Posts Tagged ‘Holidays’

Top 10 Attractions of Cruise Holidays

When you look into a cruise holiday, the prospect of wakening every day to a new location is very exciting. Cruises are a great way to have multiple mini-holidays without having to worry about hiring a car or packing up your belongings each day to travel to a new destination. The cruise ship is your floating hotel room, leaving you free to enjoy the new adventures of every day.

1. The Caribbean – if fun, sun, and tropical breezes are what you seek, you can’t go wrong with a Caribbean cruise. The Caribbean cruise is perhaps the most-pictured location when someone thinks of cruising. Caribbean destinations on your cruise can include: Dominica, Barbados, Grand Cayman Island, the Bahamas, Saba, St. Bart’s, the U.S. Virgin Islands, the British Virgin Islands, Grenada, or Puerto Rico.

2. The Mexican Riviera – also full of sandy beaches and refreshing water, the Mexican Riviera is comprised of several cities and ports on the west coast of Mexico. Cruise ships may visit three or four of the following spots along the Riviera: Ensenada, Cabo San Lucas, Mazatlan, Puerto Vallarta, Manzanillo, or Acapulco.

3. Alaska – the majestic and icy vistas of Alaska are a sight to behold. There’s simply nothing else like it, unless you visit the poles. Alaska’s temperatures are far milder and the landscapes will leave you in absolute awe. Destinations can include: Juneau (the capital of Alaska), Skagway, the Yukon Territory, Ketchikan, Sitka, and Glacier Bay.

4. European Cruises on the Atlantic – European cruises is a category so large it has to be divided into regions! Destinations on the Atlantic may include: Gibraltar, Spain, Lisbon, Madeira, Porto Santo, and Paris. These cruises are fun for everyone, but intellects and fashionistas will have a real treat!

5. European Cruises of the North – excluding ports-of-call along the Baltic Sea, destinations for these cruises can include: Belgium, Amsterdam, Dublin, London, Glasgow, and various spots in Norway. With this range of tourist spots, the whole family is sure to get an education in one way or another.

6. European Cruises of the Baltic Sea – European cruises in this region may include these great destinations: St. Petersburg, Poland, Finland, Stockholm, Oslo, and Copenhagen. So much heritage and tradition, so little time.

7. Western Mediterranean Cruises – also a part of Europe, these cruise destinations can include the following: Barcelona, Ibiza, Cannes, Marseille, Provence, Monaco, Monte Carlo, Florence, Pompeii, the Vatican Museum, the Sistine Chapel, Rome, and Malta. Beauty, art, religion, and majesty are yours for the taking.

8. Eastern Mediterranean Cruises – this region may include cruise destinations of: Venice, Murano, Dubrovnik, the Greek Islands, Istanbul, and Turkey. There’s a good reason many have been inspired to write songs and make art featuring these locales!

9. Hawaiian Cruises – another popular cruise for those looking for warmth and water! Destinations can include these hotspots: Maui, Kona, Kaneohe Bay, and Diamond Head. Surf, swim, sun, and gorgeous nature – how can you go wrong?

10. Australia and New Zealand – in the land of Down Under, your cruise may visit these top places: Sydney, the Gateway to the Great Barrier Reef (Hamilton in the Whitsunday Islands), Cairns, and Kuranda. The Land of Oz is better than a fairy tale!

What Make the French Riviera an Ideal Destination for Your Holidays?

 

With 9 million visitors every year, the French Riviera (Cote dâ??Azur) is one of the most famous holiday destinations in the world. It is the most visited region by French tourists and the second most frequented region by foreign tourists, just after Paris. Bordering Italy, it is located in the South of France and extends along the Mediterranean Sea.

The strongest pull for visitors to this region is its diversity, as the French Riviera offers all kinds of tourists a wide range of activities all year round.

For yachters and boaters, there are 135 marinas in The French Riviera. These give you access to amazing seaside resorts. The beaches on this stretch of the South French coast are highly popular during the summer. Saint-Tropez and Saint Raphael are very famous for their exceptional beaches. The climate is exceptional during the summer and even the winter stays quite warm. The French Riviera is a region which can be visited all year.

