Advice

After six years working as a flight attendant for a leading UK airline, Kristina Galvydyte, 30, has plenty of insights into an industry that still arouses a curious fascination for many. Here she answers the 20 questions you’ve probably always wanted to ask.  ‘I’ve never seen the British boozing culture anywhere else’  1. Which type

Dubai’s hotel scene has undergone a seismic shift over the last decade. Where once there was only five-star opulence or a characterless Ibis, with very little in between, now there is a growing segment of not only affordable hotels but also all-inclusive options, including the new four-star Riu Dubai, committed to offering pocket-friendly family holidays

With 13 ski areas to choose from and a whole city of restaurants, Innsbruck naturally serves up a huge array of dining options. On the high mountains, there are places with panoramic views over the city or surrounding 3,000m peaks, and it’s hard to go wrong with their hearty Austrian specialities.  However, there are more

While Innsbruck is unquestionably Austrian, don’t expect traditional Austrian après ski – there is no oompah music or dancing on tables in ski boots here. Après ski in the centre of Innsbruck is much more sophisticated and there are several bars with magnificent views over the city and mountains. For more active après, there are floodlit

Davos is a town of two parts; the majority of accommodation is in Davos Platz, while the slopes are more conveniently accessed from Davos Dorf. However, there’s an efficient ski bus between the two.  Most of the accommodation in Davos is four- and five-star hotels, which are typically solid and largely uninspiring. In autumn 2022,

Expert guide to Flaine Overview Hotels Restaurants Apres ski Snow reports Convenient fuss-free French thrills The largest of five French resorts in the Grand Massif ski area, Flaine offers family-friendly convenience, with pretty tree-lined runs and traditional villages just a few minutes away. The 265km ski area suits all abilities from beginner to expert and

Davos is a small Swiss town with an international appeal that has always extended beyond the slopes. In Victorian times its worldwide reputation sprang from the tuberculosis sanatoriums that were built here in the belief that the crisp, clean mountain air could provide a cure or, at least, respite from the ravages of the disease.

Obertauern has plenty of atmospheric mountain huts dotted around the ski area serving traditional Austrian fare – stay long enough and many of them become après spots later on in the day. In town it has long majored on traditional dining options in the hotels, but the scene has expanded to include pizza, burger and

Eating out in Jasná is great value compared to mainstream Alpine resorts – expect to pay €8 to €10 for a main course and €3 or less for a pint of beer. There’s a great variety on offer. Alongside all the usual international dishes, there are local specialities to check out too, such as pancakes,

Christmas travellers could face chaos at Britain’s airports after Border Force officials announced plans to stage an eight-day strike over the busy festive period.  The Public and Commercial Services (PCS) union announced that its Border Force members will walk out for four days over Christmas – from December 23 to 26 – and four further

Serre Chevalier is unlike any other French ski resort. It is based on a string of old villages strung out along a valley floor, with a sizeable ski area of mainly wooded and north-facing slopes rising above the southern side of the road. The rustic old villages have narrow cobbled streets and the main ones are

Serre Chevalier has lots of affordable accommodation, mainly in apartments or small hotels, and some UK tour operators run catered chalets here. But compared with most French resorts, there is little in the way of luxury accommodation. A new four-star hotel, as well as a budget youth hostel, is scheduled to open in Briançon’s disused19th-century barracks

Who hasn’t wanted, at least once, to stay in a castle? Particularly a Scottish Baronial castle bristling with turrets and towers, castellations and crenelations, with the promise of fragrant peat fires and sweeping staircases designed for grand entrances. Castles also tend to come with pleasing views and extensive gardens (and in Scotland often some craggy

The original La Rosière resort (now known as La Rosière Centre) was developed in the 1960s and 70s at the start of the road to the Petit St Bernard pass to Italy, which is closed in winter. More recent development has been concentrated at Les Eucherts, around one kilometre away and linked by a pretty, snow-covered

Ever heard of Jasná (pronounced Yaznah)? Most people haven’t, but as Slovakia’s biggest ski resort, it’s well worth considering by intermediates – and off-piste aficionados, if snow conditions are good. It’s very convenient for short breaks if Luton airport is an option. Low-cost airline Wizz Air has three flights a week between Luton and Poprad-Tatry

In terms of drinking and dancing, Jasná is pretty quiet. However, there are some good value options – and Tatraline is a newly-opened, top-end addition. Low prices are a major attraction here, but visitors also appreciate the variety on offer, with everything from laid back places serving beers, to traditional folk places with a modern twist

Crans Montana is not a budget destination – top hotels with designer rooms, luxurious spas and fine cuisine come with eye-popping prices that are out of bounds to all but the deepest pockets. However, there are some cheaper alternatives to be found. Of the two villages of Crans and Montana, Crans has the lion’s share

While eating out can be expensive in Crans-Montana, it’s no pricier here than in other upmarket resorts in Switzerland, and the quality is reliably high. There are also options beyond the usual Swiss specialities, with restaurants specialising in food from Japan, Lebanon, Argentina and Portugal.  For a real splurge, there’s the one-starred Michelin restaurant, Le

There are some very good places to eat both on and off the mountain in Les Gets, and it is a good-value resort for France – eating out is usually at prices that won’t break the bank. There are some splendid rustic mountain restaurants in the rest of the Portes du Soleil too. For further Les Gets

Les Gets is at one end of the vast Portes du Soleil ski area with its 600km of pistes. Its local area of slopes, shared with Morzine, is big and varied enough to keep many people happy for a week – though most will want to explore further afield for a day or two. The main