The final in our series of customer profiles is a rather special one. Peggy Boyd and her family travelled on their first Canvas Holiday in 1967, making them some of our first ever customers. Here’s Peggy’s story – we’re really looking forward to meeting the Boyd family at our anniversary ball this weekend.
DetailsToday, we introduce you to Mummy Barrow. She writes a rather wonderful blog over at www.mummybarrow.com and can be found tweeting @MummyBarrow. We’re delighted to be working with her for our 50th celebrations. Here’s her Canvas story.
Ooohhh is this thing on? Hello. Hi. My name is T (short for Tanya which I really don’t like, and I hate Tan even more so please do call me T. Ironic really since my parents named me Tanya as it can’t be shortened) What? Get back on track? Sorry. Sorry. Yes. Hello. I am slightly bonkers mum of three who lives in Hampshire with the long suffering Bruce.
DetailsWith more than 185,000 acres covered by vineyards, the Loire Valley produces a huge variety of wines with the emphasis on fresh white wines. The region is the third largest producer of wine in France. The western area is Muscadet country, with the Vouvray, Tourraine and Chinon regions occupying the centre ground. The upper Loire…
DetailsWe loved reading Paulene’s holiday story! It shows that it’s never too late to learn something new and holidays really are for making new memories. “Early in this century, we went on holiday with our youngest two sons to Carnac. It was the end of the season and there were few people around. The site…
DetailsWith over 300 châteaux in the Loire Valley, you’d be forgiven for feeling slightly overwhelmed at choosing which ones to see. Why not pick a few and really spend time exploring and enjoying them. To help, we’ve put together our favourite châteaux to visit in the Loire. Château de Chambord Château de Chambord is the largest and most…
DetailsWe are delighted to be welcoming Sarah to our 50th anniversary ball – her Canvas story stretches over the years and it’s so lovely to hear that her young family have just enjoyed their first Canvas adventure together.
July 1981
“My love affair with Canvas begins in July 1981 as we head down through France by car, three sisters squashed in the back surrounded by sleeping bags and plastic bags full of cuddly toys and clothes, Mum and Dad in the front negotiating their way along the unfamiliar side of the road:
‘Muuuuum, can you rewind the Joseph tape so we can hear ‘Any Dream Will Do’ again?’
‘When’s lunch? Do we have to eat that funny cheese?’
‘Are we nearly there yet?’
We arrive at our first ever campsite, Val de Cantobre in Cevennes (still going strong) and see our orange and blue tent for the first time. Rushing in excitedly we decide quickly who is going to sleep where (me back left, my elder sister back right and my little sister stuck in the middle with the curtains down – all on tartan camp beds in our own ‘rooms’!)
Car unpacked we take in our surroundings and make ourselves cosy by the light of our gas lamp. The following morning we look out across the mountains from the terrace as we eat baguettes and croissants from the tiny campsite shop (having been ‘encouraged’ to ask for them ourselves) and drink chocolate milk (no fresh milk back then, refusal from all three girls to drink UHT!). It’s all so unfamiliar but so exciting.
DetailsOne of the best ways to explore the stunning Loire region of France is by bike. The beautiful countryside goes on for miles and as the majority of it is flat meaning it’s perfect for all types of cyclist, even younger children.
The Loire à Vélo is a cycle network covering 500 miles from the Atlantic coast of France to just outside Nevers in Burgundy. Now, we’re not suggesting tackling this all at once but why not try a section. The great thing about the Loire à Vélo is that it is wonderfully flat – you could cycle for days without coming across an incline.
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Known as the garden of France, the Loire Valley in the centre of France is a lush green land with rich vineyards, charming towns and magnificent châteaux.
There are over 300 chateaux in the region- far too many to visit in one holiday. Choose a few, take your time and really enjoy them. Some of the best include Château de Villandry with its superb Renaissance gardens, romantic Château de Chenonceau and Château de Chambord, the largest and most extravagant of them all.
Once you’ve had your fix of châteaux there’s plenty more to see and do in the Loire Valley. Explore the lively cities of Tours and Orleans, and the delightful towns of Saumur, Amboise and Blois. The mild climate is perfect for outdoor activities too. Walk or cycle through beautiful gardens or take to the water for a leisurely jaunt down the river. And of course, no visit to the Loire would be complete without sampling the excellent local wines.
DetailsHolidays are all about creating memories. Today, our list of 10 things to try on a Canvas Holiday is one the whole family can enjoy: #9 Go swimming in Lake Garda Imagine a hot summers day. And I mean hot. You’ve been out sightseeing for the day, and are desperate to cool off. The shimmering…
DetailsGurro is a small town in the Piedmont region of Italy close to the Swiss border. Legend has it that when Francis I of France was defeated at the Battle of Pavia in 1525 the Scottish mercenaries in his service headed north for home. When they arrived in Gurro in the Italian Alps they were…
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