chrisparkercommunications: Travel PR October 2015 | Page 5

Daily Record Saturday, May 3, 2014 more at DailyRecord.CO.UK Page 39 [email protected] Late deals BREATHTAKING The Matterhorn is a magnificent backdrop to the start of run 24 ■ Flying from Glasgow on May 28, seven nights in Hisaronu, Turkey, staying at the four-star Liberty Hotel on half board from £359 per person. ■ Flying from Glasgow on May 27, 14 nights in Crete, staying at the three-star Golden Bay Apartments on self catering from £305 per person. ■ Flying from Glasgow on May 24, seven nights in Cancun, Mexico, staying at the three-star Sea Adventures Resort on all inclusive from £749 per person. ■ For these and other deals, visit www. barrheadtravel.co.uk or call 0141 222 2223. News City’s that’s Philly culture SUMMITELSE under their faces – as if the rays is complete without spending a day aren’t already strong enough on the in glitzy Zermatt. If you don’t have snowy, sun-drenched mountain. the required international ski pass, Resisting the temptation to pull then no need to worry, you can up a chair, I instead leave them simply buy a one-day upgrade for 32 roasting nicely and head to the euros either in the town or at Plan next valley of Valtourneche. Maison. From here, there are two There’s something here to suit all ways across, but both are long and levels. The highlight is completing slow. I catch a first-lift and make the the final part of an epic 20km spectacular ascent to Klein descent, recently voted one of the Matterhorn, at 12,500ft. world’s greatest ski runs. The dramatic setting of the lift Its gruelling distance will make station is more reminiscent of an even expert skiers’ legs turn to exotic James Bond movie location, spaghetti. Beginning in enormous with a long tunnel carved into the glacial fields and fresh powder, it mountainside. There’s no sign of drops down into steeper mogulled terrain. I ski first above the treeline, then swoop down into the forest below, finishing in the village. After all that skiing, it’s time for some après ski, and I’ve plenty of bars to choose from, both on and off piste. One of the most popular is the cosy Copa Pan, nestled in the heart of the village. It’s attractively woody, friendly and lively, with music during happy hour. I take my beer to the rooftop for the last of the afternoon sun, before heading downstairs to the stylish restaurant for a classic Alps dish of gloriously rich fondue, served next to a roaring log fire. Another big draw of Cervinia is the opportunity to country-hop on skis. No trip here chilled Chris at the famous mountain Blofeld, though, and I instead emerge on top of the world into perfect blue skies, for the highest piste in Europe. Zermatt is split into four valleys, well connected by fast chairs, gondolas, and a network of cable cars, which I’m in and out of for the first hour. I make my final stop in Gornergrat, famous for its old mountain train, which pulls into the station as I arrive. Running since 1896, it takes visitors the nine kilometres from Zermatt on one of the most scenic mountain trips in the Alps. The skiing here suits me perfectly, but advanced skiers and experts should try the next valley across, Rothhorn Paradise, which has far more challenging black and off-piste sections. Back in Cervinia, and it’s time to try a different activity before I head home. There’s lots on offer, from the old favourites of snowshoeing and tobogganing, to the latest craze of airboarding. I’m not too fussed about being thrown down the mountain on an air-inflated board at breakneck speed, however, so decide to round off my week with a little relaxation. I booked in for a spot of R&R at the luxury boutique hotel, the Principe Delle Nevi. For 30 euros, visitors are free to enjoy the spa for as long as they wish. The next few hours are spent lazing around the pools, sauna and steam room. And, if the spa doesn’t help relieve aches and pains, there are massages available. Unable to find my inner Zen in the candlelit meditation area, I scurry out into the cold and jump into the warm, steamy waters of the hot-tub. As fresh snow begins to fall around me, it seems there’s still some skiing to be had. Unfortunately, not for me, but now I’ve had a taste of everything the high-altitude resort of Cervinia has to offer – minus the tin foil of course – I’ll be more than happy to pull on my salopettes for another thrilling season finale. Fact box ■ Crystal Ski (crystalski.co.uk – 0871 231 2256) offer a week’s all-inclusive board with flights from Manchester to Turin and transfers from £757 per person (based on two sharing) at the Hotel Petit Palais in Cervinia, Italy. ■ Six-day International ski pass (includes Zermatt) 272 euros peak season, 245 euros spring skiing. ■ Ski equipment from Genzianella Sport. Piazzale Funivie 14 - 11021 Beuil Cervinia. Tel [phone] DISCOVER Philadelphia, a modern renaissance city where history meets innovation and culture. Easy to get to and get around, you will find a multitude of cosmopolitan experiences to choose from. Take in culture as you walk through the vibrant streetscape and immerse in America’s old and new worlds. Safe and friendly streets are lined with parks, rivers, shops, public art, restaurants and museums. Home to famous places such as Independence Hall, the Liberty Bell and the National Constitution Centre, here you will get a glimpse of the birth of a nation. Ben Franklin led early American innovation, creating the first university, hospital and zoo. Philly’s art, music, film, design, fashion, performance and culinary energy is thriving. World-class cuisine prepared HISTORIC HEART Independence Hall by celebrity chefs can be found throughout Philly. Options abound with 2500 restaurants, 250 outdoor cafes and 200-plus BYOB (bring your own bottle) style restaurants. A culture capital, it boasts the most artistic mile in the country, stretching from City Hall to the Museum of Art, including the Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts, the Barnes Foundation and the Rodin Museum. Check out cobblestone streets, US history and unique boutiques in Old City then stroll over to Northern Liberties where an open-air piazza