De wintersportvakantie is een van de duurste reizen die je kunt boeken. En zodra je de pistes opgaat, sta je de helft van de dag in de rij voor liften, zigzaggend door de menigte en vallende kinderen ontwijkend. Als je denkt: ‘Dit kan toch niet de enige manier zijn?’ dan heb ik geweldig nieuws voor je, want je hebt gelijk. Je hoeft alleen maar iets verder te kijken, en je zult de mooiste verborgen pareltjes vinden. Niet veel mensen hebben deze plek tot nu toe ontdekt... Het is zoveel goedkoper dan elk ander skigebied. Sinds 'Wie is de Mol' werd uitgezonden, is Georgië een beetje bekender geworden als vakantiebestemming. Maar wist je dat je daar in de winter ook kunt skiën? De natuur in de Kaukasus is een droom, en er zijn ook een aantal super schattige dorpjes met veel geschiedenis. In de Kaukasus vind je het gebied Svaneti, gelegen in een vallei. De hoofdstad van Svaneti (Mestia) ligt 19 km van het skigebied Tenuldi. Je kunt hier skiën voor slechts €17 per dag, zoveel als je wilt, van december tot mei. Vooral voor beginnende en gemiddelde skiërs is deze plek een waar genot; de blauwe en rode pistes zijn goed vertegenwoordigd, en er is zelfs een zwarte afdaling. De bewoners van dit geheime gebied waren eeuwenlang geïsoleerd van de buitenwereld. Rond Mestia zijn er verschillende andere kleine dorpjes. Svaneti was ooit een vorstendom en was eeuwenlang afgesloten van de buitenwereld. De reden hiervoor is simpel: er waren geen goede wegen van en naar het gebied. De Svan, de oorspronkelijke bewoners van dit gebied, spreken nog steeds hun eigen unieke taal. Je zult ook veel unieke gebouwen zien. Bijvoorbeeld, er zijn nog steeds veel koski's: dit zijn uitkijktorens, gebruikt voor verdediging tijdens aanvallen. In de zomer is het hier ook prachtig om te wandelen, met een bezoek aan de Shdugra-waterval en de Chalaadi-gletsjer—de natuur is verbluffend mooi 365 dagen per jaar. Laat het me weten als je verdere hulp nodig hebt!By Isabel ten Brink
There are a few things I look forward to once we hit mid-September, when it starts getting colder outside, and suddenly you want to drink tea all day because your hands freeze after sitting behind your laptop for too long. Maybe it's some sort of coping mechanism, focusing on the little joys that winter brings, instead of hiding in a corner and waiting for the first rays of sunshine. Because we know that can take a long time in the Netherlands. The little things I think of are probably very familiar to other Christmas lovers: searching for the cutest and most beautiful gifts for everyone you love, an advent calendar full of beauty goodies so I can give myself a gift every day in December, the smell of the Christmas tree in the living room, and of course, the beautiful lights everywhere. On the canals in Amsterdam, it's fantastic, especially if you're lucky enough to take a boat along all the artworks at the Light Festival. But it's still incredibly tempting to travel to that one city that really knows how to do Christmas right: London.You owe it to yourself to book a weekend in London It's not a bad idea for your family and friends either, as anyone who doesn't join you on your trip can expect the most beautiful gifts you handpicked for them at Harrods and other beautiful stores. Because it's so nice to sleep in a cozy, Christmassy hotel, I've selected a few of the coziest hotels in the most charming neighbourhoods of London for you. The Half Moon Hotel It might sound a little eerie, but that's unfair. This is a hotel that almost immediately feels like a home. The rooms vary in looks, so you might want to ask for a specific colour or vibe when booking. Once you step outside, you're immediately in a cozy, truly London neighbourhood with shops and cafes. This hotel is also super close to all the touristy things you definitely want to do. ... The Laslett If you want to feel like Julia Roberts waiting for Hugh Grant to finally say he loves her, it's a good idea to stay a few nights at The Laslett. This hotel is literally IN the Notting Hill neighbourhood, so it's within walking distance of all the filming locations. A must for true fans of the movie, but even if you're not crazy about the film, you'll still have a great time here. I mean, hello, Christmas decorations on point! ... Lime Tree Hotel Save the best for last. This is the hotel I personally booked for my three nights in London. Tiny rooms, no elevator, but look at this. If, like me, you're obsessed with coziness, you should book the cozy rooms. These are on the first floor, which is always nice if you need to haul your luggage up. Once you step outside, you're immediately surrounded by the coolest restaurants and bars in London. This hotel is also located on a beautiful street full of true London houses. You'll feel like a London princess on her way to Buckingham Palace (because that's also within walking distance). ... By Isabel ten Brink
There are a few things I look forward to once we hit mid-September, when it starts getting colder outside, and suddenly you want to drink tea all day because your hands freeze after sitting behind your laptop for too long. Maybe it's some sort of coping mechanism, focusing on the little joys that winter brings, instead of hiding in a corner and waiting for the first rays of sunshine. Because we know that can take a long time in the Netherlands. The little things I think of are probably very familiar to other Christmas lovers: searching for the cutest and most beautiful gifts for everyone you love, an advent calendar full of beauty goodies so I can give myself a gift every day in December, the smell of the Christmas tree in the living room, and of course, the beautiful lights everywhere. On the canals in Amsterdam, it's fantastic, especially if you're lucky enough to take a boat along all the artworks at the Light Festival. But it's still incredibly tempting to travel to that one city that really knows how to do Christmas right: London.You owe it to yourself to book a weekend in London It's not a bad idea for your family and friends either, as anyone who doesn't join you on your trip can expect the most beautiful gifts you handpicked for them at Harrods and other beautiful stores. Because it's so nice to sleep in a cozy, Christmassy hotel, I've selected a few of the coziest hotels in the most charming neighbourhoods of London for you. The Half Moon Hotel It might sound a little eerie, but that's unfair. This is a hotel that almost immediately feels like a home. The rooms vary in looks, so you might want to ask for a specific colour or vibe when booking. Once you step outside, you're immediately in a cozy, truly London neighbourhood with shops and cafes. This hotel is also super close to all the touristy things you definitely want to do. ... The Laslett If you want to feel like Julia Roberts waiting for Hugh Grant to finally say he loves her, it's a good idea to stay a few nights at The Laslett. This hotel is literally IN the Notting Hill neighbourhood, so it's within walking distance of all the filming locations. A must for true fans of the movie, but even if you're not crazy about the film, you'll still have a great time here. I mean, hello, Christmas decorations on point! ... Lime Tree Hotel Save the best for last. This is the hotel I personally booked for my three nights in London. Tiny rooms, no elevator, but look at this. If, like me, you're obsessed with coziness, you should book the cozy rooms. These are on the first floor, which is always nice if you need to haul your luggage up. Once you step outside, you're immediately surrounded by the coolest restaurants and bars in London. This hotel is also located on a beautiful street full of true London houses. You'll feel like a London princess on her way to Buckingham Palace (because that's also within walking distance). ... By Isabel ten Brink
