Let's Talk About Summer, Baby...

Spring is springing, the sun is shining (sort of) and the weather is warming up! Yes, now that the weird winter weather seems to have been banished (warm, cold, snowy, muggy - make up your mind!), we are getting seriously excited about the prospect of long, light evenings, ice cream as a viable main course option and summer holiday planning. After all, what better way to while away an afternoon or five than by contemplating the where, when and who with of your summer jaunt across the Channel?

If this has you reaching for your passport quicker than you can say 'make mine a croissant', then look no further as we have put together a few of our favourite resorts to give you some destination inspiration....

Tucked away from the dramatic coastal winds at the mouth of Brittany's Odet river, Bendot is a real Breton charm. Perfect for anyone in need of a nostalgic week or two by the seaside, the resorts sandy beaches and picture-perfect marina are crying out for a long afternoon exploring their hidden charms and unspoilt scenery. And, if all that nautical charm wasn't enough for you (or if the Brittany weather turns out to be a 'reliable' as Britain's...), make your way to one of the resort's crêperies for some pancake-based goodness. For extra Breton brownie points, make your's a Calvados-doused crêpe suzette. Bon Appetit indeed!

The newly built Les Jardins d'Arvor, in the very centre of Benodet, are the ideal base for anyone with their heart set on exploring this idyllic corner of France this summer. Plus, we still have a mighty tempting 5% early booking discount on selected dates until March 16th...

http://www.lagrange-holidays.co.uk/holidays-rental-sea-mountain,accommodation-bretagne-loire-atlantique,benodet-BENODE-L-JARD-residence.html#residence

If being buffeted by Brittany's coastal breeze is perhaps not quite your idea of holiday heaven, make like the Arctic Tern and head south! Serious sun seekers should find that the lively town of Sainte-Maxime on the Cote d'Azur has everything their heart desires and more, thanks to crystal clear waters, glorious Riveria sunshine and damn fine people watching courtesy of the many millionaire's yachts jostling for space in the harbour and the jaw-dropping villas in the town itself. Live the film star life for an afternoon or two by indulging by taking a trip to nearby Saint Tropez or Cannes. Well, if you can't feel like a million bucks whilst you're holiday, when can you, eh?

Whether your budget stretches to Champagne or just plain ol' sparkling wine, Lagrange has summer accommodation in Sainte-Maxime sorted. From smart self-catered apartments with a shared pool (Port Marine) located just 150m from the beach, to villas with private pools complete with totally tantalising early booking discounts on offer until 16/04 (Le Carre Beauchene), we have something to put a smile on everyone's face...

http://www.lagrange-holidays.co.uk/holidays-rental-sea-mountain,accommodation-cote-d-azur,sainte-maxime-MAXIME-L-MARI-residence.html#station

Sometimes, Lagrange just needs to get away from it all for a moment's relaxation and the chance to gather our thoughts. To do this, we head to Provence (naturally, none of this lounging on the sofa in track pants business here...) , take a deep breath and revel in the intoxicating aroma of lavender, olives and fresh Provençal air. Fab-u-lous. For a summer getaway that just oozes pure escapism and indulgence, Saint-Trinit ticks all the right boxes - warm weather, stunning scenery and a whole host of regional specialities just waiting to be sampled.

The picture-perfect Le Claux du Puits in Saint-Trinit is the ideal base for a week or two of Provençal living - a handful of self-catered apartments and holiday homes clustered together offering impressive views over Mont Ventoux. Plus, we still have early booking discounts in place until mid-April so there are still plenty bargains to be had!

http://www.lagrange-holidays.co.uk/holidays-rental-sea-mountain,accommodation-provence-arriere-pays,saint-trinit-TRINIT-L-CLAU-residence.html#residence

Don't forget, there is always a friendly member of the Lagrange reservations team at the other end of the phone if you need some more advice or holiday hints! Call 020 7371 6111 if you fancy a chat...

