Pierre & Vacances Village Belle Dune, Fort-Mahon-Plage

Advantages: Accessible, attractive, atmospheric
Disadvantages: Covers too small an area

...for adults is €9.90, about £7, but it is a natural haven covering several square kilometres, with way-marked paths, hides and plenty of educational aids for ornithological amateurs, so one feels one is supporting a good cause. On the other side of the bay there is the Bird House (Maison de l'Oiseau) museum just outside Cayeux. Slightly further afield, if you were staying several days and looking for outings, are the battlefield of Crecy, the Abbey and excellent gardens at Valloires, the chateau at Rambures and golf and a water-park at Belle-Dune, near Fort Mahon Plage. The town of Abbeville has a more attractive centre that its drab outskirts lead on to expect, and two charming gardens (Emonville and Bagatelle). But none of these is strictly speaking in the bay of the Somme. * Where to stay * As always in France, there are numerous... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average very helpful

Advantages: holiday apartments, ideal for families, a lot of activities
Disadvantages: expensive extras

...This year, we spent two weeks of our summer vacation in France, in a club village of Pierre et Vacances. Pierre et Vacances is the largest company offering holiday apartments and holiday homes in France (if not in the whole of Europe) with more than 60 locations (residences, hotels and club villages). Most of the locations can be found at the French south coast (Provence, Côte d'Azur, Languedoc-Roussillon), but there is a large choice available at the Atlantic coast, in Normandy and Brittany, as well as a few locations in Paris and in the French Alps. There are studios for two, apartments for four, six or eight, and houses for 10 persons, all built in the regional style, furnished appropriately and quite cosy. There are two-, three- and four-star locations (the stars are called suns at Pierre et Vacances). Depending on the location... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful

Advantages: A delightful part of Edinburgh
Disadvantages: Current unfinished development

...In the 4th Century the Emperor of Rome established a small fortress called Cramond. Cramond in old Roman speak means “The Fort on the River Almond”” Cramond Village is situated on the estuary where the river Almond enters the Firth of Forth. It is a small suburb of Edinburgh, about 5 miles away from the city. I lived in Cramond between the years 1977 and 1982, I visited Cramond from 1968 onwards, mostly because my Grandparents lived there. I have very vivid memories: ~~ Racing my Border Collie “Bobby” across the sand dunes, turning north onto the wet sand which the abating sea had uncovered. I remember the afternoon sun biting my back and the salt air nipping my eyes as I ran, faster and faster in my feeble attempt to catch him. We raced alongside the esplanade to Cramond Island where upon arrival I... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful