TheAre you bored of staying in regular hotels during your holiday in France? Well there is no need to sleep anywhere conventional again! Normandy has a range of wild and wacky places for you to stay from up in the air to down with the animals. Rosie Khdir explains…

Just beyond the beautiful port town of Honfleur lays one of only two lighthouses in France that invite staying guests. Le Phare (lighthouse in French) was converted into a guesthouse in 2000, 110 years after it was first put into operation.

You can enjoy breakfast on the ground floor of the building after spending the night in the lighthouse keeper’s home. Those staying will also be allowed to climb the 164 steps to the top of the tower and take in the beautiful Seine estuary and Normandy Bridge – a privilege only available to guests.

If you fancy a stay somewhere that will not only give you beautiful views but inspiration to paint them then visit the Land of Cockaigne. This little getaway used to be frequented by famous Impressionist painters who used it as an escape and as stimulation for their masterpieces.

The Vie de Cocagne is a beautiful country mansion that has retained its old charm, along with a log-burning stove and half-timber structure, and mixes this with modern luxuries such as an LCD TV and Wi-Fi. If you really want to spoil yourselves you can request a live-in chef for the duration of your stay and a full fridge upon arrival!

If you are wild at heart, then a night at an eco-lodge in the middle of a safari park might suit. In the midst of the Auge country lays Cerza Zoo where, if you are feeling adventurous, you can spend the night in a lodge with animals at your door.

Each lodge, which is built on stilts, has amazing views of the park’s Asia valley where you can meet and greet with Bennett wallabies and muntjacs. Each lodge houses up to six people and is great fun for all the family.

Camping is always a fun experience, but how about camping in the tree tops? At the Arbre en Arbre leisure park you can do just that. Not only can you explore the wonders of the forest but you can sleep in a tent that is suspended from the trees. If you’re ever wondered what life as a bat would be like, here is how you find out!

Oh no, we’re not done yet. On a farm along the Normandy cider route you can sleep in a Calvados barrel, yes that’s the barrel used to store that delicious Norman apple brandy!

The barrels have been converted into small rooms, for no more than two people, and are firmly anchored into the soil, so no fear of rolling away during a windy night.

So, before you go booking a hotel or quaint B&B in Normandy, think about trying something a little extraordinary. Visit the official Normandy Tourism site for more details on the mentioned locations and much more.

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Image courtesy of Paulette and Patrick Esnard

Tags: France, History, P&O Ferries by Rosie Khdir
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The French capital is a city heaped in history and tales of conspiracy, murder and even vampires! Rosie Khdir gets a fright on a Parisian ghost tour.

While the evenings are still cold and dark enough to set the scene, take a walk around Paris, a city haunted by its eerie and often violent past.

You will be surprised to learn that unlike in the capital cities of the UK, Paris does not have many ghost tours, but one that every fan of the paranormal should experience is the Mysteries of Paris Ghost Tour.

The tour group gathers every Friday and Saturday at 8pm in Black Dog Bar where you will meet one of two enthusiastic tour guides who will take you back in time, as they recant tales of Parisian horror.

These guides are like walking historical encyclopaedias, spouting interesting fact after gruesome tale as you huddle together on old cobbled streets. The tour is described as “The Dark Side of the City of Lights” and covers all things macabre including torture, executions, cannibalism, serial killings, Satanism and unexplained phenomena.

The guides are funny and engaging and make this a really unique and enjoyable way to spend an evening. You hear about the less romantic and darker side of Paris, which although at times is quite grim, is also an eye opener!

Previous visitors who have written on the Mysteries of Paris website have labelled the experience “a mix of rock & roll, urban legend and haunted history” but be warned it is not for the easily frightened!

The Black Dog Bar is situated at the 24 rue Lombards, Paris 75004 and the tour lasts about two hours. Some language can be explicit so it might not be the best family activity but for anyone who is up for a good scare and dose of gruesome French history this tour is ideal!

The Mysteries of Paris Ghost Tour is now a member of the Office du Tourisme in Paris you can get more information about the tour through them.

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Image credit: boklm

Tags: France, History, Lifestyle, P&O Ferries by Rosie Khdir
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This stunning building was once home to the royals of the Netherlands and now stands as an icon of their luxurious and artistic lifestyle. Rosie Khdir takes a tour around the Royal Palace Het Loo.

Paleis Het Loo, meaning “The Woods Palace”, was bought by Stadholder King William III of Orange in 1684 with the intension of building upon its medieval structure.

By 1692 the symmetrical Dutch Baroque style royal residence was completed and in 1693 the gardens were embellished further by famous French designer Claude Desgotz.

