Friday, April 27, 2007
04/2007: Egypt, Blair and ferries.
They do things differently over here…
Egypt is a fascinating place, but it can be frustrating when it comes to organisation…
Enquiring about ferries to Hurghada from Sharm el Sheik, I was told that they were not running until 1st May – which was a bit of a bombshell as I was due to look at a number of properties there and had a hotel booked for a week.
Being naturally suspicious (and a touch cynical from having lived in the Middle East) I got 3 different people to phone the ferry company and verify that yes, all of the ferries were out of action. Reasons for this ranged from shrugged shoulders, to routine maintenance and Tony Blair. Tony Blair?
I am quite willing to let people blame Mr B for lots of things, but sticking him with the blame for Egyptian ferries not working seems a bit unfair – but apparently he is coming here this week for a summit along with other world leaders.
They do things differently over here…
Egypt is a fascinating place, but it can be frustrating when it comes to organisation…
Enquiring about ferries to Hurghada from Sharm el Sheik, I was told that they were not running until 1st May – which was a bit of a bombshell as I was due to look at a number of properties there and had a hotel booked for a week.
Being naturally suspicious (and a touch cynical from having lived in the Middle East) I got 3 different people to phone the ferry company and verify that yes, all of the ferries were out of action. Reasons for this ranged from shrugged shoulders, to routine maintenance and Tony Blair. Tony Blair?
I am quite willing to let people blame Mr B for lots of things, but sticking him with the blame for Egyptian ferries not working seems a bit unfair – but apparently he is coming here this week for a summit along with other world leaders.
Thursday, April 26, 2007
04/2007: St. Wolfgang - ‘you must see our town in the summer, it’s not so attractive when the sun doesn’t shine!’
It’s rather odd to review hotels in winter (March) to find the town virtually empty, with no snow and some of the hotels seasonally closed. This was what I found when I arrived in the Austrian town of St Wolfgang near Salzburg…
However, there’s a very good reason for this…it’s not really a ski resort and when you discover what’s on offer in the summer here…it’s hardly suprising. Locals claim ’you must see our town in the summer, it’s not so attractive when the sun doesn’t shine!’. In the summer it must be breathtaking as it’s pretty stunning in the winter. The town is on the huge, glass-like, lake Wolfgansee and overlooked by mountains. Ferry boats traverse the lake year round and in the summer there are superb hiking trails, running routes, mountain and road biking, great waterskiing and waterski schools and various other watersports on offer. There is even an off-road triathlon and a running race around the lake which is used as a training event for the New York marathon.
There is skiing available at the mainly beginners ski area of Posthalm, 12 ½ miles away, or at West Dachstein comprising the ski areas of Gosau, Russbach and Annaberg which is larger with a few more challenging slopes.
It really is one of the most attractive ‘ski resorts’ I have ever visited and definitely worth a visit whether you are a skier or a non-skier and at any time of year!
It’s rather odd to review hotels in winter (March) to find the town virtually empty, with no snow and some of the hotels seasonally closed. This was what I found when I arrived in the Austrian town of St Wolfgang near Salzburg…
However, there’s a very good reason for this…it’s not really a ski resort and when you discover what’s on offer in the summer here…it’s hardly suprising. Locals claim ’you must see our town in the summer, it’s not so attractive when the sun doesn’t shine!’. In the summer it must be breathtaking as it’s pretty stunning in the winter. The town is on the huge, glass-like, lake Wolfgansee and overlooked by mountains. Ferry boats traverse the lake year round and in the summer there are superb hiking trails, running routes, mountain and road biking, great waterskiing and waterski schools and various other watersports on offer. There is even an off-road triathlon and a running race around the lake which is used as a training event for the New York marathon.
There is skiing available at the mainly beginners ski area of Posthalm, 12 ½ miles away, or at West Dachstein comprising the ski areas of Gosau, Russbach and Annaberg which is larger with a few more challenging slopes.
It really is one of the most attractive ‘ski resorts’ I have ever visited and definitely worth a visit whether you are a skier or a non-skier and at any time of year!
04/2007: Soll - The ski resort with everything!
Part of the SkiWelt Wilder Kaiser Brixenthal region, and covering 250 kms of pistes, it is one of the largest interconnected ski areas in Austria. By purchasing the Kitzbuhler Alpen ski pass you can open up the possibilities even further (if you have the energy and speed!) to include the resorts between Westendorf and the famous Kitzbuhel. Ellmau boasts the fastest funicular access in Austria, whisking skiers into the heart of the skiing in 4 minutes!
Throughout the Wilder Kaiser ski area there are over 70 mountain huts, so you can basically stop for a rest or refreshment every 3.5 km…how’s that for laziness.
The majestic Hohe Salve peak above Soll has views of 70 peaks over 3000 meters. Attractive and wide pistes meander through areas of pine trees and provide great, cruising opportunities for beginner and intermediate skiers. As if this wasn’t enough…for the really keen there is night skiing at the mid-station and plans are afoot to expand this facility. Ski fun parks are situated in Ellmau and Westendorf.
