Shop Like a Parisian
The Parisians not only take their food and wine seriously but also their shopping. Shopping in Paris is an art. Once you know a few secrets, Paris can the best place in the world to buy discounted designer items.
I’ve also observed how the French shop. They buy quality rather than quantity. Two or three classic pieces each year, normally bought during their favourite shopping time “Les Soldes”.
Twice a year, the French do some serious shopping. Summer Sales in August and Winter Sales in February. These are government controlled and while there’s a lot of dissatisfaction among retailers about these restrictions, I believe it works well for consumers.
But what if you can’t shop in sale time? You have several choices. Warehouses (entrepôt); second hand stores specialising in designer brands only (dépot-ventes) or private sales (held for a short specified period and online). If you are a Paris resident, ‘ventes privées’ offer great bargains (see below for three of the best sites).
But back to retail shopping.
Warehouse outlets:
Not far from the popular rue de Rennes (home to the big brand ZARA, H&M & GAP) is rue Placide. For designer labels, head to ‘Mouton a Cinq Pattes’ (Sheep with five Paws) This Parisian institution has every imaginable designer label on sale; although some items have been there so long they’ve made a comeback. They have three stores in this small street, which is a bit of a mystery. Lots of bargain bins to search deep and wide while I can’t guarantee a ‘Hermes Scarf’ you may find a Louis Vuitton or a Chanel, lots of Gucci belts and other surprises.
Word of warning; finding your size can be disappointing. Anything under a European 40 or US 10 should be fine with skirts, shirts and little tees. Anything over might be limited to their choice of jackets, coats (fur and leather) and other accessories. I guess there’s some truth in ‘French women don’t get fat’.
In the same street you will find the outlets for Carroll and ETAM which offer good classic work suits and tops as well as numerous children’s boutiques and shoe shops. It’s a small street and well worth the detour. At the end of the street, it’s back to luxury shopping at the Bon Marche or a spot of lunch in their recently renovated “Le Grande Epicerie Paris’.
At the opposite end of town is rue D’Alésia. My Parisian friends tell me they don’t shop there as it’s just not chic enough but I don’t believe them. Its only a short metro ride away from high street shopping and well worth a visit, particularly if you like Cacharel and Sonia Rykiel. There are lots of small stores stocking Armani, Dolce & Gabbanna, American Retro and numerous French labels. It’s quite a long street so you could easily spend a full day shopping there.
At Cacharel I couldn’t resist a hip length woollen jacket, with a rabbit-fur lapel (€660 reduced to €120) and a frilly, high-neck silk blouse (reduced from €320 to €90). There’s also a great selection of clothes for children; girls’ embroidered cardigans at €30, boys suits from €100 as well as lots of cashmere twin sets around €80-120. The ground floor is dedicated to Monsieur: Suits, shirts and sweaters at great prices.
Also impressive are the two Sonia Rykiel stores. As France’s queen of ‘knits’ you can be assured of quality and there’s plenty of her trademark bright coloured wool tops and skirts for under €100. Both stores had last winter’s stock greatly reduced and some new season items, albeit some with flaws. The larger of the SR stores has a section dedicated to the under 2s. You can image how cute this is.
Lastly, shoes, glorious shoes. Head to rue Meslay; the entire street is dedicated to our ‘pieds’. I would recommend going straight to No 13. This store specialises in Charles Jourdan (should have more stock after the liquidation) Valentino and Langerfeld. Prices range between €80-200 and there’s lot of classic styles and colours.
Afterwards, there are over 50 stores to browse. Many offer ‘copy’ designs in Chanel and Prada but the quality often matches the prices. I saw lots of the Italian brand Superga from €25, Converse and Todds. When I visited in winter there was an extensive range of leather boots from €150.
