2006 Etape du Tour - Space Now Available!

An amazing opportunity has come up and we have obtained space for as much as 20 people to ride Etape du Tour 2006!!! For the uninformed, this is HUGE!

Etape du Tour is equivalent to riding the Tour de France for a day. Closed roads, vehicle support, water and food, spectators, and sharing the road with up to 7000 other cyclists! This year in 2006 the course is the Gap to Alpe d'Huez stage. It takes place on July 10, covering 187 km and going over the famous unclassified climbs (hors categorie) of Col d'Izoard and Alpe d'Huez. Not to be overlooked is the long climb from Briancon over the Lautaret as well. A massive stage and for enthusiasts - a dream ride!

Contact us ASAP for info, full details will be posted on the web linked above. For info on Etape du tour, see the link below:

Etape du Tour Official Site

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French Students Protest - blah, blah, blah

Who missed the images on TV of the student protests this week? The students and all the other riff-raff with an agenda and desire to protest anything got together this week. And so what...it was just another protest/strike/greve against something. It just happened to be larger this time.

American media did their usual job of getting all the juicy pics into their viewers minds. One of my French colleagues watched about 10 seconds of "reporting" from Paris that showed nothing but fist fighting and skirmishes with police. I can't deny there was some violence, this was not the blind rioting that took place last November and any strike cannot be equated to that.

Well, that does make good fodder, but it isn't very good journalism. Let me give another example of this. On Tuesday, Protest Day, a "reporter" from a Washington DC radio station called to find out just how bad the travel industry was being pummeled by this uprising.

Containing a laugh, I explained that there had been NO interruptions of any kind. There were delays expected for those traveling by train or using the metro in Paris, but apart from that it was business as usual. In fact, because like most strikes in France, this was organized and we knew that it would start at 9am, so we handled any transfers of customers to airports or tours before 9am and nobody was affected. He was happy to know people were taken care, but his parting shot was "hopefully I will contact you again one day when we have something positive to report on France".

It became clear to me that it was all about selling bad images, the worst ones taken at just the right moment, to poke the French in the eye again. I've always known that bashing France was good for the media, it is a good thing that Hollywood helps balance out that extreme picture with an extremely rosy image of Paris and "La vie Francaises"!

So, bottom line; yes strikes happen. Its a French thing. They accept and deal with it. IN the travel business its not easy to work with this, and I certainly don't condone it, but if you are going to France you best be prepared to accept some delay at some point in time. Yes, France has to work out its social problems. However, the media will never change, and savvy international travelers know better than to believe the crap they see on TV.

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Press Release - Summer Cycling in France

FRANCE—Discover new places, make new friends, and experience the freedom of adventure in the land of endless pleasures.

This season Discover France is once again offering travelers scenery-packed and adventure-filled biking tours in France. The physical demands of the tours range from easy to challenging - but in true Discover France fashion, each offers guests unique opportunities to become immersed in French culture and lifestyle

Southern France cycling destinations are best experienced during June and September where the temperatures are warm and the climate is drier. Languedoc in the Southern region is one of the best-kept secrets of the European cycling-world, being one of the earliest to be inhabited by humans and scenically located between the Atlantic Ocean and the Mediterranean. From the countryside to the Mediterranean Sea, this bicycle tour introduces guests to the “sweet life of living” and provides an unparalleled exposure to many aspects of the region and culture.

During July and August months peddlers are encouraged to head North, when these regions enjoy their best weather. Nestled between the beautiful Vosges mountains in France and the borders of Germany and Switzerland is Alsace Wine Country. This region in Northern France is rich in tradition and culture. The famous wine routes encompass at least 100 wine producing villages and the area also offers more gourmet cuisine and Michelin star restaurants than any other region in the country.

The Western regions of France offer cyclists loads of historical sights and coastal views. Guests can explore the fine sandy beaches, reefs, granite headlands and sheer cliffs of Bretagne or head out on the Coastal Normandy tour where good fitness is strongly recommended, but will delight cyclists with views of the landing beaches used by Allied armies during WWII.

Guests may also consider heading into Paris in July and August, which is considered “low-season”. Hotel rates are greatly reduced and free night deals are readily available. Space is easily had, even during the Tour de France finish and Bastille Day in July.

For a list of available tours, complete itineraries, pricing, photos, and much more call 800-960-2221 or visit www.discoverfrance.com.

# # #

Founded over 11 years ago, Discover France consists of specialists that create cycling and hiking/walking tours throughout France, offering travelers creative itineraries that feature the best of each region at the greatest possible value. In addition to customary cycling tours, other experiences are also readily available. Many services can be chosen on an "a-la-carte" basis and Discover France can also customize itineraries to meet a traveler’s needs.

King of the Mountains Guided Cycling

Most people who follow the Tour de France know about the massive crowds that come out during the race. Here is a tour to ride all the big mountains of the big race without the big crowds to clog your route and hotels. Two dates are planned, but only August 6-14 is still available.

Up for a challenge? You need to be to ride this trip! From Grenoble we go up to ride Alpe d'Huez and the Col de Galibier before moving on to Mont Ventoux. Following that we will go chase down the summits of the Pyrenees: Tourmalet, Luz Ardiden, Hautacam! This guided trip will accept non-riding spouses, but all riders must be strong cyclists up to these rides. All support will be made in fuction of achieving all these great summits in one trip. And then, forever more; you can watch the Tour and know just what it takes to do what the pro riders do!

Day 1 | Meet in Grenoble. Transfer to Fresney d'Oisans to a charming hotel nestled between the huge snow capped peaks of two mountain ranges. Assemble bikes, warm up, and then dinner.


Day 2 | Alpe d'Huez. The ride isn't long but is everyone's goal, so our first objective. (56km roundtrip) After we can do more riding to include nearby climbs and possibly Croix de Fer (+72KM) or Col d'Ornon (+56km). Breakfast, picnic lunch, and dinner included. Return to same hotel.


Day 3 | Col de Galibier: This is the Big Daddy; a long climb up to the highest col in the region passing over first Lautaret and then up. It is also an important point where the monument to Henri Desgranges is located - the founder of the Tour de France. (64 km RT) Long descent down back to the hotel, or you can add on a trip up Les Deux Alpes (+24km). Breakfast, dinner and picnic lunch and lodging in same hotel.


Day 4 | Drive to Bedoin at the foot of Mont Ventoux. We can do a nice spin ride through lavender and vineyard areas - 50 km; and leave some time for visiting the village, a dip in the pool, and tomorrow's ride. Dinner in our very charming provenale hotel on the terrace.


Day 5 | Mont Ventoux and a long beautiful descent through the Gorges de la Nesque. 22 km from the hotel to the summit; no relief from the first turn of the crank in the direction up! We can stop for water at Chalet Reynard 6km below the summit and then on the way down, we will take a long detour through the stunning Gorges de la Nesque and pass through Sault - capital of lavender. Dinner again in our charming logement.


Day 6 | Drive to Bagneres de Bigorre in the Pyrenees. Fairly long drive at about 5 hours, but once we arrive we will loosen up with a spin ride to help recovery and stay ready; short ride on flat to rolling roads. Dinner at our charming "cycling" hotel. (many pro teams stay and train here)


Day 7 | La Mongie, Tourmalet, Luz Ardiden and back up the Tourmalet. This day could be longest and most difficult of the trip. From Bagneres it is is 29 km to the summit of Tourmalet. Then a long 18 km down to Luz St Sauveur, followed by 15 km to the summit of Luz Ardiden. We return by the same way with the long 18 km climb on the Tourmalet a monster - but you will be master - and then cruising down 29 km to the hotel. A very satisfying day - one you won't forget! Dinner again tonight and rest!


Day 8 | Hautacam, with possible add on of Luz Ardiden if not made the day before. The Hautacam is a must do, and the ride there is a lovely meandering trip to the foot of Hautam when the climbing starts. Return by the same way. Roundtrip 94 km. Final dinner together tonight.


