John Hillman takes a wander around Biarritz and discovers the Imperial Resort & Spa known as the Hotel Du Palais one of the very finest hotels ever to grace a seafront holiday resort.

Those of you planning a trip to Europe this summer with P&O Ferries and in search of a little luxury along the way will find everything you could possibly wish for in Biarritz.

It was here, in 1854, that Napoléon III came with his new bride Eugénie. He fell in love with the fabulous coastline and immediately set about constructing a summer palace overlooking the ocean, on a piece of raised land, calling it La Ville Eugénie.

Today it is known as Hotel Du Palais, a palatial five star hotel that has played host to some of the most famous names of the last 200 years.

Hemingway, Stravinsky, Dali, Sinatra and an almost continuous stream of royals from the Windsors to the Habsburgs have stayed within this hotel’s sumptuous walls, today it still remains as one of the very best hotels in the whole of Europe.

Biarritz is a must-do on any itinerary that involves a drive around the Pyrenees Mountains and the Basque Country. Located in the French side of the mountains on the Atlantic Coast this superb town has everything.

Pretty streets are populated with small artisan shops, stunning coastal walks are broken up by the site of surfers riding one perfect wave after another. But no visit should really be considered complete without at least one night’s stay at the royal jewel in this town’s gentle old crown.

P&O Ferries’ passengers can plan a trip to Biarritz easily whether accessing the continent via the Portsmouth to Bilbao route or Dover to Calais.

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In La Valle des Singes there’s over 350 monkeys and apes wandering wild over 15 hectares of French forest. Tomas Mowlam takes a walk into the wild.

In the sunny weather it’s a great way to get out and explore the countryside, while guaranteed to keep the kids fascinated with regular primate sightings, especially at the regular feeding times.

Different species of primates are kept in separate ‘islands’ but are allowed to roam completely freely within them.

There are a huge range of primates here, from tiny monkeys like the silvery marmoset, measuring between 18 and 28cm and weighing a tiny 300 to 400 grams all the way up to gorillas which can weigh up to 270kg in captivity.

From South America there are species such as Ateles, Capuchins and Woolly Monkeys. The Yellow Breasted Capuchin is rated as critically endangered, only a breath away from being extinct in the wild. The wild population is confined to the Atlantic forest of south eastern Brazil, and there are thought to be only 300 left. La Valle des Singes has one of the only groups of the Capuchin in Europe.

There are African primates like the Roloways Monkey, also rated as critically endangered, Chimps, Colobus monkeys and White Nosed Mandrills. One of the highlights is the Madagascar Island, where Ring Tailed Lemurs and Crowned Lemurs frolic amongst the branches.

The Asian monkeys include the preposterously beardy White Whiskered Gibbons native to China and Vietnam.

The sad fact is that La Valle des Singes represents the closest most of us will ever get to these amazing animals. They may only be a few strands of DNA away from us, but poaching and destruction of their habitats is driving many species to the brink of extinction; some of the monkeys here have been rescued from the pet trade after being orphaned by poachers.

On a positive note La Valle des Singes has great success with breeding primates in captivity, including one baby gorilla.

La Valle des Singes is open daily from 27 March to 7 November 2010, 10am – 6pm March to June, 10am – 7pm July to August and 10am – 5pm September to November.

Let P&O get you there; a crossing from Dover to Calais in a car with up to nine people starts from just £30.

Image Credit: inottowa

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Been here before haven’t we? Hope and optimism are cruel, but maybe, just maybe this could be England’s year. Or it might not. Tomas Mowlam keeps his fingers crossed.

England are in Group C with Algeria, Slovenia and the USA. The first match comes against the USA on 12th June in Rustenburg, at the Royal Bafokeng Stadium, with kick off at 19:30 our time.

All eyes will be on Rooney and Lampard to make this England’s year. The American’s are the major competition; in the 2009 FIFA Confederations Cup they beat Spain in the semis and led Brazil 2-0, before being beaten 3-2. No longer the odd ones out it seems.

Next the England team will have to slog south to Cape Town to take on Algeria on 18th June at the JEP stadium in Johannesburg, with kick off at 15:00 our time.

Finally we’re playing Slovenia on 23rd June at Port Elizabeth with kick off again at 15:00 our time.

If you’re in London and fancy watching a few gutted American fans weep over their defeat then check out the Sports Bar in Piccadily. Otherwise we’ll be impressed if you can find a pub that’s not playing the games.

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P&O’s brand new ferry floated out onto the water for the first time this week.

The 49,000 tonne Spirit of Britain, left the construction dock at STX Europe shipyard in Rauma, Finland.

The Spirit of Britain will serve the Dover – Calais route from January 2011. Construction will now also start on the second ferry the Spirit of France, due to operate from September 2011.

Helen Deeble, chief executive of P&O Ferries, said: “The two ships represent a major investment of more than €360 million by P&O Ferries and are designed for a life span of 25 years so we are taking a long term view.

“Their design incorporates a number of world firsts, particularly in terms of hull design and in being the first ferries to comply with new Safe Return to Port regulations.

“It was only last August that I attended the keel-laying of the first ship so to witness its float-out is breathtaking. We’re proud to be associated with everybody at STX Europe which is a truly world class operation.”

Image: Captain David Miller, senior master of the Spirit of Britain, celebrates the floating out of the new ship at STX Europe in Rauma, Finland.

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Tomas Mowlam struggles with his antipathy towards the French football team and tries to tell you when the matches are, French chances of success and what to do in Paris should you feel like watching a game.

