Despite the fact UK is an activities galore, specifically when it comes to outdoor activities, traveling to the Alps is still an experience you should not miss out on. Being amidst gorgeous snow-covered scenery and escaping the hustle and bustle of daily life sounds like the ultimate dream. The sun beaming down on the crisp white snow, and the hundreds of miles of beautiful valleys and lakes are the perfect opportunity to indulge in all types of outdoor activities.

Visiting the Alps from the UK – whether in winter or in summer opens up hundreds of opportunities. It’s not all about skiing and snowboarding, but the Alps are an incredibly diverse people where you’ll find yourself met with hundreds of types of activities to give you that much needed adrenaline buzz.

Whether it be the stunning scenery, the beautiful villages, the gastronomical experience or the quality time you can spend with people you’re traveling with – there is always something to do there. In this article I will talk about outdoor activity holidays on the Alps and how to get there from the U.K.

Winter

Go ice-climbing!

Imagine dozens of waterfalls that have frozen overtime just begging to be explored and climbed…The majesty of the waterfalls as they soar high up into the sky and form icy formations makes it hard not to want and try ice-climbing. All you need is an ice axe, a lot of courage, crampons and of course – some much-needed climbing skills and you’re set. If you’ve ever been climbing before too, this is the perfect way to actually challenge yourself

Build an igloo.

For most of us, the first thing we learned about ice and snow was what an igloo was. There is no doubt that partaking in some igloo-building will awaken the inner child inside of you and bring back nostalgic memories. Surprisingly, it’s also the ultimate overnight adventure! With your strap-on snowshoes, you’ll spend the night looking for that perfect spot to build your igloo and then you’ll be taking a quick DIY lesson on how to build your own igloo. Then you begin building the igloo and camp there. Yes. Inside of your very own hand-made igloo!

Zip-lining.

If you still want a little more adrenaline, then you can always try zip-lining. The best thing is that when it comes to zip-lining, you can’t go wrong with the amount of adrenaline you’ll be getting. The one at the Alps is also not only the longest in Europe but also the fastest in all of Europe.

If you want to be flying at speeds of over 80mph, then definitely head to the southern French Alps.

Go skiing!

It goes without saying that the best thing you can do at the Alps is definitely to go skiing. You can book your skiing trips through websites like  www.alpineelements.co.uk and choose your resort based on exactly what type of skiing holiday you want to have!

Snow-shoeing.

You’ve probably heard of snowshoeing before, as it’s quite popular among ski resorts and it gives you a chance to truly explore the beauty of the scenery around you through walking. On foot, everything is just more personal and intimate and you get to have a more up-close experience with the scenery in front of you. Think sunshine beaming through snow, clear snow surrounding you everywhere and beautiful frozen lakes. Add to that the beautiful seclusion from the resorts and you’ve got a great daytime activity.

Husky dog sledding.

Thoughts of winter usually muster up images of polar bears and huskies, and while polar bears are not as easy to find – huskies are! Luckily, if you go to the French Alps you’ll be able to not only meet huskies but also race through the wilderness by driving the sled.

Cross country skiing.

To explore the magnificent beauty of the alps in winter, you can also try skating your way through them. Skiing is by far the most popular activity in the Alps, and the best thing about cross country skiing is that the level of how challenging it is can completely depend on you!

Summer

If you’re going to be visiting in the Alps, don’t fret! There will be more than plenty of activities to do there. Here are some of the things you can do to enjoy the activities galore that is the Alps in the summer.

Hiking!

The best time to hike through the Alps is definitely through the summer. This way you can ignore the heavy ski materials, the poles and the chilly crisp free (and of course, the mild avalanche warnings.) You’ll be able to get a lot of sight-seeing done and satisfy that adrenaline-seeking voice inside of you by hiking through the Alps.

Get cultured.

At the Alps?! Yes! You can easily visit at least a dozen museums that showcase the Alpine culture in ways you’ve never seen before. Here are some museums you can visit:

• Swiss Alpine Museum

• Musee Alpin

• Wintersport-museum.

• Ski Museum.

• Alpines Skisportsmuseum.

Enjoy the normal daily life of the Alps.

Immersing yourself in Alpine culture is best done in summer, when the sun is out and the cold is less strict. Your activities won’t be restricted to just snow-related ones, but you can easily just sit back and relax and enjoy the daily life in the Alps. Whether you want to be drinking, gambling, unwinding at a spa, or simply going grocery shopping – you can simply live your normal daily life in the Alps with a twist.

Another way to unwind…the spas!

Being surrounded by the chilly crisp beauty of the Alps and then indulging in some incredible thermal baths or spas is one way unbeatable way to spend your day. In fact, back when skiing was not as popular, the Alps were marketed as more of wellness centers instead of skiing resorts. You can go there to enjoy the plethora of wellness centers, the massages, saunas, and much more.

