Italian Alps

The Alps: The highest and the most fascinating mountains in Europe, the Alps separate Italy from France, Switzerland, Austria and Slovenia. Almost all of the sunny southern slopes are in Italian territory. The highest peaks include Mont Blanc, Monte Rosa, the Cervino and the Gran Paradiso. These giants are all found in the Valle d'Aosta, which is not only unique, but perhaps the most beautiful in the whole Alpine range. It is a magic realm for the tourist with mountain climbing, holiday and winter sports centres. Among the most famous of which are Cervinia and Courmayeur. The Valle d'Aosta is rich in magnificent natural scenery, monuments and castles.

The Dolomites: To the east between the valleys of the Adige and Piave rivers lie the Dolomites - the most fantastic and spectacular mountains of the entire alpine range. A happy combination of factors has made the whole region - Trentino, Alto Adige, an immense park of natural beauty. And although it's the northernmost zone of Italy, it is one of the most favoured for its constant good weather and the frequency of its warm and sunny days. As a consequence, the fame of the Dolomites is worldwide. Around such centres of international renown such as Merano, Madonna di Campiglio, Canazei, Ortisei and Cortina d'Ampezzo have sprung up a host of smaller summer holiday and winter sports centres, health resorts and spas. These resorts can be found in the valleys, on the gentle uplands and beside the famous Alpine Lakes. Thanks to up-to-date transport facilities, cable cars and chair lifts, tourists can reach the highest and most celebrated viewpoints with ease.

The Apennines: "The backbone of Italy" runs the full length of the peninsula, from the hills of Cadibona (near Savona) down into Calabria. The Apennines reach their highest point in the Gran Sasso (9,558 feet) which, along with the Maiella (9,151 feet), forms a magnificent winter sports area. Variously named from north to south - the Apennines in Emilia and Tuscany, the Apuan Alps north of Lucca, the Lattari Mountains between the Gulf of Naples and Salerno, the Matese Mountains also in Campania, the Sila in Calabria and Aspromonte, the southern tip of the Apennines. The mountains of Sicily and Sardinia repeat the natural beauties of the Alps and the Apennines, Etna, an active volcano on Sicily's eastern coast and snow-capped most of the year, epitomises the incomparable contrast of nature, which is the miracle of Italy.

VENICE

Venice is a legendary city. 120 small islands connected by 450 bridges and home to 65,000. Her story begins as that of a hiding place and a refuge from barbarian invasions. Repeated attacks drove to the first buildings and settlements producing a republic that would unite to form one of the most important republics lasting for over a thousand years and creating a trading empire that would dominate the Mediterranean coast for more than 400 years.

Water is a major feature of this romantic city. Water that in winter will often cover the beautiful San Marco Square, on which the gondolas glide along all year round and which surrounds every magnificent building in the city.

Venice is a city of a multitude of moods and faces: lively and affectionate to the inhabitants that fill her streets with their chatter; Discover the narrow alleyways and secret corners of this historic city, such as the quiet district around Sacca della Misericordia or the unhurried Campo di Gheto Novo; join the locals at the colourful fish market near the Rialto bridge; enjoy a glass of wine or a cappuccino in one of the many backstreet cafès; admire the Gothic architecture of the palazzi along the Grand Canal or the splendid Renaissance paintings rity as a tourist destination, Venice cannot be likened either to an amusement park or to a museum; it is a living city, whose fragile beauty and romantic history succeeds in transporting the visitor back in time.

TRAVELLER's TIPS

Bring binoculars as some of Venice's best sights are on ceilings or at the top of columns. Don't wear sleeveless tops, or short skirts, as you won't be able to enter the city's many churches.

HOW TO GET THERE

The "Marco Polo" airport is 12 km from Venice by land and 10 km by sea. You can get to Venice by coach, taxi or by boat.
From Treviso airport there is a half hour train journey that leaves every half an hour. Other ways include taxi or hire car.

VENICE TOURIST BOARD
Castello 5050 - 30122 Venezia Tel: 041 5298711 www.turismovenezia.it

NOT TO BE MISSED

Piazza San Marco - with the Basilica, Clocktower and the Doge's Palace
La Fenice Opera House
Gallerie dell'Accademia
I Frari
Scuola Grande di San Rocco
Scuola di San Giorgio degli Schiavoni
A vaporetto tour up and down the Canal Grande - Ponte di Rialto e Ponte dei Sospiri.

Whilst in Venice we also advise you to visit, the Murano island - capital of the world's blown glass art; the Burano island - famous for lace production, visit the museum "Museo del Merletto"; Torcello whose historical centre hosts the basilica of Santa Maria Assunta.

ENTERTAINMENT

Music and theatre have always formed an intrinsic part of the spirit of Venice. As well as the three major theatres, concerts and plays are also held in numerous churches such as the Pietà, the Frari, S. Stefano, all ideal concert halls. See the Gazzettino for all information on concerts and shows in the city.

- Gran Teatro La Fenice - 041 78 65 11
- Teatro Malibran - 041 78 65 11
- Teatro Goldoni - 041 24 020 011
- Teatro a l'Avogaria - 041 520 61 30

WHAT TO EAT AND DRINK

Lunch or dinner in one of the trattorias is one of the pleasures of Venetian life. High up the list of things to try are the fish and seafood ( in particular the squid, cuttlefish, eels and mussels), as well as fegato alla veneziana ( calf's liver fried with onions).
There are some excellent local wines to accompany these dishes including Valpolicella, Bardolino and Amarone ( red ) along with Soave and Prosecco (white)

FESTIVALS

Carnevale di Venezia (Venice Carnival): for further information browse www.carnevale.venezia.it

Italy - Seaside Resorts

Italy is a peninsular in the Mediterranean Sea, with a coastline of more than 5,310 miles. Rocky, wooded cliffs are indented by an infinite variety of beaches and bays. Along the full length of Liguria extend the two Italian Rivieras with Genoa (Genova) in the middle. To the west, almost an extension of the French Côte d' Azur, is the Ponente including such famous seaside resorts as San Remo, Alassio and Varazze. The eastern (Levante) Riviera boasts Nervi, Portofino, Santa Margherita, Rapallo and Sestri Levante.

Other beaches popular with foreign visitors are Forte dei Marmi, Viareggio, Castiglioncello, Porto Santo Stefano, Porto Ercole and the Island of Elba in Tuscany; Ostia - Lido of Rome (Roma), Fregene, Anzio, Nettuno in Lazio; Capri, Sorrento and the Island of Ischia, Positano, Amalfi and Maiori on the Gulf of Naples (Napoli) and Salerno; Sardinia; and from North to South along the Adriatic Coast: Grado, the Lido of Venice (Venezia), the Lido of Jesolo, Lignano Sabbiadoro and then the enchanting string of towns along the Coast of Romagna, among which Milano Maritima, Cervia, Rimini, Riccione and Cattolica stand out. On the coast of Apulia, one finds the Lido of Siponto on the Gulf of Manfredonia, the Gargano peninsula and the Tremiti Islands.

Address details

ITALIAN STATE TOURIST BOARD - 1, Princes Street - London W1B 2AY - Tel. 020 7408 1254 - Fax. 020 7399 3

Centre Pompidou - Current & Upcoming Exhibitions in 2007

The Centre National d'Art et Culture Georges Pompidou was the brainchild of President Georges Pompidou who wanted to create an original cultural institution in the heart of Paris completely focused on modern and contemporary creation, where the visual arts would rub shoulders with theatre, music, cinema, literature and the spoken word. Housed in the center of Paris in a building designed by Renzo Piano and Richard Rogers, whose architecture symbolizes the spirit of the 20th century, the Centre Pompidou first opened its doors to the public in 1977. After a period of renovation from 1997 to December 1999, it opened to the public again on January 1, 2000, with expanded museum space and enhanced reception areas. Since then it has once again become one of the most visited attractions in France. Some 6 million people pass through the Centre Pompidou's doors each year, a total of over 150 million visitors in its 25 years or so of existence.

Centre Pompidou always hosts exciting and innovative exhibitions. Here are some of the events currently being exhibited as well as some that are scheduled for the months to come.

