Touring with your car makes a super change from waiting at hot stuffy airports, for the delayed flight or no flight at all as we are currently hearing about on our TV screens.  The freedom touring brings gives untold pleasure.  The best way to tour any area is base yourself in a tranquil spot and then visit the surrounding places of interest, this way you have the best of both worlds, somewhere to rest your head in peace and quiet but with plenty to see and do during the day.

La Traverse for bed and breakfast in Limousin is the perfect choice; this stunning 19th century house is set in some of the most beautiful countryside you may ever see in a lifetime.  Land of contrasts this stunningly beautiful region of still lakes, fast flowing streams, gentle rolling valleys and forested mountains, has become popular with tourists looking for the quintessential old fashioned image of rural France still exists.

Bed and breakfast in Limousin does not get any better than a stay at La Traverse, with its outstanding original features such as marble fireplaces, ornate ceilings, and oak parquet floors, the bedrooms where the traditional and modern meet in harmony, offer tastefully furnished bedrooms with ensuite facilities, also huge windows overlooking the perfectly kept garden, a place to relax in the evening with a nice glass of wine, and watch the sun set.

This is the place for a family get-a-way, the activities in and around the area is many, the region is known as ‘the land of a thousand lakes’.  Most are bathing lakes with clear, clean water and more often than not with a sandy beach.  Fishing, windsurfing, pony trekking, kayaking, golf, or ride the white water rapids are just a few of the activities you can enjoy in Limousin.  Take the family to the wildlife parks, walk among the animals, well some of the animals, and see the white wolf which is being bred in a natural environment from the observation towers outside the enclosures.  Or a visit to the aquarium in Limoges is always an interest to the children.

The perfect choice is La Traverse bed and breakfast in France, with hosts Ian and Kate eager to make your holiday experience truly memorable, the perfect choice of location is Limousin, the perfect choice of travel by car on a ferry across the channel, surely your holiday in 2010 will be your best ever. 

For further information visit:  www.latraverselimousin.com

This proximity to the UK has made French Property one of the most popular choices for Investment Property Buyers. The French property market is extremely diverse and offers much to the potential Investor in Overseas Property. The South of France is a prime example and the airports of Nice and Marseille offer tremendous access to the French Riviera all year round and are serviced by the budget airlines such as Easyjet and Ryanair.

The good news for buyers of Investment Property in France is that there is an abundance of property all over the South of France; a restored Mas, stylish new builds, a pieds-a terre, family villas or even winter sports apartments. Capital appreciation is good and rental yields are strong. The Cote d’Azur is second only to Paris in price, but you don’t need a fortune to buy. A good rental yield from an investment property can be achieved with the many tourists and the large quantity of conferences throughout the year especially in Cannes, making the South of France an excellent choice for your Overseas Property Investment.

Unlike the UK, a long history of prudent lending in France (lenders do not allow borrower’s total outgoings on finance payments to exceed 1/3 of their total gross monthly income) has meant mortgage finance in France is still readily available and great value. Coupled with an approximate discount of 10% on French property prices compared to a year ago – there is no better time than 2010 to acquire an Investment Property in the South of France.

For second home owners in the South of France and property investors, 2010 is the perfect opportunity to buy into some of the most desirable towns and cities such as Cannes, Nice and Antibes in the South of France. The French banks have not suffered like their UK counterparts, meaning they are more inclined to lend to the Foreign or Non-Resident Property Investor who might not have considered France before. Coupled with some extremely attractive loan rates (2.7% interest only for non-residents plus, the ability to pay down at any time with NO PENALTIES offered by French Mortgage Xpress) France is fast becoming an astute investment for Non-Resident and Foreign Property Investors.

Considerable mortgage product innovation by some leading banks such as Micos Banca and BNP coupled with a diverse range of property available in the South of France that can deliver good solid yields and investment growth is driving the UK property investor to look across the channel. Properties in the South of France remain in the buyers favour, and 2010 could give the Foreign Property Investor a firm foothold within the French property market.

French Mortgage Xpress, an English speaking mortgage broker based near Cannes and Nice in the South of France has helped over 500 International Property Investors and second homeowners secure finance since it’s inception. French Mortgage Xpress has built it’s reputation on an honest, reliable and speedy service. Their relationship with many of the top French banks is superb giving them the opportunity to deliver a simple, speedy and first class service for all your property finance requirements in France.