If you like sport youâ??ll enjoy walking in the mountains, surfing on the sea, skiing in the winter, cycling and the 66 golf courses invite for a round all year. The surrounding Alps, some of which reach 3,000 metres, provide excellent ski resorts. Youâ??d no doubt be surprised to hear that the area boasts 68 ski resorts within easy reach of the coast. The sea and the mountains give an exceptional landscape, making this destination unique.

The three national parks in the area are very popular. The national park of les Ecrins which is located amongst the mountains, welcomes 800,000 visitors each year. Mercantour National Park is another of the nine national parks in France with 800,000 yearly visitors as well. Mercantour National Park is well known for the wolves it welcomes from across the Italian border. Finally, Port-Cros, located on an island, welcomes around half a million visitors every year. In the Cote dâ??Azur, you will also find another four regional nature parks.

The cultural heritage of the French Riviera is amazing. Among the 1,800 edifices registered or classified as historical monuments, three are classified as world heritage site by UNESCO. The old harbour of St Tropez has some very charming small streets, Cannes and Nice welcome celebrities all year for different events and Marseille is very famous for its old harbour as well. You will be welcomed by small villages where you will be able to discover their custom and their local traditions.

Local gastronomy is also a good reason to spend your holidays in the French Riviera. Lavender grows wild in this area of France and is very typical of the regionâ??s cuisine. The plant is used both in the Provencal herb mixture so common in traditional French food and to make lavender honey. Adding to the flavour of the Cote dâ??Azur are the olive groves that have become a regional speciality.

Alternatively the Cote dâ??Azur is excellent for just sitting back, sunbathing, and relaxing on one of the many fantastic beaches!

With something for every visitor, whichever season you wish to visit, the French Riviera is an ideal destination for your next holiday.

 

For more tips, and accommodation in the area visit South of France Tips

French Holidays

Once it was the one thing to holiday in or at least tour France, and then holidays in other parts of the world became more popular. Now the pendulum is swinging back, with many people finding a holiday on the French Riviera the ultimate luxury. At least there are no actual wars being fought in France, so one feels relatively safe travelling in that country.

One exciting thing about taking a holiday in France – especially the French Riviera – is that many celebrities go there, so you are quite likely to catch a glimpse of a famous face. Even if you don’t, all those charming towns and places you have heard of from childhood will entrance and entertain you. You can find follow the footsteps of Bizet, Picasso and Matisse at St-Jean-Cap-Ferrat, explore the treasures of St Tropez, Cannes or Nice and do a hundred other things.

There are art galleries, boutiques, museums and gardens to wander through and explore the delights of. If you are feeling more active you can climb the 100+ steps of the Colline du Chateau at Nice to enjoy the sweeping views of the city and the Mediterranean as the sun sets. Or meditate amongst the tropical plant paradise, Le Jardin d’Eze at Eze. If flea markets are more your thing then don’t miss the Cours Saleya at Nice for flowers, food, produce and many other interesting items.

Or if you are more into rugged locations, you could take a holiday in Brittany, France and explore the rugged coastline, amazing medieval towns, islands and inland woods. The fascinating customs and dress in the Western Peninsula particularly remain much as they were in years gone by, making it a journey into the past. You can visit ancient castles, amazing pink granite formations and churches adorned with fairies, elves and many other weird and wonderful creations. One thing is for sure, you could never be bored on a tour of France. For more details vivit our website www.slowtours.com

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The Beauty of Paris – A Perfect Place to Spend Your Holidays

Paris is known to be the city of lights and is one of the most visited cities in the whole world. A lot of people really do flock the city that in a year alone, there can be over 30 million visitors who spend their vacations here. Maybe because romance never misses to fill the atmosphere of Paris, which is why lovers and honeymooners always consider this place to visit despite of the expenses that they will incur. Paris is a romantic city that even a simple stroll along the Seine and the spires of Notre Dame is considered to be a walk like no other. The Eiffel Tower, the Champs-Elysees and the Arc de Triomphe are just some of the many wonders you are going to see when you visit Paris.

