France

In the morning, join the avenue de la Repentie and drive across the bridge (€16 toll) to the Île de Ré, an island of nautical chic and sandcastle charm, the kind of place Monsieur Hulot might have gone on holiday. Lots of traditional marinière tops, bicycles with baskets, ice-cream and excellent campsites. Two of its main towns, Saint Martin and La Flotte, are pleasantly breezy, even in high summer, with a permanent sound of fluttering mast wires in the harbour, a sprightly market in La Flotte and seafood bistros. Hire a bike and cycle out to the lighthouse near Saint-Clément-des-Baleines, a great ride past the salt pans of Loix and the black-and-white church spire at Ars-en-Ré. Spend three nights at Le Sénéchal (doubles from €79) or at the eco-campsite Camping Les Baleines (pitch from €19.50) near La Conche beach. … [Read more...] about France road trip: La Rochelle, Cognac and the Atlantic coast islands

Three nights at Le Mas Cabanids in Maureillas-las-Illas (tipi from €79 a night B&B) is enough time to explore the border country, including the Gorges de la Fou and an afternoon climbing on the five-million-year-old giant fairy stacks at Les Orgues d’Ille-sur-Têt. Take a few cross-country drives through the oak-covered Catalan Pyrenées regional park to the ravine-edge Saint-Martin du Canigou abbey in Casteil, and the Serrabona priory, and catch the little yellow train (locals call it the Canary) from Villefranche-de-Conflent, as it chugs across vertiginous viaducts towards the Spanish frontier. Prades, just up the road, is celebrating its 65th Pablo Casals annual chamber music festival from 24 July to 13 August. … [Read more...] about France road trip: Perpignan, Cathar castles and the Spanish border

“I needed to find my rhythm and control the rallies,” the 14th-ranked Goffin said. “It was a really nice atmosphere, the stadium is amazing. I am really looking forward to tomorrow and hopefully we will finish with a victory.” … [Read more...] about Serbia, Australia France & Belgium nearing Davis Cup semis

Serbia reached the semifinals for the first time in four years, and Troicki won his second point of the quarterfinal against Spain after carrying Zimonjic for the first two sets. They lost the fourth set but broke twice early in the fifth to secure victory. … [Read more...] about Serbia & France set up Davis Cup semifinal

On day three, follow signs for the A43 and A48 past Grenoble and stop at the Vizille chateau, with its museum of the French revolution. Relax in the domaine’s park before taking the D1091 towards the Lac du Chambon (the tunnel is open during the summer). The Alpe d’Huez appears on the left and Les Deux Alpes on the right: both have cable cars working in the summer for walkers and mountain bikers. Stay for a couple of nights at Les Petites Sources (family rooms from €50) in Le Bourg d’Oisans, which has enormous pine bedrooms and easy access to glacial lakes and mountain footpaths. Include a walk to the Lac Noir and the botanical gardens at the Col de Lautaret. … [Read more...] about France road trip: Lyon to Nice