Major Photography Show: A Donation by the Caisse des Dépôts, September 27-January 1 - The Centre Pompidou is very proud to present for the first time the collection of contemporary photography assembled by the French state bank, the Caisse des Depôts. Acquired by the Bank over a twenty-year period, the greatest part of this important photographic collection has been donated to the Centre Pompidou. Begun in the late 1980s, the collection consists of more than 750 photographs, the work of more than 200 photographers from France and elsewhere. The exhibition will present almost all of them, organized by the themes that have guided the formation of the collection – images of the government (Gronon, Gursky, Mason, Muntadas, among others); representations of France in its social and political aspects (Garnell Owens, Parr, Vitali); and the problematic relationship between fiction and illusion (Crewdson, Demand, Fischli and Weiss, de Gobert, Muniz and others). But beyond the intrinsic interest of these themes, the exhibition will also afford an opportunity to reconsider the very idea of the corporate collection, to examine the relationship between art and the economy, and to revisit the activities of the Caisse des Depôts as a patron of art.

Yves Klein, October 4-January 8 - Often considered simply a part of the French New Realism of the1960s and often symbolized by the IKB blue, the color of paint he created, the work of Yves Klein has yet to be fully discovered. This exhibition aims to reveal in all its scope the activity of an artist who declared that "My paintings are no more than the ashes of my art." Through photographs and films the exhibition will stress the importance of the idea of immateriality in Yves Klein's work, such as with his “invisible” works and his unrealized projects, which, in retrospect, acquire a central importance. (Yves Klein exhibitions will also be held at the Musée des Beaux-Arts in Carcassonne, through September 24 and at La Coupole in Paris through January 27).

Robert Rauschenberg: Combines, October 11-Janaury 15 - The Centre Pompidou pays homage to Robert Rauschenberg, one of the great American artists of the post-war period, with an exhibition of what he calls "combines", collages or assemblages of diverse materials that reflect the artist's ambition to close the gap between art and life. Rauschenberg's practice of juxtaposing different media, ranging from photography to performance and confounding the distinction between painting and sculpture, contributed to a revolution in American art. Since the 1950s and his rejection of the then-dominant Abstract Expressionism, he has created one of the most complex and innovative bodies of work of the 20^th century. His unique approach, animated by the spirit of the Cubist collage and Dada humor, is revealed in fifty major works from the collections of such institutions as Museum of Modern Art in New York and the Museum of Contemporary Art in Los Angeles.

Traces du Sacré, October 24 - In the latest of a series of landmark exhibitions that have been concerned with burning contemporary issues as with the history of the 20^th-century art, Centre Pompidou now addresses itself to the question of the sacred, a constant theme for artists past and present. From Gauguin to Bill Viola, artists have endeavored, in Heidegger's words, "to bring to mortal men the traces of the gods hidden in the opacity of the world."

Vija Celmins, October 25-January 29 - With this first retrospective exhibition of her drawings, Centre Pompidou will introduce visitors to the distinctive world of American artist Vija Celmins, born in Riga, Latvia, in 1938. Celmins is an unusual artist, the creator of an obsessively rigorous and thoroughly consistent body of work. The exhibition consists of some 60 drawings done since 1967, illustrating the whole course of the artist's development: from the earliest photorealist pieces, through the drawings of the sea's surface, the desert, the planets and the night sky, to her recent spider-webs. For the exhibition, works are being lent by leading American museums (MoMA; the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art; the Modern Art Museum of Fort Worth, the Philadelphia Museum of Art; the Baltimore Museum of Art; and the Hirshhorn Museum of Modern Art, Washington, D.C.) and by distinguished private collections. The exhibition will then travel to the Armand Hammer Museum in Los Angeles.

Hergé, December 6-February - In December 2006 the public spaces of the Forum at the Centre Pompidou will be given over to the work of Hergé, the creator of Tintin. This free exhibition, organized in collaboration with the Hergé Foundation, will offer the public a chance to see the collection of Hergé's original drawings donated to the Centre by the Foundation. A double celebration, marking the entry of the first comics into the French national art collection and also the centenary of Hergés birth, which is in 2007, it marks, too, the opening of the Centre Pompidou's 30^th anniversary season.

BD Reporters, December 6-April - When the creators of the graphic novels (bandes desinées, or BD, as they are known in French) go on their travels, in France and abroad, they bring back to us in their drawings the new landscapes and new cities they have discovered, and the feelings these have inspired. The "BD Reporters" exhibition explores these new territories where really catches up with the comics. From the traveler's sketch book to final reportage, it presents the diversity of the genre through sketches, comics, photos, contact sheets and DVDs by the artists represented: Badouin, Cabu, De Crécy, Davodeau, Dupuy et Berberian, Faton, Ferrandez, , Harder, Hureau, Jano, Loustal, Mattotti, Matthys, Sacco, Schipper, Troub's and Wolinski.

The Movement of Images, through January 29 - The collection of the Centre Pompidou/Musée National d'Art Moderne, the largest in Europe, is presented in a striking new thematic hang that reflects the influence of cinema on the art of the twentieth century. Entitled "Le Mouvement des Images (The Movement of Images)", the new presentation exemplifies a displacement of the moving image from the cinema to the gallery, a shift that makes it possible to rethink film in a new context, without reference to its technical preconditions. The fundamental principles of the cinematic experience -- succession, projection, narrative and montage -- then no longer find themselves restricted to the traditional apparatus of film but may be applied to the reading of works of art more generally. Arts supposedly static, such as painting, sculpture, drawing, photography and architecture, are no longer so, a phenomenon accentuated by the advent of the digital age.

De l'Atelier à la Fabrique: the Permanent Collection, January 31 - Centre Pompidou will celebrate its thirtieth anniversary with a rehang of its permanent collection of modern and contemporary art, the leading collection of its kind in Europe. This will take place in two stages. On January 31, the modern art collection will be reorganized around the theme of "the studio", with an emphasis on the Museum's holdings of major paintings (among them Matisse, Picasso, Miró, Giacometti and Dubuffet) and on the emblematic locations and personalities of the world of art. On April 2, the contemporary art collection will be reorganized to echo the themes of "Airs de Paris", a major exhibition of contemporary art opening on the same day.

Annette Messager, February 21-May 14, 2007 - The Centre Pompidou is to present a major retrospective of the work of French artist Annette Messager, winner of the Golden Lion at the Venice Biennale of 2005. Her work, which has gained her an international reputation, combines intimacy with universality. The exhibition will follow the development of her artistic career from her invention of fictive identities in the early 1970s to her large installations in the 1990s. In parallel with the exhibition, Annette Messager will create a major new installation in the Forum, the ground floor of Centre Pompidou.

Pierre Klossowski, April 2-June 4, 2007 - The writer and philosopher Pierre Klossowski (1905-2001), a friend of Rilke and Georges Bataille, took up art on the prompting of Robert Lebel, André Masson and Alberto Giacometti. Centre Pompidou is to show drawings, prints and sculptures by Klossowski in Spring 2007. Klossowski also worked with a number of film directors, as writer or actor: with Pierre Zucca and Raoul Ruiz in the early 1970s and Pierre Coulibeuf, Michel Nuridsany and Alain Fleischer in the 1980s. A program of films in which Klossowski was involved will also be shown.

Samuel Beckett, through June 25, 2007 - After its celebrations of Jean Cocteau and Roland Barthes, the Centre Pompidou pays homage, on the centenary of his birth, to the great Irish novelist and playwright Samuel Beckett (1906-1989), who endeavored all his life to abolish the boundaries between the arts and the genres. The exhibition will explore the great themes of Beckett's work and relate his writing to the contemporary art from which it drew inspiration and which, in turn, drew inspiration from it, from Bram van Velde to Bruce Naumann, from Sol le Witt to Geneviève Asse, and from Ugo Rondinone to Tony Oursler. The exhibition aims to demonstrate the diversity of Beckett's writing and to explore the different facets of his career, more especially his work as a theater director.

Airs de Paris, April 2-May 27, 2007 - "Airs de Paris" is a multidisciplinary exhibition bringing together visual art, landscape, architecture and design, around the themes of the city and of urban life. It considers Paris as a point of convergence, where the exhibited artists may live or work or have intervened. The title echoes that of a piece by Marcel Duchamp, with a retrospective of whose work the Centre Pompidou opened in 1977. The exhibition includes work by fifty visual artists and sixteen architects and designers, dating from the 1970s to the present. Certain works will be specially produced for the occasion. As it prepares for the show, the Centre has set up an internet discussion forum, moderated by philosopher Elie During and sociologist Laurent Jeanpierre, which will host reflections on the themes of the exhibition by invited scholars and artists. The exhibition itself will be accompanied by a series of events -- performances, lectures and debates -- intended to foster dialogue between artists, philosophers and sociologists on the question of the urban in contemporary life.

Julio Gonzalez, June 27, 2007-October 8, 2007 - The work of the great Catalan artist Julio González (1876-1942) had a decisive influence on modern sculpture. Centre Pompidou, which has an exceptionally large holding of his paintings, sculptures, drawings and jewelry, now offers an opportunity to rediscover the work of the artists who introduced Picasso to metal sculpting. Marking the completion of a catalog raisonné of the Centre's entire holding of González' work, the exhibition will present the different stages of his career, from the very first figurative works, influenced by Puvis de Chavannes and classicism, through the masterly large-scale abstract and constructivist iron sculptures of the 1930s, to the tragic stone heads and the allegorical figures of the wartime years. Photographs and documentary records will contribute to a fuller understanding of the artists' life and work.

L'Atelier d'Alberto Giacometti: Collections de la Fondation Alberto et Annette Giacometti, September 9, 2007 - Thanks to the temporary loan of the holdings of the Alberto and Annette Giacometti Foundation, Centre Pompidou is able to present, for the first time, certain undiscovered aspects of Giacometti's art. Exhibited in conjunction with hitherto unknown works and unpublished documentation, paintings, sculptures, decorative objects, drawings, prints and writings will offer the viewer a new look at the artist's manner of work. At the heart of the exhibition will be Alberto Giacometti's studio, whose painted walls, furniture and tools are the property of the Foundation, established in December 2003.

Richard Rogers, October 3, 2007 - A retrospective exhibition is being devoted to Richard Rogers, who, with Renzo Piano, was the architect of Centre Pompidou. The exhibition will retrace a 40-year career, which has seen Rogers design buildings of different scales all over the world, all the time maintaining a unity of style. Recent and current projects will illustrate the enthusiastic mastery of constructive technique as an architect who has made a usage a priority, putting the human at the center of his work.

For more information about the Centre Pompidou, visit www.centrepompidou.fr. Media contact: Roya Nasser, +33 (0)1 44 78 49 08 or roya.nasser@centrepompidou.fr.

France - Major Events for 2007

February 16 to March 4 – Nice (Riviera)
"Nice Carnival" – Nice Carnival is a not-to-be-missed event. Music, decorated floats, caricatures and entertainers - all of the elements of life in this lovely French port city are on full display and in living color during this annual niçois celebration. The Nice Carnival was the first international carnival celebration to take place in France and attracts 1,200,000 visitors every year. The theme for the 2007 festival is “King of the Grand free-for-all (or scrum, in honor of the Rugby World Cup in September 2007).” www.nicecarnaval.com

February 17 to March 7 – Menton (Rviera)
"Lemon Festival" – Menton will organize its 74th Lemon Festival in 2007 with India as its guest of honour. This Festival, an unique event in the world, attracts 200.000 visitors every year - a figure which is constantly progressing -. It is the second most important event on the Riviera after the Nice Carnival and just ahead of the Monaco Formula 1. More than 300 people are employed on the project and 130 tons of citrus fruits are used - www.villedementon.com.

March 3 to 11 – Paris
"Agricultural Show" – The international agricultural show is the annual gathering of regional products, harvested through farming, hunting and fishing. www.salon-agriculture.com

March 9 to April 7 – Saint-Denis (Ile-de-France)
"Banlieues Bleues Festival" – The Banlieues Bleues, one of the biggest jazz festivals in the Paris area, is an eclectic, lively festival, featuring all kinds of jazz, from traditional and contemporary, to European and American blues and soul. www.banlieuesbleues.org (French language only) www.pidf.com

March 23 to April 1 – Paris "
"International Women’s Film Festival – One of the most important festivals of women’s film in the world. www.filmsdefemmes.com (French language only), www.parisinfo.com

Mid-March (2 weeks) – Grenoble (Rhône-Alpes)
"Grenoble Jazz Festival" – The festival celebrates 35 years in 2007 - "www.jazzgrenoble.com" (French language only)

March 24 & 25 – Nuits-St-Georges (Burgundy)
"Vente des Vins des Hospices de Nuits" – Celebrated sale of the wines of the Hospices de Nuits - Music and festivities bring the whole community together for this annual wine
tasting festival of famed Burgundy wines. www.nuits-saint-georges.com (French only) www.ot-nuits-st-georges.fr


March 14 to April 1 – Amiens (Picardie/Northern France)
"Amiens Jazz Festival" – An eclectic festival that highlights the contemporary jazz milieu. This year is devoted to the blues. www.amiensjazzfestival.com
(French language only) www.amiens.fr

April 1 to 30 – Lourdes (Midi-Pyrénées)
"International Festival of Sacred Music" – Concerts of sacred music ranging form Bach and Haendel to Delalande and lesser known works. www.lourdes-infotourisme.com

April 15 – Paris
"Paris Marathon" – Watch as nearly 35,000 participants run the 42km race to achieve their own individual goals. The start is at 8:45 am on the Champs-Elysées and runs via Bastille, Nation, and the Tuileries. www.parismarathon.com

April – Bayonne(Aquitaine)
"Ham Fair" – Bayonne ham is world-renowned. Sample the best of the best at the Ham Fair. www.bayonne-tourisme.com

April – Biarritz (Aquitaine)
"Les Fêtes Musicales" – Each spring, the Fêtes Musicales hosts internationally-famous artists and major instrumental
formations. The Fêtes Musicales is also an opportunity to discover young talent. www.ville-biarritz.fr

April 21 & 22 – Le Mans (Western Loire)
"24 Hours Moto" – The 30th annual motorcycle race at Le Mans Racetrack - www.lemans.org

April 17 to 22 – Bourges (Loire Valley)
"Le Printemps de Bourges" – Undiscovered artists of modern music jam in free and paid concerts throughout the city. www.printemps-bourges.com (French language only) www.bourgestourisme.com

April to October – Paris
"Singin’ in Paris" - Concerts of some of the world's favorite French songs takes visitors on a musical tour through old Paris. Enjoy a combination dinner and performance package on Tuesday and Friday evenings and on Sundays at tea-time at La Crémaillère 1900. The largest restaurant of La Butte in Montmartre, it seats 380 and features an elegant Belle Epoque decor. The 75-minute performance goes down memory lane with chansons by Charles Trenet, Edith Piaf, Yves Montand, Jacques Brel and more. www.singing-in-paris.com

April to October – Versailles (Ile-de-France)
"Les Grandes Eaux Musicales" - Discover Louis XIV's majestic gardens with their illuminated fountains set to the melodies
of some of the greatest composers of classical music every week-end. www.chateauversailles.fr & www.pidf.com

May 15 to 20 – Montauban (Midi-Pyrénées)
"Festival Alors…Chante!" – Begun in 1986, more than 750 local and young artists have graced the stage and presented beautiful vocal performances. www.alorschante.com (French language only), www.montauban-tourisme.com

May 16 to 27 – Cannes (Riviera)
"Cannes Film Festival" – The world-renowned film festival takes place at the Palais des Festivals and other venues throughout Cannes. www.festival-cannes.fr

May 17 to 20 – Grasse (Riviera)
"Rose-Expo" – Each year, Grasse celebrates the most romantic of all flowers, the rose. Over four days, 30,000 roses are presented at the Villa-Musée Fragonard. Exhibits are also organized at the Palais des Congrès and the Musée International de la Parfumerie. www.grasse-riviera.com

May 18 to 20 – Courson-Monteloup (Ile-de-France)
"Courson's Flower Show" – Set in a beautifully landscaped park, this flower show features exhibitors from throughout Europe carrying a large range of unique plants (bulbs, perennials, climbers, trees and shrubs, house plants, etc.). www.coursondom.com (French language only). www.pidf.com

May 19 to 20 – Tours (Loire Valley)
"Loire Valley Wine Festival" – Approximately 100 wine growers from the Loire Valley present their wines in the heart of Tours. There will be numerous shows, conferences and tastings. www.ligeris.com

May 25 to 27 – Evian (Rhône-Alpes)
"Les Escales Musicales" - International classical and chamber music festival. www.eviantourism.com

May – Loire (Loire Valley)
"La Caravane" – To celebrate the Loire, classified as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Loiret department presents “La Caravane”, a four-day event. There will be shows, exhibits, picnics, dancing and singing. www.jourdeloire.com (French language only) www.loirevalleytourism.com

May 26 and 27 – Paris
"Printemps des Rues: Circus Festival" – A free outdoor festival of concerts, circuses, film showings, visual art performances, installations, forums, and more. This festival will celebrate its 10th birthday in 2007. www.leprintempsdesrues.com (French language only). www.parisinfo.com

May 27 to 28 – Honfleur (Normandy)
"Fête des Marins" – The seafarers’ Pentecost festival is celebrated in Honfleur each year since 1861. On the Sunday of Pentecost, all the local fishing boats are decorated and gathered together in Honfleur’s old harbor. They then push out to sea before coming together in a circle in the Seine estuary to receive the priest’s blessing. www.ot-honfleur.fr, www.normandy-tourism.org