To diverge a little, minutes away from rue Mesley is the rue Temple. This district is famous for its wholesale jewellery supplies: Beads, chains, tools as well as costume jewellery. It’s a great street as there’s always a frenzy of activity. Retailers bargaining with wholesalers. Large garbage bags of costume jewellery being dragged back to the 5th and ready for a mark-ups of 70-100%. These stores usually only sell to retailers but you are free to wonder around and you can always ask if you see something you like. If you can buy in quantities, they will almost certainly turn a blind eye in demanding the necessary retail registration details. I’ve never had problems buying semi-precious stones and chains.
Now, back to shoes, for all fans of the ‘stiletto’. I am going to recommend a store on the outskirts of Paris, “Mini-Prix’. It look more like a 7/11 but you will find designs by Jill Sanders, Ralph Lauren, Blackberry Neal Alexandra, Patrick Cox and Gianfranco Ferre – sorry no Manolo Blahnik - all for less than €200.
Surprisingly, some new season stock. They also have a small range of designer label handbags but I wasn’t too impressed with the collection. It’s not far from the Porte de Versailles, the major trade exhibition hall in Paris. There’s really nothing else in this area, a couple of stores promoting clothes, but not a great collection. However if you like heels, you’ll love this place.
Of course, this is only a tiny selection of the many places in Paris. Everyone has their favourite and I’ll certainly be back to Cacharel when time and budget permit!
Address list:
Cacharel & Sonia Rykiel – rue d’Alésia Métro: Alésia, t: 01 45 42 53 04
Mini-Prix, rue Boulevard Victor M: Balard
Shoes rue Meslay – M: Rennes
Creator of a new website allowing travellers to create their own itinerary of events, locals restaurants, shopping and beauty tips and ideas for travelling with children in Paris, London and Loire Valley. The author is a former Public Relations consultant in Australia but now living in France.
Park Joo-Young scores his 4th goal of the season (9th goal overall) and the winning goal against Rennes. ??? 4??
5 places to go camping in France
France is home to some quit stunning scenery and a wonderful country for enjoying the outdoors, Add onto that the French food and wines and you begin to see the attraction of France as a camping and outdoors destination Below a look at some of the top camping spots in the country.
1. Rhone Alps – Rhone Alps is one of the most stunning and breathtaking camping destinations in the world and is the best destination in France for campers looking to experience the beauty of nature. Campers can set out from the French city of Grenoble and then participate in a wide variety of activities including hiking, water sports, and mountain climbing. Visitors will also be able to enjoy the pine forests, fresh mountain air and scenic meadows.
2. La Brouquere – La Brouquere is located in Gondrin and its campsite’s motto is “Arrive as a guest and leave as a friend.” This camp site is situated near an old winery and guests can relax at a beautiful terraced patio, take a dip in the pool, or explore the vast grape plantations and sunflower fields. La Brouquere is a relaxing and peaceful place to be and a great escape for the digital world many of us work within.
3. Luxury Eco Yurt – The French are known for their luxurious accommodations and as a result many camp sites offer guests a true camping experience coupled with luxury and sophistication. The Luxury Eco Yurt located in North Dordogne provides visitors with typical camping activities like bird watching and hiking while spoiling them with luxurious amenities and facilities.
4. North Brittany – Camping in North Brittany near Paris allows visitors to take in France’s stunning and rugged coastlines. Visitors to the area can also sample the French seafood dishes made according to local cuisine tradition; they can also visit the Oceanopolis, a giant aquarium shaped like a crab. An excellent day trip worth considering whilst is St Malo, a lovelt coastal town with markets and many stylish boutique shops and a beach.
5. Romarins – Romarins is located in close proximity to Monaco and camping in the area will offer travellers with an unforgettable view of the French countryside. Guests can also visit the Jardin Exotique, which houses a wide variety of exotic and interesting plants. This area is more expensive than some parts of France but is worth the value, such is the beauty of this area.
Paul loves to travel, watch movies and learn new things daily.
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Enjoy a leisurely start to your holiday in France
Although family holidays are intended to provide an enjoying and relaxing time for all, that’s rarely the case 100% of the time, and while families have been enjoying self-drive holidays to France for decades, there’s nothing quite as stressful as a car full of hot, restless kids who can’t wait to get down to the business of having fun!
