Hostellerie Le Castellas, Collias

Advantages: Eat, drink and shop....
Disadvantages: ....until you drop

...the Hostellerie des Trois Mousquetaires at Aire-sur-la-Lys to the east of St Omer (0033 321 39 01 11), but again I don't; both seem to me to be pitched at a certain type of English tourist with pretensions, among whom I would not like to think of myself as numbered. Some way south of St Omer but worth a mention is the little town of St Pol-sur-Ternoise, where the Hotel Le Lion d'Or (0033 321 03 10 44) offered excellent value when I was last there, admittedly some years ago. LE TOUQUET-PARIS-PLAGE. South down the coast from Boulogne, this is a stylish resort in the summer, a rather chilly wind-swept one in the winter. It boasts plenty of hotels in every price-range but, for reasons that escape me, I've never stayed there. If you want a period experience - the period being early in the last century when Le Touquet had cachet - I'm told it's worth trying... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average very helpful

Advantages: beautiful, cheap, unspoilt
Disadvantages: roads are mad!

...a beautiful beach and plenty of quaint little village type shops which sell everything from designer clothes to cattle food and guns!! There are no big shops nearby though, so to do a big food shop entails a trip to the nearest 'big' town - Vianna. There is not much in terms of nightlife, you would have to go into Vianna De Castella which is about 1/2 hours drive away, or go into Porto, which is about 1 1/2 hours away!! To visit this area also requires a hire car!! Public transport is very limited, but it is very cheap!! If you decide to hire a car or moped beware - Portuguese roads are hazardous compared to England!!!! It is normal for drivers to do 70 on tiny little winding roads, overtake on blind spots and bends and leave very little space between yourself and whoever is behind you - they define the term tailgating!!!! Go to Ponte De Lima... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful

Advantages: Quiet
Disadvantages: Not for the faint hearted, expensive

...Le cerceuil - the coffin in English is a surreal experience. It is kitted out with coffins, with wreaths all around and beer is served in pottery skulls (le crane). The beer is pricey, the atmosphere bizarre, and it seems to be a favourite with couples. I was assured by the barman that the furnishings came from a closing down sale at an undertakers, but the whole thing was too surreal for words. I'd would advise going there for a look, but wouldn't advise staying there too long. There are plenty of other better bars, which are a good deal less bizarre.... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average somewhat helpful