Wine is cheaper in France !

Hotels in the Alps, recommended by the Guardian, which caught my fancy, due to my predilection for a fine Burgundy, are Le Gourmandin http://www.hotellegourmandin.com/ , for the best, yet simplest meal you’ll have all holiday, and Le Cep http://www.hotel-cep-beaune.com/ in Beaune.

Read Jenny Agutter's Beaune Idyll article to give you a good idea of what to expect in this geat town and region of France with its ancient wine traditions (and they are really very good wines too !) and beautiful buildings and countryside.

Turning our attention to the North of France now, it is interesting news that cheap flights are starting with Ryanair from Stanstead to Deauville on 1st March. http://www.deauville.org/fr/
Casino, horse racing, polo and the film festival are some of the diversions enjoyed on the Normandy Riviera by the Parisian smart set and I think this is going to be a winner all round.