FRANCE - WORLDWIDE TRAVEL INFORMATION
Posted May 24th, 2011
LATEST WORLDWIDE TRAVEL NEWS
FRANCE
Update - October 2011
Cheap flights bring five star fun within three star budgets
An avalanche of low cost flights to Grenoble are opening up the French Alps to a new generation of ski fans.
Gloucester-based Take Me To (Ski), who have just completed a major refurbishment of the landmark Hotel Les Grandes Rousses in the Alpine resort of L’Alpe d’huez, have reported an upsurge in interest triggered by the increased availability of cheap flights to the region.
Low-cost operators are now offering flights in and out of Grenoble from all the major UK airports including London, Manchester, Birmingham, Bristol, Stansted, Edinburgh, Luton and Liverpool.
Ski brand manager Chris Wadley said: “Up until quite recently people looking for a bargain break wouldn’t put the French Alps at the top of their list. But increased availability of cheaper flights to Grenoble cuts down people’s travel costs and brings five star holidays within the range of three star budgets.
”We tie up the loose ends by ensuring our customers get the best deals at time of booking by offering a range of departure dates and packages to coincide with the best value flights. We work around the customers’ needs rather than the other way round.”
The most common methods of getting from Grenoble Isere Airport to Alpe d'Huez are by transfer bus or hire car which takes around an hour and a quarter.
Take Me To (Ski) offers a range of transfer options to and from Grenoble and Lyon airports and affordable rates for transfers to other resorts for people to sample some of the other pistes in the area.
Chris Wadley said: “These days our customers are more likely to be making their own travel arrangements rather than taking a package tour. The rise of low cost airlines which offer a more flexible and dynamic approach to short haul European destinations has opened up the Alps as never before.” He said: “Reducing travel costs and time brings the pistes that much closer to home and this is one reason European ski resorts are witnessing an increase in searches this summer.”
Fact File
Seven nights chalet board stay in the Hotel Les Grandes Rousses in Alpe d’Huez from:
£245 per person based on six people sharing a Family Duplex
£315 per person based on four people sharing a Family Suite
£345 per person based on two people sharing a standard room
Seven nights Chalet Board stay in Chalets Bluetree or Alpine 1550 in Tignes from:
£195 per person based on 16 people sharing a whole chalet
£215 per person based on eight or more people sharing
£235 per person based on two people sharing a twin room
*Chalet Board includes breakfast, afternoon tea & cakes and 3 course evening meal with wine
Hotel Les Grandes Rousses
With towering snow-capped peaks, an eight-degree gradient and 21 hairpin bends the high road to the French Alpine resort of L'Alpe d'Huez is a challenging drive at the best of times.
But spare a thought for the fleet of truck drivers tasked with delivering building materials for one of the most extensive hotel refurbishments the resort has seen.
Gloucester-based Take Me To (Ski) launched an immediate refurbishment programme when they swooped on the landmark Hotel Les Grandes Rousses back in June.
The £250,000 revamp necessitated dozens of truck journeys to and from the premier ski resort – and everything from plasterboards to pots of paint and new light bulbs had to be hauled up the mountainside from nearby Grenoble.
Take Me To (Ski) brand manager Chris Wadley said the company had relished the challenge of returning the landmark hotel to its former splendour.
He said: “We have never tackled anything quite like it. Getting everything up to the resort was a logistical nightmare.“
The high altitude ski specialists have been working around the clock to transform the Hotel Les Grandes Rousses in time for the new ski season.
Chris Wadley said: “The challenge is to meet the ever increasing expectations of a very discerning set of customers for better service and higher levels of customer care. The aim is to provide five star service at three star prices and we are hoping our first season will really raise our profile in this presitge resort. “
Heart of the newly refurbished hotel is the 4Ms bar – which Take Me To (Ski) are backing to become the hub of the whole of L’Alpe d’huez.
“4Ms stands for music, magic, mojo and mood and we will be hosting a selection of local musicians to add some contemporary edge. Whether you’re planning a poste piste Pimms or a top flight business meeting, 4Ms is the place to do it.”
The £250,000 plus refurbishment has seen all 55 bedrooms completely re-decorated with new mini bars, flat screen TVs, ipod players along with branded bedding and specially selected decorations.
The restaurant has also seen a major makeover with new colours and lighting. The bar and reception has also been refurbished.
Chris Wadley said: “For a couple of months it was like DIY SOS times twenty with painters and plasterers working around the clock on every floor. We had to move mountains of waste and rubble, which is not as easy as it sounds you’re actually at the top of a mountain.
Update - August 2011
Provence-Alpes-Côtes d’Azur
With several blue flag beaches scattered across this picturesque region it can be difficult to decide how to divide your time between them. From family fun to fabulous festivals there is a stretch of sand to suit all tastes, and with the year round mild temperatures the beaches can be enjoyed year round. For the best deals on accommodation, restaurant and attractions, visit www.52sunsations.com
For a beach festival with a difference head to Saintes-Maries-de-la-Mer and experience the gypsy festival which takes place on 22 and 23 October 2011. This is the ideal opportunity to witness a slice of authentic Gypsy culture and experiencing traditional food and music dating back centuries. Don’t miss the pinnacle moment of the festival when Saint Sara, the Patron Saint of Gypsies, is brought to the sea. If you miss out on the October festivities, fear not as a similar festival is also held in May each year. Visit www.camargue.fr
Poitou-Charentes 2011
The Grand Pavois (international boat show) in La Rochelle Charente-Maritime 14 – 19 September. Launched in 1973 the Grand Pavois is the biggest international on-water boat show featuring 700 boats with 300 displayed in water and more than 860 exhibitors representing 35 countries. Visit www.grand-pavois.com
The Circuit des Remparts of Angoulême (Charente) 16 - 18 September. Vintage and collectors’ cars parade through the streets of Angoulème This unique eventdraws more than 300 representatives of the automobile industry, togetherwithvariouspersonalities. The weekend culiminateswith the parades and races on the ramparts on the Sunday.
Visit www.circuit-des-remparts.com
Update - July 2011
Ski and snowboarding enthusiasts who cannot wait for the winter can go glacier skiing in the French Alps this summer mixing them with white water rafting, mountain biking, summer tobogganing and other activities.Summer skiing provides excellent conditions for beginners to take to the slopes. For more experienced skiers it is a perfect time to concentrate on piste technique or learn new skills in the park.
New for 2011 Les Deux Alpes, which boasts Europe’s largest glacier, has introduced piste performance/ski technique/freestyle courses for adults, teenagers and children to improve their techniques. Prices start from just £174 per person for a six-day course. After skiing in the morning, there’s time to try other activities in the afternoon.
Peak Retreats is offering Ski Active packages until the end of August. Prices including a six-day ski pass, free sports passes and for three half days, mountain biking with guide and white water sports are from £406pp based on four sharing a two bedroom apartment in the recently built four star residence Le Goleon Val Ecrin. Prices quoted include a short sea Channel crossing for a car and passengers. Visit www.peakretreats.co.uk