After a year of the ‘credit crunch’, doom and gloom over the recession and strikes, delays and restrictions at airports and on the Eurotunnel people are returning to the good old faithful way to cross the channel on a ferry. Now it may not be as glamorous as a cruise holiday but you still get the same effect with a decent level of service on board for your money.

Currently ferry companies are desperate to fill ships and reduce prices to tempt more passengers aboard, you can now get a return trip to France for less than a meal out at a restaurant meaning you can easily get away for a break and enjoy the samples of France. Many of the newer ferries are much bigger and feel more like a cruise ship with great on board amenities.  It’s also relatively cheap to take your car across which means you can explore much more of what France has to offer.

The Swiss village of Les Cerniers has set the bar for sustainable style and ethical adventure holidays in the Alps, here you can stay in futuristic pods in the resort of Whitepod which is made up of low-impact structures. This resort offers comfort and relaxation but with minimal impact on the environment. You can stay in either one of the 15 domes or go higher up to the dorms-based refuge, and enjoy a base camp” chalet with a restaurant and amenities including 7km of ski runs and lifts for guests’ exclusive use. There are also other activates available like dog-sledding, snow-shoeing and cross-country skiing that can minimise your carbon foot print.

Aspen, Colorado won one of the 2006 Responsible Tourism Awards thanks to the efforts of the Aspen Skiing Company, it is pioneering in environmentally friendly skiing as well as, investing in local farmland. Aspen is normally considered a play ground for the rich and famous which pushes everything to the extreme and most people probably don’t recognise the resorts green credentials and sustainability. It’s also pocket friendly as well with many chalets at reasonable prices meaning you don’t have to break bank to enjoy this eco friendly resort.

Europe, especially Switzerland seem to be steaming ahead with eco friendly resorts with Saas Fee in Switzerland been ranked as one of the best in the world. Saas Fee is a typical picture perfect village with hotels and shops that blend in ideally with the more traditional wooden chalets and farmhouses. There are many places in Switzerland that are now car free and this has also been introduced into ski resorts like Saas Fee, there accommodation here is also eco friendly like their bio chalets that were renovated according to environmental standards and using sustainable materials and the apartments and hotels which were built to high environmental standards.

Saas Fee

Picture courtesy of unovar

During the winter months the rich and famous descend upon some of the best slopes for their annual skiing holiday, below are some of the top 3 European destinations to spot a celeb.

Cortina d’Ampezzo, Italy

In the Veneto region of Italy set among the Dolomite Mountains Cortina is Italy’s ski resort for the elite, famous for hosting the Winter Olympics in 1956, remnants of this still exist in the form of the Stadio del Ghiaccio (Ice Stadium), built for the Olympics which is now a public skating rink. Although skiing is now not the main focal point it does have some good runs especially for beginners with good lift access. If skiing is not your forte there are numerous high end designer shops such as Gucci, Prada, and Armani, hence the attraction for the rich and famous, like George Clooney.

Klosters, Switzerland

The renowned mountain resort of Klosters offers a unique combination of a romantic village-like atmosphere and the contrast of the metropolis of Davos which makes it a must for frequent visitors such as the British royalty, including Wills and Harry, their girlfriends and their father. In the tranquil setting of dark-wood chalets Klosters is also a family friendly resort with top notch ski trails, the Davos-Klosters region covers the famous Parsenn ski slopes and has over 300km of trails. For non skiers there are also plenty of activities including winter walking paths, horse-drawn sled rides and toboggan runs and there are also plenty of après-ski activities and nightlife venues in Klosters, and in nearby Davos.

Val d’Isère, France

Originally a small alpine farming village, Val d’Isere has kept many of its rustic features as well as become a modern alpine ski resort, with the quaint ‘Old Town’ that is steeped in tradition looking picturesque when lined in snow. A favorite for the privileged British and French, offering over 300km of marked pisted runs and unlimited off piste skiing making it ideal for skiers and boarders alike. There is also a wide range of restaurants and cafes serving local cuisine, and plenty of places to go out at night. Val d’Isere is also best known for its sports playground with a wide range of activities in both winter and summer.

Klosters

Picture Courtesy of andreaspopp

Book your travels with P & O Ferries, as they offer guests a delightful selection of ferry crossings: Dover to Calais, Hull to Rotterdam, Hull to Zeebrugge, and Portsmouth to Bilbao. All these crossings will take you and your family to the doorway of mainland Europe. Both motorists and foot passengers are accommodated.

Using the Dover to Calais 90-minute ferry crossing, travellers can quickly start to explore France, Belgium, and the rest of Europe. There are plentiful crossings every day, so passengers can choose what best suits their plans.

The Hull-Rotterdam crossing will take the traveller to the doorstep of Holland and Germany. The Hull ferry is a very convenient alternative to the long miles of driving if you use another route, as crossing by night you will be provided with excellent dining and entertainment facilities, as well as being able to rest in an air-conditioned cabin. Upon arriving the next day, you can easily explore Arnhem, the De Efteling theme park, and Amsterdam, as well as the South Limburg region.

The Hull to Zeebrugge route opens up the doorway to Belgium from the North of England. Whilst on a relaxing and stress free ferry trip, the guests can make use of bars, restaurants, and casinos before retiring to a private, air-conditioned cabin. After a good night’s rest you can set off for a great holiday to enjoy the sandy Belgian beaches. You can also visit the Bruges, a mediaeval town famed for its Belgian chocolate. The holidaymaker can also visit Brussels, Antwerp, Luxembourg, or the Ardennes.

The Portsmouth to Bilbao ferries depart every three days and take the traveller to the doorway of Spain. Bilbao is a good set off point to visit places in Spain, Southern France, and Portugal.

Europe

The vast continent of Europe encompasses no less than 50 sovereign states, as well as seven non-sovereign territories and regions, and another six territories and regions that are partially recognised.

Europe borders Asia in the east at the Ural Mountains and the Caspian Sea, and in the south at the Caucasus Mountains and the Black Sea. Countries such as Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Turkey, Georgia, and Russia are considered part of both Asia and Europe. The islands in the Mediterranean Sea are also considered to be part of Europe, as is Malta. The sovereign states, by definition, are political entities governing a geographical area that is bound by an institution of rules recognising its authority over that area in the form of the courts, armed forces, civil service, and police.

Some of the sovereign states in Europe are Austria, Belarus, Bulgaria, Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Italy, Norway, Poland, Romania, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Ukraine, and the United Kingdom. Boasting a total population of over 700 million inhabitants, Europe is home to a curious mix – or clash – of cultures, whose similarities and differences cover the areas of religion, philosophy, language, sport, art, etc. In addition to this, Europe has another grouping of sorts that crosses cultural lines, and this is the European Union. The EU is a union of 27 European member states, with another seven countries awaiting inclusion in this economically and politically powerful group. The EU includes in its force a membership of some 500 million people and generates an estimated 30% share of the nominal gross world product.

Map Of Europe