Fifa calls France’s qualifying “up-and down”. I call it cheating, but after devastating the hopes of Ireland with Gallas’ last-minute goal, despite a clear handball from Thierry Henry, Les Bleus are through. I’m just going to have to live with it.

France plays Uruguay in Cape Town’s Green Point stadium on 11 June, before taking on Mexico at the Peter Mokaba stadium in Polokwane on 17 June. Les Bleus final match is at the Free State Stadium in Bloemfontein on 22 June.

Mexico will be the main threat and while I’m going to be praying for a victory against the Gauls, chances are good that France will end up top of their group.

France has got an interesting group with hosts South Africa and Mexico and Uruguay. Despite their shameful, sorry, close qualifying the French team are experienced with players like Thierry Henry, Nicolas Anelka and William Gallas they’re still group favourites. (Here’s hoping none of them repeat Zidane’s World Cup greeting – above).

Check out the Havana Café – sure it’s pretty commercial and not the cheapest, but it does have three massive screens. Find it on 70, boulevard auguste blanqui in the District 13ème – Austerlitz – Place d’Italie. Nearest Métro is Corvisart.

Let P&O get you there; a crossing from Dover to Calais in a car with up to nine people starts from just £30.

Image Credit: Sam sha-put-ski

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Oranje! Tomas Mowlam checks out the chances of the Flying Dutchmen in their World Cup 2010 campaign in South Africa, the best place to watch the games in Amsterdam and the Netherlands’ key players.

The Dutch are in Group E, drawn against Denmark, Japan and Cameroon. The first game is against the Danes on 14 June at the Johannesburg Soccer City stadium. Then they face Japan in the Loftus Versfeld Stadium in Pretoria, on 19 June. The final match of the group stages is on 24 June when they face down Cameroon.

UK residents will recognise Robin van Persie, the 26 year old Arsenal vice captain and Dirk Kuyt, the 29 year old Liverpool striker in the Dutch side.

The Netherlands are looking on form they won all eight qualification games, and should be confident in the group. Coach Bert van Marwijk was typically modest saying “we have know that if we have our strongest team and everyone is in form, we can beat everyone. We must have the right form and the right mentality. You have to have confidence in yourself, but you must not be arrogant.”

The real danger is Cameroon, the Indomitable Lions, have played more games and notched up more points than any other African side at a FIFA World Cup finals and it should be an interesting tussle between the two sides.

If you want watch a game and have a beer then you can’t really go far wrong heading down to the Lediesplein and choosing from the bars around there. If you’re wondering what to drink then remember the Netherland’s is the home of Grolsch, Amstel and Heineken as well as hundreds of independent breweries. Enjoy.

P&O Ferries run the Hull to Rotterdam service, or the Hull to Zeebrugge, in which case it’s only a short hop across the Belgian border into Holland.

Image Credit Wiki Commons

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In the run up to the opening games of the World Cup we’re taking a look at four of the qualifying nations served by P&O (sorry Belgium). Tomas Mowlam looks at Spain’s chances, and where to go and what to drink if you’re in España.

Today we’ve got Spain. They should easily come out top of Group H against Switzerland, Honduras and Chile. Being European champions (picture above) is no guarantee of success, but after qualifying in exemplary style, winning all ten matches and having never lost to their group rivals, they’re bound to be confident.

Spain plays Switzerland on the 16 June in the Durban Moses Mabhida stadium. They then travel to play Honduras on the 21 June in Johannesburg’s Ellis Park stadium, before the final group stage game against Chile at Pretoria’s Loftus Versfeld on 25 June.

Star players to look out for are midfielder Xavi, keeper Iker Casillias, and strikers David Villa and Fernando Torres.

If you’re in Bilbao then check out the old town around Casco Viejo to watch Spain’s group matches, where there will be big screens and plenty of bars. Steer clear of the imported lagers and drink down an Estrella Damm instead; 4.6 per cent and refreshing, just what’s needed after a hard day’s football watching.

If you’re in Barcelona then why not check out Universitario, Irish bar Michael Collins, Ovella negra or the massive Sports Bar – worth getting there 30 mins (or more) earlier.

P&O Ferries run the Portsmouth to Bilbao ferry service.

Image Credit: Wiki Commons

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To see a Griffon vulture circling high above the Spanish hills, wheeling and swooping on the thermal drafts is an awe inspiring sight.Tomas Mowlam goes looking for a truly awesome bird of prey.

To see them up close is even more impressive. They’re massive birds, up to a metre long, with a two and half metre wingspan, the Griffin vulture can weigh up to 13 kg.

Native to North Africa, Middle East, the Griffon vulture can be found in Andalucia and in northern Spain on the border with France. With a pale white head and caramel coloured outer feathers they’re pretty striking.

Vultures haven’t quite got the status of an eagle, but they perform a vital task cleaning up carcasses that die on the hillsides and Spanish farmers used to use them for this very purpose. Since an EU directive that dead farm animals can’t just be dumped and left for the vultures the numbers have declined, but Spain is probably the best place to see them in Europe – the populations in Sardinia and Sicily are almost gone and the Croatian numbers on the island of Cres are small.

They’re year round residents so your chances of getting a look at one are good. If you really want to ensure your chances though it might be worth joining up with a dedicated tour that provides hides and guides.

P&O ferries run the Portsmouth to Bilbao ferry service.

Image Credit: Wiki Commons

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