Canal du Midi

A day out in Carcassonne, Languedoc-Roussillon

Day TripsLeave a comment

Janine Marsh, the editor of www.thegoodlifefrance.com and a member of the British Guild of Travel Writers, tells us why a day trip to Carcassonne is a must.

The Languedoc region is often called the real south of France. It covers a wide area and has many personalities – more vineyards than anywhere in the world, rugged mountains, huge lakes, spectacular gorges and elegant cities. It is a region with a fascinating heritage and the ancient walled city of Carcassonne is one of the most impressive jewels in its crown.

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A fresh look at France

Destinations Food & Drink Places to go and things to do2 Comments

To paraphrase Dr Johnson, if you’re tired of France, you’re tired of holidays. It’s the destination that never ceases to intrigue, delight and inspire.

Experiencing the real France means exploring villages unchanged by centuries, witnessing local festivals, eating local dishes, and above all meeting the real people for whom those magical landscapes are the background to everyday life.

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Sport or spa?

Destinations Family holiday Holiday planning TravelLeave a comment

What does your perfect holiday entail? Is it trying your hand at a new activity or looking to switch off from everything and just relax?

For families, it can be hard to find the perfect balance between keeping the kids entertained but also having time for yourself to do what you enjoy. So whether you like a chance to relax, or get the adrenaline pumping, we’ve had a look at the best places to enjoy both. 

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Top 10: Campsites with tents

Camping Accommodation Top Ten TravelLeave a comment

We’re all about outdoor living at Canvas. And for the ultimate outdoor holiday experience, nothing beats the Maxi Tent.

Sleeping under canvas is a great adventure – you get all the good bits of outdoor living (fresh air, freedom, fun) in a super luxurious tent, with kitchen, electric lighting and proper beds.

Our holidaymakers tell us there really is no other holiday like it! Here’s ten of our favourite campsites with tents…

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Introducing our Active Ambassador

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Last year, we launched a search for our Active Ambassador. And we’re delighted to introduce James to you. Here, he tells us a bit about himself, and looks forward to his summer of adventuring.

“Lost in the deepest, darkest depths of Transylvania, I was forced to shelter in an eerie, abandoned mountain hut.

I prayed the rickety shack would protect me from the bears, wolves and raging thunderstorm outside – and keep Count Dracula away.

My terrifying night in the Fagaras Mountains of Romania was sleepless, scary and soaking wet – but, bizarrely, the experience led to something awesome.

It gave me the perfect anecdote to show off when I entered a competition on the Outdoor Enthusiast website, which tasked entrants to write about an adventure.

And I won.

So here I am blogging away – praising the day I took a wrong turn in Transylvania – and looking forward to three epic adventure trips with Canvas Holidays.

To kick things off I’m heading to Lake Garda in June followed by a week in both the Swiss and French Alps in July and August respectively.

I can’t wait.

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A night at the museum…

Destinations France Places to go and things to do Special eventsLeave a comment

No, this isn’t a blog post about a Ben Stiller film. Much as I’d like to spend time reviewing it, this post is actually to tell you about something rather good that’s happening this weekend.

Free entry to loads of different museums, all over Europe. At night. Oh, and did I mention it’s free?

Basically, on Saturday 16 May 2015, museums all over Europe will throw open their doors after usual closing hours and invite the public to come and explore. Some are ‘roam free’, while others hold special events or talks.

There are thousands to choose from. If you’re on holiday this weekend, the website has useful links to what’s on where.

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Great spots for a cycling holiday in France

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Whatever terrain you prefer, cyclists are spoilt for choice with Canvas. That’s one of the best things about a camping holiday, you can stay in lovely rural spots where there are plenty of cycle paths just a stones throw away. Our Côte d’Azur sites are ideal for mountain bikers, or if you prefer more leisurely adventures, our sites in the Loire Valley offer gentle cycling on a wonderful network of marked cycle routes.

Loire Valley

When people think of cycling in France their minds turn almost automatically to the Loire Valley. Discover a lush green land of gently undulating countryside with rich vineyards, interspersed with charming towns and magnificent fairy-tale châteaux. The region is ideally suited for cycling, offering a wonderful variety of history and culture which is easily toured by bike on cycle paths, tracks and quiet roads.

An impressive network of 800km of cycle tracks knows as the Loire à Vélo run for the most part alongside the Loire River, stretching out westwards to the Atlantic Coast. The signed trails are designed for cyclists of all levels and are made up of quiet country roads and purpose built tracks.

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Black-Forest-hiking

Walking Holidays in Europe

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A Canvas holiday is all about the great outdoors. And one of the best ways to explore the wonderful scenery that Europe has to offer is under your own steam. Pull on your walking boots and hike along hidden trails. Here we highlight some of our favourite locations, ideal for walking and cycling holidays.

The French Alps

The French Alps is an area of snow-capped peaks, dense forests, alpine meadows, waterfalls and sparkling turquoise lakes. This stunning region has four national parks which add to its appeal as one of the best walking areas in France. Thousands of kilometres of well-signposted and maintained paths allow you access to almost every meadow, valley and glacier in the region. Walkers of all ages and fitness levels will find something here to suit them – from relaxing valley trails amongst the woodland to more demanding treks in the peaks. 

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