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Archive for the ‘Pierre Vacances News’ Category
A French themed evening of Petanque with Pierre & Vacances
To celebrate all things French and take the opportunity to unwind with their travel industry colleagues and comrades, the Pierre & Vacances UK team set about hosting a Petanque Tournament on Brighton seafront last week, courtesy of the official Brighton & Hove Petanque Club. With refreshments provided, a beautiful backdrop of Brighton Pier and prizes on offer, how could anyone resist?
With expectations of 90 or so guests, Elodie, the newest member to the Pierre & Vacances UK team (and our now resident Petanque party organising expert!), set about getting ready to feed the masses. After much investigation of Brighton’s supermarkets Elodie sourced some of the best and most delicious French delights for our guests to enjoy while playing a spot of Petanque.
The Pierre & Vacances UK team in their French themed outfits!
For once the English weather did not let us down and with the sun high in the sky and not a cloud in sight, the Pierre & Vacances UK team served up quite a treat. From popular French cheese, bread and wine to the pièce de résistance – fresh “saucisson” direct from France, and close to the region where Elodie herself is from, the stunning Ardeche (special thanks goes to Elodie’s very kind Father for sending over the sausage).
After some practice rounds to hone petanque skills and eye up the competition the games began. And what a great turn out, soon enough 16 teams of 2 players were busy swinging their Petanque balls.
And with representatives from French Radio London, The Association of British Travel Organisers to France, Atout France, On Holiday Group, Take the Family, Student Travel Group, Erna Low and TUI Travel, hopes for an English vs French final were high.
With one knock out after another (and many wines later) the finalists, father and son duo Ossian and Fulvio from the Student Travel Group contingency, came tête-à-tête with Nick and Dave, from local web agency RedBedlam. And please note the lack of the French contingency in the final….
The final match saw Fulvio and Ossian storming out miles ahead with what looked to be an easy win, but not ones to give up without a fight Nick and Dave were hot on their tail. The pairs battled it out while the rest of the party watched on in anticipation. Another 20 minutes later a beaming Ossian and Fulvio won the game 7-2, the prize: a Pierre & Vacances self-catering holiday of their choosing.
Our winners Fulvio and son Ossian!
Not ones to disappoint excellent competitors, Pierre & Vacances had a little treat in store for the runners up, and soon Nick and Dave were the proud owners of a delicately carved Pierre & Vacances branded Petanque set to practice with ready for next year’s re-match.
The winners then went on to take on the professionals from the Petanque Club but were not quite so successful – better luck next time boys!
A great night was had by all and we at Pierre & Vacances would like to thank everyone who came along and who took part in the Petanque tournament, we look forward to welcoming you back again next year! We’d also like to say an extra special thank you to SeaFrance for offering a return ferry crossing as part of the winner’s prize.
If you’d like to try the French game of Petanque yourself, have a go at our online 3D Petanque game!
Drive to France and exchange l’ash for cash!
For the second year in a row the Icelandic ash cloud is threatening to majorly disrupt holiday makers in the UK and Ireland. And even if the impending thick ash doesn’t cause the same closure of UK and Irish air space as it did last year, surely the only thing you should be worrying about while you pack your suitcase should be if you’ve bought enough sun block…
So forget nervously checking your flight status and hit the open road to France – easily reached by ferry and Eurotunnel anytime of year, closed skies or not! Just imagine: the wind in your hair, the smell of fresh sea air… and no airport stress!
And this month there’s the added bonus of €100 off selected Pierre & Vacances Resorts, so you’ll be exchanging the worry of l’ash for some bonus cash!
Simply use the voucher code 8666 during your booking process – for full details of resorts and terms and conditions click here!
Pierre & Vacances has a wide range of accommodation in Brittany, Picardy and Normandy for a wide range of holidays, from poolside, to beachside, to those wanting to exercise their active side! So here’s our quick guide to reaching France the scenic way!
Traveling to France by Eurotunnel:
The Eurotunnel’s drive on, drive off service between Folkestone and Calais runs up to four times an hour and takes just 35 minutes.
The departure terminals are easily reached via the M25 and M20 on the English side, and just outside Calais on the A16 motorway on the French side.
For a full timetable and travel details click here.
Traveling to France by ferry:
There’s something romantic and traditional about going on holiday by sea. And whilst onboard you can avail yourself of the facilities, from swimming pools to cinemas and wine bars, not forgetting lashings of fresh air up on deck (just don’t be tempted to play Kate and Leo a la Titanic). With an overnight ferry you’ll find there’s not much time left to play Eye Spy and Are We There Yet.
Between the south of the UK and the north coast of France there are five routes across the English Channel with six ferry companies to choose from:
• P&O Ferries and Seafrance both sail between Dover and Calais, with the crossing taking around 90 minutes.
• Norfolk Line and DFDS Seaways both connect Dover and Dunkirk by sea, with the crossings taking an average of two hours.
• Condor Ferries has routes via the Channel Islands to St Malo but its direct service between Portsmouth and Cherbourg takes around five hours.
• LD Lines has two routes to choose from: Newhaven to Dieppe or Portsmouth to Le Havre, the crossings take an average of four hours and three hours 15 minutes respectively.
For Irish travellers, Brittany Ferries and Irish Ferries operate direct services to France from Ireland:
• Brittany Ferries sails from Cork to Roscoff – the fastest direct route at 14 hours.
• Irish Ferries sails from Rosslare to Roscoff or Cherbourg, and the crossing takes around 17 hours.
Driving in France
Once you’ve arrived, France has over 8,000 kilometres of motorways, of which most are toll roads. If you’re pinching pennies and not in a hurry, there’s an excellent network of trunk roads, the N-denoted Routes Nationals.
There are a number of useful sights for route planning, including:
France4Families – Route planning in France
Bison Futé – Traffic blackspots and roadwork updates
And a perennial favourite, check what the world et sa mère recommends on TripAdvisor
Avoriaz ski news: The snow is here!
As we mentioned very excitedly on our Pierre & Vacances Twitter account today, the snow has arrived in France!
Avoriaz in particular has had a huge amount of snow fall this week, particularly overnight (Thursday 25th November).
As of today, Friday 26th November there are 90cms of snow on the ground, and it’s evident in the pictures below:
(Pictures courtesy of our friends at Avoriaz 1800)
If you’re thinking of organising a trip to or are visiting Avoriaz and want up-to-the-minute snow reports, take a look at the real time Avoriaz webcam. If you haven’t yet booked your holiday to Avoriaz, book your ski accommodation in Avoriaz with Pierre & Vacances now! Click here to visit our Avoriaz page on the Pierre & Vacances website.
For snow reports across France, check http://www.snow-forecast.com
Keep checking back to our blog as we’ll be posting any key snowfall in France for skiers and Pierre & Vacances customers.
Thanks all!
Single pot Alpine recipes for hungry skiers with French chef Mickael Weiss
You know the feeling, exhausted and ravenous from a day’s skiing or snowboarding, you arrive back at your apartment, and the last thing you want to do is spend ages preparing and cooking a meal. And let’s face it, eating out every night can be expensive and it’s not always convenient – especially with a young family in tow.
Mickael Weiss © www.petewebb.com
But what should you cook? Well, as luck would have it, the talented and incredibly lovely chef Mickael Weiss was on hand at the 3 Vallées Bar at this year’s Ski Show, where he put together a series of three simple, yet tasty single pot dishes, exclusively for Pierre & Vacances and the 3 Vallées. Each dish can be made in under 20 minutes using classic French Alpine ingredients, readily available in resorts and in even the smallest apartment kitchen. Please note: for smaller ovens, either start with a casserole dish or transfer to put in the oven.
Dish 1 – One Pan Frittata
Dish 2 – Local Ham and Saffron Rice Casserole
Dish 3 – Single Pot Tartiflette
You can download Mickael Weiss’ single pot Alpine recipes for hungry skiers here: Single pot ski recipes – Mickael Weiss
Mickael Weiss, Executive Head Chef for nearly a decade at Coq d’Argent, the landmark City restaurant, is one of the best-established French chefs around. During his career, he has gained experience at revered dining establishments such as Le Gavroche, Le Manoir aux Quat’ Saisons and The Walnut Tree Inn. He has also held the position of head chef at Kartouche, followed by stints at Chapter One and Bleeding Heart, before settling at Coq d’Argent in December 2000. During the last 10 years Weiss has provided consultancy for the likes of Orrery helping to retain it’s Michelin Star, Sartoria and Quaglino’s.