Day 9 | Depart from Toulouse. After breakfast, we return to Toulouse and drop you at the rail station.

Press Release- Family Travel

FRANCE—For families who find themselves continually repeating “been there, done that”, a heavy sigh of relief is in sight as they head out on a new family adventure in Europe with Discover France/Pure Adventures.

Discover France/Pure Adventures offers many vacation packages that are designed specifically with the needs and budgets of families in mind. France is a great family vacation destination and Discover France/Pure Adventures is constantly adding to their list of family travel options.

Currently, they have a number of cycling and walking tours that are very family friendly and the “a la carte” style itineraries give families the freedom and flexibility to choose the activities they wish to enjoy, and even offers the parents a break if they desire.


An ever-popular family vacation destination is French Catalonia. This tour is based out of the quaint town of Argeles sur Mer, where a charming hotel has customized its services for parents and children. This warm-weather paradise is popularly known for the beaches, wine, and the hospitality of the locals. The hotel offers a swimming pool, tennis court, fitness room, private parking, restaurant, and a beautiful beach with many water sport activities. Kids and parents can enroll in sailing schools, windsurfing, diving, waterskiing, and many more activities. Child-care and a children’s beach club is offered as well. Pricing depends on age and the trip is eight days/seven nights.

Families that are short on time, but still wanting an amazing vacation can book the Loire Star Biking Tour also in France. Because the team at Discover France/Pure Adventures realizes that a family of adults as well as children bring a variety of abilities and desires to a trip; they offer trailers for small children, trail-a-bikes for larger kids, and individual bikes for children through teenage years, making it possible for every family member to enjoy the beautiful scenery replete with castles and charming French countryside. This flexible four-day and three night tour can be extended up to seven days, scheduled starting any day from April to October, and is affordably priced at just $366 per person (double occupancy).


Paris also offers a wide variety of family experiences; however, one challenge for families can be the cost of lodging, as many small hotels do not have rooms capable of lodging four or more persons.

Discover France/Pure Adventures has the means to arrange lodging for families that is fully furnished and is staffed to meet the needs of family groups. (additional fees may apply) They also regularly arrange transfers, site seeing, tour passes, and other activities within Paris that offers affordable alternatives to families, rather than joining larger tour groups. For example a family of 6 could have their own private driver for three hours for only $323 - a savings of $79 over a shared tour.

The helpful staff of Discover France will advise the best air transportation options from around the world, as well as both train & car travel. To check tour descriptions, read detailed itineraries, or for more information on pricing please call 800-960-2221 or email contact@discoverfrance.com Photos available.

Cycling & B&B's in France

In France, the B&B system is vast and often the only option in rural settings. This makes it an ideal place of lodging for cycling and hiking travelers who want to go into the back country. Some things to know about B&B's in France:

1. a Chambre d'Hote, as it is called in French, come with a rating system of "epis" or strands of wheat to symbolize quality. Like a star rating system, 1-4, is the scale with 1 being most basic and 4 most elegant.

2. a Chambre d'Hote, to be classified as Chambre d'Hote (B&B) cannot offer more than 6 guest rooms. Above that, it becomes a hotel.

3. A gite is not a chambre d'Hote although you can sometimes find both in the same establishment. A gite is a house rental, or apartment rental. So, sometimes a chambre d'Hote will also have a separate room or building on site that is fully equipped with kitchenette and other supplies to offer on a weekly rental basis. Gite customers are totally independent and subject to different booking terms than chambre d'hote customers.

4. a Chambre d'Hote may also be a "table d'Hote" meaning that dinners are prepared on site as well. Dining is usually family style, served at the same time, and sometimes around a big table, but not always. Guests of different backgrounds may share a meal together this way with the hosts - owners.

5. a chambre d'Hote is not a hotel. This means that rooms sometimes don't have individual telephones, sometimes no TV in the each room, no bar with anytime service, and internet access is often only the owner's private account. Also, room access isn't always possible throughout the day, all day. The owners are the reception, cleaning, and restaurant and need to run errands and keep their own lives on track. Expect to vacate the property for some time during the day to go visit.

