Escape for winter sun

Travel companies have recognised that some of us don't want to choose, pointing us to destinations where you can ski in the morning and surf in the afternoon.
So before you slope off for a mid-winter break, consider the possibility of doing both.

Here are five of the best.

1.   Granada, Spain

The mountain ranges of the Sierra Nevada in Spain are spitting distance from Costa Tropical on the Spanish South Coast.  The historic city of Granada is nearby if you want culture on the side.  The coastline at Almunecar and Salobrena is particularly special -  sandy beaches lining towns that seem to have tumbled from the sierras themselves.  Surprisingly, given how southerly it is, Sierra Nevada is
Spain's highest and most snow-sure ski resort, making it perfect for early -season skiing.  Stay at
El Lodge in Monachil where you can ski straight onto the Maribel piste, before heading back for
spa treatments, or down to the coast for the afternoon.   ellodge.com

2.   Abruzzo, Italy

It's not the swankiest  bit of Italy, but don't underestimate this region to the east of Rome.  Fly into Pescara and you've got the Adriatic coast awaiting you on the one hand and excellent skiing in the
Apennine mountains on the other.  Stay at Niko Romito's Casadonna, a 16-century former monastery
in the national park, a short distance away from both the slopes at Roccaraso or an hour drive to an afternoon on the beach,  While the region might not have the global reputation for food that, say Emilia-
Romagna has, it's still a food lovers' paradise. With  an experimental vineyard, a grove of fruit trees, a culinary acamedy, and restaurant  Reale all on-site at Casadonna, you won't need to skimp on your Christmas feasting either, nikoromito.com

3.   Mzaar , Lebanon

The largest ski resort in the Middle East is Mzaar Kfardebian, on the slopes of the Jabal Dab hills.  It's an hour from Beirut and-for-now - guaranteed to be nowhere near as crowded as its fashionable Alpine counterparts.   Stay at the Hotel Albergo on the Corniche in downtown Beirut, where, if you're really
desperate for some Gallic charm, you can take advantage of the historic French influence on the region.  But be sure to nibble baklava while you're there, and then head to the beach at The  Sporting
Club. Or base yourself up in the mountains at the InterContinental Mzaar on the slopes of Mount Lebanon   albergobeirut.com, icmzaar.com

4.   Lake Tahoe, California

Okay, so it's not seaside, but Lake Tahoe has both tides and beaches as well as seven major ski resorts, so you get both Rocky Mountain snow and Californian sun in abundance.  Stay at The Landing, a
beautiful lakefront boutique hotel , or take up a luxury, 13-night, ski-wine-city adventure package with high-end travel operators Scott Dunn, who'll start you out at the Ritz Carlton on the banks of the lake
before taking you to the vineyards of the Napa Valley and on to San Francisco.   scottdunn.com

5.  From the highest point of the slopes at Fort Romeu in the Catalan Pyrenees, you can see the Cote d'Azur glimmering in the distance, making this the nearest spot to home for snow and sun, on your
Mediterranean islet just outside Peripignan at the five -star Hotel Ile de la Lagune, surrounded by four miles of sandy beaches   hotel-ile-lagune.com