Travel Lightbulb

With the European Championship currently taking place in France, what better time to flash back to one of my posts on Paris. It's such a beautiful city - one of my favourites in the world, but there are so many things to see you don't necessarily want to spend lots of time in a hotel, so why not get an apartment instead, and head out to make the most of the sights. The apartment I feature in my post gives you the chance to experience authentic local Parisian life in a beautiful old building. Why not click here  to read my original post.

Sometimes we deserve a treat, and I know just the place for a totally decadent meal! I visited Bordeaux for a weekend and had to find somewhere perfect for a birthday celebration. My research brought me to a fabulous place called La Tupina, and I can't recommend it highly enough. Bordeaux is also a fantastic place to visit, and I'm always amazed that more people don't visit. Having said that, it's nice to go somewhere that isn't packed with tourists, and the restaurant is so good I'd go back to Bordeaux simply to go there. Fabulous!  If you want to read more about La Tupina, then why not re-visit my original post on  Decadence in Bordeaux .

Altapura is a 5-star hotel in the highest resort in Europe, Val Thorens. It's the largest ski area in the world, so if you love your winter sports, then this could be the perfect alpine setting for you. French hotelier Jocelyn Sibuet, who is behind the Maisons & Hotels Sibuet group, handed the creative reins to her son, and this resort is dramatically different to the rest in the group. It is an elegant place that has quirky, contemporary furnishings.  The hotel is set back from the lively centre of Val Thorens, and is the perfect place to sit back and enjoy the exceptional scenery. There are 88 rooms and suites - all beautifully modern but very cosy, with deep carpets, and fur throws.  There are three restaurants to choose from, and the outdoor bar is the perfect place for your aprés-ski. It even has heated parasols so you can enjoy your drink while soaking up the winter sun without getting cold! The spa is huge - and you can even relax in ...

What springs to mind when you think of bubbles in France? Champagne....yes, that's what I thought, but today, I'm going to open your mind with some bubbles that are quite unique! Courtesy of Attrap'Rêves Attrap'Rêves is a network of 'bubbles', 17 of them in fact divided over 5 sites, all away from the crowds. It is the brainchild of a family company which was founded in February 2010, and pulls together their skills to make this unique project. Courtesy of Attrap'Rêves They are inflatable tents, around 4 metres in diameter, and are all different. The most basic has a roll-out bed, and moveable wardrobes, while the more luxurious bubbles have attachable bathroom and an additional bedroom. Courtesy of Attrap'Rêves I know what you're all thinking - privacy, or a lack of it? Each bubble has been installed to protect your privacy; there is a private path for each bubble, and some of them are not fully transparent. Having said that...

Today I'm featuring one of the lesser known parts of France - the Ile de Ré. The island is off the west coast of France near La Rochelle, and has been called one of the jewels of the Atlantic coast. The great thing is it's largely unspoiled and not only has beautiful sandy beaches, but also ports to wander around; forests to discover and salt marshes. Villa Clarisse is located in the historical capital of the island, Saint-Martin-de-Ré (listed as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO) and is perhaps the most 'chic' address in the heart of the old city. It's an 18th century mansion which was renovated in June 2011, and is dedicated to well-being and relaxation. There are nine rooms and suites at the Villa which are all organised around a courtyard. All have stunning bathrooms; fireplaces, and lots of original features. Many guests describe them as beautifully styled, but relaxed and welcoming. It's child friendly and is not only near shops and a fairground, b...

I absolutely love visiting Paris; but every time I go, I always have a problem deciding which area of the city to stay in. There are so many amazing districts and hotels to choose from, but today I am featuring somewhere that will give you a bit more freedom in a city that can be very pricey.  Photo courtesy of Paris Saitonge apartment I came across a superb little studio apartment in the heart of the Marais district, which many feel has a similar feel to the West Village in Manhattan. It may have different architecture (with small medieval lanes) but like Manhattan; it comes alive with bars, restaurants, and shops. The area is very quiet, so no noise problems, but you can find everything you need nearby.  Photo courtesy of Paris Saitonge apartment The apartment is a short stroll away from several sights (such as Notre Dame Cathedral), and is also within walking distance of several Metro stations. It has a double bed in a mezzanine (an air bed in the living roo...

A couple of years ago, I went on a road trip through Portugal; Spain, and France. Before I left, I read an article about the Millau viaduct which is part of the route from Paris to Montpellier. It looked spectacular in the pictures, and I knew I had to make it part of my journey. It is the tallest bridge in the world - taller than the Eiffel Tower with one mast's summit at 343 metres. As you approach it, you realise it not only breaks records, but could be one of the most beautiful bridges in the world. Fans of the British motoring show Top Gear may remember the bridge being featured when the presenters took a Ford GT, Pagani Zonda and Ferrari F430 Spyder on a road trip across France to see the newly completed bridge. I couldn't think of a better, more dramatic setting to try out such amazing supercars. It was designed by British architect Norman Foster, and really is a feat of engineering. Foster said it was designed to have "the delicacy of a butterfly" and, d...

When travelling, I love to find restaurants that echo the local delicacies and flavours of the region I'm visiting, and when I was in Bordeaux I found a gem of a place that does just that. While wine may jump into your mind when you first think of the French city, you must not underestimate how good the food can be. On one of Bordeaux's oldest streets, La Tupina (which means 'kettle' in Basque) pays a fantastic tribute to traditional cooking in the south-west region of France. Photo courtesy of La Tupina The decor is both beautiful and rustic. In the centre of the restaurant is a huge fireplace, which is used to cook some of the dishes, and there are two cosy dining rooms. There are also tables outside on the cobbled street and, while they're great in the summer, part of the joy of La Tupina is the atmosphere and ambience of the rooms inside. Photo courtesy of La Tupina The specialities of the house include lamb and duck, and as I'd ...