When planning a self drive holiday to the European continent the first ferry route that springs to mind is Dover to Calais, and while this is the shortest (and often cheapest) option, it’s not always the best or most economical.
Firstly it’s worth noting that unless you’re starting off from the South-East of England then a Dover to Calais crossing is probably going to require you to negotiate the roads around London, including the notorious M25 – a less than ideal start to what is supposed to be an enjoyable and relaxing holiday!
The ever increasing price of fuel should also be taken into consideration – in many cases a longer ferry crossing can make financial sense too. Depending on your final holiday destination the total cost of travel for a short ferry journey and longer driving miles can be comparable to an overnight ferry crossing with less driving required once over the channel. This is especiallly true if you’re planning a trip to Brittany, the Vendee or the Dordogne.
Naturally the added bonus of selecting a longer ferry crossing is that it allows you to spend less time driving and more quality time with your family, plus a longer ferry crossing can make for more of an adventure for the kids. While the Eurotunnel is fast and convenient, ferries hail from a time when the world felt like a bigger place and the pace of life was a little more relaxed.
So, what are your options for alternative ferry routes? Many people find that if starting out from the West of England that Portsmouth is a far more convenient port of departure, and in addition to the accessibility benefits of Portsmouth you can turn the longer ferry crossing times to your benefit by taking the opportunity to kick back and relax a little.
While P&O Ferries are probably the best know of all the ferry operators providing services from the UK Brittany Ferries operate several excellent services including Portsmouth to Caen, Portsmouth to Cherbourg and Portsmouth to St Malo, all serviced by their fleet of modern cruise ferries. If the last time you were on a ferry was more than a couple of years ago then you’ll be pleasantly suprised by advances made in the way of comfort and facilities onboard. The modern cruise ferries operating on these longer routes have shops, restaurants, bars and cinemas available to passengers and even on an overnight crossing you’ll probably won’t be able to fit it all in!
Accommodation options available on overnight cruise ferries range from basic (but comfortable) club class seats, to stateroom cabins with sea views, although a standard cabin option will suite most families best. Whichever accommodation you decide on you can rest assured that you’ll reach your holiday destination substantially more refreshed and relaxed than if you decided to drive the whole distance!
James is a web developer and internet marketeer with a keen interest in the travel sector. He has had a passion for the web since it was still in it’s infancy, and can frequently be found hanging out in online forums or editing his travel guide directory.
On a sailing trip back from the british channel islands on a bavaria 47 we had 8 bft the second day on our way to st. malo
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5 Great Days Out in the South of France
One of the most gorgeous locations for a holiday is the South of France and an area that is hard to beat is the Languedoc Roussillon region. It pretty much has everything a tourist could want, wonderful scenery including the Mediterranean coastline, La Montagne Noire, the Pyrenees plus numerous inland lakes and fast flowing rivers. There is some fantastic architecture both Medieval and modern, examples of which are La Cite in Carcassonne and the Millau Viaduct near to Montpellier not to mention the famous Canal du Midi.
Add to that the available sporting opportunities, such as skiing, snowboarding, horse riding, cycling, walking and white water rafting, to name but a few, and an area steeped in history that includes the Cathar fortresses, the abbeys and the historic sites of the Albigensian crusade such as Minerve and Montsegur. Then throw in one of the largest wine producing regions in the world, certainly in France anyway, why would you want to go anywhere else.
So if you are visiting the South of France in this region make sure you don’t miss out on some wonderful opportunities for a day out. Here are a few suggestions to get you started, 5 to be precise.
Number 1 on the list has to be the fabulous city of Carcassonne with it’s live and working Medieval fortress ‘La Cite’ a Unesco world heritage site since 1997. La Cite played a big part in the Albigensian crusades after Simon de Montfort forced the inhabitants of the city to surrender and then used it as his own fortified retreat. Today La Cite along with the lower city (Ville Basse) is a thriving tourist attraction seeing over 3 million visitors a year. There is certainly plenty for the tourist to do on a day out in Carcassonne, with amazing architecture to see, theaters, music to listen to, restaurants, bars, shops and the Canal du Midi, another world heritage site, to visit.
