France

Discover the sophisticated resorts and towns in the Mediterranean which have a beautiful year round climate and crystal clear waters. The seaside resorts all offer old world charm mixed with modern chic.

Food and Drink
Salade nicoise, daube beef stew and classic bouillabaisse seafood stew are excellent. The local wine is excellent; go for a Bandol or Cote du Provence rose served chilled - the Chateau Minuty is a delicious local favourite. And if you have a sweet tooth then the tarte tropezienne cream cake is for you.

Shopping
The Cote d'Azur plays host to an abundance of boutiques that are home to all the well-known designers. However, if you prefer local souvenirs then Nice has a beautiful old town where you can shop for treasures amongst many olive oil shops. Avignon is popular for Provencal herbs and lavender which can be found in the little shops on the cobbled streets.

Things to Do
Villa of Celebrities and Gardens Tour - Enjoy a drive through St Jean Cap Ferrat, the famous Beverly Hills of French Riviera. Stop at many famous villas.
Camargue Regional Park - One of many UNESCO World Heritage sites in Provence, the Camargue is a high area of wetlands, pastures and salt flats formed by the delta of the Rhône River. In the grassy pastures you will find the famous white Camargue horses, which is also home to beautiful pink flamingo. This park is an ideal place to spend a day exploring with all the family.
Palais des Papes - Claimed to be the World’s largest Gothic Palace, it’s undeniably impressive with its towers, spires and crenellations. This massive building dominates the town of Avignon.
Cooking Lessons with Local Chef - Learn Provinçal cooking with a local English speaking chef in the centre of Avignon at Jardin da la Tour restaurant for half a day.
Culture & Wine Tour- Enjoy a half day tour of Orange Cultural sights and then enjoy a scenic drive to Chateauneuf du Pape, which includes a tour of the vineyards and tasting, then return back to Avignon.

Insider Tip
Act like a film star and stroll along the Croisette in Cannes and then visit the Palais des Festivals where you can see where the real stars have left their handprints.

One of the region's great attractions is the dramatic coastline and its wide sweeping beaches with beautiful fishing harbours and stunning sunsets over the Atlantic sea. Yet just a few miles inland are green, rolling hills, rivers and flower-filled fields leading to the cognac producing villages. The identity of this region is apparent, with local accents of red and green timbered houses where pimentos hang.

Insider Tip
Just beside the Plage du Port - Vieux is the most sheltered and intimate beach in Biarritz if you want to soak up the sun in peace and quiet. Visit the fantastic historical towers either side of the La Rochelle harbour and discover the splendid views.

Celebration
Enjoy the spectacular views from the esplanade of the lighthouse which include breathtaking sunsets across the Biarritz beaches and coastlines.

Dordogne
A land of green hills, gentle winding rivers and honey colored chateaux - dotted with medieval villages in between – the Dordogne offers a peaceful and relaxing break in stunning surroundings. Try a spot of canoeing, a stroll along the river, a leisurely game of golf or relax in a spa.

Food and Drink
Bordeaux is home to the three vineyards ranked the top three in the world and produces more than 700 million bottles of wine a year! Offering a wide range of fine wines, mainly reds, but also roses, dry whites, sweet whites and dessert wines - there are so many to choose from!
The food here is also divine. Memorable meals are to be enjoyed in the Dordogne from foie gras to traditional confit which is goose or duck preserved in its own fat and fried until it’s brown; often served with wild mushrooms. For dessert try sweet chestnuts, strawberries or walnut cake all washed down with a good Bergerac wine.

Shopping
Bordeaux is a thriving city filled with shops, there are plenty to be found. Few people realise it really is a shopper’s paradise, with chic shops such as Louis Vuitton, Hermes, Cartier, Rolex and Mont Blanc to name a few!
Experience the local markets, usually held on Saturdays in the little towns, pick up plenty of local produce, little gems or gifts to remember your stay.

Things to Do
SAINT EMILION TOUR - Meet at the Bordeaux tourist office and depart for the small village of Saint Emilion. You will receive a guided walking tour of the main attractions, including an optional wine tasting in one of the wine cellars. Tour takes approx 4 hours 30 minutes
Outdoor pursuits - Head to the water’s edge and try a spot of canoeing, available at various locations for hire along the river, or have a go at white water rafting! Golf and cycling are also very popular activities in the lush valley.
Armagnac - Enjoy the warm hospitality and sample Armagnac and how it is distilled. The region also has beautiful Bastide Villages to explore.
Le Pont Vieux - Stroll across the famous bridge over the River Aude that links La Cite with la Ville Basse. Illuminated after dark with floodlighting it looks sensational.
Lascaux Caves - These caves are the most well-known in France and offer something for all the family. The cave paintings are from the Stone Age and are some of the finest prehistoric art collections in the world.

