Take a look at some more 'In' places to visit at the moment and within the next few months

The Ice Hotel - Sweden

Take the opportunity to book a room now, as this beautiful residence literally disappears each April as it begins to melt. Built every year from snow and ice, it's the 'coolest' place on earth, with a restaurant, ice art exhibition hall, a cinema and the famous 'Absolut Ice Bar' where you can sip drinks out of ice glasses. Specially made sleeping bags are provided, plus lots of activities to keep you warm such as sledging and cross-country skiing.

Contact:
The Ice Hotel, Jukkas AB,
Marksnadvägen 63,
981 91 Jukkasjärvi,
Sweden
Tel: +46 09 806 6800
Web site: www.icehotel.com
Visit: December to April

The Quebec Ice Hotel

Due to open this January, it has similar facilities to its Swedish counterpart with ice beds covered in deer pelts.

Contact:
Ice Hotel Quebec-Canada Inc,
2492, Avenue Royale Beauport
(Québec) Canada G1C 1S1
Tel: +418 6614522
Web site: www.icehotel-canada.com

Where to ski this season

How do you pick the perfect skiing holiday with so much to choose from across the globe? Take a look at our selection from Canada, the US and the European Alps and discover a number of the world's best skiing resorts.

Champagne, Reims - Toast the festive season with champagne

Why not take a trip to the Champagne region of France and visit the champagne houses of Reims where you can taste and buy bottles of Taittinger or Pommery at cheaper prices than in the rest of Europe. Both houses are open every day from 10:00 am to 7:00 pm, but it's advisable to call beforehand.

Visits cost from 30 FFR per person

Contact:

Champagne Pommery
5 Place du Général Gouraud
51100 Reims, France
Tel: +33 32 661 6263

Champagne Taittinger
9 Place Saint-Nicaise
51100 Reims, France
Tel: +33 32 685 4535
Fax: +33 32 650 1430

Where to stay:
Boyer les Crayères
64 Boulevard Henry-Vasnier
5100 Reims, France
Tel: +33 3 26 82 8080
Fax: +33 3 26 82 6552

Hayman Island Resort

Considered one of the most prestigious resorts in the world, it has been awarded over 40 awards since opening in 1987. Nestled between Australia's North Queensland coast and the Great Barrier Reef, it is a paradise on earth. Surrounded by a crystal clear sea, littered with colourful coral and magnificent marine life, diving and snorkelling are every day activities here, but there are also a host of other activities available, not least sailing, golf and tennis. Take a look at the feature to find out more...

New Year's Day in Pasadena, California

The New Year is welcomed in each year with the annual Tournament of Roses, a festival of flowers, music and sports.

Where to stay:
The Ritz-Carlton Huntington Hotel
1401 South Oak Knoll Avenue
Pasadena, California 91106, USA
Tel: +1 818 568 3900
Fax: +1 818 568 1842

Adelaide, Australia

This is the hottest destination for watching international sporting events now and over the next few months. The Ford Open Golf Championship, followed by the grand finale of the 2000 American Le Mans Motor-Racing Series on New Year's Eve; The AAPT Tennis Championship from 1st to 7th January 2001 and then the Jacob's Creek Tour Down Under, a six-day cycle event takes place from 16th to 21st January. April heralds the Clipsal 500 Adelaide Shell Championship Series for V8 Supercars. With world-class beaches and internationally renowned restaurants, this has to be the destination 'of the moment'. Read the feature for more information.

Sapporo Snow Festival, Japan

For seven days from 6th to 12th February, Sapporo hosts over 300 snow and ice sculptures depicting famous world buildings, cartoon and fantasy characters and detailed artistic reliefs. Many sculptures are multi-storey which at night are illuminated, producing a wondrous spectacle.

Contact:
Sapporo Tourist Association
City Hall, 2F
Sapporo, Japan N1W2
Tel: +81 11 211 2376
Snow Festival Office: +81 11 211 2377

Where to Stay:
Sheraton Sapporo Hotel
Atsubetsuchuo 2J0, 5 Chome, Atsubetsu-Ku
Sapporo, Japan 0040052
Tel: +81 11 895-8811
Fax: +81 11 895-8820

Tucson, Arizona: The Westward Look Resort

The American southwest at its indulgent best! Set in its own Sonoran Desert oasis, the Westward Look Resort has to be one of the best spas in the US for unpretentious pampering. Equipped with a Wellness Center, second to none, the menu of services includes massage therapy, body treatments and skin care and the food is of the highest standard.

The Venice Carnival

Held February 16th to 27th it is arguably Europe's biggest and most glamorous carnival and well worth donning a mask and experiencing its intriguing atmosphere amidst the streets and darkened alleyways of this mystical city.

Where to stay: Hotel Cipriani, at the tip of Giudecca Island with dominating views of both the lagoon and St Mark's Basin and just five minutes from St Mark's Square by private launch.