Infographic courtesy of Cheapflights.

Glamping in style in Oman.  Photo credit: Scott Dunn.

Mountain camping can be an incredible mountain travel experience.

One of the latest travel trends is glamping trips to destinations like these luxury tented camps in Wahiba Sands and in the Hajar Mountains (above).

Luxury travel specialist Scott Dunn is offering this camping adventure with private yachting along Muscat’s coastline.

Travelers stay at the desert and mountain camps and on a private yacht, dropping anchor at desert islands with white sandy beaches.

Desert + mountains in Oman. Photo credit: Scott Dunn.

After the desert camping leg, the journey continues north into the Hajar Mountains.

The tour stops enroute at the old settlement at Mizfa near Ibra. Travelers hike the rest of the journey into the mountains on foot including a visit to the deserted village of Birkat Al Mawz and ruins of Tanuf.

Finally, travelers make the ascent to the Tanuf Mountain camp situated at 1,000m with views of Jebel Shams, Oman’s highest peak.

A desert glamping site. Photo credit: Scott Dunn.

The seven-night itinerary includes:

• One night at the Chedi Muscat on arrival;
• One night luxury camping in Wahiba Sands;
•  One night in the Hajar Mountains;
•  One night on a private yacht charter;
•  Three nights at the Shangri-La Barr al Jissah Resort and Spa and
•  Oman Air flights and transfers.

For more info, visit the Scott Dunn site.

Northern Lights in Alaska.  Photo credit: Explorers Astronomy Tours.

Mountains can be the ideal stargazing destinations.

Travel company Explorers Astronomy Tours has released its 2012/15 brochure which features mountain tours worldwide.

These astronomy holidays take in two total eclipses; an annular eclipse; the Transit of Venus and the Northern Lights and great astronomical telescopes in Chile and South Africa.

Each tour is accompanied by Explorers’ resident Galactic Rangers who share their expert insight into the celestial activity.

Here are several astronomy mountain trips:

• Alaskan Northern Lights (10 days). (above) “With vast wilderness and beautiful landscapes, Alaska will provide a new perspective for viewing the Northern Lights.”

Northern Lights in Iceland. Photo credit: Explorers Astronomy Tours.

• Icelandic Northern Lights (8 days). “Travelers can take advantage of the sun’s high level of activity and limited lunar interference and get the best viewing opportunities of the Northern Lights.”

Stargazing in Morocco.  Photo credit: Explorers Astronomy Tours.

• Night Sky & Caravan Trail (8 days). “Traveling across the Atlas Mountains to the remote fringes of the Sahara desert, this stargazing tour of Morocco will take guests to the palm oases of the Draa Valley far from light pollution and with an excellent 360 degree panoramic view.”

South African Astronomical Observatory (SAAO) in South Africa. Photo credit: Explorers Astronomy Tours.

• Galactic Safari South Africa (12 days). “With the largest telescope in the southern hemisphere based just off South Africa’s famous garden route, travelers will be able to combine the beauty of the wild with the wonders of the night sky.”

For more astronomy tours, visit the Explorers site.

Safety in numbers: mountain touring in Austria.  Photo credit: (c) Tirol Werbung.

The Austrian Tirol has had record-breaking snowfall.

Heavy snowfall over a short period of time can increase the risk of avalanche danger, says The Tirol Tourist Board.

Promoting mountain safety on- and off-piste, the tourist board recommends these basic safety tips for all skiers, boarders and mountain travelers.

Serfaus-Fiss-Ladis. Photo credit: The Tirol Tourist Board.

Here are 5 Mountain Safety Tips:

1) Get informed:  “Weather forecasts, snow reports and avalanche bulletins are widely available on the Internet and through the local tourist offices. Always carry a piste map and know how to get help if needed.”

2) Signage:  “Take notice of what’s around you – make sure you know your location and take note of the difficulty level of the piste. Most importantly pay attention to signs, issuing warnings such as piste closed or to the flags notifying the avalanche danger level.”

3) Protection: “Wear the right equipment and clothing. Protecting your head is vital – so make sure you wear a helmet. If you choose to go off-piste, always go with a certified guide and don’t forget to carry a transceiver, probe and shovel.”

4) Be responsible: “Check out the FIS (International Ski Federation) rules for ski and snowboard conduct – your Highway Code to the slopes! Always make sure the skier in front has priority and adapt the manner and speed of your skiing to your ability and the conditions on the mountain.”

5) Learn from the experts:  “Ski instructors and guides know the mountains better than anyone. Booking a lesson or a few hours guiding can improve your skiing skills and local knowledge about the mountains and resort.”

