France Becomes Attractive Destination To Invest In Property After Changes To Tax Code
With SeaFrance Ferries Dover Calais making it so easy to hop over the channel and visit France, it comes as no surprise that the Overseas Guide Company has seen a dramatic rise of a 200 per cent increase in sales for guide books which cover France.
The company expects the interest in France to only increase as a result of the economic problems that have struck other popular European destinations including Italy, Portugal, Spain and Greece.
France continues to remain one of the most robust economies in Europe, with the country exceeding economic growth forecasts during the third quarter of the year, leading many from Britain to start taking a serious look at investing in the country by means of a holiday home.
The editor of the guide has said, “President Sarkozy has recently announced that there will be a relief on tax for the wealthy in France and this will encourage wealthy people from the UK to move to the region.”
France’s wealth tax is now only extended to individuals whose net worth exceeds €1.3 million, and for those individuals whose wealth exceeds €3 million, the highest tax bracket now only stands at 0.5%, which implies that most individuals as a rule will now be better off. In contrast the opposite has happened in Spain, making it a far less attractive option for people to move to if they are wealthy.
It is also widely expected that France will change its capital gains tax rule, which will also benefit individuals who have made previous property investments in the country and sell their property within the next half decade, because the tax payable will now be reduced. For those that opt not to sell within the time frame, they are likely to pay more, but will be able to claim inflation as an offset against the tax payable
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SeaFrance Guide To French Cheese
Since SeaFrance Ferries Dover Calais lets travellers from the UK nip over the channel quickly and inexpensively, it goes without saying that we should write a guide to French cheese, which included with French wine is something that must be sampled whenever you visit.
It goes without saying that like wine, cheese to is synonymous with France, largely because there are over 400 different types to choose from, making French cheese the largest selection of chesses in the world.
There are a number of ways one can classify cheese that comes from France, one could do so by region, type of milk used, origin, or fat content.
France though chooses to use its own technique for classification which we thought we would explain here.
Fresh Cheeses
This type of cheese contains a lot of water and is made from cow, sheep or goats milk, and is white in colour and generally not aged cheese. Instead the curd is made by adding a lactic starter to the milk that is used in its making, and the cheese is more often than not either eaten separately or used as part of a recipe.
Soft Cheeses with Natural Rind
This cheese is made from cow’s milk, and are very soft with a white velvety surface. This type of cheese is typically aged for one month, and include some of the best known cheese from France, including Camembert and Brie.
Pressed and Cooked Cheeses
This type of cheese is made under pressure during processing, but before going through the pressure process, the curd is first heated for an hour. The cheese is then matured over a very long period of time. This type of cheese is generally made in France’s mountain regions, and the two most popular kinds are Gruyere and Emmental.
Goat Cheeses
Whilst a few type of goat’s cheese are to be found in other categories, this type of cheese is worthy of possessing its own category, since there are over 100 varieties of goat’s cheese. Goat’s cheese comes in a large variety of shapes and sizes, with the two most famous being Pouligny-Saint-Pierre and Crottin de Chavignol
Blue Cheeses
This type of cheese is easily recognizable because of its blue greenish colour that runs through them, and are typically made using cow’s milk. They are matured for long periods of time, and have an extremely strong flavor very popular the world over. Blue de Bresse and Roquefort are both easily available and are very tasty.
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SeaFrance Guide To The History Of Wine Making
Since SeaFrance Ferries Dover Calais is all about quick trips over to France, and since the country is synonymous with wine making, we thought we would write a guide to the history of wine making.
Experts agree that wine has been around in one form or another for thousands of years. According to the most authoritative sources, the first certified makers of wine surprisingly enough came from Northern Iran, in the Zagros Mountains.
Archaeologist Andre Tchernia, one of the top experts in antique wines says that ”The remains of a yellowish residue deposited on the wall of a Neolithic jar, 7,000 years old, found at Hajji Firuz Tepe, Iran has proven to be a mixture of tartaric acid and resin.”
The evidence of which suggests that Neolithic man drank VIN2.
Whilst it is widely reported that King Solomon used wine to celebrate special occasions, it was the Greeks who made the greatest contribution to Mediterranean viticulture, and hold a long history of such activities in Mediterranean countries.