Its like staying in someone's house, and to foreigners traveling to France who want to stay in a B&B, we recommend that you consider yourself in someone's home and though you are paying for certain services you should expect to pay for anything extra someone may do for you that is not in the service. Example - internet access, picnic lunches, aperetif, telephone calls, etc.

For a vast website with gite and chambre d'hote availability, see www.gites-de-france.fr

Bon voyage!

Happy St Patrick

Beannachtai na Feile Padraig! (Happy St Patrick's Day!)

What could be more appropriate today? This comes from Ireland-Information.com so I take it to be credible - enjoy!


THE LIFE OF SAINT PATRICK

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The Patron Saint of Ireland was born into either a Scottish or English family in the fourth century. He was captured as a teenager by Niall of the Nine Hostages who was to become a King of all Ireland.

He was sold into slavery in Ireland and put to work as a shepherd. He worked in terrible conditions for six years drawing comfort in the Christian faith that so many of his people had abandoned under Roman rule.

Patrick had a dream that encouraged him to flee his captivity and to head South where a ship was to be waiting for him. He traveled over 200 miles from his Northern captivity to Wexford town where, sure enough, a ship was waiting to enable his escape.

Upon arrival in England he was captured by brigands and returned to slavery. He escaped after two months and spent the next seven years traveling Europe seeking his destiny.

During this time he furthered his education and studied Christianity in the Lerin Monastery in France. He returned to England as a priest.

Again a dream greatly influenced him when he became convinced that the Irish people were calling out to him to return to the land of his servitude.

He went to the Monastery in Auxerre where it was decided that a mission should be sent to Ireland. Patrick was not selected for this task to his great disappointment. The monk that was selected was called Paladius, but he died before he could reach Ireland and a second mission was decided upon.

Patrick was made a Bishop by Pope Celestine in the year 432 and, together with a small band of followers, he traveled to Ireland to commence the conversion.

Patrick confronted the most powerful man in Ireland, Laoghaire, The High King of Tara, as he knew that if he could gain his support then he would be safe to spread the word throughout Ireland. To get his attention Patrick and his followers lit a huge fire to mark the commencement of Spring. Tradition had it that no fire was to be lit until the King's fire was complete, but Patrick defied this rule and courted the confrontation with the King.

The King rushed into action and traveled with the intention of making war on the holy delegation.

Patrick calmed the King and with quiet composure impressed upon him that he had no intention other than that of spreading the word of the Gospel.

The King accepted the missionary, much to the dismay of the Druids who feared for their own power and position in the face of this new threat.

They commanded that he make snow fall. Patrick declined to do so stating that this was God's work. Immediately it began to snow, only stopping when Patrick blessed himself.

Still trying to convince the King of his religion Patrick grasped at some Shamrock growing on the ground. He explained that there was but one stem on the plant, but three branches of the leaf, representing the Blessed Trinity. The King was impressed with his sincerity and granted him permission to spread the word of his faith, although he did not convert to Christianity himself.

Patrick and his followers were free to spread their faith throughout Ireland and did so to great effect. He drove paganism (symbolised by the

snake) from the lands of Eireann.

Patrick was tempted by the Devil whilst on a pilgrimage at Croagh Patrick. For his refusal to be tempted, God rewarded him with a wish. Patrick asked that the Irish be spared the horror of Judgment Day and that he himself be allowed to judge his flock. Thus, the legend that Ireland will disappear under a sea of water seven years before the final judgment, was born.

Patrick died on March 17th in the year 461 at the age of 76. It is not known for sure where his remains were laid although Downpatrick in County Down in the North of Ireland is thought to be his final resting place.

His influence is still felt to this day as Nations the world over commemorate him on March 17th of every year.

Cycling The Wine Region of Languedoc

The south of France is one of the most popular regions for travelers to France, but most people don't even make it into the Languedoc area. We sometimes describe the region to people as what Provence may have been like 30+ years ago - before Peter Mayle.