Biking

In France specifically, there are a lot of bike trails that you can explore. There are actually over 23 trails and if you’re more interested in downhill runs, you’ll be able to easily spend a day or two biking through this car-free area.

How to get to the Alps

By Plane

There is no doubt that getting to the Alps by plane is the easiest and fastest way, but may also be the most expensive depending on the season and the day you’re going. The flights are also very short – a maximum of 1 hour 30 minutes from the UK.

There are quite a few direct flights from the UK but it all depends on where you’re going to see the Alps. In all cases, there are direct flights to Geneva, Austria and Zurich for example, making the whole ordeal very simple. You can fly from multiple airports around the UK including:

– London Heathrow

– London City

– London Gatwick

– Birmingham

– Manchester.

It’s also a great idea to choose an all-inclusive deal instead of booking just the plane ticket as this way you’ll have your flights and resorts all in the same package and you don’t have to worry about booking twice. This is great for groups specifically.

By Train

The trains are actually quite comfortable and the journey is actually considered leisurely. There are trains departing from London St. pancreas everyday and you can choose from:

– Standard trains: comfortable chairs, great scenery.

– Standard Plus: A premium train with your carriages and meals.

One advantage of going by train is that you don’t have to worry about the transfers from the airport to the resort, for example. It basically drops you right at the foot of the Alps.

By road.

If you’re feeling adventurous and you’re up for it, you can rent a car and travel by road. You will be dropping yourself off right at your resort, and it’s definitely the most scenic of all options! Plus, of course, you travel by your own pace completely.

Whether you’re into skiing or just relaxing amidst gorgeous scenery, the Alps is a great travel destination if you live in the UK. The plethora of activities offered and the gorgeous scenery make it a trip that’ll be hard for you to get bored in!

The heel of the famous boot-shaped nation, Southern Italy languidly surpasses according to its own leisurely rhythm. There’s an old-world appeal to this region, one that treasures a slower pace of life. Visit the homeland of the modern pizzas as well as the Margherita pizzas in Naples, the latter a favourite of King Margherita of Savoy as it brings up the green, white and red of the Italian flag. Your best of Southern Italy Tours are designed to show you the elegance of the beach, landscapes, and wonderful places set across the ancient landscapes. You can still see the zenith of Mount Vesuvius lingering in the distance from the Pompeii quite roads. The Blue Grotto in Capri glows with a unique light glowing within the water. The standard glories of Rome project from the Colosseum and the cottages beautify the landscapes that once belonged to celebrated emperors. A remodelled restaurant conceals in a traditional cavern, where residents have lived for years and years.

Explore the fabled background social secrets of the Vatican, as well as Rome’s Imperial and Renaissance treasures – such as spectacular St. Peter’s and Tauck’s unique after-hours advised trip to the Vatican Museums and the Sistine Chapel! Balance structural attractions with the organic appeal of the Region of Capri’s strong shoreline, and the beach towns and coves found along the Amalfi Shore. Findings consist of a trip to the traditional site of Herculaneum – maintained under volcanic ash for nearly 2,000 decades – and touring via sports convertible car on Capri. Enjoy a unique session on modern Italian community with high-speed boat and train, and catch the views from glorious private villas on Tauck’s south part of Italy Tours to the Amalfi Shore, Capri & Rome.

Gripping History

At the crossroads of civilisations for thousands of years, southern Italy is scattered with the detritus of different and gilded ages, from Greek and Roman to Saracen, Grettle and Language. From fiery Carthaginian invasions and power-hungry kings to the humble hopes of Roman slaves and gladiators, every frescoed structure and every designed rock informs a tale,. Here, traditional Ancient temples are older than Rome, Byzantine mosaics attest to cosmopolitan encounters and elegant castles outsize Versailles. In Southern Italy there is no less than 13 Unesco World Heritage cultural sites and each place is glorified with stories of success, failing and amazing humankind.

Places of Interest

You may book your southern Italy holiday land-only or take advantage of our all-inclusive southern Italy tour packages with air travel included. All consist of South Italy’s first-class resorts, guided around southern Italy’s travelling features, transport between locations, delicious meals, and much more. And the best part is these southern Italy trips offers are great values. For the wide-ranging escorted tour, Southern Italy is the perfect location because it is filled with traditional and cultural sites that are difficult to see individually. The areas of Calabria, Campania, Puglia, Basilicata are off-the-beaten-path Italy tour destinations. If you think Rome is full of action wait until you travel south of Rome. With Rome’s enjoyment Naples and Bari are the region’s two biggest places on par. Meanwhile, drowsy laid-back places like Lecce, Otranto, Capri, Ravello, Positano, Alberobello attract all visitors. With expert tour guides you around southern Italy’s brilliant and sometimes disorderly areas you won’t skip any touring features. Expert southern Italy guides will educate you on the various societies that populated these areas over the hundreds of years.

