Catherine Cooper

France

Freelance Writer at Freelance

Freelance France-based travel journalist and best-selling Sunday Times author. Latest book is The Island - order here: https://t.co/C9agzMyfcD

Articles

Peak summer in Switzerland - why Crans-Montana is great in summer

2 months ago | thejc.com | Catherine Cooper

Many people don’t consider resorts in the Alps outside of winter, not really thinking of them as a summer destination. But between hiking, biking, luxurious accommodation, restaurants and spas, golf, wakeboarding, concerts and even a beach club, there is always plenty going on at Swiss resort Crans-Montana.
Slow down in Sri Lanka - The Jewish Chronicle

2 months ago | thejc.com | Catherine Cooper

Paddling past giant water lilies in my kayak, kingfishers flitted by in brief flashes of iridescent blue, while purple swamp hens ventured through the lotus flowers, appearing to walk on the water itself. Dawn had just broken when we set off on an hour-long kayak tour of Wanamaduwa Tank, a man-made lake that’s thought to date back to the third century, and one of many in the area built to irrigate the local paddy fields.
Sardinia's secrets - where to find Jewish history on this Italian island

2 months ago | thejc.com | Catherine Cooper

Think of Sardinia, and the first place that comes to mind will probably be Costa Smeralda, famed for its glam and glitz. But with plenty of other beautiful beaches, sparkling seas, wild forests and historic towns to discover, Sardinia is somewhere that rewards exploring further. And it might surprise many visitors to learn that there was once a thriving Jewish community in Sardinia, including at the capital Cagliari in the south of the island.
Natural treasures of the Caribbean - what to find in St Lucia apart from beach

2 months ago | thejc.com | Catherine Cooper

Known as a favourite of honeymooners thanks to its beautiful beaches, great climate, luxurious resorts and almost universally friendly welcome, look beyond the romance and you’ll discover there’s far more to Saint Lucia than meets the eye.
Boutique ski - where are the best small ski resorts in Europe?

2 months ago | thejc.com | Catherine Cooper

If you’re planning a ski break, it can be tempting to opt for one of the big-name resorts, whether it’s for the ease of booking or the promise of getting more for your money. But look just a little further afield, and you’ll find plenty of smaller, lesser-known resorts attached to the same vast ski areas, offering a holiday at a gentler pace and often a lower budget — without compromising on slope access.
Chalet V, La Tzoumaz - small ski resort, high end luxury: our chalet review

2 months ago | thejc.com | Catherine Cooper

For me, a skiing holiday should always be about more than the slopes alone — which is why staying in a high-end chalet with personalised service would always be my first choice. And there are some gems to be found in smaller ski resorts too, such as the uber-luxe Chalet V in Switzerland’s La Tzoumaz, linked to more than 400km of pistes of the Four Valleys ski region, most famous for the glitzy, upmarket Verbier.
Five-star Tignes - why this resort in the French Alps is perfect for a luxury ski break

2 months ago | thejc.com | Catherine Cooper

If, like me, you last went to Tignes in the 1990s, you would barely recognise it today. Back then, on a student ski trip, we crammed into basic no-frills apartments that were typical of the resort, while dining didn’t get much more elevated than pizza and cheap beer. Today, in common with many other high-altitude resorts, things are moving distinctly upmarket, from new five-star hotels opening to residences being renovated and upgraded.
Marvellous Montenegro - with new flights to the country, here's why a short break in Montenegro is so tempting

2 months ago | thejc.com | Catherine Cooper

Montenegro might be small but there isn’t much that this tiny country doesn’t offer; Unesco-protected historic towns, a beautiful coast with glorious beaches and clear-blue waters, five peaceful national parks, which are home to over 260 species of birds; plus a host of luxury hotels for starters. And with new low-cost flights starting from Birmingham to Tivat this month, there’s never been a better time to visit.
A wellness cruise full of self discovery with Swan Hellenic

Oct 2, 2024 | cruiseandtravel.co.uk | Catherine Cooper

By Cruise & Travel | 2 Oct 2024 Words by Catherine Cooper Tempted by the promise of sunrise meditation sessions, yoga on deck under the stars or in the shade of the trees on an exotic beach and Ayurveda-inspired meals, I booked myself on Swan Hellenic’s inaugural Explore and Restore cruise. Designed and run in conjunction with global wellness giant Deepak Chopra, my cruise onboard SH Diana ran from Panama to Acapulco.
Boats, bikes, hot-air balloons and vintage vehicles: a grand tour of Nouvelle-Aquitaine - in pictures

Jun 17, 2024 | theguardian.com | Catherine Cooper

From night markets to treasure hunts, Saint-Emilion to ‘Green Venice’, enjoy the great outdoors in Nouvelle-Aquitaine this summer. Whether you want to take it easy or get active, there’s plenty to explore in this beautiful regionFind out more about great things to do in Nouvelle-Aquitaine – and book your holiday crossing with Brittany Ferries. Plus, you can save up to 30% on sailings when you book a Brittany Ferries Holiday Catherine Cooper Main image: The vineyards of Saint-Emilion.