When a friend recommended I should go on a Mark Warner holiday, I was somewhat surprised. ‘Mark Warner, isn’t that for families?’ I said.

I was currently single, with no kids, and the idea of going on holiday where it was just wall-to-wall families didn’t sound like my kind of thing.

‘No, not at all’, insisted my friend. ‘They have weeks where it’s adults only. Someone I know went on one and said it was great fun.’

A quick call to the booking office and I found out that my friend was – almost – right. While Mark Warner is nowadays known for its family-friendly holidays with a strong emphasis on activities such as watersports and tennis, it does have three weeks a year outside the school holidays which are designated as ‘adult-friendly’. While there would still be families, couples and groups of friends holidaying, those travelling on their own didn’t have to pay a single supplement and were promised reps who would make sure no-one was left out.

A very early flight on Saturday morning from Gatwick was made bearable with coffee and the thought that while my fellow passengers were complete strangers, hopefully we’d know each other a lot better on the way back. The coach ride from Bodrum to the Sea Garden resort took about an hour, and soon we were all checked in and checking out the resort.

Never having been on a resort holiday in my life, I had no idea what to expect, but found the setting to be beautiful, with winding flower-lined paths from the bedrooms down to the beach and the open-air restaurant where we would have breakfast and lunch every day.  My room was vast – an enormous bed, impressive bathroom and my own balcony – but with the briefest of unpackings I set off to find my fellow singletons. I straightaway ran into the couple I had sat next to on the plane who turned out to be two friends from work who were travelling and together we enjoyed several drinks in a ‘mini Bodrum’ – an open air collection of bars and cafes overlooking the tennis courts, where it looked as if the evening entertainment would took place. The novelty of saying ‘I’ll get the next round’ when it was all-inclusive was a great start to the holiday, and indeed at the end of the week more than one person would be heard moaning that life would be very difficult without that all-inclusive wrist-band!

Dinner each night was a well-stocked buffet with a vast choice of salads, pasta dishes, fish and grilled meat including kebabs and chicken wings, and the wine flowed making conversation with complete strangers much easier. For those travelling alone or with friends as part of the adults-friendly package there were huge communal eating tables which meant you didn’t have to worry about sitting alone or with just a book for company – you could just turn up and say hello to whoever you found yourself sitting next to. After dinner people would wander up to mini-Bodrum and continue chatting and drinking in the warm evening air, before either continuing on in the resort nightclub or calling it a night. There were other restaurants but they were booked up well in advance – those in the know made their reservations while checking in to the hotel – and one night a week mini-Bodrum turned into a massive Turkish market where traditional foods were served amid a background of bands playing and belly-dancers entertaining the diners, even encouraging some willing volunteers to join in.

Breakfast was served down by the sea each morning, and then people would settle down to a hard day’s sunbathing or slightly more strenuous sporting activity, or head to the spa for some serious pampering. Within a day I had made some good friends so I never felt on my own – although there were plenty of places to retreat to if I just fancied my own company – and all throughout the week I was meeting up with new people who were either travelling alone or with a friend or a parent or sibling. Several people even paired off during the week and generally there was a nice feeling among our group that everyone was there to meet new people and make new friends rather than sticking to one little clique. Many people were return visitors, and one couple in my tennis lesson had even met on the same resort four years ago and now returned as a married couple.

I settled into a very pleasant routine of a pre-breakfast swim, some tennis, sunbathing and then cocktails on the beach at sunset, and there was also social tennis every afternoon if I felt the need to work off some of the desserts at lunch. Some people took the opportunities to venture outside the resort: others just talked about it and then went back to their sun loungers – and by the end of the week everyone felt extremely at home and relaxed. The plane on the way back was full of people chatting, sharing photos and swapped email address.

Back in England one year on, I’m still in touch with lots of the people I met out there, we have met up for drinks in London and even a trip to the races, and many are planning to come again. You don’t have to be single or even travelling alone to go on one of the adult-friendly weeks but if you are, it seemed to me to strike the perfect balance between allowing you to do your own thing, while at the same time providing lots of new friends of all different ages and backgrounds which with to enjoy your holiday. Roll on the next trip!

Sarah Bridge travelled to Bodrum, Turkey with Mark Warner last year. She has just written a book, including her experiences in Turkey, called First Catch Your Husband: Adventures on the Dating Front Line, available from Amazon.co.uk for £7.99

http://www.amazon.co.uk/First-Catch-Your-Husband-Adventures/dp/1845967984

If you are skiing with young children this year, the NipperGrip will be an essential piece of kit to take.  The large easy grip front and back handles mean that when they fall over, whether on or off skis, you can easily pick them up and hold them steady; no more panics getting on and off chairlifts as you hold them tight or use the detachable reins to control their speed and direction on the slopes.  Growing ever more popular with ski instructors and lift attendants, the NipperGrip is adjustable to fit children from 1-8 years old.  Order online at http://www.nippergrip.com/ and use the Mark Warner discount code MW1213 for 20% off.

Our friends at Polarn O. Pyret have given us their top 5 tips for dressing up your little one in the cold weather

1. No cotton! Even tiny tots sweat, and because cotton absorbs moisture rather than wicking it away it can feel cold next to the skin. Silky polyester or soft non-itchy merino wool should be worn next to the skin in cold weather. Try the one cotton sock and one wool sock test on yourself the next time you go out to play in cold weather!
2. Layers. Three good layers should be enough for even the most extreme weather conditions. Polyester or wool next to the skin, breathable fleece in the middle and then snow, wind and waterproof outerwear.  
3. Breathability is just as important as insulation especially when activity levels rise. ‘I’m too hot’ can be as problematic as ‘I’m too cold’ when you are on the slopes and you can’t carry stuff around or stash it easily. Investing in high quality insulated outerwear garments that breathe is worthwhile.
4. Planning and practise makes perfect! Getting a young family ready to ski can potentially be a time consuming and hectic affair.  Our tip is to practise as a family before your holiday, so everyone knows what they should be wearing, why they should be wearing it and how to secure the snow locks and other features. Make it fun not fraught.
5. Unisex colours can be handed down or sold on more easily. Quality clothing that lasts for more than two children is good for your pocket and good for the planet.

Find out more about Polarn O. Pyret's fabulous children's clothes at www.polarnopyret.co.uk 

Check out what the snow is doing in the Alps over the next week!

In Val d'Isere there's 15 cm of new snow from 27th February and there's currently 283 cm snow depths on the upper piste and 138 cm on the lower ones. The piste quality is excellent and with 45 out of 46 lifts working, so you can enjoy all of the ski region. Val d'Isere is expecting another 29 cm of snow in the coming 9 days promising great conditions.
The situation is similar in Tignes, where all the 78 lifts are operating. Here, snow depths are currently the same as in Val d'Isere with 283 cm on the upper and 138 cm on the lower piste and in the next two days there's another 7 cm of new snow expected!
If you're off to Les Deux Alpes, there's snowfall on the way with 44 cm in the next 9 days anticipated. Currently there's 210 cm on the upper and 120 cm snow depths on the lower piste with 48 out of 53 lifts working.
In La Plagne you will be spoilt with 18 cm of new snow within the next 9 days with all 102 lifts open. The piste quality is excellent as well and the upper piste has a snow depth of 230 cm, but even the lower ones have 145 cm.
In Courchevel 1850 it last snowed on 24th February, but here there's also hope for more, 15 cm of additional snow is expected over the next 9 days. At the moment there are 51 out of 57 lifts operating. On the upper pistes there's 200 cm of snow and 136 cm on the lower ones. 
In Meribel Mottaret there has been 20 cm of new snow and we anticipate 17 cm more in the coming 9 days. Piste quality is excellent and 41 out of the 46 lifts are operating. In Courmayeur, conditions are great, as all 20 lifts are working and on the upper pistes there's 180 cm snow and 70 cm on the lower ones, which will most likely increase for another 4 cm in the next two days and 15 cm in total in the coming 9 days.
St Anton is looking great with 225 cm snow on the upper and 75 cm on the lower piste, but that's not the end of the road yet, as another 24 cm of new snow is expected to come within the next 9 days.

What are you waiting for? Get your skis waxed and enjoy the snow!!

Information taken from skiclub.co.uk

Our NEW resort, Lemnos Beach on the stunning Greek island of Lemnos is proving to be a popular destination this summer with 90% of rooms sold over July and August already. However don't worry there is still time to book as we have just introduced another 20 seats a week in July and August on Germania Airlines out of London Gatwick. Although judging by the fact it's one of the fastest selling resorts we have ever had in our programme .....places are sure to sell out fast.

Find out more about Lemnos Beach Resort >>

The Tour de France tours Corsica
The Tour de France is one of, if not the most excitedly awaited event in the cycling calendar, reaching the status of the greatest race on Earth. Even for the slightly less hard core cycling fans this event brings with it unparalleled atmosphere created by the enthusiastic crowds of locals  and tourists, hoping to catch a glimpse of the coveted yellow jersey before it speeds past. As if that wasn’t exciting enough, this year proves to be the best yet for us cycling junkies at Mark Warner. The 100th anniversary is celebrated this year by launching the start of the race in the only region of Metropolitan France untouched by the wheels of a racing bike, Corsica.  The opening stage of the race is a 212km ride from Porto Vecchio to Bastia on Saturday 29th June and will ride right on the doorstep of our San Lucianu Beach Resort. Guests lucky enough to be staying that very day should make the most of make the most of their good fortune and line the streets, soak up the noise, colour and enjoyment of the day making for a perfect family event to remember! If that just isn’t enough and you want to truly immerse yourself in the cycling lifestyle our resort offers various mountain biking routes for adults, for every level of expertise. The slightly unstable beginner can enjoy the gentle flatter rides, exploring the lovely green valleys and orange groves of the area.  For a real Tour de France experience, off-road tours into the hills are also available. Riders can follow hot on the (w)heels of the race competitors and enjoy the spectacular views across the valley and the Mediterranean sea. Feel free to take the bikes at no charge and explore the local area at your leisure after the excitement of the Tour de France has cycled off. The whole experience will promise to be a memorable one and certainly a once in a lifetime event for Corsica that shouldn’t be missed.

30/11/12
Check out this fantastic view of La Face in Val d'Isere, France taken this morning. We are looking forward to our first guests arriving tomorrow!

Get involved in the Ski Club of Great Britain Dual Slalom!

In the Espace Killy on Wednesday 3 April? Then head over to Val Claret to take part in this fun and exciting event sponsored by Monarch that will add something extra to your holiday.

In a knock-out format, teams of four go head-to-head on a specially constructed slalom course for the chance to win some fantastic prizes kindly dontated by our partners. These include flights with Monarch Airlines, a free place on a three-day clinic with The Development Centre, as well as a range of ski jackets from Protest and Mountain Warehouse.

All ages and abilities are welcome to enter and fancy dress is optional! A complimentary vin chaud or hot chocolate is also included for all participants and tartiflette and a drink is available for just €6.

The details

When: Wednesday 3 April.  Bib collection 09.30 – 10.30. The course will be open from 10.00 for anyone who wants a warm up run. Starts at 11.00 with race briefing, and continue until approximately 13.30. The prize-giving ceremony will then be at Le Coffee at 15.30.

Where: Val Claret, Tignes by the Tichot lift. Cost: FREE to enter. €10 deposit for race bibs.

Sign up: each day from Sunday 31 March at: Couloir Bar, Val Claret between 17.00 and 18.00; Alpaka Lodge, Le Lac between 18.15-19.15; Bar Alexandra, Val d'Isère between 18.45 – 19.45.

Alternatively, sign up with the Tignes or Val d'Isère Ski Club Leader or you can pre-register by emailing george.robinson@skiclub.co.uk

For more details visit:

http://www.skiclub.co.uk/skiclub/news/story.aspx?storyID=8833#.US-WZDeAZI4

If you’re heading to the slopes with us this spring or over the Easter holidays, it’s also time to think about your ski boots and getting yourself ready for your holiday.

Michelle Wilcox professional ski boot fitter from Profeet offers you some fantastic tips on gearing yourself up properly for your ski holiday:

• If you need to buy new boots, think about where you spend your time on snow. Are you an off piste powder hound, happy to walk for miles to find fresh tracks, or are you mainly a resort skier preferring to stick to beautifully groomed pistes and enjoying a leisurly lunch soaking up the spring sunshine.
• If you like off piste, the current ‘Hike and ride’ boots have developed masses over the last few years; they are top performance ski boots made by downhill ski manufacturers with added backcountry features e.g. robust walk/hike modes, shock absorbing baseboards, non-slip soles and some interchangeable soles for multi binding compatibility, so you can venture off piste when the powder is on the ground.
• For most piste skiers, this year’s boots offer less ski boot forward lean and internal ramp angles which not only improves comfort but also works more effectively with modern carving skis, transmitting more power and precision to the skis while using less energy.
• Wear ski specific ski socks for your fitting and when skiing, never a ‘tube sock’ or anything similar.
• Find a specialist shop that has all the knowledge to examine your feet and understand your skiing needs: all Profeet staff are experienced and passionate skiers and boot fitters and are additionally trained by in-house podiatrist Paul O’Malley (MSc) in more complex feet and ankle issues.
• Invest time – a good ski boot fit will take about 2hrs and should include having an insole fitted either off the shelf or custom made The insole will provide a solid foundation for your foot and ankle and reduce pressure points caused by your foot moving or collapsing as you ski. You don’t want to ruin your amazing ski holiday by skimming in this area.  
• Ask for advice on the suitability of custom made liners. There are various types including foam injection and heat mouldable EVA foam if you have any specific fitting issues. Don’t forget heated insoles if you have cold feet.
• Happy feet = happy skiing!

As a special spring time offer Profeet is offering Mark Warner clients a fantastic 25% off the price of their Custom Ski Insoles and Analysis (when purchasing ski boots) as well as a free pair of premium ski socks (total saving of £60). In addition Profeet currently have a fantastic offer of 10% of full custom ski inner-boot and shell combinations.

Visit www.profeet.co.uk to book an appointment or call 020 7736 0046 and don’t forget to quote Mark Warner Spring offer.