Grouse Mountain, North Vancouver. Photo credit: Tourism Vancouver.

Victoria Philpott from HostelBookers.com wrote this guest post about the best winter ski destinations.

Staying at the best ski destinations doesn’t mean you have to empty your piggy bank. Save money on your accommodation by booking with Hostelbookers.com and you’ll have all the more to spend on the après ski.

From the almighty ski slopes of Vancouver to the more manageable piste of Zakopane on to the donkey-led ski transport of Oukaimeden, each of the following three ski destinations has its charm and appeal.

Here are 3 Winter Ski Destinations:

1.  Vancouver, Canada: Vancouver is well-known as a top ski destination, but it’s also wrongly accused of being expensive. The ski resort of Whistler and the North Shore Mountains (Cypress, Grouse and Mount Seymour) are popular for a reason; they’ve both got some of the best runs in the world and are big enough for both snowboarders and skiers to exist in harmony.  Both have great après ski too with many restaurants, bars and food outlets to keep your energy up on the slopes. When it comes to cheap hotels Vancouver has a great selection, so make the most of them to save your pennies. The Hotel Ambassador is located in the centre of the city and has easy access to all the main sites and restaurants. Private rooms start from just €17.41pppn.

2. Zakopane, Poland: In the heart of the Tatra Mountains, you’ll find the ski town of Zakopane filled with snow, skiers, bars and restaurants. There are currently 50 ski lifts, but this is set to rise as the resort increases in popularity, so get here quick before everyone else does. The most popular mountain is Kasprowy Wierch, owing to its long run down. Or try the peak of Nosal – the views at the summit are known to be the best in the area. If you’re slightly unsure of your skiing skills you’ll probably want to stick to Gubalowka to enjoy the slopes for all standards. There are also plenty of slopes to suit the cross country skiers too. You’ll want a cosy wooden lodge with a homely atmosphere after being out in the cold all day so check out the Good Bye Lenin Hostel located at the foot of the Tatra National Park. The owners will help you with great value ski rental on-site and private rooms start from just €6.53pppn.

3. Oukaimeden, Morocco: The ski resort of Oukaimeden in Morocco is less than an hour away from Marrakech up in the Atlas Mountains. The main appeal, apart from the novelty factor of skiing in Africa, is that it’s cheap. This has made it one of the premier ski resorts on the African continent. Head there in January, February or March for the best snowfall. There are 20 pistes across Oukaimeden, the summit is at 3232m and the longest run is 3km long. All standards, from beginners to advanced, will enjoy the slopes here, and there is a fun après ski scene in the mountain restaurants. You can rent all your equipment here and your ski passes, for around €25. Don’t be surprised to see donkeys taking you between ski lifts, rather than the usual shuttle buses. To stay in one of the area’s cheap hotels Marrakech, just 45 minutes away, should be your top choice. You could stay at the highly rated Djemaa El Fna Hotel Cecil for just €5.65pppn in a private room overlooking Marrakech’s main square.

This post was brought to you in partnership with HostelBookers.com.

From Christmas Markets in Italy.  Photo credit: Italian State Tourist Board.

Happy Mountain Holidays from LiveTravelMountains.com!

Aufberg 1113, Salzburg, Austria. Photo credit: Boutique-Homes.com.

Mariana McConnell wrote this guest post on mountain holiday rentals.  She is a writer and travel lover currently scouring the globe for cool vacation rentals and small hotels on behalf of Boutique-Homes.com.

Mountains are a stunning holiday destination year-round.

In the winter mountains, travelers can take advantage of freshly fallen snow to ski and snowboard.

When summer comes, the snow melts to reveal miles and miles of mountain trails to hike, cycle and explore.

Many mountain travelers opt to stay in cozy holiday rentals designed to reflect the natural beauty of the mountain landscape.

Here are 3 Modern Vacation Rentals from Boutique-Homes.com:

1. Aufberg 1113, Salzburg, Austria (above):  Austrians always win gold medals in skiing at the Winter Olympics. Gazing out the windows of Aufberg 1113 at the majestic Austrian Alps, it’s easy to see why. Though you may not have the stomach to ski those nearly vertical inclines, this contemporary rental offers the perfect nest to immerse yourself in the beauty of the Alps. It’s located right outside of Salzburg, so when you need a city break, you can head into town for the Sound of Music Tour.

Far Meadow, Yosemite, California. Photo credit: Boutique-Homes.com.

2. Far Meadow, Yosemite, California: This collection of three log cabins is located in a private mountain meadow, 14 miles above Bass Lake in the High Sierras. Guests can choose to stay in the modern A-Frame cabin, the renovated Log Cabin, or the more rustic and traditional Old Yosemite Road Cabin. Far Meadow also offers a vintage Silver Streak Trailer for extra sleeping room, though it might get a bit chilly in the winter.

