The perfect playground; The Italian Dolomites has plenty to offer whatever the season, says EmilyWoodrow
0 Comments | Western Mail (Cardiff, Wales), Oct 24, 2009
THE business of selling extras to make life easier for travellers is getting more competitive, as on-line rivals muscle in.
Companies offer parking at airports, ports and ferry terminals, along with booking hotels, airport lounges, travel insurance, taxis and even attraction tickets.
“So many things are laid in PASSPORT “It might look easy, but some companies who get into this game don’t last very long,” says Nick Caunter, managing director of Airport Parking and Hotels (APH).
Launched in 1980, APH is adding pre-paid cards to enable customers to buy foreign currency commission free, saving up to pounds 30 on every pounds 500 bought.
the traveller’s path to saddle them with extra charges that most people appreciate any help we can give them,” Caunter says.
“We have added details about passports to our website because many parents get tripped up by the fact children’s passports only last five years, while adults’ run for 10.
“Families who get passports in batches might realise their children’s passports have expired as Half Term looms. It’s maddening.”
Caunter claims his APH MyTravelCash Card, available free, offers a better rate on both euros and dollars than rivals Marks & Spencer, Post Office and Travelex Airport. It also charges a low fee for cash withdrawals abroad.
APH is the owner-operator of 8,000 parking spaces at 22 UK airports, with access to another 150,000 across the country, but its services go much wider.
“When we researched pre-paid currency cards, we found the MyTravelCash card offered best all-round value, and liked it so much we decided to offer it to customers,” Caunter says.
On the ‘Know Before You Go’ section of its website, APH also details new fees for passports which took effect at the start of September.
The cost of an adult passport rises pounds 5.50 to pounds 77.50, while a child’s passport costs an extra pounds 3 at pounds 49. The Fast Track/Premium service becomes pounds 15.50 more expensive, while same-day renewals cost as much as pounds 129.50.
INFORMATION: Airport Parking & Hotels (01342 859515 and www.aph.com) COME rain, shine, or snow, the Italian Dolomites offer a wealth of natural beauty. From snow-capped mountains and fairytale scenery in the winter, to idyllic pastures and rolling hills in the summer, the beauty of the area really will leave you in awe of the encompassing unspoilt environment.
The gentle murmur of cowbells as you stare out across the plunging valleys and sky-scraping horizon takes you straight into a scene from The Sound of Music – but this is not Austria, this is Italy, and Italy at its finest.
The village of Selva Gardena lies at 1563m above sea level, in the area of Val Gardena.
With over 8,000 guest beds available, it’s no surprise Selva is one of the most popular vacancy destinations across the seasons.
Set among the mountains Sassolungo, Puez and the Sella massif, and at the heart of the skiing carousel of the “Sella Ronda”, Selva offers kilometres of runs for exciting ski descents in the winter and fabulous climbing routes and mountain paths for the summer.
The easiest way to explore the peaks is on foot, but don’t forget your hiking boots or walking poles. Hidden glaciers appear around various corners and a day’s mountain tour will take you right up to the highest point – and then back down again. This is not for the faint-hearted or unfit, but the view from the top is nothing short of spectacular.
The sights are also accessible on two wheels as opposed to two feet, but make sure you choose to stay in a hotel with a spa, as you’ll need a long soak after seven hours sitting on a hard seat.
Hotel Genziana offers a perfect mix of comfort and luxury. The rooms are extremely spacious and spotlessly clean, while the underground spa includes a number of different steam rooms, a slightly chilly, but refreshing swimming pool, and a long list of treatments available at an extra cost. And the food available on the half-board option will leave you stuffed and satisfied.
My only criticism would be the atmosphere. During our stay the hotel was fairly empty, and as the majority of the staff spoke little English, my partner and I were rarely tempted to spend time in the communal hotel areas.
Even when the sun disappears behind the jagged horizon – a sight worth catching if you can – there’s still plenty to do in Val Gardena. Ortisei is just 10 minutes down the road and offers a more bustling nightlife which Selva lacks. The Unika art exhibition is well worth a visit, presenting the work of a group of sculptors who have clearly taken the utmost care to include every tiny detail they can, making each and every piece, breathtakingly realistic.
And if you want to treat yourself to a typical Ladin meal (Ladin being the primary language spoken in the Dolomites), Tubladel restaurant is the place to go. They offer traditional Ladin dishes as well as classic favourites with a twist – the pan-fried beef will leave your mouth watering and longing for more
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