THEY are cute at any time of year but French mountain towns peak the two weeks before Christmas when streets are lined with decorated trees, covered in real snow.

In the third week of December last year, my family and I squeezed in some skiing at La Rosiere, a child-friendly resort 1,850m up in the Savoie region of the French Alps.

5

5

Advertisement

5

Skiing in December can be a gamble weatherwise, but La Rosiere is very high up and better for snow than most, so the white stuff was at least a foot deep everywhere.

La Rosiere is particularly great for festive feels, as it’s a traditional town with plenty of old chalets and little cafes.

There is also very little traffic and scores of festive activities, including a Christmas market and a visit from Santa.

We were staying with package holiday company Ski Beat in one of its shared chalets right in the middle of the action — a blessing given that we were travelling with my five-year-old son.

The resort’s learner slopes were perfect for a first week.

On the first day with the Evolution 2 ski school, he learnt on a tiny hill of snow and by the second day, he was ready for the simplest of slopes.

Buoyed by his success we celebrated with tea and cake back at the chalet.

By the fourth day, he was taking the drag lifts halfway up the mountain and riding the kid-friendly green slopes, lined with little tunnels to whizz through and bells to ding on the way down.

On the fifth day, he was fine to try out one of the easiest blue runs.

There was plenty of ground for my boyfriend and I to cover while our son was in lessons, too.

La Rosiere is relatively small, but with 83 runs of varying difficulty, it kept us very happy for a whole week.

And on one afternoon, my partner skied into Italy to try out their slopes . . .  and pasta.

That’s not to say there wasn’t delicious grub back at our chalet.

Ski Beat is very reasonably priced for the quality of the catering and chalet staff.

The young couple who ran our property were lovely and doted on our son, even when he fired questions at them pre-7am as they made everyone’s hot breakfast.

We had some of our favourite evening meals there, including an excellent tartiflette washed down by far too much red wine.

Delicious grub

The chalet was very comfortable and cosy with a modern look.

Our triple room had plenty of storage and a spacious en-suite bathroom, with a pared-back, natural palette.

Thanks to our location, it was easy to venture out for meals, too.

The Hotel Relais Du Petit Saint Bernard at the bottom of the main ski lifts was the perfect pit stop for a long lunch after the morning’s lessons.

After our dishes of steak hache and raclette, my partner and I sipped beer in the afternoon sunshine while our son dug holes in the snow with a gang of French children.

Meanwhile, the Caffe Latte tea room along the high street was a great place for a midafternoon hot chocolate and cookies, when my son and I bunked off skiing one afternoon to browse the souvenir shops for alpine-themed Christmas presents.

5

Advertisement

5

But the absolute highlight of our meals-out was at L’Ancolie.

The log cabin-style restaurant, tucked away at the bottom of a ski slope, was weighed down under a foot of snow, with rustic wooden walls, open fires and red checked curtains.

We ordered fondue, of course, the delicious house special featuring wild mushrooms the chef-owner picked locally before the snow fell.

As a lifelong fondue fan, I thought that would be the highlight of the meal, but a pudding with meringue, chocolate sauce and ice cream was so delicious it still makes its way into family discussions.

Possibly the best part of the evening was the journey, though.

The restaurant is reached from the town by a 1km path through the forest, which was lined with multicoloured lights.

Away from the roads, it was the perfect festive evening walk as well as an opportunity for a drawn-out snowball fight.

When it was time to head home on December 23, it felt like we were preparing for Christmas round two, such was the extent of the eating, drinking and general fun-having we’d already enjoyed.

A SMALL red berry drops off the branches shading me from the fierce afternoon sun.

If it hadn’t plopped directly into my glass of vermouth, I wouldn’t have noticed — as the band performing on the cobblestones before me had me fully engrossed.

4

This had become my typical afternoon routine at the peaceful Zoetry Wellness & Spa Resort, deep in rugged countryside on the Spanish island of Majorca.