If you are one of the museum goers, Paris would always be the right city for you as the city is the home of world-class museums such as the Picasso, the Louvre and the Musee d’Orsay. If ever you have visited the famous museums, you can always take a stroll and explore Montmartre, which is Paris’ artists’ community before. Then going up the highest hill of Paris, you will then reach the Basilica of Sacre-Coeur, which any traveler should not miss out when visiting Paris. In addition to this, you can also go to the Chateau de Versailles, and in the southwest of Paris, you can visit Louis XIV’s castle and head to its beautiful gardens.

France is not just a beautiful country but also holds so many areas of interests. One of the most favorites is the Loire Chateaux which is actually a collection of beautiful castles that are built in the Loire Valley. Another area of interest is no other than the Cote d’Azur or the French Riviera that has known to stretch from St. Tropez to Cannes, Monte Carlo, Nice and Menton.

French Riviera has really been a director and producer’s favorite as the coastal highways have been featured in many movies already. This is because the highway offers panoramic views of the mountains as well as the Mediterranean. And if you still want to explore more, you can always go to the Provence. The Provence is the hinterland of the Riviera which has greatly inspired a number of artists already. Such artists do include Van Gogh and Cezanne.

To sum it all up, a visit to Paris is like a visit to the heart of art and travel back to the renaissance period. The city is rich with European culture and is known to be the one of the best cities in the world. And not only that! The city is also the capital of a country which is also rich in history and culture, France. So, when planning to have a vacation in Europe, why not try to drop by at the most romantic city of the world and enjoy the enchanting spell that wraps the place? And as you enjoy the wonderful city try to visit its famous tourist spots and take a trip that, for sure, you will never forget.

Cycling Holidays in Provence – Heading South Easier than Ever for School Group Holidays

Zipping off to the southern reaches of France has become easier for school groups since the advent of daily flights from various airports around the UK to the likes of Lyons, Nimes, Nice and Marseilles.

The sunny and chic but one time elite Riviera is no longer just the preserve of the rich and famous.

While some high falutinâ?? types may bemoan the loss of its exclusivity, most of us celebrate the chance to parade the palm tree promenades of Nice, meander around the side streets of the casino capital Monte Carlo, take an hour or two to go celebrity spotting in Cannes or watch the world pass by in from the quiet of a tree-lined avenue in Aix-en-Provence.

Here, too, is chance to relish the rustic scenes which inspired great artists from Monet and Manet to Picasso and Degas, savour the food and wines which they savoured, take in the rustic scenes which so fired their imaginations, visit the one time â??Papal kingdomâ?? of Avignon.

Museums and art galleries offer a glimpse of great artistic and historic works and a walk around in hillside village trails in the Alpes Maritimes and the Var valley provide an insight as to how the Impressionists found the inspiration to produce such masterpieces.

This is now a region where international businessmen, film moguls and stage and screen celebs come to play, or seal deals while enjoying the comfort of the sun on their backs. Gazing at the rows of gleaming luxury yachts moored in Mediterranean marinas is an activity in itself – one which defies â??credit crunchâ?? headlines. Swish hotels and high priced restaurants are patronised by a designer suited clientelle. Flashy convertibles turn heads as they get caught up in Franceâ??s obligatory town centre traffic jams.

But dinted Renaults and standard model citroens also hold their own in the line. You do not have to â??come from moneyâ?? to enjoy the infinite array of rich vistas here, nor to explore market plazas or village squares, to sit by an ancient sculptured fountain or dip your feet into cool river waters.

This is a holiday spot to be enjoyed by all â?? a delight for school parties, gap-life travellers, or groups of retirees.

For those whose pockets arenâ??t too deep, there are mouth-watering menus aplenty, terrace cafes affording ample opportunity to people watch at leisure, while savouring a mid-morning coffee or chilling out with a glass of wine. Accommodation choices range from family and school group camp sites to self-catering apartments, country gites for rent, and friendly family-run hotels.