Mickael is also a TV veteran having appeared as the chef on the BBC’s Supersizers programmes with Giles Coren and Sue Perkins, where he prepared a feast fit for King Louis XVI and Marie Antoinette. He has also worked on Master Chef series 1 and 2, and Celebrity Master Chef 2008.
Three Pierre & Vacances apartments in the 3 Vallees:
1. Modern and chic
Pierre & Vacances’ newly renovated Le Christiana residence in the Trois Vallées resort of La Tania offers spectacular views of the valley as well as ski-in/ski-out convenience. The property is located in the centre of the resort, which also boasts the Michelin-starred Le Farçon restaurant, making it a great base for foodies!
2. Traditional comfort
The residence “Les Fermes de Méribel” has spacious and comfortable apartments divided between six small stone and wood chalets. It lies in a pleasant wooded environment in the heart of Méribel Village, and has direct access to the slopes.
3. On a budget
The Résidence Maeva Belle Plagne Les Gémeaux has been newly renovated with funky modern furnishings and is an ideal location in the ski-in/ski-out hamlet of Belle Plagne.
Pierre & Vacances is the number one provider of ski accommodation in the French Alps. Featuring 120 ski residences and hotels in more than 40 ski resorts across the French Alps and Pyrenees.
Pierre & Vacances Profile: Calarossa Holiday Village, Sardinia
Introducing…Pierre & Vacances Calarossa Holiday Resort
New to Pierre & Vacances customers this summer, the Pierre & Vacances Calarossa Holiday Resort in Sardinia – the perfect spot for an affordable family holiday to Italy with the kids this summer.
Property Spotlight
Situated just 5km from the ancient rugged harbour of Isola Rossa, Calarossa Holiday Resort- a self catering resort in kid friendly Sardinia – is nestled within 110 hectares of spectacular scenery with panoramic sea views. With a full array of facilities and activities for kids of all ages, Calarossa is set to be one of our most popular family resorts.
Leisure activities include three swimming pools, a flood-lit tennis court, bowls pitch, volleyball court and a beach, popular with canoeists and scuba divers alike, just 500 meters form the resort. The coastline is littered with beaches and coves, perfect for those with a snorkel.
The property itself consists of 315 fully equipped self catering apartments with the choice of either a balcony or a patio, an onside restaurant with sea views, a solarium, a bar and an amphitheater. Alongside the great array of local eateries and cultural attractions, Calarossa Holiday Resort is a great spot from which to explore Sardinia.
Current Offers
Pierre & Vacances are delighted to offer prices for a one-week break at Calarossa starting at €571,20 for a studio apartment sleeping four in August 2010.
The Low-Down
We recently caught up with the manager of Calarossa Holiday Resort, Alessandro Antinori, who gave us the full insight into this great property.
What advice would you give to someone visiting Calarossa?
Make sure you eat dinner outside to witness one of our glorious sunsets!
Best local restaurant for couples, families, and friends?
I would say stick to the resort, the one in the residence!
Best beach for couples, families’ friends?
La Marineda for families and for those who want to surf. Cala Tinnari for couples who are looking for somewhere quieter.
Best shopping?
1 hour by car to go to Alghero.
Whats the best thing about Calarossa for our UK customers?
“The great thing about Calarossa is that yes, you are in Italy, but you also are not. You’re on an island, far from everything, it’s a different place, it has its own identity, its own local customs, food, and has a great community feel for families.
Calarossa is the true meaning of nature and sea, separated for the routine of daily life. With clear waters and an array of multi-coloured rocks, swimming in the sea feels like being in your own natural pool. Add to that some of the most beautiful sunsets you’ll ever see and you get the full picture of beautiful Calarossa.
There’s so much to explore. Taking a walk along the white sandy beaches, you’ll come across the Spanish courts of Castelsardo, Santa Teresa and Alghero all settled beneath acres of palms, almond and olive trees. Surrounded by pine forests and open fields, wildlife and dazzling light, the days in Sardinia feel longer than in any other place.
Food lovers will love Sardinia. Some of Italy’s best wines, cheeses, olives, almonds, ricotta, orange cakes and Sardinia’s specialty, thin flavoured cracking carasau bread, are all plentiful in their availability in and around Calarossa Holiday Village.
For further information and bookings about Calarossa Holiday Resort, please visit http://www.PV-holidays.com, the website for Pierre & Vacances.
