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New flights from Poitiers to Barcelona

Ryanair have announced a new twice-weekly route from Poitiers (86 Vienne, Poitou-Charentes) to Barcelona/Girona in Spain starting 23 June 2010. This is in addition to its already established route from London Stansted to Poitiers.

Although no great fan of Ryanair’s outrageous pricing policy which ends up charging you extra for almost anything they can think of, such as luggage, payment by credit card etc – the airline has enabled many Brits to access parts of France by air which might not have been possible. So, you could spice up a stay in Poitou-Charentes with a few days in Spain – and Barcelona is well worth a visit with its architecture, proximity to the Mediterranean and vibrant day and night life!

Unlike some airline destinations, Poitiers-Biard Airport is close to the centre of the town

There is also a new route starting in March 2010 from Pau (64 Pyrenees-Atlantiques, Aquitaine) in the foothills of the Pyrenees to Beauvais (60 Oise, Picardie), north of Paris. – which takes just 90 minutes in the air! – and Edinburgh to Bordeaux (33 Gironde, Aquitaine) from March 2010

For more info see www.ryanair.com

Ideas to keep you busy in Paris!

Caves Augé on Blvd Haussman © Paris Tourist Office - Photographe : Alain Potignon

Paris is a city full of culture and is home to some of the most recognisable tourist attractions in Europe – including the Eiffel Tower, the cathedral at Notre Dame and Arc du Triomphe. According to price comparison website travelsupermarket.com: “whether you’re a romantic, a culture vulture, or a foodie, there’s loads to keep you busy in Paris.”

There is a wide variety of things to see and do within Paris, from sightseeing tours of the iconic city quarters to nights at the opera in the historic theatre district - travelsupermarket.com offers this guide to things to see and do in Paris:

• Take a scenic sightseeing trip at night

There are many historical sights to take in during your visit to Paris. For those who want to explore, there are a wide variety of tours around the capital available, all within easy reach of many Paris hotels– from the artistic museum tours to the bizarre tours of the ancient sewer system beneath the city.

Paris is also known as the City of Light, and night tours are a fantastic opportunity to see Paris’s most famous monuments, such as the Eiffel Tower and the cathedral at Notre Dame, in stunningly beautiful illumination against the night sky.

• Explore the Louvre

The world famous Musee du Louvre is one of the world’s largest museums, and houses some of the most culturally significant works of art in the world. From ancient Egyptian artifacts to the iconic Venus de Milo statue to Da Vinci’s world famous Mona Lisa painting, there is a lot to explore in the Louvre.

• Take in a show

Paris is renowned for its Opera and Theatre districts, and there are opportunities to take in dinner and a show through a range of packages. From the Opera National de Paris to the Theatre des Champs-Elysees, there is a wide variety of shows and music events to satisfy a range of musical and cultural tastes.

• Go on a gastronomic journey

Speaking of tastes, Paris is home to a wide variety of dining options, giving you the chance to sample some authentic Parisian cuisine. Whether you’re looking to enjoy a coffee and croissant at a quaint little cafes or bistro or indulge in a meal at a Michelin-starred gourmet restaurant, you can really get a taste for Paris during your visit. There are a variety of food-based tours available to satisfy all appetites and palettes, so you’ll never be short of choice in this fine gastronomic capital.

New cross-channel ferry to Ostend

Anther option for getting across the Channel launches on 15 March 2010 when LD Lines links Ramsgate in Kent with Ostend in Belgium.

LD Lines’ tourist fares on the Ramsgate – Ostend service will be available for cars and passengers, cars and caravans, motorhomes, motorcycles and for added on board passenger comfort facilities include cabins and sleeper seats. LD Lines’ launch offer starts from £24 single for a car and five passengers.

LD Lines’ cross channel ferry service network includes : Dover – Boulogne, Newhaven – Dieppe and Portsmouth – Le Havre routes.

This may not seem an obvious option for travel to France – but it can make sense for North East and Eastern France – e.g. Alsace. The absence of autoroute tolls in Belgium may make a difference, The crossing however takes slightly under 4 hours.

Book LD Lines through FerryCheap.com

Carnival in Albi

The town of Albi (81 Tarn et Garonne, Midi Pyrenees) holds its annual Carnival celebration from 20 – 28 February 2010.

Albi is perhapes best known for its pink brick Cathedral, the Toulouse Lautrec museum and the birthplace of the Albigensian Crusades which led to the Cathar heresy and battles.

However for a week in February the town goes into Carnival mode with Carnival Queens, Parades, floats, music etc to jollify the streets of the town.

I have stayed at the Mercure Bastides Hotel in Albi is centrally situated by the River Tarn with great views of the Cathedral.

Whilst in the area you can visit the vineyards of Gaillac AC. I can recommend the Domaine de Labarthe at Castanet which produces some very good Gaillac reds, dry and sweet whites. Sparkling and Gaillac Perlé ( a lightly petillant dry white).

For more info on the Albi Carnival see www.carnaval-albi.com

For more info on Albi see www.albi-tourisme.fr

Avignon and the roses at AlteraRosa

Think ahead to warm (or even hot) Spring days in Provence – add the magnificent Pope’s Palace (Palais de Papes) in Avignon and a stunning exhibition of roses – sounds vert enticing! 13 May -16 May 2010 are the dates for the 2010 edition of this annual celebration of the beautiful Rose.

For 4 days the Cloister of St Benedict in the Palais de Papes is bedecked with hundreds of varieties of roses, including some new strains – making the whole place a riot of colour and perfume. There is a competition for the best rose and the opportunity to buy or just enjoy.

However implausible it may seem even southern Provence has had snow this winter – so its not just the northern climes which have suffered – see www.avignon-tourisme.com for pictures of Avignon in the snow!!

Avignon is always worth visiting any time of year – a great combination of lively modern city, medieval walled town and Palace, the famous truncated Pont d”Avignon Bridge across the Rhone (real name Pont St Benazit) – surrounded by superb Provencal countryside (St Remy de Provence with its market and Van Gogh connections is only a short distance away- plus plenty of great wines and local produce to enjoy.

For more info on Altera Rosa see www.alterarosa.com

For more info on Avignon see www.avignon-tourisme.com

Find best hotel rates in Avignon

Nice Carnaval 2010

Nice (06 Alpes-Maritimes, Provence) celebrates its Carnaval from 12-28 February 2010 which has grown into one of the largest carnivals in the world and is the main winter event on the Riviera with its carnaval parades, flower parades and parade of lights!

The carnival processions, comprising 20 floats telling the story of the “Blue Planet” work their way up to a crescendo of gigantic decorations on the Place Masséna. These giant, colourful parades take place day and night, with entertainment provided by over 1,000 musicians and dancers from across the world.

In a unique setting, on the Promenade des Anglais, the elegant “flower battles” are part of the carnival not to be missed. On floats decorated with the most stunning floral compositions, extravagantly dressed characters throw out mimosas, gerberas, and lilies into the public …

Carnival provides locals and visitors with a chance to enjoy themselves before the privations of Lent and certainly brightens up the long dull winter days – although the Riviera is seldom dreary even in mid-winter.

For more info see www.nicecarnaval.com

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