The Fairway To Heaven: Tee off on a spectacular new golf tour of Finland

Golf has come a long way since it began life as gowf in Scotland in the Fifteenth Century. Today it is played on courses all over the world but there are very few places as beautiful to tee off as in Finland. Now, thanks to a brand new tour from Guild Travel, you too can play the most exclusive courses in this beautiful Scandinavian country.

Your trip combines a two-night stay in a first class hotel, a fully guided tour of the charming city of Helsinki and two wonderful rounds of golf, including all your green fees, at two of the country’s finest golf clubs.

Home of Champions

Your first round will be at Talma Golf, which boasts two full-length 18-hole courses, as well as a par-three course and practice areas. The sporting pedigree of Talma is well known: in fact, 2001-2003 European Challenge Tour tournaments have been held here. It’s not all about golf, of course: you’ll also have plenty of time to enjoy the clubhouse with its restaurant, saunas and pro shop.

Next day it’s off to Master Golf, located on the shores of the picturesque Bodom Lake in Espoo. Hit a few balls in the practice areas before heading to the two 18-hole courses. The Master, which played host to the Challenge Tour in 1998-2000, has a challenging parkland championship layout, while Forest is a beautiful woodland course. Afterwards you can unwind in the sauna, relax with a drink in the clubhouse, or sample exquisite Finnish cuisine in the restaurant.

Did You Know? In Finland you can play golf around the clock, thanks to the summer sunshine. Midnight and marathon tournaments are very popular, with competitions teeing off or ending at midnight or played all night under the Midnight Sun. Marathon tournaments may even feature three or even four rounds of golf in one day. And remember: with so few registered golfers playing on the country’s 107 different courses, there are just 80,000 registered, the chances are you’ll have the fairway to yourself during your tour!

Join The Club: Your hotel accommodation during your stay is second to none. The Crowne Plaza Helsinki is renowned for its luxury and high levels of service. Dining options range from international cuisine from the ultra-modern Pub Fidel to the contemporary Mediterranean dishes of Restaurant Macu. So all you need do now is pack your bags and golf shoes and set off to the land of the Midnight Sun.

For more information on this wonderful new trip visit www.guildtravel.com

Top 5 Cycling Holidays for Spring 2013

Once Easter weekend has passed and the clocks move forward an hour, the longer evenings bring a renewed sense of energy and motivation to holiday plans. The early days of spring are primed for a gentle and leisurely cycling holiday, with warmer temperatures, nature bursting into bloom, fewer tourists and very attractive low season airfares. Be inspired with Freedom Treks top 5 picks for the best early season cycling tours in Europe this April and May.

Tulip Tour  Holland This 4-day bike and barge guided tour allows you to experience the wonders of Holland in springtime, bathed in colour from the vast carpet of tulips, hyacinths and daffodils. Leaving Amsterdam behind, travel by barge to Spaarndam and make a short cycle trip to Haarlem. The next day the barge will drop you off in Lisserbroek, from where you can cycle to ‘Keukenhof’, the famous flower garden. This year’s theme, “UK – Land of Great Gardens”, plays a colourful tribute to the UK. The RHS (Royal Horticultural Society) will showcase some of the most exceptional gardens from the UK. The highlight will be the mosaic of Big Ben and Tower Bridge created from almost 60,000 flower bulbs. The cycling tour continues through the bulb fields to Leiden, before cycling through the ‘Green Heart’ of Holland to Uithoorn, with a visit to a traditional cheese farm and windmill. An early start on the last morning allows you to make a short visit to the world’s biggest flower auction in Aalsmee, before heading back to Amsterdam by barge.

