Archive for January, 2012

These days, increasing numbers of us are concerned about our carbon footprint and never more so than during our annual holiday. It is an issue that is gaining more attention and as a result, many of us now consider it a deciding factor when choosing where to go.

Some holidays are specifically designed to appeal to those who are environmentally conscious, yet you can inject a little ‘green’ into most vacations, so very few options need be rejected on those grounds.

Even when travelling to a progressive nation such as France – one which is vastly aware of environmental issues – holiday-makers are still encouraged to act responsibly. You can do your bit for the Dordogne and the planet by following some of the tips below:

Transportation
Flying may be quicker, but trains and ferries are considered are more environmentally-friendly ways to get across the channel, followed by a train or bus connection. Statistics show the CO2 emission per passenger kilometre when travelling by Eurostar is 17.14g, 22.54g via ferry and a whopping 116g for a short-haul flight.

When there, why not hire bikes? Cycling along the banks of the Dordgone River is one of the highlights of any trip to the region. Alternatively, make use f the region’s low-cost bus service, the TransPerigord.

Packaging
Before embarking on your trip, remove excess packaging from items, i.e. boxes from toiletries, plastic wrappings on magazines, labels on new clothes etc. Not only does this make packing your suitcase easier, but it means that you can recycle these products at home and not burden the French system with extra waste that, let’s face it, you would probably just through in the bin.

In France, try to locate recycling facilities so that those empty wine bottles, gateaux boxes and copies of Le Figaro can be broken down and reused. Ask at the Mairie or tourist information office for information.

Utilities
We’ve all done it when on holiday – left the lights on, the air conditioning running or the tap dripping. However, just because you’re not paying the bills, it doesn’t mean you should be careless with utilities. Do as you would at home and switch off the TV when no-one is watching. Be mindful of excessive water consumption, turning off the faucet while brushing teeth, etc.

Another tip is to use rechargeable batteries and bring the charger with you so that a) you won’t need to buy any horrid, un-biodegradable batteries and b) you won’t need to worry about disposing of them ecologically. 

Buy locally
Contribute towards reducing carbon emissions by purchasing locally-produced goods from independent retailers. Don’t buy your bread and cakes from the hypermarket, instead visit the town boulangerie. Purchase meat from the charcuterie and other goods at weekly farmer’s markets, which also helps you support the local economy. 

Pack a reusable shopping bag, too, in case the store you visit still uses plastic bags.

Activities
There are lots of ‘green’ activities in the Dordogne, including the aforementioned cycling. The region, famous for its winding river, is a great place for water sports like canoeing and snorkelling. Or strap on those comfy shoes for a walking tour of one of the many pretty towns. Hardier walkers might like to ramble about the lush and rolling Dordogne landscape.

There are more ways you can travel responsibly and by adopting them, you’ll help to ensure future generations can enjoy the Dordogne too.

There’s no lovelier place to spend Saint Valentine’s Day than in the Dordogne. Why not earn ever-lasting brownie points by taking your loved one away for an extra-special weekend in one of the prettiest regions in all of France?

Imagine throwing open the shutters of your holiday let and taking in the unparalleled view of medieval architecture and rolling hills, before serving up a breakfast in bed of champagne (naturally) and sweet pastries, accompanied with red roses?  

It may sound a little full-on, but France, steeped in love and passion, can turn the least romantic individual into a lovey-dovey fool. At least for the day. 

Here’s are some tips for the perfect Dordogne Valentine’s Day:

The card
Legend has it that the Valentine card originated with a Frenchman – Charles, Duke of Orleans was said to have written a message to his wife on 14 February, 1415 from the Tower of London, where he had been imprisoned following the Battle of Agincourt. Consequently, the Valentine’s card, or cartes d’amities, is very popular in France and you should have no problem finding one inscribed with the perfect, albeit French, message.  