The Phoenicians were the first to being wine to France when they arrived at the port of Marseilles, probably not by SeaFrance Ferries Dover Calais we think.
All kidding aside, at that time wine was primarily produced from grapes using fermentation to which seawater was added for preservation during the transportation phase. At the destination, fresh water was then added to get rid of the salty taste.
Ancient Egyptians also had a very organized wine making tradition with Osisris. Whilst the Romans had a tradition established under Dionysus and Bacchus, and the Babylonians had a tradition best represented by Gilgamesh. Wine most recently though symbolizes the blood of Christ in the Christian tradition, and over the many thousands of years its use has changed dramatically.
Interestingly, Roman wine was very spicy, and is nothing like the type of wine that is commonly drunk today. The vine culture was first introduced in France by Phocea the Greek, when the Roman colonization took place, Gallic vines were then grown around Beziers and Narbonne, with Beziers never forgetting its title of the wine capital of the nineteenth century.
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Another SeaFrance Guide To French Ski Vacation
The best thing about SeaFrance Dover Calais is the ability to whip over the channel and take a quick ski vacation in what is the most popular destination for tourists from the UK. France has some of the best ski resorts in the world, offering services that are appropriate for skiers of all levels and preferences.
If you are planning on taking a ski vacation to France, you should be aware that what the country has to offer in terms of destinations are both varied and diverse.
Ski resorts in France fall into four distinct areas, all of which are linked to each other. France has created large ski areas that are usually covered with a single pass. All resorts feature modern lift systems which make the areas easy to navigate and access.
It should come as no surprise that the main ski areas in France are centred around the French Alps, which provide a diverse landscape, and offer the perfect backdrop for anyone wishing to take a ski vacation. The region is well known for getting extremely cold during the month of January. Despite this fact it remains the ideal ski destination, with snow cover guaranteed between November and April.
The contrasting landscapes of France means ski resorts are available at both high and low altitudes, which allows for skiers of all abilities to take advantage and enjoy the landscapes that are on offer in the French Alps.
Resorts typically are in one of two categories, the first being more modern high altitude resorts that have been purpose built to provide skiing facilities, giving them a more modern feel, great services and a warm atmosphere to accompany the skiing facilities. The contrasting option is the more traditional skiing village, which are usually at lower altitudes and offer a more traditional experience.
If skiing in the French Alps is an exciting prospect for you, then you should begin looking at booking your holiday in 2012 now, so as to avoid any disappointment at not being able to visit your preferred destination.
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SeaFrance Destination Languedoc Roussillon
Languedoc Roussillon is a popular holiday destination located in the South of France, and easily reachable simply by hopping on SeaFrance Ferries Dover Calais. Temperatures in this region during October are mild, with the mercury rising no higher than 21 degrees centigrade.
Languedoc Roussillon offers a number of ways for the holidaymaker to relax, with a multitude of leisure activities to choose from.
Self catering accommodation, holiday homes or gites are available for rental purposes, and since the next few months are the low season, you can ask proper owners for hefty discounts on the rental cost, which should be confirmed before you arrive.
There are a range of holiday options in Languedoc Roussillon. When it is sunny its proximity to the Mediterranean enables visitors the chance to enjoy spectacular coast lines and amazing sandy beaches, water activities, or just strolling through some of the many areas of natural beauty.
When the sun is not shining, Languedoc Roussillon has an overwhelming abundance of caves and grotto’s that can be explored, alongside ancient cities, towns, villages, cathedrals, chateux and castles.
Languedoc Roussillon has a variety of food markets that offer a variety of fresh food, enabling the tourist to try out a great French Tradition and sample their way of life. Markets are easily found, most are located at the heart of the town or village, and the region is renowned for its local produce which include tomatoes, seafood and olive oil.
Mild temperatures during this time of year make the region of Languedoc Roussillon quite favourable for those holidaymakers who wish to go walking or hiking through the French Pyrenees. If you are looking for an affordable holiday and pleasant weather, then hop on SeaFrance Ferries Dover to Calais, and head to Languedoc Roussillon.
The cooler temperatures in October are more favourable to the walker hiking through the Pyrenees and to those being more physically active have a preference for the cooler, fair weather compared to during July and August. Tourist looking toward an affordable holiday with good weather need look no further than the Languedoc Roussillon.
