We have found some of the best online ski holiday deals for UK snow lovers with Co-operative Travel. Your spoilt for choice with these ski and snowboarding holidays to the most popular ski resorts across Europe including France, Austria, Bulgaria and Andorra and further afield to the USA and Canada. What's more, the Co-operative Travel are the largest independent travel agent in the UK and since they are both ABTA and ATOL bonded, customers have a 100% financial guarantee.
Toulouse, Pas de la Casa Crest Pas Apartments
10th Jan 2010, 7 nights Gatwick
Adult prices from £224pp
Turin, Sestriere Edelweiss Apartments
3rd Jan 2010, 7 nights Gatwick
Adult prices from £284pp
Innsbruck, Mayrhofen Hotel Alte Post
19th Dec 2009, 7 nights Gatwick
Adult prices from £369pp
Chambery, Val Thorens Les Olympiades
12th Dec 2009, 7 nights Gatwick
Adult prices from £434pp
Salzburg, Kitzbuhel Aurach Hotel
23rd Jan 2010, 7 nights Gatwick
Adult prices from £474pp
It doesn't matter if you’re new to the slopes or an experienced skier, your sure to find a great deal amongst this fantastic range of ski holidays, which feature offers from all the major ski tour operators including Neilson, Crystal, Inghams and Virgin. Whether staying in a chalet, hotel or in self-catering accommodation there is something for everyone; individuals, families and groups. Take a look, if you like what you see, you can book straight away.
Turtles, Rivers and Mountains is a 15-day Hands On Adventure trip to Costa Rica, running end of March through July 2010. You can get up close to leatherback and green turtles that inhabit the Costa Rican Caribbean coastline. Staying in Tortuguero National Park, participants join in with the Pacuare Reserve turtle conservation project, where they have the opportunity to take part in turtle beach patrols, nest protection and measuring and tagging leatherback and green turtles
The Hands On Adventures, organised by The Adventure Company, allow travellers to participate in a conservation or community project for two or three days during their holiday but this trip also provides families with the opportunity to explore the rainforests, hike in Gandoca Manzanillo Wildlife Refuge and experience white water rafting and hiking around the giant rumbling Arenal Volcano.
For full details of the Turtles, Rivers & Mountains Family Holiday, and to reserve your place, click here.
There are some mouth-watering deals on offer but this holiday in Kuramathi Village, Maldives, particularly caught my eye. Seven nights, Room and Breakfast, depart 6 September 2009, London Gatwick Airport, from just £784. Kuramathi is described as a peaceful, relaxed and intimate resort island,well placed for 45 fabulous dive sites... and for pure, undisturbed escapism. A description confirmed in this video clip from Zwirn00.
These fabulous deals quickly change so make sure you get the full details from Kuoni by clicking the link at the top of this post. At my last look, Kuoni seemed to have about 90 holidays on their Web Excusive Offer, including another Maldive special, Kuredu Island Resort.
On the edge of the fascinating Dordogne region of France, where the Dordogne river makes its escape from deep gorges and flows through an enchanting valley bordered by wooded hills, there lies the medieval town of Argentat. Nearby is Chateau de Cautine, set in 34 acres of fields and woods, complete with its own stream and a 15-metre salt-water pool. But this is not just any Chateau, it is a Chateau with a reputation for adventure.
Chateau de Cautine offer a whole range of Activity Holidays and currently they are running some great discount deals. The Chateau is a good base for walking, enjoying the area's natural world or of course fishing in one of the best fishing regions in France.
Those looking for an adrenaline buzz are spoilt for choice with activities like horse riding, cycling, kayaking, canoeing, hiking, rock climbing, abseiling, hang gliding; time for a deep breath, archery, tree climbing, orienteering, hiking, mountain-bike riding, bungy-trampolining and orienteering. Oh and did I mention the proximity to the nearby Massif Central mountains, for skiing and snowboarding?
The region is well known for aero-sports and an old aerodrome has been restored as a center entirely devoted to sporting activities in the air. Qualified flight instructors are on-hand for activities such as hang gliding, paragliding, microlite flying and towed flights.
Jim Hilgendorf who leads small customised group tours to this fabulous corner of France has also posted a short video which does a good job of conveying the beauty and fascination of the enchanting Dordogne valley.
Traditionally, this is the week that the major New York City department stores unveil their decorated holiday windows and such is their appeal that they draw an estimated 6,000 window gazers per hour at the season's peak. Read a nice review from Jennifer 8. Lee, in the New York Times Blog.
Brits travelling across the channel for their annual summer holidays will benefit from most of continental Europe being in the European Union (EU). Sadly, the UK chose to opt out of the Euro and hang on to the Pound, which means that somewhere along the line currency exchange will cost the British tourist money, but that aside, European Citizenship brings a raft of benefits.
UK residents are generally entitled to medical treatment, equivalent to that provided under the state scheme, at reduced cost or sometimes free, when visiting another EU country. However, to obtain treatment under the scheme, they must produce a European Health Insurance Card (EHIC). To get a card, free of charge, UK applicants can either apply online, telephone 0845 606 2030, or ask at the Post Office for an application form.
It is only necessary to apply once and remember that an EHIC will last for up to 5 years, so do not leave it until the last minute to apply. Seasoned travellers should also note that the old E111 certificates are now invalid and holders should apply for an EHIC. Presumably, similar arrangements are in place for the citizens of other member states.
Government advice is that EHIC and holiday insurance are complementary. Travellers are recommended to have both because there are some costs, such as repatriation, which are not covered by the EHIC. Some insurance companies actually require that people they insure have an EHIC, while some will waive any excess charge if an EHIC has been used.
Another benefit is the authorisation to drive throughout the EU. However, motorists must again look carefully at the small print of their insurance policy if they take motor vehicles abroad.
The problem is that under current EU law, insurance companies only have to offer cover for damage an insured driver causes to another vehicle or driver, so called third-party insurance. Auto insurance companies are under no obligation to provide cover against theft, accidental damage to the insured car or personal injury; even if these circumstances are covered in the UK by a comprehensive insurance policy.
British motorists taking their cars to Europe must usually notify their insurer and it is sometimes possible to upgrade the level of cover but the upgrade is unlikely to be free. Presently, it seems as if there are only a couple of insurance companies who provide motorists with the same level of insurance cover wherever they use their cars in the EU; if a UK motorist is fortunate enough to have comprehensive insurance with one of these companies, then their comprehensive insurance cover continues when they take the Eurostar or ferry across the channel.
It doesn't matter if you’re new to the slopes or an experienced skier, your sure to find a great deal amongst this fantastic range of ski holidays, which feature offers from all the major ski tour operators including Neilson, Crystal, Inghams and Virgin. Whether staying in a chalet, hotel or in self-catering accommodation there is something for everyone; individuals, families and groups. 
