Travel routes

FRANCE: The Grande Corniche (French Riviera)

Between Nice and Menton the mountains plunge sharply down to the sea. Running along these heights are three famous routes: the Grande Corniche, the Moyenne Corniche and the Basse Corniche. The first affords the most stunning views, climbing to 1,476ft/450m. The second offers beautiful vistas along the shore; while the third provides access to the coastal resorts.

FRANCE: the Route du Mimosa, festive wintertime!

Till the end of March, millions of downy yellow flowers with a heady fragrance cover the hills and dales of the Côte d'Azur. From Bormes-les-Mimosas to Grasse, this itinerary will allow you to discover all the aspects of mimosa so typical of the Belle Époque.

FRANCE: the Côte Bleue from Martigues to Marseilles

Between Martigues and Marseilles, the Côte Bleue boasts a succession of fishing harbours, small creeks and beaches, nestling against the Estaque chain.

SWITZERLAND : Weekend in Gstaad and in the Vaudois Alps

A three day weekend in view! Looking for a change of scenery and fresh air? So why not Switzerland, the Vaudois Alps and a detour to Gstaad! Scenery above all known for its winter wonderland atmosphere but which is also splendid in spring. Peacefulness ensured. This 56 miles round trip can easily be done in one day, but to fully enjoy it we recommend two days.

GERMANY: Lake Constance, easy living in Germany

Still underrated elsewhere, Lake Constance is considered by the Germans to be their very own “Riviera”… To discover this rare, protected site, I recommend taking the inshore road to make the most of the many vistas over the lake and chain of the Alps.

Cotswolds

Rising gently from the Upper Thames Valley in the southeast to a dramatic escarpment overlooking the Severn Vale in the west, the Cotswolds cover around 770sq mi/2,000sq km, encapsulating rural England in concentrated form. Airy open uplands, sheltered in places by stately belts of beech trees, alternate with deep valleys enfolding venerable golden limestone villages and small county towns. This tour runs north through some of the region’s most delightful small towns and villages towards the escarpment above Broadway with its spectacular views.

SPAIN: The Trafalgar coast, the Andalusian Caribbean

Once neglected by tourist promoters, the section of coastline stretching between Chiclana, south of Cadiz, and Tarifa, on the southern tip of Andalusia, is on the way to becoming a Mecca for surfers and the favourite destination of many tourists looking for more authentic holidays, rooted in the land.