One of the big draws is the mediterranean coast and agreeable climate. Because of the climate, grapes grow well in an amazing variety and the Languedoc therefore has a lot to offer the wine connoisseur. We offer cycling tours, hiking tours, as well as cooking tours/self-drive and wine discovery tours in the region. Here is some more information about the wines of the region:

Coteaux Languedoc - Wines of the Languedoc Region:

from the website: Languedoc-wines.com

History
The Coteaux du Languedoc are the oldest vineyards of France, dating back to the Greek era five centuries B.C.. The Romans developed them and the wines, largely praised by Cicero, Columelle and the Pliny the Younger were exported in amphorae throughout Mediterranean regions. Hundreds of archaeological sites are to be found where amphorae were manufactured. Vine culture was rehabilitated by the monastic movement in the Middle Ages around the Benedictine et Cistercian abbeys which were founded in the area.

During the XVIII century, the Midi canal stimulated the exportation of Languedoc wines. AOC recognition in 1985 confirmed the Coteaux du Languedoc producers' confidence in the quality and style of their appellation's wines.

Appellation production area
The A.O.C. Coteaux du Languedoc area extends along the Mediterranean coast from Narbonne in the west to the edge of the Camargue area to the east and stretches over the foothills of the Montagne Noire and the Cevennes.
Faugères, Saint Chinian and Clairette du Languedoc are recognised as specific growths with their particular decree rules. The diversity of rocks and soils and the style of the Coteaux du Languedoc wines have led to a new range structure with three levels :
- The Coteaux du Languedoc Appellation
- Specific climatic zones currently under study.
- Specified terroir areas

Grape Varieties
Principal varieties for red and rosé wines : Grenache, Syrah and Mourvèdre (50 % minimum), secondary varieties Cinsault and Carignan.
For the Pic St. Loup : Syrah, Grenache, Mourvèdre (90 % minimum).
For La Clape: Syrah, Grenache, Mourvèdre (70 % minimum).
For white wines : Grenache, Clairette, Bourboulenc, Piquepoul, Roussanne, Marsanne and Rolle.
For Picpoul de Pinet: 100 % Piquepoul

Tasting
The red wines are velvety and elegant, with raspberry aromas, blackcurrant, spices and pepper. Top of the range red wines for ageing will develop notes of leather, bay-tree and Mediterranean scrubland scents (cade, genever, thyme, rosemary).

Guided Cycling in Tuscany June 23-29

Pure Adventures is offering a 6 night guided Tuscany cycling tour along what is normally a self-guided route. Currently, 2 to 4 more spaces are available. The tour will be guided by Marco, our local guide in Pienza who is also a bike mechanic, cyclist and lifelong resident of the region. The price is a fantastic 1885 euros and includes deluxe lodging, breakfast daily, luggage transfers, guide with vehicle support, arrival orientation, riding routes with maps and cue sheets, suggestions for visitation and dining, bike delivery, pickup, fitting, and fully equipped rental for the duration.

Dates are June 23-29 or October 6-12.

Planning a Trip in Spain

Sometimes it helps to know what festivals or events are going on in a destination in order to plan to be there, or to avoid it for your own vacation. Here is a short list of event dates in Spain that may help anyone wanting to go to Spain decide about their own travel dates.

15-19 March - Las Fallas de Valencia
In one of Spain's best-known festivals, huge papier-mache figures each adapted for a satirical theme are paraded through the streets. They are burnt on 19 March, St Joseph's Day – or Father's Day in Spain. www.fallas.com
19 March - Public holiday for St Joseph's Day
except in Andalusia, the Balearic Islands, the Canary Islands and La Rioja.

