French to hike hotel tax by 500%

Tourists in France are set to face a 500% rise in hotel tax. The controversial measure, already approved by Parliament after being initiated by Socialist MPs, will see up to £8 added to Parisian room rates.

If rubber-stamped by the Senate, visitors to French hotels would find a tax of £6.40 (8€) on their bills, rather than the current £1.20 (1.50€). This figure will rise to £8 (10€) in Paris – the most popular tourist destination in the world, where, among some 30 million a year, the biggest visitor group is British. 

While small hotels will be able to charge less, critics said the measure will stop people coming to France, which has plunged into economic chaos since a Socialist government came to power in 2012.

Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2674495/French-hike-hotel-tax-500-cent-Controversial-set-add-8-cost-room.html#ixzz366Q7iweA

Rude Parisians

The world's most popular city, Paris, has a reputation as the rudest place on earth for tourists. In an effort to combat this, French authorities have launched an appeal for locals to refrain from the ‘Gallic snarl’ in encounters with foreign visitors.

Foreign Minister Laurent Fabius, warned that surliness was a pothole on the road to tourism victory: “The logic is simple. An unhappy tourist is a tourist who never comes back.”

No doubt there are many Parisians, in particular, who would not find that a matter for regret. Every summer they must endure an invasion of big bottoms in bad shorts, booming foreign voices and boors who fail to realise that under the French code of courtesy, any approach from a stranger should begin with a polite “Bonjour” – and be followed by at least a minimal effort to start the conversation in French.

But the fact remains that international surveys have repeatedly found that foreign visitors rate the French capital as one of the world’s most hostile places - although France is currently also the world’s most visited country.

Read more: http://tinyurl.com/RudeParisians

Mobile roaming charges to be dropped

MAKING a call or sending an email from a mobile phone is set to cost the same across the whole of EU as it does in France from December 2015. 

Under proposals adopted by the European Parliament’s industry committee, mobile phone companies will be obliged to offer 'roam like at home' packages across whole of the EU or allow customers to subscribe to other service providers without changing their SIM card.

See more at: http://www.connexionfrance.com/european-parliament-mobile-phone-roaming-charges-law-action-operators-warning-15573-view-article.html#sthash.U9FS46oU.dpuf

Brittany Ferries deals

Brittany Ferries have just released a great new offer for all destinations in France!

Only £156 return package to all routes to France with car (up to 4 passengers!!)

Valid until: 26/04/2014

Travel Dates: 

Until 1 May 2014 (ex UK)

Routes: 

All Routes to France (Portsmouth to Caen, Cherbourg, Le Havre, St Malo, Poole to Cherbourg, Plymouth to Roscoff

Offer: 

£156 return car and up to 4 passengers (£39pp)

Up to 4 days away

All other fare elements as public fares

Supplement:

Portsmouth/St.Malo ex UK £35 per booking

Restrictions:                           

Certain travel dates over Easter will not be available

Excludes BF Holiday bookings

Excludes other promotional fares

How to book:                                       

Online - see link below

Conditions:                             

Promotional conditions apply

Note – This offer can be booked within 24 hours of travel

Travel can commence in UK or France

Other:                                    

Motorcycle 50% of vehicle fare

Additional supplements apply for extra passengers, pets, larger/over height vehicles plus trailers and caravans.

Book online here:

http://tinyurl.com/BFerries-1

REMINDER

Other offers available at the moment:

Save up to 20% on French villas and apartments

Valid until: 31/03/2014

Book online here:  

http://tinyurl.com/BFerries-2

Save 25% on selected gites in Brittany

Valid until: 31/05/2014

Book online here: 

http://tinyurl.com/BFerries-3

'No-frills' ferry service

Brittany Ferries’ new no frills “économie” line will begin sailing on March 25. It will offer four weekly services between Le Havre and Portsmouth and one weekend service out of Santander in northern Spain.

Bookings will open online at www.brittanyferries.com/economie in a few weeks. Until then, they can be made by calling 0871 244 1400.

See more at: http://www.connexionfrance.com/no-frills-ferry-service-le-havre-portsmouth-santander-britanny-ferries-15509-view-article.html#sthash.dTNnxDFU.dpuf

Riviera Michelin stars come and go

Four restaurants in the Alpes Maritimes have been awarded their first Michelin star - the highest honour for chefs around the world. But it wasn't all good news with the release of the latest edition of the Michelin Guide, six restaurants actually lost their coveted star.

More information @ http://tinyurl.com/Restostars

Save on InterRail Passes

A new special offer from Voyages-sncf.com, the UK’s leading expert in European rail tickets and passes, will see InterRailers saving 15% on the cost of their pass this spring.

Anyone booking a pass on or before 31 March 2014, for travel starting on or before 16 May 2014, can benefit from a reduction of 15% off the usual price.

Travelling on an InterRail pass is the best way to explore Europe by rail. Covering up to 29 European countries, a Global Pass offers travellers the flexibility to travel around the continent by train, visiting cities, beaches and mountains and anywhere in between. Valid in a variety of durations, there is a pass available for every style of holiday or break.

Promotional fares, including the 15% saving, start at £136 for a youth (12-25 years of age) or £208 for an adult (26 years+) standard class pass valid for 5 days of travel in a 10 day period. Alternatively, for those with time on their hands, a standard class pass valid for one month of travel throughout Europe starts at £327 for a youth or £494 for an adult.

Visit Voyages-sncf.com for more information on this new InterRail offer. This offer is only available to book until 31 March 2014, via the Voyages-sncf call centre on 0844 848 8885 and at the Voyages-sncf Travel Centre at 193 Piccadilly, London W1J 9EU.