You’ve heard ski-are stories of little snow in the Alps (don’t believe it all) but if you want to look further afield there is winter fjun in the fjords to be fjhad.
It is in fact the Norwegian fjords which drew the first British tourists largely on the back of the landscape paintings of JC Dahl.
And we are signed-up converts after being introduced to his artwork alongside an exhibition of Munch’s life.
So for that reason, not that we need one, we’re focusing on the coast of Norge.
And exploring a Norwegian town we’re still to enjoy, the adventure hub of Stavanger.
Just two hours from Norway’s fourth largest city you’ll reach winter wonderland Sirdal .
Cross country natural
Dive in: Winter thrill-seekers
Around 200 kilometres of prepped cross-country pistes for all different levels are scattered all over Sirdal, suitable for both long and short ski expeditions.
Better still trek like a Norwegian.
And load your backpack with oranges and Kvikklunsj chocolate (similar to KitKat) and go cross-country skiing.
And seeing that I missed out on the opportunity to join my party for cross-country skiing this time last year in Val D’Isere sign me up.
Snow business
The real Dahl: How JC saw it
As a national cross-country winner it must be easy to cross over!
There are four ski centres from north to south in the Sirdal valley.
So just in case you prefer slalom or snowboarding…
With 231 live virtual tours in 39 countries, those spending more time than anticipated stuck indoors in the coming weeks can escape with local guides all over the world.
And they pledge that 100% of the value of a Live Virtual Tour (to a limit of $150) can be redeemed when travellers book a future, in-person tour with the same guide.
O little town of Bethlehem
Bauble of Bethlehem: And your guide will take you further
He begins his tour in the old city of Jerusalem where he will introduce you to each of its four quarters: Jewish, Christian, Muslim and Armenian, before journeying to Bethlehem.
You will ‘visit’ Manger Square with its giant tree where locals sing carols.
Virtual visitors can also spot the Mosque of Omar and The Church of the Nativity.
Yes, that one, the birthplace of Jesus… you’ll probably spot it because of the star above it (although I can’t verify that).
ToursByLocals offers a one-and-a-half-hour Jerusalem and Bethlehem live virtual tour for £113 per tour forup to 10 users. Guiding Services provided via an online video conference system.
Silent Scandinavian night
Fairytale of Copenhagen: With Tom and My Little Mermaid
My old American uni buddy Tom gave us the city tour of Copenhagen on our whistle stop visit to the Danish Capital when cruising around the fjords with MSC.
And like so many of the breaks you take your gaze is often drawn to the close horizon and the next place.
While in Jordan with G Adventures (Zuhair country), it was to Palestine and Israel, in Denmark it was to Sweden.
He’ll take you around the winding streets of the canal-snaking city.
Start this virtual evening tour at the illuminated display windows at Stockholm’s famous department store, NK, and stroll past “gingerbread” style houses with festive lights.
You’ll get to see the Parliament, the Royal Palace, Royal Opera and Lutheran Cathedral.
Navigate through medieval alleyways, passages and tiny squares, virtually squeezing through the 3ft wide Mårten Trotzigs gränd (alley), before ending at an iconic site in Old Town, soaking up Swedish history and picturesque buildings.
The one-hour Swedish Christmas live virtual tour comes in at £172 per tour forup to 10 users. Guiding Services provided via an online video conference system. Tours can be customised according to interests.
Dingle bells
Dingle jangle: Watch out for Fungi
Everyone I met and befriended in my 13 years in Ireland, and in a lifetime visiting with my Irish mammy, is a tour guide.
In Dingle in Kerry the foremost of them is Deirdre.
Get a taste of why Dingle is one of the top foodie towns in Ireland by meeting resident producers and be inspired by a mouth-watering local recipe to try at home this Christmas. And keep an eye out for most famous local, Fungi the dolphin.
The one-hour live virtual Christmas in Dingle tour for £88 per tour for up to 10 users. Guiding Services provided via an online video conference system.
Fairytale of New York
Central Spark: The famous New York park
Yes, you’ve been listening to it on a loop these weeks, and with apologies to Shane and Kirsty, it’s too good to ignore as a label to dress up this virtual tour.
Grab a mug of hot chocolate at home and join Ibrahima on a virtual tour gazing at pretty lakes and waterfalls with highlights including Belvedere Castle and the Bow Bridge.
Guests might even spot a horse and carriage for a magical Christmas touch.
The one-hour-30-minute Central Park Hidden Gems live virtual tour for £140 per tour for up to 10 users or £218 per tour for up to 50 users. Guiding Services provided via an online video conference system.
A Down Under Christmas
Awesome: Melbourne is hot, hot, hot at Christmas
Christmases for the Scary One when she was just a lass were in Australia when it was still Roast Turkey despite the roasting weather.
Delve deep into Melbourne’s vibrant Central Business District with Leanne.
Be wowed by the street art and ‘hole in the wall’ cafes selling the best coffee in town and hidden bars.
The one-hour Melbourne’s Laneways and Arcades live virtual tour comes in at £61 per tour for up to six users. Guiding Services provided via an online video conference system. Guests will also be provided with a digital resource pack to complement the tour itinerary after booking.
So treat yourself this Christmas to a virtual tour of the world.
I think you’ll agree it’s a virtual tour de force of guides.
I’m not sure what the rules are for outdoor swimming pools in Scotland (probably because in the Frozen North nobody ever considered it a thing) but the English are dipping their toes back in today.
Swimming is one of the staples of many people’s holiday although I confess that I spend less time in a pool now than when I was a kid, preferring instead to sip cocktails by the bar.
In some places you can do both. Here are my five top pools on my travels.
Bim-ming pool
Swim up
Sandals, Barbados: The ultimate in luxury where you can drink your Strawberry Daiquiri in the middle of the pool.
And then swim up to the island pool and have another. OK, waddle over.
A game of volleyball with the ultra-competitive Americans becomes even more fun after all that. You try spiking a ball with a cocktail in your hand.
Kuramathi, Maldives: And you can’t beat an Infinity Pool where you feel you are swimming right into the Indian Ocean only for the end of the pool to stop you.
You’ll have to get out of the pool to get your cocktail though.
On a one-mile island surrounded by the Indian Ocean you would think you’d be in the sea all the time but I leave that to the fishes.
And instead dip into my own private pool which comes with my cabin and check out the restaurant pools. Where you’ll have company with the island’s herons.
And if you see a pair of red-rimmed sunglasses there would you let me know please?
Swimming in the fjords
Stormer: In the fjords
MSC Preziosa, Norwegian fjords: How’s this for a bracing swim? The Norwegian fjords.
You didn’t think I’d be dipping my toe in the isthmus did you?
But still I was fairly pleased with myself at taking to the pool in the Nordic drizzle while everyone (my professional photographer wife among them) hanging over the side taking piccies.