Number 2 is a visit to the Corbieres wine region, the capital of Cobieres is Lagrasse which is a small but beautiful medieval town that sits in the heart of Corbieres country half way between Carcassonne and Narbonne. There is a small river that runs through the town over which you will find some stone built bridges from which you can get a great view of the Abbey of St Mary. Driving through the country lanes to get to Lagrasse you will pass lots of ‘degustations’ where you can stop for a little wine tasting and perhaps buy a bottle or two to take home or to help lunch go down and Lagrasse is definitely a lovely backdrop for a lazy lunch in the sunshine.
Number 3 is a visit to the Mediterranean coastline via Narbonne, going north to south there is Gruissan, La Franqui and even further south, Collioure. You could spend a whole day in any one of these locations without too much trouble just enjoying the Mediterranean Sea and it’s changeling scenery. Gruissan plage is a wide expanse of golden sand while Collioure has a small shingle beach being more of a fishing port. Many a fine artist has resided in Collioure utilising the amazing clarity of light of this region to influence their paintings, this would be your chance to experience why they thought it was so special.
Number 4 is Rennes le Chateau, high on a mountain top going out of Couiza at the start of the Pyrenees, never mind the history of the Knights Templar just take in the views and enjoy the magnificent scenery. When you have had your fill there you could perhaps take a drive down through the Gorge de Galamus and along the river towards Chateau de Peyrepertuse and Chateau de Queribus, both as impressive as Rennes le Chateau in their own way, as is the 600m deep gorge you drive through to get there.
Number 5 is back to wine country but this time through the Minervois to its capital Minerve, another wonderful medieval city that sits on the river that runs through Gorge de Cesse and has the dubious honour of being the first of the Cathar strongholds to fall to Simon de Montfort in the Albigensian crusade at the start of what was to be a 34 year long quest to eradicate the Cathars from the region. The parfaits who refused to renounce their faith were burnt at the stake for their troubles but these days the only burning of the steak that is likely to happen is on a grill at one of the very nice restaurants overlooking the river or in one of Minerve’s very quaint little streets.
There are so many other places in the region to write about and I am sure in time I will, but for now I hope that this has given you a flavor of what there is available to visit in this lovely part of France.
Visit Holidays France for information on our gite in the south of France, and to gain access to some useful travel advice for France and Europe generally plus a travel shop where you can purchase accessories for your travels on line.
For more personal insight into our French Life you can visit my blog called ‘Life in the France Lane’ which has loads of information on places to visit in France, whats on and how to advice for prospective Francophiles.
Ferries are Back in Fashion
The journey from home to your holiday destination can make or break your trip but what used to be all part of the experience is fast becoming something most of us dread.
Airport delays, increased security and luggage restrictions have had passengers tearing their hair out, trains can be shabby and run late all too often, petrol is pricey and roads are unreliable, while walking ratchets up the cost of shoe leather…
However, one area where quality of travel has been little affected is the humble ferry. In recent years, the ferry industry has seen a surge of improvements and a massive upturn in popularity while other methods of transport have leapt, stumbled and fallen flat owing to environmental issues, high prices and security concerns.
Since the abolition of duty free shopping on ferries in 1999, the industry was hit by a slump as their lucrative on-board sales of alcohol and tobacco were scrapped practically overnight by the EU. This also coincided with the arrival of the brand spanking Eurostar.
Capable of whipping tourists to the continent in a fraction of the time, the new super train captured people’s imaginations and led to a lack of interest in the over-sea option.
The turn of the millennium also saw the sweeping successes of the low-cost airlines. It was their heyday – and people were astonished at the flight bargains that could be had at the time.
These days, as people become more aware of their carbon footprint and the credit crunch closes in on our wallets, the ferry is seeing a serious resurgence in popularity.