High temperatures in summer make it a favourite for annual holidays, and budget airline services have now turned the Cote dâ??Azur, in particular, into a popular destination for weekend breaks.

Cannes, a short hop from Nice airport is centre of the media spotlight every year as it hosts the worldâ??s most famous international film festival. Here you can stroll by the fashion houses and perfumeries of the Promenade La Croisette or catch a glimpse of whoâ??s enjoying nouvelle cuisine at the famous Palme dâ??Or restaurant, visit venues frequented by George Clooney, Brad Pitt, Nicole Kidman and Catherine Zeta-Jones, pick up film festival memorabilia, take in a movie at a city cinema.

But it is not just Hollywood stars who are attracted to Cannes. Over the years it has been a port of call for artists of all generations – home to Picasso for ten years, a destination favoured by Renoir, Chagall and Matisse. More modern day artists now display their works at the weekly crafts and antiques markets near the town hall a stoneâ??s throw from the old port marina. Tourists can board the quaint â??little trainâ?? for a city tour, discover hidden away historic churches, elegant boulevards, the Palais des Festivals, Palais Croisette, casino plazas and flower markets.

From the marina visitors can take a 15 minute ferry to two unspoiled islands across Cannes Bay – St Marguerite and St Honorat. With their ancient forts, chapels, Roman relics and museum pieces, they offer a green and secluded rest from the more mainstream tourist trail.

It is easy to get about along the southern coast, on foot, on bicycle, by, bus, coach or train.

Frequent local buses and trains offer the options for one, two or three centre trips, to explore vineyards, enjoy the local culture, take part in hiking or cycling holidays â?? or simply to discover secluded beach spots along the coast. Summer or winter, there is a rich choice of those.

French Cooking Holidays – You Need Not Eat From “Cannes” While Holidaying Here

Cooking holidays in France are totally different when compared to other countries. Just like other countries the French also like to enjoy, relax and relish the past memories with their friends and family. They also use food as an important section of their festive and with it comes the astounding techniques and food that can be enjoyed by anyone. Your idea about their culture can change once you learn about their cooking. These recipes can be added to your daily meals. Why don’t you consider French cooking vacations were you can really get away and enjoy the different cuisine of this culture?

What’s special in the Holiday?

You might be able to book French cooking vacations where you may get transported to a totally new location, enjoy and relax some of their best food which you’ve ever tasted. More importantly, you’ll get learn how to prepare these foods for you and your family. You might find that there are a lot of great choices that you’ll be able to choose from, starting from holidays which teaches you techniques of French cooking to those which teach a wide range of cooking recipes. Here’s what to seek.

• What you learn matters. Try and find out what you can learn from this vacation. Check what can be gained, talking of recipes and techniques. Is this what you need and want?
• The location. Where actually the French cooking vacations are held? This is very important since decides the cost of transport and it also leave you with a wide range of outstanding locations to pick out from. Making your vacation a memory to cherish is just as significant as it is in cooking in their style..
• The price. The price of French cooking vacations as significant as the total enjoyment which you should have. You’ll prefer to find a schooling which will fit into your vacation budget as well as teach you fine type of French cooking you wish to learn.

And there are a lot of companies which offers great French cooking vacations which are packaged and include all your needs. Book them and in a matter of months you’ll be able to sit back and enjoy as well cook the fine French cooking at a fantastic location . There can be nothing better for those who want a place to learn the French cooking techniques and enjoy the flavor. ! What more can a cooking vacation do for you?

French Family Holidays – Why go To France?

Being just a short hop across the channel, France is the ideal destination for your family holiday. In this article, I put to you a few attractions that will cater to both the adults and children in your family alike.

Disneyland Paris
This has got to be top of your childrenâ??s (and possibly your) list when it comes to activities for your holiday. It is no mystery that ever since the first Disneyland opened in 1955, it has been a land of wonder for children, you only need to look at the plaque at the entrance to confirm this: â??Here you leave today and enter the world of yesterday, tomorrow and fantasyâ?. The park is full of rides and attractions to keep even the fussiest child happy and entertained.