We at Mark Warner know that whilst on a family holiday with us you have everything you need to enjoy a range of pursuits, including windsurfing, swimming, cycling or tennis, however it can be tough to make time to stay active as a family once you return back home.  

To help you make a difference, we are launching ‘Active Family Month’ in May to encourage families around the nation to enjoy getting active together as often as possible.  Each week we will post about the different activities you and your family can try. Perhaps you can learn a new skill together like golf or roller-skating, or you might think about dusting off your bikes and going for a family cycle. Or, you might like to introduce small changes like walking to the shops instead of driving, which can really make a difference. Whatever you decide to do, Active Family Month aims to inspire families of all interests to stay fit and healthy together, by getting involved in some heart rate-raising activities that are sure to be heaps of fun. Get involved with the Social conversation using #mwactive through tweeting your pictures or stories. For Facebook fans we’ll also be inviting conversation on our Facebook page.

Recent figures show that ’obesity is one of the most serious health epidemics facing our society today, with one in three children currently overweight or obese in the UK’ (MEND), but addressing this problem is not easy.  We realise it can be a daunting subject to raise, particularly for fear it may do more harm than good. Last year’s All Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) ‘Reflections on body image’ report suggests that ’instead of focusing on weight, regular exercise is more likely to yield improvements in physiological function and metabolic flexibility and therefore health.’

Last summer the world watched as thousands of Olympic athletes inspired those watching to get active, and families should continue to embrace an active lifestyle and have fun whilst doing so. Fitness instructor, Margarita Bennett, says that helping your children focus on the joy of movement increases their motivation to exercise; “You don’t necessarily need to encourage your children to take up competitive sports to increase their exercise; hobbies like dancing, kite-flying, walking the dog and martial arts can enhance your children’s quality of life and sense of self-esteem.”

With the summer half term and holidays around the corner there’s no better time to get outside and active and avoid succumbing to couch potato syndrome.

So what will you be doing for Active Family Month? Share your inspiring stories on Twitter using #mwactive or contact us directly at @MWholidays. We'd love to hear what you're all up to! 

WATCH McENROE PLUS MORE TOP LEGENDS THIS DECEMBER!

Treat yourself, your family and friends to the Statoil Masters Tennis at the breathtakingly beautiful Royal Albert Hall. With prime positioning in the first week of December, this is the perfect way to kick off the start of the festive season! Watch legends of the game in action whilst catching up with your friends over some Champagne.

Watch a host of former world no.1's and Grand Slam Champions as they relive some of the greatest rivalries of all time. Former world no.1 and eight times Grand Slam Champion, John McEnroe has confirmed to return the Albert Hall this year. McEnroe joins fellow Wimbledon Champions Goran Ivanisevic and Pat Cash. The all-star line-up also includes Britain’s Tim Henman, 2003 Wimbledon finalist Mark Philippoussis and the ever-popular French trio, Henri Leconte, Mansour Bahrami and Fabrice Santoro. This tournament offers the perfect combination of drama and tension with competitive singles alongside entertaining doubles matches.

Tickets to the Statoil Masters Tennis are on sale now with prices from only £17.50 per person. Don’t miss out – book your tickets online now or call the Box Office 020 7070 4404.
Why not watch the Masters in style and pre-order one of our newly introduced dining packages?  Treat yourself and 3 friends to drinks & canapés in the privacy of your own box with our new Volley Package. Or enjoy a delicious meal in the Royal Albert Hall’s Coda Restaurant and get closer to the on-court action than ever before with the Courtside package. Order online or call the Box Office on 020 7070 4404 for more information.

£25 off your first Case.

Check out what we have just come across, a great new company called Smithfield case. Here is what they have to say. We know you don't want to spend your Saturdays traipsing around the high street or queuing for a changing room in a department store bursting at the seams with shoppers.
Here's introducing Smithfield Case, an online service that provides the men of the UK with a hassle-free way of shopping for clothes.
Smithfield Case provides you with great clothes in 3 easy steps:

1. CREATE YOUR PROFILE ONLINE: complete a short online survey of your clothing tastes and preferences

2. A STYLIST PREPARES YOUR CASE: your dedicated personal stylist hand-picks your clothes and ships them to your door, for free

3. KEEP WHAT YOU LIKE, PAY AFTER: try on the clothes in the comfort of your own home. Smithfield Case collects what you don't like and only charges you afterwards for what you have kept.

No hidden costs, no subscription fee, no mark-up on the clothes.

Get £25 off your first order >>

Enjoy the experience!

The snow is falling in Tignes. This recent picture was taken at the top of the Grande Motte by Matt Davis, Manager of our Chalet hotel Aiguille Percee.

It seems like only yesterday that Olympics fever was sweeping the nation and had families gathering to watch the world's best sportsmen competing for their countries. It may have been nearly a year since the London Olympics, but that's no reason to let enthusiasm for sports run low and that's why, for week three of our Active Family month, we're encouraging families to enjoy a little bit of healthy competition and take part in some sports together.

The benefits of family sports

Taking part in sports as a family can help with general bonding, as well as teaching little ones (and adults too!) the benefits of good sportsmanship and teamwork, working together or against each other in a fun competitive environment. It's important for children to become accustomed to losing or winning in a safe and friendly environment to prepare them for the challenges they may face in competitive sports at school or on the training ground.

Any activities that increase heart rates and encourage active participation are helpful in targeting obesity and work towards building a healthy heart. Each different sport also has individual benefits for coordination and motor skills, muscle strength, breathing and also for psychological wellbeing.

What sports can we do?

The wonderful thing about sports is that they provide an easy way for the family to stay active together, particularly through group competitive sports like cricket, rounders, football, tennis, volleyball - the list goes on! Even the youngest children can pass or kick a ball, helping with coordination and team work as well as general health and wellbeing. Whether you're at the beach, the park or in your garden, just a simple bouncy ball, tennis ball or football can keep your whole brood entertained for hours.

Sports don't need to be solely focused around ballgames though! A good old fashioned sports day can be a wonderful way to get the whole family running, jumping and laughing their way to good health. Try wheelbarrow, egg and spoon or sack races to get your heart racing - or mix things up by creating race tracks in the garden, using furniture or garden toys as obstacles. Perhaps you can hold your very own family Olympics to celebrate a year since the big event?

Keep us posted

As part of our Active Family month we're keen to share your stories, pictures and favourite activities, so why not get in touch and let us know what you're up for this month? Do you have any sports planned with your family this week? What are your favourite family-friendly sports? If you have any photos or great tales and inspiration you're keen to share, then get in touch on Twitter using #mwactive or contact us directly at @MWholidays. We'd love to hear what you're all up to!

Here’s some great news to get you on your way with your holiday! We’re delighted to announce that this summer, British Airways will be operating flights to all of our resorts from both Gatwick and Heathrow, and Jet 2 and Monarch Airlines will be taking off from Manchester.

TRH The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge are to attend the star-studded Winter Whites Gala, which will be held on behalf of Prince William's patron charity Centrepoint at the Royal Albert Hall in London on Saturday night, 8th December.

The Duke of Cambridge has been the charity's patron since 2005, continuing his late mother Princess Diana's work, and proceeds from the night will be donated to Centrepoint to further its work in supporting homeless 16-25 year-olds in the UK. Founded in 1969, Centrepoint has helped more than 75,000 homeless young people and is dedicated to ending youth homelessness. In 2009, Prince William slept on the streets of London with Centrepoint CEO, Seyi Obakin, to deepen his understanding of homelessness.

The Winter Whites Gala will see the Royal Albert Hall, host of the Statoil Masters Tennis (5th-9th December), transformed into an enchanted Winter Wonderland, featuring some of the biggest names in sport and entertainment. Tennis greats John McEnroe, Bjorn Borg, Boris Becker, Ivan Lendl and Chris Evert have all confirmed their attendance. Fireworks are guaranteed in the exhibition doubles match between McEnroe/Bahrami and Lendl/Cash. Another classic rivalry that will be revisited is that between Goran Ivanisevic and Tim Henman who featured in one of the most memorable Wimbledon semi-finals in 2001,  and  will meet in singles action.

To bring you a truly special night of world class entertainment the Winter Whites Gala has teamed up with award-winning Hollywood Screenwriter/Producer, Danielle Alexandra to ensure that more than just the tennis goes off with a bang. Apart from the British and tennis royalty a star studded celebrity guest list has been announced including the likes of Jude Law, Kate Moss, Hugh Grant and more. Also Novak Djokavic will be in attendance and will receive an award from HRH Prince William for his work with the Novak Djokavic Foundation who raised $1.4million through their inaugural fundraising dinner last September in New York.                                                                                                                                                                            

Now is your chance to secure tickets to this star studded event to kick the holiday season off in style! Use our special discount code to receive an exclusive 10% off! Don’t miss out! To book your tickets now just call the box office on 0845 401 5034 or visit http://www.royalalberthall.com/tickets/winter-whites-gala/default.aspx and quote discount code 9401

If you can't make it on Saturday the 8th of December then don't worry, the 10% discount is also valid for all sessions of the Statoil Masters Tennis between the 5th and the 9th of December. To view the full order of play and choose which day you'd like to come go to: http://www.statoilmasterstennis.com/schedule/

Go for a spin - staying active on wheels!

As you may have spotted from our last blog post - we have now officially launched our Active Family month for May. This is a great opportunity for families to enjoy taking part in fun, active pursuits together - helping each member stay fit, healthy and happy.

To help inspire you, each week we'll be recommending some different activities that you could enjoy as a family. This week, our focus is 'go for a spin' - but not in the car!  From cycling to rollerskating, kids and parents alike can really enjoy the health benefits of fun activities on wheels; there's something for everyone. 

Cycling

Thanks to some fantastic results in both the Olympic cycling and the Tour de France last year, cycling has been growing in popularity across the UK, with hopes from the government that up to 10% of the country's journeys will be made by bike by 2025. With increased budgets for cycle paths and cyclist-friendly town centres, if your family don't already have bikes, now is a wonderful time to invest.

So what are the health benefits for your family of getting on your bikes this summer? We spoke to our very own mountain bike guide, Chris Gleeson, from our Levante Beach Resort in Rhodes, who explained the following: "The health benefits of cycling are almost too many to list - from strengthening bones and muscles, to improving breathing and maintaining a healthy heart, there's so many wonderful advantages for all the family of enjoying a regular cycle together. It's a good way to help tackle high cholesterol and aid weight loss, plus it's also a good excuse for getting outside and taking in some fresh air, which is great for mental wellness too."

Depending on the terrain and effort put into cycling, adults can generally expect to burn at least 250 calories per hour of leisurely cycling - far more effective and fun than taking the car!

How else can I go for a spin?

Not everyone loves cycling as much as we at Mark Warner do, but there are plenty of other activities that the family can enjoy. Perhaps your children are yet to master the bicycle, but if they have kick scooters they can still enjoy the health benefits of 'going for a spin'. Scooters are a great way for kids to gain confidence in mastering their own 'vehicle', build muscle strength (particularly in those calves), improve balance and also have fun!

Another great option is strapping on a pair of roller skates, roller blades, or even mastering the skate board! Each of these activities not only allow your family to stay active and enjoy the great outdoors together, but they also can help you to improve on or learn a new skill.

Even if your little ones are too small for scooters or bikes, you can still get active together! If their pram or stroller has good straps or a car seat adapter, and decent, strong wheels, then you can jog with your little one in the comfort of their buggy. This also has the added benefit of being a great way to lull them the sleep!

What about you?

These are by no means the only activities you can enjoy on wheels though! We'd love to hear about your favourites! Do you love cycling or perhaps a space hopper is more your thing? If you want to share your favourite activities or tell us what you've been up to this week, we'd love to hear from you - either comment here, or get in touch on Twitter at @MWHolidays or our  Facebook page at www.facebook.com/mwholidays. We'll be sharing our favourite stories each week!

Active Playtime - stay active together as a family

With the recent news that children today would rather read, do homework or even complete chores than go outside to play, and 43% of parents have admitted to relying on school to ensure their children play outside, it seems that a sedentary lifestyle is becoming more and more common amongst modern families. That's why this week, as part of our Active Family month, we're encouraging families to get involved in active playtime together.

Whilst computer games can be great for developing certain skills and structured sport and physical activity in school help to improve physical abilities, active play (where children are encouraged to be creative) develops life skills such as problem-solving and social competence. It also helps to keep little ones fit, healthy and aware of the communities around them.

Ideas for active playtime

Climbing, running, jumping, rolling, swinging - these are all fun ways for kids to stay active and maintain a sense of creativity. Now that spring finally seems to be with us, there's no better time to be spending time as a family, taking in some fresh air and enjoying active playtime together.

Even the dog can join in - dog walking is a great way to get everyone out and about, throwing balls and running with the family pet! Improve your Frisbee skills while teaching the dog to catch - see who can reach it first.

If your children are older, perhaps head to the park and learn a fun new skill together. Pick up a couple of hula hoops (perhaps weighted ones for the grown ups, for more of a challenge) and get twisting, it's a great way to keep you all fit and healthy, tone up and lose weight.  Perhaps even arrange your own family circus skills day - try spinning plates, balancing and making up dance routines, you're bound to have fun whilst keeping active.

Those all important rainy day ideas...

If the weather's rainy, you can still enjoy active playtime together. Make your way around the house without touching the floor - it will help children to think imaginatively, and jumping on chairs is a good way to burn a few calories. Similarly, create an obstacle course and time each other diving under tables and jumping over chairs; you'll work up a sweat and be laughing by the end of the challenge.

Another great idea to challenge little ones (and yourself) is to buy a few small treats and help the children create treasure hunts for each other, hiding things in high spots or under beds to really get them moving around. Perhaps create one yourself for the children, providing clues that lead to other clues - help them use their imagination! This could last all day if you have enough clues.

There are plenty of other creative ideas for indoor active playtime (check out this fun panty hose polo game) - so even if the weather's grey you can still keep the whole family active and happy together.

Share your active playtime stories!

What are your family's favourite active playtime games and activities? Don't forget, we'll be sharing our favourite active playtime stories each week, so let us know your favourites or send us some pics and you could get a mention! Feel free to comment here or get in touch on Twitter at @MWHolidays or our  Facebook page at www.facebook.com/mwholidays.

