05 Oct Top 10 Ski & Beach Holiday Destinations

Some of us love to embrace the chillier weather with a winter sports holiday, while others prefer to flee the cold in favour of sumptuous villas or resorts and cocktails on white-sand beaches.

For those who really can’t decide (or who fancy a bit of both!), we’ve picked out our top recommendations for both ski and beach holidays this year.

Ski

Courchevel

Ski holidays don’t come any more luxurious than in this Three Valleys resort, but it’s not all about the Michelin-starred restaurants, chic bars and designer boutiques – the skiing and snowboarding is world class, too.

Méribel

Blessed with traditional chalet architecture, lovely Méribel is also part of the Three Valleys ski area with its exciting terrain for all levels. It’s also one of the best French resorts when it comes to night-life, while remaining family-friendly – there’s a swimming pool, ice rink and climbing wall, plus husky-sledding, frozen waterfall climbing, paragliding and helicopter rides.

Val d’Isère

Another classic, much-loved and charming resort in the French Alps, Val is as good for families as it is for those seeking buzzing night-life or fine-dining experiences. And as part of the Espace Killy ski area, it just happens to be one of the world’s best places to ski, with a huge choice of runs for all levels.

Verbier

Said to be the world’s most exclusive ski resort (fans include Prince Andrew, Prince Frederik of Denmark, Richard Branson, the Beckhams and Leonardo di Caprio), this picture-postcard village in the Four Valleys ski area in south-west Switzerland, – renowned for its off piste – is a hotter ticket than ever after a rush of high-end restaurant and bar openings.

St Moritz

Another super-glamorous Swiss resort popular with an opulent feel and a wealthy clientele, St Moritz is superb for skiers and brilliant for bon viveurs – you’ll find everything from top fashion labels and the Lamm cashmere house to one of the world’s largest whiskey bars, The Devil’s Place.

Beach

Dubai

Just a seven-hour flight from the UK, this seat of one of the seven United Arab Emirates is a prime beach destination but so much more besides – think wonderful water parks, hotels so opulent they’re almost tourist attractions in their own right, amazing shopping (whether in mega-malls or traditional souks), camel-racing, mountain safaris and even a indoor ski resort. Dubai has to be seen to be believed.

Barbados

Fine white-sand beaches and rolling sugar-cane estates, scuba-diving and swimming with turtles, and then all that dancing to be done… It’s no surprise that this one-time British colony attracts the celebs, including Simon Cowell, Mariah Carey and Rihanna (who was born and grew up here). There’s a fabulous choice of places to stay too, whether you fancy a sleek hotel or a secluded villa.

Florida

Sandy beaches, sparkling nightlife, Art Deco architecture, first-class art museums and a fabulous contemporary and modern art fair each December: Miami ticks all the boxes for a brilliant city break, but with the chance to venture further afield too – an hour’s flight away, Orlando is huge fun for kids and the eternally young at heart.

Maldives

The classic honeymooners’ paradise has now opened itself up to the family market too, meaning everyone can enjoy the destination’s legendary crystal-clear waters, shallow lagoons and pristine white sands – and some of the world’s best dive sites should you be able to tear yourself way from your sun-lounger.

Bali

The most famous of Indonesia’s 17,000-plus islands is the perfect place for a little little R&R and an escape from modern life, whether you’re looking for family-friendly beach resorts, a great place to surf or go white-water rafting, wildlife adventures or simply the opportunity to kick back and watch the famous sunsets.

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