There are 2 ski schools in Soll itself. The excellent , family-run, Soll Hochsoll Embacher Ski and Snowboard School is situated at the Bergland Hotel. A great choice for families with their super childrens programmes and ski activity centres on the mountain. Soll has 3 mini-clubs for children.
Part of the SkiWelt Wilder Kaiser Brixenthal region, and covering 250 kms of pistes, it is one of the largest interconnected ski areas in Austria. By purchasing the Kitzbuhler Alpen ski pass you can open up the possibilities even further (if you have the energy and speed!) to include the resorts between Westendorf and the famous Kitzbuhel. Ellmau boasts the fastest funicular access in Austria, whisking skiers into the heart of the skiing in 4 minutes!
Throughout the Wilder Kaiser ski area there are over 70 mountain huts, so you can basically stop for a rest or refreshment every 3.5 km…how’s that for laziness.
The majestic Hohe Salve peak above Soll has views of 70 peaks over 3000 meters. Attractive and wide pistes meander through areas of pine trees and provide great, cruising opportunities for beginner and intermediate skiers. As if this wasn’t enough…for the really keen there is night skiing at the mid-station and plans are afoot to expand this facility. Ski fun parks are situated in Ellmau and Westendorf.
There are 2 ski schools in Soll itself. The excellent , family-run, Soll Hochsoll Embacher Ski and Snowboard School is situated at the Bergland Hotel. A great choice for families with their super childrens programmes and ski activity centres on the mountain. Soll has 3 mini-clubs for children.
04/2007: All this and only 15 minutes from Innsbruck !
Also known as the Olympiaregion Seefeld, this wonderful Austrian town sits on above the major town of Innsbruck.
Though here to review the ski hotels, it’s a destination that genuinely offers year-round attractions and to be honest , being an advanced skier, I think the Summer might just appeal to me even more than the skiing!
Surrounded by impressive mountain scenery between the Karwendel Nature Reserve, the Wetterstein mountain massif and the Wildmoos conservation area, it’s a veritable paradise for sports enthusiasts as well as those seeking quiet relaxation.
During my stay in Seefeld, I had the opportunity to try out back-country snow-shoeing, cross-country skiing, alpine skiing and Nordic walking, all in the capable hands of local experts and instructors and all passionate about their region and the active opportunities available.
For skiers there is the choice of 3 different ski areas. Rosshutte is the largest and although small in comparison to other ski resorts it is a good, cruisey base for intermediate skiers. The Gschwandtkopf area (try saying that after 3 or 4 schnapps!) is a good centre to learn technique with it’s wide, well-groomed pistes. Finally, a small section in the centre of town, with a couple of drag lifts could be a good starting point for children or absolute beginners. But the main snow-based activity, and what the region is really famous for, is the 262km of cross-country skiing.
In the Summer, the town has a great saying…'walk till your socks are steaming' and with 650 km of hiking and climbing trails, 250 km of mountain bike trails, a sports centre, 3 swimming lakes, golf courses and an academy…visitors will probably be steaming all over!
When you factor in the friendly locals, the quality hotels and restaurants, a genuine, traditional, local flavour and easy access to the area…for me, you really have got a destination that thoroughly deserves it’s status with 12 others, in the new resort association initiative ‘Best of the Alps’.
Also known as the Olympiaregion Seefeld, this wonderful Austrian town sits on above the major town of Innsbruck.
Though here to review the ski hotels, it’s a destination that genuinely offers year-round attractions and to be honest , being an advanced skier, I think the Summer might just appeal to me even more than the skiing!
Surrounded by impressive mountain scenery between the Karwendel Nature Reserve, the Wetterstein mountain massif and the Wildmoos conservation area, it’s a veritable paradise for sports enthusiasts as well as those seeking quiet relaxation.
During my stay in Seefeld, I had the opportunity to try out back-country snow-shoeing, cross-country skiing, alpine skiing and Nordic walking, all in the capable hands of local experts and instructors and all passionate about their region and the active opportunities available.
For skiers there is the choice of 3 different ski areas. Rosshutte is the largest and although small in comparison to other ski resorts it is a good, cruisey base for intermediate skiers. The Gschwandtkopf area (try saying that after 3 or 4 schnapps!) is a good centre to learn technique with it’s wide, well-groomed pistes. Finally, a small section in the centre of town, with a couple of drag lifts could be a good starting point for children or absolute beginners. But the main snow-based activity, and what the region is really famous for, is the 262km of cross-country skiing.
In the Summer, the town has a great saying…'walk till your socks are steaming' and with 650 km of hiking and climbing trails, 250 km of mountain bike trails, a sports centre, 3 swimming lakes, golf courses and an academy…visitors will probably be steaming all over!
When you factor in the friendly locals, the quality hotels and restaurants, a genuine, traditional, local flavour and easy access to the area…for me, you really have got a destination that thoroughly deserves it’s status with 12 others, in the new resort association initiative ‘Best of the Alps’.
