Why should I visit? – You’d find it hard not to rush outdoors and breathe in the Azores’ fresh mountain air. The islands are made for hiking, with trails leading you to waterfalls, around volcanic craters, and along the craggy coastline. And although you may never have heard of a lava tube, we bet you’ll want to snoop around inside one now that you know it’s possible on São Miguel Island. We’d also recommend visiting a local winery or two – just for science, of course. Despite the extreme growing conditions out there in the middle of the Atlantic, wine has been made there for hundreds of years.
Is it suitable for remote working? – The largest island in the chain, São Miguel, is well-equipped as a hub for digital nomads and remote workers, and has several shared offices available. If you fancy trying a whole new lifestyle during your trip, you could try out Novovento or Dwell, both of which offer accommodation and coworking spaces. Room prices are fairly reasonable, but are they worth the flashbacks to 3-week-old lasagne in our shared university accommodation?
Just a hop and a jump from both Italy and Austria, you’ve got Slovenia’s Julian Alps. We’d suggest hitting the Vogel Ski Resort in Triglav National Park to combine action and glorious scenery. The resort is known for its idyllic views over Lake Bohinj, and is only 40 minutes by bus from the town of Bled (and its famous lake).
Once you get to the resort itself, you’re looking at €35 per day for a pass. Purchasing multi-day lift passes will save you cash if you know that one visit won’t be enough to quench the thirst – 3 days come in at around €90.
Vogel is known for its wide, beginner-friendly runs, and has a variety of nursery slopes to help build up confidence.
Overall, though, the resort offers 16 pistes at various lengths and altitudes, most of which are geared towards intermediate skiers. The Žagarjev Graben is Slovenia’s longest descent. You should aim for a February trip if you want the best snowfall, although the resort is open from early December to mid-April.
And there’s no need to worry about accommodation prices here – the area has everything from 5 nights in a loft flat in Bled for £190, to private lakeside beach houses for… well, let’s just say more.
Romania – Pioana Brașov
This one’s a great choice if you’re into a bit of spooky history, reader, as you’ll be shredding the mountains in Transylvania near the legendary Bran Castle – we assure you all the impaling is a thing of the past.
Poiana Brașov is Romania’s largest and most popular ski resort, yet it doesn’t come with a hefty price tag. You’ll be looking at 150 RON for a day pass (approx. £27), or if you only fancy a few hours on the mountain, afternoon-only passes start at 65 RON (approx. £12).
We have to admit, one of the most appealing things about Poiana Brasov is its after-dark offerings.
Floodlit slopes mean you don’t have to put your skis down at sunset, but whenever you’re ready, the après-ski awaits. And with pints at less than half the price of the UK, there’s no need to think twice. You’ll find cosy mountaintop vibes at Yager Chalet, as well as local beers and hearty traditional foods. Then it’s downhill (hopefully only literally) to party the night away at KUPA.
The £1 ‘Poiana Express’ bus service to Brașov makes it easy to head back into town and avoid inflated resort prices when it comes to both entertainment and accommodation. Well worth it, as a night in a mountain chalet will set you back double the amount of a cosy flat in charming Brasov Old Town.
France – Chamonix Ski Area
Here’s one you might not have expected – Mont Blanc Natural Resort in the French Alps. With more and more budget airline flights to Geneva and Grenoble, it’s also fairly easy to get there on the cheap.
Day passes for the Chamonix ski area can cost as little as €26 per day if you book online in advance. Hardly the hundreds you might expect from its swanky Alpine reputation! And you definitely get the most for your money here, with one ticket covering 6 different resorts.
You will be able to mix it up throughout the day, starting with a warm-up and speed test on Flégère’s sunny, south-facing slopes. Later, you can pick between steep, off-piste adventures in the light powder of Les Grands Montets, or panoramic views over Chamonix and Switzerland on the blue and red slopes at Balme.
Free shuttle buses and local trains connect the slopes to all the villages in the valley, so you can avoid paying a premium to stay in le centre-ville. Prices mostly range from £250-£350 for 5 nights, however we did find one studio in nearby Le Fayet at £170, which boasts rave reviews about both the location and host. The only real splurge you’ll have to make on this trip is trying a different fondue restaurant every night – it’s the law, or something.
Near Ho Chi Minh City – Sailing among the floating markets and traditional villages on the Mekong Delta is high up most Vietnam lists, but the nearby Cu Chi Tunnels are not to be missed either. If you’re feeling brave crawling through the pitch-black tunnels will provide a good idea of the harsh reality experienced by Vietnamese soldiers. Safely above ground, you can peruse the booby trap exhibition, which somehow scares us less.
Nha Trang – Around 7.5 hrs north of Ho Chi Minh City by train, the seaside retreat is popular for its idyllic beaches, scuba diving and spas. It’s also home to an island theme park, Vinpearl Land, which is best reached via a scenic cable car ride across the bay. A visit to the impressive Po Nagar Cham Towers will be in order afterwards to calm any residual endorphins.
Hoi An– This is the place for anyone who likes to shop, with markets galore selling food, souvenirs, clothes and local crafts. It’s also one of the few places you’ll get a chance to take a ride in a traditional bamboo basket boat and bob along like the local fishermen.
Phong Nha-Ke Bang – About two thirds of the way from Ho Chi Minh City to Hanoi, near the city of Dong Hoi, is Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park. Scrambling around the world’s largest cave should be top of your list there, but a walk through the surrounding jungle will suit any animal-lover.
Lan Ha Bay – Swap the main part of buzzing Halong Bay for peaceful Lan Ha Bay, and you’ll be rewarded with equally picturesque views – minus the crowds. Larger boats can’t access the area, but a smaller Junk Ship cruise will get you to those secluded spots where you can strap on your life jacket and go kayaking in safety.