May 27 to June 10 – Paris
"French Tennis Open" – The Roland-Garros French Open is the world's biggest clay-court tennis tournament and one of the major sporting highlights of the year in Paris. The world's best players come out to compete - an absolute must-see for tennis fans. www.rolandgarros.com

June 1 to 3 – Bayeux (Normandy)
"D-Day Festival" – On the site of the Batterie de Longues, witness a commemoration of the D-Day battles with historic reenactments, parachutist demonstrations, and an airshow of WWII planes. Festivities include a grand picnic with music, open-air cinema, fireworks, and concerts. www.bayeux-tourism.com

June 1 to July 31– Marseille (Provence)
"Marseille Festival" – The festival celebrates its 12th anniversary this year with performances in dance, theater, contemporary music and film. www.festivaldemarseille.com, www.marseille-tourisme.com

June 6 – Normandy
"63rd anniversary of D-Day" – Ceremonies at the beaches and towns of the Allied landings on June 5 & 6, 1944 - www.normandiememoire.com, www.normandy-tourism.org

June 6 to 10 – Deauville (Normandy)
"Deauville International Week" – Deauville welcomes its second international nautical event, drawing some of the best sailing aficionados from throughout the world. www.deauville-week.com, www.deauville.org

June 2 to 9 – Calvi (Corsica)
"Jazz Festival" – This celebrated international event brings together over a hundred musicians and singers, performing concerts within the city walls and on the streets of Calvi. www.visit-corsica.com and www.calvi-jazz-festival.com (French language only)

June 9 to July 29 – Paris
"Paris Jazz Festival" – Locals and visitors from around the world come to Paris each summer to listen to the smooth jazz music radiating from Château de Vincennes during the Paris Jazz Festival. With its impressive line-up of artists and magnificent setting, the Paris Jazz Festival is always a huge success. www.parcfloraldeparis.com

June 16 & 17 – Le Mans (Western Loire)
"24-Hours of Le Mans" - The 75th annual automobile race at the Le Mans Racetrack. www.lemans.org

June 23 & 24 – Provins (Ile-de-France)
"Les Médiévales de Provins" – Discover Provins, a city with a well-preserved imprint from the middle ages. Enjoy archery, water games, joust, a grand feast complete with entertainment, troubadours, jugglers and more. www.provins-medieval.com (French language only), www.provins.net, www.pidf.com

June 23 & 24 – Reims (Champagne)
"Fêtes Johanniques" – Every year, the city of Reims celebrates the memory of patron saint Joan of Arc in a festival of shows and a recreation of a medieval market. One of the highlights is the musical pageant and procession featuring 2,000 players depicting the coronation of Charles VII, accompanied by Joan of Arc and other kings crowned in Reims. www.reims-tourisme.com

June to August – Lyon (Rhône-Alpes)
"Les Nuits de Fourvière" – A multidisciplinary artistic event encompassing theater, dance, music and cinema. Nearly 40 shows take place each summer with past performers including David Bowie, Jamiroquai, Oasis, Lenny Kravitz and the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater. www.nuits-de-fourviere.org, www.lyon-france.com

June 21 – Throughout France
"Fête de la Musique" - Street concerts take place throughout France, on the occasion of the summer solstice. www.parisinfo.com

June – Rouen (Normandy)
"Opéra en Plein Air" – www.normandy-tourism.org

June 21 to 24 – Bordeaux (Aquitaine)
"Bordeaux River Festival" – The forth edition of the River Festival will focus on the history of the river and its harbor. Activities, exhibitions and meetings have been created by experts from "La mémoire de Bordeaux". www.bordeaux-tourisme.com, www.tourisme-aquitaine.info

June 22 to August 5 – Reims (Champagne)
"Les Flaneries Musicales" – Reims, the city of coronations and Clovis' place of baptism, offers an impressive series of concerts, hosting some of the greatest names in international music. More than 100 concerts take place in some of the city's most unexpected locations. www.reims-tourisme.com and www.flaneriesreims.com

June 23 to September 1st – Amboise (Loire Valley)
"At the Court of King François" – Discover the history of Amboise château through this evening spectacular. See what life was like in the area during the Renaissance and under the reign of King François the first, including his friendship with the art master Leonardo da Vinci. www.renaissance-amboise.com, www.amboise-valdeloire.com

June 29 to July 13 – Vienne (Rhône-Alpes)
"Jazz à Vienne" – The annual International Jazz Festival takes place in the city's Roman amphitheater. www.jazzavienne.com, www.rhonealpes-tourism.com

June 29 to July 22 – Aix-en-Provence (Provence)
"Festival d'Aix-en-Provence" – The Aix opera festival, which celebrates 59 years has always been closely associated with Mozart. The 2007 season presents 6 operas inspired by Mozart’s youth, cosmopolitanism and extraordinary humanity. www.festival-aix.com, www.aixenprovencetourism.com

June 30 – Paris
"Gay Pride Festival" – Information can be found online at www.gaypride.fr (French language only), www.parisinfo.com

July 1 to 31 – Nice (Riviera)
"Nice Jazz Festival" – One of the most important European jazz festivals with over 500 musicians and 75 concerts in the Roman ruins and gardens of Cimiez. The focus is on jazz music but the festival embraces many musical genres with past performers including such legends as BB King, Bebel Gilberto and Jimmy Cliff as well as newer acts such as Jamiroquai, Joss Stone and Katie Melua. The history of this event stretches back to the 1940s and has grown in stature each year to become one of the greatest jazz festivals in the world. www.nicejazzfest.com

July 7 & 8 – Bayeux (Normandy)
"Bayeux Medieval Festival" – Journey back in time, as the town of Bayeux comes alive with court jesters, jugglers, knights and craftsmen. The festival celebrates 21 years in 2007; an extraordinary milestone. A medieval market, street theatre, book fair, medieval ball, costumed parade and more… www.bayeux-tourism.com, www.normandy-tourism.org

July 7 to 29 – France
"Tour de France" – Celebrate the world's most famous bicycle competition. The race is on to see who will wear the coveted maillot jaune this year. This year's Tour begins in London featuring the 8 km prolog. www.letour.fr

July 7 to August 3 – Orange (Provence)
"Chorégies d'Orange Festival" – This major Provence music and opera festival dates back to 1860 and is the oldest festival in France. It is set in one of the world's best preserved Roman theaters. www.choregies.asso.fr

July 12 to 22 – Antibes/Juan-les-Pins (Riviera)
"Jazz à Juan" – The annual International Jazz Festival brings together famous jazz artists as well as up-and-coming musicians. Past performers have included Sonny Rollins and Ibrahim Ferrer. www.antibesjuanlespins.com

July 14 – Paris/France
"Bastille Day Celebrations" – In Paris: traditional morning military parade down the Champs-Elysées, followed at sundown by prestigious fireworks. www.parisinfo.com

July 14 to 22 – Quimper (Brittany)
"Festival de Cornouaille" – Traditional and folkloric dance, music and arts festival, in the capital of the Finistère area of Brittany, historically known as Cornouaille. www.festival-cornouaille.com (French language only), www.tourismebretagne.com, www.discoverbrittany.com

July 25 to 28 – Evian (Rhône-Alpes)
"Evian Masters" – The International Women's golf tournament is one of the most important, both on the American and European tours, featuring 70 of the world's best players. www.evianmasters.com and www.eviantourism.com

July – Paris
"Solidays International Youth, Music and Solidarity Festival" – This exceptional event is not only a great music festival with a number of major performing artists, but is also for a good cause. Solidays celebrates the summer by fighting against AIDS through increasing awareness, with around 100 French and international associations exchanging information and ideas. www.solidarite-sida.org (French language only) www.parisinfo.com

July – Saint-Gilles (Alsace)
"Rêve d’une nuit d’été" – During 8 evenings, the hill of Saint-Gilles offers you the biggest Alsace scene. Lots of highlights, musics, and shows bring you back to the history of Alsace thanks to more than 500 volunteers actors. A must-see when you are in Alsace in July. www.reve-dete.com (French language only)

July – Belfort (Franche-Comté)
"Eurockéennes de Belfort" – 3 days – 4 stages – 60 concerts. This international rock festival has been taking place on the peninsula of Malsaucy near Belfort for 17 years now. What started out as a big party for young pop fans has grown into a major festival drawing some of today's most popular acts and an audience of over 95 000 people. www.eurockeennes.fr