Unfortunately there are only two companies operating on the Dublin/Dun Laoghaire – Holyhead rounte so not too much competion. This means prices are very high. The ferry companies charge per passenger and this can be expensive. Unlike the ferries travelling to France from Britain and Ireland, they don’t charge for pets, so you can bring several dogs and cats for no extra charge!

Taking an example of a family of two adults and 3 children crossing over to Ireland on the HSS Stena Explorer on Thursday 27th May and returning on Monday 31st May travelling economy class it would cost £342 + credit card charge. This is the same price as the conventional ferry that is meant to be cheaper.

To make a return trip on the same days from Dover to Calais by Sea France would cost £107.00. This of course is a shoter crossing, however there is a lot of competion for the Dover/Calais/Boulogne route including the Channel Tunnel so prices are very competitive.

Ireland and France are both in the Eurozone and a lot of commodities are much cheaper in France like accommodation and drink than they are in Ireland. Straight away the family going to France will be some £235 better off. Car ferry costs are low.

Ireland needs the tourists, ok you can fly there and possibly get a good car hire deal. You still have to get to your local airport and pay transport or parking. You can of course take the family dog to Ireland by car and you don’t need a passport for him/her either.

However that Irish Sea is costly and whatsmore the ferries are not often full (except when flights are disrupted because of volcanic ash problems or at peak times in the summer or Christmas) so why don’t Stena Line and Irish Ferries do an all in price for a car and passengers and cut the prices so there are more people on board, buying food in the restaurants, drinks in the bars and goods in the shops. Passengers would benefit and tourism increase in Ireland and Britain from the two way traffic.

The record of the Channel crossings is held by Alison Streeter, who managed to make 43 successful swims across the channel.

British star David Walliams, well known actor and writer had the initiative of crossing the English Channel for charity. The purpose of this attempt is to raise money for Sport Relief. The comedian is aware of the difficulty of his attempt and that is why he trained himself for almost 12 months with former Olympic pentathlete Greg Whyte.

Walliams is saying that he will “just be in a pair of Speedos and goggles – it’s what the public wants,” but he took his training very seriously. The crossing of the Channel is known as “the Everest of open-water swimming” and only a few of the ones that try it succeed.

But jokes aside, what the 34-year-old comedian is attempting is quite a feat. Few people succeed – just 10% according to some figures – and the swim is known Walliams, who is raising money for Sport Relief, has spent the last 11 months training and Alison Streeter,the record holder for the Channel crossings explains what are the most difficult things is this attempt:  
“It’s not about the distance, lots of people can swim the equivalent in a pool,” she says. “It comes down to the cold. Fit swimmers are often all muscle and don’t have much fat on them, this means they get cold quicker and once the cold gets into your muscles it is very hard to continue.”

Considering that Walliams plans to make his attempt some time between 28 June and 15 July which is early in the season, it means that the cold will be an even greater issue.

Other important factors that make the attempt difficult are the tides, the wind and the weather. The tides are hard to predict as they are strong and change direction approximately every six hours and they change in height and flow speed every day.

The local weather conditions can change very quickly and sometimes do not match the forecasts.

A problem not to be ignored is the large number of ships using these waters, as to go from England to France you have to swim across the shipping lanes. There are more than 600 commercial ship movements and almost 100 ferry crossings between Dover and Calais every day. The difficult job of keeping the swimmer out of the path of these vessels, it’s the job of the accompanying pilot boat.

Ms Streeter says that she has “done 43 swims – seven in one year once – and every one of them has been different” but she believes that “David Walliams seems to be preparing in the right way, so he will have a fair chance.”

On 4th July 2006, David Walliams started from a beach near Dover and successfully swam the 21 miles across the English Channel in 10 hours 30 minutes. Before the swim he said he hopes to complete the 21-mile charity swim in less than 16 hours and declared: “I reckon I have a 50/50 chance of getting across. I hope people see it as a symbolic thing”.

France is one of the most historic and romantic cities in the world. Many treat is as the starting point of a great European tour. With two airports you can fly into, Orly and Charles de Gaulle, cheap flights to France have become obtainable. Depending on the airport you’re fly into, you can start your journey in France by taking a train or metro ride to any direction or area in France. Hence, most vacationers find that France has so much to offer because of its huge metropolitan area. Most travelers say that they like to stay here forever.