Give as the French do
While the usual global conventions are followed, traditionally locals give each other homemade cookies, photo collages, love maps and gift baskets, in addition to the mandatory bouquets of flowers, talking of which…

Roses
When giving roses, apparently, the tend to adhere to symbolism associated with their colour and it’s as well to know. Red obviously means passionate love, with pink conjuring fondness. Yellow roses, however ‘mean’ infidelity.   

What is Valentine’s Day without chocolate?
The gorgeous town of Perigueux boasts lots of too-good-to-pass by chocolateries, like Chocolatier Deneuville and Delices, both in Rue Limogeanne. For the more adventurous, at L’Atelier Du Chocolat, in Rue Saliniere you can not only buy delicious treats but make your own in a chocolate workshop.

A tipple or two
The Dordogne region is famed for its wine production and a leisurely trip along the Bergerac wine route in the Purple Perigord could make for a truly romantic day out. Stop for a picnic along the way and enjoy the scenery while sampling a bottle of Aquitaine’s finest.

A stroll around a garden
One of the best gardens in France, let alone the Dordogne is the Hanging Gardens of Marqueyssac and it really is a treat for the eyes. Box hedges are trimmed into amazing whorls and swirls, while the cliff top path provides stunning views of the river below. The place becomes magical at dusk, when fairy lights illuminate the paths. Quite the romantic spot. 

Romantic dinner for two
As a popular holiday, restaurants across the department indulge heavily in Valentine’s Day, many decorating their establishments with hearts and flowers accordingly. A number of restaurants give couples a rose when they order a particular variety of wine. Special menus and live music make the evening complete, although you may need to book in advance to ensure a table.

The above is just the tip of the proverbial iceberg, the Dordogne offers plenty of other thoroughly romantic activities. Why not do something different for Valentine’s Day this year and discover it for yourself?

It is no secret that the Dordogne has been a popular holiday resort amongst lovers of fine cuisine, warm weather and relaxing family breaks for some time. Thousands of Brits travel to the region every year with the aim of enjoying the sun, sights and local markets.

However, what the region is arguably less well-known for is its fascinating history and depth of prehistoric monuments. Any tourists with an interest in ancient history would absolutely love exploring the wealth of attractions celebrating the prehistoric history of the town.

In July 2010, tourism chiefs set up a Prehistory Welcome Centre, with the aim of providing as much information as possible to those interested in discovering this side of the Dordogne.

This centre, called Centre D’Accuiel de la Prehistoire, is based in Les Eyzies-de-Tayac and acts as the perfect starting point for those hoping to visit the best of Dordogne’s history-based sites.

Open from 10am – 6pm in the summer, the centre features a tourist welcome and information centre, an education centre and plenty of literature on the various attractions in the area. There is also a research centre and a cultural community hub which holds regular events. Visitors are often treated to a series of entertaining slideshows, timelines and demonstrations to help them plan what they want to do during the stay in the region.

The exhibit on the origins of the human species is reportedly a particularly noteworthy element of the centre. What’s more, entry is free for all ages and the centre is open all year round.

It is perfectly located just a mere stone’s throw away from the local Prehistoric Museum. The museum boasts some of the most important Paleolithic collections in the whole of France. It also contains and impressive collection of sculpture, engravings and stone-based tools. This would appear to be the natural second step for those hoping to spend the day discovering history.

However, before leaving the Welcome Centre, it is advisable to ensure that you pick up the map detailing the locations of prehistoric caves, archaeological sites and habitation areas. This will allow you to plan your journey of learning and wonder much more efficiently!

Those hoping to learn as much as much as they can about the region could do a lot worse than ask local residents for more information. A lot of those living in the area were tourists once themselves at one point before deciding to settle down in the area. Many long-term residents are extremely proud of the area’s historical importance and are likely to be more than happy to direct curious tourists in the direction of the region’s most enthralling attractions. 

Even those who don’t consider themselves particularly interested in ancient history could easily enjoy a trip to the Prehistory Welcome Centre and the nearby museum. The two attractions are great ways to spend a rainy day in the Dordogne and have certainly help put the region firmly on the map as a diverse tourist attraction which can be enjoyed by the whole family.