Consider Chartering a Private Airplane For Your Next Vacation in France
By Corina Clemence

 The Loire Valley became the favourite residence of kings who during the Renaissance period entertained in lavish style while enjoying the incredible beauty of the landscape. The castles still stand in all their glory representing the majesty and grandeur of the architecture of that period and the enchanting charm of France's fabulous past.

Today, the Val de Loire and especially the 100 mile stretch from Orleans to Blois and Angers continues to lure visitors to explore the splendid French countryside with its historic chateaux and abbeys, and to enjoy some of the best food and wines in the world. You too can enjoy some of that lavish style by unwinding in a castle rented exclusively for a vacation with family and friends or for just a long weekend.

The Loire Valley is well placed being only 2 hours south of Paris. If you need to fly seriously consider a private charter. "The saying "Getting there is half the fun" became obsolete with the advent of commercial airlines." - Henry J. Tillman

Sir Mick Jagger lead singer of the Rolling Stones and part time Touraine resident, regulary charters a private, three-person taxi-plane to whisk him from Tours airport to London in only 70 minutes. Sir Mick loves the Loire Valley and he owns a charming 16th century castle called La Fourchette in a quaint town near Amboise.

He avoids the busier times when the daily Ryanair flight from London Stanstead lands and dumps its passengers and picks up a new load to return to London. The staff at the airport are used to private charter flights. The Tours airport staff say of Sir Mick "He has never caused us any problem: A simple, straightforward person, ..."

Year after year, more and more people decide to charter a private jet for a family vacation or with a group of friends. A private jet is not just for the wealthy. You do not have to Sir Mick or a Russian Billionaire.

You and your friends can charter one without a lot of dough. Chartering a private jet lets you choose your time to fly. Often private jets won't even cost more than first class. No schedules to adhere to, no hours of standing by.

The obvious benefit of chartering a private aircraft is saving valuable time. With commercial airlines you need to arrive a minimum of two hours in advance of your time of departure, stand in line for security checks then stand in line again for check-in - you have to go through torture before your flight has even begun.

Once on board you are usually squeezed in like a sardine in cattle class. Meals are totally uninspiring. Other passengers may smell, be obnoxious and horrible, rude and frightful. There is absolutely nothing romantic or exciting or fun about catching a commercial flight, let alone a no frills one.

The commercial airlines of the world have access to no more than 500 airports across the globe. Having to wait to take connecting flights can add hours and hours sometimes days and inconvenience to your itinerary. It also highly increases the risk of your luggage being misdirected or even worse lost.

A privately chartered aircraft can take you to any of over 13,500 airports and fields worldwide directly from any location you choose. In a private jet you'll travel in the lap of luxury. Every whim attended to, like you're royalty.

Check out some charter brokers who will rent you a private jet. It is cheaper than you think to take a flight you will not regret! To find a good charter broker begin with the internet. Because private jets are becoming so popular there are many more private jet chartering companies to turn to for help all the time.

Corina Clemence operates a luxury french chateau in the Loire Valley near Blois, for up to fifteen people perfect for family holidays and for touring vineyards and chateaux and relaxing. It is ideal for a french wedding, party or event. Rent the whole castle or rent a suite. Rent a castle in France. Hire castle - hire chateau Rent castle http://www.loirechateau.com Rent chateau France

Top Campsites In France
By Daniel Johansson

 Each year millions of tourists from all over the world choose to spend their holidays sleeping under canvas or in static mobile homes in fantastically equipped campsites throughout France. With a staggering 11,000 to choose from it can be quite a daunting task to find the campsite or holiday park that ticks all the boxes for your holiday. So, here is a suggested list of top 10 campsites in France drawn from Normandy, Atlantic Coast, the Mediterranean Coast and central regions. This is by no means a definitive list but highlights 10 of the campsites that have fantastic facilities for the entire family.

Let's start in the North and head to the Normandy coast. Definitely making it into our top 10 campsites in France is the illustrious two-star Domaine de Litteau in Calvados. If you love the past this is the place for you; close to the historic town of Bayeux and the beaches of World War Two's Normandy landings, this intimate park is situated in beautiful woodland, and is easily accessible from the UK. Also worth serious consideration in this area is the compact site at Chateau Lez Eaux.