July to August – Paris
"Paris Plage" – An artificial beach (palm trees, sand and all) is set up along the banks of the River Seine to give locals a chance to escape to the beach, without leaving the city. There is also a boardwalk for cyclists and rollerbladers, a pool, beach volleyball and evening concerts. www.parisinfo.com

July to August – Paris
"Paris Quartiers d'Eté" – The Paris neighborhoods festival features theater, dance and musical performances at the Tuileries Gardens, Palais Royal, Arènes de Lutèce, La Villette, banks of the Seine, Buttes-Chaumont Park and more. www.quartierdete.com (French only) www.parisinfo.com

July to August – Prades (Languedoc-Roussillon)
"Pablo Casals Festival" – The festival celebrates 56 years in 2007 with over 20 concerts performed by the world’s finest chamber music ensembles. www.prades-festival-casals.com

July – Colmar (Alsace)
"International Classical Music Festival" – The festival adheres to demanding standards in order to maintain its international renown, attracting musicians and ensembles of the highest level and organizing a well-planned schedule of events. Each year there is a central theme and a tribute to a musician. www.festival-colmar.com

July – Avignon
"Festival d'Avignon" - The avant-garde summer festival celebrates its 61th year with presentations of new productions and talent in theater, dance and music; at the Palais des Papes and other locations. www.festival-avignon.com

July and August – Toulouse (Midi-Pyrénées)
"Toulouse d’Eté" - A summer concert series offering an eclectic selection of 15 concerts in 12 venues, with more than 300 artists and cultural engineers. www.toulouse-tourisme.com

Last week of July – Cognac (Poitou-Charentes)
"Passion Blues Festival" – 15th anniversary. Annual festival of African-American music including blues, swing, gospel, rhythm'n blues and soul. Past performers have included the late, great Ray Charles. www.bluespassions.com

August – Saint-Cloud (Ile-de-France)
"Festival Rock en Seine" – Rock 'n roll festival at the Domaine National in Saint-Cloud. Big-name bands and musicians, such as the Pixies and the Foo Fighters, have graced the stage. www.rockenseine.com

August – Marciac (Midi-Pyrénées)
"Jazz in Marciac" – International Jazz Festival set in a 13th-century fortified Gascony town. www.jazzinmarciac.com (French language only) www.tourisme-midi-pyrenees.com

August – Ajaccio (Corsica)
"Fêtes Napoléoniennes" - Feast in honor of the island’s illustrious son, Napoléon Bonaparte, who was born in Ajaccio August 15, 1769. Enjoy parades, historical pageants, and other festivities. www.visit-corsica.com

August – Fayence (Provence)
"August in Fayence Territory" - An assembly and collaboration of artists, this music festival offers cultural and artistic enjoyment to its visitors, throughout Fayence territory. From Brel to Mozart, jazz to improv and street performers to parades, August in Fayence territory is a hit. www.unaoutaupaysdefayence.com (French only) www.crt-paca.fr

August – Bayonne (Aquitaine)
"Fêtes de Bayonne" - Each year since 1932, the city of Bayonne puts on a "fiesta" during five days of non-stop celebration with music, bull running, Basque-influenced cuisine and more. www.fetes-de-bayonne.com (French only) www.bayonne-tourisme.com

August 18 to 29 – La Chaise-Dieu (Auvergne)
"La Chaise-Dieu Festival" - Founded in 1966 by Georges Cziffra, today the festival is considered among the most famous of French classical and sacred music festivals. Large orchestral performances take place in an ancient Benedictine abbey, characteristic for its strong spiritual strength and exceptional acoustics. Chamber music concerts usually take place in the Cziffra Hall (quintets, quartets, trios). This year’s themes center on Mozart, unknown Italian baroque composers (Perti, Stradella, Scarlatti) and Russian composition from the 20th century (Rachmaninov and Chostakovitch)
www.chaise-dieu.com

August 27 to September 2 – Dijon (Burgundy)
"Folkloriades Internationales et Fêtes de la Vigne" – Annual folkloric dance and music festival and wine fair, with participants from throughout the world. www.fetesdelavigne.com (French only) www.ot-dijon.fr

September 1 & 2 – Lille (Nord-Pas-de-Calais)
"Grande Braderie de Lille" - Every year, the first weekend of September sees Lille turn into one massive car boot sale where locals come and sell all manner of unwanted items and second hand goods on the city’s pavements. Dating back to the Middle Ages, the Grande Braderie is the biggest event in the region, and one that attracts some two million bargain hunters every year. From cheap junk to antique furniture and kitsch ornaments, there is something for everyone. Haggling is de rigueur of course, but even for those just browsing, the party atmosphere is terrific, making this a must see event for anyone visiting the region at that time of year. www.theotherside.co.uk

September 3 to October 15 – Ile-de-France
"Festival Ile-de-France" - France's most popular region, with Paris as its capital, features a festival of contemporary music, literature, theatre, painting and circus performances. www.festival-ile-de-france.com (French only) www.pidf.com

September 7 to October 20 – France
"Rugby World Cup 2007" - The United States, as well as Argentina, Australia, Canada, England, Fiji, France, Ireland, Italy, New Zealand, Romania, Samoa, Scotland, South Africa and Wales have qualified for this world cup which is one of the biggest sporting events in the world. With 48 matches in the stadiums of 12 cities in France and Great Britain--10 of which are in France, they will be watched by an estimated 2,5 million spectators and up to 4 billion television viewers. The cities in France and Great Britain are: Bordeaux, Cardiff, Edinburgh, Lens, Lyon, Marseille, Montpellier, Nantes, Paris, Saint-Denis, Saint-Etienne, Toulouse - www.rugbyworldcup.com

Early September – Deauville (Normandy)
"Festival of American Cinema" - Previews of the year's best American films, with actors and producers invited to participate. There is a competition to choose the masterpieces of American independent cinema. www.festival-deauville.com

Mid September – France
"Journées du Patrimoine" - Open house and free admission to the nation's historical monuments, including public and private buildings not usually open to the public. www.journeesdupatrimoine.culture.fr (French only) www.culture.fr

September to December – Paris
"Paris Fall Festival" - Annual Parisian autumn festival featuring theater, ballet, film retrospectives, music, opera and exhibitions in different venues throughout the city and close environs. www.festival-automne.com

September – Toulouse (Midi-Pyrénées)
"Piano aux Jacobins" - Piano recitals festival at Toulouse's prestigious 13th-century Jacobins Cloisters. www.pianojacobins.com (French only) www.ot-toulouse.fr

September – Médoc (Aquitaine)
"Marathon des Châteaux du Médoc et des Graves" – A unique marathon through the Bordeaux/Médoc area and its legendary wine villages, châteaux estates and vineyards, where the first and last to arrive at the finish line are honored in the same way: instead of a cash prize, they receive their weight’s worth in great wines. The spirit of this marathon is to have fun. Music, costumed runners, partying, food, and of course wine, are a regular staple. www.marathondumedoc.com

September – Lyon (Rhône-Alpes)
"International Biennial Dance Festival" – The festival gathers the world’s finest choreographers in Lyon, for 20 days of performance. www.biennale-de-lyon.org

September to October – Versailles (Ile-de-France)
"Mondial de l'Automobile" – The Paris International Motor Show takes place every two years and is open to the general public. www.pidf.com

October 1 to 31 – Toulouse (Midi-Pyrénées)
"Toulouse les Orgues International Festival" – The event celebrates organ music with a diverse range of concerts and performances. Taking place each autumn since 1996, the festival has grown each year and now includes a program of approximately 60 events taking place in Toulouse and the Midi-Pyrenees region. But the event is about more than just music and visitors are invited to enjoy the area’s beautiful countryside and gastronomic treats through a series of planned events. www.ot-toulouse.fr

October – Paris
"Nuit Blanche" – The project’s aim is to organize nocturnal events and activities in various public buildings and venues in and around Paris, including museums, libraries, monuments, places of worship, tourist sights, cinemas, parks and gardens, hospitals and universities. It's a great opportunity to discover the wonders of Paris by night. www.parisinfo.com

October to November – Paris
"Paris Banlieue Tango Festival" – Tango takes over the Paris environs during this festival that includes concerts, dancing, music and singing workshops, cinema and video, art exhibitions, photography, theater, debates, lectures, food and cabaret evenings. http://pbta.free.fr

October to November – Normandy
"October in Normandy" - Over 200 events with classical and modern music, theatre and dance in 20 sites around Haute-Normandie. www.octobre-en-normandie.com (French only) www.normandy-tourism.org

