A change is as good as a rest: Reasons to pop to Brittany
Sometimes it is just good to break from the cycle and get away for a few days. If your annual holiday is a long way off, what about jumping on board a ferry and visiting Brittany? It will be just as easy as going to the fringes of Britain, and maybe a little more different and exciting. Brittany may only be a short distance away across the water, but it is a different world in terms of atmosphere and culture. Regular ferries depart for Brittany from Portsmouth, Poole and Plymouth.
One reason to pop to Brittany is to sample its mouth-watering cuisine. Bretons definitely know how to cook and present food, in particular seafood. Try monkfish, fresh lobster, oysters, clams, crabs, mussels and scallops. Meats such as rabbit, duck, goose and pork are also turned into culinary masterpieces in Brittany. Puddings and in particular light crepes, buck wheat galettes, and very sticky cakes are also very tempting.
The landscape is peppered with traditional villages, still keeping hold of their medieval ambience. Chateaus with fairytale qualities and quaint fishing villages along the Cote d’Emeraude are all great to explore. Many of the towns such as Quimper and Josselin are picture perfect, and Pont Aven, made famous by artist Paul Gauguin, has lovely riverside walks.
For the children there are numerous adventure parks, aquariums zoos and wildlife trails. Bikes can easily be hired and horse-riding and hiking trails abound.
If you are looking for self-catering, investigate some of the properties available from Vintage Travel. Here are two that may interest you…
Hidden down a country lane, this stunning stone cottage with peaceful gardens screened by trees will impress from the first moment you see it. It has a truly welcoming feel. There are two bedrooms and two bathrooms and a wonderful heated pool.
This great property has two bedrooms and two bathrooms, a heated pool and can sleep up to 8 people. Situated in a hamlet, this stone ‘longère’ style farmhouse is truly impressive.