A long weekend in Lake Annecy: high thrills and haute cuisine


Catherine Henderson enjoys high thrills and haute cuisine in Lake Annecy – arguably one of France’s most beautiful areas

One of the great railway experiences

Travelling from Kyle of Lochalsh to Iverness by train is Britain’s most scenic rail journey, writes Adrian

Consumer Council (Northern Ireland)

From the website:

“The Consumer Council represents consumers and gives them a voice. We ensure that the policy makers in Northern Ireland hear that voice and take it into account when they are making decisions that affect us all.”

Ski Update: Nevis Range

If you can’t beat the snow, join it!

Thats what lots of people decided to do last weekend and, this weekend, even more may venture north. A Nevis a week ago, over 800 Skiers/Sledgers/Snowboarders opted to “Go with the snow” taking to the slopes which opened for snowsports a fortnight earlier than planned on 4-5 December 2010.

Marian Austin, Nevis Range MD commented, “We hadn’t planned to open until Saturday 18 December as we were, and still are, in the midst of our maintenance period. However, with the early snowfall the conditions had been improving steadily and a good base of snow has now built up across most of the ski area. We were all delighted with the weekend and the conditions were described as being brilliant for so early in the season, with hardly any queuing.”

So it looks as though this weekend many are opoting to do the same judging by the number of last minute bookings that are being received. For those it’s a chance to get some practice earlier than usual and without the hassle of having to dig out a passport. Be aware though that due to the ongoing construction work there will still be no Equipment Hire or Snowsports School. Thereafter Nevis Range plans to open fully for its winter season on Saturday 18 December.
On the other side of the country in the Glencoe area, they are also reporting a surge in last minute bookings having has a good weekend last week.

April showers drive consumers abroad

Holiday bookings rise with water levels following wettest April in 100 years

The Great Wall of China: Potteries style

Just started in Stoke-on-Trent is a six week celebration of ceramics. Well what else would it celebrate apart from its premier division football team of course!

Postcard from Beijing… no 2

Our China correspondent on why Beijing loves a fancy dress party