When guests aren’t flopped by one of the two peaceful pools (which remain uncrowded even in the school holidays) or reading their getaway novel in a quiet corner by the old windmill, they can get stuck into loads of free activities including tennis, yoga or live music.

My friend Abbie and I chose to curl up on a cushioned sofa in the sun, sipping on the hotel’s own brand of delicious vermouth.

It would be rude not to, as this fortified wine is made by the resort’s star chef, Andreu Genestra, and can’t be bought anywhere else in the world.

This is part of the sustainable ethos at Zoetry, where much of the food is grown in the surrounding gardens, including on ancient trees — rich with juicy fruit and berries — dotted in between the old buildings.

One of its restaurants, also run by Genestra, was awarded a green star in recognition of its eco-friendly dishes — that is on top of its Michelin star.

Our 12-course tasting menu of elegant Majorcan-style dishes there was nothing shy of delicious.

My favourites included the best potato omelette I’ve ever tried and lentil risotto with ceviche shrimp.

If that all sounds too rich or fancy, don’t panic.

There are three other restaurants serving more casual dishes, from tacos and sushi to salads and fried fish.

This was my first visit to Majorca, and all I really knew of it was what I caught on snippets of ITV’s Love Island.

The panning landscape shots of rugged mountains and lush trees where one solo villa seems to stand isolated from the rest of civilisation looked quite appealing.

And, in all fairness, the lush Zoetry hotel wasn’t all that different, sat in a quiet corner, a 20-minute drive from the busy capital Palma.

But, to my relief, the place was not littered with bikini-clad singletons looking to “couple-up”.

4

If you are keen for a more lively atmosphere then you can certainly get that in Palma, but this resort is all about laid-back getaways with a touch of wellness.

After all, it was only 20 years ago that this secluded 14th century manor house belonged to a wealthy family, and the place has certainly kept an air of sophistication about it.

In fact, many of the original items found when renovating the home are still dotted around, including in the bedrooms, each of which is unique in shape and size and has its own story to tell.

The tiny cove is picture-perfect with the bluest waters, flanked by chalky hills and dotted with little sailing boats.

Our bedroom had a plush super-king bed and patio doors leading on to a leafy garden area with a cushioned sofa — the perfect spot for sipping a morning coffee in our robes and watching the birds peck at fallen berries.

Abbie and I had decided to stick to the wellness theme and instead of hiring a car, like many guests had, we explored the area on electric bikes, which can be rented on-site.

Zoetry is located right at the edge of one of Majorca’s popular cycle routes and the advantage of being in such a remote location meant we rarely needed to cycle with the road traffic.

Helmets strapped on, we pedalled along empty dirt tracks, past rolling vineyards and through a tortoise conservation area.

4

Best-kept secret

Luckily we spotted the small shells crossing the path ahead of us before whacking our e-bikes up to full speed.

After 30 or so minutes we reached the clifftop above the beach of Cala Pi, on the western side of the island.

Glancing down, I was sure we must have stumbled upon one of Majorca’s best-kept secrets.

The tiny cove is picture-perfect with the bluest waters, flanked by chalky hills and dotted with little sailing boats.

Ice cream stalls and restaurants selling beer and light bites sit above the beach, at the top of the cliff, although I’d recommend packing a picnic, which is what many of the locals around us had done.

We were grateful for choosing e-bikes over traditional ones on the return leg. Not for achey legs, but for speed.

If we pedalled fast enough, we would have time for one more vermouth before check-out.

Race you there, Abbie.

4

A TINY island off the coast of Guernsey, just a mile-and-a-half-long and less than half-a-mile-wide, is open to visitors all year round.

Herm Island is the smallest of the Channel Islands open to the public and offers a relaxing holiday for families and people wanting to get away from it all.

4

4

Advertisement

It has beautiful beaches that many describe as feeling tropical in the summer, views of the French coast, plenty of activities, and it doesn’t seem to get crowded.

And the island is car-free to reduce its carbon footprint and to preserve its protected coastline, also adding to its relaxed atmosphere.