Further west, down the coast in beautiful Brittany we find the stunning Domaine de Kerlann holiday park. With great accommodation options this park has fantastic facilities that appeal to all the family, and benefits from a superb location too! In the same region you'll find another great park at La Pointe St. Gilles featuring a great selection of water slides to keep the little ones amused!

Moving south down the Atlantic Coast, and offering a sublime combination of sun, sand and surf, we find the magnificent La Reserve Park based on the beautiful coast with an enormous pool complex providing the focal point. Surrounded by lush pine forests in a fantastic rural setting, you will need your own transport to reach it, but it is well worth the drive. Also worth special mentions in this area and making our top ten are the glorious campsites at Le Ruisseau, Biarritz and Le Vieux Port, near Messanges.

France's Mediterranean coast has long been associated with opulence and glamour and would not, at first glance, appear to be the ideal place to enjoy a cost-effective camping holiday, but you'd be wrong! One of our top 10 campsites in France found in the heart of Languedoc is located only a short drive from the bustling centre of Argeles sur Mer and the sleepy fishing village of Le Racou. Le Bois du Valmarie is a four-star park that offers stunning views of the Mediterranean from its fantastic split-level pool area.

In central France, around Paris and within easy reach of both the capital city and Disneyland Paris, we find two of our favourite campsites and parks. Les Etangs Fleuris is set in the heart of Brie country, has superb on-park facilities and also boasts an extensive fishing lake. Finishing our top ten, glorious International is beside the Seine, just outside Paris and all the attractions.

Daniel Johansson writes article travel related market. Siblu the new name for Haven Europe, offer superior family holidays in France, Spain and Italy. We also offer a selection of France camping holidays for you to enjoy.

Which French Loire Valley Historic Castles Should You Visit on a Family Holiday
By Corina Clemence

 The Loire Valley in France is a spectacular destination for a family holiday. There are many historical castles to see, so many that it can be difficult to decide on which ones to see before it becomes too much for the children to bare. Each of the Loire Valley castles listed below have their own special attraction.

We would highly recommend Chateau Close Luc and its gorgeous park and working models of over 40 of Leonardo Da Vinci's amazing creations. Chateau Chaumont is worth a visit in the summer months for the garden festival alone. Many of the gardens are highly interactive and highly sensory designed to capture the imaginations of adults and children.

Chateau Chenonceau is architecturally breathtaking and a must see. There is a maize for children to get lost in for a little while. Chateau Cheverney has spectacular furniture and a working pack of dogs. Chateau Chambord is the largest of the Loire Valley castles and you can hire bicycles or pedal boats to make it more child attractive. Chateau Blois is interesting architecturally because it is like 4 castles rolled into one. It has the added benefit of being located opposite the Maison de la Magie which is a magic museum in honour of Robert Houdin who was Houdini's inspiration. Children delight at the exhibits and simulations and the magic show is very entertaining.

Chateau Blois (minimum visit 2-3 hours) Hours- 9:00-6:00 Cost- $6.00 includes an English pamphlet . You can book a free guided tour even available in English. This castle dominates the town of Blois and was the home of royalty for over 400 years, including Charles the VIII and Francois I. Parts of the building, composed of 4 wings each of a different architectural style joined by a large central courtyard, date back to the 10th century.

Interiors include luxurious period design and floors stamped with fleur-de-lis motifs. One of the highlights is a Renaissance exterior spiral staircase designed by Leonardo da Vinci. In summer they have a son et lumiere show at night and on Wednesdays it is in English.

Chateau Chenonceau (minimum visit 2.5 hours) Hours- 9:00-7:00 Cost- $8.00 includes an English pamphlet. This castle is one of the most striking of the Loire Valley castles. It was built for Diane de Poitiers, the mistress of King Henri II. In 1559 when the King died his wife, Catherine de Medici, forced Diane into exile (to the smaller chateau of Chaumont).

After Catherine moved in she had the beautiful gallery added, which is 180 feet long, 18 feet wide, with 18 windows and set on arches over the Cher River. It was originally used as a ballroom, and in WWI it became a hospital and the wounded soldiers used to fish out the windows. During WWII it was a means of escape as the castle sat in occupied territory but the door at the end of the gallery opened to the Free Zone.

The kitchen is very popular with children. Today the gallery holds art exhibits. Also worth a note are the Marques Tower, the two formal gardens (each named for the two ladies who ruled the house), the sixteenth century working farm and the flower shop.

