Archive for the ‘French Travel’ Category

Although family holidays are intended to provide an enjoying and relaxing time for all, that’s rarely the case 100% of the time, and while families have been enjoying self-drive holidays to France for decades, there’s nothing quite as stressful as a car full of hot, restless kids who can’t wait to get down to the business of having fun!

When planning a self drive holiday to the European continent the first ferry route that springs to mind is Dover to Calais, and while this is the shortest (and often cheapest) option, it’s not always the best or most economical.

Firstly it’s worth noting that unless you’re starting off from the South-East of England then a Dover to Calais crossing is probably going to require you to negotiate the roads around London, including the notorious M25 – a less than ideal start to what is supposed to be an enjoyable and relaxing holiday!

The ever increasing price of fuel should also be taken into consideration – in many cases a longer ferry crossing can make financial sense too. Depending on your final holiday destination the total cost of travel for a short ferry journey and longer driving miles can be comparable to an overnight ferry crossing with less driving required once over the channel. This is especially true if you’re planning a trip to Brittany, the Vendee or the Dordogne.

Naturally the added bonus of selecting a longer ferry crossing is that it allows you to spend less time driving and more quality time with your family, plus a longer ferry crossing can make for more of an adventure for the kids. While the Eurotunnel is fast and convenient, ferries hail from a time when the world felt like a bigger place and the pace of life was a little more relaxed.

So, what are your options for alternative ferry routes? Many people find that if starting out from the West of England that Portsmouth is a far more convenient port of departure, and in addition to the accessibility benefits of Portsmouth you can turn the longer ferry crossing times to your benefit by taking the opportunity to kick back and relax a little.

While P&O Ferries are probably the best know of all the ferry operators providing services from the UK, Brittany Ferries operate several excellent services including routes from Portsmouth to Caen, Cherbourg and St Malo, all serviced by their fleet of modern cruise ferries. If the last time you were on a ferry was more than a couple of years ago then you’ll be pleasantly surprised by advances made in the way of comfort and facilities onboard. The modern cruise ferries operating on these longer routes have shops, restaurants, bars and cinemas available to passengers and even on an overnight crossing you’ll probably won’t be able to fit it all in!

Accommodation options available on overnight cruise ferries range from basic (but comfortable) club class seats, to stateroom cabins with sea views, although a standard cabin option will suite most families best. Whichever accommodation you decide on you can rest assured that you’ll reach your holiday destination substantially more refreshed and relaxed than if you decided to drive the whole distance!

James is a web developer and internet marketer with a keen interest in the travel sector. When he’s not working or indulging his passion for travel he can be found working on his collection of websites, including his latest that provides information about cross channel ferries.

Author: James E Marshall
Article Source: EzineArticles.com
Provided by: How Electric Pressure Cookers Work

Tags: added bonus, channel ferry, european continent, family holidays, ferry crossing, ferry route, ferry routes, overnight ferry, self drive holiday, self drive holidays

Common Courtesies

The key to understanding the main cultural difference that exists between the French and the rest of the world is the word “guest.” In the United States it is considered good service for the shop keeper or store employee to greet the customer, but in France it is just the opposite. Cafes, bistros, boutiques, hotels, and even supermarkets and department stores are considered to be private spaces in France. For this reason it is expected that the guest, or customer, will be the first person to offer a greeting, just as if we were entering someones’ home. So when entering a building in France, look at the shopkeeper or hotel clerk, smile, and say “bon jour.” When leaving the establishment we are expected to say “au revoir.” After six in the evening replace both bon jour and au revoir with “bon soir,” unless it is very late at night, in which the final bon soir can be replaced with “bon nuit.” France is a very polite society, we are also expected to say please (S’il vous plait). Here are the definitions of those useful phrases.

Bon jour: Good day.

Bon soir: Good evening.

Bon nuit: Good night.

Au revoir: Goodbye.

S’il vous plait: If you please.

Proper Attire

In addition to being polite, France is also a more formal society than the United States, with the sartorial consequences that come with being less casual. In other words, shorts, ripped jeans, t-shirts, flip-flops, and white sneakers are best left indoors. David Lebovitz, a well-known chef and cookbook author currently residing in Paris, tells a story in his latest book, The Sweet Life in Paris, of the moment he realized he had truly become a Parisian. He was lounging in his apartment, dressed in his comfortable, laid back attire, when he needed to take his trash downstairs. He promptly showered, shaved, and put on his Sunday finest to walk the few steps from his front door to the elevator, then outside to the trash receptacle and back again, a journey of less than a few dozen steps.

Try to Speak the Language

You may have heard that the French are quick to pounce on someone mangling their native tongue. That is only partly true. They are proud of their language, and will in fact correct any grievous errors in pronunciation, but make no mistake about it: they will absolutely love you for the effort. A cheap pocket phrasebook from Berlitz has kept many a visitor in the good graces of the French on numerous occasions.

One of the best ways to understand a culture is by watching their films. For more information on the French and French cinema go to French Movies, where you’ll find information on some of the best action, comedies, and dramas that the French have to offer, as well as a few American movies that were filmed in France. (C) Will Atkinson

Author: Will Atkinson
Article Source: EzineArticles.com
Provided by: PCB Prototype & Manufacturing

Tags: bon nuit, bon soir, cookbook author, dozen steps, hotel clerk, private spaces, trash receptacle, useful phrases, white sneakers, word guest