Lovely Loire Valley Deal of the Week (thanks, The Independent!)

Toot! That was indeed the sound of Lagrange blowing their own trumpet, as, like so many others before them, the good folks at The Independent clearly know a great deal when they see one, as our lovely Loire Valley residence 'Les Jardins de Renaissance' in Azay-le-Rideau is their 'Deal of the Week'! So, what is the fabulous deal, we hear you cry....Well, just cast your peepers down the page and see..!

A week in a two bedroom self-catered holiday home sleeping between 4 and 6 people in the Lagrange Prestige residence Les Jardins de Renaissance in Azay-le-Rideau costs from just £382 in total for accommodation only. This price applies to a week's stay up to the week commencing 18/06, so you had better get your skates on if you want to beat the summer holiday crowds and spend a week or two relaxing in the beautiful surroundings of France's Loire Valley!

For those of you who need slightly more persausion than the seal of approval from a broadsheet newspaper, Azay-le-Rideau is a great base to explore the Loire Valley's impressive landscape and famous Chateaux from. Azay itself boasts an awe-inspiring, excellently preserved 16th-century chateau set in the heart of a romantic park, ideal for handheld strolls at dusk. Aaaah. The Chateau is also on the UNESCO World Heritge list, and once you have craned your neck to gaze up at the turrets and towers, you will definitely see why!

For those of you who may be feeling more energetic this summer, why not get on your bike and exlpore the Loire on two wheels? The area has miles and miles of cycle routes to chose from, and what better way to build up an appetite than a day's cycling? Plus, all those fair weather cyclists out there will be no doubt delighted to hear that the Loire Valley is lovely and flat. For the most part, anyway (hey, no judgement here, it is still a holiday after all...).

So - great price, great accommodation, great big Chateaux, great power thighs from a week spent atop your bike....what are you waiting for?! Check out www.lagrange-holidays.co.uk or call our lovely London-based reservations team on 020 7371 6111 for more details, information and to make your booking!

Eggs-cellent Easter Deals...

If you're still smarting because Kate 'n' Wills left you off the invite list, sulking because the Easter bunny won't be bringing you that lifetime supply of Creme Eggs you were hoping for, or if just feel like you deserve more than a weekend of spring sunshine, then we have some cracking last minute Easter offers to put a smile back on your face... For bookings made by the end of the day on April 14th, we are offering self-catering apartments and holiday homes in Mimizan-Plagne, Toreilles-Plage and Cajarc for a mere £192 for the week commencing April 16th! This super generous price is based on 6 people sharing on an accommodation only basis, and applies to 1 bedroom alcove apartments in 'Les Jardins de l' Oyat' in Mimizan-Plage, and 2 bedroom holiday homes in 'Le Village Marin Catalan' in Torreilles-Plage and the 'Domaine des Cazelles' in Cajarc. So, if you know 5 friends who are hoping to hot foot it across the Channel for a week this Easter then now is the time to give them (and us) a call! And, if you need a little more persausion, here are the details...

• Mimizan-Plage, 'Les Jardins de l' Oyat':

If you want to feel sand between your toes or fancy "hanging ten" like a pro then head to Mimizan-Plage, where the long sandy beaches and perfect waves will have even the most hardened landlovers pulling on their wetsuits and dipping a toe or ten into the perfect blues seas. The 'Les Jardins de l' Oyat' self-catering apartments are just 50m from the beach and we are offering 1 bedroom alcove apartments sleeping up to 6 people for £192 per apartment per week for the week commencing April 16th.

• Torreilles-Plage, 'Le Village Marin Catalan':

Those of you who prefer a gentler pace during your holiday should head to Torreilles-Plage in the Languedoc Roussillon region. This traditional Catalan village is the ideal base for exploring the area around Perpignan and the Spanish border, with the route des vins providing some light refreshment along the way! Add a fabulous stretch of Medittareanan coastline, and you've got the perfect holiday for everyone. The 'Le Village Marin Catalan' self-catering holiday homes and apartments are a mere 900m from the beach, and 2 bedroom holiday homes sleeping 6/7 people are just £192 per holiday home per week for the week commencing April 16th!

