Geo: 45.0524, 9.69874Piacenza is an industrial town long past its heyday. We had chosen a convenient hotel on the outskirts- the Hotel City- a functional modern place but at least it had all the toiletries and protected parking in the basement. Beware the garage gates because they swing outwards and we managed to get the front of the Jag in the way after a very tight negotiation of the bends to the garage! Claudia was the very helpful receptionist who was there when we arrived and when we got back in the evening and was there in the morning too. We were not hopeful of a great meal but at the Antica Romea round the corner from the hotel we had a lovely meal at half the price of the previous night in France.The following morning ... read more

Geo: 67.1571, 26.9157The night before we had been taken by snowmobile pulled sleigh at minus 24 degrees to a snow restaurant. This was a huge igloo with tables and chairs made of ice- don't ask if it was cold! There was a fire in the middle but you couldnt feel the heat especially if you were sat by the wall of the igloo. The meal consisted of mushroom soup, salmon, veg and potatoes and a blueberry cake and coffee. The drink on the table was berry juice which got colder and colder. Fortunately I had taken our flask with cherry brandy in it which made the berry juice palatable. We all ate the food rapidly before it too became cold and then as one we all stood up ready to be taken back to a warm ... read more

Geo: 67.1571, 26.9157Todays activity led by the gorgeous Ansti, was a hike through the woods and up the hill on snow shoes. Despite the fact that it was 15 degrees below zero we were soon very hot during the hike uphill and starting to open side vents in the snow suits. One or two people peeled off on the low road with the other guide whereas the rest of us decided to stay the course and get to the top of the hill for the lovely view. All went very well until it was time to go down and Ansti launched off into deep snow and we dutifully followed. Must say most of the descent back to the path was spent on my backside and once down I am hopeless at getting up. Still it was ... read more

Geo: 60.1608, 24.9525The flight to Helsinki on Finnair from Heathrow takes only just over 2 hours but the Finns are 2 hours ahead. We were not stopping in Helsinki but were booked straight through to Kittala. I always worry that luggage will not arrive especially as we came out of the International part of Helsinki airport and transferred to a domestic flight. However all went very smoothly and after the one and half hours flight to Kittala our luggage arrived safely at the other end. The domestic flight ran out of beer as the remainder of the passengers were Air Traffic Controllers on their annual ski cup trip - 600 of them from all over Europe. At Kittala we were greeted by Peter the Activities Abroad rep who was organising our stay. The coach trip to ... read more

Geo: -20.0535, 148.887Hayman Island can be reached by boat, helicopter or seaplane. We arrived by boat from Hamilton Island to which we had flown from Cairns. The steward on board, Joseph from Fiji plied us with wine during the hours trip and we met some very nice Canadians so it was a good trip. At the island we were taken by a little Disney type train to the resort and shown directly to our room. A lovely room with lounge, balcony, huge bathroom and bedroom to which the luggage arrived shortly after. The resort is a very pretty place with tropical gardens and several pools. We were put in the Lagoon end of the resort rather than the pool end although the lagoon has its own pool anyway. "For more mature guests" the young man who ... read more