Ellis Brigham Big Ski Events

The UK’s biggest ski demo event is back!

Following the success of last year’s event Ellis Brigham presents the 4th EB Big Ski Demo.

This year’s Big Ski Demo is held in association with Fall Line Magazine, Tirol, New Generation Ski School & The Ski Club of Great Britain and it promises to be even bigger and better than before.

Offering over 200 pairs of the newest skis available to test from the world’s biggest ski brands, lots of free advice, representatives, pros and. You won't find a bigger collection of skis to test under one roof anywhere in the UK'

When & Where?

11am - 4pm, Saturday 17th November

SNO!zone, Milton Keynes

11am - 4pm, Saturday 24th November

SnowFactor, Braehead, Glasgow

8 - 10.30pm, Wednesday 28th November

The SnowDome, Tamworth

11am - 4pm, Saturday 1st December

SNO!zone, Castleford, Leeds

Whats on offer:

Over 200 pairs of skis available for you to test from brands such as Salomon, Atomic, Head, Armada, K2, Dynastar, Line plus many more!

Ski Boot Check Up.

Free analysis on fit and function, with advice on how you could improve the comfort and performance of your boots.

Discounted slope time

Save money on regular snow session prices at the SNO!zone, Xscape, SnowFactor and the SnowDome, Tamworth when you book in advance:

Milton Keynes

Store contact details: milton.keynes@ellis-brigham.com 01908 609122 Sno!Zone www.snozoneuk.com 0871 222 5673

Price: £35 for 3 hours when pre-booked (quote: EB Ski Test)

Braehead

Store contact details : braehead@ellis-brigham.com 0141 885 4700

SnowFactor:  www.snowfactor.com 0871 222 5673

Price: £20 for 3 hours when pre-booked by phone (£1.99 booking fee) or in person (quote 'EB Ski Test')

Tamworth

Store Contact: tamworth@ellis-brigham.com 01827 59047 Snowdome www.snowdome.co.uk 08448 000011

Price: £25.20 for 3 hours when pre-booked (quote 'BIGSKI2012')

What better way to spend your time than working as a ski instructor, and going to the mountains every day for work? There simply is no better lifestyle to choose, but before you dive head first into the ski industry you need to work out how you are going to qualify, and who is going to help you on this awesome journey! There are a huge amount of options and opportunity out there and it’s not always that clear which is the right solution for you.

There are a handful of factors that need good consideration. Are you a good enough skier to qualify? Which resort do you want to base yourself in? Which system do you want to qualify under? Do you commit to a full ski instructor course, or contact the governing body directly and arrange it through them?

Through the certification process you will get assessed on your skiing technical ability, as well as various other elements from your mountain knowledge, ability to critically analyse other skiers, and your presentation skills. If you are a good holiday skier i.e. confident on red runs (European resorts), and able to take on black runs, and consider yourself an outgoing character, then chances are you have got what it takes to make a great ski instructor, with a solid base knowledge to climb through the ranks, and join a training course to take your skiing to instructor level.

When choosing which resort you want to do your training in the simplest factor to consider is will you enjoy spending a full season there? It is easy to get confused with qualifications and the like, but at the end of the day the resort you choose will also become your home for the full season. You will quickly become part of the furniture and develop friends and relationships that will see you through a good length of time you have in the ski industry. For example Basecamp run ski instructor courses in Val d’Isere and Méribel in France, and Banff in Canada. Each resort and town has access to World Class skiing terrain, and is home to a buzzing and lively ski community which will enable you to carve a handful of crucial connections in the ski world.

There are plenty of internationally recognised ski instructor qualifications around the world, all recognised by the ISIA, which is the international ‘holding’ organisation. However, the options generally get narrowed down to BASI for the European resorts, and CSIA for the Canadian resorts. People can often get quite bogged down when making a decision about which qualification to choose and it is very important to remember that these are only your first qualifications, you are not set in one particular system for life. You are able to transfer your qualification from one to the other (at moderate expense), so your best bet is to choose which resort you want to spend a season in, with which organisation, go for the qualifications on offer there and qualify. If at the end of the season you decide that you want to work in different resorts or would like to be qualified under a different system you will be able to take a quick “equivalence” course at the start of the next season. Ski instructors are constantly investing in their qualifications, and gaining more and more certificates, so this is very common.

A lot of the above can boil down to which ski training company to use, and who runs the best ski instructor courses. All ski training organisations are based in different resorts, and many offer a range of qualifications. The benefit of going through such an organisation is that the ski courses on offer will take you through all of the different criteria that you will need to be eligible for the qualification (such as training hours, first aid and avalanche training etc) and not to mention first class ski training that will put you in the best possible position to pass the course. You will also be training with a number of like-minded people, all starting their journey in the ski industry. The ski industry is a small world and it ticks on “who knows who”, so you immediately have a large pool of connections to fall back on. Not only in your fellow course participators, but also in the organisation itself with the trainers, and company directors.

The price tag on the full Level 1 and Level 2 instructor courses may initially seem high, but ski resorts are expensive places and once you put together the numbers you will find that the courses are in fact fantastic value for what you get. It is very important to make sure you have spoken at length with the organisation to double check what is and is not included in the course package, as you need to manage your finances right and do not want to find yourself short changed in resort!

In short if you do your research, talk to the companies, talk to people in the ski world, and you will quickly find who runs good courses. Check to see how long a company has been established and ask to speak to some past clients. All these points will help you make sure you have done your thorough research and put you in a great position to make an informed decision tor world as awesome as possible. It certainly will not be one that you’ll regret!

You might like to start your research by looking at Basecamp’s ski instructor courses they have been training ski instructors for over 10 years, and they pride themselves on connecting their past and current clients with opportunities in the ski industry. For more information visit their ski instructor course listing, or email them at hello@basecampgroup.com

Win a family holiday to Greece worth £3,500

Kiddicare teams up with luxury family holiday specialist Mark Warner

Want to win a 5* family holiday in the Greek sunshine, worth over £3,500? Of course you do…and you can, thanks to Mark Warner and baby specialist Kiddicare.

A lucky family of four will win an exclusive competition for a week’s stay at 5* Levante Beach Resort in Rhodes, Greece, where all the activities you could dream of are on offer. Also included in this amazing prize is £250 to spend on beauty treatments or childcare at the resort AND a £250 Kiddicare gift card for all your family holiday essentials.

What else? British Airways flights from Heathrow, transfers, half board accommodation, tennis, fitness programme, sailing and windsurfing with tuition, free childcare for 2-17 year olds (chargeable from 2 months-2 years).

Hurry! This incredible competition closes on 26^th May 2013. For your chance to win the summer holiday of a life time, simply enter here or for more information visit Kiddicare.com. Good luck!

Club Mark Warner  is now into its third successful year and during the months of June and September we have 3 of these great weeks on offer.

So what makes Club Mark Warner so special? On top of the wide selection of activities available, including a range of watersports, tennis and fitness programes, we also provide a flexible timetable of social activities throughout the week. So after a day on the water or on the tennis court, you can relax and meet new people at cocktail parties, dinners, day trips and nights out in local towns. Everything is optional of course, so you can do as little or as much as you want.

Our Club Mark Warner weeks will be held at our Lakitira and San Agostino Beach Resorts this year. So if you're after a relaxing week in the warm mediterranean sun, in the company of likeminded people with plenty of activities laid on, then book now.

Summer 2012 Dates:

San Agostino Beach Resort
16th June
Reduced Sole Occupancy charge @ £75

Lakitira Beach Resort
22nd and 29th September
FREE Sole Occupancy

Angela Griffin holidays at Lakitira Beach Resort

Angela Griffin, holidayed at Lakitira with her husband and daughters Tallulah (aged 5) and Melissa (aged 1). On her return we asked her all about it.

Why did you choose a Mark Warner holiday?
Childcare, childcare, childcare.
We wanted a holiday where everyone was looked after - even Mum and Dad, and the MW childcare gave us that flexibility.

What did you most like about the childcare?
The fact that all the nannies were English speaking and fully qualified. Nothing seemed to faze them! My youngest was a bit nervous at first and need that bit of extra attention, so I always found her on her nanny's lap or close by her side. Tallulah by contrast was racing about making new friends under their watchful eye.

What activities did you and your husband take part in?
Although it was lovely to sit and relax by the pool whilst the children were in childcare, we also played plenty of tennis, from group lessons to social tennis. We never have time at home so it was great to get out on court every day.

Was their a holiday highlight?
Yes, the kids' entertainment show at the end of the week by far. They all had their faces painted and were singing and dancing on stage with confidence. It was great to see them all having fun together.

Did you explore outside of the resort?
Yes, we took a taxi into Kos Town one evening which was definitely worth it as there are loads of wonderful bars and restaurants tucked away down cute cobbled streets.

How would you sum up your holiday experience?
Everyone gets to have a holiday!

Skiing off the beaten track

It's springtime in La Plagne, and conditions couldn't be better - blue skies, sunshine and fresh snow. There has been over a foot of new powder this week, and there's more on the way if the weather reporters are right, so what better time to get out on an off piste adventure?

The team at Oxyg?ne have been taking groups on such off piste adventures and they are here to give an outline of what to expect.

The North Face is a firm favourite with instructors and locals in La Plagne (take a look at our Instructor Profiles - you'll see that it's where you'll find most of the Oxyg?ne team on their days off!) and that's where Oxyg?ne's Level 4 ski school group headed last Friday, for the grand finale to a super week. The itinerary makes for a full morning's skiing, so despite the official 10.00am start time for our group lessons, we met early at 9.30am for coffee, briefing with instructor Laurent and to pick up our ARVA gear and backpacks (shovel, probe etc) before making a dash for the top of the glacier. From Plagne Centre, that's around an hour's on-piste skiing - plenty of time to get warmed up (and calmed down!) before the proper business of the day could begin.

The powder was deep at the top and it took a while to find our feet. However, the North Face is a popular route, so there were plenty of tracks around and moguls lower down. With the first traverse under our belts, Laurent assured us that the worst was behind us and we started to head down through deep snow (feeling thoroughly jealous of Laurent's easy grace on his brand new 'Fat Skis' - 191cm planks that he seemed to control as effortlessly as if they were his own feet!).

A few turns further down, and we were back on more familiar ground - moguls. We headed down through a wide couloir to reach an area where an old avalanche had strewn huge lumps of frozen snow and ice all across the mountain. Picking our way through them, we followed as closely as possible in Laurent's tracks, winding between rocks and ice boulders towards a narrow gap where the route had almost been blocked completely by a fallen chunk of snow. Yikes, this called for chocolate! So, a quick snack break and on we went, through the gap and down to reach the scrub and tree line, the village below began drawing slowly nearer and the flat plain between us and our well-earned lunch was finally in sight.

The final obstacle was a rocky stream, reached through a small plantation of young trees (muttered apologies to the Oxyg?ne skimen who work so hard to keep our stock of skis in tip-top condition!). Now the final descent was finally over and the stream was crossed, we bounced up the far bank to the Les Arcs side of the valley and it was all plain sailing through some little bumps and onto the ski de fond pistes of Peisey. Phew!

The route home is via bus to Peisey Nancroix, then the Vanoise Express cable car to Montchavin and a straightforward ski home to Plagne Centre. Buses run only every half hour so we had plenty of time for some well-earned long, cold drinks and Plat du Jour at the pretty little restaurant at the bottom. We watched as other North Face veterans arrived group-by-group as we relived our morning's adventures. All in all, a super day out!

If you want to get off the beaten track with Oxyg?ne, we've got a range of options in La Plagne and Val d'Is?re. Our Steep 'n' Deep group lessons provide a great introduction to off piste - the five day course runs each week in the morning from Monday-Friday in both resorts. Alternatively, why not book a private lesson with an instructor or mountain guide: use the time to brush up your technique, or just take advantage of expert local knowledge and great company to make the most of your holiday and track down the best snow. We recommend longer sessions for off piste, but we can do anything from 3 hours to a full day (or more!) at a time to suit you, in La Plagne, Val d'Is?re or Courchevel/M?ribel.

When the conditions are right, we run a range of off piste itineraries from La Plagne and Val d'Is?re, including such classic routes as the Tarantaise Tour (starting in Val d'Is?re), the Paradiski Tour taking in the Cul de Nant glacier, and the stunning North Face of the Bellecote Glacier - over 2000m of vertical descent, from the top of the glacier in La Plagne to Peisey Nancroix at the far side of the Vanoise Express.

What does a pro snowboarder never travel without?

We asked professional freeride snowboarder Chris Southwell to give us his top 10 pieces of kit of all time. Here are his essentials:

1. Any of my Allian snowboarders, for freeride its the 161 white out, good solid board, perfect flex and rips in the powder. For the park its either the Damage 158 or the Rocker 155. Got to try these boards!

2. Oakley crowbar goggles. Fit so well and the lens are second to none, great pair of goggles.

3. Dare 2B freeride range of clothing. They are technical, look good, keep you dry and warm and also not too pricy, great kit to get.

4. Pinkie, my lucky hat. Cant go anywhere with out my pink hat!

5. Protection, this includes my helmet, back protector and impact shorts. Everyone should wear a helmet and the others items of kit have helped me out more often than not.

6. Avalanche kit. This includes my rucksack, bleeper, shovel and probe. When you are freeriding you have to have this kit. There are no excuses for not having it!

7. My travel bags. They have to have wheels as sometimes we are lugging around so much kit and it's very heavy.

8. Snow Shoes. These can be a savior sometimes when you have a long hikeand they have saved me a longer walk many a time.

9. Video camera. Me and my brother have about 5 high def cameras so when we are riding we always take one or two out with us in case we get that magic shot.

10. My pipe, nothing beats smoking my pipe after a nice long day on the mountain and its all the way from Bali!

Fancy snowboarding yourself?