October – Perpignan (Languedoc-Roussillon)
"Jazzèbre" – Throughout the month of October, Perpignan is the center for jazz, from contemporary, salsa and blues to bossa nova and international jazz. Surrounding vineyards have adopted the festival and offer jazz and wine theme itineraries and excursions. www.jazzebre.com (French only) www.perpignantourisme.com

October – Nancy (Lorraine)
"Nancy Jazz Pulsations" – For more than 30 years, Nancy has played host to a prestigious group of international jazz performers during this two-week jazz festival. Over 70,000 have enjoyed performances in jazz, blues, rock, pop, reggae, chanson, world, hip-hop, and electronic music. www.nancyjazzpulsations.com

October – Paris
"Montmartre Harvest Festival" – Montmartre invites everyone to celebrate the arrival of the precious “Clos Montmartre” wine. Sip the 2005 vintage and enjoy the highlights of this classic tradition: displays of regional produce, street musicians and singers, the election of the Harvest queen and a parade dedicated to Bacchus. www.fetedesvendangesdemontmartre.com (French only) or www.parisinfo.com

October – Reims (Champagne)
"International Reims Marathon" – Organization of five races on the same day: marathon, half-marathon, the 10k run, and two races designed for teenagers. http://reimsatoutesjambes.fr

October to November – Troyes (Champagne)
"Champagne Nights Festival" - This festival celebrates French songs and songwriters and focuses on a different composer each year. www.nuitsdechampagne.com (French only) www.abcoffrance.com.

November – Reims (Champagne)
"The Reims Jazz Festival" - The Reims Jazz Festival dates back to 1994 and hosts a variety of innovative jazz (contemporary, fusion, etc.) concerts throughout the city. www.djaz51.com (French only) www.reims-tourisme.com

November – Lyon (Rhône-Alpes)
"Fête de la Chataigne" - The chestnut fair is a tradition that dates back to the 19th century in Lyon. As soon as autumn makes an appearance in Lyon, stalls carousels, and a Ferris wheel with fantastic night-time views over the city center, are set up at the top of the Boulevard de la Croix-Rousse. The fair always starts just before the Toussaint (All Souls Day) holiday and lasts for a month. www.en.lyon-france.com

November to December – Montbéliard (Franche-Comté)
"Les Lumières de Noël" – A veritable sea of lights in Montbéliard during the most festive season of the year. One of the best Christmas markets of the area, Montbéliard offers a range of activities and attractions including pastry-making workshops for children, Christmas decorations and lights, chocolate tastings, sleigh rides, warm wine tastings and more. http://lumieresdenoel.fr

November to December – Alsace
"Traditional Christmas markets" in 35 cities and smaller towns throughout the region. The festive outdoor markets offer Christmas trees and decorations, seasonal preserves and sweets, as well as decorative objects for nativity scenes, local crafts, toys and gifts. The oldest Christmas market, held for 432 years, is in Strasbourg, the capital of Alsace. www.noel-alsacetourisme.com (French language only)

November – Dijon (Burgundy)
"Dijon International and Gastronomic Fair" - With over 500 exhibitors and 200,000 visitors every year, the International and Gastronomic Fair is one of the ten most important fairs in France. www.dijon-expocongres.com

November – Beaune (Burgundy)
"Les Trois Glorieuses" - Prestigious three-day international Burgundy wine auction in the renowned 15th-century Hospices de Beaune, with events at the Clos de Vougeot and in Meursault. www.ot-beaune.fr

Mid November – France
"Fête du Beaujolais Nouveau" – Cities and towns throughout France celebrate the new wine on the day it’s released. Tradition dictates that massive barrels of Beaujolais Nouveau be pierced at midnight, releasing a torrent of wine for the thirsty. www.beaujolaisgourmand.com

December – Lyon (Rhône-Alpes)
"Festival of Light" - For over 150 years, the city’s residents place candles on their window sills and balconies in celebration of the season. Over the years, the festival has grown to include illuminations throughout the city. See Lyon transform and transcend by light. www.en.lyon-france.com




Contact: Katherine Johnstone
Tel: (212) 745-0966
katherine.johnstone@franceguide.com

Euro-bike & Walking Tours new budget programs

In response to requests from people interested in a "simpler life" while on an active vacation, Euro-Bike & Walking Tours has created a new pocket-book friendly category of bicycle tours in France and throughout Europe. After more than 30 years of organizing luxury tours in Europe, the company's 2007 tour lineup now features a new category of Budget bicycle tours. Designed for the traveler who puts less importance on glamorous accommodations and numerous group dinners, these tours are priced 40 percent lower than EB&WT's standard Luxury tours. "We've heard from many people who are happy to stay in more humble accommodations and prefer to have more nights on their own, and we've listened", said René Hoeve, president of Euro-Bike & Walking Tours. "We hope these new Budget tours will also allow people on tighter budgets to travel with us and learn what a great experience a group cycling tour in Europe can be." Budget departures are available on EB&WT's Burgundy, Bordeaux-Dordogne, La Loire, Normandy & Brittany Coast and A Taste of Provence bike tours in France as well as numerous other itineraries throughout Europe. Whether people choose Budget tours for their economical appeal or for the pure joy of experiencing Europe's simpler side, these trips are great for families, couples and solo travelers. Budget tour hotels fall in the 2- and 3-star range. The only other difference between Budget and Luxury tours is that Budget tours will include two multi-course dinners with wine. Luxury tours remain unchanged, featuring top quality hotels. These tours also continue to boast four or five dinners. Holding a middle ground between Budget and Luxury tours, EB&WT has included Comfort tours in its 2007 lineup. These tours boast 3-star or better hotels and include three dinners. Adding the third category of tours means 2007 has more departure dates than ever. "Euro-Bike & Walking Tours is committed to giving people a choice", Hoeve said. "With more departures and more luxury level options, we're confident we'll see many new happy faces on our tours." Budget, Comfort and Luxury tours all offer the same outstanding guides, routes, support van and all the extras EB&WT customers have come to enjoy over the years. Euro-Bike & Walking Tours has been leading active vacations in Europe since 1974. All tours are fully supported and feature exclusive routes, luggage transfer and 24-hour assistance from our multi-lingual European guides. The company offers cycling and walking vacations in 15 European countries and New Zealand, with additional choices for private groups interested in a custom tour. For a free catalog or more information about Euro-Bike & Walking Tours visit the Web site at www.eurobike.com or call (800) 321-6060. For information contact: Kathy Guyer (800) 321-6060 or (815) 758-8851 info@eurobike.com

The Islands of Guadeloupe

Located in the French Caribbean, Guadeloupe is actually two islands that are narrowly separated by a sea strait known as the Salée River.

Grande Terre, on the eastern side, has beautiful white-sand beaches that surround vast fields of sugarcane and tropical fruits.

Basse Terre, to the west, is mountainous and covered with a lush tropical rainforest.

The smaller islands of Les Saintes, Marie-Galante and La Désirade sit to the south with St. Martin and St. Barthelemy a bit further to the north.

Along with many water sports and seaside activities, Guadeloupe offers exciting eco-tourism adventures that include hikes to the top of the still-active volcano, La Soufrière.

With over 200 marked trails, nature enthusiasts can venture under the forest's canopy, over suspension bridges and through luxurious vegetation to towering waterfalls, grassy wetlands and mangrove-covered coastlines.

In the port city of Pointe-à-Pitre, the Darse open-air market is always bustling and is great place to find local crafts and specialties. The place de la Victoire is lined with Creole houses, 100-year old royal palms, cafés and small shops. The lively nightlife is centered around the Marina where bars and restaurants line the waterfront.

The people of Guadeloupe are proud of their cultural heritage and traditions. Music and dance reflect their African and European origins and a large number of festivals are held throughout the year.

Carnival has been celebrated since the 17th century and the Cooks Festival features the excellent cuisine of the island. Cod fish fritters, Creole black pudding, poached crayfish and conch are among Guadeloupe's signature dishes.

For a quieter, hidden-away stay, the off-islands of Les Saintes, La Désirade and Marie-Galante can be reached by ferry or plane. These charming islands offer fishing villages, old windmills, friendly people and simple fare.

Though some 150 miles to the north, St. Martin and St. Barthélémy are officially under the administrative jurisdiction of Guadeloupe.

St. Martin is the smallest island in the world ruled by two countries, France and the Netherlands.

The story goes that Frenchman started walking from the north and the Dutchman from the south where they met became the international boundary. The island boasts beautiful beaches and fine French restaurants.

St. Barthélémy, or St. Bart, is considered to be one of the chicest islands in the world. This long-time hotspot for the rich and famous only covers eight square miles, but is the place to rent an upscale villa or small beach-front hotel.