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Hop On SeaFrance Ferries And Check Out Provence
Now that visiting France is as easy as SeaFrance Ferries Dover Calais, why not Visit Provence, an area that is rich in both history and contemporary flavours, making it an attractive destination for both tourist and getaway seeker. Provence is a region located in the south of France, and itself is sub divided into five main areas, each of which is spectacular.
The Alpes Maritimes, the Alpes-de-Haute-Provence, the Var, Vaucluse and the Bouches-du-Rhône are all excellent tourist destinations in their own right, all of which are placed very close to the Mediteranean, the French Alps, and the Rhone River and Italy. Many of Provence’s best known cities are located along the French Riviera, making it the perfect spot for a South of France holiday.
There are lots of things to do and see in Provence. Nice is well known for its culture and museums, such as the Prehistoric Museum of Terra Amata, tourists can also casually stroll along the Promenade des Anglais, which runs alongside the Mediterranean coast.
Marseilles is another world famous city, containing much of interest. Marseilles too has many museums, such as the Musée de la Faïence or the Musée des Beaux-Arts, which are amongst the better known in the city.
France of course is world famous for its wine, and holidaymakers have the opportunity to taste a number of varieties at the Mas du Clos de l’Escarrat. No doubt you will be familiar with Cannes, which the world over knows from its film festival, tourists have the chance to bet at its casinos or if they prefer something more leisurly, take a stroll through one of the cities many parks.
There are a number of other cities located in Provence that would be of interest to any holidaymaker, Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat, Saint-Tropez and Biot, Grasse are all well worth checking out, all of which can be seen in a single trip.
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Five Great Things To Do With The Family In Paris
The great thing about SeaFrance Ferries Dover Calais, is it lets you nip over to Paris for a quick family vacation. Visiting Paris with the kids does not have to be a nightmare, since the city offers a variety of activities that are both educational and fun for the kids. This is a five point activity guide designed to give a broad bases smile from ear to ear.
1. Disneyland Paris
Any trip to Paris with the family is not complete without a visit to Disneyland Paris, with attractions such as Space and Big Thunder Mountain. The younger kids in the family will especially appreciate shows such as ‘Disney Dance Express, and ‘Aladdin’s Magic Lamp, and the day can end with the simply magical ‘Once Upon a Dream Parade’ which features all the most popular Disney characters on eight magical floats.
2. The Ménagerie du Jardin des Plantes
Ménagerie du Jardin des Plantes features dozens of rare animal species, and is home to the oldest civil zoological garden on the planet. The Ménagerie is charming and is ideal for the family, particularly if it is an animal loving one. The zoo features a variety of creatures such as birds of prey, snakes, monkey’s and turtles.
3.Cité des Sciences et de l’Industrie
The Museum of Science and Industry is a fun way to learn, and is infact the largest science museum in all of Europe. The Museum provides a wide variety of interactive exhibitions, all of which are designed to capture the imagination of the kids, with perhaps the adults learning a thing or two.
4.Foire du Trône
Each spring, the Foire du Trône rolls into Paris bringing with it fair attractions and amusements. Whilst it might not be as grand as Disneyland it is most certainly just as fun. There are classic fairground rides to be enjoyed, everything from huge Ferris wheels to bumpers cars, as well as more adventurous rides that have people flying through the sky’s of Paris.
5.Musée Grevin
The Musée Grevin, which was established in 1882 is one of Europe’s oldest was museums and features everyone from Marilyn Monroe to Leonardo da Vinci, and is a fun day out for the whole family, packing 300 life size wax figurines and is worth a visit simply to surprise your friends with the holiday snaps taken with famous people.
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SeaFrance Guide To French Ski Vacations
With summer drawing to a close and autumn approaching, nearly everyone in France is keenly awaiting the start of the skiing season. If you want to head over this year, why not do it in an inexpensive way and hop on a SeaFrance Ferries Dover Calais.
French Ski resorts after all remain a favourite for snowboarders and skiing enthusiasts the world over, and whilst last year the snowfall was not as good as had been hoped for, there is a good reason why these reports continue to remain amongst the most favoured destinations for international visitors.
France offers a variety of landscapes and a range of mountains alongside large areas that have been set aside for skiing. Since the country is already famous as a tourist destination, it is hardly surprising it becomes a preferred destination for skiing during the winter.