Adults are not left out of the equation though. Some of the hairier rides will bring out the excitable kid in you and there are bars and restaurants in which to take time out if you are feeling a little overwhelmed by all the excitement.

Paris
For some reason, the Parisians love carousels and so do children. There are literally hundreds of carousels scattered around Paris for the kids to ride. Paris is also host to Aquaboulevard, a large aquatic park with swimming pools, wave pools, slides and other recreational activities such as golf, tennis and bowling.

For the adults, Paris is heaven, find food, fine wine and great site seeing. Who doesnâ??t want to see the Eiffel tower and the Champs-Elysees?

Beaches
Kids love the beach, they love swimming and they love the sand. France has hundreds if not thousands of world class beaches. The best of these being on the south west and south coasts where the weather is a little warmer. Whether you enjoy the cosmopolitan atmosphere of the beaches in Cannes or prefer to soak in a little history at the beaches of Normandy, there is a beach for everyone.

When you couple all of these advantages with the fact that France is only an hour away by ferry, what other reason do you need to get over there with the family?

Motorhome Rental Holidays in France

From Normandy in the north to the Cote d’Azur in the south, France is and always will be a popular holiday destination and has something to offer everyone. Gastronomic delights, fine wine, great beaches, wonderful scenery, skiing and great shopping. It’s no wonder that France is the most visited country in the world.

If you are looking to holiday in France, there are many different kinds of holidays to choose from including self catering breaks, package holidays, skiing trips, city breaks or gite rentals in the country. But there is another kind of holiday that is becoming more and more popular that allows the holidaymaker more freedom, flexibility and choice.

Motorhome rentals enable you to visit the many different regions of France as opposed to being restricted to just one area or region when choosing a package holiday or private holiday rental.

Most modern motorhomes come fully equipped with full cooking facilities, cutlery, showers, heating, double glazing, cd players, and other mod cons to make your trip as comfortable and as pleasurable as possible. Many of the larger motorhomes will sleep around six or more people, meaning that a larger family or two smaller families can be accommodated adequately.

The best time of year to visit France is in spring or the start of summer in early May. Most French people take their holidays during May and August so if you do travel to France during this period you may find the beaches and ski slopes a little busier during these months.

The French drive on the right hand side so remember to give way to the left at roundabouts. It is also advisable that when reversing, you have someone on the ground if possible to help, as the visibility on a motorhome is not as good as your average car.

Ok, so you have decided that a motorhome holiday is right for you and you can’t wait to get started but where are you going and what can you see there? Fortunately you will not be left wanting when finding things to do and places to see when visiting France. There are many different regions in France, 21 to be precise, and each and every one has something special to offer.

Normandy with it’s rolling hills, 360 miles of dramatic coastline and bustling market towns lies at the south of the English channel and is a popular tourist destination. It has a population of around 3.45 million and equates to around 5% of France’s total population. The largest land invasion took place on the beaches of Normandy on the 6th June 1944 at the end of the second world war and this is evident in the number of museums, bunkers, cemeteries and monuments that mark the historic event.

You can also visit Rouen which is the capital of Normandy and like most of France it is steeped in history. You will find the Notre Dame de Rouen cathedral which was immortalized by the French impressionist Claude Monet. Rouen is also a lively city and you can find many bars, cafes and restaurants to relax in.

If you are looking for somewhere different to visit, why not try the French Riviera and the Cote d`azur? With it’s Mediterranean climate and over 300 days of sunshine a year including a mostly mild winter, it can be a great place to visit via motorhome. Some of the major towns along its 70 mile coast include chic Cannes, St Tropez and Monaco.

We also have Brittany to the north east of the country which is a very popular holiday destination and has miles of wonderful sandy beaches. Brittany has around 3,500km of coastline which makes it the perfect place to participate in a wide range of water sports including windsurfing, canoeing, surfing and kayaking.

So there you have it. Buckle up and hit the open road. There are 21 exciting and very different French regions just waiting to be explored. And what better way than in a motorhome.