Amsterdam to Bruges A classic must-do bike and barge tour taking in the most beautiful and historical cities of Holland and Western Belgium (Flanders) including Amsterdam, Antwerp, Ghent and Bruges. The tour starts in Amsterdam, which is celebrating a host of anniversaries in 2013. This year marks 400 years since the construction of Amsterdam’s canal ring, which was added to the UNESCO World Heritage site in 2010. The Van Gogh Museum celebrates its 40th anniversary, marking 160 years since the birth of Van Gogh himself and after 10 years of renovations, the Rijksmuseum will re-open its doors to the public on 13 April. The 7 night tour will take you through picturesque landscapes, charming towns and includes a visit to one of the most well-known tourist sites, the impressive row of 19 large windmills built in 1740 and now a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Majorca, Spain Far removed from the conventional image of Majorca, this 7 night, self-guided tour covers the authentic and untouched side of the island. With its warm, sunny climate early spring is a wonderful time to visit when the almond blossom is out, as is late spring when the cherry trees are flowering. Over 175 miles, this 7 night self-guided tour follows a circular route around Majorca, the largest of the Balearic islands. Discover quiet deserted bays, picturesque fishing villages, windmills on the horizon and pristine beaches, ideal for post-ride swims. The tour begins tracing the coastline before heading inland to Manacor and through to Muro and Inca to the mountains of the Sierra de Tramuntana. Don’t be intimidated that this is where Bradley Wiggins spends half his year in training; this self-guided route is aimed at regular cyclists and suitable for most ages and levels of fitness.

Sardinia - Leisurely Is cycling in Sardinia Italy’s best kept secret? Set your sights on Sardinia for a leisurely cycling holiday and be at one with nature beneath blue skies and beside blue seas. To see the best of Sardinia’s flora you need to visit in spring. The romantic beauty of south western Sardinia will capture your heart as it did author DH Lawrence, who was so inspired by his travels in the 1920’s, that he wrote one of his few travel books, ‘Sea and Sardinia’. This 10 night, hotel and cycle tour allows you to explore at your own pace. Many of the cycling routes use roads with little traffic and the beauty is there is cycling for all different skill levels and abilities. Some of the highlights of this fantastic tour are the dramatic Costa Verde and the vast dunes of Piscinas, the old mining village of the Sulcis and the charming Southern Coast.

Algarve, Portugal This year-round 7 night, self-guided tour allows you to really immerse yourself in the destination, along the relatively new dedicated cycle route, ‘Ecovia do Litoral’, linking Cape St Vincent, Sagres, in the west to Vila Real de San António close to the Spanish border. Following in this direction also takes full advantage of the prevailing winds helping you along the way! The route combines exploring coastal countryside and old fishing villages with trails in nature protection areas and long traffic free stretches. Each day, you will stay in a different hotel located within easy reach of a choice of restaurants to eat out and towns to walk around, such as the traditional village of Boliqueime and Praia da Rocha. Visit www.freedomtreks.co.uk

Choice and Value for a French Spring Bank Holiday

After a long winter, many families are looking at ways to get a bit of sun before the summer holiday frenzy. The Spring Bank Holiday falls on Monday 27^th May this year combining the UK May half term break and luckily for us this is outside the French school holidays. This blend means that France is the perfect destination for UK families looking to take advantage of affordable breaks this May. Pierre & Vacances’ prices are pegged to the French holidays, as a result the availability and pricing at the end of May are incredibly attractive. There are dozens of half term options with Pierre & Vacances taking in the start of the balmy summer days and a renewed desire to enjoy the outdoors. Here we have picked a few options that are sure to be half term favourites for years to come.

Activities: Port Bourgenay Holiday Village http://www.pv-holidays.com

Located within the Vendee region of France, the park enjoys the value of France’s west coast but the weather of somewhere more southern. And, if the village doesn’t provide enough excitement the Puy du Fou Theme Park is just one hour away. The theme park is an entertainment extravaganza, with an educational aspect, as holidaymakers are treated to a series of historically themed shows within large arenas, one of which resembles the Coliseum. Restaurants add to the theme with the commercial aspects of theme parks that sometimes blight the day far from sight in this park. Back at the Holiday Village activities such as golf, swimming, tennis and horse riding are on offer. 7 nights from 25^th May starts from £367 for a 1 bedroom apartment sleeping up to 4. 

Weather: Cap Esterel Holiday Village http://www.pv-holidays.com

The perennial issue with the Cote d’Azur, it’s just too hot for its own good in July and August, May on the other hand is just right. Cap Esterel is in an ideal position overlooking the Bay of Agay with easy access to the beaches via a mini train. The beach is sandy and basks in sunshine for much of the year with average temperatures hovering around 20°C in May. A host of activities are available, including an extensive aqua park, circus skills and flying trapeze courses for children. Sea kayaking, biking and horse riding on terra firma are also available in May. 7 nights from 25^th May start from £501 for a studio apartment sleeping up to 4.  