Niko’s Nido, Big Bear, California. Photo credit: Boutique-Homes.com.

3. Niko’s Nido, Big Bear, California:  Southern Californians have flocked to Big Bear for decades in search of snow and rustic cabins. Niko’s Nido is the only mid-century modern cabin on the mountain, offering comfort and vintage style in equal measure. It’s located in a quiet area of Big Bear called Moonridge, just minutes to the ski slopes on Bear Mountain and Big Bear Lake.

This is a Guest Post.

Top & bottom: A luxury ski chalet.  Photo credit: SkiBoutique.

Fancy a luxury ski holiday for the rich and famous?  Then take a look at luxury chalets with SkiBoutique which has catered to celebrities including David and Victoria Beckham.

The UK company has luxury alpine chalets in 18+ of the world’s top ski resorts with hundreds of mountain peaks and thousands of pistes in France, Switzerland and Austria.

Every SkiBoutique chalet guest is assigned a Personal PA who plans and manages their bespoke holidays to the smallest details like vintage champagne.

The five-star service at the luxury ski chalets includes private gourmet chef; chauffeur; concierge and chalet management.

For more details and booking these luxury alpine chalet holidays, visit SkiBoutique online.

Whistler, BC, Canada in the fall. Photo credit: Mike Crane/Tourism Whistler.

Fall hiking and sightseeing in Whistler is a beautiful Canadian mountain trip.

From the Valley Trail to high alpine, Whistler Blackcomb offers hiking options at varying elevations for every level of mountain hiker.

PEAK 2 PEAK Alpine Experience gives mountain travelers a stunning 360-degree view of the mountain peaks to the valley bottom.

Some 18 hiking trails, accessible via the PEAK 2 PEAK Gondola, cover 50 kilometres from the top of Whistler and Blackcomb mountains.

Mountain travelers can book a guided tour or take self-guided hikes.

Here are 7 Signature Whistler Hikes:

• Via Ferrata is a “climbing excursion along an engineered vertical pathway with cables and metal rung ladders that leads to the summit of Whistler Peak.”

• Scrambling Hike is an “adventurous trek combining the use of hand and foot holds along the mountain ridge to the top of Whistler Mountain.”

• Glacier Hike “teaches visitors about glaciology and how to ascend the glacier like a mountaineer.”

• Musical Bumps is a “classic hike beyond the ski area boundary along Piccolo, Flute and Oboe summits.”

• Nature Walk around “Lost Lake is accessible from your hotel and guided by an experienced naturalist.”

• Waterfall Explorer takes guests to “Nairn Falls or Brandywine Falls – both Provincial Parks along the Sea to Sky route.”

• Rainforest Walk in Cheakamus Lake Provincial Park “takes guests into prime bear and deer habitat under a canopy of ancient Cedar and Douglas Fir.”

For more info on hiking in Whistler, visit Whistler.com.

Top: Red Mountain Resort and Spa, USA; Bottom: Therme Vals, Switzerland.

If a regular spa visit doesn’t cut it for you, then try these brilliant mountain spa retreats.

Spa days in the mountains are completely different spa experiences in natural, majestic settings.

Here are 3 Mountain Spa Retreats for your next spa-seeking escapades:

• Aqua Dome, Austria: What better setting for a relaxing day in a spa than the Alps? The Aqua Dome contains a huge indoor swimming pool, an ice grotto, a volcano waterfall and one of the most relaxing saunas you could imagine. This place is beautifully designed and sits comfortably in the contours of the mountains which makes you feel at one with the earth.

• Therme Vals, Switzerland: This spa complex is built into the mountains of Switzerland over the only thermal springs in the region.  It houses rejuvenating delights such as the flower chamber and the fire room to make your day.  With views across the mountains and church bells ringing through the complex, you cannot go wrong – and that’s not to mention the top notch cuisine they have on offer.

• Red Mountain Resort and Spa, USA: For a different kind of mountain range, head to the Red Mountain Resort and Spa in Ivins, Utah. This haven can bring you complete relaxation and renew your passion for adventure. The Sagestone Spa blends its own desert botanicals, clays and salts from the surrounding areas to create a unique way to sooth your soul.

If you’ve got a voucher spa days can be the ultimate way to get away from it all.

No matter how much you do or don’t do, one thing is for certain: you’ll feel refreshed and rejuvenated in the mountains.

Images courtesy of Thermal Vals and Red Mountain Resort and Spa.

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