French star dreamy deals
European Cycle Way of the Year 2017, for being “a a beautiful route through h varied landscape predominantly over greenways, on former railway tracks and towpaths along rivers and canals”. The 400mile route links the Channel to the Atlanticc across gentle, traditionalnal corners of Normandy, Pays s de la Loire and Poitou PoitouCharentes. It touches on the D-Day landing beaches, cider and camembert country, and the Marais Poitevin, the so-called Green Venice of France. GO FOR IT: This is an inexpensive à la carte route where you take your own bike, choose your sections and arrange your own accommodation. The website has all the necessary practical information. See cycling.lavelofrancette.com. SUN yourself with the celebs with a week on the French Riviera for less than £500. E EDreams has the summer b break to Nice on the Cote D D’azur, staying at the t three-star Ibisbis Styles Nice V Vieux Port. Prices start at Want to do your cycling for a good cause? As part of a group and in a beautiful setting, a bit like the TourTo de France? This demanding road cycle challengech covers up to 90 miles a day, starting in theth Mediterranean resort of Nice. It then heads off alongal the Côte d’Azur, passing through traditional villagesvi and vineyards of Provence and Languedoc beforebe heading inland and west towards the Pyrenees.Py En route the group takes akes in the Roman town of Arles and the he Camargue before finishing at the he impressive fortified town of Carcassonne. GO FOR IT: The six day ride departs September 13 and costs £1,049 per person, which includes accommodation, most meals, maps and support. discoveradventure.com.m. £494 and include return flights from Bristol departing July 4 and seven nights accommodation, with breakfast thrown in too. For more information or to book, call 0871 2777 724 or visit edreams.co.uk. Avoid scorching in the summer to see the peaceful rural side of this popular Spanish holiday island. The almond and orange blossom here is gorgeous in early spring, making it a great place to start off the holiday season. And in autumn the air temperature will have cooled. The beaches are empty but the sea will be at its warmest. Explore elegant inland towns such as Llucmajor and Sineu, and cycle through shady woods o of pine, carob and oak. The final three night nights are based in the beach town of Port de P Pollenca which have access to the Alb Albufera wetlands – a well-known ho hotspot for wild birds. GO FOR IT: This seven-night self-guided tr trip costs from £780 per person and inc includes B&B accommodation, bicycle ren rental, maps and luggage transfer. See explo explore.co.uk. I’VE got some time off work before the schools break up and want to go on an activity trip with my young child. Any ideas? THERE are a few options with the club hotels from Neilson or Club Med. Mark Warner’s Corsican base has all the usual activities, from tennis and cycling to sailing and SUPing – that’s stand-up paddle surfing. And you can now upgrade to all-inclusive. The new-board basis includes soft drinks and ice-cream plus beers, wine, spirits and cocktails. The supplement costs £120 per adult and £65 per child per week. With prices starting from £499, it makes family holidays and adult getaways more convenient and great value for money. For full details see markwarner.co.uk.