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Range of holidays in France

March 17, 2011 By

flag of France

flag of France

France is unquestionably one of the best countries to holiday, and keeping this in mind they offer a range of different holidays for everyone’s wants and needs.  You can of course pick one of the magnificent cities or towns and book yourself into anyone of the luxurious hotels spread across the country to take in the sights and entertainment.

But there are also bargain holidays for those who are on a budget but still want to experience areas in France at their best.  Explore Burgundy from the waters, by renting a cabin boat.  A range of boats are on offer to suit your requirements and after a quick lesson on how to operate the boat, take your family on a week or weekend cruise.  Barge-hotels are another way to cruise the rivers and canals, some even venture to and from Paris.  For a more luxurious and stress free adventure with accommodation and restaurant onboard, touring a number of attractions.

If you prefer to keep your feet on dry land for most of your stay then why not make use of the excursion boats, offering full or half day tours with knowledgeable crew who will show you the sights in a unique way, so you can experience France from the waters, but still lay your head on steady ground.

Get closer to nature in the Midi-Pyrenees region at one of the campsites.  Explore the countries heritage, enjoy the activities such as hiking, fishing, cycling or canoeing while breathing the fresh air and soaking in the sun by the mountain lakes.  Or camp in style at one of the family pampering holiday campsites, which offer luxury amenities at camping prices for a relaxing stay.

There are also a number of centres in France that welcome naturists.  Setting out on a naturist holiday is about a lot more than just walking around on a beach without any clothes on, it is a philosophy that teaches people to respect themselves, others and the environment.  You can enjoy the culture and mountainous backdrops of France while being comfortable with your choice of lifestyle on a wonderful holiday, whether you prefer the countryside or the seafront, France has you covered, so to speak.

If you want to embark on a spiritual holiday, France also has a very deep religious heritage and offer religious tours across the country for those who have a deeper appreciation for France’s religious buildings and history.

There are even holidays that cater to those who are ecologically aware.  Brittany for instance strives for 100% sustainability and takes pride in bringing a more economically friendly approach to holidays and tourism, which are gentler to the environment without losing out on all the fun of an entertaining break.  All hikes, activities and even events, operate in such a way as to lessen the impact it all has on the environment.

Among all the tempting holiday options, France even have a few solutions for the youth who want to explore the country and meet new people in a different, student budget kind of way.  There are a number of ways to cut costs, but lodging being the biggest chunk of change overall, can be cut completely, by taking advantage of a few new concepts that the French have in place.  Things like house-swapping, couch surfing and lodging for services are becoming widespread all over Europe, and there are a number of very informative sites on the internet allowing students to travel and tour a country that shouldn’t be left out by anybody.

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France in the winter

March 7, 2011 By

France In Winter

France In Winter

France in the winter is a paradise, whether you want to hit the slopes for some skiing or just want to sit in a lodge around a toasty fire with a warm drink.  Even the hardcore sun gods will be tempted by all the pleasurable things there are to offer in the snowy French winter.

Resorts situated around the brilliant White Mountains are loaded with activities.  For beginner skiers, gear and lessons can be provided, as for experienced skiers the trails will not disappoint.  For something a little different, some resorts in France even offer snowmobiling, dog sledding, or for special romantic occasions even horse drawn sleds. 

For a full experience up in the mountains, there are some lodges that offer accommodation right on the slopes, so you don’t even have to pack any shoes, you can ski right up to your front door.

You might need some shoes if you plan on enjoying everything else French resorts have to offer though.  Wine and dine in one of the restaurants and move on to one of the classy clubs; relax with your popcorn for a movie at the cinema, or catch a cabaret performance at the theatre while the kids hang out in the games room.  And with your shoes, why not pack your swimming costume, because the mountain air might be crisp, but the hot tubs are always ready to soothe energised muscles after a day on the slopes.  And if the powdery snow is not the kind of ice you’re after, ice-skating is always an option. 

Many of Frances skiing resorts are famous for snowboarding and skiing expeditions like the Les Deux-Alps, which thanks to the glacier, offers skiing all through the year, so you don’t even have to wait for winter to get your fix.  Some resorts that pride themselves on being family destinations also include special children’s areas, so no need to worry about your little one out on the snow when you’re trying to get your lesson in.

If you’re an extremist and boarding the slopes just isn’t enough to satisfy, why not take a shot at ice-diving.  Your first supervised under-ice dive will be an experience never to forget.  If you would rather go up and not down; ice-climbing or traditional paragliding are the way to go.

