is holding its annual Christmas Craft Fair on 8th December where there will be special gifts and unique Christmas presents. You can pick up your Christmas tree at the same time with real UK sourced Christmas trees available here throughout December. More information on all of these events can be found on the website www.visitnationalforest.co.uk

For those people scratching their heads for Christmas gifts, the Forest may hold the perfect solution. Plant a Tree is a gift that grows. Or how about a gift voucher for one of the fantastic woodland craft and bushcraft courses in The National Forest. Greenwood Days, Woodland Ways, Survival School and Woodland Survival Crafts all offer gift vouchers that make perfect presents.

ends

Media contacts: For further information contact Carol Rowntree Jones, Media Relations Officer, or Penny Wilkinson, Tourism & Promotions Officer, at the National Forest Company, on 01283 551211. For background information please visit www.nationalforest.org Digital images available, contact: media@nationalforest.org

EDITORS’ NOTES

For more information on any of the Christmas activities and events or to book places, contact:
Bosworth Battlefield Heritage Centre, 01455 290 429, www.bosworthbattlefield.com Calke Abbey, Ticknall, 01332 863822, www.nationaltrust.org.uk Conkers, Moira, 01283 216633, www.visitconkers.com *check availability of reindeers and balloon modelling when booking. Donington le Heath
Manor House, 01530 831 259, www.leics.gov.uk/donington Greenwood Days, 01332 864 529, www.greenwooddays.co.uk Hilton at St George’s Park, 0870 590 9090 Mercure Burton upon Trent Newton Park Hotel, 0844 8159018, www.mercureburton.co.uk Moira Furnace Museum, 01283 224 667, www.moirafurnace.com National Brewery Centre, 01283 532 880 www.nationalbrewerycentre.co.uk National Forest Adventure Farm, 01283 533 933, www.adventurefarm.co.uk National Memorial Arboretum www.thenma.org.uk Rosliston Forestry Centre, 01283 563 483, www.roslistonforestrycentre.co.uk Snibston, Coalville, 01530 278 444, www.snibston.com Swadlincote Ski Centre, 01283 217 200, www.jnlswadlincote.co.uk Woodland Survival Skills, 01283 730 851, www.woodlandsurvivalcrafts.com Woodland Ways, 07843 064 114, www.woodland-ways.co.uk

The National Forest area covers 200 square miles of the counties of Leicestershire, Derbyshire and Staffordshire. Its objective is to
increase woodland cover within its boundaries from an initial six per cent to about a third. No multi-purpose forest on this scale has been created in the UK for one thousand years. To date the proportion of woodland cover in the Forest has more than trebled to 19 per cent and in 2012 HRH the Duke of Cambridge planted the eight millionth tree in the Forest.

Year by year, The National Forest has been steadily turning what was once one of the least wooded areas of England into a multi-purpose, sustainable forest. The National Forest provides environmental, social and economic benefits, including landscape enhancement, creation of new wildlife habitats and major new access and leisure opportunities. It is an excellent example of sustainable development – with environmental improvement providing a stimulus both to economic regeneration and to community pride and activity.

To achieve these objectives, the National Forest Company leads the creation of The National Forest, working in partnership with landowners, local authorities, private business, voluntary organisations and local communities and has strong support from Government, politicians and the public. The Company receives grant in aid from the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs.

The Independent Panel on Forestry, in its final report published in July 2012, stated: ‘The National Forest exemplifies how a long term, resourced and focused agenda can increase publicly accessible woodland in an area alongside other environmental and economic benefits.’

In 2008, the National Forest Company and partners won the inaugural Sustainable Development UK Award, for their work in Ashby Woulds, at the heart of The National Forest.

The website is divided into five sections: hotels, sights, nightlife, restaurants and events. Each section features comprehensive reviews that provide detailed information such as a map, a telephone number, the opening hours, a link to the official website, and tips that can be helpful to visitors. The hotel section reviews several accommodation options ranging from hostels to five-star hotels. Additionally, this section offers the possibility to check for availability and book a stay in Kiev.

In the sights section, visitors can learn about what they can see in Kiev. They can find comprehensive reviews about religious, historical and architectural landmarks, parks and gardens, museums and much about what Kiev has to offer. The nightlife section will help visitors navigate the many clubs and bars of Kiev by providing information about admission fees, what to wear, what to expect and what to look out for.

The restaurants section gives detailed reviews allowing viewers to chose where they would like to eat based on information about prices, menus, the friendliness of the staff and quality of the service, and the overall atmosphere of the place. The events section keeps the finger on the pulse of what is going on in Kiev. Covering a wide range of events that include film and music festivals, fashion events and national holidays.

Other features of the website include a flight booking engine, a free Kiev metro route map to download, a live weather update, and a section with general information about Kiev where visitors can learn about Ukrainian food, history, culture and education, as well as some tips for art lovers and couples interested in romantic places.

Cruise from Kiev to Odessa or vice versa and enjoy 11 nights with accommodation in outside cabins that all feature private bathrooms. Cruises include all meals, excursions with English-speaking guides, welcome cocktail reception and farewell gala dinner as well as Ukrainian language and cultural classes and concerts.

