There is no need to travel around the world, to venture into who knows which corner of the planet, to dream of distant and exotic places. Just choose your wishes, and a few kilometers (and a few euros) are enough to fulfill them. And we often realize that the dream vacation is closer than we think.
There are many suggestions for the winter holidays, especially Christmas. And there is something for all tastes.
HEAT - Obviously the cold temperatures of the month of December in most of Italy induce those who suffer from the cold to dream of sun and heat. Thinking of the more comfortable and nearby destinations, for those who want the sea there would be wonderful Egypt with its coral reef and its treasures of art and history. But this year, best avoided. On the other hand, the quotations of the neighbors of the house rose Israel, which despite not exactly cheap prices, can be reached in the same time (about 4 hours of flight) and offers unsuspected beaches, mild temperatures and natural beauties. A a little inflated destination, but which is starting to go out of fashion (http://goisrael.it).
But the heat can mean more than the sea. It can also mean the magic of the North African desert, especially the magnificent Moroccan Sahara. There, in addition to finding the heat, you can also find yourself: in fact, we now speak of "Desert Therapy". Romantic, as in the film "Un thè au Sahara" by Bernardo Bertolucci, comic-adventure, as in the "Marrakech Express" by Gabriele Salvatores, or still enchanting, as in the book by Paul Bowles "Tea in the Desert". In short, really for all tastes. To get on the first camel: www.visitmorocco.com.
MOUNTAIN – There are those who, on the other hand, want to enjoy winter to the fullest, with all its characteristics: cold, snow, ice, high mountain scenery. Predominant colour: white. And here, just don't go too far from Italy. But without even flattening the usual ski pass and ski descent. Maybe get carried away by some new trend, since it exists. According to tour operators, the biggest change in winter tourism is and will be the rediscovery of snowshoes again this year. Paths set back from the usual ones for alpine skiing, perfect for practicing the legendary snowshoeing or even cross-country skiing. This especially happens to Livigno, with its 30 km of slopes and the famous ski school for cross-country skiers, but also in nearby France, a short walk from Turin. In Livigno, in the month of December there is also the "Christmas Shopping" promotion, to please even the lady: a weekend for two people at 80 euros each.
But moving east we find one of the queens of the Alps, Bormio, with the Card Bormio Pass which includes skiing, spas and baths (the famous open-air baths of Bormio, with a splendid view over the valley). The card can be personalised, starting from 128 euros (www.turismo.regione.lombardia). Finally, the usual Dolomites, with the Val di Fassa which offers the season's launch package: "Ready, watch out, scìa" (www.fassa.com).
PLEASURES – Otherwise the pleasures of the senses remain: of the body, mind, and palate. And in Lombardy we have the excellence of the "regenerating" holiday. The Lefay Resort & Spa, in Gargnano, on Lake Garda, has these credentials: the Green Globe, a prestigious eco-sustainable management certification, the Condè Nast Johansens “Excellence Award” as the best European Spa and the SpaFinder Reader's Choice Award as the best Italian Spa. Do you want to be reborn? There is everything there: designer hammam, an outdoor swimming pool that makes you practically above the sky, and even personalized herbal teas and mixed treatments of Western and Eastern medicine.
And to tease a bit also i pleasures of the palate? Well, it would be really spoiled to demand that. But if you want, there's that too. Also around the corner, in Geneva, where romantic couples can book it Sweet Celebrations, at the Mandarin Oriental Hotel. The celebrations of sweetness... already because here, in addition to the Spa, massages, swimming pool and so on, the grand finale is also planned at the "Le Sud" restaurant: the maitre chocolatier Paul Bocuse who for the occasion offers his highly prized cake chocolate. Mouth-watering.
