Holiday inspiration

For thousands of guests, Cosmos has been the backdrop to some of their favourite memories. And for Neilson, it's been part of our story for almost 40 years.

To celebrate our two new showstoppers, we ran a competition to give back to the valued Neilson community - a thank you for your continued support - and to give you the chance to win back your holiday.

Our network of partnerships and friends continues this summer. We've teamed up with Mark Petchey for our tennis programme and UKSA to train watersports instructors and we continue to sponsor Grand Slam tennis coverage on Eurosport.

How do NME sessions work? Who can join the sessions and what can you gain from them? Recently, we sat down with one of our very own NME’s, Joss, who spent last winter in Les Menuires, France, at Neilson Hotel Le Menuire & Spa, who explained everything there is to know about being an NME and NME sessions.

After more than fifteen years away from skiing, a week in Grandvalira turned uncertainty into confidence and strangers into friends.

Nervous but excited. Apprehensive but curious. After only skiing once as a child more than fifteen years ago, I had no idea what to expect when returning to the slopes.
 

This article will help you find the best ski resorts for improvers to push their skills to the next level.

Mark Petchey is one of the UK’s most successful and influential tennis players, both on and off the court. He’s achieved acclaim as a player and a coach to British tennis star Andy Murray and now works with us on our holidays to bring you a professional tennis experience.

Whether you want a holiday to practice, relax, recuperate and/or take your tennis game to new places, you’ve come to the right place. Here’s the low down on what our tennis holidays have to offer.

Serving is such a vital part of tennis at the top level, and it’s probably the part that most part-time players struggle to master. Here's a handy video from former GB player Mark Petchey, to help improve your serve.

What's the first thing that comes to mind when someone says "Mauritius holiday?" A sun lounger? A book you'll never finish? A few rum punches? Yeah, that's one holiday but there is an alternative one...

There’s a point on the road up from Nicolosi where the trees just stop. One minute you’re grinding through chestnut and pine with sweat in your eyes. The next you’re out in the open, riding near old lava flows, with Europe’s highest active volcano over your shoulder and the faint tang of sulphur in the air.

Yeah, Sicily has lots of flat, sandy beaches with parasols and Aperol's, which are great. But it also has something else. Something much better... Hills, mountains and even a volcano.  

Picture yourself face-down, mask on, in water so clear you could count each grain of sand below you. It's warm. Like bath warm. One fish darts past you into the coral. Then another. Then a turtle glides past you, effortlessly, like nature’s chillest dude. 

It’s just after sunrise. The lagoon is flat as glass, fish dart beneath your board and the water is warm enough to make falling in feel more like a little treat more than a mistake. There's no engine. No rush. Just you, a paddle and beautiful views.

Crashing waves on reefs. A mouth full of sea water. That elation of almost being able to gybe before you take a tumble.

It's not the usual images your mind conjures up when you think about going on holiday to Mauritius, but they're the ones you'll still be talking about long after you've gone home. The ones that will have you itching to get back out there.

Few destinations can keep teenagers, little ones and parents equally happy, but Sicily comes close. In a week, you can stand in the shadow of a volcano, wander through 2,500-year-old Greek temples, try exhilarating water sports in turquoise bays and, perhaps even squeeze in a few pages of a book on a sun lounger.

Greece is one of those places that just works for families. The food is fresh and unfussy. The sea is warm and calm. And from the moment you land, the pace of life slows down in the best possible way.

Keeping your kids entertained on holiday should be easy, right? That is until you're standing in 34-degree heat with a bored five-year-old, throwing a tantrum because they’ve already eaten all their crisps.

So, you’ve decided to tick ‘do a triathlon’ off your bucket list. But where exactly should you start when it comes to prepping for the big day? We'll run (bike and swim) you through everything you need to know for your first triathlon.

Our run clubs, arranged and guided by our fitness team, are an amazing way to maintain (or gain) fitness whilst taking in the sights of Sardinia. There are running routes to match every ability level, from off-road trails to road runs around the local villages.

Yoga can play a brilliant supporting role in your run training, helping you develop the strength, flexibility and mindset needed to achieve your running goals - whether that's a marathon or your local Parkrun.

Sicily is a giant playground for couples and families that love activity holidays.  

On one side of the island you’ve got a whopping, great big volcano that still throws lava up in the sky every once in a while.

Sicily in May. What a place. What a month. The sun is shining on the black-sand beaches in Sciacca, snow is still resting on top of Mt Etna's summit and the wildflowers are blooming.  

It's the best time to visit, and the best time explore one of the Mediterranean's prettiest and most interesting islands.

You can learn a lot about Mauritius from one table. A bowl of fragrant briyani. A paper-wrapped dholl puri still warm from the griddle. Chinese-style noodles, Creole curry and a plate of pink-iced biscuits for later. It sounds like several different meals. In Mauritius, it’s just lunch.

Blue Monday can be a turning point - a moment to reset, recharge and change pace. Explore simple, uplifting ways to start the year feeling energised and positive.

Sometimes the best way to relax and recharge on holiday is to get active. We’re not saying there’s no place for a siesta or two – we’re a big fan of those – but activity holidays also give you the chance to play, to explore and to have fun. And nothing makes you feel young again like a holiday adventure!

Whether you want to be full-on active or flat-out relaxed this is the holiday for you. Here are our top tips for designing your perfect holiday with just the right amount of activity or relaxation to suit you.