Château des Ducs de Bretagne Celebrates Reopening

After 15 years of restoration, Nante's Château des Ducs de Bretagne is finally reopening to the public on February 9th, 2007, with a brand new museum dedicated to the history of Nantes. Constructed in the 13th century on the site of Gallo-Roman ruins (which are still visible!), this stunning castle sits on the right bank of the Loire River. Queen Anne de Bretagne grew up in the Castle and Henri IV chose to stay here on his way to sign the famous Edict of Nantes. It was declared a Historic Monument of France in 1862. As one crosses its moat via the drawbridge, the royal hallways lead to the great rooms of the dukes, and the central government of yore, culminating in the Tower of the Iron Horse and that of the Golden Crown, with their spectacular views of the city. In this castle, spectacular Gothic and Renaissance architecture intermingle.

The museum's collection of 800 works is spread throughout 32 of the castle's rooms, and multimedia displays describe the histories of the Loire's estuary, of the castle, of Nantes and the region, and their modern development. Nantes is the capital of the Pays de La Loire region. It is a city at once historically rich and richly modern, with its new Palais de Justice designed by renowned architect Jean Nouvel.

Upcoming exhibitions include:
"France-Nouvelle France, Birth of a French People in America," which retraces the history of French immigration towards the Americas, in collaboration with the Museum of Montreal. (March 10 - June 10, 2007)

And,

"Anne de Bretagne, Builder." (30 June - 30 September, 2007)
Admission:
6 euro; 3 euro reduced price; groups 15 or larger, 4.50 euro.
Free for those under 18, the unemployed, disabled persons, and school/university groups.
The entire museum is accessible to disabled visitors, as are sections of the ramparts.
Parts of museum are accessible for visitors with impaired vision.

How to get there: TGV Paris: 2 hours--Roissy Charles de Gaulle Airport: 2:50

Contacts :
Château des Ducs de Bretagne
Tel : (from US) 011 -33-2 51 17 49 99
Tel: (from inside France) 02 51 17 49 99
www.chateau-nantes.fr

Tourist Office of Nantes
Tel: (from US) 011-33-2 40 20 60 03 or 07
Tel: (from inside France) 02 40 20 60 03 or 07
www.nantes-tourisme.com

Greece - Carnival

By the word Carnival – Latin in origin, the corresponding Greek word being apókreo or apokria) – we mean the three-week period before Ash Monday when it is the custom to masquerade. Literally “Apokria” means to say goodbye to the period of meat-eating, or abstinence from meat (Apo-kreo = away from meat). In the same way the word “Carnival” is made up from the words carne = meat and vale = take leave of.

Carnival is essentially the period leading up to Lent and the preparation for the biggest holiday of Christianity, Easter. It allows people to have some fun before Lent starts on Ash Monday. During Lent Christians fast to mentally and physically prepare themselves to participate in the Passion of Christ during Holy Week.

The roots of the Carnival customs can be traced back to antiquity. They are related to the celebrations in honour of the god Dionysus, where enthusiasm, gaiety and banter prevailed. When Christianity became the dominant religion, elements of ancient Greek worship were incorporated into the customs and traditions pertaining to the period before Lent.

Since the 19th century, Carnival starts on the Sunday of Teloni and Fariséou and ends on Shrovetide Sunday. In the past, the festive atmosphere was created by groups of masqueraded people who at night roamed the streets and the neighbourhoods, singing ribald and satirical songs. However, with the passage of time, standardised celebrations with fancy costumes and floats organised by the local communities prevailed to a larger or smaller extent, to the detriment of the older, more spontaneous celebrations.

However, carnival is closely related to the cultural heritage of each region and in many parts of the country substantial efforts have been made in recent years to revive traditional carnival customs. Dominant elements in these customs are the phallus symbols and satire, which centres on local events or focuses on current Greek and international issues.

The most important carnival in Greece is held in Patras. The carnival festivities start each year on the 17th of January and end on the last Sunday of Carnival with the burning at the stake of the King of Carnival and a big parade of floats and costumed groups.

Greece - Cultural Events & Festivals

Throughout the year, but especially during summer, hundreds of cultural events are held and scores of bigger or smaller festivals are being organised, involving all forms of art. Major Greek and foreign artists take part in these events, presenting works covering a wide range of art production (classical and modern).

Some of the most important events are held under the auspices of the Hellenic Festival that, during the summer months, organises the Athens Festival, the Epidaurus Festival (theatre) and “Musical July” (in Epidaurus), which are considered to be among the most significant art festivals of the European continent.

Of particular interest are the events held at the Athens Concert Hall, which boasts one of the most modern concert halls in the world, and at the Thessaloniki Concert Hall.

Highly interesting are the productions of the Greek National Opera during both winter and summer seasons. As for the theatre, apart from private companies and the Municipal and Regional Theatres, the two national theatres, the National Theatre of Greece in Athens and the National Theatre of Northern Greece in Thessaloniki, stage very interesting plays.

In Thessaloniki, the International Thessaloniki Film Festival, which in recent years has become one of the major regional festivals in Europe, is held every November, while every year in May the Thessaloniki Book Fair is held.

New Zealand in Top Ten Travel Destinations

Renowned travel guide Lonely Planet has once again ranked New Zealand in the top ten travel destinations in the world.

New Zealand was ranked the number two 'favourite destination' of travellers worldwide, according to new book Lonely Planet Bluelist 2007, following Australia, and ahead of Britain, Thailand, Greece, Italy and the US. A number of New Zealand locations and activities also gained a mention in the book, with Lonely Planet Bluelist 2007 devoting a double-page spread to New Zealand.

'This recognition for New Zealand is all the more important as it comes from the people who are experiencing it first-hand,' says George Hickton, Tourism New Zealand Chief Executive. 'The world is moving more and more towards listening to what those who are experiencing the product have to say - blogs, podcasts and web forums are becoming increasingly important in spreading the word about destinations. I am delighted that New Zealand has been ranked so highly.'

Lonely Planet Bluelist 2007 is an annual book capturing the hottest trends, destinations, journeys and experiences for the year ahead, as recommended by Lonely Planet staff, authors, and travellers themselves. The 'favourite destination' list was compiled from a worldwide poll of 32,000 travellers.

Wellington is listed as one of the world's top 10 'Cities on the Rise' and recommended as 'gaining in reputation as a place to be in the southern hemisphere'. Diving the Rainbow Warrior is listed as one of the top ten dive experiences in the world, while tramping the Milford Track is one of the best 'slow travel' adventures in the world.

Mr Hickton says the high ranking is the result of the collective efforts of the New Zealand tourism industry. 'Our industry works very hard to ensure the quality of the tourism experience in New Zealand is as high as possible. This award is another endorsement of this hard work'.

Further information:

Cas Carter
Corporate Communications
Tourism New Zealand
Phone +64 4 917 5410

New Zealand's warmest months: a time for foodies

New Zealand's summer and autumn months offer a myriad of festivals for culinary enthusiasts showcasing some of the country's best food and wine.

Food and wine festivals throughout New Zealand provide good opportunities to taste regional specialties.

The seventh Organic River Festival promotes sustainable living over a weekend of organic food and wine, entertainment, and workshops on topics such as alternative power sources. The event is held in Levin, just north of Wellington, on 27 and 28 January 2007.

Wellington hosts Pinot Noir 2007 from 29 January - 1 February. The event will see 500 of the world's most influential wine commentators and producers gather for four days of eating, drinking, talking and celebrating New Zealand's top red wine.

For a truly New Zealand experience, the Kawhia Kai Festival on 3 February 2007 offers traditional and modern Maori kai (food) such as shark liver sausages, mutton bird, paua (abalone) and hangi (food cooked in a hot earth oven).

The festival, held in Kawhia on the west coast of the North Island, will also feature kapa haka performances, ta moko (tattoo) demonstrations, music, art, carving and weaving.

Harvest Hawke's Bay is one of New Zealand's largest food and wine celebrations with 25 wineries opening their doors from 3-4 February 2007 to showcase their award winning wines. The 12-year-old festival also features live entertainment and art exhibitions.

Auckland's Waiheke Island Wine Festival will be a day of wine, gourmet food and New Zealand music. Wines will be presented by 18 of Waiheke Island's vineyards on 10 February 2007.
At the top of the South Island, the annual Wine Marlborough Festival will also be on held on 10 February. More than 200 wines from 40 wineries will be showcased, with the opportunity to meet some of New Zealand's leading wine makers during wine tutorials.