Take a look at all our ski and snowbard offers for the 2010/11 season

Sarah Chalmers from the Daily Mail visited our Sea Garden Resort in Bodrum with her family

Unbeatable Bodrum: Family feasts, banana boats and little emperors in tempting Turkey
By Sarah Chalmers

By the third day of our holiday near Bodrum, on Turkey's Aegean Coast, our four-year-old son had settled into a routine that would befit a small emperor.
Wakened by birdsong and the lapping of the turquoise sea against the pearly-white beach, he would help himself from the breakfast buffet, while away the morning building sandcastles and hurtling down the slide in the kids' pool - before more food, the ice-cream counter (open for two hours from 2pm sharp), then an afternoon of activities laid on by professional children's entertainers and carers. A tea of nursery favourites and a Disney DVD brought the thoroughly satisfying day to a close.

With three pre-school children in tow (the four-year-old and twins aged two) we had plumped for a fully-catered Mark Warner holiday and headed to their newest acquisition, the four star all-inclusive Sea Garden Resort, near Bodrum, 'the pearl of Turkey'. We soon found out why so many families with children opt for the company. Everything from the transfer times to the dining options seems to have children in mind. Our flight from Gatwick was at the civilised hour of 1pm (the return an equally manageable-with-small-children 11am). On arrival we were checked into inter-connecting rooms complete with the requested travel cots. When we awoke the following morning any fears we may have still harboured about a jolly holiday camp atmosphere were quickly allayed.

The site itself is discreet, comprising three-storey blocks dotted throughout a lush, bougainvillea-filled garden, right on the beach. The staff, while friendly and helpful, were thankfully just as low-key.
But the big pull for us was the children's facilities. A paddling pool with giant model octopus and three slides formed the focal point of the youngster's area, set back from the beach and also incorporating a shaded grassy area and sand-filled play-park. We headed there most mornings (along with the beach), as the freshwater outdoor showers, children's toilets and changing facilities made it such an easy option.

Part of the Mark Warner package is three hours of childcare per day for the over twos (under twos is available at a supplement), and each afternoon our four-year-old was thrilled to attend Kids Club where activities included swimming pool games, giant tennis and being pulled along on a banana boat (wearing, of course, a child-sized lifejacket). In the evenings the indoor rooms of the Kids Club are laid out with camp beds and travel cots for the under 5s to sleep in while their parents have dinner. You can drop your children off from 7.30pm where they watch a DVD then lie down if they want to, and you can collect them anytime up until 11.30pm. Children can have their own meal earlier when a junior tea (of kid-friendly staples like spaghetti) is served in the main restaurant from 6-6.30pm.
Breakfast and lunch are served in an open-air buffet (and lunch can also be taken at a hot dog and burger caf? on site which proved a huge hit with our three).

If all the sporting activities or the vigorous Turkish bath at the spa leave you peckish the snack bars are open all afternoon and coffee and cake is available in the outdoor restaurant as well as an ice-cream bar between 2-4pm. In fact, I calculated there were only 90 minutes between 7am and midnight (between 11am and noon, and 6.30-7pm) when no food was available.

A shuttle-bus takes you to the main evening restaurant (if you can't face the stairs or are using the excuse that 'the children love it') and also goes on a further minute to the resort's shopping street. Known as Mini Bodrum the area is modelled on the alleyways of the town itself and includes a paper shop, gift shop, leather and clothes shop as well as tables and chairs where you can dine at the Turkish restaurant Merhaba.

Most meals are taken at the buffet but twice a week you can choose from the a-la-carte restaurants serving Italian, Seafood, Mexican or Turkish food.

Bodrum itself is a 25-minute journey from the hotel. Fifteen Turkish Lira, (?6.36 for the five of us) took us to the historic city, once named Halikarnassos and birthplace of Greek philosopher Herodotus, the 'father of History' (484-425BC). The town's focal point is the castle but it also boasts an impressive marina filled with state-of-the-art yachts and shopping lanes which saw it dubbed 'the new St Tropez' by the New York Times. Bodrum is the most popular tourist destination for Turks and the city can become very busy in high season. Other nearby day-trips include Gumusluk, a tiny fishing port, famous for its seafood restaurants, and the ancient city of Ephesus.

Reached by boat, the port is as restful as Bodrum is bustling. We whiled away an afternoon admiring the view from one of the seaside bars, our peace disturbed only by our four-year-old son asking: 'Why am I not in Kids Club?' We didn't really have an answer.

Our first skiing holiday with a baby

The Morgans from London have just come back from a Mark Warner holiday - their first skiing holiday with their new baby. Hear how they found the holiday, from checking in at the airport, to leaving their baby at nursery for the first time...

My wife and I have holidayed with Mark Warner in a range of resorts in recent years for various reasons; the chefs are great and have always catered for my wife's dietary needs without question still with great food, they offer accommodation in resorts we love (often with a pool) and they offer ski hosting. We had seen how good their child care was in the past. Now we wanted to go skiing with our baby who would be five months old, so Mark Warner was again the perfect solution.

We chose to go to Val d'Isere in the Espace Killy. We know this area well and therefore did not have to worry about finding out way back to the resort if we needed to in a hurry. The accommodation we chose was the Hotel Val d'Isere. The hotel is centrally located in Val d'Isere, right by the weekly market and next door to the tourist office. It is only a short walk to the main lifts heading up to the Solaise and Bellevarde ski areas. Some of the flights can be really early but Mark Warner phoned us to let us know there was a later flight if we wanted it. This was great as it made travelling with the baby much easier.

Next came the task of working out what we need to take with us for Charlie. The Mark Warner website and brochure were a massive help with this as they provide a list of 'What to bring' and 'What we provide' so you do not have to worry. You also get the added fun of going and buying cool "little persons" cold weather gear - if only our ski kit was this cheap!

Time flies by when you have a baby and before we knew it, it was holiday time - Woohoo! So, up early to get to the airport with plenty of time to spare. Getting through security was a breeze with a baby. You get to go through the assisted route for security (due to the buggy) much easier and faster. We had a bottle of breast milk with us for the flight and for security to allow it on board, one of the parents has to drink some of it. Having the buggy makes getting through the airport with a baby much easier. You take the buggy right up to the departure gate where the staff then label it and put it on the plane.

Next came the flight and this was something we were a little anxious about with babies not being able to clear their ears like adults - the trick we'd been told was to get the baby sucking on a bottle for take off and landing, and this worked like a dream. I have to say the flight was not an issue at all and I did not hear any of the children on the flight complain. We landed at Geneva and getting onto the transfer coach was also really easy. A short 3 ? hour transfer gets you into the Espace Killy ski area, including a stop off to go to the loo on the way. Like on the flight, the children on the bus were so well behaved for the entire journey - it was great to see.

At the hotel there was a briefing for parents with children in the nursery and this was ideal as it really helped us to appreciate how the week would work, as well as getting to meet the nursery staff. As we have come to appreciate on Mark Warner holidays all of the staff were very helpful and friendly.

At first we were a little unsure of how Charlie would cope with full days in a nursery, so we came back at lunch time on a few days to make sure he was OK. We needn't have worried though, the girls in the nursery were superb with the children and it almost felt like Charlie preferred being in nursery than with his mum and dad! Each time we dropped him into nursery he would reach his arms out to give Pip, his key worker, a hug.

You get to assign a code word that anyone has to use if they want to take the child out of nursery. We were away with Charlie's Grandma and this was great as it meant that she could pick Charlie up if we needed it. The excellent way the nursery is run allowed my wife and me to relax and enjoy the great skiing. This was the first time we had spent any time together without the baby since he was born and it was a superb week; we got fresh snow as well as sunny skies!


It is worth mentioning the kind of week that Charlie had. The babies had a different list of activities they were going to do each day and I know for certain he got to do way more stuff on holiday than he would normally get to do with his mum or dad at home. They also had fantastic, insulated buggies to take the babies out for walks in and as you can see from the image, Charlie found this utterly soothing.

At the end of the week the nursery staff organised a prize giving for the children that had been in nursery and Charlie was awarded the Prince Charming prize. He is a bit of a flirt, if the truth be told.

Now we just need to see if we can fit in another trip before the end of the season. Lucky little man - two ski holidays before his first birthday!

Guest review - Club Mark Warner week at Sea Garden, Turkey

Chris Wiltshire tells us all about his Club Mark Warner experience earlier this year.

She was tall and elegant with shapely legs and melted my heart in an instant....

Like all holiday romances I knew it would never last, but given half a chance I would have moved in with her for the rest of my days. I shall certainly never forget the moments we shared gazing out over the shimmering waters of the Aegean Sea as the great ball of fire slipped slowly behind the Turkish mountains.

My wife fell in love with her, too. In fact, everyone I met on that memorable Club Mark Warner week near Bodrum was smitten. Fortunately for us, there was plenty of her to share...for the object of our desires was a picturesque thatched beach bar, perfectly situated in the middle of a majestic, sweeping bay.

Mark Warner certainly hit the jackpot when they stumbled on the picturesque Sea Garden hotel, a 25-minute drive from the iconic port of Bodrum to the south west of the country. It has just about everything you could wish for in a resort with no fewer than three swimming pools and four restaurants, plus a fabulous spa and enough sports and toys to keep the most hyperactive of kids and adults amused.

As an enthusiastic sailor and dead-keen volleyball player, I was in my element.
The wide variety of sailing craft available, from lasers and picos to darts, gave me plenty of opportunity to hone my so-called skills.

After a week of messing about on the water I couldn't resist having a crack at the end-of week regatta with my better half in tow. We had high hopes of registering a maiden victory after jumping on board one of the impressive catamarans. But we'd sorely underestimated the skills of our competitors and embarrassingly trailed in way down the field, some two laps behind the eventual winners. Still, at least we could claim to have won the dart class...out of an entry field of one!

It was just the excuse we needed to enjoy another beer and cocktail at our beachside local. And being all inclusive, there was no shortage of volunteers to share in our commiseration.

One of our favourite destinations before Sea Garden was introduced in 2010 was Palm Beach, just a short sail around the Turkish coast away. Although no longer available, it was highly regarded for its intimate, clublike atmosphere. Mark Warner have done much to rekindle that spirit with their popular Club Weeks, hosted by the effervescent Matt and his sidekick, Darren. Guests are invited to get together for pre-meal drinks, to share tables at dinnertime and to join in a variety of events, from starlight cruises to nights out in Bodrum.

No matter what the quality of resorts or the range of facilities, it's the people that really make or break a holiday. And we were lucky to meet a fascinating bunch from all walls of life. It's made my wife and I determined to return to dip our toes back into the warm Aegean waters. After all, we have a score to settle in the regatta...and a lovely beachside beauty to welcome us back.

Guess who the patron Saint of Courmayeur is....


Did you know....

.......the patron saint of Courmayeur is none other than - St. Valentine. So why not do something different this year and celebrate in style.

February 14th is truly celebrated by the locals with a fancy dress procession making its way through the town accompanied by local folk music. You can also impress your other half by pinning a love letter on the public notice board or buy them a heart shaped ballon (which is a popular choice in the resort!)

Our Chalethotel Cristallo in the heart of Courmayeur is perfect for a romantic getaway. The Cristallo spills charm and personality with its rustic stone floors, carved wooden wall pannels and hung with pictures of local history. The 27 room hotel is the perfect place for relaxing after a days skiing with a small intimate bar and a dining room with large tables for dining with friends, or if you prefer a table for two. There is also a sauna for total relaxation after a long day on the slopes.

Fly out on the 12th February 2012 for a week from only ?995pp (based on 2 people sharing). Price includes flights, transfers, breakfast, afternoon tea and a 3 course dinner with wine and ski hosting.

Special Tennis Weeks, Greece

Take Your Tennis to the Next Level

Join us for what promises to be two fantastic weeks of intensive tennis coaching (and play!) with British pro's, Danny Sapsford (British Davis Cup Player), Steve Alger (All England Club pro and Team Captain at World Championships), Dan Bloxham (Head Coach AELTC) and of course, our own Mark Warner tennis coaches.

San Agostino Beach Resort, Greece - 26th May
Lakitira Beach Resort, Kos, Greece - 6th October

Both of the above tennis weeks will consist of over 30 hours of tennis, including:

The Academy Course >more info
Coaching workshops and one taken by Danny Sapsford/Steve Alger
Pro-Am tournament (play with a pro against a pro)
The latest equipment from Prince & Head for you to trial
Tennis Clinic
Social Evening & Prizegiving
Goody Bag!

The cost of the tennis weeks are £175 per person in addition to the holiday price.

Danny Sapsford, Steve Alger and Rupert North will be in San Agostino beach resort for the second half of your intensive week to take you through your paces, and at the start of your holiday our own experienced LTA coaches will take the lead. In Lakitira beach resort Danny Sapsford, Dan Bloxham and Rupert North will join you for what is promising to be a tennis extravaganza.

The Mark Warner Tennis Cup! 6th October 2012

After 20 years of teaching tennis to holiday guests we thought it high time we presented a new challenge. With hundreds of thousands of minutes of tuition clocked up over the years, it's time to put it all to the test and compete to be the first to take the Mark Warner Tennis Cup at Lakitira Beach Resort

The competition will run throughout the week and will be hosted by Dan Bloxham (see below) and Rupert North (director of Serviceline, USPTA Coach and member of Queens Club 1st team).

There are five titles up for grabs:

Ladies Singles/Mens Singles/Ladies Doubles/Mens Doubles & Mixed Doubles.

It's going to be a great week, with plenty of fun and championship tennis. And top tips from our superb tennis team.

We look forward to seeing you on court.

Fine dining with Mark Warner chef Dave White

You are in for a tasty treat when you join us for a week in the Alps. Our food has been generating rave reviews from guests and it's all down to our talented chefs.

We caught up with chef Dave White, a multi-season veteran, currently cooking up a storm for the summer at Mark Warner's Corsican resort in San Lucianu, to see if we could learn any of his secrets.

Q. How many seasons have you worked for Mark Warner?
I've enjoyed 10 seasons so far and each year I look forward to new challenges in the kitchen. I prefer the ski seasons as I can be a little more adventurous, so there's more to do in the winter and the kitchen are cooler

Q. What style of cooking/cuisine do you prefer
It has to be French; there is so much variety and there are such fantastic flavours.

Q. What's your favourite food?
If I had to choose just one, then I confess that above all, I love the the texture and flavour of duck breast.