Culture: Premium Residence in Houlgate http://www.pv-holidays.com

Perfect for a short break this Premium Residence from Pierre & Vacances is in Normandy, just 3 hours’ drive from Calais and right on the coast. A mix of history and beautiful countryside is on offer with highlights including the D-Day landing sites, Bayeux Tapestry and the city of Caen. Who said the kids needed a break from learning anyway? In the evenings the kids can make use of the indoor and outdoor swimming pools at the residence while Calvados is sipped from the overlooking seats and balconies. The residence features a range of luxury self-catering apartments with a weekend break starting from just £211 for a 1 bedroom apartment sleeping up to 4 for 2 nights from the 25^th May.

Golf: Belle Dune Holiday Village www.pv-holidays.com/belledune

This is one for the golfers, weekends to sample a different golf course are often expensive not with Pierre & Vacances. The eco-village is rather more subdued than, for example, action packed Cap Esterel making it ideal for a Dad’s golfing weekend. The Golf de Belle Dune course that borders the village is up there with the best bringing a brand of links golf to the coast of France. The course continues the eco theme of the village with natural habitats left undisturbed between fairways. What makes this an even better option for a weekend of golf is the close proximity to Calais, just a one hour drive. ,Prices start from £277 for a studio apartment sleeping up to 4 for 3 nights over the bank holiday weekend.

Spring into Festival Season in the Alps

Spring skiing often brings out the best in the Alps with bluebird days and fabulous festivals. It is these festivals that are growing in stature and popularity with British skiers, sunny weather has always been popular! Festivals taking place in the French Alps this spring differ in style, content, clientele and length meaning there’s something for nearly everyone.

 European Gay Ski Week, Alpe d’Huez, 16^th to 23^rd March, www.europeangayskiweek.com This festival is in its 5^th anniversary of celebrating all that is gay from the lofty position of Alpe d’Huez. This is a festival with its roots firmly grounded in having a great time with club nights every evening and other entertainment to accompany. Events include a cabaret and pool party amongst numerous club nights. For more information on late availability visit www.pv-holidays.com

Rock the Pistes, Avoriaz, 19^th to 24^th March, www.rockthepistes.com Avoriaz is the host of the largest rock festival to hit the French Alps with a different act taking to the stage each evening for five days. Although branded as a rock festival this can certainly appeal to British tastes, not hard rock (XFM sort of music). Concerts take place on the pistes, as the name suggests, over the Portes du Soleil area, making each concert an adventure in itself.

Brits, Tignes, 23^rd to 30^th March, www.the-brits.com This is the ultimate spring fun in France. The Brits has this year relocated to the home resort of the X Games (20^th - 22^nd March) and could even be combined together for those that can take the 10 days of events and partying! The Brits, formerly of Laax (Switzerland) is based around the British Snowboard and Freeski Championships. Competitions in slopestyle, snowboard and skier cross, halfpipe and Bangers & Cash, this latest addition allows for those Brits who have developed dry slope expertise utilising rails to showcase their jibs. The festivities of course continue into après ski and beyond with live music from the likes of The Nextmen and Lazy Habits with one night dedicated to the 90s, crop tops and fluoro at the ready!  

Avoriaz Beach Party, Avoriaz, 29^th March to 1^st April www.avoriaz.com Two holidays in one, ski the extensive pistes of the Portes du Soleil through the day and then head back to the resort centre. The scene has changed and beaches appear in the afternoons with live bands, DJ sets, real sand and salsa dancing.

Winter Sessions, Chamonix, 30^th to 31^st March, www.wintersessions.net One for the dance music fraternity! Set over a weekend at the end of March the festival is an all day and all night affair. With Chamonix’s position as one of the greatest ski resorts in Europe it will be hard to leave the slopes but for those that do activities such as an Alpine Cake Bake-Off, Space Turkey Wrestling and King of Ping Pong will be happening. Into the evenings the DJ sets kick off, not ending until 4 am, stamina is a must! The recovery BBQ to finish the weekend is sure to be much appreciated.

