Those who frequently travel around Europe will probably be familiar with the idea if InterRail. In a nutshell, this is a rail pass which is available to anyone who has been a resident within Europe for at least six months, allowing them to travel around Europe by train for a predefined period of time. The passes are valid within a large number of European countries, and ticket price is based on the number of days which are spent travelling within any given month, rather on individual train journeys themselves.

Whilst train travel might not initially seem like the most luxurious option available, it is worth bearing in mind that InterRail passes certainly have a good number of benefits.

For a start, they offer you a great deal of freedom. Rather than visiting your chosen country with a predefined schedule, InterRail offers the opportunity to be far more spontaneous. You might be dining at some of the most world-renowned restaurants in Italy one evening, and indulging in a games of poker at Monaco’s Monte Carlo Casino the next. You needn’t plan your route months in advance, and even if you choose to, there’s nothing to stop you changing at a later date within your chosen month of travel.

InterRail tickets also offer further discounts on some of the best attractions to be seen within each of the countries you might visit. Often there are special offers available on everything from museums to art galleries, and these can be well worth making use of if you want to make the most of your visit. In addition to this, you can also be eligible for discounted fares on Eurostar trains from London or Ashford, to Paris, Lille or Brussels.

Lastly, it is worth bearing in mind that InterRail can prove much less costly than flying – not to mention more environmentally friendly. This means you will have more of your holiday budget available to spend on luxury accommodation and activities – making it a great way to ensure that your trip is especially memorable.

From the traditional to the unusual, there are loads of different hotels in Scotland to choose from. The land of lochs, highlands and thistles guarantees that your surroundings are five star (as long as you don’t pitch your tent in the middle of Glasgow), whether you choose to rest you head in a swanky hotel or a rustic farmhouse.  In terms of luxury hotels, Scotland has some of the best in the world.

There are also loads of activity centres, cute B+Bs and highland holiday cottages, so you can find accommodation to suit you. Here are some examples of the best accommodation options available for a Scottish break.

Luxury Hotels

Luxury, five star hotels in Scotland are perfect for romantic or family breaks. The surroundings make the whole experience even more special, with rugged Scottish countryside like that of Perthshire providing terrain for diverse outdoor activities. Traditional sports such as falconry, shooting and fishing are on offer at the best hotels, with swimming pool, sauna and spa facilities for pampering. Try traditional Scottish fare cooked by some of the country’s best chefs and let yourself be thoroughly wined and dined.

Castles

Gorgeous settings for weddings and special occasions, castles-come-hotels epitomise classical Scotland. Four poster beds, open fires and grand dining rooms will make you feel like the royalty who used to live there, with some castles boasting stunning views over Scotland’s most famous lochs. If you are looking for Scottish history and seclusion, this could be a great option for you. Hike in the surrounding highlands and boat over the placid surface of the nearby loch.

B+Bs

The Hebridean islands are some of the most beautiful locations to stay on a Scottish break, with picturesque villages standing before the ocean, wild mountains behind. Mull, setting for the BBC’s Balamory, is the largest of these islands, and everything about it is delightfully Scottish. Tobermory, its colourful capital, has a scattering of romantic B+Bs that are perfect for a Scottish break with your loved one, or for a solo escape. Island sunsets, tales of history and myth and friendly locals will be sure to leave you enchanted.

Activity Centres

For a family holiday with a difference, Scotland’s activity centres have loads to offer, from kayaking, abseiling and sailing to climbing, high-rope courses and skiing. Many of these centres offer family accommodation in cute log cabins set in stunning surroundings. If you live in the city, this is the perfect way to get your kids enjoying the outdoors and doing something totally different. Self catering accommodation offers you freedom and private space.

Cottages

For a completely independent family holiday, cottages are a great idea. Staying by the coast gives you access to Scotland’s stunning beaches and headland, with the west coast providing some of the most idyllic spots. Laze on the beach, go on coastal walks or take your kids fishing. Nearby villages are lovely places to explore, and see contemporary Scottish life at its most relaxed.

 
The Gleneagles Hotel – Perthshire

Scotland is a stunningly beautiful country – small but very varied, and with a wealth of ancient history and culture, where centuries-old traditions are upheld to the present day by the proud Scots. The famous landscapes of the Scottish highlands have been attracting visitors for hundreds of years, along with the historic and uniquely-attractive capital city of Edinburgh. Scotland has long been a popular destination for a sophisticated international market and as result has a great deal to offer travelers seeking to discover the charms of this small nation in a luxurious manner.

