Best stopovers en route south
“Where do you stop when you drive south?” is possibly the number one question I get asked… and it’s so good to have dozens of suggestions up my sleeve. Whether you want to just enjoy a bit of luxury and switch off at a beautiful boutique hotel, or have a more adventurous stay in a […]
30 best B&Bs in France
I love a chambres d’hotes – the French answer to a BnB gives you a chance to chat to the owners, get the inside track on what the best places to visit, best restaurants, and the history of an area. This made it a joy to put together my favourite 30 in France for The […]
50 best holidays in France
Some of my recent pieces for The Times’ travel section
Family cycling on the Île de Ré
This article was originally published in The Times. Fifteen minutes into our walk around the chic town of Saint Martin-de-Ré, I realise that our decision to ‘spend day one exploring the town on foot’ is a mistake. We’re standing on a cobbled bridge that crosses the town’s mighty Vauban ramparts with two hungry children, in […]
10 great French holidays by train
Ten of the best places to visit in France by train, The Guardian, 29th March 2018. https://www.theguardian.com/travel/2018/mar/29/france-by-rail-10-great-summer-trips
My first book! France, From the Source
Lonely Planet’s series of books, titled ‘From the Source’, explores the local cuisine in countries around the world, combining regional and traditional recipes with the stories behind them, and the people who cook them. [Read more about the series here] . Having explored so much of France’s food culture during my time at France Magazine, I was […]
The best French hotels for foodies
Being a bit of a foodie, I already knew some of the best hotels in France for a gourmet experience but during the course of researching and writing Lonely Planet’s France From the Source I stayed in some excellent hotels that offer a superb gastronomic experience for a variety of budgets. It was great, therefore, to pull […]
French city breaks by train
Two new high-speed train lines opening in July 2017 will mean several cities in the west of France will be much easier to get to. This piece for The Times revealed the best ways to enjoy each place: Rennes Saint Malo Poitiers Toulouse Bordeaux Nantes Angouleme Read it here.
City breaks for kids: Nantes
Without doubt, Nantes is the best city break for families, so I was delighted to write an entry in The Guardian’s ‘City breaks with kids’ series about all the best ways to enjoy it. And even if you don’t have children, it makes a great weekend or short break destination. Read the feature here.
A weekend in…Ile de Ré
After a quick hop via La Rochelle airport, you can be on the Ile de Ré within half an hour. It’s a fantastic destination for a weekend, especially if you love cycling, though if you can stay longer… you won’t be disappointed. On foot, the town of Saint-Martin-en-Ré is a delight, especially if you into […]