Travel News

Winter sports are more than just skiing and snowboarding, even more adrenaline-pumping activities are available. They include ice diving, below near-metre thick frozen water in Lake Montriond; icefall climbing in Champagny with picks offered to people of all abilities; tandem paragliding across the Chamonix valley; huskie-muskhing on a high-octane adventures through the Alps; and watching the Outdoor Games in February 2009 on Mont Blanc where you can pick up tips from the pros.

Ice diving

Think you are tough enough? Book a hotel in Morizine in France on the banks of Lake Montriond between December and February to find out. From there you will be able to try this extreme sport.

Before you go, ice diving instructors will give you a dry suit and anti-freeze regulator to protect you from the cold – and it can get chilly. Under the ice temperatures are about two degrees C. No experience of diving is necessary for people who want to head down a rope, dropped through a hole in the ice, two metres by two metres, to the quiet depths below.

Underwater, the thick ice layer as dense as 90 centimetres allows sunlight through, providing a visibility of between ten to 15 metres. It's a different world with strange shaped air bubbles stuck to the ice ceiling.

Waterfall climbing

Go icefall climbing in Champangy. Anyone aged upwards from ten can take part in this amazing activity led by experienced guides using crampons, ice axes, harnesses and helmets.

Champangy has an artificial ice tower 22 metres high for practising. However, those that do the real thing will be able to scale cascades and glacial walls surrounded by stunning scenery. Book into a hotel in Champagny and ask your host for more information.

Tandem paragliding

For incredible views of Mont Blanc and a rush you will not forget, try tandem paragliding. Strapped to an instructor you are up, up and away from a suitable point from the side of the mountain above the Chamonix valley.

Just keep your fingers crossed for good weather as paragliding can only take p ... read more

This is rumoured to be one of the most beautiful drives in the world. The Amalfi coastline could be to Europe what the Great Ocean Road is to Australia and California’s Highway One is to the United States.

Motoring along the well-travelled route could be fine on the proviso the person in the hot seat gets to grips with the route falling 500 foot away to the Mediterranean below, the traffic jams that snare up stopping for lunch on a summer's day and the cops who usher cars aside for coaches to get past on slim roads.

But there is an alternative – the two-day Genoa to Portovenere, according to the Times. Before embarking, you'll need a car, a small one that nips. Take this route and it is the scenery not the road rage that is breathtaking. Try Avis for car hire.

Start at Genoa

Book a hotel in Genoa to relax for the night and consult the map, then in the morning start the trip southwards on the narrow SS1 coastal road to Camogli.

Camogli pit stop

Camogli literally translates as "houses close together" or "houses of wives", named after the women who waved their fishermen-husbands off to sea. It's colourful and charming and cheap for a cup of heartwarming Italian coffee.

Overnight in Monterosso al Mare

Past the lemon groves on the SS1 is the turn off for the SP566 to Carrodano, which rolls through the Parco Nazionale delle Cinque Terre to the port of Monterosso al Mare.

The Villa Degli Argentieri is an elegant place to stay, recently renovated in a quiet area by the sea. Perfect after a hard day’s driving, especially the en suite hydro massage facility.

Head to Manarola

After breakfast on the sun terrace overlooking the Cinq Terre landscape, pass Vernazza on the cliffs to Manarola. Park up and walk to the bar Via dell'Amore, the Lovers' Road, which serves traditional lunches and wine. A glass of the sciacchetra is drier and ... read more

Most people want to go to England's capital city for the New Year, according to the searches registered with Skyscanner. This is followed by the wintery welcomes for 2009 within driving distance of Geneva. It is polar opposite to the Mediterranean party promise of Malaga which makes it to number three.

Number one: London

London might top the rankings as the most expensive city in Europe, but party-goers are planning to throw caution to the wind in the year of the crunch with most Skyscanner searches for New Year bringing up the English capital. There are plenty of places to visit in London throughout December, including interactive Christmas lights and snow storms in Leicester Square to a cyber trip through to find Santa with a festive fairy in Westfield.

