France: Three Valleys

Les Trois Vallées is the largest connected ski area in the world which is linked solely by ski lifts and slopes. It claims to have about 600 km of ski slopes, resulting in 18.5 km² of groomed runs, while an independent expert measured about 493 km. In addition, there are 120 km for cross-country skiing. Seven ski resorts are spread over the mountainside in a rich and unique landscape. Courchevel. Méribel. Brides-les-Bains. Les Menuires. Saint-Martin-de-Belleville. Val Thorens. Orelle. The Alpine area of Saint-Martin-de-Belleville is known for its charming namesake village, with traditional stone-and-wood farmhouses, plus a handful of Savoyard restaurants

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UK: Scotland – Hogmanay in Pitlochry via St Andrews

Hogmanay is the Scots word for the last day of the old year and is synonymous with the celebration of the New Year in the Scottish manner. It is normally followed by further celebration on the morning of New Year's Day. Some of the more famous historic ways to ring in the new year include exchanging gifts such as black buns and whisky, while many others partake in the classic tradition of first footing — which refers to the first person stepping into your home on January 1 determining your luck for the year ahead.

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UK: BACKUP – Snowdon Yr Wyddfa

Snowdon or Yr Wyddfa is the highest mountain in Wales, at an elevation of 1,085 metres above sea level, and the highest point in the British Isles outside the Scottish Highlands. It is located in Snowdonia National Park in Gwynedd. Backup is a fantastic organisation supporting those with life changing spinal cord injuries. A rewarding PUSH!

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UK: Scotland – Torridon

This is one of the most stunning parts of the North Coast 500. The Torridon is set in 58 acres of parkland at the end of a magnificent sea loch, The Torridon has one of the most spectacular and idyllic locations in the country. The area is superb for hiking, kayaking, fishing and mountain biking. Beinn Alligin means the Mountain of Beauty or Jeweled Mountain - and it lives up to the name offering one of the Torridon ridge traverses, with spectacular views and stunning terrain. It includes a traverse of the Horns, which offer reasonably straightforward summer scrambling. Challenging but worth every step (in good weather!).

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UK: Scotland – 2022 Glen Coe and Bidean nam Bian

Bidean nam Bian is a complex range with many ridges and subsidiary peaks. It lies to the south of the spectacular area of Glen Coe which is situated in western Scotland and is the highest point in the former county of Argyll standing at 1,150m. The main summit of the munro is hidden from the road behind the Three Sisters and is accessed via a stunning hidden valley.

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Austria: St Anton

Guaranteed snow and excellent piste conditions are the ever reliable hallmarks of Austria's largest inter-connected ski area. Ski Arlberg , which comprises the villages of St. Anton am Arlberg, St. Christoph, Stuben, Lech, Zürs, Warth and Schröcken, consists of more than 300 km of marked slopes and 200 km of off-piste trails. The 87 state-of-the-art cable cars and lifts offer the highest standards of safety, comfort, and efficiency. The region is also a founding member of ‘Best of the Alps’, the quality association of the 13 most renowned alpine destinations.

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Lesotho

Lesotho is called the “Kingdom of the Sky”. The Sani Pass is a gravel track connecting South Africa with the mountain kingdom of Lesotho. Rising 1332 metres to an altitude of 2876m in just 9 kilometres it has 1:3 gradients and numerous tight hairpins. It’s the most dramatic 4×4 drive in South Africa.

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