Altea de Bourgogne, Beaune

Advantages: Plenty of vineyards and chateaus
Disadvantages: Older kids may find it boring

...I have been to France many times, always visiting the Dordogne area which I love, but our friends recommended Burgundy for a change of scenery and gastronomy. We went to the Burgundy region in October 2004 for a week, self catering in a wonderfully topsy turvy farmhouse, set in 3000sq metres of garden in a hilly village near Burgundy's wine capital Beaune, with 3 vineyards within walking distance. October was quite a nice month to visit, as the grapes had all been harvested and the autumn colours were just starting to settle in. The weather was fine, slightly breezy and thankfully only rained on our last day. We drove using Eurotunnel from Folkestone to Calais, and then began the long haul down to Burgundy. It seemed like a very long drive, and we have driven to the Dordogne many times, so I knew to expect very straight boring roads... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful

Advantages: Sun, sea, sand and sangria
Disadvantages: Benidorm is like Blackpool

...to depart. Taxi'd out to the runway, and whaddya know - hit by a snow shower - taxi back to the terminal to de-ice the wings :-} We arrived in Alicante without further delay, and were allocated a hotel called Albir Gardens and ushered to the right coach quite efficiently, which took around 40 minutes to get to the hotel. We found ourselves in a place called (not surprisingly) Albir, which was about 5 miles out of Benidorm, and about a 20 minute walk to the seafront. The area is quite pleasant, without the plethora of skyscrapers as found in Benidorm - the hotel itself only about 2 storeys high, with some rooms in the main building above and around reception, but many in small blocks away from the main building, mainly around the pool area. These blocks had 3 seperate entrances with 3 apartments (or was it 4) per floor per entrance. The rooms... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful

Advantages: Great Weather, Scenery, Food, People, Culture, Beaches
Disadvantages: Benidorm is spoilt,Some parts over-run, Crime Rate,

.... People were even swimming in the sea Boxing Day. I must say the North Costa Blanca is my favourite by along way.I found the South dry and flat.The North has beautiful lush green mountains and valleys.After my first visit to the North,I fell in love with the area and have since been back 10 times.I even bought a house in Denia as my heart is now there.The North also has beautiful beaches and contrasting beaches.Denia for example has sandy beaches in the north and rugged rocky beaches to the south.There are many little coves up roads that are waiting to be discovered.Even in July I found small coves that I had all to myself. The north has so much to offer.It is not as built up as the south and has white washed villas set around mountains and the orange groves.There are beautiful Spanish villages a few miles inland and fantastic beaches.Altea... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average very helpful