Hayman Island Resort, Whitsunday Islands Australia

Hayman Island Resort, Queensland, Whitsunday Islands Australia

If you are a fan of luxury and intend to spare time for a  holiday away from the crowds....If you're fond of the beaches, beauty and relaxation, here is my suggestion- you can explore the Hayman Island Resort, at Whitsunday Islands in Australia.

The wonderful beaches,Australia

Hayman Island Resort, Whitsunday Islands Australia

Hayman is a 5 star elegant resort with great location in the Great Barrier Reef. The biggest attraction here is diving- we're talking about the Great Barrier Reef.....Or you can take advantage of more traditional activities- tennis, golf, exploring the island and beaches, fishing and others. This luxury resort ranges among the prestigious The Leading Hotels of the World.

Great Barrier Reef, Australia

Hayman Island Resort, Whitsunday Islands Australia

Verbier, Switzerland

Verbier, Switzerland

One of the largest resorts in the Swiss Alps, Verbier is preferred by many celebrities. Located in the canton of Valais - Verbier is the largest resort area in Switzerland. More than one million tourists a year come to Verbier.The altitude of the slopes varies from 1500 to 3330m. Verbier gives the opportunity for the enthousiasts of all levels to explore over 400km  downhill runs.19 of the trails are intended for beginners, 20 are intermediate tracks and there also are 5 runs for experts. The resort  have on disposal a total of 35 lifts. The high altitude of the slopes ensures the presence of  snow throughout the active season. Verbier is large alpine village which offers all amenities you can want for your vacation.

Verbier, Switzerland, map of ski pistes

Verbier, Switzerland

Verbier has many ski and snowboard schools, companies organizing mountain guides. They propose variety of options- private lessons, group courses and some special ones. The best is you can even see Mont Blanc at an altitude of 1500m.

Verbier, Switzerland

Verbier is the resort with best conditions for skiing outside the processed tracks. The slopes are suitable for snowboarding. If you want to get away for a bit of ski atmosphere, you can go to the Mont Gele - one of the few areas in the vicinity, which has no ski slopes yet. This resort has a large ski area which is reached by funnicular that will suit most skiers, with a link to the glacier of Les Diablerets. 

 

Branson's The Lodge, Verbier, Switzerland

Verbier, Switzerland, chair lift

A holiday to Verbier allows you to explore the areas 4 valleys and to take in the magnificent views.  Again, this is classified as the most fashionable and cosmopolitan resort of you skiers out there but don’t be put off by this as it still has a traditional feel that will make you feel extremely welcomed. Verbier’s après ski is legendary with its nightclubs and 60 restaurants.

For more places where you can spend your vacation enjoying skiing and others you can see here.

Courchevel, France

Courchevel, France

Located in the French Alps, Courchevel  is nominated to be the most expensive ski resort in Europe. It’s no wonder why people as George Clooney, Naomi Campbell, Robbie Williams, Roman Abramovich, the Beckham's,Prince William & Katle Middleton, the King of Maroc and many others. As you can guess there are many luxury shops, such as Louis Vuitton, Prada, Valentino, Chanel etc. Also some of the restaurants have been awarded Michelin stars, hotels with five stars, in 2011 France even introduced a very prestigious 6th star ranking for hotels, named "palaces". Anyway, you can stay in some of the lower villages and your stay will  be considerably cheaper but the slopes are still great.

Courchevel, France

Courchevel, France

Courchevel is the the most eastern resort of the Three Valleys. In fact that’s not only one resort. Courchevel incorporates 4 satellite villages /Courchevel Le Praz, Courchevel 1550, Courchevel 1650 and Courchevel 1850/.  The names come from their altitude. The city of Courchevel has been built  as a consequence of the resort. Ski instructors and facilities correspond to the requirements of the tourists and the size of the ski resort. Here, all the ski pistes are connected and that's what makes  them unique with their size. Courchevel's  ski pistes are also one of the most dangerous and difficult. It's lift system is excellent and there are never queues. Courchevel’s airport runway is one of the shortest, that’s why it’s recently used mainly for small planes and helicopters.

Courchevel, France

Courchevel, France, great view to the lake

Even though we said that your holiday can be  kind of cheap, there are lots of possibilities for a really luxury one. After all Courchevel is one of the most expensive places. That's why there are many wonderful offers in case you prefer an ultimate luxury for your ski getaway. We already mentioned the restaurants awarded Michelin Stars, the Six Stars Hotels.....I think you understand......Yet...we don't have to forget the landscapes and views, which are not just unforgattable and breathtaking, they are beyond any description!!!

Meribel Luxury Villa, Courchevel, France

Chalet Grande Roche, Couchevel, France

For more places where you can spend some time enjoyng skiing and others you can see here.

St. Moritz, Switzerland

St.Moritz, Switzerland

St.Moritz, Switzerland, ski pistes

---

This resort town  is called the “luxury resort of the Swiss Alps”. Saint Moritz is one of the most famous and prestigious ski resorts in world, especially after having hosted the 1928 Winter Olimpic Games and also the 1948 Winter Olimpic Games./ Here we have to note that only 3 cities in whole world have hosted Winter Olmpic Games more than once/. Nowadays its name is associated with finesse and elegance. Many celebrities have properties here. We can come across its name in a great number of novels as well as the famous series of James Bond.