• Cajarc, 'Domaine des Cazelles':

If sand in your saussicon isn't quite your thing, then why not head to Cajarc in the Dordogne and soak up the culture in this picturesque mediaeval village? Resting on the banks of the river Lot and just under 30 miles from the vineyards in Cahors, Cajarc is the perfect place for some real R and R this Easter. We have 2 bedroom split-level holiday homes sleeping 6 people for just £192 per holiday home per week in the 'Domaine des Cazelles' for the week commencing April 16th!

So, if sandy beachs, surfing and stunning scenary sound like your tasse du thé, then check out our last minute deals for a speedy Easter getaway by heading to www.lagrange-holidays.co.uk for more details...These prices are all based on accommodation only, but for anyone who fancies really exploring France this Easter, we can also offer self-drive packages to include Eurotunnel or Sea France ferry crossings. So, what are you waiting for?!

Summer in Saint-Gervais...

Anyone still pondering the where and when for their summer holiday should look no further than Lagrange Holidays, as we are offering 5% off self-catering apartments in Saint-Gervais until the end of April. So, if you are need of a breath of fresh, mountain air, why not explore this beautiful Haute-Savoie resort instead of spending yet another holiday jostling for space on the sun loungers? Need more persausion? OK then....

We have two residences in Saint-Gervais, the Prestige standard Les Fermes de Saint-Gervais and the Confort + residence Les Arolles, so there really is something to suit all budgets and tastes as the super generous 5% discount applies to BOTH, yes both, properties! I know, I know, we are just too good to you...

Saint-Gervais is the ideal location for anyone hoping to explore the picturesque towns and villages of the Mont Blanc region, as the town is nestled halfway between Chamonix and Megève making it the perfect base for a week discovering hidden gems, as well as these tourist hot spots. Plus, the area offers moutain walks and the impressive views of the Mont Blanc a sure to inspire even the most fair-weather walkers to pull on their hiking boots and take to the hills! And, for those of you who prefer rest and relaxation to rambling and roaming, this 19th century spa town is famous for it's thermal spas so you can make time to a little 'me time'... So, if you fancy an Alpine retreat this summer, why not check out our website for more details plus prices and availability?

To ski or not to ski, that is the question...

Now then. Let's have some time out from all this talk of summer and sea and sun and frivolity, and instead turn our attention to the future. And by future, we of course mean SKI.



Ah, ski. Some very organised people out there in the bloggisphere will no doubt be feeling rather pleased with yourselves, as it looks like you have been quick off the mark, and have already booked those all important Christmas, New Year or half term ski holidays. However, we know that for every forward planner, there are at least two last-minute-rs who will now be starting to think about skiing. Maybe. Some times after Christmas perhaps? Definitely before the end of the season, anyway.



Or perhaps you have decided, "yes, we SHALL ski this season" and now it's simply a matter or where, when and how much to spend. Do you avoid the crowds and go outside the school holidays? Or, do you bite the bullet, hedge your bets and embrace the hustle and bustle that is February on the Alps? If this sounds like an inevitability, then we at Lagrange have come up with some perfect packages to make planning a February half-term ski break just that little bit more bearable...

• 'Le Roc Belle Face', Arc1600:

If you're looking for a family skiing holiday that offers both excellent skiing conditions and a friendly atmosphere, then look no further than Arc1600. Keen skiers can enjoy an impressive 200km of slopes, whilst avoiding the crowds attracted to the higher areas of the Les Arcs domaine. Le Roc Belle Face has ski-in/ski-out access, as well as an on-site sauna and steam room to soothe aching limbs after a long day on the slopes. This February half-term, for a mere £779pp, you lucky people can get a two bedroom apartment, 6-day Les Arcs lift passes, ski hire AND a return Dover to Calais ferry crossing. Are we good to you, or are we good to you?!