9 April - Start of Easter holiday across Spain.

12 April - Final of the Kings Cup, Football

23 April - International Books Day

25-30 April - Feria of Seville
Week long party in the Andalucian city

28-30 April - ViñaRock Festival in Albacete

28-April - Final Four climax of basketball season to decide who wins Euroliga

1 May - Dia del Trabajo
May Day bank holiday

5 May - International Festival of Short Films, Documentaries and New Producers, Madrid


10 May - Football´s UEFA Cup Final



11-13 May - WOMAD international music festival in Caceres, bringing sounds from all over the globe

14 May - Last day of Spanish football's La Liga season

20 May - 500th anniversary of the death of Columbus

23 May - The Eagles play only concert in Spain in Barcelona marking 30 years as a group



23 May - Madrid's Prado Museum opens major Picasso exhibition, called Picasso: Tradition and Vanguard, marking the 125th anniversary of the artist's birth and another anniversary of the return of Guernica to Spain following the death of Franco in 1975

26-27 May - Madrid holds two-day rock festival Festimad Sur; Feria of the Book in Madrid's El Retiro park until 11 June.



27 May - Rolling Stones play Madrid, then on 29 May, they hit the stage in Barcelona

1-3 June - Primavera Sound Music Festival, Barcelona

3 June -Barcelona Marathon

7-23 June - PhotoEspana international photographic exhibition in Madrid.
Until 23 June

7 June - Football's World Cup Finals start in Germany. For one whole month Spain, like most of footballing world, will be glued to the TV screen.

14 June - Bridal week begins in Barcelona; 20th anniversary of the death of Jorge Luis Borges, one of the greatest Latin American writers.

15-17 June - Sonar International Festival of Advanced Music and Multi-media art, Barcelona.
The three-day festival offers the hippest sounds around. Contact: www.sonar.es

15-25 June - The 17th Festival of Classical Theatre, Caceres.

18 June - Motorcycling Grand Prix, Catalonia.

18 June - Las Hogueras de San Juan, Alicante
Coinciding with the Summer solstice and are like a smaller version of Las Fallas in Valencia, wood and paper maché structures (hogueras)are erected around the city centre and suburbs. Next to each one an open-air cafe is put up, called barracas, and local people belong to one barraca and contribute cash to finance them. On the last night of fiestas, enormous palmtree-shaped fireworks are let off from the top of Alicante castle, overlooking the city and the hogueras are burnt one by one.

23 June - Eve of St John the Baptist's Day, Catalonia.
Celebrated with big bonfires, firecrackers and fireworks, and people eat the traditional "coca de Sant Joan" (a pastry).

24 June - Public holiday in Catalonia for St John's Day patron saint of Catalonia.
The Catalans celebrate Saint George's day by offering a rose and/or book, and the main shopping streets of Barcelona are filled with book stands.

30 June – Final of the Feria of Theatre in Palma del Rio, Cordoba

1 July - The Festival of Classical Theatre, Merida, Extremadura

6–14 July - San Fermin Festival and Running of the Bulls, Pamplona, Navarra
Famous bull-running event mythologised by Hemmingway and beloved of reckless

tourists everywhere. If you haven't got the guts or money, you can watch it live on television every day.

8-9 July - Pope Benedict XVI visits Valencia. Hundreds of thousands are expected to attend the two-day visit of the Pontiff to Spain's third city to mark the Fifth World Meeting of the Family.

11 July - San Sebastian stages the Basque Festival of Theatre


16-24 July - Expo Science Europe, Tarragona



18 July - 70th anniversary of the begining of the Spanish Civil War

20 July - PopRock Festival in Benicassim, Castellon
One of the biggest and best festival in Spain. Forget awful Spanish Europop, this attrats the best bands from Britain and the US.www.fiberfib.com

21 July - 41st San Sebastian Jazz Festival

5-27 July - Spanish Gold Panning Championships Navelgas, Asturias

25 July - Public holiday for Saint James' Day
except in Andalusia, Catalonia and Navarra.

14-16 August - Creamfields Andalusia, Playa de Villacarios, Almeria.
This famous British clubbing festival comes to Spain once again. This year's line-up has not been announced. See website, www.creamfields-andalucia.com

15 August - Public holiday for the Ascension of the Virgin Mary

19 August - Seventieth anniversary of the murder of Spanish poet Gabriel Garcia Lorca who was shot by Franco's troops at start of the Civil War.

