TRIPS
THE MAGIC OF CHRISTMAS IN VAL D’ISERE There’s a whole host of new activities to try in Val D’Isère this season: ice floating, ski touring and a teen focussed ski area just for starters. The gourmands amongst you will be pleased to hear about the new Italian restaurants and there’s a special event, The Magic of Christmas, taking place from 20 to 31 December. There’ll be parades, concerts and a visit from Father Christmas.
valdisere.com
MERRY-BEL!
SNOW
CASTLE LUXURY
We’ve recently come across Le Coucou in Meribel, exclusively designed by Pierre Yovanovitch. It boosts 55 suites and rooms and two private chalets, as well as being ski in-ski out. To make things easier for guests, services include staff helping guests out of their boots in the Ski Room, a lounge boutique and fitting room with café. There’s a kids club and teens lab designed by Sophie Jacquemin, plus grown-ups can enjoy a range of cookery workshops. Add to this the two pools, a spa and the newly revamped Biancaneve Restaurant and you’ll never want to leave.
This winter, Le Coucou is also offering Christmas gift vouchers to buy the perfect gift for a loved one.
lecoucoumeribel.com
For a magical winter experience a castle fits the bill nicely. At Thornbury Castle Hotel, guests can enjoy the £15m refurbishment of dining rooms, lounges, bed chambers and the library. Steeped in history and set in 15 acres, the Tudor castle was built in 1511 during the reign of Henry VIII and was regarded as one of the grandest buildings of its time in England. It has been the home of kings, queens and dukes over the centuries before becoming a luxury hotel in 1966. Fifteen of the bedchambers and suites feature sumptuous four-poster beds, rich period detailing, with décor throughout the rooms and suites artfully recreating the Tudor style in which royalty and aristocracy would have languished, feasted and relaxed in. As well as a range of planned activities available, guests will also have a chance to explore the Castle’s Tudor gardens at leisure, enjoy a delicious cream tea served with all the trimmings, and relax in the historic lounges and historic library throughout their stay.
thornburycastle.co.uk 44 CITYKIDSMAGAZINE.CO.UK