For the first time visitor, there are a number of must-see attractions and places, and some fantastic ways to do this in the utmost style. International visitors are advised to fly to Edinburgh and begin their exploration in the capital, where a number of 5 star hotels are situated in the city centre around the Princes Street area. Edinburgh is known for its architectural splendour, ranging from the ancient buildings of the Royal Mile which descends from the Castle to the Queen’s Holyrood Palace, to the classic Georgian residencies of the New Town area. The majority of the city’s finest hotels occupy magnificent historic buildings, as sumptuously decorated and furnished within as they are impressive from the outside.

A visit to the capital would not be complete without sampling some of the city’s finest restaurants, the number of which has grown considerably over the last decade to put the city firmly on the gourmet map with a new breed of young fine dining restaurant. Edinburgh boasts some of the most highly-regarded restaurants in the UK, some with international reknown. Chefs Martin Wishart and Tom Kitchin are two of the city’s most-celebrated restaurant owners, both leading figures in a modern Scottish cuisine movement, combining classical technique with the finest local Scottish ingredients – meat, seafood, fruit and vegetables.

Some of Scotland’s finest food is found in some fairly far-flung locations… One noteworthy example is The Three Chimneys restaurant on the Isle of Skye – beautifully situated at the northern tip of the island with accompanying hotel, but certainly a destination for a special visit – being over 5 hours drive from Edinburgh. Closer to Edinburgh and similarly worthy of special mention is the restaurant at Gleneagles Hotel in Perthshire, made famous in recent years by Michelin-starred chef Andrew Fairlie. One of the best known luxury hotels in Scotland, historic Gleneagles is a large Edwardian resort found in a remote countryside setting in the southern area of the Scottish highlands. The hotel is particularly well-known for its numerous golf courses, one of which will play host to the Ryder Cup in 2014.

Golf – the game having been invented in Scotland – deserves special attention. The ‘home of golf’ is the east coast town of St Andrews, 2 hours drive north from Edinburgh. Here the famous golf courses sit alongside grand hotels catering to the many golf pilgrims visiting to experience playing on the ‘Old Course’ where the game originated. As many a golf disciple will travel with a non-golfing companion, the best hotels all have excellent spa facilities!
 
Five star hotels, fine food, beautiful cities, spectacular countryside and world-famous golf – Scotland has a great deal to offer the luxury traveller, and we haven’t even mentioned the whisky!

Voringsfoss waterfall

The world is full of wondrous, unusual places, shaped by the elements of nature and left untouched by humankind. Instead of heading for somewhere popular and more famous, try looking for those amazing sites that lie waiting for discovery.

The west coast of Norway is such a destination: formed by ancient glaciers, the coastline is something of a tribute to the terrestrial phenomenon of fjords. Narrow inlets characterized by sheer cliffs and awe-inspiring watercliffs, Norwegian fjords are jaw-dropping in scale and power, and the best way to see them is by taking one of the available ocean cruises.

Cruises leave regularly from Southampton and last about nine days or so. The itinerary includes stopovers at historical towns such as Bergen, Flam and Eidfjord, where excursions out to see other sites of interest can be arranged. This means there’s the opportunity to see the world famous Flam railway, renowned for being one of the steepest railway lines in the world, and to experience Voringsfoss, which at 600 feet is Norway’s most visited waterfall.

The towns themselves are quaint and well worth the visit. Flam has stunning views of the Norwegian wild and an excellent museum dedicated to its railway. Eidfjord is home to a power plant built into the side of a mountain and to Voringsfoss. Olden is one of the tiniest villages you could ever hope to see, but it’s a very popular tourist destination due to the magnificent Briksdalsbreen glacier.

Bergen is the second-largest city in Norway, a cultural and commercial hub that’s perfect for stretching those sea legs and picking up some interesting memorabilia. Passengers get close and personal with all aspects of Norway on this cruise and the opportunity to see some of the most gorgeous untouched nature in the world is one not to be missed.

Of course, the majority of time will be spent on board the cruise ship. Nine days can seem like a long time spent on a boat on paper, but in reality the days fly by. The ship has enough facilities to keep the fussiest of passengers occupied for the duration of the ocean cruise, with restaurants and bars offering a variety of food and drink in both formal and informal settings, a casino, swimming pools, spa services, a lido lounge and more.

The service on board harks back to the great British tradition of cruise ships, with a stylish interior, excellent customer service, and comfortable settings no matter what grade of cabin chosen. A tip for those on a budget: The cheapest times of year for travelling is May, but always make sure to book well ahead for the best price.

An ocean cruise like this is unique and unusual; definitely off the typical tourist radar and worth doing. The ship provides a safe and comfortable temporary home during travel, the Norwegian locals are friendly and helpful, and the sheer beauty of the scenery cannot be emphasised enough. Go on this trip, and you’ll have memories that will last you a lifetime.

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