This palace was inhabited by the Royal family of the Netherlands, the House of Orange-Nassau, from 1686 until 1975 and even though they no longer walk the halls, the beautiful and decadent furnishings, paintings and sculptures still decorate its rooms.

In 1960 Queen Wilhelmina, the last inhabitant of the palace, declared that the property would be passed on to the state after her death and has since been turned into a wonderful museum for the public.

Various rooms of the palace are laid out as if the royal family still lived there, with tapestries covering the walls, chandeliers hanging from the ceilings and elaborate fabrics decorating the four poster beds.

The wings of the palace hold museum exhibitions such as the current “Through the lens of Professor Pieter Van Vollenhoven”, which is a presentation of beautiful photographs taken by Van Vollenhoven around the palace in the last five years. This show runs from now until 5th September 2010.

The splendour of the palace itself is no doubt a sight to behold but the real beauty of the Royal Palace Het Loo lies in its gardens. The palace is surrounded by woodlands (hence its name) and contains pergolas, terraces, statues and fountains, which are always in motion. These stunning seventeenth century grounds are completely unique, and are even more breathtaking in spring or summer.

The Palace Het Loo and its gardens are open from Tuesday to Sunday from 10.00am to 5.00pm. Visit the official site for more information.

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Image courtesy of Holland.com

Tags: History, Netherlands, P&O Ferries by Rosie Khdir
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In 2010 we will say goodbye to the Year of the Ox and welcome in the Tiger! Rosie Khdir explores the Chinese New Year celebrations across Europe.…

This weekend Chinese communities all over the world will be celebrating the start of a new year. The Year of the Ox will end on Sunday 14th of February so for those of you, who don’t fancy celebrating St. Valentine’s Day, why not join the Chinese in celebrating the Year of the Tiger?

Celebrations will kick off all over Europe for this major event in the Chinese calendar. In Paris’ 13th arrrondissement, where the largest Asian community lives, a party will begin with the traditional procession of the dragon. A colourful parade featuring firecrackers, music, dancing and this giant serpent will take place in the heart of the Chinatown in the French capital.

In the Netherlands the festivities will begin on Saturday 13th February in the city hall in The Hague. A one kilometre log red carpet will connect the city hall to Chinatown and at 1pm a firework show and dragon parade will mark the start of the party.

For the last few months Brussels has been the host for the Europalia a festival celebrating Chinese culture. This event will end on the 14th February as the new Chinese year begins. The Hong Kong Economic Trade Office, along with various other organisations in the country, is putting on a celebration on Friday 19th February at the Concert Noble in the Belgian capital, complete with delicious Chinese cuisine, performances and prizes!

A person’s Chinese zodiac sign is based on the lunar year in which they were born. The Tiger is the third animal in the zodiac which is the sign for people born in 2010, 1998, 1986, 1974, 1962 and 1950 and is characterised by its courage, optimism, rebelliousness and vigour.

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Image credit: Dalliano0925翹鬍子周末

Tags: Belgium, France, History, Lifestyle, Netherlands by Rosie Khdir
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Next week, Antwerp will host its first ever Diamond Trade fair in the beautiful and historic Antwerp Diamond Bourse. Rosie Khdir finds out more…

The Belgian city of Antwerp is widely known as the Diamond capital of the world, but it also has a sophisticated financial and trading sector, making it ideal for this Diamond Trade fair.

The fair will have a “members-only” trading floor, open to buyers who can come and make great contacts in the diamond industry. A select group of 43 Antwerp diamond firms have been chosen to display and offer their gems, expertise and knowledge. There will also be a display of the incredible jewels for all the guests’ viewing pleasure.

It will take place at the 105-year-old trading hall of Antwerp Diamond Bourse, where over 2,000 members for around the world have traded and brokered diamonds since 1904.

Although this event is run on an “invitation only” basis, all you holiday makers can still enjoy the sparkling pleasures of Antwerp. The city has four prestigious international diamond bourses: Antwerp Diamond Bourse, where this event is being held, the Diamantclub van Antwerpen, Antwerpsche Diamantkring and Vrije Diamanthandel.

There are dozens of specialist diamond shops around the city and there is even a diamond museum, containing replicas of the British Crown Jewels and two of the world’s largest diamonds.

The Antwerp Diamond Trade fair begins on the 7th February 2010 and ends on the 9th. For more details take a look at the official site.

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Image credit: Swamibu

Tags: Belgium, History, Lifestyle, P&O Ferries by Rosie Khdir
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If you want to blast away the January blues, Maastricht is the place to do it! In February for three days everyone will stop work and party hard for the annual carnival. Rosie Khdir finds out more…

Endless street parties, colourful parades, outrageous costumes and food and beer galore; this is what is to be expected during carnival time in Maastricht.