As far as ringing in 2009 goes, Ibiza Underground Party promises to be one of the city’s biggest. However, revellers can also go from their London hotels to the MV London Belle party boat. Whatever the cost, a poll conducted among Telegraph readers showed the credit crunch certainly is not affecting more than 90 per cent of Britons' plans to holiday this year.

Number two: Geneva

Another pricey place makes it into second place on Skyscanner's record of New Year searches. The lakeside city has more than 100 resorts less than two hour's drive away, making it look increasingly likely Europeans are planning to welcome in 2009 on the slopes this year. There’s opera, theatre and a world music reggae festival celebrating New Year in Geneva itself, so book into a Geneva hotel quick..

Number three: Malaga

Winter sun seekers will be browsing this Mediterranean hot spot on the Costa del Sol for December 31st. It is the birthplace of Picasso and certain to have party-goers leaving with colour in their cheeks. The average temperature is about 16 degrees C, perfect for enjoying the great outdoors and water activities. So grab a cerveza, reserve a room in Malaga and fly o ... read more

Budapest is well known for its spas, but what about its hotels? There are a range of luxury hotels in Budapest for a fraction of the price of some of the hotels inside the eurozone. If you are travelling on a budget and you want to get away this year, Budapest is recommended.

Just how much does it cost?

Exchanging back to sterling, the price of a two-course evening meal for two is £40, a cup of coffee in one of the cafes is £1 and a bottle of beer is around £1.60. Apetito is a nice place to visit in the Castle District with a traditional menu and wines recommended by an in-house sommelier. Alternatively, get your fill along the River Danube at the contemporary Spoon and Cafe Lounge,which provides gorgeous cocktails and stunning views of the Castle District, which is lit up at night.

What about getting there?

Hungary is easily accessible from other parts of Europe by coach, with some well priced deals, if you do not mind travelling the distance and have the time. However, if you want to go on holiday in a hurry Malev Airlines would be just the ticket. The Hungarian airline runs return flights from £110 per person.

Where do I stay in style?

There are plenty of luxury hotels in Budapest, which will not break the bank. St George Residence is a five-star hotel that offers apartments over plain bedrooms. Each of the 26 suites comes with bedroom, living room, bathroom and kitchen, to make guests feel home from home and they do not cost the earth. Some of the suites even come with Jacuzzi bathrooms for that Budapest spa feel.

Tell me more about St George

St George's Residence is the patron saint of putting your feet up. A stay here takes travellers back in time to 14th century Budapest, which was when the three properties the hotel is converted from, were built. They have had various uses over the years, including law courts, ... read more

Four out of every five Europeans live in towns and cities today, making the naughties a challenging time for European conurbations. With the credit crunch already affecting major European hubs, minds might be on other elements. Notably in November, the Czech prime minister Mirek Topolanek said: "We can't fight for the climate at the expense of our competitiveness."

However, for Amsterdam in the Netherlands, Freiburg, Munster and Hamburg in Germany, Bristol in the UK, Oslo in Norway, Copenhagen in Denmark and Stockholm in Sweden, the environment is a pressing issue and each city will be stepping up its campaign to impress European Commission judges up until the award is announced in 2010.

Case study: Bristol

Why should you stay in a green city? Well, why would you want to stay in a polluted one? The more cities that sign up to this ethos, the greener and cleaner your holidays will be. Stay in one of the hotels in Bristol in the UK, for example, and you will be supporting its bid as well as seeing what all the fuss is about.

Why is this city green?

Clifton Down is a large area of green space in the city. Located next to the observatory is a big rock slide that has been used by residents for generations. It has since been polished and become an attraction, making this green space, not only healthy but fun too. Brandon Hill provides stunning views of the city and Ashton Court Estate offers a mansion house, deer parks, a golf course and mountain bike trails. There’s also access to a stunning coastline and countryside from the hotels in Bristol.

Green policies

The city is home to UK cycle network Sustrans and The Soil Association, which holds an organic food festival each year, which is touted as the largest in Europe. It also hosts regular farmers markets, where visitors can buy healthy and wholesome local produce. Travelling around Bristol is easy on bus, ferry or on foot. Bristol was chosen as the UK’ ... read more