If you’re purpose in traveling to France is to experience much of Europe, you’re in the right direction. After getting cheap flights to France, go to Switzerland via train. You can also take the ferry and train over to England. Wherever you go or direction you take, the most important thing you have during your trip is time. With so much to see throughout Europe, time is the essential piece to making the trip worthwhile.

To take advantage of affordable flights to France, you don’t need to tire yourself walking through travel agency after travel agent or asking friends to refer you to their travel agents. Although this is a good option, it is not the most convenient. Now, you can purchase international plane tickets online. With the wide range of options, it is indeed very easy and non-time consuming. All you need to do is to contact one of the online consolidators or travel agencies via their website. You can either call them to get a seat or email them to inquire for more information.

Since most search engines in the net are reliable and fast, you won’t have a hard time looking for the best deals regarding cheap flights to France. If you need more help or options, you can always join some travel forums and get advice from people who have traveled to this part of the globe. This way, you will surely experience the best of France and Europe.

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Paris: fashion capital of Europe
Surrounded by style and romance you just cant help fall in love with Paris. Notre Dame, the Eiffel Tower, street café’s and fashion boulevards, a boat trip on the River Seine there is so much to see and experience.

Transport: how to get there and around:
The main airport which greets most visitors to Paris is Charles de Gaulle. Paris can also be reached with ease by train from surrounding countries and many destinations within France. If traveling from the UK the ferry is also an option.

Getting around Paris is best on foot, it’s a great place for walking and sightseeing. If your not feeling so energetic there is a metro system.

Accommodation: Luxury to budget stays
The internet can offer some of the best information on the cost, range and location of hotels in Paris.

Weather
Paris is fortunate to be situated in a basin so has little rain compared with the rest of the country. Generally the weather in the capital is temperate.

Attractions & Events
Parisians love to celebrate, here are just a few events you should look out for.

* The glamorous Paris Fashion Week showcases the latest designer spring collections in March.

*Bastille Day is a special day for the whole country. The French National Day is celebrated in Paris with style on the 14th July with parades, parties and fireworks.  

*The International Photo Fair is also worth a visit and takes place in November.

Nice: treasure of the Côte d’Azur
Nice has a special ambiance and charm that attracts a great number of visitors to walk through its old cobblestone streets. Nice offers history, culture as well as the modern delights of shopping and night life. Add to this the long stretch of beach and you have a great holiday combination.

The temperature in Nice makes the pebble beach a great spot to relax. The waters are warm, clear and inviting and are just a pebbles throw away from neighboring St Tropez and Cannes.

Transport: how to get there and around:
Traveling around France is easy using the impressive, fast rail system. You can get to Nice by train and bus or if traveling from further a field, the International Airport is just 6 km’s from town.  Ferries are also an option, they run to Corsica.
Getting around Nice is easy on foot, it is pleasant to walk around and explore the sights.

Accommodation: Luxury to budget stays
The internet can offer some of the best information on the cost, range and location of Nice hotels

Weather
Summertime in Nice can be scorching up to 40 C. Typical climate however can be described as Mild, averaging 15 C. Winter is also mild with lowest temperatures being around 5 C.

Attractions & Events
*Nice holds an annual carnival during the latter half of February. The lavish street parades end with a fabulous fireworks show.

*During June, the city hold religious processions and prayers for patron saints St John and St Peter.   

*July is for music lovers as the worlds finest Jazz players meet in the city for the Nice Jazz Festival.

Disneyland Paris
This has got to be top of your children’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: “Here you leave today and enter the world of yesterday, tomorrow and fantasy”. 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 doesn’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?

The Usual Stuff:

1) Your passport
• Must be valid for the entire length of your stay; if you are a British Citizen you will not need a visa for France.

2) Train/plane/ferry tickets
• You won’t get there without them. Enough said.

3) Documentation
• Take all the documentation relating to your hotel/rental car arrangements in case of problems.
• Don’t forget detailed maps and directions to your hotel and the contact details of the agent, Sextant Properties and of course any family and friends who’ll be at expecting a postcard.