St.Moritz, Switzerland, Badrutt's Palace-5 Star Luxury Hotell

St.Moritz, piste map, Switzerland

 St.Moritz is situated in the Engadine valley. It is a municipality in the Swiss canton of Graubunden. A few kilomemetres south of the town is situated the highest summit in the Eastern Alps- the Piz Bernina. St. Moritz is influenced with both cultures- the german speaking majority and  those who are using the roman languages- mainly Italians. In the beginning the besort becomes famous due to its mineral healing springs, which have been known for more than 3 thousand years. This place is perfect for those who want to spend their time close to nature, among a well balanced combination of mild snow cover, nice weather   and fine altitude. A great advantage is the possibility to practice a lot of sports there, such as: skiing, snowboarding, hiking, bobsleigh, sledging, horse races, polo, cricket, ski jumping, sliding on a frozen lake and others.

St. Moritz, Switzerland, Badrutt's Palace

St.Moritz, ski slopes, Switzerland

St.Moritz, Switzerland

For more places where you can spend your holiday enjoying skiing and others you can see here.

Top 10 Best ski resorts in Europe

 As the ski season is approaching I propose a quick review of  some of the best  ski resorts in   Europe. They have stunning landscapes, wonderful hotels, chalets, clubs and restaurants. Many celebrities like to spend their holidays here. I think there is no doubt why. Most of the sceneries are breathtaking, the resorts have on disposal very good ski tracks. That puts them on the top of the list of ski resorts.

    1.St. Moritz, Switzerland

St.Moritz, Switzerland

   

 2. Courchevel, France

Courchevel, France

  
 3. Verbier, Switzerland

 

Verbier, Switzerland

   

   4. Val D'Isere, France

Val d'Isere, France

    5. Cortina D’Ampezzo, Italy

Cortina d'Ampezzo,  Italy

     6. Kitzbühel, Austria

Kitzbuhel, Austria

     7. Chamonix Mont-Blanc, France

Chamonix Mont-Blanc, France

Chamonix Mont-Blanc, France

     

     8. Lech – Zurs, Austria

 

Lech, Austria

    9. Les Portes du Soleil, France

Morzine chalet, Les Portes du Soleil, France

Les Portes du Soleil, France

     

    10. Zermatt, Switzerland

Zermatt, Switzerland

Riffelalp Resort, Zermatt, Switzerland

Zermatt at night, Switzerland

Clos Luce- Home of the Genius Leonardo da Vinci

The Residence Clos Luce, Loire Valley, France

The Residence Clos Luce is one of the most furnished in the Loire Valley. It carries the spirit of the Renaissance. From 1516 to 1519 Leonardo da Vinci lived here. This is the place where he completed his famous paintings Mona Lisa, St. Anne and St.John the Baptist. It was Francis I who ensconced Leonardo da Vinci in this mansion. 

Clos Luce Residence, Loire Valley, France

The Clos Luce residence is connected through an underground tunnel with the Chateau of Amboise, where Francis I lived. This is the last place da Vinci inhabited till his death in 1519. In the Residence you can see some of the da Vinci's inventions who are recreated according to his drafts and manifested in the garden and basement.

The Garden of Clos Luce, Loire Valley, France

What you have to see:

-the watchtower

-the insides of the mansion 

-the amazing landscapes which are not  hard to be noticed

Gardens of Clos Luce, Loire Valley, France

Residence Clos Luce, Loire Valley, France

Leonardo da Vinci

Top 10 Luxury Beaches and Resorts

These are some very good propositions for people who are keen on the wonderful sandy beaches, cocktails, luxury and mostly- enjoying life. It doesn't matter whether you like wandering on the beach, or if you prefer to stay in the hotel and take advantage of the facilities- there are proposals for every taste:

1. Italian beaches

Wonderful Beach in Italy

2. The Philippines, Boracay Island

Boracay Island, Philippines

3. Alila Villas Hadahaa, Maldives

Alila Villas Hadahaa, Maldives

Luxury Resort, Maldives

4. Seychelles, North Island

North Island, Seychelles

5. Hawaii, Halekuani Luxury Resort

Hawaii

Halekuani Luxury Resort, Hawaii

6.Millennium Resort, Phuket, Thailand

Millennium Resort, Phuket, Thailand

7. Swiss-Grand Resort and Spa Bondi Beach, Sidney, Australia

Swiss-Grand Resort and Spa Bondi Beach, Sidney, Australia

8. Turks and Caicos Island, Gansevoord, Provinciales, A Wimara Resort

Gansevoord, Provinciales, A Wimara Resort, Turks and Caicos Island

9. Saint Tropez, France, Hotel Sezz

Hotel Sezz, Saint Tropez, France

10. Zakynthos, Greece, Porto Zante Villas and Spa

Porto Zante Villas and Spa, Zakynthos, Greece

Porto Zante Villas and Spa, Zakynthos, Greece