Brittany is unique. There is no where else like it in Europe, the huge skies, a freshness and tang in the air, lots of unspoilt countryside, where you can chance upon ancient settlements, in the often wild untamed beauty of this land. Mystery and intrigue yes, friendly yes too. The people, like the countryside, are warm and welcoming. It is a place to escape to, unwind and get happily lost in.

Jutting out far into the Atlantic Ocean, with its convoluted coastline, Brittany is essentially a land where life revolves around the sea. Much of its economy is based on the sea, whether its fishing or tourism and wherever you are, you will never be very far from one of the huge number of beaches, coves and inlets, which means that, except in the most popular resorts, you can always find a relatively uncrowned beach somewhere. No queuing for hours to get to the beach, only to find that the car parks are all full when you get there.

This is still in places a very wild country where many animals and birds that have long since disappeared from Britain roam free.

For a home from home holiday Brittany is the perfect choice. The environment is more Celtic than French, with a climate similar to that of the South West of the UK. On the other hand there are unique attractions in Brittany that should not be missed, with fascinating history and outstanding coastline offering rugged cliffs, quaint harbours with active fishing fleets, delightful sandy beaches and excellent attractions that will make a holiday really memorable.

Eating out is a part of the French way of life. Dont have a holiday in France without a meal in a French restaurant. Although there are many unusual French foods, frogs legs and snails you will find many foods that are a true delight. The Charente Vendee has some fantastic restaurants to choose from.

Its mystical qualities are an essential ingredient of Brittany. It is a very old country the mountains were once higher than the Himalayas and have been worn down to their present gentle heights by countless years of erosion. People have lived here since earliest times and their traces can be found almost everywhere. The great standing stones, of which the most famous are at Carnac, date from prehistoric times. Come across one looming before you in a forest clearing and you can almost see the ghosts around it living their daily life of long ago.

Wayside stone crosses, chapels hidden in the woods or a fold of the hills, churches and magnificent cathedrals bear witness to the strongly Christian past, but the old religions have left their mark and many of the wayside fountains have magical properties, usually of healing, that are still strongly recommended by the Bretons.