SLOVAKIA November 29, 2009 SLOVAKIA is perhaps the most up-and-coming location for European skiing. The past decade has seen considerable investment in the area’s tourism, which means an increasing number of top-quality lifts and facilities, and some plush new hotels. The especially good news is that it’s cheaper than skiing in the Alps – a six day lift pass [...]
SPAIN November 29, 2009 THOUGHT southern Spain was all about sun, sea and sand? Think again. The Sierra Nevada mountains – which you can see from the beaches of the Costa del Sol – provide Europe’s most southernly ski resort. Overlooking the city of Granada, the location means you’re practically guaranteed sunshine, and in late season you can split your [...]
FINLAND November 29, 2009 FINLAND, being a mostly flat country, isn’t known particularly for its skiing – unless, cross-country skiing is your thing. But it does have its moments, and the thick pine forests and rolling hills in the north provide an enchanting backdrop for those after something a little different. The biggest resort is Levi, which offers some [...]
TRAVEL NOTES November 29, 2009 Have an American adventureEmbark on a journey through the great outdoors with one of TrekAmerica’s Great American Adventures. Trip offerings include a 10-day Appalachian Trail walk, a week-long adventure through the southwest US and rafting down the Grand Canyon. Whether you prefer lounging in a three-star hotel or pitching a tent in the wilderness, Trek [...]
Fairly normal horror flick is no Blair Witch November 26, 2009 FilmPARANORMAL ACTIVITYCert:15 PARANORMAL ACTIVITY has caused quite a hullabaloo in the States where it has taken $150m, having been made for just $15,000. It follows the now-familiar blueprint established by the Blair Witch Project: characters film themselves, scary goings on are subtly suggested, and an online viral marketing campaign – including clips that suggest this [...]
OUT THIS WEEKEND November 26, 2009 FILM LAW ABIDING CITIZEN Denzel Washington and ever-busy Scotsman Gerard Butler clash in this so-so thriller. BUNNY AND THE BULL Surreal comedy from the director of TV comedy hit The Mighty Boosh. NATIVITY Martin Freeman plays a frustrated teacher in this seasonal school comedy. DVD TRANSFORMERS: REVENGE OF THE FALLEN More fighting robots, CGI explosions [...]
Festive fashion should be sexy and smart November 26, 2009 METALLIC JACQUARD DRESS, OSCAR DE LA RENTA£230www.netaporter.com LINEAR EMBELLISHED SHOULDER DRESS, WAREHOUSE£80www.johnlewis.com SPACE STRAP FRILL DRESS, TOPSHOP£70www.topshop.com KNITTED BEADED DRESS, TOPSHOP£65www.topshop.com TIGER SHORT DRESS, COAST£115www.coast-stores.com MIU MIU BALLERINA PUMPS£255At Miu Miu, New Bond Streettel: 020 7409 090 JIMMY CHOO GESTURE LEOPARD PRINT PLATFORMS£435www.netaporter.com POWER BANDAGE DRESS, PREEN£710www.netaporter.com MARNI SATIN SQUARE-TOE PUMP£395www.netaporter.com STEVE MADDEN GENIUS PLATFORMS£175www.johnlewis.com [...]
POWER-DRESS LIKE A LADY November 26, 2009 Sara HollambyStyle Counsel THANKS to a 19th century decree, Parisian women are – apparently – banned from wearing trousers, because it says that women should not dress like men. Maybe this is why Parisian women have such a reputation for being chic – they are female and proud of it. In London, however, it’s hard [...]
Think inside the Square: why the City is a top spot to buy a home November 26, 2009 IF YOU’RE looking for the ultimate Tube-busting pied a terre, the Square Mile can’t be bettered for history, beauty and – of course – convenience. Other financial centres are not exactly places you’d want to live: tightly packed with skyscrapers and fumes, they have a sterile, uninhabitable feel (just think of mid-town New York or [...]
Q&A: RENTING November 26, 2009 Louise SavageDIRECTOR OF RESIDENTIAL LAND Q. Dear Louise, I’ve seen a lot of websites springing up where you can rent out your property independently. I’m tempted but I’m a bit nervous. What do you think?A. These websites have their place in the market in exactly the same way that letting agents do and they will [...]