Avoriaz is in the heart of Les Portes du Soleil: This particular resort is actually an area in between Switzerland and France and is shared by both country. Every year Avoriaz aside from its fantastic skiing, provides plenty of other entertainment options, that promise to brighten your skiing vacation. Last year, the resort helod the Snow Energy Festival, later that same year, it then hosted the first Go Wild Outdoor Music Festival, which offered visitors an entire week of free outdoor concerts.
Whilst that may sound particularly attractive for singles or indeed couples in their twenties, families perhaps may be more interested in a resort such as Les Gets, which is considered one of the most family friendly resorts in all of France. There is an entire area devoted to children and is completely free of charge. If you are a sports fanatic however, you may prefer Tignes or Les Deux Alpes. The latter offers a variety of sporting activities, such as snowmobiling and paragliding amongst other things, another favourite is bumper car rides on the ice. Tignes, which is the highest ski resort in Europe, offers skiing all year round, and it is even possible to ski up there during the middles of summer. In fact it Tignes has hostes the European winter X-Games twice, and the event is scheduled to be held again.
So if you want a fun winter vacation, hop on a SeaFrance Ferry and head over for a French Ski Vacation.
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Hop On Sea France Ferries To Buy Some French Lingerie
It’s no secret that the French a world renowned for their sense of fashion, with lingerie another items that France has managed to turn into something that is now supposed to be both sexy and alluring. French lingerie is designed to make the wearer of it feel confident and sexy.
Lingerie was invented by the French back in 1600’s and now there are a large number of designers from the country who specialize in the creation of such garments, and whose boutiques in Paris are easy to reach on a SeaFrance Ferries Dover Calais.
Because of this, there are many different styles of lingerie out there in the market, which vary based on style, cut, material and colour. There also a variety of sizes available for every body type, from those who are supposedly normal to those that fall within the plus size category.
Latex, silk, satin, nylon and even leather is used to make some of the most popular French lingerie. A sexy garter belt for example may use leather as its primary material rather than the traditional nylon or silk.
The cost of French lingerie is diverse and really depends on what it is you seek, prices can range anywhere from just a few quid to hundreds of pounds depending on the item and its designer. For this reason many people hop over to Paris on SeaFrance Dover to Calais since it is easier to get better discounts over there and a wider range of sizes compared to a typical UK high street.
Some people however tend to feel a little shy about shopping for lingerie in a store, and prefer instead to do their shopping online, since the privacy of shopping from home enables them to make it much easier to buy what it is they really want rather than what they think they should want.
Lingerie from France has been created by some of the most talented minds in the fashion world and often a piece is worth of being admired both as art, and an evocative piece of clothing.
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A Biking Tour of France
SeaFrance Ferries Dover Calais is an inexpensive way to get to France quickly, and one of the best ways to see the country is by biking around it, enabling people who tour this way to properly enjoy the scenery and food along the way.
As a sport cycling is very popular in France, which is symbolized by the Tour de France which is the most prestigious race of its kind in the world. As a result the country has many dedicated paths for cycling nationally, which are commonly known as veloroutes.
With the breathtaking countryside valleys, gorges, hilltops and chateaux’s, biking through France is ideal. Many tourists who travel by car miss many beautiful sights, that can only be appreciated by a slower moving cyclist or pedestrian.
Veloroutes allow cyclists access to the heart of the countryside, by offering routes through country lanes, converted rail tracks and canal to paths, giving the cyclist a sense of security since these routes are not available to motorists. Bikes can be hired from many vendors along these routes, and indeed there are parts of France that are so quiet that there are no cars ever seen.
France is ideal for cycling enthusiasts to tour, one of the great pleasures of touring the countryside this way is stopping to enjoy lunch at boutique hotels along the way, to sample the excellent food and wine. Many hotels cater specifically to the cyclist, even provide services such as transporting luggage, leaving the tourist to cycle unencumbered by baggage.
This is ideal cycling territory and many enthusiastic cyclists will pass along the way. Part of the pleasure is stopping for lunch at one of the many small hotels and villages and savouring the excellent local food and wine.
So why not book a Seafrance Dover to Calais ferry ride today, and check out France the cool way.
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