So festival season is fast approaching and this year it is set to be a bumper year for those looking for a late season party with plenty of snow to combine excellent skiing with the party atmosphere.

To book accommodation for any of the festivals listed, and many more in France visit www.pv-holidays.com

Best late-season ski festivals

 

As spring takes the edge off the winter chill, ski resorts worldwide compete to give the best sign off to the end of the season. It’s fair to say that a winter and a spring skiing holiday offer a completely different holiday experience. Sunshine skiing brings a new found energy to the ski slopes with less crowds, the opportunity for long alfresco lunches and better value prices. Music takes centre stage in what has become an annual tradition for ski resorts to bid farewell to the season - but which ones top the charts? Ski Safari has selected the best 5 events to close the season on:

Caprices Festival hits the decade mark: Celebrating its 10^th anniversary in style, the Caprices Festival will build on its impressive reputation and satisfy all with a stellar line-up and inspiring programme from 8^th – 16^th March 2013. Internationally renowned artists across all music genres take to the stage and perform to the ever-growing allegiance of festival fans. Big names such as Björk, Portishead, Fatboy Slim and The Killers all feature on the line-up, alongside up and coming acts looking to make their name. The appeal of the festival is intensified by the venue itself – the ski resort of Crans Montana. Set high above the Rhône valley on a south-facing plateau, the resort enjoys stunning views with some superb intermediate terrain and tops the list for sunshine skiing  www.caprices.ch      

Get your Gruv on: Over in Utah, the Canyons Spring Gruv event returns for the sixth year, bringing together free music concerts, full-on entertainment and fun-filled special events. The action kicks off on the 23^rd March 2013 with the wacky pond-skimming contest, where a sense of fun and a fancy dress costume are a pre-requisite before attempting to skim across the pond. Check out last year’s antics here. With extensive terrain, a modern infrastructure, new accommodation options and the latest in lift systems, it’s clear why Canyons transformation continues to flourish. Access to Park City and Deer Valley ski areas adds to the appeal and makes it easier to explore with the three resort pass. http://www.canyonsresort.com  

Music at the Matterhorn: Marking the end of the ski season in one of the world’s top ski resorts is the Zermatt Unplugged festival, which takes place from 9^th – 13^th April 2013. Setting it apart from other festivals is the music. It is dedicated to creating a more relaxed and chilled atmosphere rather than playing the heaviest beats to the hardest party heads. On the line-up this year is Morcheeba, Umberto Tozzi, Bryan Ferry and Skunk Anansie on the Marquee stage, with Marianne Faithful topping the bill at the smaller ‘Sunnegga Sessions’ concerts performed at 2288m.  In the shadow of the mighty Matterhorn, the skiing is as dramatic as the scenery with immaculate slopes, reliable snow conditions and plenty of alpine charm to add to the festival mix www.zermatt-unplugged.ch

40 years for Vossa Jazz Festival: Music festivals marking the end of the ski season have gained popularity over the last decade but the resort of Voss in Norway proudly marks 40 years of the Vossa Jazz Festival this year. From 30^th March to 1^st April, this internationally acclaimed jazz festival strikes a balance between international jazz and home-grown Norwegian talent. As one of the largest and most well-known Norwegian ski resorts, Voss is dominated by Mount Hangur and the captivating Lake Vang. Skiing in Voss feels like a breath of fresh air, with crowd-free slopes, no lift queues and a highly reputable ski school. Vossa Jazz Festival http://www.visitvoss.no

Retro revival in Åre for the SkiStar Hot Dog Challenge As one of the more theatrical contests of the winter season, the Swedish resort of Åre invites all to participate in the Hot Dog Challenge. On 28^th April 2013 usual ski attire is substituted with retro style ski gear, the more outrageous the better. It’s taking part that counts and the winner of the race isn’t the first past the line but the best dressed. Skiing in Åre, Scandinavia’s world-class ski resort, is unique and so different from the usual European skiing experience. The slopes offer perfect intermediate tree-lined terrain but it is off the slopes where the resort triumphs too. Aside from the usual activities like snowmobiling and tobogganing, the resorts offering includes ice-driving, zip-lining, snow-kiting and even moose kissing!  Ski Star Hot Dog Challenge http://www.skistar.com/  Visit www.skisafari.com