Netherlands, Katwijk aan Zee, Kust Strandhuisjes

As we all are longing for summer to really arrive...., I had a sneak preview (although 8 degrees C...) on the beach yesterday having dinner with friends at a nice restaurant in Katwijk aan Zee. If you like seafood I can absolutely recommend this one http://www.kw106.com/.

Directly next to the restaurant (located on the beach) I saw these lovely beach cabins you can rent. They are brand new and designed and decorated with style. Fresh white with colorfull Fermob, hammocks, a mezzanine floor with a boxspring for guaranteed seaview... Sleep on the beach; the concept is not new, but this execution is really great! Two bedrooms, so a perfect weekend trip with kids. Rent a few next to eachother with friends and enjoy the sunset with bottles of wine on the porch while the kids are having fun on the beach... Nice!

http://www.kust.nu/index.php?p=1&taal=en

The Dutch beaches are great (weather permitting : ). There are many choices. Katwijk aan Zee is a quiet little village, a traditional fishing village, with a pure, unspoiled beachlife. No festivals, or beach club decibels, but a relaxed child friendly atmosphere.

Austria, St Anton am Arlberg, Valluga Hotel

Yeah!!! Another discovery... with Mozartkugeln on our pillow, every evening!

Just returned from a quality time spring skiing break with husband, without kids...We found the perfect setting: Valluga Hotel in St Anton withs lots of snow and lots of sun. We are fan, what a great place to stay! 

The Swedish owners of Esplendido and Portixol in Mallorca (also real ChocolateOnYourPillow material) have opened the doors of their dream hotel in the Tyrolean Alpes December last year. They renovated an old chalet and created a state of the art cosey homey retreat with spacious rooms, great food, wellness, gym and a great 'living room' area with big sofa's, open fires, MACs, a libary, pool table, a bar. All in a fresh retro Scandic design.

http://www.vallugahotel.at/

As we planned a 'quality time just the two of us' holiday, the overwhelming apres ski possibilities in St Anton were not the main magnet for us (for many visitors they are ; ).

We loved skiing at the Rendl side with fantastisch wide slopes (a tip we got from our Valluga waiter) and the Lech area (just one ski bus away). Fantastic restaurant with an awesome view for lunch or just a pitstop in Lech is Balmalp  http://www.palmenalpe.at/ and enjoy apres ski in style in the champagne icebar Frozen on the piste  http://www.frozenlech.com/icebar/ . If it's sunny and you sit outside don't forget to check out the interior with icebar and frozen champagne bottles... nice!.