Advice

Expert guide to Val Thorens Overview Hotels Restaurants Apres ski Snow reports Europe’s most superlative ski resort At 2,300m purpose-built Val Thorens is not only the highest resort in the 600km Trois Vallées ski area that also includes Courchevel, Méribel and Les Menuires, but the highest in Europe. Its lofty altitude means that its doorstep slopes have guaranteed snow cover from November

The UK Government has announced the addition of four more countries to the travel red list, as concerns grow over the omicron Covid variant, first detected in South Africa.  Angola, Malawi, Mozambique and Zambia will join the six countries placed on the revived red list on Friday November 26 – South Africa, Botswana, Namibia, Zimbabwe, Eswatini (formerly Swaziland) and Lesotho. All flights from

Birdsong is one of the most beautiful sounds of the African bush, but too often we forget to listen. Or to watch. Instead, we surrender to that all-consuming fever to seek out a lion, a leopard, a rhino. Not this time. That wavering, wobbling, wandering note up ahead was hypnotic, almost like a physical presence. 

In a blow to international travel, six countries have been added to the previously empty red list. From 4am on Sunday November 28, arrivals from South Africa, Botswana, Lesotho, Zimbabwe, Eswatini (formerly Swaziland) and Namibia will be subject to a 10-day stay in a quarantine hotel. Those who arrive before this deadline must quarantine for

The UK Government has announced the addition of six countries to the travel red list, from noon on Friday, as concerns grow over a new Covid-19 variant detected in South Africa.  Sajid Javid, the Health Secretary, said the new variant “may be more transmissible” than the delta strain and added “the vaccines that we currently

Here we go again. Covid restrictions are once again hitting parts of Europe, scuppering holiday plans and adding an unwelcome layer of anxiety to upcoming city breaks. Austria has entered a full lockdown, which is set to last for three weeks, while the Netherlands has imposed an 8pm curfew on bars and restaurants, Germany is

Now is the right time to plan your escape from the British winter but with so much of the world to choose from, how do you decide? Maybe sometimes it’s too easy to get fixated by the weather, rather than the destination or the type of holiday. We are so obsessed with getting some guaranteed

In recent years taking the train to the slopes of Europe has become an increasingly popular choice for British skiers and snowboarders looking for a more enjoyable alternative to airport queues or long drives. This year, however, Eurostar’s famous ski train has been chartered solely by a French tour operator, Travelski, and will be marketed

Anyone who has ever spent time in Britain will know that having an alternative plan in mind, should the weather take a turn for the worse, is practically essential.  The good news is that there is always plenty of choice – should we need to venture indoors – that can help keep the whole family

Don’t tell Tim Martin, but Wetherspoons is more woke than it thinks. It’s all about upcycling these days, didn’t you know? Fast fashion’s reputation is in the bin. Plastic bags are out, tote bags are in. Even our dear princes and princesses are turning up to gala climate change events wearing tatty old outfits. And indeed,

With winter knocking, all eyes are on what rules will be in force in ski resorts this season – top of the agenda is Covid passes and the impact they will have on ski holidays. Austria has announced tightened rules, as cases rises and its enforces a lockdown for unvaccinated residents. Only skiers with proof

The NHS app is now widely used as a digital vaccine passport for Britons travelling abroad, and is accepted as proof of your vaccinated status – but not yet any booster dose – by a growing number of nations. The app holds the NHS Covid Pass, which is accepted by all EU countries, as well as most nations further afield. 

If you get your documentation wrong when you travel to the EU, a strange quirk in the Brexit agreement could ruin your entire holiday. One reader who contacted us estimates she lost nearly £2,000 in accommodation, travel and other costs when she was turned away at a Ryanair check-in desk and eventually ended up having

Stories of hidden pirate treasure have captivated travellers to the Seychelles for decades. Fuelled by rumours of a map lost by the 18th-century French outlaw La Buse, hunters have scoured land and sea. Abandoned trenches pock-marking coastlines document a fruitless but never-ending quest to find the hallowed spot marked X.  A collection of 115 islands

I’ve always found the rallying cry of Game of Thrones’ House of Stark somewhat overly dramatic, but this year is different. Winter is coming, and it’s the winter we’ve all been waiting for. I am so fortunate to have spent many years chasing snow – both as a Winter Olympian and now as a recreational

After last year’s cancelled Christmas plans, a family gathering this year will feel all the sweeter. But you’re not the only ones planning a big festive get-together: UK holiday rental bookings for the Christmas week are already five times higher than they were last year, says accommodation company Guesty, with the likes of Cornwall, Devon

The yuletide season will soon be upon us – bringing with it the promise of mulled wine, mince pies and, crucially, enchanting Christmas light displays. From mile-long trails to tunnels of light, these dazzling illuminations are just the ticket for getting into the seasonal spirit.  Here’s everything you need to know about the best Christmas

For anyone who has ever spent time in Britain, you’ll know that having an alternative in mind should the weather take a turn for the worse, is practically essential.  The good news is that there is always a plenty of choice should we need to venture indoors that can help keep the whole family entertained

The holiday emphasis in Italy tends to be on fun and relaxation rather than sporting excellence, and as a result, the enjoyment factor is all the higher. And not only is Italy much more laid back than its rivals in France, Switzerland and Austria, it is also cheaper. Precious euros will stretch a lot further

Expert guide to Kitzbühel Overview Hotels Restaurants Après ski Snow reports There’s no shortage of restaurants in Kitzbühel, both on and off the mountain, but even so, these often get fully booked, so it pays to secure a table in advance. Among the inevitable pricier options is a surprisingly good choice of simpler Italian-style eateries