While enjoying the peace and mystical views up in the mountains, you will be having the experience of your life. 

 

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France in the summer

March 4, 2011 By

France in Summer

France in Summer

Between July and August, France’s beaches light up in the sunshine and are surrounded by the most divine cafes and restaurants.  France in the summer also brings with it endless activities and magnificent sights that are amplified by the gorgeous weather.

Cannes and Nice have the best beaches to relax on the warm sand and also to enjoy a bit of shopping or dining in between sunbathing.  But if you’re more of a nature person and want something a little greener, one of the most popular family pastimes is to explore France’s Alpine valleys.  Discover one of the small lakes and have a picnic in the breathtaking surroundings.  There are so many valleys and lakes tucked away in the mountains you could spend a great deal of time observing the incredible sights in the depths of the country. 

For a bit more action up in the mountains, enjoy the beautiful scenery while partaking in one of the adventure obstacles set up over ten years ago ape style in the trees. 

Or take up a different kind of swinging with a sport enjoyed by many, particularly in the summer months in golfing.  And France makes sure that everyone’s game is nothing but complete pleasure.  Whether you want to play in the mountains or by the sea, or even if you want to try the new street golf, with slightly different balls and your own rules, France has a golf course for any.  You can play in rural areas or even on cultural heritage site golf courses, it’s such a trend that most fitness and spa centres even have agreements with local golf courses for packages that include wraps or massages after a big game.  Even if you’ve never played the game in your life, France tempts anyone to pick up a club and give it your best shot.

The island of Corsica is the centre for activity back at the beach, and has been said to be the best place to practice and partake in water sports.  Although it’s not the only area to enjoy water sports, as scuba diving, surfing, sailing and other water activities can be enjoyed on most of the French coastline.  Kayaking is a definite favourite, with the opportunity to discover the hidden secrets of the English Channel, Atlantic and Mediterranean in a unique way.

Another perk of summer in France is the exhilarating nightlife.  Not only are there a number of events that take place in the summer, but scattered all over the French coast in particular are sizzling clubs where the champagne and music flow, creating a feverish and rhythmic scene for those who like to party.  If clubbing is not your thing, then try one of the many casinos’ just waiting to entertain, with their exciting atmospheres.  

So whether your hiking, picnicking or even swinging from the trees in the mountains; relaxing on the warm sandy beaches or enjoying the water sports; enjoying the stunning architecture of the town lit up by the sunshine, or simply tasting the local cuisine at one of the many restaurants or cafes, summer in France cannot and will not disappoint.

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Must see places in Paris

February 11, 2011 By

Paris is the most popular tourist destination in the world. Known as the city of love, there is more to the eye than passion and romance. With more than 2,000 years of history and culture under its belt this place promises a memorable vacation with its impressive buildings, museums, historical hot spots and beautiful gardens.

The Eiffel Tower was built by Gustave Eiffel in 1889, it was built to celebrate the 100th year anniversary of the French revolution. At first it was considered an eye sore but nowadays it’s the national landmark of France. The tower stands at 984 feet(300m) high, the tower offers a spectacular panoramic view of the entire city from all directions. One thing visitor’s love is the view at sunset as it is breath taking and makes the long line to the top well worth it.

Notre Dame Cathedral is another big attraction of Paris. The Cathedral was the first to be built marking Paris as Frances capital city. Work on the building began in 1163 but took around two centuries to finish. It is based on gothic architecture with large rose windows, bright stain glass, spires, pointed arches and sculptures such as gargoyles. The cathedral has played witness to many historical moments including the crowning of king Henry the VI of England in 1430.

Another must see is the Louvre Museum, it began as a fortress in the Middle Ages and is now the current home to Leonardo Da Vinci’s painting the Mona Lisa, it is also home to an impressive amount of art and antiques from all over the world. Every year over Six million people come to see its exhibits and admire is collections. Unfortunately visitors would not be able to see everything in the museum as this would take months; it is recommended that you plan what you want to see so you don’t miss out and save the rest for another visit.

A beautiful spot in the heart of Paris is the Tuileries Garden; the park which is 61.8acres was built for Catherine de Medicis in 1559. It’s an amazing place to unwind from a long day of sightseeing in Paris. There are two museums in the park itself but a simple coffee in the park is just as enjoyable.

The Latin quarter of Paris is a popular neighbourhood well known for its bright student life, cafes, bistros and eclectic stores.  Also near are historical monuments and attractions.

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