4) Money
• Take a combination of cash and debit/credit cards.
• Drawing money out of an ATM with a debit card once abroad is the cheapest way to get foreign currency at the moment, but beware of possible charges for foreign withdrawals; Both Nationwide and the Post Office offer accounts where no such charges are made.
• If you buy on a credit card you will be charged less for using your card abroad (compared with a debit card) and will be protected if you purchase any faulty goods worth between £100 and £30,000 under Section 75 of the Consumer Credit Act.
• Top tip – Informing your bank of your travel dates and destinations can prevent a call from the fraud squad and/or a block being placed on your card when your bank registers your first transaction in France.

5) European Health Insurance Card & travel insurance
• Make sure you have a European Health Insurance Card; If the worst happens this piece of plastic will allow you to receive emergency medical care at reduced cost – or sometimes for free – with any expenditure reimbursed by the NHS (just make sure you keep any paperwork relating to your treatment, feuilles de soins etc).
Apply for your FREE EHIC by phoning 0845 606 2030, completing an application form at the Post Office or by going to https://www.ehic.org.uk/Internet/home.do
• Don’t forget travel insurance; The EHIC will not cover medical repatriation costs, ongoing treatment, non-urgent treatment nor any other costs which may arise as a result of illness or an accident whilst in France (such as accommodation for a partner) as travel insurance will. Travel insurance will also cover you for things such as trip cancellation, baggage loss and personal liability.

6) Prescription medicines
• Take any prescription medication you will require during your trip with you in its original packaging bearing your name, the dosage and the prescribing doctor (as well as a copy of your prescription).
• Carry it in your hand luggage to avoid missing any doses in the event that your checked luggage gets lost or misdirected.
• If you wear glasses or contact lenses you should also bring a copy of your prescription and/or extra pairs.
• Seek advice from your doctor, the travel agent, the airline or the French embassy if you have any queries.

Other Essentials, Specific to French Property Viewing Trips

7) Photocopies
• You will need copies of your passport(s), your birth certificate(s) and your marriage certificate (if applicable) to sign the compromise de vente if you happen to find the home of your dreams.

8 ) French / English dictionary
• Always a good idea, whether you are fluent or not; after all, you never know when you might need to know the French for ‘are the helipad and private golf course included in the guide price?’

9) Mobile phone and charger / alarm clock
• A mobile will enable the agent to contact you and can double up as an alarm clock to ensure you don’t sleep through that all important appointment.

And lastly…

10) Your toothbrush!!

2. Clear attics, cellars, sheds, garages, gardens and out-buildings well ahead of the day.

3. Only pack items you absolutely adore or absolutely have to keep. Sell the rest or give it away.

4. Removal companies won’t touch flammable items such as tins of paint, creosote, matches, gas bottles, fireworks, etc. Do not bin flammables or explosives.

5. Take them to the local dump for correct disposal.

6. If you insist on taking them, have white goods disconnected from the mains, drained, cleaned and dried the day before you move. Once the fridge has been turned off, do not close the fridge door completely. For removal, wedge a cloth in the door and tie it shut with a rope. (Otherwise black mould will begin to grow in your fridge within a few days of being unplugged.)

7. Take curtains down and have them cleaned a fortnight before you move. Better still, sell them to the new occupier of the house so you can buy new ones in France.

8. Dismantle furniture a day or so before you move. Put screws, bolts etc into separate, labelled bags to make re-assembly easier.

9. On the day itself, be on hand to make sure the correct items are put into the van, and/or left behind.

10. If possible, get someone else to look after your children and pets. Can they go to Granny’s and join you in France the day after you’re installed and unpacked? If this isn’t an option, can their babysitter come over and keep them out of the way while the van is loaded?

11. If cats have to be present during the move, ask your vet about light sedation to make the day less stressful for them. Lock cats in the night before or they’ll disappear the minute the removal men arrive. Travel them in specialist cat carriers. Keep dogs tied up or carefully shut into pet crates to prevent accidents while the removals van is being loaded.

12. At the other end, keep cats locked in for at least 24 hours. Do not let them out until they have eaten properly in your new house and given themselves a proper licking. Do not let your dog off the lead for the first day or so. (Just in case the neighbours own a hound called Baskerville.)

13. For dogs arriving in the south of France between May and September fit them with a collar against leish maniose as soon as possible after you arrive. (Ask at the chemist.)

