Normandy and Brittany

For this year we had decided: the kids are older, no more holiday villages, we're off on a fine touring trip, destination NORMANDY. We chose the fly and drive formula so as to make the most of the local beauties in total freedom. So, flight to Paris and car hire with europecar (the cheapest); to avoid constant moving around,.nights: 4 in HONFLEUR (hotel chosen through the website 3 in BAYEUX ( ) 3 at MONT ST MICHEL ( ) and the last 2 in BOISSY (. we spent on average 100 euros a night per family (2 adults + two children) and for eating there was simply an embarrassment of choice among the many possibilities. I must say that in France there's the good habit of offering fixed-price menus (all-inclusive) and children's menus, so that you don't run into unpleasant surprises at bill time.

an important tip is to ask for a 'caraffe d'eau' and not bottled water because it's good anyway and they don't charge you 5 euros a bottle!!! From Honfleur (delightful) we moved on to DOUVILLE TROVILLE ROUEN DIEPPE FECAMP ETRETAT, all places no more than 100/120 km from base and all full of a particular charm. the towns are full of flowers and all the half-timbered houses make you feel inside a cartoon. From Bayeux we visited the landing sites, OMAHA BEACH.ARROMANCHES, COLLEVILLE, CABOURG and we got as far as CHERBURG where there's a 'city of the sea' with an enormous submarine to visit. the last move was the best one; the hotel was very cute and in a very convenient position. MONT ST MICHEL is truly a unique marvel, a pity there's a crazy crush of tourists and so you can't enjoy it as it deserves.

A particular recommendation: 'DON'T VENTURE TO EAT ON THE ISLAND, THEY FLEECE YOU AND THE FOOD IS TERRIBLE'. we saw the tide phenomenon and paddled on the sand at low tide finding a lot of shells, to the children's delight.Another wonderful thing is the presence of little kiosks next to the oyster farms, which sell you platters of oysters at ridiculous prices and believe me they're DELICIOUS! From there we also made a hop into neighbouring BRITTANY as far as ST.MALO'. For the little we could see, Brittany has another kind of charm, the houses are in grey stone but all brightened by brightly coloured flowers. Walking on the ramparts of the town of St.Malo' we noticed there was an area of sea enclosed like a pool and therefore free from the influence of the tides where the children could splash around until late.

(it got dark around 21.45) the thing I'll never forget about this trip was the cry of the seagulls, which were everywhere and provided the soundtrack to the holiday. finally the longest move was the return towards Paris, but as good parents we booked a hotel in a place just two metro stops from EURODISNEY (Boissy) and so our kids got their reward. it was a wonderful trip, I heartily recommend it. bye