Magic in the Parisian Countryside

Chateau de Vaux le Vicomte, Seine-et Marne

Chateau de Vaux le Vicomte, Seine-et Marne

Seine-et-Marne is home to some of the best attractions in France, including the Chateaux of Fontainebleau and Vaux-le-Vicomte, Disneyland Paris, beautiful forests, gardens and medieval towns.

As part of this year’s creative decor, there will be an enchanted forest in the Grand Salon of Château de Vaux-le-Vicomte! (Children’s costumes canbe rented during the visit.)

What’s more, all of them are putting on a great festive show this winter.

With direct trains from London, and fantastic transport links to central Paris, Seine-et-Marne has much to offer this Christmas.

Interior, Chateau de Vaux le Vicomte

Interior, Chateau de Vaux le Vicomte

Attractions include Christmas markets, enchanted castles, and snow every day on Disneyland’s Main Street. USA!

Internationally renowned artist Slava Polunin will be performing his famous Snowshow in Crécy-la-Chapelle whilst jugglers and illusionists will be featured at Galleria Continua, one of the biggest contemporary art galleries in the world.

And there’s no need for New Year‘s Eve to be a flat one. Ring in the New Year on the tarmac and in the hangars of an airbase!

Enjoy a magical exploration of the aviation world in the company of over a dozen groups who will offer original installations, creative performances and image projections, along with a music area and circus attractions.

Mystery train - Seine-et-Marne Christmas attraction

Mystery train - Seine-et-Marne Christmas attraction

On top of all this, stay longer for free. From now until the end of March, many hotels in Seine-et-Marne offer an extra night free of charge at weekends.

For more information on Seine-et-Marne’s holiday festivities, visit their website here.

Luxury Travel Fair, London, 4-7 November

Colour and excitement at the Luxury Travel Fair, Olympia, Kensington

Colour and excitement at the Luxury Travel Fair, Olympia, Kensington

This year’s Luxury Travel Fair is fast approaching and looks set to be a hot destination for travel lovers.

Over 95 companies will exhibit at Olympia, Kensington, and many exhibitors offer exclusive travel deals – only available to those visiting the fair.

At the Meet the Experts theatre, you can get inside travel tips from speakers such as Josceline Dimbleby, Carol Drinkwater and Marcus Wareing.

Highlights

  • Seven nights for the price of five from ITC Classics at One & Only, Le Saint Geran, Mauritius.
  • Free return flight offers to Australia for the Kimberley Cruise on the Orion with Mundy Cruising.
  • 30% discount off winter room rates at The Greenbrier Resort in West Virginia.
  • Complimentary ski guiding and, for that special après-ski treat, a complimentary massage in Verbier, Switzerland, when you go with ITC Classics.
  • And for those who have yet to decide on their next travel destination, Mr & Mrs Smith are offering 50% off their guidebooks.
Image from Conde-Nast Johansens

Image from Conde-Nast Johansens

Celebrity speakers

Thursday 4 November – Michelin Star chef Marcus Wareing; 2009 Masterchef Champion Matt Follas and  Raj Joshi, the expert expedition guide for Comic Relief Trek.

Friday 5 November - History and wildlife presenter Miranda Krestovnikoff and food and travel writer Josceline Dimbleby.

Saturday 6 November – Olympic skier and Ski Sunday presenter Graham Bell and explorer and TV presenter Paul Rose.

Sunday 7 November – BBC presenter Dan Cruickshank and actress Carol Drinkwater.

Best known for her role as Helen Herriot in BBC Television’s All Creatures Great and Small (for which she was awarded The Variety Club Television Personality of the Year Award), Carol Drinkwater has enjoyed a long and distinguished career both as an actress and a writer.

Carol is also the author of series of bestselling memoirs, including The Olive Tree (shortlisted for Travel Book of the Year, Travel Press Awards, 2009). She is currently working on a ten-hour documentary film series based on The Olive Route and The Olive Tree.

France. Image by Bailey Robinson.

France. Image by Bailey Robinson.

Her latest book Return to the Olive Farm has been published in hardback by Weidenfeld & Nicolson.

Tickets for The Luxury Travel Fair can be booked here.

You want the National Hall, Olympia, Hammersmith Road, West Kensington. The best way to get here is by taking a No. 9, 27, 10 or 28 bus from the bus station at Hammersmith Underground towards High Street Kensington or from Stop F at that end towards Hammersmith.