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

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

CASTLE LUXURY

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

SUN

THAI STYLE

We love Thailand at City Kids – the weather, the hotels, the service and the culture are all top notch and a great place to visit with the kids. The Surin in Phuket could be a great choice for those wanting to get away this winter. The beachfront location offers two restaurants, beach dinners, poolside and bar dining. Choose from beach suites, onebedroom cottages or two-bedroom family suites. From £120 per night. thesurinphuket.com IBIZA CALM

Wellness seekers will be delighted that Six Senses Ibiza is staying open until January. Daytime temperatures range from 15°C and up to 25°C during the winter, enabling visitors to enjoy a quieter island in relative warmth. Six Senses has one of the best wellness offerings on the Balearic Island, enabling guests to relax and switch off from the outside world. Situated on the North coast, a stay here places you in the perfect spot for hiking, sailing and relaxing beyond the pioneering spa.

Hugging the coastline of Cala Xarraca lie 116 luxurious guest accommodations, townhouses, pool suites and beachfront caves. The Six Senses farm also supplies produce to the resort’s restaurants, café and juice bar. Now you just need to get the kids to buy in… sixsenses.com

SURF’S UP!

Family Surf Co. has launched a new range of breaks in Cornwall for women who want to try surfing, dip into the saltwater lifestyle and enjoy a range of activities to boost their fitness, health and well-being. Encouraging more mums to hit the waves and harness the benefits of being by the sea, these weekends are the ideal springboard into the healthy surfing lifestyle, bringing together likeminded women to enjoy surf coaching, ocean dips, beach fitness, yoga and sensory spa experiences… There are two breaks to choose from: Blue Health Surf Breaks at the Watergate Bay Hotel to leave you feeling connected, reenergised and re-aligned and Surf Mums Weekend Break at Bedruthan Hotel made for mums who want to boost their all-round fitness and learn to surf or improve their skills. Both breaks are for weeks in May and June 2022. familysurfco.com