Q. Are there any chefs that influenced you along the way?
There are many, but I've always admired Gordon Ramsay and Marco Pierre White.

Q. So, what sort of food can I expect in your chalethotel?
Three rosette! As an example, one of my favourite dishes is curry dusted seared scallops with saffron cauliflower and Parma ham crisp.
Q. Is there a non-food highlight of your ski season?
Having just enough time to get out of the kitchen to win freestyle competitions.

Q. Do you have any tips for the culinary genius in all of us?
Practice, and don't be afraid to take risks. It will only burn and you can try again.

Daily Mail Ski & Snowboard Magazine

DMS&S Digital Issue 3 - Out now!

Issue 3 of the DMS&S digital edition is available to view for free now! A slimmed down version of the printed Daily Mail Ski & Snowboard magazine, the third digital edition of the season allows you to keep up to date with the latest articles, tips and advice wherever you go. The digi mag is free to view here [insert link] or available to download from I-tunes.

This month's top features include great video content from the Warren Smith Ski Academy, jaw dropping mountain photos, the best destinations for a final trip to the snow, competitions and so much more. Get your copy now >> http://www.metrosnow.co.uk/the_magazine/ski-and-snowboard-magazine-digital/

Events going on in Bodrum 2011


Early to Late August:
Come and see the Gumusluk International Classical Music Festival. The music festival is held at the neighbouring seaside village of Gumusluk at the historical Eklisia Church.



Mid August:
There is also the Aegean Festival, which has lots of activities to get yourself involved with including, folklore music and dancing and plenty of food to go around. It lasts for a week at the Yalikayak Marina.



Mid to Late August:

The Bodrum International Ballet Festival is something definitely not to be missed. It features plenty of classical performances by renowned orchestras at the Castle of St. Peter.

For more information click here>>
http://www.bodrum.world-guides.com/bodrum_events.html



All these events are within driving distance from our beach resort Sea Garden so why not treat yourself and discover something new.

Mark Warner is getting social

Mark Warner is getting social - join us on Facebook for our latest news and deals.

"Liking" our Facebook page is a must do for any holiday fan! Just search www.facebook.com/mwholidays and discover the latest news, offers, competitions and exclusive sun & ski holidays deals.

Become a Mark Warner fan today and be in with a chance of winning a Bolle ski helmet.

What's more, you can tell us all about your holiday, chat with fellow holiday makers and show us your holiday snaps.

My last family holiday

It wasn't a great start. "No offence, but we don't want to hang around with you guys," announced my 17-year-old son the minute we arrived at San Agostino.

Then he and his brother, 15, seemingly oblivious to the beauty of this Mark Warner beach resort -with its wonderful wide visa of golden sand and turquoise sea dotted with white sails -shut the door on their room. And us.

How had it come to this, my husband and I pondered as we sipped reviving drinks at the beach cafe? How had family holidays, once so simple and fun-packed, become so problematic? And would our teenagers ever emerge?

It was never going to be easy ticking everyone's boxes for our October half-term break away. But Mark Warner seemed like a good bet. And so it was. Over the next few days, we all slipped into an easy routine. Some of it relaxing, with yoga beach-side and early morning strolls through orange groves. And some of it energetic, with tennis and water sports.

The boys had always run a mile from any sort of organised kids' club, but they dipped into the teenage Indy club when they felt like it, for everything from board games to windsurfing. And it was a real pleasure to watch them unplug their iPods, unwind and, yes, even laugh, as pressures of their everyday life melted away. One loved the freedom and peace of drifting towards the blue mountain backdrop in a sea kayak. And the other was never going to be the world's best wakeboarder but he had fun trying. In the end, too, they often did 'hang around' with us, for the odd breakfast and Italian meal in the lovely roof-top trattoria.

There was also a proud family moment to savour as my husband and younger son won the mens' doubles tennis tournament. If this holiday was to be our last together we'd ended on a high.

Sue Gilson, Freelance Journalist

Thiking of taking the family away together one more time? Have a look at all the activity holidays from Mark Warner.

Golf on the Algarve; Green Credentials


The Algarve is one of Europe's top golfing destinations and here are six must-play courses and the reasons why from the top golf magazine Today's Golfer.

Six of the best ........


1) Monte Rei
There are some shining golfing stars in the Eastern Algarve but none burn more brightly than Monte Rei. This magical Jack Nicklaus-designed par-72 layout dominates the region's picturesque foothills; affording sweeping views of the Serra do Caldeir?o Mountains to the north and the Atlantic to the south.
It's an absolute joy to behold and play: think Augusta National and you've got a good idea what Monte Rei is all about. However, you're well advised to stock up with balls with water featuring on 11 holes of a layout which unusually comprises five par-3s and 5s and just eight par-4s.

Factfile
Location: North East of Tavira in the Eastern Algarve.
Green fees: From ?115.
Contact info: 00351 281 950960 , www.monte-rei.com

2) Pine Cliffs Golf & Country Club
It may only be a nine-holer but Martin Hawtree's pulsating Pine Cliffs is arguably the region's most dramatic course with the most spectacular single hole. It opened in 1990 and is perched on the clifftops 200ft above the Atlantic. The star attraction is undoubtedly the unforgettable par-3 6th hole with the green sitting beyond a clifftop chasm over 200 yards away. It's not known as 'Devil's Parlour' for nothing!

Factfile
Location: Albufeira, West of Faro
Green fees: 9 holes: From 35 euros for residents & 40 euros for visitors.
Contact: 00351 351 289 500 113

3) Penina
Magical Penina - set within a magnificent 360 acre estate - oozes charm, character and class from every pore. It is the home of golf as far as the Algarve is concerned - Henry Cotton set the ball rolling here over 40 years ago. His ground-breaking layout has since staged 11 Portuguese Opens and you can warm-up for Cotton's masterpiece on the brand new driving range or two nine-hole layouts.

Factfile
Location: 5km west of Portimao, 12km east of Lagos.
Green fees: Range from ?40 to ?100.
Contact: 00351 282 420223

4) Vilamoura Old Course
This Frank Pennink designed parkland style layout is one of the oldest in the region and as a result a Algarve favourite. Often described as the Grande Dame of Algarve courses, it majestically meanders between stands of throughout impressive pine trees over gently undulating natural terrain. The Old Course opened in 1969 and underwent a major refurbishment 27 years later when it was brought up to modern times.

Factfile
Location: Vilamoura, 25km west of Faro.
Green fees: From 55-120 euros.
Contact: 00351 289 310341 .

5) Victoria Course
Designed by the legendary Arnold Palmer, the Victoria has become a true star of European golf and has hosted a number of major events including the prestigious World Cup. It provides plenty of thrills and spills as you would expect from a US-style layout strewn with fast-running fairways and greens, huge bunkers and water?lots of water, particularly on the back nine which is comfortably the stronger of the two halves.

Factfile
Location: Vilamoura, 25km west of Faro.
Green fees: From 65-150 euros.
Contact: 00351 289 320100 .

6) San Lorenzo
Regularly appears in Europe's top ten ratings and as far as golf is concerned, is the undisputed king of The Algarve. Located at Quinta do Lago, it represents a great test of golf played over wonderful terrain. Breathtakingly overlooking the Ria Formosa national park, the par-72 layout is always in tip-top condition and has an outstanding mix of coastal and parkland holes. You'll be blown away by the stretch of front nine holes, which sensationally overlook the beach.

Factfile
Location: 16km west of Faro.
Green fees: ?145.
Contact: 00351 289 396522 .
Subscription Offers from Today's Golfer

Offer 1: 6 issues of Today's Golfer for just ?15 (40% off shop prices).
Offer 2: 6 issues of Golf World for ?15 (40% off shop prices).
Offer 3: 6 issues of Today's Golfer & Golf World for ?25 (half price).

Call 0845 601 1356 or visit www.greatmagazines.co.uk/golf Offer 1: quote FW05; Offer 2: quote FW06; Offer 3: quote FW07

Group of 20 somethings hit Lakitira Beach Resort in Greece.

Mark Warner Holidays, aren't they holidays for families only?

Well that's what I thought when a friend at Mark Warner invited me and a group of others out to Lakitira Beach Resort in June.
After reassurance on her part and a bit of investigating on the web, I was surprised to see that actually there was plenty on offer for a group of 20 somethings. I'm not one of those people that find it very easy to sit still on holiday and get stuck into a good book, so while the girls worked on their tans by the pool a few of the boys threw themselves into the watersports. Having been on holidays before where renting a boat for an hour is nearly the same cost as the actual holiday what appealed to me was the fact sailing and windsurfing equipment was free, plus beginner lessons and refresher courses were no extra cost. I particularly took to the windsurfing and decided to do an RYA course, which only cost me ?50 for 10 hours of tuition.
Although I feared we would be surrounded by kids all holiday - that wasn't the case at all as it was outside school holidays and the little ones were mainly in childcare or around the family pool. The adult only pool was our base (mainly for the girls) throughout the holiday and in the evening we had dinner a little later than the families so the atmosphere was very laid back and relaxed. The new pool bar is a great place for a post dinner cocktail with chilled music and friendly local staff. A couple of nights we were feeling brave and ventured out into Kardamena, be warned this is not for the fainted hearted, but with some great bars and themed nights on offer we could not resist. Needless to say our sporting activities were at a minimum the following day.
So to cut a long story short, it's not just for families and was perfect for ten 26 year olds who are stuck behind a desk most of the year to relax/ play tennis/ learn to windsurf/ experience the Greek nightlife/ tan/ and sample some ouzo. Check out some of our snaps below.
Anthony Bell, 26 - 'semi pro' windsurfer as of June.

Guest Review - Chalethotel L'Aiguille Percee, Tignes


Helen Carter from the Guardian newspaper visited the Chalethotel L'Aiguille in April and here's what she has to say.....

"I stayed at the Tignes le Lac hotel for a week in April 2011, with my two daughters (aged 12 and five). Initially, I'd been a little apprehensive as we'd left my husband at home as he was recovering from a severe bout of pneumonia. But I need not have worried - there were quite a few parents staying at the hotel with children and spouses at home for one reason or another. The vast majority of guests were really friendly and we went skiing in the afternoons with another family, as well as some friends who were also staying in the resort.

And the staff couldn't be more helpful and were really efficient at caring for the children. The staff were friendly, unflappable and very helpful at meal times supervising them. There's also a good choice of children's meals to suit even the most faddy eaters. Food for the grown-ups was of a good standard and the free house wine was a bonus.
One of the people whom we met was a lovely American man who had been travelling to Tignes from the United States for many years and I think he was a regular at the hotel. The creche was close to the boot room so you could get your children geared up in the morning and then they would walk to the ski school by the Palafour lift escorted there and back by the MW nannies.

I found the hotel bathroom to be fine - we had a powerful shower and the water was always hot. This is an essential requirement after a day's skiing. Our room was almost like two interconnecting rooms with a door separating the two and bunk beds in the children's room. The room led out to a small terrace which was a good place to sit when it was sunny. The skiing was extensive and varied and both mother and daughters were exhilarated after our week's break. Ann, a French ski instructor based in the resort, was very patient with my youngest child as it was her first (and hopefully, not last) time on skis".

Guest review - San Lucianu, Corsica

As fam trips go, I think I landed the big one. 'Can one of your team dash off to Corsica and check out our beach resort in San Lucianu?' Mark Warner asked. So here I am doing my mystery shopper impersonation and blending into the background.


It was a really hard week of work. With beautiful weather and an array of watersports, the office was quickly forgotten, although they said they loved the postcard. The work just kept getting tougher; in the water the windsurfing board showed me who was boss as I tumbled backwards into the waves. On the other hand, as I remember it, getting up on stage and taking part in the 'open mic night' was a real triumph! Perhaps the latter was fuelled by the cocktail consumption served from the gorgeous beach bar looking over the sea - X Factor eat your heart out! Not to forget the competition between my partner and I as we battled it out over table tennis, badminton and tennis, which obviously I won all of (or perhaps not)!


The staff at the hotel were unbeatable in every sense, providing entertainment at night, activities throughout the day as well as a friendly chat whenever you wanted, they were always more than willing to offer advice on any situation, in addition to being able to have fun with the guests.


The food too was fantastic, offering a range of fresh salads, fruits, copious amounts of French bread (my favourite), in addition to the hot buffet, serving dishes such as pasta, vegetarian dishes as well as a meat dish. It was the same story throughout the week, fantastic cooked and continental breakfast (warm croissants-yum!) a varied lunch and evening meal - which was either a buffet or a la carte, both containing something for all tastes. I think it is fair to say that after being full-board (and despite all the activites) at San Lucianu I came back a little heavier!

Overall a fantastic week, Mark Warner holidays are thoroughly recommended!

Amanda Cleary, Sep 11

Guest review: Sea Garden Beach Resort, Turkey

Katy Holland from The Independent tells us why she had such a great time with her family at the Sea Garden Beach Resort in Turkey.

There's nothing quite like sitting in a beach bar on the water's edge, toes dipping into the sea, cocktail in hand, watching the sun go down over the sea.

And when your 11-year-old son skis past you as he takes his first ever waterskiing lesson, spraying you with foam and waving as he goes, the elated feeling you get is pretty unbeatable.

Moments like this are what a Mark Warner holiday is all about. Exciting activities, beautiful scenery and a laid-back atmosphere: these are all Mark Warner specialities, and their new Sea Garden Beach Resort has it all, with knobs on.

I chose this resort, less than an hour up the coast from Bodrum in Turkey, because I knew it had something to offer my whole family. What I really wanted was a bit of pampering and a lot of beach time. My younger son desperately wanted to try 'every single water sport in the world' while my teenager wanted to sharpen his tennis skills.

At the Sea Garden, the opportunity to do all these - and a lot more besides - were on our doorstep.

The beauty of this little place is just how self-contained it is. The four restaurants, accommodation, beaches, bars, kids' clubs, swimming pools, mini-village and water sports centre are all right there. Not to mention the truly amazing spa. But don't go thinking this is a busy or overcrowded spot. Somehow you can have it all and yet still feel an overwhelming sense of space and tranquillity.