Red Falcon take passengers to the Isle of Wight
In fact, it’s less of resurgence and more of an out and out boom, with new ferry routes springing up faster than you can say ‘online check in’.
Aside from the cheap fares, one major reason for the upsurge in bookings is the fact that the often lacklustre boats have now been replaced with convenient, comfortable and modern vessels.
Most ferry routes now offer restaurants, bars and traditional pubs as well as internet cafes and spacious lounges and even discos. Some ships also offer food courts and seafaring versions of the high-end Langan’s brasserie.
Norfolkine ferries have top drawer food options
Other ferries contain wine tasting and tapas bars, cinemas, fully kitted-out casinos, and on the longer routes, saunas, gyms, and even theatres.
Compare the above lists to the other leisure options available; quickly scoffing down a sandwich on the Eurostar’s buffet car, or £2.55 for a cup-a-soup on a Ryanair flight. The ferry wins hands down.
And it seems the best is yet to come with ferry companies set to invest more than £1.25 billion on improvements to their fleets.
P&O alone have dedicated £500m to their ships as part of a five-year plan which should lead to quicker, more efficient services.
In addition, Stena Line, who are the major operators in the Irish Sea, are taking more than three million people across to Ireland each year.
Eighty per cent of their passengers said they chose the ferry because of the extra freedom of having their own car, 18 per cent said they liked the extra luggage capacity, and seven per cent said that it worked out cheaper than flying.
Stena Line UK Communications Manager Nigel Tilson said: “Many people have come to prioritise comfort and flexibility over the long waiting times that are associated with air travel.
“It’s a convenient, relaxing and hassle-free way to travel that offers tremendous value”
Cross channel ferries to france are a relaxing and social way to kick off your holiday
Talking about the popularity of ferry travel, William Gibbons, the head of the Passenger Shipping Association, said: “There is every expectation that the trend will continue next year. A key mission for the PSA is to get ferries back on the map as a first call for travel to the near continent and Ireland”.
And it seems that the combination of high airport security, claustrophobic trains and plenty of investment could mean that this goal will soon become a reality.
So, why is it better to go by ferry?
It’s green
The carbon footprint of ferry passengers is lower than that of airline passengers – 0.12 per kilogram/per passenger compared to 0.29 for airlines (a single ferry trip forms about 1/100th of your annual carbon emissions).
New rubbish-reducing technologies on board ferry ships are tackling waste management issues. Food grinders, recycling separators, and modified engine room equipment that help reduce emissions are all contributing to making ferries cleaner.
Brittany Ferries’ Pont Aven ship is top-of-the-line
It’s convenient
You’ll arrive at your destination with your car, which means there’s no risk of lost luggage and you’ll have plenty of extra space for your continental shopping trip. Also, if you are carrying large or odd shaped baggage you don’t have to worry about the extra charges that apply on flights, which is great news for skiers and snowboarders.
There’s also plenty of readily available late availability on ferries making last-minute short breaks a more feasible option.
It’s cheap
A late availability search produced prices of £100 for a return ticket to Calais for one car. SeaFrance and P&O have special offers on their home page from as little as £29 each way. Single tickets for the Eurotunnel start from £49.
It’s going to get cheaper
Ro-pax ferries are already cheap but the increased use of these no-frills services, which combine freight voyages with passengers, will lead to a great deal more ferry bargains.
It’s hassle free
You won’t be pestered by luggage charges, check-in fees, re-circulated air, or wailing new-borns, to name just a few of flying’s bad points. It might not be as fast, but it’s certainly more pleasurable.
A taster of ferry travel…
1. A hop to France
It’s almost too easy… rent a cottage in northern France and take the car – so it’s no surprise that ferry companies have already thought of this one. Have a look at Sail and Drive’s website where they have ideas that include Caen and Cherbourg in their ‘Family summer getaways by sea’ section. See sailanddrive.com
2. The adventurous option
Take the ferry from Newcastle to Stavanger in Norway where adrenaline packed activities are plentiful. From dog-sledding, to skiing, hiking, mountain biking or just sitting in one of the city’s cafés, all tastes are catered for.