Take off on an exciting journey down Italy’s hardly ever visited heel, getting to know another side of this enchanting nation. Think about the attractiveness of Amalfi, enjoy however you like among the sophisticates of Trani and trip the Roman ruins, baroque churches and whitewashed alleyways of Lecce. Walk among the peculiarly formed houses of Alberobello, wander the hillside dwellings of Matera and discover the old town’s life around Bari’s Basilica di San Nicola.

Natural Highs

Rugged hills, fantastic volcanoes and electric-blue grottoes – southern Italy seems like one massive experience play area waiting to be handled. Turn up the heart rate rafting down Calabria’s river Lao, climbing Europe’s most active volcanic, Stromboli, or snorkelling into ancient sea caverns on Puglia’s Promontorio del Gargano. You can do slow pedalling across Puglia’s gentle countryside, immersing in Vulcano’s healing geothermal mud or simply boating along the Amalfi Shore. The options may be many, but there is one constant: a landscape that is gorgeous, different and just a little heavenly.

This Italy tour is sure to please with amazing landscapes. You’ll visit Sorrento and Capri—both offering spectacular views of the crystal-clear, blue sea. Spend some time staring at the enchanting water, shop at the stores, and have dinner at the fantastic restaurants visited by celebrities.

In Italy’s north, there may have the dollars, but the south has the spirit. This is Southern Italy at its most well-known, complicated and contrary.

The name of Japan evokes wondrous images and sensations. While in popular imagination Japan is associated with Anime and Sushi, there is so much more to this beautiful country. Whether it is the visually enthralling play of pink and crimson of Japan’s national flower, the cherry blossom or the succulent umami flavours of its popular street food, ramen, Japan has a plethora of experiences that could turn an ordinary holiday into an extraordinary life experience. Irrespective of your budget or time constraints, Japan offers something for everybody: history, architecture, spirituality and loads more. So waste no time in packing your bags and get ready to soak up the culture on a Japan tour.

While there are innumerable adventures to partake of in Japan, here is a list of some of the most quintessential Japanese experiences:

Trot in Tokyo

Tokyo is one of the busiest and most bustling cities in the world. There are a lot of fun activities to choose from in this vibrant city. Kids will specifically enjoy trips to the Tokyo Disneyland and Disney Sea. A particularly thrilling attraction is a ride in Japan’s famed bullet trains that run at a speed of 200 km per hour. Tokyo is also a land of dreams for electronic aficionados, bursting forth with the very best of Japanese electronics. If one tires of sightseeing, one can always sit down and marvel over the variety of mindboggling architectural specimens.

Closer to Nature

Japan boasts of exquisite natural beauty and with good reason. Be it playing with monkeys in Arashiyama Monkey Park Iwatayama or taking a climb up to Mount Fuji, if forging a closer bond with nature is your goal, Japan will not disappoint. If you are looking to indulge in something a bit more serene, there’s nothing like watching cherry blossoms bloom, in a quiet park, away from the madness of a city life.

History, Spirituality and Culture

While on a tour of Japan, it is imperative to allow its history, culture and spiritual dimensions to take over your soul. Visit shrines like Tosho-gu in Nikko, Todai-ji in Nara, Oku-no-in in Koya San and, Izumo Taisha in Izumo to get a sense of Japan’s multi-faceted spiritual inklings. Places like the Hikone Castle, Himeji Castle and Miho Museum offer a treasured insight into Japan’s unique art and culture. But perhaps the most overwhelming experience can be visiting the Peace Park in Nagasaki and the Nagasaki Atomic Bomb Museum, a solemn reminder of the most devastating of tragedies in the history of Japan.

Off the beaten track

If unconventional ventures are your forte, Japan can satiate those needs as well. How about a trip to explore the Japanese national sport, Sumo? A visit to a Sumo stable will reveal the exemplary details of what goes into the making of these fantastic wrestlers, ranging from their training and practices to their distinctive diet of a one-pot wonder called Chanko. Another eccentric adventure to embark upon would be a trip to the Abashiri Prison Museum that uses the very best of technology to exhibit the history of the prison complex as well as the lives of its prisoners, some of them notorious, others national heroes.

Food, glorious food

It was perhaps through Miyazaki’s films that Japan’s culinary repertoire became famous in the rest of the world. From the husky taste of miso to the wonderfully fierce wasabi to the subtle tastes of seaweed, Japanese food is like a festival inside the mouth. While in Japan, lose yourself in the delicate broth of ramen, the fluffy crunchiness of tempura fries and the rich spiciness of yakitori.

