For over a century, guaranteed snow, hospitality, tradition and sophisticated tranquillity have been attracting winter sports enthusiasts from all over the world to Lech Zürs am Arlberg. It is one of the select group of twelve villages known as the "Best of the Alps". It is not only ambitious sportspeople who appreciate this heavenly winter landscape. The winter season 2016/2017 also has plenty to offer walkers, gourmets and culture lovers. Ski Arlberg provides an unparalleled skiing experience with a total of 87 cable cars and lifts, 305 kilometres of ski runs and 200 kilometres of high Alpine deep powder snow runs.

Think of picture-perfect, long sandy white beaches framed by a lapping marine-blue ocean, lush rainforests with cascading waterfalls, vibrant flora and fauna, and under the ocean, the most amazing colourful gardens you could imagine: this is Samoa, the last unspoilt paradise in the world.

Australia’s highest peaks are in the Snowy Mountains, where there’s thrilling downhill skiing and snowboarding during the snow season. Lively towns and resorts in this alpine region in the Southwest NSW are also popular destinations in warmer months for hiking, horse riding, kayaking, mountain biking and fishing. When spring melts the snow into cascading waters and wildflowers bloom, streams shelter trout and attract many fly fishermen. Vineyards in this beautiful region produce excellent cool-climate wines, and fresh produce is on sale at farm gates.

If you fancy a hand of cards, Altenburg is the place for you: playing cards has been practised here for over 500 years, and the national card game ’skat’ was first played here. The town has a history of 1000 years, and boasts an impressive castle set on a rocky outcrop. Buy collapsible top hats on Rossplan Square, and baptise your cards at the Skat fountain: it brings good luck!