The boys were kept permanently happy: they loved the sailing, the kayaking, the beach volleyball, the fun boats, the football matches, the table tennis tournaments and the organised fun and games. They made friends easily (hello to Tomas from Cardiff) and so did I (hello to Sam from Norfolk).

So what is it that makes the Sea Garden stand out from the crowd? There's no doubt that from the moment you walk in, you know you're in good hands. The managers are extremely friendly and helpful, the kids' clubs are exceptionally well run (I love the fact that children were divided up into groups of eight or so, each with their own dedicated carer) and the food and activities were fantastic.

The kids were reluctant to leave at the end of the kids' club day (and sometimes, that was 9pm!). I even started to miss them a bit! But it meant I could savour those moments sitting in that little beach bar, watching the sea change colour. Bliss.

Take a look at our current special offers for holidays at Sea Garden Beach Resort, Turkey .

Holiday Body Secrets

By following this simple guide, you can feel more comfortable in the knowledge that your body is guarded from the sun, heat and extra calories you'll be tempted by on your holiday. Greg Swift, our advanced personal trainer and fitness instructor at Lakitira Hotel, Kos, Greece has put together his tips to what he believes will be a good guideline for a healthy holiday body. Enjoy.

1) Hydration
This is crucial regardless of whether on holiday or not. To ensure a hydrated body lay out 3 or 4 1.5lt bottles either in your fridge or by your bed and purchase a small refillable water bottle. It will need to be refilled on a regular basis but as a result you will feel more compelled to drink it; psychologically you will see at the time is a small amount of water, which is more compelling to drink than a large 1lt bottle.

2) On the subject of fluid..........alcohol
You will already have an increased thirst due to the heat; don't be fooled into drinking alcohol to soothe that. You are generally more likely to drink more than at home, and that's fine; but remember, are you being as physically active as at home? Obviously having a drink on holiday is all part of the experience, however be aware that your body needs to be kept hydrated due to the sun and heat and alcohol won't do that.

3) Your skin
Regardless of age sun cream is a must. The higher the factor the longer it is likely to last when exposed to the sun, it is not the strength. So, if you were to wear SPF 20, the only difference between that and SPF 50 is that you would need to re apply it to provide the same protection.
P.S. Avoid 'oxybenzone' in your sun creams as this breaks down quickly when exposed to sunlight and does in fact develop more free radicals in your skin than if you weren't wearing any cream at all.

4) Calorific consumption overhaul
My only suggestion and word of advice as a nutritional coach would be this, "eat what you need".
You see a strawberry souffl? or a fresh oven baked chocolate torte, do you need this? Enjoy yourself, yes; but consider your mood afterwards and the physical activity you will need to undertake to burn all those extra calories.

5) Attire
We all dress differently on holiday. Bear in mind tan lines and the dreaded mozzies in the evening - simply apply a light mist of mosquito repellent or a light oil free lavender moisturiser all over. A new bikini with enflamed red, itchy bites is not the most appealing of images you want to endure during your relaxed Mark Warner holiday.

6) Supplements
My last word. These can be of major benefit so hit the shops and know that internally you will be even better protected physically and also mentally (regarding guilt to do with perhaps sun damage or infected bites).
- Aloe Vera gel. The pure form - apply at night after sunbathing. A perfect cooler and magical healer.
- Vitamin D, pomegranate, green tea, vitamin C & acacia berry extract supplements are super in the fight against inflammation (a main problem associated with aging, protect your cells!) as well as all being large components in the fight against free radicals created in the body when it finds itself attacked by toxins. Invest in a high quality brand with a good level of milligrams

And remember it's your holiday, so enjoy yourself. Enjoy and be responsible.

Meet windsurfer Julian King


Allow me to introduce myself, I am Julian King, an ex semi pro windsurfer and a budding property developer. I'm 27 years old and have a burning passion for the sport of windsurfing closely followed by surfing, wakeboarding, snowboarding and skiing, basically anything on a board or that involves water!



I spent many years as a youth on the UKWA Formula Windsurf tour racing on many beach fronts around the U.K and Northern Europe but Daymer Bay and Polzeath is where you can find me most of the year round practicing when I can get away from the office in Birmingham.



I spent 3 years studying Real Estate Management at Oxford Brookes University where I met Jay Ramage, another member of team Channel Charge team and often joked about crossing the channel! It wasn't until we went on a skiing trip in 08/09 to Verbier where we decided that we could and would actually do it.



We then discussed it for 12 months and invited Fergus Backhouse, Charlie Toogood and Al Hill to join us and formed Channel Charge 2010. We are now fully underway with our campaign raising money for Help for Heroes, working out logistics, exercise and sorting out how best to make the challenge happen. You can view our website www.channelcharge.com for more details and to make a donation.



Interested in hitting the water yourself? Take a look at Mark Warner's windsurfing holidays.

Happy Birthday La Plagne

Top French Ski resort La Plagne will be celebrating it's 50th birthday in style this winter.

Join the opening celebrations in the heart of the resort on the 21st December 2011 and watch spectacular fireworks displays, light shows and learn the history of the resort. More events will also be held throughout the season.

50 years ago, La Plagne opened with a mere 2 lifts however today it boasts being part of the Paradiski area, 220km of runs and 86 lifts including the 9 amazing double-decker cable cars and a snowboard park.

La Plagne enjoys an excellent reputation as a family ski destination with lessons for children as young as 3 years old. Our Chalethotel Christina, situated in La Plagne centre is at the heart fo the resort and occupies an ideal slope-side spot for a family or mixed ability group holiday.

Apres ski events and activites range from the safe flood lit run for children's tobogganing to the excitement of husky sledding.

La Plagne: What's hot this season?

The snow's lying thick on the slopes above La Plagne already, and with less than six weeks to go until the lifts open, the village is waking up for the winter.

The team at Oxygene Ski School and Ski Shop have put their heads together to bring you this insider's guide to what's hot in Plagne Centre. One of seven 'altitude villages' that make up the resort area of La Plagne, Plagne Centre has something for everyone - so whether you're looking for somewhere to tuck into something tasty after a long day on the slopes, or a spot to dance the night away, you won't be disappointed.

A village with a view
As you snake up the 21 hairpin bends that lead up to Plagne Centre at 1970m, the first thing to catch your breath will be the view. Looking straight across to Mont Blanc ('and we see the best side from here', says Oxygene instructor Julien, 'it's the Italian side that we're looking at, and it's the most beautiful'), the outlook from Plagne Centre is unrivalled.

Top for hot choc
Out on the snow front, you can't miss the Chaudron - a bar/restaurant that fronts straight onto the piste. Head here for Chocolat Chaud Viennois, and you won't regret it! 'Mmm', says Jo in the Oxygene office. 'It's thick, thick chocolate covered in cream. Ooh, I want one now!'

?or if you're feeling peckish?
You'll find superb foie gras at a price that won't break the bank at La Grolle, also on the snow front next door to Oxygene Ski Shop and just across from the Chaudron. Also look out for their legendary Tournedos Rossini. Or, if pizza's more your scene, Plagne Centre's got its very own 'Pizzeria Domino' - with a legendary 60 toppings to choose from, there's something for everyone!

Best for dancing
If your legs can take it after your day on the slopes, check out Scotty's Bar beneath the Hotel Christina for late night live music. Or, if dancing skiers and boarders aren't enough for you, head to Igloo Igloo for dancing polar bears and penguins (yes, really!)

Doorstep skiing
Plagne Centre's particularly well connected with ski lifts and boasts plenty of on- and off-piste runs for skiers of all abilities - whatever your level, in Plagne Centre you're just moments away from some of the best skiing of your life. 'And there's no wind!', adds Manu from the Oxygene Ski Shop. It's true: whilst it's blowing a gale over at Val d'Isere, here in the relative shelter of La Plagne skiers are basking in sunshine!

Seven for the price of one
One of the great things that make La Plagne really special is the easy access between the different areas of the resort. Look out for more insiders' guides to the rest of La Plagne's 'altitude villages' - Belle Plagne, Plagne Bellecote, Plagne 1800, Plagne Soleil, Plagne Villages and Aime la Plagne - coming soon.

Discover La Plagne and Val d'Isere with Oxygene: an English-language Ski School and Ski Shop where quality counts.
www.oxygene-ski.com

if that's whet your appetite, take a look at all our current deals for ski holidays in La Plagne.

La Plagne Moonlight Ski outings

So, what's it all about?

Well, first of all, it's an experience that's unique to Oxygene. Thanks to our arrangement with SAP, who run La Plagne's lifts, Oxygene have been granted special permission to take groups of skiers (and snowboarders - and even non-skiers; but we'll come back to this in a minute!) up to the top of the Grande Rochette at sunset and to ski back down by starlight. Wow!

The programme for the evening runs something like this: From 16.00: meet the Oxygene team at the bottom of the Grande Rochette lift and head up to the top.

Savour the sunset! From the top of the mountain, you'll see the sun drop down behind the Verdons peak, and - on a clear evening - your Oxygene instructors can point out the key sights to see: the top of nearby Tignes; the lights of Courchevel and Pralognan la Vanoise below you, and the peaks and foothills of the Italian side of Mont Blanc as it blushes pink in the afternoon sunlight. If the evening's not quite so clear, all is not lost! The outlook is still quite outstanding - and with less to look at, you need feel no qualms at heading straight inside for aperitifs and nibbles in the restaurant!

Tuck into sparkling wine, kir royale and regional ham, breads and cheeses, and muster up your courage for the descent in the dark. What happens next depends on whether you've chosen the Aperitif Package or the Classic. As soon as night has fallen, those who've chosen Aperitifs only are ready to go. Your instructor will issue you with your own headtorch (and show you how to use it!) and you'll head outside to begin the descent of your life!

If you've chosen the Classic Package, on the other hand, all this is yet to come - at about this time you'll be contemplating a gourmet cheese fondue Savoyarde, with lashings of wine and followed up by Myrtille Tarte, tea, coffee, and local Genepi - mmmm ....

So, back to the descent. On a clear night with a full moon, you'll find you barely need your headtorch as you gain confidence on the snow. The route back is via the gentle Mira blue run, and - whatever your level of skiing - we can promise you some of the most exciting snow-time of your life as you head back down. The descent takes around 45 minutes by moonlight - much slower than in the daytime, but you'll find the route feels quite different in the darkness. There's no hurry, so take your time, wrap up warm, and savour the sensation.

The Aperitif Package will bring you to Plagne Centre by just after 19.00, in good time for a vin chaud or for dinner in your chalet. If you've chosen the Classic Package, you'll be back in La Plagne by 21.30.

Moonlight Skiing is on offer every Wednesday and Thursday this winter (Aperitif package until 28 February only), at 45? adults/40? children for the Aperitif, and 75? Adults/45? children for the Classic Package including dinner. Don't miss it!

Marie Curie - Tennis Tournament

Anyone for Tennis 2010

Why not get your tennis whites on and hit the courts for Marie Curie Cancer Care's smash hit tennis event of the summer.

Anyone for Tennis 2010 is open to everyone. You can stage your own tournament in your garden, at your local park or get your local tennis club involved. The type and size of event is up to you, you could organise a children versus adults, fancy dress themed matches, the possibilities are endless.

Please register your event before June 1st 2010.

You will then receive your FREE fundraising kit, including Marie Curie sweatbands and a host of inspirational fundraising ideas.
Call 08700 340 040, email mailto:tennis@mariecurie.org.uk or visit www.mariecurie.org.uk/tennis.

Don't forget...

...be sure to let them know who wins your event so the names can go into the hat for their prize draw.

Prize pool includes

? Centre Court Tickets for Wimbledon 2010
? A coaching session and lunch at the National Tennis Centre
? ?1000 worth of Hi-tec sports footwear
? Tour of the LTA from an elite player
? A year's supply of balls

Impress your mates with a Ski App

Ski Club of Great Britain

Our friends at the Ski Club released their very own Snow Reports app at the beginning of the year. Features include coverage of 250 ski resorts, live webcams and snow conditions for when your on the move. Available to download for free.

Lucy Jennings, Ski Club's New Media Manager says, "This cutting edge service will be invaluable to iPhone users who are passionate about snowsports. It is so quick and easy to use and we are delighted to be working with our partner Land Rover to provide the best snow information possible. If you are a skier or snowboarder, it will keep you informed of snow conditions throughout the Alps and North America this winter."
Click here for more information >>www.skiclub.co.uk

Snocator

Snocator's website states that this great iPhone app is the only one available to provide 'location-enabled interactive trail maps to show you where you are on the mountain'. We think this is a good enough reason to win a place in our Top 5.
Skiers and snowboarders will love the idea of a trail map in your pocket. Not only does it give you trails, you can find the nearest lifts, lodges, snowparks and the best place to stop for lunch. What more could you want from something that will cost less than your lunch? Don't forget, you also get snow reports, weather forecasts and mountain cams.
Click here for more information >> www.snocator.com

Phresheez

If you've ever skied the sickest run of your life and then wanted to show your mates what you did, but couldn't - you need Phresheez. With the Phresheez Live maps, you can watch animated clips of you and your mates bombing along the piste. And if you're a fan of pie charts - even better.
This app is also good for a little bit of healthy competition. If you and your friends have got Phresheez, hit the bar when you get back and compare how fast you went and how steep it was. Then you can see who's got the skills and who should be buying the drinks.

Click here for more information>> www.phresheez.com

Multiple Sclerosis Trust "Monster Ski Challenge"

Mark Warner guest Mark Glasscock has signed up for one of the toughest ski events to date....The Multiple Sclerosis Trust "Monster Ski Challenge", held in Tignes in March 2012.

Not for the faint of heart, this is an endurance challenge to ski the equivalent of the height of Mount Everest every day for three consecutive days - 90,000 vertical feet in total. It is open to skiers and snowboarders who are confident on a red run and the trip is all-inclusive, dependent on raising a minimum level of sponsorship for the MS Trust. Monster Ski will be held in Tignes, France from 22-26 March 2012 and the charity is looking for around 25 people to take part.



