The world is my oyster, but I’ll opt for France

I’M coming apart at the seams! I bent down for my oysters at the French Embassy (as you do) and ripped open a trouser pocket. Thankfully neither Monsieur or Madame Ambassador noticed, or were too polite, to mention.

French food leads the way the world over in the field of gastronomy, naturellement.

And there is great excitement already about next year’s designated Year of Gastronomy.

Watch this space for news from the rich culinary area of Provence in particular, and the cities of Lyon and Dijon too. Lyon’s contribution will be centred around the renovated Grand Hotel-Dieu, pictured, while there is a cultural project planned for Dijon in Burgundy including the Ecole Ferrandi, a new four-star hotel and an eco-district with two cinemas and a large shopping area.

Talking of Burgundy, du vin was imbibed and glasses clinked in toast to our hosts and also the winners of this year’s French Media Awards. This section was again to the fore. Isabel Conway, above, won Best Sport & Activity Feature for ‘The easy way to ski the world’s longest black run’ in Sarenne. ACQUAINTANCES were renewed at the Irish Travel Trade Show with hands across the sea, the borders... and the exhibition stands. We were treated to paella and a presentation on a Spain ‘built by us’ and we will bring you firsthand accounts of what’s going on in the coming months. Aer Lingus has made it even cheaper for us to get to the sun, with 20% off to the likes of Alicante, Malaga and across the Med and the UK for the period May September. www.aerlingus.com. IT’S caused more than a ripple... well, it would. The Symphony of the Seas, the world’s largest cruise ship, made its inaugural voyage around the Med this week. So a quick Symphony by numbers: Symphony of the Seas stretches It’s 1,188ft long, is filled with 22 restaurants, 24 pools and 2,759 cabins and can host about 6,680 guest plus some 2,200 crew. Of course in the finest traditions of such events, Isabel couldn’t be there to accept the prize so I affected a giggly, coy look and accepted on her behalf. She was in Sri Lanka at the time – drinking tea!!! Irish-French links have never been stronger, Air France’s new route Cork Paris and Irish Ferries’ new largest-ever ferry to cross the Irish Sea (launch July) are the headline news. This year sees Paris host the Ryder Cup, the French Grand Prix return after ten years, to Var, Provence-Alpes-Cote d’Azur and on a more poignant note, the centeneary of the end of World War 1. Bon voyage! OUR one fishing expedition in the Algarve was aborted when the Indomitable Mrs M needed ‘to go’... she hadn’t visualised the boat being so small/ You’re never far from land at Sheen Falls Lodge in Co. Kerry but there’s great fishing with ghillie Brendan on hand to help you catch salmon. Sheen Falls has an A-May-zing deal (their pun), two nights’ stay with breakfast each morning and dinner for two on one night. €50 credit towards yoga treatment. €620 for two sharing in a Classic Room/ from €369 for single occupancy. www. sheen fall slodge.ie/064 6641600. The most important numbers, though, are how much it costs you. Tour America (www.touramerica. ie/ (01) 817 3500/ (021) 2429222) offers seven-night Western Mediterranean cruise from €1499pp, inc. return flights to Barcelona. Based on two adults sharing a virtual balcony cabin Includes free transfers to/from the port + $100 onboard credit. Departs: August 26, 2018.