For something different, the Hokitika Wildfoods Festival on 10 March 2007 celebrates the West Coast's unique lifestyle, food and hospitality. Festival-goers can sample gourmet 'bush tucker' such as worms, seagull eggs, mako shark, emu meat, whitebait, ostrich meat, octopus, eel and mutton bird.

The Bluff Oyster and Southland Seafood Festival on 21 and 22 April 2007 showcases Southland seafood and wine with the star of the show being the Bluff oyster. The programme also includes oyster shucking and eating competitions, wearable arts competitions, and the Southern Seas Ball.

Top chefs and winemakers from New Zealand and around the world will host culinary classes at Savour New Zealand from 27-29 April 2007. The Christchurch event will also feature a Cuisine Symposium where guest commentators will discuss sustainable agriculture and New Zealand's potential to lead the world in this area.

Top Seven Scenic Cruises of a Lifetime - Holland America

Some of the most picturesque scenery in the world is reachable only via cruise ship, and Holland America Line continues to offer the most diverse itineraries afloat with spectacular scenic cruising -- from the fjords of Norway to the fall foliage of New England, from the active Kilauea volcano to the mystical glaciers of Antarctica. And though some destinations are reachable from land, there's no more breathtaking or unique perspective than from the sea.

Touching nearly every corner of the globe, Holland America's fleet of 13 ships explores virtually every type of pictorial geographic display imaginable, making the line a pioneer in offering cruises to all seven continents. With a variety of scenic backdrops comes even more varied wildlife, and guests on nearly every cruise can observe animals on land and in the sea, including polar bears, penguins, dolphins and orcas.

"Holland America's ships offer the widest array of cruises with the most impressive landscapes nature has to offer," said Richard D. Meadows, CTC, executive vice president, marketing, sales and guest programs for Holland America Line. "For those who are collectors of sights and sounds, there's nothing more rewarding than a cruise packed with scenery that creates an unforgettable memory."

With hundreds of cruises each year offering ultimate scenic experiences, selecting the right cruise can be overwhelming. To help the novice traveler or the connoisseur looking for something new, Holland America Line has compiled its list of the "Top Seven Scenic Cruises of a Lifetime."

Alaskan Glaciers: Alaska cruises continue to be as popular as ever, not only for their breathtaking views and natural wonders, but also because The Last Frontier state remains a region best viewed from the sea. Holland America Line sails eight ships in the region on varying itineraries to accommodate the high demand. In addition to the calving glaciers of colossal heights that leave spectators in awe, guests are treated to an abundance of wildlife, including soaring eagles, breaching whales, brown bears and roaming caribou.

With more than 100 cruises visiting Glacier Bay National Park annually -- more than any other cruise line -- Holland America Line fills each Alaskan cruise with plenty of visuals for the photo album. The stunning Hubbard Glacier of Wrangell-St. Elias National Park highlights numerous cruises. College Fjord, Tracy Arm and Mendenhall Glacier are featured on the different itineraries, along with calls at popular Alaskan favorites such as Juneau, Skagway, Sitka and Ketchikan.

Antarctica and the Chilean Fjords: A journey that few in the world are fortunate enough to make, guests travel to the ends of civilization in luxury while witnessing the sights and sounds of Antarctica that promise imposing views and once-in-a-lifetime encounters. On select South America itineraries the mysteries and marvels of Antarctica are explored for three days of cruising, including the Neumayer and Lemaire channels, known as "Kodak Gap" for its dramatic scenery. Penguins gliding down icecaps into the sea and island-sized glaciers are ethereal sights that leave visitors in admiration of the secluded continent.

Voyages to the ice-capped fjords of South America treat guests to some of the most impressive scenery in all of travel. Sailing two different itineraries ranging from 16 to 20 days, Holland America Line ships make their way to South America and showcase a dazzling assortment of nature's finest. As albatross soar over the water, guests marvel at the unearthly beauty of the Chilean fjords via the Darwin Channel and Strait of Magellan.

Another 'once- in-a-lifetime' adventure awaits those on the Chilean Fjords sailings -- scenic cruising past historic Cape Horn. Passable at only certain times of the year due to fierce weather conditions, journeying to the Cape remains a milestone in sailing cultures.

Fall Foliage: On fall voyages to New England and eastern Canada, guests will be greeted by the world's ultimate palette of colors with panoramic views of leaves changing from emerald green to hues of ruby, amber and gold. As summer turns to autumn, seven- to 15-day itineraries sail along the East Coast of North America for the unparalled annual display of fall foliage. Each itinerary ensures there is plenty of time to sample some Maine lobster, hunt for antiques and capture the vibrant leaves on film. Scenic cruising along the St. Lawrence River and Saguenay Fjord -- some of the most stunning and marine- rich environments in the world – highlight the sailings.

New Zealand Fiords and Australia: For fiords of a different color, sail throughout New Zealand to the Fiordland National Park via the Dusky, Doubtful and Milford sounds, and explore the verdant hills and snow-sprinkled mountaintops of the region. Sailing on 14- to 18-day itineraries during the summer months of October through February south of the equator, the lush sounds of New Zealand are a photographer's paradise boasting tree-covered peaks and a picturesque backdrop to the warm-weather cruises. Also on these cruises, passengers will experience an amazing view of White Island Volcano - New Zealand's most active volcano -- and its frequent explosive eruptions. The island is home to a large colony of Australian Gannets, and marine life can be seen in the area including whales and dolphins.

Additionally, guests on these cruises will be treated to the cosmopolitan sights of Australia. Often called the most spectacular harbor in the world to enter via a cruise ship, Sydney's famed Opera House and Sydney Harbour Bridge await guests on deck and evoke the spirit of "G'Day!" Whether a sunrise or sunset approach, the breathtaking view is sure to be a favorite vacation memory.

Kilauea Volcano and Hawaii: Always guaranteed to produce a buzz from passengers, there's no greater natural demonstration than a volcano spewing lava into the night sky. Holland America has three itineraries in Hawaii with evening cruising to show off Kilauea, one of the most active volcanoes on Earth. Most eruptions are relatively gentle, with red sparks popping and lava flowing from fountains ranging from a few to a few hundred feet. The view from the deck of a Holland America ship allows a closer observation of the fiery eruptions than from land.

The Hawaiian Islands themselves attract visitors from around the globe for their supreme beauty. Obtaining a glimpse of the tropical paradise from the sea allows guests to capture panoramic views and appreciate the flora and fauna on a larger scale. Scenic cruising past the Na Pali coast off Kauai treats onlookers to the vision of unusual rugged cliffs and valleys that end abruptly at the sea. Numerous sea caves, small beaches and high waterfalls add to the beauty and uniqueness of the landscape

Norwegian Fjords: Plying the popular Norwegian fjords route, Holland America Line offers two different itineraries to the Land of the Midnight Sun in Europe's summer months. Cobalt blue glaciers along uninhabited inlets and the imposing beauty of jagged walls of glacier ice surround the ship as it weaves among the vistas and steep cliffs that adorn the coast of Norway. And with 24 hours of sunlight during the summer, guests are treated to late-night scenic cruising around the North Cape, a region known as the "top of the world," with visibility as if it were the afternoon.

Panama Canal: Slicing through the heart of Central America, the Panama
Canal opened in 1914, shaving some 9,000 miles from the trip around Cape Horn. Today, the man-made marvel continues to connect the Atlantic and Pacific oceans -- providing a sight that still leaves those who traverse it in wonder. The path of the canal is lined in a lush jungle canopy, juxtaposed with the machinery of the locks that raises and lowers the ships making the transit possible. With numerous departures during the traditional spring and fall repositioning seasons, as well as both full and partial transits, this special passage continues to be an awe-inspiring favorite.

Both the 2007 and 2008 Holland America sailing schedules offer a variety of cruises to these top seven adventures. The line also offers an assortment of other scenic cruise experiences throughout the world, including the South Pacific, Les Calanques in the South of France, the Cliffs of Dover, Italy's Strait of Messina and Stromboli Volcano, Suez Canal, Cape of Good Hope, the Amazon River, Sierra de la Giganta in the Baja Peninsula and Kuril Islands in Asia.

Whether guests are looking to experience the beauty of nature they've only seen in photos or see firsthand the workings of man-made marvels such as the Panama Canal, Holland America Line features something for everyone. And with on-board programming complementing the itineraries with local naturalists and experts, destination-specific lecturers and live commentary on deck, each unique journey is sure to leave an imprint as the ultimate scenic cruise.

For cruise brochures or for more information, consult a professional travel agent, call 877-SAIL-HAL (877-724-5425) or visit http://www.hollandamerica.com .