Tom Chesshyre

Feb 12, 2025 | dailymail.co.uk | Tom Chesshyre

Buried deep in snow at 2,100 metres (6,889ft) in the ski resort of Chamonix in the French Alps – in the shadow of Mont Blanc – a scurrying sound is coming from above. It’s followed by panting and scratching, then a paw breaks through the white stuff and the head of an excited two-year-old golden retriever, named Utah, emerges: a highly trained mountain rescue dog. Utah has sniffed out the presence of a human (me). And I’ve been ‘saved’ in the wild snowscape of the Grands Montets ski area.

Jan 22, 2025 | dailymail.co.uk | Tom Chesshyre

It's the family holiday conundrum that just won’t go away: how to avoid swingeing price increases to half-term getaways. The travel industry swears blind there’s nothing that can be done about the problem, blaming ‘supply and demand’. But that’s not particularly helpful, especially when the cost of holidays can shoot up by as much as 479 per cent during half-term breaks. Here we’ve assembled the ultimate guide to trying to get round the costly bi-annual problem.

Nov 20, 2024 | dailymail.co.uk | Tom Chesshyre

Move over Munich, Cologne and Salzburg, the best-value Christmas market breaks are to be found in the Baltic states and as you move deeper into Central and Eastern Europe. Christmas markets may have originated in Germany and Austria in the late middle ages, but these days they’re all over the continent and for cheap festive treats the likes of Slovakia, Lithuania, Latvia, Poland and the Czech Republic lead the way.

Nov 20, 2024 | dailymail.co.uk | Tom Chesshyre

When the first sod was turned for the 23-mile (37km) railway from Cairns to Kuranda on 10 May, 1886, designed to link the sleepy coastal settlement Queensland’s far north with the rugged interior, wild parties involving roasted bullocks and vast quantities of beer continued well into the night. They knew back then it was a huge moment: laying the tracks would require hundreds of workers, hostelries to cater for their (often thirsty) needs, plus hotels and support businesses aplenty.

Nov 3, 2024 | dailymail.co.uk | Simon Mills |Simon Miller |Jo Kessel |Charlotte Reather |Tom Chesshyre

The new season is nearly upon us. Fresh air, mountain scenery and a glass or two of mulled wine await – the only question is whether your budget stretches to a welcome week in the Alps. We’ve done the homework for you and come up with ten of the best budget ski breaks – perfect for beginners and experts alike. Here’s our pick, starting with just over £500 per person for seven nights, including flights, transfers and half-board.