Chateau Amboise (minimum visit 1.5 hours) Hours- 9:00-6:30 Cost- $7.00 includes an English pamphlet. The chateau towers over the town and offers a mix of architectural styles including 17th century classical and 16th century gothic. Six Kings of France lived here including Francois the 1st, who had an underground tunnel built to the home of Leonardo da Vinci, located nearby. Using this passage they could visit each other without mingling with commoners. In the 15th century this castle was 4 times its current size, but it has been reduced by war and neglect.

It is worth combining a trip to Chateau Clos Luce with a visit to Chateau Amboise as they are nearby.

Chateau Chambord (minimum visit 2.5 hours) Hours- 9:00-5:45 Cost- $7.00 for entrance and $4.00 for an audio guide. Chambord was commissioned by the young (then 25) King Francois in 1519 to help establish his power and feed his ego. The building we see today was not completed until 1685, and by far it is the largest chateau in the Loire. The style is a combination of traditional French and Renaissance Italian with a variety of towers and turrets.

The facade alone is 470 feet wide and over 168 feet high (18 stories), with 440 rooms and 365 chimneys. The highlight inside the chateau is the double helix staircase which serves as the axis for the entire building, and is thought to have been designed by Leonardo da Vinci.

Originally built as a meeting place for hunting and later used for royal celebrations, today it is surrounded by a 19 mile wall that encloses the largest forest park in Europe. During its 500 year history, it was only used as a residence for 20 of those years. If you have time to spare, you can rent boats or bikes to explore the park. There is a 2 hour evening light and sound show at dusk on weekends from mid-April to June and September, and nightly in July and August.

Chateau Usse (minimum 1.5 hours) Hours- 9:00-6:30 Cost- $8.00 includes English pamphlet. This fairytale chateau with lots of turrets was the inspiration for the chateau in Sleeping Beauty. Construction began in 1455 on the foundation of an 11th century chateau, and subsequent remodels took place in the 16th and 17th centuries. The chateau has been owned by the Blacas family since the 18th century and the family still occupies one of the wings. The grounds include several centuries old trees and a cedar that was given to the family in 1808.

There is a chapel from 1528 with a sparkling white interior made from local stones, and a garage with antique vehicles and a wicker carriage. The castle interior is filled with 18th century antiques. Finally you can climb the round tower to see wax figures depicting characters in Sleeping Beauty. If you are travelling with young children they will probably love the fairy tale scenes in the round tower depicted by wax models.

Chateau Cheverny (minimum visit 1.5 hours) Hours- 9:15-6:45 Cost- $6.00, includes English pamphlet. This chateau was built in 1634 and has been owned and occupied by the same family ever since. Today family members occupy the third floor. This castle has the best furniture of the Loire Valley Chateaux open to the public because the family that owned Cheverny was very popular with the local villagers and as a result the castle was not stripped of it's treasures during the French Revolution.

The current interior is the most lavish and complete in the Loire Valley. This castle was built as a hunting palace and today hunts still take place on the grounds. You can visit the seventy dogs in their kennel, or watch the daily feed at 5:00 PM. The trophy room proudly displays the antlers from more than 2000 animals.

Chateau Chaumont (minimum visit 1 hour and another 2 hours for the garden festival) Hours- 9:30-5:30, plan on 1 hour for your visit Cost- $6.00 includes an English pamphlet. Located between Amboise and Blois, this chateau is set high above the Loire River and commands spectacular views. Its placement was for strategic reasons, since it was built as a fortress stronghold in 1465. Later it became a home for royalty and then the merely rich.

The most famous resident was Diane de Poitiers, the former mistress of King Henri II who lived in exile here, after Catherine de Medici demanded Chateau Chenonceau when King Henri II died.

Today the interiors represent the lavishness of the rich people living here until the 1930's when the stock market crash caused the last owner to sell the property to the government. Of particular interest are the elaborate horse stables.

Chateau Azay-le-Rideau (minimum visit 1.5 hours) Hours- 9:30-6:00 Cost- $6.00 for entrance and $4.00 for an audio guide. This chateau is less grand in size than many of the others listed here, but is all the more beautiful for it. Built in 1515, this is a wonderful example of early Renaissance.

In the high season there are often evening sound and light shows at the castle. It is best to visit this chateau late in the afternoon in summer so you can enjoy the son et lumiere show in the evening.

Beware because most chateaux have shorter hours in low and shoulder seasons and may even be closed for lunch during that time. Conversely in late July and August there are usually extended hours.