For the extreme contingent, the area’s high cliffs are popular among base jumpers. Visit dfd seaways – prices start at £319 for two passengers plus car.
3. Pack skis and drive
It’s cheap and easy to get to France on the ferry. Once you are there take the long drive south to the Alps (one of the most beautiful drives in Europe) with your skis firmly strapped on the roof and you’ll avoid all of those extra luggage charges. Visit natives.co.uk for routes and tips for the drive – it’s then up to you where you stay and ski!
Head to Dublin on the HSS Voyager from Holyhead
4. Ferries in the UK
The two main options are from Holyhead to Dublin and from Pembroke to Rosslare. So it’s your choice between getting lost in Dublin, or heading to Rosslare in the south where you’ll be just a short drive from Kilkenny or Limerick. Visit discover ireland for help with planning your trip.
5. Luxury on board
Travel with Brittany Ferries to Santander and you will be on board their £100m luxury flagship boat. Crossings now take less than 24 hours but there will still be time to use the on-board pool and cinemas, and get some shut-eye in one of their top-end commodore cabins. Log onto brittany ferries for bookings.
I’m a freelance travel writer who works for the British travel website www.travelmail.co.uk
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Guernsey – Channel Islands: Gorgeous Scenery Awaits You
Guernsey – Channel Islands features gorgeous landscapes for people looking to getaway from the busy life in London or any other city. It lies in the English Channel, in the bay of St. Malo. Guernsey is easy to reach by taking a short flight from various English airports.
Walking is one of the favored activities in the area. You can find miles of trails to stroll along, some of which are on top of cliffs with a lovely vista of the water. Bird lovers will be happy to find that there are many species nesting and visiting here. You can combine your walking with your bird watching with ease. Feel free to wander around on your own. There are also local guides for hire if you like.
There are other things to do outdoors besides the birding and walking. You can also go diving, biking or fishing. You can even go golfing if that is your preferred leisure activity.
If you prefer something other than outdoor activities, or just want a change, there is lots to do. This region has a rich history. In the 900s, it was part of French Normandy. This is reflected in both the local names and in the language of the area, Dgernesiais. There is a castle which dates from the 13th century with pretty gardens.
An additional interesting part of local history is that, during World War II, the island was occupied by the Germans. You can visit a variety of locations to get a feel for the time. For example, there is a German military underground hospital, a German naval signals headquarters, an observation tower and a German occupation museum.
When it is time to take it easy, there are plenty of restaurants and bars to choose from. No town in England is complete without the traditional pub, of course. There are also restaurants featuring food from places all over the world including Spain, Italy, India and Thailand. Either after or before, you can walk around town visiting the various boutiques.
The accommodations come in many varieties as well. You can choose from four star hotels or cozy guesthouses. If you prefer roughing it, there are campgrounds to set up at. Or, if you are going to be here longer, you might want something self-catering. You can find houses, apartments and cottages in this category.
If you want someplace to go where you can leave your stress behind, Guernsey – Channel Islands is the place for you. Whether you are getting way for a week or a weekend, there is one thing you can count on. You will want to visit the island again.
For accommodation in Guernsey check this list of Guernsey hotels.
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Brittany Cultural Festivals of the Summer, One in Winter
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Brittany has always been known as a welcoming home to culture, many artists have flocked here including Pierre Gauguin in the late 19th century, who created some of his greatest work recreating these landscapes. Throughout the year Brittany is bristling with cultural festivals, with its two month biennial just passing last week. Yet there is still much to see: art in curious places, jazz on a summer’s day, music festivals featuring the best artists from off the beaten track, as well as the best of British cinemas. Here are some of the best festival of the Summer (and one from the winter).
L’art Dans Le Chapelles
Running all the way through the Summer, from the beginning of July until the end of September, L’art Dan Le Chapelles, is a festival in which various churches throughout central Brittany give sanctuary to many artworks. In around twenty locations dotted around Blavet valley, artists are invited to create contemporary, site-specific walls to garnish these walls and floors. It’s a wonderful dialogue between modern and old as the many of the churches date back to the 15th or 16th century, and we see secular and sacred all blended together under the same roof.
