I am going to surf camp in Biarritz for a week in Sept. and will then have another week to go somewhere nice to chill out and relax! Does anyone have any suggestions of places nearby NOT to be missed?! <BR>could be sea or mountains (or city) ?! but not too expensive! <BR> <BR>any tips really appreciated! <BR> <BR>thanks, Charlotte

Dear Charlotte, <BR>Why you don't come in our home town Sanremo on Italian Riviera 40 minutes' drive far from Montecarlo ? <BR>Sanremo is an international seaside resort famous for its sandy beaches, the shopping, the casinò and its night life, its mild climate all the year. <BR>We apply special prices in September in our apartments. <BR>Pls contact us for pictures and prices. <BR>Kind regards <BR>Clara Randone <BR>e-mail [email protected] <BR>

Following is a copy of a recent posting regarding the Basque area - also suggest you try a search. <BR> <BR>Message: The basque region (France/Spain) was one of the <BR> best holidays my husband and I ever had. Following are some <BR> suggestions: <BR> <BR> 1) We stayed at a "Gite" in Sare (in the mountains above Biarritz <BR> - approx 10 km). Gites are wonderful Bed and Breakfasts (they're <BR> incredibly well regulated and frequently inspected) The one we <BR> stayed at was on a few acres of land with marvellous views of the <BR> Pyrenees and the most delightful hostess. Rooms were large <BR> (with full bathrooms) and breakfast was served on the patio <BR> overlooking the mountains. 5 years ago it was $60 Canadian <BR> (about $40 US) - a steal at any price. I know it sounds too good <BR> to be true - but we are frequent travellers and often stay at more <BR> expensive hotels (such as Relais et Chateaux inns) but the Gite <BR> rivalled the best (sans the bathrobe in the room!) <BR> <BR> In September there's a Basque festival in Sare - <BR> we had 3 of the most magical days. There's a J'ai Lai court in <BR> town (the Gite is approx 1.5 km from town) and there were <BR> several tournaments going on as part of the festival. Also, there <BR> were alot of concerts at the time - the basque music is lovely. <BR> <BR> The Gite information is: <BR> <BR> Olabidea <BR> 64310 SARE <BR> Tel: 59.54.21.85 <BR> Owner: Jean Fagoaga <BR> <BR> A current Gites guide would probably have a fax number - Gites <BR> guides are available on the Amazon.com UK web site - go to the <BR> main Amazon.com web site and find the link to the UK web site. <BR> Failing that the Gites head office is: <BR> <BR> Maison des Gites de France <BR> 35, rue Godot-de-Mauroy <BR> 75439 PARIS Cedex 09 <BR> <BR> The Gites Guide we use (there are several classifications) is <BR> called <BR> "Chambres d'Hotes et Gites Prestige" -- these are the upper end <BR> Gites. <BR> <BR> In Sare the restaurant "Arraya" (right across from the Jai Lai <BR> court) was wonderful - they specialize in Basque cuisine. It's also <BR> a hotel with lovely rooms, but more expensive that the Gites and <BR> without the incredible Pyrenees view. <BR> <BR> Near Sare is St Jean Pied de Port - there's a wonderful <BR> restaurant there called "Les Pyrenees", also specializing in <BR> Basque cuisine (but expensive!) <BR> <BR> At the suggestion of the maitre'd at Arraya (the basque people <BR> are incredibly friendly and helpful) we left Sare and went to <BR> Honderribia (just across the Spanish border on the way to San <BR> Sebastian) and stayed at the parador there (Parador de <BR> Hondarribia Tel 943.64.21.40 Fax 943.64.21.53)). It was a 12C <BR> fort with 8 foot thick walls - we had a suite which was possibly the <BR> most beautiful room I've ever stayed in - 5 years ago it was $165 <BR> Canadian per night or $110US) The town of Honderribia is <BR> beautiful and close enough to San Sebastian for easy day trips <BR> (approx 1/2 hour drive). If I dig a little deeper in our files I'll find <BR> some restaurants in Honderribia - e-mail me directly if you want <BR> more information. <BR> <BR> I envy you your first visit to this wonderful area! <BR> <BR> Regards <BR> <BR> Elizabeth <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR>

I hate to quibble with Elizabeth, because that really is a wonderful post, but what she stayed in was a chambre d'hote (bed and breakfast)licensed by Gites de France, which also licenses self-catering, weekly rentals (gites.) Gites de France also has a web site, www.gites-de-france.fr. <BR>To the best of my knowledge, everything else Elizabeth had to say was absolutely on target. In addition to St. John Pied de Port and Sare, St. Etienne de Biagorry and Ainhoa are beautiful Basque mountain villages. You can spend the whole week in the Pays Basque of the French Pyrenees, or duck over the border to Pamplona, Spain. It's not a terribly expensive area. Plus, you'll spend very little time or money just getting into the mountains from Biarritz, yet they're quite different from that sophisticated, seaside town, so you'll get variety in your trip.

Hi Martha - I appreciate your clarification - if I understand it correctly I'm using "Gite" too broadly? A "Gite" is technically a self catering weekly rental? <BR> <BR>In any event, I can't recommend "chambre d'hotes" enough - we have had several wonderful experiences staying in them! <BR> <BR>Regards <BR> <BR>Elizabeth

Hi Martha - I appreciate your clarification - if I understand it correctly I'm using "Gite" too broadly? A "Gite" is technically a self catering weekly rental? <BR> <BR>In any event, I can't recommend "chambre d'hotes" enough - we have had several wonderful experiences staying in them! <BR> <BR>Regards <BR> <BR>Elizabeth

Thanks for your kind response, Elizabeth. I've recommended "Chambres d'Hotes Prestige et Gites de Charme" so many times myself that I fear some people think I'm getting a kickback from the company! Anyway, it's an excellent resource for Charlotte.

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