Corina Clemence runs a luxury french chateau in the Loire Valley near Blois, for up to fifteen people perfect for touring vineyards and chateaux and relaxing french holidays. It is also ideal for a french wedding, party or event. Rent the whole castle or rent a suite. Rent a castle in France. Hire castle - hire chateau Rent castle http://www.loirechateau.com Rent chateau France

France's Supremely Regal Valley Of The Loire River
By Corina Clemence

 Renowned for its lavish castles, the relics of royal days gone by, the glorious valley of the Loire is rich in both history and architecture. Like the river Loire, this huge area runs through the heart of French life. Its sophisticated cities, luscious landscape and magnificent wine and food add up to a bourgeois paradise. The lush Valley of the Loire River is incredibly regal.

In the 13th century, Orleans was the intellectual capital of France. Artists, poets and troubadours were attracted to its royal court.

Also ripe for discovery are the troglodyte caves, sleepy hamlets, and small Romanesque churches decorated with frescoes. Inviting guesthouses offer game, fish and plentiful fresh vegetables to be lingered over with full-bodied Bourgueil or a light white Vouvray. Overindulgence is no sin in this rich region.

The Chenonceau Chateau, the "Chateau des dames", is incredibly breathtaking and built on a bridge across the river Cher. King Henri II gave it to his favourite, Diane de Poitiers, but his wife Catherine de Medici demanded it back upon the untimely death of Henri II after a jousting accident - who can blame her it is such a gem. Diane was offered Chateau Chaumont on the banks of the Loire River opposite Onzain in exchange. But Diane never set foot there, instead retreating to Chateau Anet, where she died in 1566, seven years after Henri's demise.

Madame Dupin also had a pivotal role in the development of Chenonceau in the 18th century and was responsible for encouraging literary events to be held here. The likes of Rousseau, Voltaire and Montesquieu all spending time here. Today Chenonceau is a profitable business owned by the Menier family who are known as respected chocolatiers.

The Blois Castle, capital of the kingdom from (1498-1595), was stirred by the last starts of the Valois dynasty. It is like visiting four different chateaux rolled into one - so different are the architectural elements at play in the four wings.

The Medieval heart is centred on the Salle des Etats Generaux that is where the court and council were based. Flamboyant Gothic flair is evident in the Louis XII wing whereas Renaissance architecture is the dominant style in the Francois 1 wing. It is in the Francois 1 wing that you'll find Catherine de Medici's private rooms complete with her array of poisons.

This was also the spot where the Duc de Guise was brutally murdered in 1588 after he was thought to be planning a Catholic uprising against Henri III. Apparently, it was Henri who carried out the deed himself only to be murdered himself a year later by a monk.

Lastly, the Gaston d'Orleans wing will satisfy any cravings for Classical architecture. Evenings are a particularly good time to visit Blois especially if you book to see the 'son et lumiere' shows that recount the chateau's turbulent past.

One of the purest creations of the Renaissance, the Chateau Azay le Rideau, was built on an island of the River Indre River ideal setting for an architectural treasure

The Chambord chateau, pinnacle of the Renaissance, combined the dream of King Francois the First with the imagination of Leonardo da Vinci, who lived at Clos Luce also open to the public, in Amboise for the last four years of his life.

The result is a real "mathematisation" of architecture, a grandiose creation: 440 rooms,a fabulous double helix staircase,a chimney for every day of the year and unique roof terrace. Over its history Chateau Chambord has only ever been used as a residence for 20 years. It is the most recognisable chateau roof line in the world.

The Loire Valley is full of not only royal castles and renaissance palaces, national museum and large magnificent chateaux, but also medieval castles and fortresses, small fairy tale manors, private chateaux, medieval cities, churches, abbeys, and cathedrals. Many chateaux and stately homes are open to the public: some are state owned, such as Chambord and Blois; others are private, and still lived in. A large proportion of them run son-et-lumiere shows during the tourist season. Chateau de Chenonceau and Chateau de Chambord are definitely worth a visit and are close to Blois.

Corina Clemence operates a luxury french chateau in the Loire Valley near Blois, for up to fifteen people perfect for family holidays and for touring vineyards and chateaux and relaxing. It is ideal for a french wedding, party or event. Rent the whole castle or rent a suite. Rent a castle in France. Hire castle - hire chateau Rent chateau France http://www.loirechateau.com Rent castle

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