• 'Les Chalets de Wengen', Les Coches:

For those looking for somewhere with a real 'moutain' feel, Les Coches is perfect. Nestled in the village resort of La Plagne, Les Coches offers 225km of ski slopes - ideal for exploring the Alps without having to share the experience with thousands of others! Our Lagrange Prestige residence, Les Chalets de Wengen , is just 250m from the slopes and this half-term we have one bedroom alcove/mezzanine apartments plus 6-day La Plagen lift passes, ski hire and ferry crossing for just £654pp! Maddness...

• 'Le Pic de L' Ours', Font Romeu:

If you're desperate to spend February half-term gliding elegantly down various mountains, but find the idea of crowds and high Alpine prices slightly daunting, then why not think outside the box and head to the French Pyrenees? Beginners, families and anyone just looking to relax will find the Pyrenees perfection personified, as the resorts are quieter and smaller but no less welcoming. Le Pic de L' Ours in Font Romeu is located just 20m from the gondola offering direct access to the slopes, and has an indoor pool on-site for those who still feel energetic enough for a few lengths...As if all that wasn't enough, this half-term just £449pp will get you a one bedroom alcove/two bedroom apartment plus 6-day Font Romeu lift passes, ski hire and a return ferry crossing. Ridiculous.

So, what are you waiting for...? Give us a call, or check out our lovely website for tantilising photos of where you could be spending your half-term this ski season...

http://www.lagrange-holidays.co.uk/index.php?reinit=1

NOTE: All offers are early booking offers and are valid until 30/09, so hurry if you want to snap up a half-term break at bargain prices! All advertised prices are based on a package for a family of four, compromising two adults and two children aged between 7-11 years, and all include (deep breath): return Sea France Dover to Calais ferry crossing, 6-day "Classic" adult ski hire and 6-day "Junior" ski hire (skis, poles and boots), 6-day lift passes and all accommodation is self-catering for a week 19/02/2011 - 26/02/2011. Phew!

Alison's Family Ski Holiday by Train

Seven hours on a train with a toddler may not seem like everyone’s idea of the perfect start to a holiday but tootling to the French Alps by train for a family ski holiday is actually great fun.

Armed with at least ten bags of varying sizes between us, from change bag and toddler day sack overflowing with toy aeroplanes, books and other distractions, to travel cot and our own clothes for a week’s ski holiday, stuffed inside a tiny suitcase, my husband and I set off to St Pancras like intrepid explorers.

A stop-over in Paris was the perfect opportunity to recharge our batteries after the first relatively short stage of our journey. We even walked from the Gare du Nord to our hotel in the Marais along the Canal Saint Martin, there may even have been whistling while we walked, at least for the first five minutes anyway. Paris’ potentially surly waiters were charmed by our one year old and we had service with a smile at a local brasserie.

At the Gare du Lyon the next morning, boarding our TGV, I prayed that our carriage would be full of friendly child-loving faces. In fact, the carriage wasn’t even full, allowing us to spread out. A table made the perfect runway for the toy aeroplanes and the ever changing scenery enchanted our little traveller. Nappy changes were manageable as the TGV had baby changing facilities, and the buffet car kept everyone quiet for a least 20 minutes. There was even the opportunity for some Anglo-French interaction between two distinctly non-verbal toddlers as a French family sat in the seats behind ours.

Arriving in Cluses and counting our myriad of bags (yes, we still had them all), we felt virtuous and green in a good way, rather than airsick and green in a bad way. And a week later, after enjoying the fresh mountain air in the village of Samoens; think chocolate box chalets, skiing, sunny café terraces, botanic gardens and walks along the river – yes, we were sad to leave our little chalet at Les Fermes de Samoens, but excited about riding the train home!
Would we do it again? Definitely, anyone for boules in Marseille?