Former RAF helicopter pilot Mike Laver came up with the idea for the Monster Ski challenge after he was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis, as he wanted to do something to raise funds and to prove that MS was not a barrier to enjoying life. In the four years it's been running, fifty people have taken on the Monster Ski in Colorado, Engelberg, Whistler and Tignes, raising over ?360,000 to fund the MS Trust's work.



Mark Glasscock (50), from Market Harborough, has done eight previous self funded charitable ski challenges, raising ?25,000 for Scope over the past eight seasons. He tells us that Monster Ski will be the toughest yet so he's already cycling and swimming regularly in the run up to March, to get the required fitness and stamina! Mark is really looking forward to this new challenge, and to being part of something really special to benefit people living with a difficult life-long condition.



To sponsor Mark, please visit http://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/MarkSki4MSTrust2012

For anyone out in Tignes and Val d'Isere in late March, do look out for Mark and the group wearing those MS Trust bibs!



For more information about future Monster Ski challenges, please contact Laura Percival at the MS Trust on 01462 476707. You can also find out more on Facebook at www.facebook.com/monsterski, or visit www.mstrust.org.uk/monsterski

Introducing Austria's 4th Valley

The Hochkonig ski area is Austria's best kept secret.

The ski area is made up of 4 villages: Maria Alm, Hinterthal, Dienten and Muhlbach. Until recently, the ski area was somewhat fragmented and certainly lacking the large, inter-connected network of pistes that most foreign investors and skiers seek. However, after a multi million Euro investment and completion of the final high speed gondola, the area is now fully linked up creating a wonderful ski area of some 150kms of pistes.

Mark Warner Property has two brand new projects on sale in this exciting new ski destination:


Situated in the traditional village of Dienten - the Hochkonig Apartments offering luxury, contempary apartments (99-134m2) and situated right on the piste. Prices from just ? 320,000.

Alternatively the Maria Alm Golf and Ski Resort has apartments situated right beside the golf course and close to the ski lifts from just ? 214,000.



"British investors in the Alps have always demanded large, inter-linked ski areas. Now that the Hochkonig is fully linked up the area makes a compelling second home destination."


Visit our website for more details: www.markwarnerproperty.com

Giles Gale - Managing Director , Mark Warner Property
15th March 2011

Perdepera Photoshoot

It's a tough job, but someone had to do it ??.

How long do I ponder following the question from my boss - "who wanted to go on the photo-shoot to our new resort in Sardinia?" The answer is not long, I didn't think the response 'Me, Me, Me' was very professional, but who cares - I got the gig.
Monica, our long suffering freelance photographer and I set off from Heathrow Terminal 5 on a BA flight (post shopping in duty free) at Saturday lunchtime on the 4th June. It's only a 2 ? hour flight, so we touched down in Cagliari in no time and were greeted by the resort staff and directed to our transfer coach.

Upon arrival at the hotel our bags were whisked to our rooms and we sat down for supper, I'm not sure what it is about travelling, but it always takes it out of you?.. So with a full tummy we sloped off to bed, claiming we needed an early night to be in fine fettle for the next day.
Perdepera beach resort is gorgeous, very intimate and nestled amongst beautifully kept flower filled gardens with winding paths leading to little bungalows. The beach is fantastic, with a huge expanse of white sand with the mountains as a dramatic backdrop. My favourite part of the resort was the bar.... and its terrace area where people gathered in the evening for drinks and a chat - the resort really lends its self to meeting new people and after the first day everyone seemed to be chatting with each other and discussing the day.

The following 3 days were packed for us and we hardly stopped. The thing about a photography shoot is that you are always chasing that perfect picture and with so many different elements to a Mark Warner holiday it can be rather hectic. Everything from the empty beach shot which has to be taken at 6am, to catching the nannies prior to painting with the kids and grabbing the waterfront at a quiet moment (there aren't many).
However we did it and all thanks to the amazing staff and our fantastic guests who let us take their pictures and document their special holiday moments.
Have a look at some of our great shots below, with more on the Perdepera resort page.
I'm obviously volunteering for other trips in the future, nothing to do with the weather of course.... just the joy of the job! Look out for me - I might be able to give you a starring role in the brochure!

Get your ski boots fitted correctly


Don't let sore feet ruin your holiday!

Profeet

Picture it, the stunning Alpine scenery, fabulous snow, bright sunshine, clear blue skies... and... crippling pain in your feet. Sore feet caused by ill-fitting ski boots are the number one way to ruin your ski holiday. Professionally fitted ski boots offer you two massive benefits, comfort and performance, both of which will massively enhance your ski experience.

Hamish Wolfenden, Profeet Founder says "The importance of a correctly fitted ski boot can not be underestimated. There are benefits for every level of skier from beginner to professional & you will be able to ski better for longer in more comfort."

5 reasons to buy your own correctly fitting ski boots...

1) Every foot is unique in shape, profile and volume and no two feet are the same. Your own boots will be custom fitted to your specific requirements

2) Comfortable ski boots can transform your skiing enjoyment, while creating a more dynamic platform so that progression is quicker and easier

3) Correctly fitted boots will enhance comfort and aid performance and technique

4) Custom insoles improve alignment, comfort, power and control and are designed specifically for your feet

5) Your own boots become a part of you rather than renting boots that are often too big, too stiff or soft and lack any form of comfort and performance

Book an appointment with Profeet and you will have a dedicated One on One consultation with one of their "Boot Technicians" who have backgrounds in the sport, skiing & medical sectors. They'll take you through their 3D fit system, Analysis, Footbed & Ski Boot and, our favourite bit, you even get to try your boots out on their ski simulator!

The fitting process takes around 2 hours and you leave with your boots. Profeet also offer a Lifetime Comfort Guaranteed with every boot sold.

Profeet are delighted to offer Mark Warner clients:

1. A free ski boot MOT - book an appointment and Profeet will look at your existing boot set up.

2. If you need any further work, Profeet will book you in for a full 2 hour appointment and offer you 10% off their ski boot fitting rates

3. And if you buy your new boots, you'll also get a free boot bag.

Visit www.profeet.co.uk or call 020 7736 0046 for more information.



**Mid Season Sale **

Profeet are having a mid season sale - with a massive 40% discount on Patagonia and Salomon ski clothing...

Better be quick though as it's flying out the door - and when it's gone then it's gone! Pop in to the shop to pick up a bargain - and make sure you mention Mark Warner...

Profeet are located at 867-869 Fulham Road, call 020 7736 0046 for more details or visit www.profeet.co.uk

New Resort Videos Online

The Mark Warner crew set off to Lakitira on the sunny Island of Kos, Greece last September in an attempt to capture what makes a Mark Warner summer holiday special - in 9 mini videos for our website...not an easy task.

We needn't have been apprehensive about how our guests would react to the camera and crew as they got well and truly stuck in. We interviewed a range of people from little Harrison and his mum to Marcus who had been coming on holiday with us since 1987 and Susie, our Waterfront Manager in Lakitira, who is a windsurfing goddess.

With over 200 hours of footage and only 20 minutes of video time to fill, Greg our video guru had a hard task on his hands. But of course he succeeded and now we have 9 great videos for all to see.

Take a look >>>

Stay safe in the sun

Some time off work and the opportunity to relax in the sun is something that all families look forward to when it's time for the annual getaway. But just like when we're at home, when we're off on our holidays, enjoying the sun safely is crucial, as sunburn not only spoils the trip but increases the risk of skin cancer. With this in mind, the SunSmart campaign from Cancer Research UK has some top tips for families setting out on a Mark Warner holiday this summer.

? Protect children in the sun - young skin is delicate and easily damaged. Teaching children to enjoy the sun safely while they are young sets a good pattern for later life.

? Relax in the shade when the sun is at it's strongest A great way to protect yourself from too much sun is to spend some time in the shade under trees, umbrellas, canopies or indoors. This is especially important when the sun is strongest during the middle part of the day.

? Wear clothing that keeps you cool and covered. Loose clothing, a wide-brimmed hat and good quality sunglasses can help protect you from too much UV.

? Apply at least SPF 15 sunscreen generously and regularly. Sunscreen can easily be washed, rubbed or sweated off - so reapply often throughout the day. Choose a "broad-spectrum" brand with four or five stars that protects against UVA and UVB rays, and apply to areas that cannot be protected by clothing, such as the face, ears, feet and backs of hands. Sunscreens that are formulated for children and babies' skin are less likely to contain alcohol or fragrances that might irritate the skin and cause allergic reactions.

? Remember the shadow rule. When your shadow is shorter than your height, you are more likely to burn

? Time your trips to help reduce the chances of sunburn. Arranging outdoor activities in the early morning or late afternoon will help to reduce the chance of burning in the strong midday sun.

For more information and tips on how to enjoy the sun safely visit www.sunsmart.org.uk

Ski Club of Great Britain Dual Slalom, April 2012

Following the success of last year's event, the Ski Club returned to Tignes this week to host the Ski Club Dual Slalom 2012. Run in conjunction with Evolution 2 and Land Rover, the event was once again a massive success drawing crowds of competitors and spectators from throughout the Espace Killy.

Former Olympic skier and Ski Sunday presenter Graham Bell raised the competition stakes by taking part, entering in a team with the winners of our 'Money-can't-buy holiday to Tignes' competition winners, Rachel and Colin.

Our twenty teams, made up of families, students, seasonnaires, locals and our very own Ski Club Leaders, competed in a time trial which placed them in either the Trophy or Plate contests. Teams then competed in a knock out competition until we were left with our winners.

After a nail-biting competition filled with excitement and upsets, first prize in the Trophy contest went to 'On The Blue, On The Red', a team of students who are out in resort on the annual BUSC trip which is also being held in Tignes this week. Winners of the Plate contest were seasonnaires 'Tignes Totty'.

For more information and a round up of last year's event have a look here >> http://www.skiclub.co.uk/skiclub/news/story.aspx?intStoryID=8116&intPreviewID=3696

Ski Cross- the new event taking the Winter Olymipics by storm

What:
Competitors race down a specifically adapted course to encompass both natural and artificial terrain including features like jumps, rollers, banks - whatever the course builder can imagine. If you prefer a more vivid description, American Daron Rahlves has described it as "Motocross on skis with a little NASCAR and bull riding all thrown in there."



When:

...The sport has been around since the early 1990s and made its debut in the '98 X Games before becomming a regular feature in the World Cup circuit in 2004. It made it's first appearance at the 2010 Winter Olympic Games, and it certainly didn't disappoint.

Who:

...Switzerland's Michael Schmid will go down in history as the first Olympic ski cross champion, whilst Ashleigh McIvor of Whistler raced to the top spot on the podium for the girls. Sadly the Brits didn't even qualify!

Meet Chris Southwell, Pro Freeride Snowboarder


Chris Southwell is a professional freeride snowboarder, sponsored by Oakley, Dare 2B, Allian Snowboards, Bayer, and Demon Protective wear. He is currently ranked 33rd in the world and is the highest ranking Brit. He has been based in Verbier for the past 6 years and over the past years has been following the freeride world tour quest events.


How did you get into snowboarding?
I was very lucky because from a young age my mum was based in the alps during the winter. I was lucky in the fact that I got to go skiing every school holiday so I really grew up in the snow. I still had to work very hard to get to where I am but I had a very lucky break thanks to my mum's job...... My brother is also a pro skier so I guess it runs in the blood.

And what do you recommend for others that what to get into it?
There are quite a few snow domes in the UK now and if I was just starting the sport I would go and have a few lessons. This has many advantages in the fact that you will be learning on snow, not plastic and it will give you the chance to see if you like the sport before taking the more expensive option of going to out to the mountains. If you have booked your trip away and have never skied or snowboarded before, it is essential to get lessons out there. This will give you the chance to get the most out of your holiday. If you have never tried it, you have simply not lived......

Have you ever skied?
Yes I use to ski and I love to get a pair of skis on during the season. I think it's very important to be able to do both. As my brother is a skier we quiet simply swap over sometimes. I'm always looking for new challenges and have just started to learn to telemark.

Favourite snack for a lunch on the mountain
I love rostie, bacon and egg, or else maybe a croute with a local cheese, bacon and egg... But if I am filming or competing then I normal have a sandwich in my pack.

Favourite resort?
I love Tignes in the summer. They have such a good park and it's a huge area to ride on. Also it does not take all day to get up the mountain un-like some other summer skiing resorts. Tignes in the summer also has so much to do in the town with a water jump, golf course and a number of skate parks and mountain bike trails..... But in the winter I prefer Courchevel. The 3 valleys is such a massive area and it has some amazing freeriding. I have spent a lot of time filming there and I am always finding new lines, bigger cliffs. Even if the powder has gone there are so many runs that I never end up doing the same one twice and it has some great places to eat so I guess you are spoiled for choice.

Favourite Apres Ski Stop?
That's got to be the crazy kangaroo in St Anton. This place is crazy, live bands, drinks I have never heard of and everyone is in great spirits. I have never had a bad apr?s ski in there and you will not be disappointed.

What can't you live without?
I can't live without powder, can you imagine going skiing and there not being any powder..... Would drive me crazy and ruin my day on the mountain.......Saying that, I also can't live with out my sponsors because they pay for me to be out there........

Have you ever broken anything?
I always get asked this, right here is the list: broken right ankle twice, left ankle once, both ankles at the same time once, dislocated my right elbow, ligaments in the right shoulder, broken my collar bone, knocked myself out 5 times, drip from my kidney because I compressed it so badly and a few broken fingers.... That's all... But I still love the sport and still find myself jumping 100 foot cliffs so it's not all that bad.

Scariest moment?
Had a few but last season I was stuck in the middle of two avalanches. I was doing a photo shoot in Verbier and had just done a few shots and stopped on a ridge. As the photographer went down to join me the whole slope below him went. Below me was a 200-foot drop and if the slide had got me I would not be writing this. I am just glad that I had the forward thinking to stop in a safe zone. If you ski or board off piste it is essential yo do an avalanche course. It could save your life.

What do you like to do in the summer months?
In the summer I run my Company, Southwell Enterprises. We specializes in ski/snowboard event management, school lectures on their careers in extreme Freeride, organization of extreme skiing/snowboarding expeditions, Ski and Snowboard consultancy work and Filming and Production work. Please check out our web site www.southwellenterprises.com.

