Jono Archer

From the moment I landed in Essaouira and stepped off the plane into the warming sun of Morocco, I knew this was going to be a fantastic trip.

A short transfer away, we arrived at Rebali Riads, our home for the next two nights; and what a home it was. The peaceful, luscious gardens are filled with colourful flowers, which drape from the riads and down to the refreshing swimming pool below… a place I spent much of my time in!

We know! You’re probably thinking ‘isn’t it a bit too soon for Christmas talk? It’s only August’

Well yes; it probably is. But when it comes to winter holidays, we find the earlier the better. Here at Activities Abroad we get booked up early, so it’s time to start talking snow!

 I travelled to Madeira in late September 2016 to see what the archipelago had to offer and I was blown away by the beauty of the landscapes, the variety of the activities and the range of wildlife to see.

Hot climates have always been my first choice of holiday destination. The very thought of visiting a cold country would get my teeth chattering uncontrollably, which prompted an avalanche of strange looks.

Since joining the Activities Abroad team, I’ve found a good deal of snow-based fun to change my mind.

Here are five activities which I definitely want to try, all of which you can experience for yourselves on our family holidays to winter destinations!

Husky safari

While my list isn’t in any particular order, this has to be right at the top. Dogsledding has long been central to the culture of the Nordic countries, and it’s easy to see why: the energy of the pack driving you over sparkling white lands must be amazing (correction: ‘is amazing’, as resoundingly confirmed by the whole office!).

Day One: After arriving in Father Christmas’s airport (Rovaniemi) in April, oddly I instantly felt festive.

With reindeer Christmas decorations and a snow covered landscape; this could only be mistaken for Lapland.

The guide collected me from the airport and then drove me to Ranua Wildlife Park, which was situated around 1 hour away.  On route the scenery was stunning with brightly painted Scandinavian wooden houses covered in snow, never-ending forests, frozen lakes and clear blue skies.