Which are the best European countries to explore by electric vehicle? For a first taste of road- tripping by electric vehicle, nowhere is more accessible than the Netherlands. The nation has more EV chargers than any other in Europe, helping to banish range anxiety — as do the absence of the steep inclines and seasonal extremes of temperature that can sap battery charge. Car hire companies such


as Hertz and Sixt now offer plenty of reasonably priced


EV choices in big cities such as Amsterdam and Rotterdam. Explore locally, then spear off towards the Wadden Islands and Groningen in the less- visited north. I’d recommend downloading the Shell Recharge app (shellrecharge. com) or using Google Maps to see where the fastest chargers are. For a full charge, expect to pay around half the amount you would to cover the same distance in a regular car. Depending on the type of EV you hire, range will be between 150 and 350 miles.


Norway is also ideal for EVs,


despite its mountain roads and battery-chilling winters; try slightly more frequent visits to chargers, say a half-hour top- up every three hours. There are more EVs here per capita than in any other country in Europe, and 98% of electricity comes from renewable sources. Collect your hire car from Oslo, where incentives to enjoy EVs include discounts on toll roads, then drive past Oslofjord along the south coast, well stocked with chargers, towards Stavanger. PETER GRUNERT


Where’s the best place to stay for a UK ski break? Skiing in the UK isn’t comparable to the Alps in terms of area or snow reliability, but there’s still something special about standing on a British mountain in winter. The Weardale Ski Club, Country Durham, boasts England’s longest ski slope and membership costs £48 a year — 4x4 vehicle access with snow chains or winter tyres required. Scotland offers the widest


choice of commercial skiing in the UK with five main centres:


the Nevis Range and Glencoe in the west and Cairngorm, Lecht and Glenshee in the east. The town of Aviemore is a 25-minute drive from the slopes of Cairngorm, where a funicular railway is among the 15 lifts that cover a wide area of hillsides and gullies that usually hold the snow well into April. On the other side of the


Cairngorms National Park, Scotland’s largest ski area Glenshee spreads across both sides of the A93 with 22 lifts and terrain for all levels, including the steep and scary


Tiger Run. The Fife Arms in the nearby town of Braemar has to be one of the best spots for a cosy winter break. The immaculately restored 19th-century hotel has over 16,000 art objects including a Picasso painting. Take the train to Perth and grab a taxi (one-and-a-half hour drive), and stay from £434 B&B in the Nature & Poetry Suite. Alternatively, nearby Braemar Cabins start from £180, sleeping four. thefifearms.com braemarcabins.com ROB STEWART


We’re planning a trip to the Caribbean but are also trying for a baby — is the Zika virus still a cause for concern? Many of us can remember the news in late 2015 when an outbreak of Zika virus was found to be linked to babies being born with serious birth defects, including a small and underdeveloped brain. The outbreak was particularly noted in Brazil, but cases were seen across South America, the Caribbean and Asia. Sadly, the fact that Zika isn’t making the news today doesn’t mean it has gone away. The virus is mostly spread by


one species of mosquito; rarely, it can be transmitted sexually. Most people infected have no symptoms or only mild ones. However, Zika can pass from an infected mother to her baby during pregnancy. There’s no specific treatment for Zika, and currently no vaccine. Unfortunately, Zika still exists


in many countries. While some haven’t reported cases for years, the global situation is unclear; its mild symptoms mean that cases may be unreported. In the UK, my organisation (NaTHNaC) works with the UK Health Security Agency to produce the country guidance on Zika and other health risks, travelhealthpro.org.uk If you’re planning a trip to a


country where Zika exists, you may want to choose another destination. As the data on case numbers can be confusing, speak to your GP, practice nurse or a travel clinic. If you do decide to travel to a Zika risk country, follow the recommended advice, including taking care to avoid mosquito bites, and precautions to prevent sexual transmission of Zika. DR DIPTI PATEL


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