Kirker Holidays launches first-ever dedicated brochure to France

Nov. 8, 2012 - PRLog -- Specialist tour operator Kirker Holidays has launched its first-ever dedicated brochure to France. Brimming with suggestions for short breaks and multi-centre itineraries to all four corners of this fascinating country, the new brochure features a number of new destinations alongside classic Kirker city, coastal and rural options.

Joining Paris, Provence, the Côte d’Azur, Lille and the South West coast in Kirker’s long-standing France short break programme, discerning travellers can now choose from tailor-made trips in:

•BEAUJOLAIS: Synonymous with its delicious fruity red wines, Beaujolais is abundant in lush hilly countryside, making it superb for a short break or combined with a few days in France’s gastronomic capital, Lyon. A three-night stay at the five-star deluxe Château De Bagnols (page 20), one of the country’s most historic landmarks, costs from £1,298 pp*.

•BURGUNDY: Perfect as a stop en route to/from Provence or the Côte d’Azur, or as a destination in its own right, Burgundy’s ample attractions include superb wines, classic French cuisine (think mouth-watering Boeuf Bourguignon and Coq au Vin), beautiful countryside and glorious châteaux. The fascinating towns of Beaune and Dijon make an ideal base from which to explore, as does the famous village of Vougeot – all featured in the new brochure. Three nights at the four-star superior Château de Gilly (page 19), complete with moats, gardens and vaulted dining room, are from £748 pp*. Or why not enjoy Burgundy afloat, spending a few nights on a fully-inclusive luxury barge? (page 19, price on request).

•CORSICA: This breathtaking island, close to both France and Italy yet still relatively untouched by modern tourism, is idyllic in every season. Witness carpets of wild flowers in spring, warm Indian summers in autumn and dramatic snow-capped vistas in winter, whilst summer’s a dreamy opportunity to swim in balmy turquoise waters and visit tranquil hillside villages. Seven nights at the four-star superior U Capu Biancu (page 22), perched high on a bluff overlooking the Gulf of Santa Manza, are from £1,498 pp*.

•ÉPERNAY:  Wonderfully accessible thanks to the recent arrival of the TGV Est high-speed rail line, connecting the Champagne region with Paris in under an hour, this elegant fortified town is a must-visit for anyone with a taste for fine bubbly. A three-night stay at the three-star superior Le Clos Raymi (page 11), once owned by the famous Champagne-producing Chandon family, is from £698 pp*.

•ÉVIAN-LES-BAINS: Popular as a spa resort since the 18th century, this pretty Belle Époque town on the southern shores of Lake Geneva continues to attract a discerning clientele seeking indulgent relaxation. With an exceptional children’s club, it is also highly recommended for families. Three nights at the exclusive Évian Royal Resort (page 21) are from £958 pp*.

•LANGUEDOC-ROUSSILLON: Described by Kirker as “less fashionable but perhaps more down-to-earth than neighbouring Provence”, Languedoc-Roussillon has much to offer the inquisitive traveller - great food, historical towns, a wealth of castles and abbeys, and a delightfully unspoilt and varied landscape. Joining Carcassonne in its new France programme, Kirker now offers Nimes and Montpellier, where three nights at the four-star superior Pullman Montpellier Antigone hotel (page 23) are from £768 pp*.

•LOIRE VALLEY: Peppered with vineyards and majestic châteaux, a self-drive tour of this sublime region of France promises wonderful wine tasting and spectacular scenery in equal measure. Stay three nights at the three-star Les Résidences du Parc from £598 pp* or indulge at the four-star deluxe Château d’Artigny (page 18), a Belle Époque mansion and the former home of perfumer François Coty, where three nights are from £738 pp*.

•NORMANDY: Augmenting its existing selection of properties in scenic Normandy – in Honfleur, Bayeux and Deauville – Kirker adds historic Rouen and the iconic UNESCO World Heritage site of Mont St. Michel to its 2013 programme. Three nights at Rouen’s four-star deluxe De Bourghteroulde (page 13), formerly a private palace and now a contemporary hotel, are from £1,098 pp*, while three nights at the four-star deluxe L’Ermitage (page 13) – a luxurious suite-only hotel in the Bay of St. Michel – are from £826 pp*.

•PROVENCE: Eternally popular with Francophiles and first-time visitors alike, Provence continues to enchant with an enticing blend of beautiful countryside, pretty historic towns and villages, and a benign climate. Kirker has added several new properties in The Luberon for 2013, as well as the harbour city of Marseille - famous for its delicious Bouillabaisse, Arles - inspiration for many classic works by Van Gogh and Gaugin, Orange – home to beautifully-preserved Roman monuments and an annual opera festival, and Moustiers-Sainte-Marie - a beguilingly-beautiful mediaeval village set in a natural mountain amphitheatre. Also new for 2013 is the Camargue, a wonderfully wild and rugged region of sandy beaches, salt flats, wetlands and pastures. Three nights at the four-star superior Le Mas de Peint (page 25), a stylish and comfortable rural hotel set on a working cattle and rice farm, cost from £879 pp*.

•ST. MALO: One of the most popular destinations in Brittany, St Malo’s famous walled Old City offers beautiful architecture amid a maze of narrow streets, museums, seafood restaurants, crêperies and cafés. A three-night stay at the four-star superior Le Beaufort (page 14), overlooking the main beach and Bay of St. Malo, is from £498 pp*.

*Prices are based on two sharing and include flights (London – regional departures available on request), private transfers or hire car, accommodation with breakfast, and the services of the Kirker Concierge to book expert local guides or a table for dinner.

Lovers of La Belle France who prefer an escorted itinerary are also well catered-for in Kirker’s 2013 programme. Travelling in a small group of like-minded companions with an expert guide, discerning clients can choose from three cultural tours of France next year:

•New for 2013 is ‘The Burgundian – Staying in Beaune & Auxerre’. This seven-night holiday, led by Kirker tour lecturer Delia Gray-Durant, samples the very best of the region’s rich artistic legacy as well as its superb wine and cuisine. Departing 6 May and 2 September 2013, the price is £1,989 pp**.

•Based in Nice, at the heart of the Côte d’Azur’s major art collections, ‘Gardens & Galleries of the Côte d’Azur’ is a seven-night tour exploring the area’s cultural and horticultural highlights in the company of Kirker tour lecturer, Simon Monckton. Departing 1 May & 18 September 2013, the price is £1,697 pp**.

•Explore the many distinctive regions of this beautiful part of south west France on a six-night tour of ‘Carcassone & Albi’, returning each night to the unforgettable five-star deluxe Hotel de la Cité – one of the country’s finest hotels and certainly amongst its most dramatically situated. Led by Delia Gray-Durant and departing 18 May & 21 September 2013, the price is £1,897 pp**.

**Prices are based on two sharing and include return flights, internal transfers, accommodation with some meals, excursions and the services of a tour lecturer and/or holiday escort. Single rooms available on request (supplement applies).

For further information or to discuss a tailor-made itinerary, contact Kirker Holidays on 020 7593 2283 or visit http://www.kirkerholidays.com. For a copy of the new France brochure, please call 020 7593 2282 or click here to view it online.

Ends / 8 November 2012      

Press:  Please contact Karen Carpenter at Travel PR on 020 8891 4440 or email k.carpenter@travelpr.co.uk.

At Kirker Holidays, please contact Ted Wake, Sales & Marketing Director, on 020 7593 2281.