26 August-17 September - Spain's equivalent of the Tour de France begins.

31 August - La Tomatina, Bunol, near Valencia.
Famous festival where everyone throws tomatoes at each other. At least 100,000 kilogrammes are normally used. Contact: www.lahoya.net

4 September - Paserela Cibeles or Madrid fashion week has its second chance to hit the catwalk this year.

21 September - San Sebastian International Film Festival
Spain's premier film festival begins

24 September - La Mercè festival, Catalonia
This is the festival for Barcelona's patron saint, held in the week of the 24 September, the day of La Mercè. All kinds of activities are organized, for all tastes and all ages. Of particular interest is the "correfoc" (fire-breathing dragons from all over Catalonia), and the pyrotechnical music show (fireworks and classical music next to the Montjuïc fountains).

26 September - International Festival of Music in Barcelona, timed to go with La Merce festival. It includes the Live Music Market in Vic, Catalonia, and the Festival BCN Accio Musical, Barcelona

26 September - Womex 06 World Music Festival, Seville.
One of the major music festivals in the world.

1 October - First opera season at Valencia's Palau de les Arts Reina Sofia, which was deisgned by Santiago Calatrava.

3 October - Madrid´s Thyssen Museum starts exhibition of the works of Sargent and Sorolla.

5-15 October - Sitges International Festival of Film.
Showing the best horror, fantasy and downright strange films around. Hollywood stars always turn up. This year they are paying homage to David Lynch.

11-15 October - Girona Film Festival

12 October - Public holiday for Spain's National Day

14-22 October ATP Golfing Masters tournament in Madrid

28 October - 50th anniversary of the start of TVE, Spain´s state television channel

1 November -All Saint's Day, public holiday

2 November - 7th edition of Latin Grammy awards; Third Irish Fleadh, with best Irish music around, Caceres Theatre, Caceres.
Until 5 November

3-19 November - Granada International Jazz Festival
Major jazz festival which attracts international stars. Line-up for this year, not yet announced.

6-November - Madrid's Thyssen Museum opens a major exhibition called Express featuring the work of Rauschenburg.
Until 17 February.

14 November - Museum of Reina Sofia, Madrid, begins exhibition of German painter, Jose Albers.
Until 17 February

6-8 December - 'El Puente' or Bridge national holiday.
Spain celebrates El Dia del Constitucion - Constitution Day, on 6 December and the Day of the Immaculate Conception on 8 December.

22 December - El Gordo lottery is drawn

25 December - Christmas

26 December - Public holiday for Boxing Day

31 December - New Year's Day

Room Only Space for Alpe d'Huez

Room only space is available on Alpe d'Huez for the Tour de France this July. We have a vast number of rooms at the very charming chalet "L'Ancolie" situated in the village of Huez just below the ski slopes of Alpe d'Huez. This is an ideal location to ride or just come to stay, visit, and watch the Tour de France. 2 stages can be viewed including the very difficult stage that will finish at Alpe d'Huez on July 18. The next day, viewing is also possible with the depart from the bottom of the valley in Bourg d'Oissans.


See the link for details. Price is 656 euros per person based on double occupancy for a week stay, including daily breakfast and dinner at the lodge!

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Caving Possible in Romania

CAVING APUSENI MOUNTAINS.


The Apuseni Mountains are situated in the west part of Romania, being a part of the west Carpathians. These mountains are made from a mixture of rocks: volcanic and limestone being the most important. The limestone rock has lead to the creation of a vast network of many caves, underground rivers, holes, tunnels, and gorges. Some of the caves have glaciers with the ice over 3 000 years old.

The brand new Caving Apuseni program leads you into this fabulous world of the underground, giving you the opportunity to see the most dramatic places:
Focul Viu and Scarisoara are two small caves that shelter two glaciers. The glacier from Scarisoara is the largest in Romania but Focul Viu glacier is the most spectacular. Through a hole into the ceiling the sun is sending its rays that made the upper part of the glacier melt and rise as water particles that gave the impression of a leaving fire. By night it becomes ice again.