What's next?
This season is shaping up to be my busiest yet as I am doing a lot of traveling. I will be following the World tour again and also I am planning a really exciting trip to Kosovo. They have some amazing mountains over there and I have heard some great stories. My real love of the sport is exploring new freeriding terrain, nothing beats riding fresh powder and I guess that's why I feel I have the best job in the world.

Spring Ski - Keeping little ones warm, dry and happy

If there is one thing that we press home to parents when considering ski-gear for their little ones it is to ensure your little ones wear the correct layers and that the garments have features to lock out the snow and functions that make them easy to put on and take off. Combinations of polyester, fleece layers and waterproof yet breathable outerwear will keep little ones - no matter how active they are - happy, warm (not too hot) and dry.

Polyester - try to keep layers which sit next to the skin made out of polyester as it wicks away moisture and feels soft as silk. Cotton is not recommended as it traps moisture next to the skin, making the wearer feel cold.

Fleece - great for sweaters or jackets and leggings to keep the little ones warm. Add a middle layer which can be easily removed if hot.

Waterproof- children need very durable fabrics that are highly waterproof especially if they fall, roll or sit in the snow! A padded garment is not always advisable as it can become too warm late season and doesn't have much use at other times of the year. It is also easier to move around in lightweight outerwear.

A wind and water resistant fleece jacket can also be worn as an outer layer when it is warm and the wearer is upright for most of the time.

Post from Jo Nilsson at Polarn O. You can see a great sellection of children's ski outerwear at www.polarnopyret.co.uk

Mark Warner - Best Family Tour Operator of 2011

We are pleased to announce Mark Warner was awarded the best "Family Tour Operator 2011" at the Sunday Times Travel Magazine Readers Awards.


The Awards were held at St Pancras Renaissance Hotel on the 28th November. It was a tough category with Virgin Holidays and Thomson coming in second and third respectively.

We had fantastic feedback from their readers, with such comments as "My kids love Mark Warner more than they love me".

Tim Locke, head of the Marketing department at Mark Warner commented "This is great recognition for the hard work that goes on throughout the operation of our business".

Stand up and get paddling!

If you're a keen surfer and fancy a new challenge then you might like to try a new water sport at the beach this summer.

Stand Up Paddle Boarding (SUP) is one of the fastest growing water sports and offers a challenging way to ride the waves using different skills - you stand upright on the board and use a paddle to control direction.

With a Hawaiian history and a strong 60s heritage, SUP emerged when the Waikiki Beach Boys used their long boards with outrigger paddles to take pictures of tourists learning to surf. It allowed them to have a better view of the surfers and of the surf, plus it allowed them to keep their wealthy customers' cameras dry! Surfers realised that standing up and paddling is a totally new experience to lying down and ducking under the waves, and now SUP has become a water sport in its own right and is catching on around the world.

Many surfers have converted to SUP because of the versatility of the sport and because if offers the surfer the ability to catch more waves in a set, as well as offering a better view of incoming waves. As well as being a huge amount of fun, SUP has the added benefit of giving your body a strong core workout and is an excellent way to improve balance and general cardio-vascular fitness. SUP has even become a popular water sport with a few celebrities as both Pierce Brosnan and Jennifer Aniston have been spotted and photographed on their paddle boards recently!

The best news is that with Mark Warner you have the chance to try it! Stand up paddle boarding has been introduced to four beach resorts this summer so if you'd like to try it, have a look at our watersports holidays in Corsica, Greece, Turkey and Sardinia. If you've already booked, make sure you ask to try out Stand Up Paddle Boarding! We look forward to seeing you on the water...

Mark Warner Guest Tom Konig to do the Jordan Ultra Marathon

Frequent Mark Warner traveller Tom Konig (seen in the picture with his family on holiday in Sardinia this year) is competing in this year's Jordan Ultra Marathon

"Neil Jeffers (a London Air Ambulance pilot) and myself are running 8 marathons in 6 days, covering over 200 miles of the Wadi Rum desert in Jordan in this years Jordan Ultra Marathon, starting on the 3rd September. We're hoping to raise over ?10,000 for the London Air Ambulance charity.''

More about the London Air Ambulance.....

The trauma helicopter and fast response car provide prehospital trauma care to the roadside. One team , consisting of an experienced trauma doctor and London Ambulance Service paramedic, supported by a large team are on call 24 hours a day, 7 days a week and 365 days a year to come to the aid of any one of the 10 million people in London. We look after all ages from newborn to the very old and our patients are often people travelling to work, enjoying sport or a night out who have fallen victim to road traffic accidents, falls, burns, stabbings and shootings. The service has been involved in every major incident in London over the last 20 years and on average treats over a thousand patients a year.

We have a website, blog and justgiving site which can be accessed via www.laajordanultra.com.
If anyone is keen to come and join us, the official website is www.jordanultra.com"

Mark Warner wish Tom the best of luck.

I'm too old to go on holiday with my parents!

Rebecca Donaldson, 16, reluctantly travelled with her little sister, 12 and her parents to the Mark Warner Beach Resort San Agostino on mainland Greece last summer.


The summer term draws to an end and the inevitable question of what everyone is up to this summer comes up. Shouts of Cornwall camping, inter-railing around Europe and surfing in Portugal reverberate around the group. Why do my parents still persevere with family travel? I suppose it is the luck of the draw being the eldest child that my parents insist that family holidays continue into my late teens.


Packing to go on holiday is always an area of controversy between my mother and I. I have tried to explain to her that 'a pair of shorts, some t-shirts, a swimming costume and some flip flops' are not the only items of clothing you need for a summer holiday, but the collective groans when I manhandled my wheelie suitcase down the stairs on the morning of departure meant that my point of view had been totally ignored.


Meeting new people is always painful, but from seeing the other teenagers in the Indy Club on that first meeting, I realised I was not the only one wishing I had divorced my parents prior to the expedition. We all headed off to the beach bar to get to know each other and soon our nervous giggles turned into loud laughter with the help of our Indy Club leader Tom who got everyone involved.


Throughout the week, we spent our days messing about on the beach, sailing, kayaking, playing beach volleyball and comparing iPods. In the evenings, apart from the few obligatory dinners with the parents, we all gathered together and took part in themed parties and evening entertainment including Karaoke (not my strong point) and giant Jenga.


The holiday drew to an end and when we all said our goodbyes to staff and new friends we all promised to be back next year. Being 17 next summer, I will be the oldest in the Indy Club - I'm going to rule!


Family holidays - long may they last. Take a look at all our family holidays.

Le Tour de France 2011

Le Tour de France is back on the 22nd July 2011 after an absence of 2 years and is winding it's way through Alpe d'Huez, just a few bends away from our Chalethotel La Berangere in Les Deux Alpes.

This year marks the 27th time the 'Grand Boucle' loop of the tour goes through Alpe d'Huez and like every year, the Tour will trigger the same passion, enthusiasm, and buzz that is unique to the mythical ascent of the 21 bends.

At 48 hours away from the arrival line in Paris, the section 19 stint through Modane and Alpe d'Huez will be short and swift.

For more information on the tour click here >>>

For more information on our Chalethotel La Berangere and other fantastic activities on offer during summer in the alpes click here >>>

Turkish Delights

If you're tempted by the allure of our two new resorts in Turkey, you might like to uncover the more traditional treasures that the country also has to offer. As well as the beautiful cities of Istanbul and Bodrum, both Sea Garden Beach Resort and Select Maris Beach Resort are close to some stunning ancient sites that are worth making the trip for.

Overlooking the waters of the Golden Horn and the Bosphorus, Istanbul offers breathtaking views a chance to get to know the famously hospitable locals. Named one of the three Cultural Capitals of Europe this year, well-known sights and treasures that would otherwise be closed to the public, such as the beautiful sixth-century church of St Irene in the grounds of Topkapi Palace, are on show throughout the city and the surrounding area. From art festivals to opera, there will be something for everyone. A visit to Istanbul can be arranged locally by your resort.

If you're staying at the Sea Garden Beach Resort then be sure visit Ephesus, one of the largest and best preserved ancient cities in the world. Located near the Aegean Sea, Ephesus was one of the great cities of the Greeks and home to the Temple of Artemis, one of the Seven Wonders of the World. Why not venture into the Cave of the Seven Sleepers or stroll around the famous Basilica of St. John?

Turkey Activity HolidaysThe ancient city of Knidos is only about an hour's drive away between Marmaris and Datca, and is a must for anybody staying at the Select Maris Beach Resort. At the apex of the peninsula is the city of Knidos, described by Strabo as "A city that was built for the most beautiful of goddesses, Aphrodite, on the most beautiful of peninsulas." Today, you can still see the remains of a circular temple, dedicated to the goddess of love, lying above the two harbours. The historical city was little less than a mile long, but is now full to the brim of magical must see sites.

Whichever resort you're staying at in Turkey, there's plenty to see and do in the area. If you can bare to take yourself off the beautiful Mediterranean waters and leave your boat, kite or surfboard behind, then a trip out of your resort to one of the local sights is well worth it!

Take a look at all our activity holidays in Turkey.

Val d'Isere: What's hot this season?

There is something for everyone in Val d'Isere, as well as the expected world class skiing, you will find everything from gourmet food to chilled-out yoga and relaxation. You can discover off-piste thrills, legendary apr?s-ski and the chance to party the night away, making Val d'Isere a gem of a resort with something for everyone.

Breathe in the beauty!

Val d'Isere's old town has welcomed visitors to the stunning Isere valley for decades. The scenery is spectacular and, for snow sports enthusiasts, the off piste opportunities are second to none.

Chill out with a hot choc

What better way to unwind after a full day on the slopes than with a luxurious hot choc in the VSPOT? Surf the free wifi and take in the best views in town.

Hungry on the go?

Award winning local favourite patisserie Chevalot offer the absolute best in hot and cold snacks, perfect for backpacks and on-the-hill hunger. Unbeatable! Or, if you have a little more time on your hands, Bananas offers great food right off the snow front. And if you're really feeling the chill, head over to the Alexandria for a curry - the diverse menu is guaranteed to warm the coldest cockles!

Dance the night away?

? and what better place to start than the Oxygene ski school weekly parties at the VSPOT? Alternatively, if your legs can take it after a day on the mountain, dance the night away at Doudoune - starting this season, they're hosting outdoor apr?s fun on the snowfront as well as cranking up the volume in the evenings.

This insider's guide was brought to you by the team at Oxygene Ski, Galerie des Cimes, Val d'Isere. More than just a ski school, Oxygene offers a whole host of activites on and off the mountain, ranging from ice climbing, ice driving, and heliskiing and the thrills of the Tarentaise Tour, to ski-and-relax packages featuring yoga and massage. Find us at www.oxygene-ski.com, or drop in and meet the team in Val d'Isere.

Want to start windsurfing?

If the sound of our challenge excites you and you want to become a windsurfer then all you need to do is find your nearest centre where you can hire equipment and get some lessons. Failing that, book yourself into a sunny windsurfing resort at an exotic location!

My name is Julian King and I'm an ex semi-pro windsurfer. I started because my parents were into the sport and I grew up as a toddler on the side of a lake paddling around on board. My father then bought me a child's start up rig and gave me lessons; as soon as I felt that motion being carried by the wind effortlessly I was hooked! It's a feeling only a windsurfer knows but for me it still excites me now no matter where I am.

I remember being about 12 years old and I used to wash my mum and dad's cars to get extra pocket money so I could go down to the local gravel pit and hire a board and sail for an hour. There are plenty of old gravel pits around the country that have been turned into water parks with windsurfing and sailing so if you Google the RYA they should be able to help.

I highly recommend windsurfing to everybody of all ages. It's exciting, energising and you will experience things you never thought you would. I was lucky enough to windsurf with Dolphins last summer of the north coast of Cornwall. When me and my team undertake Channel Charge 2010, who knows what we'll see in the open waters of the English Channel!

Fancy hitting the water yourslelf? Take a look at all our windsurfing holidays.

Winter X Games 2012

The Winter X Games is coming to Tignes this year

Look out for the WinterX games on the 14th - 16th March. This high altitude festival of tricks and jumps is a must see and draws in world famous contenders from around the globe.

More than 150 international athletes are heading to Tignes for the biggest ski & snowboard Freestyle meeting in Europe.

The European version of the Winter X Games, created by ESPN in the USA, The Winter X Games Europe, is co-produced by Canal+ Events and ESPN. This event sees more than 150 international athletes gather together for three days in Tignes, competing across eight different disciplines, including both the men's and the women's Super Pipe and Slope Style on skis and snowboard. The Winter X Games Europe is the only Winter X Games event to be held outside of the United States of America.

Know the lingo...

TO GRAB: Catching your skis or your snowboard in mid-air in a specific position on the ski/board

STICK THE LANDING: The art of landing your tricks perfectly (this means getting your skis/snowboard flat on the snow).

SWITCH: Skiing backwards into a jump

180, 360, 540, 720 etc: A rider's turn, calculated in the number of degrees he or she manages to turn on his/her original position, whilst executing a trick.

CORKS /DOUBLES CORKS: Taken from the word 'corkscrew', this is an off-centre rotation in mid-air during a jump, where a rider can go head-over-heels - once for a 'cork' and twice for a 'double-cork'.

FLAT SPIN: it's the favorite tricks of XAv Bertoni in the pipe! Let your legs go up in front of you pull your hand behind you and spin the horizontal way.then spot the landing and your skis will get back on the snow. Style is real!

KANGAROO FLIP: A freestyle manuver that is essentially a double flatspin 900. The trick was invented by Jon Olsson and is the most popularized "double flip" in the world of freeskiing along with the double frontflip and double backflip.Jon Olsson pulled the kangaroo flip in Xgames 12 big air and won it.


The above informaiton was provided by the Tignes Tourist Board >> http://www.tignes.net/en/professionnal-contents/winter-x-games-europe-2012-save-the-date-897.html



We have 2 chalethotels in Tignes, both in the heart of the action;
L'Aiguille Percee March prices start from ?850pp
Hauts de Toviere. March prices start from ?800pp.