France is not yet internationally recognised as a golf haven. This is a very good thing. To see what I mean, you only have to glance at the crowded fairways of the Algarve and the Costa del Sol/Brava/Almeria etc. This fact, coupled with close proximity to the UK, a huge number of travel options and fantastic cuisine make France a great place to take a golf holiday.

Still need more reasons? OK. Well here we go:

France has more golf courses than the rest of continental Europe put together. 25 of which are rated in Europe’s top 100. Green Fees in France are, on average, much cheaper than in the UK. This allows you more rounds or a better class of golf course.

France is a charming country with many interesting traditions. Where else in the world would you experience this other than France?

No doubt you learnt a bit of French at school. Even the dumbest of you will have picked up ‘Bonjour’ and ‘Merci’. No? Well no need to worry about that, the ratio of English speakers to non English speakers in France is much higher than that of French speakers in England. You will find almost everyone employed at a golf course which is frequented by Brits can speak enough of the Language to get you on the first tee and a beer in your belly at the 19th hole. (more…)

Camping in France at Christmas may be slightly in the chilly side, but you will find the spirit of family and generosity that surrounds you will warm you up in no time. Whilst the celebrations are different in every region, each is as spectacular as the next. Though all regions celebrate Christmas Day on the 25th December as per tradition, for many in France, celebrations start with La Fete de Saint Nicholas on the 6th December.

La Fete de Lumieres

Held by the inhabitants of Lyon on the weekend closest to the 8th December, with the climax of the festival happening on the 8th itself, La Fete de Lumieres is a splendid Christmas tradition. This renowned festival of lights is when the Lyonnais pay homage to the Virgin Mary, by lighting a candle in each of their windows. These candles light up the village, and give off a wonderful homely and festive feel. One of the main focal points of this festival is the Basilica of Notre Dame de Fourviere, where the impressive stained glass windows are lit up with different coloured lights. Over at the Place des Terreaux in the very heart of the town, various shows are held, using bright-coloured, moving beams of lights and images to tell the story of Christmas. The Fete de Lumieres is a fantastic way to welcome Christmas while you’re camping in France. (more…)

Many people might consider themselves to be fair-weather campers, believing that camping holidays should be saved only for the sunshine of the summer months. But camping in France can make for a fantastic holiday all year round, with each of the four seasons offering something different.

Autumn

Everyone associates the autumn with the leaves turning a wonderful colour, before they eventually fall from the trees completely. It’s also seen by many as the last opportunity to go camping in France, before the colder weather really sets in. Areas such as the Ardeche are simply full of forests, and can promise some fantastic autumn walks, kicking up the leaves as you go. However, why not make the most of the trees becoming bare by attempting some of the forest trails up in the trees at Vert-Tige Parc. Safely harnessed, you can take to the trees and tackle any one of the five trails that feature cargo nets, rope bridges, zip wires and various other obstacles. Where better to view the forest at its autumnal best than up in the trees themselves?

Winter

Perhaps the quietest of the seasons in terms of camping in France, winter is actually an ideal time to take a camping holiday. With the campsites less busy, you can pick your favourite pitch and enjoy the peace and quiet. If you particularly enjoy a good snowfall in the winter months, head towards the Alps where you will find skiing and the opportunity for snowball fights galore. Close to the ski resort les deux-Alpes, lies the sleepy little town of Venosc. This mountain side town is well known for its crafts and is the perfect place to get in some early Christmas shopping. There are plenty of walks to take around the nearby mountain lakes but if you would rather enjoy the view the easier way, the Venosc cable car will take you up to the heart of les deux-Alpes, where you can enjoy the spectacular snowy scenes looking down on the slopes below. (more…)

Nice is known to have a very lively festival scene. There are a lot of attractions and events that is why you can never run out of things to do all year round. From open air music concerts, street fairs, sporting events and theatrical performances, Nice has got it all. So if you happen to visit Nice, here are some of the city’s annual attractions that you can partake on.

JANUARY

New Year’s Concert – This is usually held on New Year’s Eve at Nice’s Acropolis. Nice’s New Year’s concert is a great way to celebrate the arrival of the new year.
Luna Park – This is a large fair with lots of various attractions for everyone.

FEBRUARY

Nice Carnival - This carnival is the leading winter season attraction on the French Riviera. It features parades, bonfires, fireworks and many more.

MARCH

Nice International Trade Fair – This trade fair is annually held at Palais des Expositions.
Nice Boat Show – A must-see event for boat enthusiasts and the like.
Festin des Cougourdons (Gourd Festival) – This festival which is annually held in Cimiez gardens traditionally symbolizes the end of the winter season. It features gourd painting events and a gourd food fest.
Nice International Semi-Marathon – This annual 3-day event in Nice offers various competitions for tourists and locals alike.
Printemps des Poetes – Nice celebrates their Printemps des Poetes by staging events in various theaters, schools, and cafes. (more…)

Tanjung Benoa is a charming resort area, located to the north of Nusa Dua, in Bali, Indonesia. Also known as Benoa Peninsula, Tanjung Benoa is a magnificent five kilometers long peninsula, which is much famed for its scenic views comprising beautiful coconut groves, white sandy beach, and incredible mountains.

Once a typical seaside village, Tanjung Benoa has now been transformed into a highly developed resort area, dotted with a number of upscale hotels, luxury resorts, world class private villas, superb restaurants, open air cafes, and facilities for enjoying a continuum of water sport activities. In short, in recent years, Tanjung Benoa has become one of the most sought after tourist spots in the country.

Of the attractions in Tanjung Benoa is undoubtedly its beach with calm waves. This beach area serves as a perfect base for enjoying a large number of water sport activities such as parasailing, water sports, wind surfing, jet skiing, banana boat sailing, snorkeling, reef fishing, and much more. Further, to cater to the needs of diving enthusiasts, a plethora of diving centers operate here. Likewise, you can also find an array of shops specializing in providing rental equipments that are required for different water sport activities. (more…)

For those ready to go on a well-deserved holiday to Bali should know if they need an Indonesia visa. For most nationalities this can be arranged upon arrival at Ngurah Rai International Airport in Denpasar. The single-entry tourist visa is valid for up to 30 days though.

The following countries can arrange a single-entry tourist visa upon arrival at the visa booth; Argentina, Australia, Austria, Bahrain, Belgium, Brazil, Bulgaria, Cambodia, Canada, China, Cyprus, Denmark, Egypt, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, India, Iran, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Kuwait, Laos, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Maldives, Malta, Mexico, Monaco, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Oman, Poland, Portugal, Qatar, Russia, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, South Korea, Spain, Surinam, Sweden, Switzerland, Taiwan Territory, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom and the USA.

Before you receive this single-entry Indonesia visa your passport should be valid for at least another 6 months and you have correctly filled out the embarkation/disembarkation card upon arrival. It cost US $25 for a 30-day single entry visa and US$10 for a 7-day visa.

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