“Euroferries has regrettably had to delay its high speed cross channel service launch scheduled for the 14th November due to hampered final stage operations.

Euroferries apologises for any inconvenience caused to its customers and assures them that it is their foremost intention to resolve this matter swiftly allowing the service to commence.

All Euroferries bookings affected by this matter have the option of either receiving a full refund or alternatively receiving complimentary first class upgrades for an alternative date of travel.
Further announcements will be made shortly.”

“There is something to offer all of our guests on this beautiful and unspoilt Mediterranean island,” they told us. “Menorca is a world recognised nature reserve and, apart from its wonderful coastline, it also offers visitors a whole range of dramatic and varied scenery.”

Their walks are comfortable, interesting and taken at a leisurely pace. With most guests in their 40’s, 50’s, 60’s or early 70’s they are certainly not in the business of marching you from A to B as quickly as possible!

Painting holidays teacher is Denise Allen. Although Denise is a very experienced and popular artist, she says, “My first and greatest passion is teaching people of all levels how to paint and draw. My main aim is to work with students own style of painting, building on their strengths and helping overcome any personal challenges.

Whether students have worked steadily for years to develop their drawing and painting skills or have not picked up a brush since leaving school, I believe that I can provide new insights and tips on techniques that will enable them to make progress as an artist.

Lastly, I believe in creating a calm, light and low stress atmosphere for your creativity to flourish. After all, Menorca Painting Holidays are to be enjoyed not endured!”

Discover more at http://www.goodbye9to5.tv/?p=162 Keen Christmas shoppers can still find high quality food and drink in France at surprisingly reasonable prices despite exchange rates, and ferry company LD Lines and the port of Boulogne want to help them.

LD Lines provide four return sailings daily between Dover (Eastern Docks) and Boulogne. Short break returns start from £28 for a car and five passengers and from £22.50 each way for a five day return for car and up to nine passengers. Foot passenger day returns start from £18. To book : www.ldlines.com or call : 0844 576 8836.

Short Break / overnighters start from £89 per person, based on one night’s stay, including channel crossings for a car and passengers . To book contact : Travel Market on 01304 50100 or : www.ferrytravelclub.com

Boulogne’s town centre provides a unique selection of speciality food and wine shops and many other retail outlets, which will open their doors on Sundays 13th and 20th December. These include :

Philippe Olivier (rue Thiers) – one of France’s most famous cheese merchants selling over 350 different cheeses; Charcuterie ED Bourgeois (Grande Rue) – superb range of vegetable, meat and fish dishes; Fred (Place Dalton) – excellent range of home made bread and patisseries; Chocolaterie de Beussent (rue Thiers) – wonderful choice of speciality chocolates for gifts made in its nearby factory; Comtesse du Barry (rue Thiers) – mouth-watering foodie gifts such as jams, chutneys, oils, vinegars, foie gras, many other pates and aperitifs. To stock up on wine visit Le Chais (rue des Deux Ponts –www.lechais.com) – which sells over 50,000 quality bottles of wine in atmospheric cellars – or Tresor de Vin (rue Thiers).

Christmas Markets and special festive events will be taking place throughout the region in Le Touquet, Etaples, Wimereux, Montreuil-sur-Mer and in Boulogne these include :

Fete du Hareng – Herring Festival on the Quai Gambetta, Boulogne-sur-Mer on Saturday 21st and Sunday 22nd November.

St.Nicolas Parade – The arrival and parade of St.Nicolas through Boulogne’s town centre, followed by a firework display near the port on Saturday 5th December.

Christmas Market – on Saturday 12th and Sunday 13th December in the Old Town – sale of local produce, gifts and crafts. Entertainment and music and illumination of the Belfry, firework display and tasting of traditional Christmas Pudding near to the Cathedral.

In total Boulogne boasts 1,000 shops and craftsmen; 200 restaurants and brasseries, local food produce markets twice weekly on Wednesday and Saturday mornings in the Place Dalton, daily fish market on the Quayside Gambetta, a superb historic town to wander around, a bustling fisherman’s port, 1000 hotel rooms to help your make a night or weekend of your visit, and 3,600 car parking spaces – most of them free.