Melbourne is a city full of excitement and intrigue. Immerse yourself in nature or out on the ocean, or perhaps you prefer city sights and fine dining. During summer (when the days are longer, and you might not always be able to think of fun ways to fill them) there’s always an event or a new adventure to experience, so you can make the most of those extra daylight hours. No matter what your budget or interest, Melbourne’s got something for you.

First things first – make sure you find a hotel that suits your needs!

Here’s our list of great things to do, places to see and events to check out in Melbourne this summer.

Cool off and beat the heat

Melbourne’s top-rated Aquarium, SEA LIFE, offers you a once in a lifetime experience, Shark Dive Extreme. Get the chance to come face to face with a mouthful of teeth as one of their gorgeous (and harmless) Grey Nurse Sharks swim by. Spot the sea turtles and watch as graceful rays glide past. You’ll be surrounded by multi-coloured fish and other marine life– it’s definitely one way to beat the heat and get your heart pumping.

Alternatively, hit the water with Kayak Melbourne and enjoy a sunset paddle and moonlight tour of Melbourne with exquisite views of the city lit up at night. Get some happy snaps and enjoy this urban adventure as the sun goes down. A fish and chip dinner is included, along with all your gear and a bottle of water. It’s perfect for every experience level from a beginner who’s never paddled before right through to those salty old sea dogs with years of experience on the water.

There’s lots of other ways to cool off in the city – head to the Royal Botanic Gardens for a walk under the trees or take the hop-on and off train. You could go punting on the lake, gliding along in your own gondola punt for a tour of the bays and islands of the Ornamental Lake. Peaceful and relaxing, it’s easy for you to get up close and personal with abundant birdlife and all manner of aquatic plants and animals. Perhaps afterward enjoy high tea or stick around for some laughter with fairies as you watch A Midsummer Night Dream in the gardens.

Day trips from the city

There are lots of places to visit within a short distance of the city. Here are some options if you feel like venturing out of the Melbourne metro area.

Yarra Valley Wine and Winery Tour

From the big estates down to the small boutique wineries, jump on the Australian Wine Tour Company’s bus for a day of exceptional wine tasting in one of Australia’s top wine producing regions. Savour fine wines, fine food and expand your knowledge as well as your palate while you learn the ins and outs of wine from the best in the business – the growers and winemakers themselves!

Visit Penguins

Watch the sweetest little fairy penguins from a boardwalk or a secluded beach as they emerge from the ocean and waddle right past you on their way to retire for the night at Phillip Island. Go West Tours provide you underground or above ground viewing and experienced guides to answer all of your questions on this moonlit parade of the tiniest penguins you’ve ever seen.

Great Ocean Road

Located along the spectacular coastal cliffs to the south-west of Melbourne, the Great Ocean Road is one of most spectacular drives in Australia. The road winds its way along a stunning coastline full of tall cliffs, secluded coves, beaches and charming towns to visit, making it a long but exciting day trip from Melbourne. Hire a car or join a bus tour to explore the region.

Free Stuff to Check Out

In a city this size, there are enough free activities to keep you occupied no matter when you visit. And there’s nothing better than finding free stuff…am I right!?

Loop Project Space and Bar hosts a plethora of free artsy activities year-round. Watch free screenings of movies, celebrate house music or find out about the insanely cool style of photography that is light painting. All your artsy loves and interests in one place, and it’s free.

Rebalance your Zen by getting back to nature and enjoy free walks and talks as you explore Melbourne’s green spaces and gardens hosted by Green Break. An experienced guide takes you on a nice little stroll, and you’ll learn about different plants, how old trees are and even the names of the birds sitting in the trees watching you pass by. Normally less than an hour long, you could even do it in your lunchbreak and put some balance back into your day.

National Gallery of Art

Showcasing International art and design from over 100 countries and with free entry, this is a must see. Spend hours wandering around enjoying the classics like paintings, sculpture and drawing for the traditional art lover, but remember there is so much more to see. It also holds performance pieces, architecture, fashion design and even robotics. Plus, it’s fun to play with the water wall and take photos of each other walking past to create your own art. Like this…

Theatre and Shows

Brazen burlesque, blockbuster musicals, cabaret’s and magical acts – be transported to another world with Melbourne’s culture scene.

Melbourne Theatre Company keeps it interesting with new productions and ever-changing themes to suit every taste. Classics are there, like The Ideal Husband and Twelfth Night, right alongside newer shows. Some will make you laugh, some will make you cry, but they are all worth checking out.

The possibilities are endless during a Melbourne summer. Whether you jump in with the sharks at SEA LIFE, take a friend to the Loop Project and catch a free screening or see one of the many productions from the Melbourne Theatre Company, your summer will be brighter ticking some of these off your list.