Lots of history follows Herm – there are records of people visiting Herm in the Mesolithic period, which began around 10,000 BC.

In the Neolithic and Bronze ages, settlers arrived and left behind tombs that can still be seen today.

These days, the island is home to a population of around 65 people and welcomes visitors who want to discover all it has to offer.

There are several beaches, its most famous one being Shell Beach.

Named for the millions of tiny shells that wash up on the shore, the beach has soft white sand, turquoise water, views of Guernsey, and a cafe serving salads, sandwiches, hot and cold drinks, and most importantly, ice creams.

Belvoir Bay is another popular beach in a secluded location on the east coast.

Fisherman’s Beach is famous for its rock pools, and Hotel Beach is a quiet beach near the White House Hotel with a harbour wall that provides a natural windbreak.

The White House Hotel is a 4* country house-style hotel nestled on the clifftop and is the only hotel on the island.

It boats spectacular views of the sea, has a two-rosette Conservatory Restaurant serving local produce and with a daily changing specials menu, a cosy lounge bar, outdoor pool and tennis courts.

And the rooms come TV, clock and telephone-free, adding to the island’s remote getaway-feel.

Prices to stay start at £155 per night for two people, including breakfast.

If you don’t fancy a hotel stay, holiday cottages are also available, and camping if you want a truly wild experience.

There’s also one pub on the island, The Mermaid Tavern, serving pub classics, including hearty meals by the fire. 

Drinks wise, there are a selection of beers and offer, including Liberation Herm Island Gold.

When it comes to activities on the island, Outdoor Guernsey runs a variety, including archery, kayaking and stand up paddle boarding at Shell Beach, and seal spotting.

The only way to arrive to Herm Island is by boat – either by Travel Trident passenger ferry from Guernsey, or aboard a private vessel.

If you’re travelling from further afield you need to get to Guernsey first, which you can do by air or by sea.

4

4

Advertisement

PLANS for a new hub by Premier Inn hotel are underway and it’s set to be the largest one in the UK to date.

Whitbread, the owner of Premier Inn, has just received planning permission to build the hotel, which will be located at 5 Strand in London.

3

3

Advertisement

The 693-room hotel will be a couple of doors down from Charing Cross Station and within sight of Nelson’s Column and Trafalgar Square.

There is currently a partially demolished office block on the site, which is located opposite the Co-Op on the Strand.

The new Premier Inn isn’t the first hotel development to be proposed on the site – it was previously earmarked for a 200-room Park Hyatt Hotel, with a rooftop bar and restaurant.

Instead, it will now become home to the latest London property under Whitbread’s hub by Premier Inn brand.

hub by Premier Inn is a hotel concept from the company that offers stylish, compact rooms in central locations in London and Edinburgh.

It was launched in 2013 and the first hotel opened in Covent Garden in 2014.

The brand has since grown to 18 hotels across London and Edinburgh.

Other hub by Premier Inn hotels in London are located in Camden, Bank, Clerkenwell, Goodge Street, Kings Cross, Marylebone, Paddington, Shoreditch, Soho, Brick Lane, Tower Bridge, West Brompton, Westmister Abbey, and St James’s Park.

Rooms are designed to be comfortable, convenient, and consistent with Premier Inn, but in a smaller package. 

They include a touchscreen control panel for lighting and temperature, 40″ smart TVs, high-powered showers, and beds.

Some rooms have windows, but some are window-free.

The new 16,000 sqm development will feature 13 floors including ground floor space fronting onto the Strand and Northumberland Street.

Mark Anderson, managing director for property and international for Whitbread, said: “Hub by Premier Inn was launched a decade ago in St Martin’s Lane, a few hundred metres from 5 Strand. 

“The brand has blossomed into a network of 18 popular hub hotels in Central London and Edinburgh and has become a proven model for bringing our affordable bedrooms into the most central, vibrant, and connected locations for our guests.

