France
The Loire Valley. Wine and castles
Lucy Daltroff heads to the Loire Valley in search of wines and castles
Read the full story hereHotel Le Saint James. Bordeaux
The view of The Garonne river from my bedroom window is spectacular, no question. Particularly as it is framed by the vines in the foreground from Hotel Le Saint James own vineyard. But in all fairness, even that charming montage is surpassed by the sight of the full size Harley-Davidson standing like a silent sentinel next to my bed.
Read the full story hereLes Angles ski resort. The French Pyrenees best value skiing.
I’m sitting outside a restaurant in Les Angles ski resort, surrounded by snow, 7,000 feet up a mountain and the sun is boiling hot. Not so strange really when you consider that this particular region of the Catalan Pyrenees, gets over 300 days of sunshine every year, but it’s a region that’s remained undercover for years, enjoyed in the main by French and Spanish locals.
Read the full story hereAvignon at Christmas. Experience the wonderful celebrations in the City of Popes.
Avignon celebrates catholic festivals the same way it celebrates its gastronomy and culture, with a genuine reverence for its past and a real enthusiasm for modernity. Next time you fancy a Christmas market with a soul, Avignon at Christmas is the place
Read the full story hereLanguedoc wine tasting: B&B and Wine
It was, it must be said, the perfect evening. Languedoc wine tasting with dark chocolate, a delicious regionally inspired dinner and then sleeping it all off in a 13th century chateau. Such is life these days in the Languedoc-Rousillon, a region reinventing itself from mediocre table wine producer into highly respected vintner of outstanding quality while at the same time embracing the tourism industry with arms open wide.
Read the full story hereHOTEL DE LA CITE. 108 years old and still fabulous.
It may only be 108 years old, but the Hotel de la Cite is the last and most decorative piece in the 1200-year-old jigsaw puzzle which makes Carcassonne such a fascinating place to visit. It was at the beginning of the 9th century that this ancient citadel got its name when it survived a siege by Charlemagne with the help of its moat, drawbridge and thick Roman walls.
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