Jazz a Vannes Festival
The Jazz in Vannes festival runs for 6 days, from the end of July, running in to the beginning of August. It has been a cornerstone of Vannes’s summer cultural scene for over 30 years now, and continues to develop, increasing in vitality. In recent years the festival has boasted a great line up including the Duke Ellington orchestra, Buena Vista Social Club and Archie Shepp, along with the very best in French jazz. Much can be seen for free, and the festival kicks off with a free concert on the Esplanade on the 26th of July.
La Route du Rock
Held in the beautiful walled seaside city of St Malo Brittany’s Emerald Coast, La Route du Rock celebrates it’s 20th birthday with a characteristically strong line up of great music. Over the years La Route du Rock has established itself as one of the world’s best alternative festival, far removed from the mud feasts and sweaty tents, instead a more refined affair, with bands playing on a number of strange stages such as the beach stage or castle stage. Sonic Youth, PJ Harvey, and The Cure have all played here, this year it welcomes Massive Attack and The Flaming Lips.
The Festival du Film Britannique
During the beginning of October Brittany plays home to a considerable festival of British Films. It has had many famous visitors in its time including John Hurt, Kristin Scott Thomas, Jane Birkin, Charlotte Rampling, to name but a few. Competition is fierce here as the films compete it out to win the festivals main trophy the Hitchcock d’or (Golden Hitchcock), in the past this has been awarded to Shallow Grave, The Full Monty and Billy Elliot.
Transmusicales
Taking place in Renne towards the end of the year is one the longest running winter music festivals in the world. Transmusicales aims to bring to your attention the music of tomorrow, new bands have come here hoping for a platform and willing ears, and has played its part in the careers of Nirvana and Portishead in the nineties, Kate Nash and the Ting Tings in recent years.
If you are planning on soaking up some culture this Summer you will find much on offer in Brittany. Staying in one of the many gites in Brittany, you can take in the thrills of the festival, and the splendour of the country all at your own pace.
Short term rentals from around the world, direct from the owner at vacationrentalpeople.com.
Try one of the beautiful Gites in Brittany at VacationRentalPeople.com.
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Jersey as a Vacation Spot
Jersey, one of the Channel Islands in the English Channel (in contrast to Jersey, USA), is a small yet beautiful island, perfect for a short holiday.
The island itself is as far south as France (St. Malo is less than 4 miles away and visible on a clear day) and so whilst still part of the British empire it benefits from far better weather.
This weather means not only an ideal place for camping, beaches and outdoor persuits but also you will see a profusion of plants and animals not normally seen on mainland Britain. Most notable is the only British population of the Green Lizard, often nicknamed the Jersey Green Lizard for just this very reason. Reaching around a foot long, and the males possessing a bright blue throat they are certainly a wonderful (if rare) sight to behold. Red squirrels can still be seen here for the eagle-eyed and dolphins may often be seen during the summer months.
Talking of beaches, whilst the island only measures a few miles long there are beaches for all ocassions. Long, sandy beaches perfect for surfing, more protected “sun bather” beaches and wild rocky outcrops covered in breeding sea birds. There are even some caves that only appear at low tide.
You can arrive by ferry or plane as Jersey is well served by both a safe port at St. Helier or an airport on the west side of the island.
Escaping from the attractive but busy main town of St. Helier, venture to the northern half of the island for the “true” Jersey experience. Rolling fields filled with Jersey cows producing thick, delicious cream. Farmers fields green with the tops of Jersey Royals – the finest new potatos around. Greenhouses filled with flame-red tomatoes. Foxglove-strewn laybys and meadows and the deep blue sea. There are also castles and fishing-boat filled coves to enjoy.
Jersey has a low national speed limit, plenty of narrow tracks and a “no caravan” rule making it a great place to walk or cycle, and an efficient local bus service covers the entire island. Exploring this small island is therefore safe, practical and incredibly good fun.
Other things to see here are the underground tunnels used by the Nazis during the war (the Channel Islands are as far north as the invasion got) and the world-famous Durrell Wildlife Preservation Trust (or just “Jersey Zoo”!). It was here that a small boy fell into the gorilla pit many years ago much to the shock of his parents. Alive, but scared, rather than being attacked, the boy was watched over and looked after by the gorillas until keepers were able to extract him safely.
Personally, I like to camp though there are plenty of hotels around (less self catering accomodation though) of an international standard. Being a tax haven, Jersey boasts rich businessmen, private jets and Ferraris making it a more British Monaco. English is spoken, they drive on the left and they use the pound. There is, however, a lovely “French” feel in the style of the houses, many French place names and in the excellent quality of food available here – especially the seafood.
The Channel Islands also consist of Guernsey, Alderney and Sark, all of which can be reached by one of the inter-island boat services in operation over the summer months and day trips to France from here are easy to arrange.
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Channel Islands: a Dream Come True for the Newly Wed
After the stress and joy of a wedding, it’s time to go for a romantic honeymoon. To start with Island honeymoons offer the perfect choice for an exotic honeymoon destination.
When you think of your honeymoon, you would like to spend your joyous moments in beautiful settings of a lovely beach amidst a perfect sunset with just two of you being alone. Most popular honeymoon destinations do not offer this kind of intimacy and privacy, as there will also be other couples looking for such destinations. Island honeymoons offer the right way to spend time together without any interruptions.
Island honeymoons are ideal for the newly wed couples who wish to be really alone by spending a bit more money. Spending time at some exotic island resorts can be really great if you can afford to spend a bit more. There are a lot of islands that cater to newlyweds.
The Channel Islands offer good climate and attract many tourists every year. The history of the islands may interest you and the scenery is wonderful. A lot of attractions are available here including hiking and boating. Jersey is one of the largest of the islands and is also popular. Jersey is located in the Gulf of St Malo. The Jersey Island receives more sunshine than any other British Isles.
The capital of this Island is Saint Helier which is known for its award winning Maritime museum, pretty harbor and other attractions like Jersey Opera House, Jersey Museum, Aquasplash Leisure Pool and theatres. You can visit Jersey Lavender Farm, which has lovely scented fields. Gift shops here sell various products made of lavender like perfumes, soaps and toiletries.
Jersey can boast of its fresh produce and has many good restaurants and cookery souvenirs for taking home. Most dishes offered here are made of a very creamy product from Jersey milk. Potatoes taste really good on this island and you can get Jersey Fudge, which is a popular item. Apple brandy and local cider are also sold. You get a variety of seafood like lobsters, oysters, conger, crabs and mussels.
You can travel to Jersey by air and direct flights are available from most major airports of Europe. You can go around the Islands by local bus network and can also hire cabs cheap.
Jersey offers duty free shopping and has best collection of jewellery, chic boutiques, fine art and antique shops and perfumeries dotted along the zigzag streets of St Helier. British pound (GBP) is the currency here apart from its own currency, which has its value equal to UK currency. St Helier in Jersey Channel Islands has several lively restaurants, bars and nightclubs amongst others. Nightlife is fairly low key with calm country restaurants and pubs providing the main entertainment.
Jersey offers good quality accommodation available of all types to suit your budget and taste. Some of the best hotels located in the Channel Islands are mentioned below will suits your romantic honeymoon stay.
The Club House at La Collinette Hotel, Guernsey is a family run hotel. The Clubhouse located at St.Jacques, St.Peter Port in Guernsey offers good bedrooms, food and covered garden with heated swimming pool. The Queens Hotel is situated in the heart of St.Helier, Jersey. The Stafford Hotel at St. Helier and The Talana are also good hotels suitable for your honeymoon trip.
http://www.exotichoneymoonspots.com discusses the most popular honeymoon destinations in detail.
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