Lost in France? This is where you want to be
IT was a much retold tale of how my parents ‘lost’ my big brother Ed in woods in France when we were young. My mum had also ‘lost’ him up by my granny’s when she was busy chatting away to herself and he opened the passenger’s door. In spite of all this ‘neglect’ Ed has remained the most dutiful son in the 50 odd years since.
If you’re going to get lost in France now then you could do worse than be displaced in the ecofriendly family resort of Les Villages Nature Paris, just 30kms from the Eiffel Tower.
There are five immersive worlds that compose Les Villages Nature Paris from fun-filled workshops to those eco-friendly innovations.
Get this... there is water park heated by geothermic energy which means it’s warmer than usual, so you can just throw the kids in and sit back and relax.
The kids won’t be stuck on their mobiles here with so much to do. There’s a working farm, a lake, a beach, gardens, an en-chanted forest, and shops and restaurants. Yes, you’re catered for too, mum NINE Below ? I immediately think zero and have the chills thinking about last week. But this was a showcase of Nine Below’s signature cocktails which I tried (for research purposes) this week. I’d recommend the rum ones which brought me back to the Barbados Crop Over carnival. If you’ve got a stayover in Dublin check it out. It’s on 9 St Stephen’s Green (www.9below.ie). A word here too about Snowmageddon. I stayed two nights at Ariel House (www.ariel-house.net). Their award-winning breakfast? Aaah! and dad... there’s a wine bar also. Plus new for this year there’s a spa by Deep Nature with salt rooms, sauna, hammam or pampering treatments.
I’ll let you into a secret here, the indomitable Mrs M usually has to wait for me!
And if that’s not enough then Disneyland Paris is just up the road on a half-an-hour shuttle.
So what does it all cost? Well, what about a four-night self-catering stay in a Clan Comfort cottage that sleeps up to four, from €389 (down from €593 saving €204) arriving Monday, March 19. Travel isn’t included but return flights from Dublin to Paris Orly are from €223. ÷Les Villages Nature Paris (0845 351 2878, www.villagesnatureparis.co.uk). IT’S a sore point that there’s a football party going on in Russia in less than 100 days and we’re not invited! But watching the build-up is whetting the appetite for all things Russian. Travel Department is offering a nine-night holiday in Moscow and St Petersburg, staying in B&B hotel accommodation. Prices from €1499pp including return flights from Dublin, transfers, excursions, expert local guides and all taxes & charges, with flights departing April – October. To book, click here or call (01) 6371600. Now if only we had a pair of strikers we might have been at the World Cup. Sorry, the old ones are the best ones! THOSE outsized St Paddy’s Day costumes can be so cumbersome... and you’ll have no need for them where you’re going. Spend four nights in Lanzarote at the 3* Miramar from €320pp. Return flights ex. Dublin. Travel: March 13. See www.GoHop.ie or call (01) 2412389. RIGHT, I like a challenge, but..? An Easter Egg hunt around one of the Cavan’s 365 lakes? Knocknalosset House is a farmhouse property that sleeps five guests. Three night weekend price was €546 but there is now a special offer of €400. The three-night midweek price was €661 but the special is now €474 while the seven-night price was €1150 and is now €854... and you might even need the seven nights to find the egg. Light and Heat is €12 per night. Visit www. irishlandmark.com