New promenade in Nice and a statue of liberty!!!

This is the new promenade du Paillon in Nice - a wonderful green lung in the heart of Nice - (runs parallel to the sea two or three blocks inland.  Lovely for strolling on a Sunday morning with the kids - there are also some superbly designed childrens' playgrounds en route - or - play at being a big kid yourself by dodging in and out of the rythmic fountains!!!

A short video here to give you a good flavour for it.

While you are taking a turn before a welcome coffee and croissant break, or socca and a rose (with an accent!) - also head to the Quai des Etats-Unis where a (smallish!) replica of the Statue of Liberty now graces the quai, looking hopefully out to sea.

 No time like the present to enjoy the lovely spring weather down here in the Alpes-Maritimes - a perfect holiday break in France - use the knowledge of your resident experts in the Mercantour - Liz and Mel of space-between - and watch out for their new website just after Valentine's Day!!!  Enjoy some time on the coast enjoying the Nice Carnaval or Menton Lemon Festival (both from mid February), or even the Mimosa festival in Cannes-Mandelieu before taking some time out in the snow in the Mercantour - a National Park just an hour north where there is an abundance of the white stuff currently and plenty of wolves and other beasties getting ready to awaken from their winter slumbers.

Liz Lord and Mel Jones - spacebetween - self catering accommodation plus walking and adventure holidays in the Mercantour - France.

contact@space-between.co.uk

Easter in the Mountains in the South of France?!!

Need a last minute holiday in France? - Easter is VERY early this year for sure - in Northern Europe we all seems to have suffered a severe dousing of rain and snow - and once the sun does come out we are looking for a bummer crop of grass for our hungry horses!

However one thing at a time - while it might have been raining here at 861m - up higher - and we do have higher! - the snow is astonishing - which has lead most of our ski resorts here - including La Colmiane, Auron, Isola 2000 etc and of course Le Boreon - for the wolf park and cross country skiing - never mind the perfect untrodden opportunities for snow shoeing in the Mercantour!! - staying open for the Easter weekend,

It seems as if people both here and in the UK have rather been hedging their bets - and there does appear to be accommodation available at this late stage in the game - including for our gites in Berthemont les Bains ......

We're also running a snow shoeing week from April 6th - once the holiday flights prices have subsided...this was meant to be a Mercantour Reflections week - but hey ho - let's not put those snow shoes away as yet.....it's perfect - as when the sun does come out it has been close to 20 degrees in the midday sun - just about okay to enjoy a tartiflette in the sunshine......

A last minute walking break in France - get it booked - fly to Nice and let us do the rest!!!

Vegetarians are very welcome......

Hope to see you soon.....

Liz
spacebetween

The sun is warm and the ice is cool!! Winter activity in the Mercantour

The Mercantour has just made winter activity holidays much easier for you!! The snow was late here in Southern France – you know, that department which has not only the fab French Riviera, but also a great National Park just behind it, but now it is the French half term holidays in PACA and things are a’swingin…….

Alpine, cross country skiing and ski mountaineering a’plenty plus snow shoeing, of course - but get here soon as the temperatures are un-seasonally warm.

Our cunning friends in Saint-Martin-Vésubie have just had an ice climbing structure raised, just next to the wolf park.

In the past your resident holiday team at spacebetween had to venture into the Tinée valley to have a stab at ice climbing as part of their winter activity holiday - see the pic! ( However now there is safe ice, with four different “walls” all within five minutes of your car, and a self congratulatory vin chaud afterwards. The wall can be used on your own, if you have the kit and the confidence for an amazing €8 for two hours, or hire a hunky mountain guide and benefit from some great instruction for just €40. It is also possible to get a season ticket, and group rates. More information here.

Local residents are justifiably excited about it as it is the most up to date system in France – the other one in Champigny-la-Vanoise further north, has been installed for some time.

It is an excellent way of finding out just how tough ice-climbing is (looks so easy from the comfort of your sofa!!), and doing it in a safe environment with no icy water pouring down on your head, nor falling rocks. It really does give you a full body work out, that is for sure, never mind the adrenaline involved!!! The O à la Bouche restaurant open all day too, has a fireplace and an interesting menu.

The system is at 1700m, and the tower mainly well shaded so climbing should be possible until Easter this year – well it is very early in 2012…..given the vagaries of the weather in Europe this year, check it out before you come on down with your ice axes, and wrap them carefully in your luggage.

However, and as always, there is lots going on, Mardi Gras, and the best Carnival in Europe, plus of course there is the Menton Lemon Festival and countless Mimosa festivals…..

Contact spacebetween walking and adventure holidays for more information for more details on how to make the best of all that is on offer in the South Eastern corner of France.