I love the excitement and adrenaline rush you get from adventure sports.
But, perhaps more, it is the solitude and quiet that attracts me to spend time in the great outdoors.
A walk to a tiny 17th century church and hermit’s dwelling therefore provided a perfect contrast to the high-octane activities I’d be enjoying in Lake Garda.
DetailsMont St Michel, on the border of Normandy and Brittany, is one of the most iconic (and probably most photographed) sights in France. Rising majestically out of the water, the stunning Mont and its Gothic-style Benedictine Abbey creates a rather spectacular scene. Keep your eyes peeled for it on the TV on Saturday (11 July…
DetailsIf you watched the Tour de France in 2015, you may be familiar with the stunning sights of Normandy and Picardy as the cyclists sped through the regions.
Intrigued to find out more and explore these regions for yourself? Then read on as we discover what makes this region so special.
Normandy and Picardy are both popular holiday destinations – they’re easy to get to and there is plenty to see and do in the surrounding areas. You can explore the miles of coastline, backed by stunning high cliffs and interspersed with quaint fishing ports and stretches of golden sand or venture inland where there are magnificent forests, tranquil streams and cider-producing fruit orchards.
DetailsThere are definite advantages to packing everything you need in your car. To start with, you don’t have to worry about airline luggage allowances or how much liquid you have in your hand luggage.
But does the thought of being stuck in the car with the kids for hours – and endless cries of “Are we nearly there yet?” – fill you with dread? Fear not. We’ve put together some tips on easing the stress of long car journeys.
DetailsAllez allez! The 103rd Tour de France has begun at Mont St Michel and we’re all geared up for three weeks of cycling action and stunning French scenery.
If you’re new to the Tour it can be a confusing blur of French jargon and coloured jerseys. But never fear – whether you’re an armchair fan or lucky enough to be close to the action on a Canvas holiday – our spectators guide is here to translate.
The race
The Tour has 21 stages over three weeks, with 22 teams of nine riders. Each team has a leader, who is supported by his team mates (domestiques) in his quest to finish the race in the lowest accumulated time and win the famous Yellow jersey.
As well as the overall competition there are also several sub-contests happening, such as the sprinters and mountains classifications. This means there’s always plenty of action and intrigue to watch.
Details“Is this fun?”, asked my brother Adam, as we cycled around another winding bend high into the mountains above Lake Garda.
The gruelling ascent had left us sweaty, fatigued and saddle sore – and unsure of our sanity in voluntarily signing up for this painful outdoor adventure.
But we were not alone in our two-wheeled mission to explore the wilder side of Italy’s biggest lake.
The northern section of Lake Garda is somewhat of a Mecca for mountain bikers.
With hundreds of miles of world class trails heading into the craggy peaks that surround the water, the local tourist board claims it is the “best bike resort in Europe”.
DetailsEven with all the best intentions it can be hard to be as active as you like in your every day life. That’s why holidays are perfect for getting your sweat on while having fun! Chances are the weather will be more likely to play ball abroad too.
Camping la Croix du Vieux Pont, Berny Rivière, France
This Canvas favourite really does have it all and sports fans will not be disappointed. Its location, close to Paris, makes it a great base for spending a day at tennis’s French Open or catching the closing stage of cycling’s Tour de France. Plus, on site you can take part in a wide range of activities, from football to fishing, or table tennis to trampolining. Check out the FamilyExtra programme onsite for slightly more obscure sports – waterwalkerz anyone?
DetailsAlthough there are an array of different electronic games and DVDs to keep children occupied on car journeys, playing games together can be fun and helps to break up the journey.
Here are some of our favourite games to keep children entertained on a car journey:
#1 Car colours
Each person is allocated a colour and has to count the number of cars they spot in their colour, gaining a point for each car. Each person can also be allocated a different bonus vehicle – e.g a fire engine or ambulance, which gets 3 points. The first person to 10 or 20 points wins.
DetailsWimbledon fortnight kicks off today. And that means I’ll be glued to the games, pondering whether it’s time to dust off my dusty racket.
While I don’t get much time to play these days, I do enjoy a game while I’m on holiday. And OK, campsite tennis courts aren’t exactly the centre court at Wimbledon – but there are advantages. You don’t have to wear white (although it is good for showing off a tan) and the nation won’t collectively hold their breath if you miss a key shot. Mind you, there’s no hawk-eye to resolve in/out arguments either…
Here’s my top 3 sites for a game of tennis. Pass the Pimms…
DetailsCall us biased but we really do love camping.
There’s something so relaxing about staying outdoors, enjoying every meal al fresco, and getting to enjoy the simple nature of a holiday on a campsite. The fact that a lot of campsites in Europe have amazing facilities means that there’s bound to be something to keep every member of the family happy. Have you seen some of the amazing waterslides?!
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