The Beat That My Heart Skipped – A blog dedicated to daily design inspirations. By Rohini Wahi.

So, I am stepping in this week to talk about ski resorts which apart from reading, is probably the subject my life centres on most this time of year. Whether it’s colleagues in my office popping over for questions on which resort is best [I am thinking about opening a helpline], booking my own trip, or waving goodbye to my sister who is heading back to Morzine for another season in a week – I do spend an inordinate amount of time talking about skiing.

For me, my precious week [or two if I can squeeze it in!] needs careful thought and consideration. With so many resorts out there I love and want to revisit how can I possibly choose?! Of course there are a few that stand out for me over the others filled with great memories. This year I will be heading back to St Anton am Arlberg, Austria. Why, you ask? Well read on…

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In my opinion, Europe is one of the most magical places to spend the winter. I’ll be spending Christmas in London for the first time in a few years this year, and am so thrilled!

I decided to take a look around and see what other cities and towns in Europe are up to over Christmas, be they big or small, I really enjoyed getting an insight into how everyone else will be spending this magical season…

Rome… 26th Nov to 6th Dec

Piazza Navona, one of Rome’s most beautiful and popular squares, becomes a huge Christmas market in December with stands selling nativity figures, Christmas treats, toys and houses a merry-go-round. There you’ll also find presents from the Befana, a kind old witch who traditionally brings good children toys at Epiphany!

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The most amazing and interesting geography imaginable – tick
Icy wind that chills you straight to the bone – tick
Natural phenomena – tick

Iceland is amazing. Hands down incredible. Beautiful, mysterious, interesting; everything you want from an adventure. Well, that’s if you don’t mind the bone chilling cold or putting up with 24 hours of sunlight in summer. However, these are small things for the experiences you’ll get in return.

Arriving at almost midnight into Keflavik airport, I found myself on a bus that had, for the past hour, stopped at every hotel in Reykjavik except mine. This caused a lot of eye rolling on my part, and as I went to look out of the window mid sigh, I found myself faced with one of the most surreal and unexpected experiences of my life.

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Gorgeous mountain views – tick
The most hysterical tourist tat in the world – tick
Warm, fresh cows milk  – tick

Surrounded by the Carpathian mountains, the Transylvanian countryside is stunning. Far from the vampire-esque dark and broody film and literature connotations, there are lush green mountains, flowers, horse and carts and streams running through the villages. The scenery is literally breathtaking.

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An abundance of quaint historical buildings that make you feel as though you’re one of the Von Trapps – tick
Exquisite Patisseries and cafes you just have to test out – tick
Home of the ultimate bratwurst – tick

Zurich is the financial centre of Switzerland, and although one of the most expensive cities in the world, it has frankly earned its right to be a bit snooty. Boasting architecture in the city centre that look like mini-versions of European Schlosses [castles], sparklingly clean streets and sidewalks, beautiful luxury hotels and designer shops, and an insanely punctual public transport system, [if you live in Britain you'll get where I'm coming from] you’ll find very little to complain about.

The Limmat river that drifts through the city runs into Zürichsee, the vast lake that mirrors its Alpine backdrop in picture-postcard fashion. Tidy bridges criss-cross the river, linking the strictly commercial and financial areas on one side with Niederdorf, the hilly, pedestrianised medieval centre on the other. Most of the key sights are in the old town, where winding alleys lead to 16th- and 17th-century houses, guildhalls and many of the city’s 1,030 fountains. The best way to see it all is to stroll at will, although you can take a guided walking tour [starting at the main station tourist office].

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