Prices range from $2361 per person twin share in Main Deck accommodation to $3281 per person in Junior Upper or Boat Deck Suite accommodation.

Selected dates are available from April – September 2012. Book now to avoid missing out.

Inclusions: Accommodation in double or twin cabins with private SH/WC & air conditioning, Full board: American buffet breakfast and two main meals daily, Regular (filter) coffee, tea and water free all day, Use of fishing equipment (subject to availability), English Speaking Cruise Escort, Port charges (Aud 425 additional, payable in Australia) and VAT.

Call now on (02) 945-3333 or enquire via www.gatewaytravel.com.au  to book.

Also new, but not offered as definite departures are The Best of Russia, Baltic States and Warsaw, 14, 16 or 18 days; Dalmatian Sunshine, Dubrovnik to Zagreb, 10 days; Imperial Cities Showcase, Vienna to Warsaw, 10 days; From Bohemia to Transylvania, Prague to Bucharest, 14 days; The Best of Ukraine, Poland and Hungary, 12 days; Belgrade to Zagreb, 12 days; and Glimpse of Italy, nine or 12 days.

Ukraine gained independence after the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991 and remains one of the last genuine travel frontiers of Europe. At its heart is the awe-inspiring capital of Kiev, with the autonomous republic of Crimea on its striking southern shores.

The Ukraine and Crimea lie slightly off the beaten track of European travel, so Insight uses a mixture of flights and coach transport to keep the pace easy going. Although this area is still relatively undiscovered by Western travelers, rest assured Insight’s local expertise will smooth your way.

Ukraine and Crimea—13 days. This tour has many included highlights and shows you the best of this fascinating region.

In Moscow, you’ll visit the glorious metro stations and tour Red Square, seeing St Basil’s Cathedral and Lenin’s tomb. Visit one of the Cathedrals inside the Kremlin walls.

In Kiev, see the domed churches, the Opera House and Golden Gate. Climb Vladimir Hill then travel via the Andriyivskyy Descent to the Podol district.

Visit the Monastery of the Caves and Patriotic War Museum with its Motherland statue. Visit St Sophia’s Cathedral and enjoy a relaxing Dnieper River cruise.

In Odessa, you’ll enjoy a panoramic tour of this beautiful coastal city followed by a visit to the catacombs in the village of Nerubaiskoye.

You’ll see all the main sights on a city tour of Kherson. In Yalta, enjoy a cable-car ride to Darsan Hill and the Mound of Glory Monument. Visit the Alexander Nevski Cathedral, see the former Ministry of Defence Hotel, and visit the Chekhov House museum.

You’ll visit Livadia Palace, site of the 1945 post war conference, as well as the Alupka Palace and see the Swallow’s Nest.

In Balaklava, visit the small port which served as a secret Soviet submarine base and see the Crimean War battleground. In Sevastopol, you’ll tour the harbor, Nakhimov Square, and visit the Panorama Museum.

Prices start at $5988 per person, land only, based on double occupancy .

And book between now and December 1, 2011 and SAVE UP TO $1200 per couple on 2012 European Vacations !

Insight Vacations has accumulated an international following by providing outstanding service and quality tour packages to the savvy traveler who seeks better accommodations, choices in dining, and smaller group sizes all while staying in the most desirable locations. For over 30 years, Insight Vacations has been the leader in premium escorted tours and cruises to Europe, the Eastern Mediterranean, Mexico, Canada and the United States.

For more information, contact Insight Vacations at (714) 937-4990 or visit Insight Vacations at www.insightvacations.com

New for 2012, Grand Capitals of Eastern Europe is a 10-day trip to Berlin, Warsaw, Krakow and Budapest featuring distinguished hotels like the Regent Berlin, deemed one of the best places to stay in the world by Condé Nast Traveler, and the Sofitel Chain Bridge overlooking the Danube in the heart of Budapest. Activities include a visit to the Schindler Factory Museum in Krakow, dinner with a Polish family in the charming town of Lowicz and a countryside excursion to Szentendre, an ancient Hungarian town and now-thriving artists’ colony in the Danube Bend. A pre-trip extension to Prague and Dresden features five-star city-center hotels, complete sightseeing and all on-tour transportation including first class rail from Dresden to Berlin to join the Grand Capitals tour.

Also new in 2012, Journey through Austria, Slovenia and Croatia, features landmark hotels and resorts such as the Grand Hotel Toplice, overlooking Lake Bled, and Zagreb’s Regent Esplanade, originally built for passengers of the Orient-Express train. The itinerary includes Munich, Salzburg and Vienna, as well as destinations rarely featured on traditional large-group escorted tours, such as the Salzburg Lake District; Graz, Ljubljana, often called “Little Prague,” and the sixteen cascading lakes of Plitvice National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Through Dec 30, General Tours is offering savings of $500 per person on bookings paid in full at the time of booking for either of the new trips to Eastern Europe.

Now in its 65th year, General Tours World Traveler offers Small Group, Privately Guided and Small Ship journeys to Asia, Europe, Latin America, Africa and the Middle East. Specifically designed for never more than 16 guests, the company’s programs promise immersive cultural encounters and authentic travel experiences not possible in a larger group. For more information, call 800-221-2216 or visit www.generaltours.com