Skiing for over-50s in Italy
Move over kids, the market for mature skiers is booming, according to Ski Freshtracks (0845 45 807 84; skifreshtracks.co.uk). The company has revealed that 35% of its bookings for the 2009/10 season are for its Peak Experience programme – holidays for skiers aged over 50 – up from just 25% last season. The firm has 26 dedicated trips for over-50s, they're not cheap though – a 10-day trip to Cortina and Colfosco in Italy on 25 January will set you back £1,495, half-board, including flights and transfers.
Kylie Minogue in Las Vegas
British Airways launched five new routes last week. It's now offering daily routes from Heathrow to Las Vegas (from £516 return), where you may even get to see Kylie Minogue, who has been offered a residency at one of the mega-hotels; twice weekly flights from Gatwick to Montego Bay and Punta Cana (in the Dominican Republic) from £628 and £644 respectively, and thrice-weekly flights from Gatwick to Sharm El Sheikh and the Maldives from £352 and £648 respectively. Book online at ba.com.
See Niagara Falls by night
If you thought the Niagara Falls were spectacular by day, you might want to see them one evening between 7 November and 15 December. A five-kilometre route adjacent to the falls will be lit up daily at 5pm with more than three million tree and ground lights, 120 lighting displays – including animated Disney characters and Canadian wildlife – and fireworks on Fridays, as part of its annual Winter Lights Festival. Bon Voyage (0800 316 0194; bon-voyage.co.uk/spotlight) has three-night breaks throughout the festival from £665, including flights and room-only accommodation.
Boutique Croatia
Holiday Options (0844 477 0452; holidayoptions.co.uk) is predicting Croatia to be a big seller for 2010, so it has expanded its selection of boutique-style hotels. Additions include the family-run Hotel Bozica, built into the cliffs, just 15 metres from the water's edge on the Island of Sipan on the Dubrovnik Riviera (from £575 per week, B&B, with flights) and the Palazzo Hotel & Spa, which is situated in the heart of Porec and has an infinity pool and spa (from £563 per week, B&B, including flights).
Go skiing by rail
If you're planning on heading to the slopes by train this winter, check out snowcarbon.co.uk, a new independent website about rail travel to ski resorts. Featuring 30 resorts across Europe, ranging from Grandvalira in Andorra to Wengen in Switzerland, the website has information on how to book rail journeys, get the best fares, and which resorts are easiest to reach by train.
Run a half marathon in Montserrat
Feeling fit? Head to Montserrat for its first ever volcano half-marathon on 5 December. The strenuously hilly route will pass some of the Caribbean island's top sights, including the active Soufrière Hills Volcano, the Montserrat Cultural Centre in Little Bay, and the Belham River Valley, which is covered in volcanic rubble. Get to the finish line first and you'll pocket EC$1,000 (approximately £230). Registration costs approx £18, although, for the less fit, there's also a free five-mile fun run. For accommodation, flights and to register for the races, go to visitmontserrat.com.
Discover the mountains
For travellers planning a ski or lakes and mountains trip, Inghams is holding a "discovery day" at the Heritage Motor Centre in Warwickshire on 14 November. There'll be exhibitions and guest speakers including ski gold medallist Franz Klammer. To reserve your free tickets (for either the 10am or 2pm session) email discoveryday@inghams.co.uk. A maximum of four tickets are available per booking.
London freezing
Tickets are still available for the final day of the London Freeze at the Battersea Power Station today (londonfreeze.com). Expect plenty of live ski and snowboard action – including a freestyle big air competition - and some top bands, including Friendly Fires. Tickets from £35 adults, £15 children (under-fives free).
