While Australia’s winter is starting to dwindle away, the countries in the northern hemisphere are starting to prepare for their colder months, months that make Australia’s winter look like a summer.

For some Aussies, there are two trains of thought. One is that it’s time to top up the tan, dig out the thongs and grab a cool one by the beachside barbie. For others, it’s a chance to explore the other side of the world, seeing snow for the first time, visiting some of the globe’s top ski resorts and experiencing their first ever white Christmas. While you can always find cheap flights to the ski fields in New Zealand during winter, consider some of these other countries a little further from home.

Canada: Canada is famed for its mountains, snow and Mounties and at least two of these draw the crowds in every winter. Mont-Tremblant is one of the most popular resorts and the country’s first official one, opening in 1939. Not far from Montreal, it gives travellers the option of a ski and city break with minimal commuting. USA’s hat also boasts a huge area of skiable mountains in the Rockies, including world-famous Whistler Blackcomb.

USA: Colorado, home of South Park and Aspen, is America’s premier ski location. The slopes are perfect for skiers of all abilities meaning you don’t need bags of experience to enjoy Aspen, but the accommodation is more suited to those with bags of cash.

Switzerland: The Alps is Europe’s major mountain range, running through seven separate countries with many of the best pistes in Switzerland. Two areas of particular interest are Gstaad and Zermatt. Gstaad is found in south-western Switzerland and is another area popular with the rich and famous. The trendy area with its beautiful vistas is sure to impress anyone. Zermatt is famous for two reasons: being a car-free resort and for being the home of the Matterhorn, one of the world’s most beautiful mountains.

Chile: Chile’s Portillo ski resort is one of a kind. With no neighbouring town, the ski resort is an all-encompassing affair. Portillo is one of the most popular venues in the Andes and has been a major destination for more than 50 years. As well as skiing and snowboarding, the resort has its own relaxation suites, shops and entertainment opportunities.

If you’re looking to swap the sunshine for snow this summer, no matter which ski resort you opt for, by planning ahead, you can make sure you get the best deals on accommodation, ski hire and cheap flights.

Do you want to feel like in Venice, Italy when you go on vacation? You can visit the Venetian Resort Hotel in Las Vegas. It is a luxury hotel and casino resort situated between Harrah's and The Palazzo on the east side of the Las Vegas Strip in Paradise, Nevada, United States. This hotel features a life-like replica tower of St Mark's Campanile in Venice, Italy.

The Venetian was opened on May 3, 1999. It was one of the most expensive resort of its when it was opened. Here are some images I took during my visit last 2008. I wish to go back in Vegas in the future.

Wynn Las Vegas, shortly known as Wynn is a luxury resort and hotel located on Las Vegas Strip in Paradise, Nevada. I visited this hotel in 2008. This resort is named after its developer Steve Wynn. I remembered seeing a TV program featuring the Wynn family and their wealth some years ago. I can't imagine how the rich people are living with their luxurious life. This resort is also located near Fashion Show Mall. I hope to share some pictures from this famous mall in Las Vegas next time.

This hotel is also considered to be one of the finest hotels in the world. I guess I can only stay in this hotel when I win in the lottery. I did tried my luck today for Saturday Lottery. I am hoping to win one day..lol! here is an image I took during my visit last July 2, 2008. I miss Vegas!

The 614 ft (187 m) high hotel has 45 floors, with the 2,716 rooms range in size from 640 sq ft (59 m2) to the villas at 7,000 sq ft (650 m2). The complex also includes a 111,000 sq ft (10,300 m2) casino, a convention center with 223,000 sq ft (20,700 m2) of space, and 76,000 sq ft (7,100 m2) of retail space. Together with the adjacent Encore, the entire Wynn resort complex has a total of 4,750 rooms.

The resort has earned AAA five diamond, Mobil five-star, Forbes five-star, and Michelin five-star ratings and is considered to be one of the finest hotels in the world. Wynn Las Vegas and its sister property Encore Las Vegas collectively hold more Forbes five-star awards than any other resort and casino in the world. Wynn Las Vegas also made Forbes Award history by earning five-star ratings in every category - Hotel, Restaurant, and Spa - for two consecutive years. Interestingly, the building is the first high-rise to be cleaned by an automatic window washing system. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wynn_Las_Vegas