Eurapart budget travel

Chamonix Mont-Blanc, France

(John Williams) — Fri, 24 December 2010 11:29:48 +0000

Chamonix - Mont Blanc is located in South East France at the foot of Mont Blanc, the highest mountain in the European Alps. Originally an Alpine village it grew into a town following the first successful ascent of Mont Blanc in 1797.
It was also host to the first Winter Olympic Games in 1926, a world renowned location for ski-ing and snowboarding. Chamonix claims some of the best terrain for off piste ski-ing / snowboarding in the world. The famed vall�e Blanche starts at the Aiguille du Midi at 3842m and goes for 20 km, it is unpisted, unpatrolled so you only go if your are competent in off piste riding and have avalanche awarenesss, transceiver, probe, shovel, harness and rope for crevasses and a guide.

Avignon, France

(John Williams) — Thu, 23 December 2010 19:27:48 +0000

This beautiful town on the River Rhone with its colourful history, including a battle for the Catholic papacy that left a legacy of a bohemian atmosphere and proliferation of the arts, not forgetting the beautiful Palais de Papes. With its beautiful dome crested by a golden statue of Mary, the palace looks over the river and the winding cobbled streets of the old walled town.

Next to the palace is Rocher des Doms, a park with a small grotto, which affords an indefinably spectacular view.

Calais, France

(John Williams) — Tue, 08 December 2010 22:47:48 +0000

To many Britons, Calais is their first sight of mainland Europe. Quite what the locals think as they watch cars being laden with beer and wine until the suspension groans, I'm not sure. The cross channel shopping trade exists due to a weak Euro and low alcohol and tobacco taxation on the French side. As Calais is the closest port to the UK it has led to it becoming Europe's busiest passenger port. This geographical closeness has also afforded the town a rich history but World War Two bombing has destroyed many of its physical manifestations. Calais has been invaded by numerous countries throughout its history, including the Romans, Spanish, English, Germans and again today by cross channel shoppers.

Lille Nord, France

(John Williams) — Tue, 07 December 2010 10:47:48 +0000

Summary Lille, capital of the region, was born in the 11th Century but displays architecture fit for the 21st Century, alongside a rich historical heritage. It is here that the world renowned Braderie (Flea market / Antiques Fair) is staged on the first weekend of September. There is much to involve the traveller from shopping in ancient streets to visiting the many museums and monuments.

EtapHotel, Dunkirk, Nord, France

(John Williams) — Fri, 03 Dec 2010 17:19:00 +0000

Rooms from 40 euros per night. Dunkirk is a more interesting destination than most folks imagine.

Dunkirk, Nord, France

(John Williams) — Fri, 03 Dec 2010 17:10:00 +0000

"A port since 800, Dunkirk has been ruled by France, Spain, England and the Netherlands"
Dunkerque is not particularly inviting at first glance. Its heavy industries such as steel and chemicals are off putting, even the landscape comprises uninspiring sand dunes. The town does, however, have enough history and attractions to make a stay worthwhile.

Photos of Avoriaz, Haute Savoie, France

(John Williams) — Wed, 01 Dec 2010 09:08:00 +0000

This page is an experiment. The photos are available in a number of sizes on my Flickr account. Would you be so kind as to leave me some comments on the page load speed you experienced when viewing this page. Comment box at the bottom of the page.