“5 Strand is an excellent example of how we think the hub by Premier Inn brand can evolve in Central London. It also shows how we can use Whitbread’s strong balance sheet to acquire the best positioned, most accessible, and high-demand locations in the capital to grow our brands.

“With planning permission now secured we will move quickly to begin construction of the new hotel and deliver a true flagship location for our guests.”

Whitbread recently announced plans for a 207-room hub by Premier Inn property within a “under-utilised” car parking space under The Brunswick Centre in London’s Bloomsbury.

The group said the hotel’s rooms, reception and communal guest areas will feature “cutting edge lighting technology which provides a natural spectrum of light following the human circadian rhythm”.

3

A FRENCH region has been revealed as one of the must-visit places for next year – and a ferry from England can get you there in just over five hours.

Brittany in France has made the list of trending destinations for 2025, with distinctive culture, coastal scenery, and miles of seaside walking paths on offer for visitors.

4

4

Advertisement

The list of places was put together by American Express based on card member travel bookings and expertise from its global network of travel consultants. 

France’s northwestern most region has been growing in popularity in recent years, particularly because of its beautiful sandy beaches, secluded coves, and rocky formations.

One beach that’s proven popular among holidaymakers because of its long stretch of sandy beach, stunning views, and tranquil waters is Plage de Tahiti.

Backed by pines, the beach is wide enough to feel spacious even in the busiest seasons.

And the sand is soft, very nearly white, with sea that often sparkles turquoise.

Brittany is also a popular destination for walking and hiking, with over 10,000 kilometres of signposted routes.

The GR34 is the most famous walking route – a 388-mile trail that runs along the north coast.

Also known as the Customs Officers’ Path, it features cliffs, beaches, fishing villages, and seaside resorts.

It’s suitable for moderately fit walkers and the best time to hike it is in late Spring and early Autumn.

Known as the jewel of southern Brittany is the Quiberon Peninsula, with wild coastline that stretches over 30 kilometres.

The peninsula has around 19 beaches, including Fort Neuf beach, Porigo beach, Saint Pierre-Quiberon beach, Castéro beach, and Saint Julien beach, and it’s one of the best places to enjoy water sports.

Sea fishing, sailing, sand yachting, sea kayaking, and kite surfing are all popular here.

But if you prefer to stay on land, there are plenty of walking and cycling routes to enjoy.

Mont-Saint-Michel is one of the region’s most famous attractions, located in the bay shared by Normandy and Brittany.

There’s a medieval abbey with striking architecture and panoramic views of the bay, and the village’s narrow, cobblestone streets are lined with shops, cafes and restaurants.

One of the best ways to get to Mont Saint-Michel is by ferry, from the Saint-Malo or Granville ferry terminals.

Ferry is a popular option for travelling to Brittany from the UK – although the time it takes to travel depends on the route and ferry you take.

Brittany Ferries travel from Plymouth to Roscoff in 5 hours and 15 minutes and Portsmouth to St-Malo 10 to 12 hours overnight.

Or you can travel on Condor Ferries from Poole to St-Malo in 6 hours and 20 minutes.

Amex’s Trending Destinations list was put together with Millennial and Gen Z travellers in mind.

A study conducted by the company found 72 percent of Millennial and Gen Z travellers are more likely to book hotels that offer credit card rewards and 70 percent are interested in a credit card with a collection of hotel benefits across the world.

As such, American Express Travel has added new benefits and expanded its Hotel Collection to include more properties in destinations Card Members are visiting. 

The collection includes upscale hotels located near city centres, popular tourist attractions, great restaurants, and active nightlife.

4

4

Advertisement

Additionally, when Gold and Platinum Card Members book two or more nights at these hotels through Amex Travel, they are eligible to receive a room upgrade upon arrival, 12 PM early check-in, and late check-out up to 4 PM (all subject to availability and certain room categories are not eligible for upgrade).

These benefits are in addition to a complimentary credit valued at $100 (around £76) to use towards eligible charges, which may include food and beverage, spa, or other on-property charges (eligible charges vary by property).

For more details, visit the Amex website.