Insider Tip
Stroll along the wonderful Dordogne River or enjoy viewing the sights of the Castle Naud from the winding streets below - a truly picturesque sight that you will never forget. Make sure you’re up early to see the beautiful early morning mist before it clears; it’s simply stunning.

Celebration
This beautiful region is the perfect place to take a loved one on a special and relaxing romantic break in picturesque and peaceful surroundings.

Food and Drink
With a reputation as France’s gastronomic centre, Burgundy is a sheer pleasure, so enjoy the many delights the region has to offer, including the regional speciality, boeuf bourguignon, a hearty beef stew, flavoured with the region’s red wine. Other favourites include snails, famous Dijon mustard and puchouse, fresh water fish stew. Many of Burgundy’s legendary great wines include Chablis, Macon, Pouilly-Fuisse and Vougeot to name a few.

Shopping
Edible souvenirs in Burgundy include the fabulous chocolates, gingerbread and cheeses, but the area also offers quaint boutiques along the cobbled streets of Beaune and wonderful artwork on sale from the talented painters and potters that live in the area.

Things to Do
Champagne Houses - There are many champagne houses to visit in Reims. Why not try the G.H. Mumm cellar tours, built in 1827, where deep in the cellars lie around 25 million bottles. A visit will take you around the unique facilities and show you the main stages of champagne making, followed by a tasting. Or try the Lanson cellar tour, starting with a presentation of the vineyard and then watch different stages in a working atmosphere, followed by a tasting.
Wine Routes - Plan a trip discovering all three regions, on your exploration of the wine routes. Travel down from Champagne to Alsace and then onto Burgundy through some of the pretty villages. Why not cycle around some of the areas, or enjoy a boating trip along the canals and lakes in Alsace in between tastings..

Insider Tip
Visit the tourist office in Reims and see if any of the champagne houses are offering free tastings or free tours.

Celebration
Celebrate a special occasion by enjoying a tasting at the many famous champagne houses and celebrate in style.

If you and your family are on holiday in France you have to stop off to visit Disneyland® Paris with its two magical parks bursting with more than 50 attractions, shows and parades. Disneyland® Park is where you can live the dream in a kingdom of classic fairytale adventures and thrills. Walt Disney Studio’s® Park is where you can step into the spotlight and experience behind-the-scenes action and visit the new Toy Story land. The Direct Holidays Explorers is perfectly located for visits to Disneyland® Paris. You can leave your car in the safe free car park and catch the free shuttle bus to the parks which are just minutes away.

Insider Tip
Visit the Walt Disney® Studio’s first as most of the crowds surge to Disneyland® Park, so you’ll get to ride the Tower of Terror and visit the Monsters Inc. Scream Academy without waiting in line.

This most southerly region of French Catalonia, nestling on the Spanish border, is one that continues to charm. The coast has long flat beaches, quaint fishing villages and the sun-baked vineyards of Cotes de Rousillon.

Food and Drink
Regional Specialities include chestnut truffle soup, and wild pigeon with a maize galette. The small, informal restaurants specialise in regional dishes such as cassoulet (a delicious stew with white beans), Toulouse sausage and duck confit, as well as meat grilled over a wood fire.

Things to do
Canal Du Midi – Cruise along the canal from Carcassonne Harbour and discover the beautiful Canal du Midi, which is classed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Mas De Daumas Gassac – This world famous vineyard is situated close to the city of Montpellier. The vineyards stretch across 50 hectares, planted in unique glacial dust and limestone.
Château Comtal – The Cité of Carcssonne is the largest fortress in Europe. It consists of the Château Comtal, which is inside an outer wall with 14 historic towers. This was the original palace of the viscounts, which was later converted to a citadel of Carcassonne.

Insider Tip
South of Montpellier is a little island called Monguelone that is linked to the mainland, it is home to a thin stretch of beautiful beach and picturesque vineyards. Take the free train from the city to discover this unique and tranquil gem.