This carnival is a celebration of life and is a time when the world gets turned upside down. It is thought that it is a historical mechanism of escape for those who feel stripped of their freedom and gives them the chance to be an individual.

The festival starts with the hoisting of the celebratory flag among sounds of cannon fire in the Vrijthof Square, all in the presence of the “greengrocer woman”, who is a traditional symbol of good fortune. Every year there is a new “Prince Carnaval” and his “Council of Eleven” who get given the key to the city.

Then the party really gets going as the hundreds of people who have adopted vibrant guises and masks, join the parade of colourful floats that weave throughout the town. Pubs and restaurants usually clear the floors so that all that is left standing are the beer taps.

Festival goers enter pubs then talk, dance, sing special carnival songs and drink with complete strangers and skip on to their next watering hole. It is an event of pure freedom and fun and is the largest in the southern region of The Netherlands.

This is a celebration of life, fertility and nature, all topical themes for a post winter period. It is traditionally a Catholic festival and in keeping with their Lent traditions, many people do not eat meat during the celebrations.

This year the festivities begin on 15th February and look set to be better than ever! Visit the official website for more details.

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Image credit: plagiarismtoday

Tags: History, Lifestyle, Netherlands, P&O Ferries by Rosie Khdir
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January in Paris is all about fashion, what with the sales still raging and Fashion Week now on the go. Rosie Khdir has also found an exhibition at Les Arts Décoratifs In Paris where one of city’s first couturiers is being celebrated.

This week is not only the last in January, it is also your last chance to view the latest exhibition at Les Art Décoratifs, one dedicated to French fashion sensation Madeleine Vionnet.

After founding her own fashion house called Vionnet in 1912, Madeleine went on to dominate the arena of couture thanks to her technique of cutting cloth. She used a bias cut to create a flattering a body-skimming style which would go on to revolutionise women’s clothing.

Contrary to the corseting and restricting fashions of her elders, Vionnet created dresses that followed the natural form of the female figure. Her designs were inspired by her love for Ancient Greek art which followed a more simply and free-flowing style.

Vionnet’s dresses were all about the emancipation of the female body while still maintaining a decorative edge. Visitors will be able to see for themselves the beauty of her creations in this exhibition, the first of its kind devoted to Madeleine Vionnet.

Around 200 dresses, 750 dress patterns and 75 photo albums were donated to the Musée des Art Décoratifs in 1952 by Vionnet herself. A selection of these pieces created between 1912 and 1939 are on display to the public, in the show that focuses on her legacy and the ideas she left behind.

Madeleine is thought of as one of the most talented couturiers of the 20th century and has inspired the likes of Azzedine Alaia and John Galliano.

The exhibition ends on the 31st January 2010; visit the Les Arts Décoratifs website for more details.

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Image credit: A Journey Round My Skull

Tags: France, History, Lifestyle, P&O Ferries by Rosie Khdir
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The Netherlands is famous for its many beautiful castles, and this one is no exception. Rosie Khdir discovers the wonderful Duivenvoorde Castle.

In the town of Voorschoten, not far from The Hague lies this 13th century castle, family manor and museum.

As you drive down a tree-lined road you see surrounded by an English-style park, the red brick beauty with countless windows and a traditional moat surrounding it. As you enter the house you take a trip back in time through several centuries and cultures.

What is special about this particular castle is that is has never been sold; it was always passed down through generations, whether directly or through marriage, The last owner of the house was Jonkvrouwe Ludolphine Henriette, Baroness Schimmelpenninck van der Oye who upon her death left it in the care of the Duivenvoorde Foundation.

The house has been open to the public since 1960 with the central part and the north wing of the castle decorated as if they were still inhabited by Barons and Baronesses past. Visitors can wander through the grand rooms scattered with antique furniture and family portraits.

As well as admiring architecture, by Huguenot Daniel Marot who also designed and decorated the stunning Great Hall in 1717, visitors can view the international collections of books pottery and porcelain.

The castle exhibits collections of gold and silver metalwork, pottery, glass, porcelain, furniture, oriental art and has a delightful garden and botanical display.

If you have a love for art, for history, for beautiful slightly gothic architecture and English landscaping then Duivenvoorde Castle is the place for you to visit.

The castle is open Tuesday to Saturday and you can visit the site for more details.

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Image credit: Provinciaal Historisch Centrum Zuid-Holland

Tags: History, Lifestyle, Netherlands, P&O Ferries by Rosie Khdir
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