Cetatile Ponorului and Lumea Pierduta are two spectacular places to go. “Cetatile Ponorului” (Ponor strongholds) is a large system of caves, underground rivers, holes, limestone walls and scree. Lumea Pierduta is a large system on holes, small caves and tunnels; all this can be seen from above.

Galbena gorges are the most dramatic in Apuseni Mountains. This part starts from an important spring that allows the water to exit the rock only after an inside basin is full. Downstream the path becomes very narrow and at one point you have either to climb the walls or get wet.

The trip puts you in contact with the traditional way of living in this area; which is somewhat antiquated for the people in the remote villages in the Carpathian Mountains.

Release - Hiking in Western France

FRANCE—With its lovely countryside dotted with magnificent castles, vineyards and charming villages, France is an ideal destination for active vacations. The gentle terrain and many splendid sites also make it the ultimate hiker’s paradise.

Founded over 11 years ago, Discover France consists of specialists that create cycling and hiking/walking tours throughout France, offering travelers creative itineraries that feature the best of each region at the greatest possible value.

This season Discover France is offering travelers four blissful, scenery-packed hiking tours in western France. The physical demands of the tours range from easy to challenging - but all offer unique opportunities to discover French culture and lifestyle.

The Loire Valley is one of France's most revered regions. The five day/six night Loire Garden and Vineyards Tour presents a feast for the eyes, and the many chateaux offer countless beautiful gardens for exploration. The flat-to-rolling terrain is perfect for hiking and is filled with trees, flora and splendid colors. Visitors will experience impressive Gothic and Renaissance architecture of the 15th & 16th centuries, hikes through the wine country of Chinon and Saumur, and tour the historic and awe-inspiring Fontevraud Abbey. The tour is priced at 867 euros pp/double occupancy.

The Loire Chateaux Hike is six days and seven nights and will take guests into the heart of “King Valley”. The valley has seen many of France’s kings pass through its regions and is most famous for its extravagant castles built during the renaissance period. These elegant chateaux with their stunning gardens celebrated the pleasure of life. The castles of the Renaissance were not built to defend against enemies, but were built for decorating the landscape and to illustrate the new prosperity of France. Listed as a Unesco World Heritage site, the valley offers so many chateaux, mansions, churches, and abbeys that a visitor can’t possibly see it all. Priced at 1195 euros per person (double occupancy), the hike is mostly over flat terrain and encompasses vineyards, low river lands, and mystical forests.

At the border of Brittany and Normandy in France, the Bay of the Mont Saint Michel shelters one of the jewels of the western Christian art, the iconic Mont Saint Michel. The Mont Saint Michel and Coast Hiking Tour begins in the beautiful seaside city of St. Malo with a walk along the coast; keeping the ever impressive Mont constantly in view. Guests anticipation will heighten the closer they become to the Mont, and along the way they will be charmed by the quiet beauty, lovely flora, and the thousands of birds that claim the bay as their home. Other tour highlights include picturesque harbor villages, beaches, lighthouses, markets, seafood. The tour consists of four nights and five days and is priced at 890 euros pp/double occupancy.

The Coastal Normandy Tour lasts seven nights and eight days (price TBD) and is sure to please travelers with its gastronomic delights. There are two divisions of Normandy: The Basse-Normandy and the Haute-Normandy. The region of Basse-Normandy is represented by picturesque valleys with granite ground and is a region of agriculture, especially for wheat, milk and other dairy products. In addition to its cider and Calvados, Normandy produces the famous Camembert cheese. The region of Haute-Normandy is so named because of its position on the map. This region has a very diversified landscape. Normandy France is well known for the WWII landing beaches used by the Allied armies. There is much to see and remember there of those times as travelers follow the walking tour along some of the beaches such as Utah, Omaha, Juno, Sword, Gold.

For a sample itinerary, photos and booking information call 800-960-2221 or visit DiscoverFrance.com