14. During the journey, make sure that you keep an overnight bag in your car along with essentials such as Teddy, dog food, torch, biccies, aspirin, secret stash of euros, thermos of coffee, travel-sickness pills, pillows and sleeping bags – because you never know.

15. Story tapes are great for making a long car journey pass quickly. Our favourite is Black Beauty.

16. When booking the ferry try for a long night crossing so that you get some sleep before attacking the long drive.

17. Make two or three long leads – 5 metres of flexible cable with a female UK plug socket one end (or even a UK plug board) and a French three-pin plug the other – so that you can plug things in (ie the kettle) the second you arrive.

This is better than the travel adapters you buy, which burn out very quickly.

18. Don’t attempting Calais to Toulouse in one day. Drive slowly, rest often, sleep over as many nights as you need to – an accident won’t save time.

19. Don’t drive in fog, snow or heavy rain. Pull off the road, relax and only resume your journey when the weather has improved. There are cheap hotels all over France. Even on motorways. Look for ‘Formule 1’ which is perhaps the cheapest. Their site http://www.hotelformule1.com has location maps.

20. Avoid driving on or around 14 July or 15 Aug. The roads are packed and dangerous on both days.

The crowd is attracted to sparkling ski slopes of the Alps, sunlit vineyards and sun-baked beaches of this beautiful country. France is a country which draws more tourists than any other country. It is easy to see why this is the case given France’s great reputation for fine wines, good food, high fashion and relaxed lifestyle. But while France is undoubtedly a place to eat and drink till your heart is content, there’s much more to this fascinating country than only cutting-edge cuisines. Spring is the best time to be here, and those interested in winter sports can drop at the Alps and Pyrenees with some polar gear. The summers are very hot and winters are moderate. An all-weather coat and pair of comfortable shoes are a must. Women, especially, should carry cocktail dresses as some of the restaurants ask for it. When visiting any religious site, refrain from wearing sleeveless shirt and shorts, as they are disliked at such places. 

Culture

English is widely spoken here, although French is the official language. Handshaking is
customary greeting and women should be kissed on both cheeks and should be addressed
as Monsieur or Madame. French people are popularly known for their like for stylish sportswear and of course perfumes. Nudism is allowed on some beaches only. Social functions, fine restaurants, and clubs call for more formal dressing. When at a formal dinner, wait till the host gestures to start the dinner. Smoking is banned in public places.
Site Seeing

Paris, the city of love, is a massive city with many attractions in reachable distance thanks to thehighly efficient public transport system. It boasts of more than 80 museums and 200 arts
galleries. A trip to Disney land and the magnificent Eiffel tower will make the trip worthwhile.
The attractive tourists spots are the Arc de triomphe which spans over the tomb of an
unknown soldier, the forbidding gothic architecture of the Notre Dame cathedral, the picturesque Sacre Coeur, to Leonardo da Vinci’s Mona Lisa, the Moulin Rouge and boat tours along the Seine. Get the Carte Musees-Monuments pass, which gives access to 70 monuments and museums.Shopping

Although service tax is included in the bill, a humble tip won’t cost much. An extra dollar can be given as tip to the waiter. A tip of $2 can be left for the bus rivers.                                 
Electricity 220-volt, 50-cycle AC current.

Getting There

The national airline that operates here is Air France. Many low-cost airlines, too, provide services from UK. Paris-Charles de Gaulle also known as Roissy-Charles de Gaulle is the major airport of France, which is 23km away from the city. Coaches, taxis, limousines services are provided at the airport. The railway facility provided by the airport, claims to reach all the terminals within eight minutes. These trains run 24 hours. The other airports that offer flight services are Paris-Orly, Marseille, Bordeaux, Nice, Lyon and Toulouse.
Ferry and cruise trips can be made from ports such as Atlantic, North Sea, Mediterranean, and Havre.

Duty Free Items

1. 200 cigarettes or 50 cigars or 100 cigarillos or 250g of tobacco
2. 1liter of spirits over 22 per cent or 2liter of alcoholic beverage up to 22 per cent
3. 2liter of wine
4. 50g of perfume and 250ml of eau de toilette
5. 500g of coffee or 200g of coffee extract
6. 100g of tea or 40g of tea extract
Food and agricultural products should be avoided.

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