Fantastic Provence Towns

For many people thinking about booking one of the many luxury villas in France, picking where to stay can be tricky. This article looks at the Provence region and the types of towns that Provence villas have easy access to.

First on our list is the beautiful town of Uzès. The town could be considered a window to the past with its old towers rising up above the rooftops and its narrow winding streets. The town was also home to famous French figures like the dramatist Racine, who claimed the town inspired the only comedy he ever wrote Les Plaideurs. The town was also described by King Louis XIII as the "premier duchy of France" and this really comes though with its fantastic setting.

Next up is the fantastic town of Roussillon, set on a pretty little hilltop just Northeast of Gordes, and is surround by fantastic views out over the surrounding countryside. The towns name translates into "russet" in English, which perfectly describes the ochre coloured earth of the local area. The earthy red colour is also matched in the buildings of the town that are all shades of dark reds, burnt orange and dusky pink. This makes for a beautiful sight at sunset as the who town seems to glow with a breath taking brilliance.

Third on our list is the gorgeous medieval hill village of Roquebrune, located in the Eastern Riviera just south west of Menton. This gem of a village, said to be one of the finest along the Côte d'Azur, has been extensively restored over the years to a point where you get a real feel for what it must have felt like back in medieval times. The town features a series of winding alleys and steep stairways that converge at the feudal castle that crowns the village.

The penultimate choice on our list is the brilliant little town of Cordes-sur-Ciel, another hill top town filled with fascinating little snippets of history. The old houses, narrow alleys and prominent Gothic arches wont fail to charm you and the fantastic range of arts and crafts available in this town is astonishing.

Finally on the list, but in no way the worst, is another of Provence's fantastic hill villages. The village of Gordes, just east of Avignon, is perhaps one of the best known villages in Provence. The village today is populated by many artists escaping life in the busier cities. You can find silks, potters, weavers and many others in the village, and with its beautiful setting and fantastic traditional looks it's easy to see why.

AK Villas are experts in the field of Provence villas who also offer an extensive range of Luxury villas in France.

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Advanced Driving - The Diamond Special Test

On Passing the Diamond Special Test

After giving driving lessons in Nottingham for some years I decided to update my driving skills by taking the Diamond Special test again after some years without retraining. The following is article is a guide on using commentary driving to improve advanced driving skills both in terms of forward planning and hazard awareness.

After passing the Diamond Special test in 2005, I considered my driving to be of a very high standard. Upon learning that the test now has a three year life span, I decided it was time to take the test again and purchased the Diamond 'Manoeuvres and Hazard Perception' DVD to use as a study aid. Like most ADIs, I regularly demonstrate the manoeuvres to pupils and did not anticipate having any problems in this area. However, I was greatly impressed by the commentary drive section of the DVD and realised that this is perhaps something I have neglected in my own driving. I have used commentary techniques in a limited way when training PDIs for the part 2 test of driving ability, but have never utilized it as a major part of driver training. After a few 10 minute commentary drives I believed my hazard perception and planning skills to be up to scratch and made a date to re-take the test.

I met Diamond Examiner Russell Jones DipDI in a local area and began the test. After 30 minutes of driving in an unfamiliar area I noticed that my concentration was wavering and I was finding it very difficult to remain totally alert to the driving situation. The route for the Special test was quite complex, taking in many country roads and small villages. Working and living in a city environment, this is a type of driving which I am not practised in. Junctions were obscured by trees and hills which made them very difficult to approach at the correct speed. Driving in an unfamiliar urban location on a multi lane road made reading signs and markings, as well as navigating the traffic flow very challenging indeed.

After 90 minutes of driving the test was over and I was not really surprised to find I was unsuccessful on this occasion. Approaching junctions, timing of signals and late decisions regarding road markings had been the problem areas. The day after the test I had another look at the Diamond Hazard perception DVD and noticed how far below the standard I actually was.

Commentary - training for the intuitive drive

Commentary is a proven way to develop advanced driving skills. It enables skills to be brought into conscious awareness where they can be analysed and refined by the driver aiming for a point where they become intuitive and automatic. I find commentary driving greatly improves the effectiveness of early observations by encouraging an active scanning process, the driver becomes more actively interested in the drive which leads to a greater awareness of the driving environment. A greater sense of timing is achieved, encouraging smooth use of the MSPSL routine and greater vehicle sympathy. Without commentary it is easy for a driver to lapse into a daydreaming state, resulting in looking at a fixed point ahead and missing vital driving information, attention is focussed elsewhere rather than on the driving task.

I found it best to build a commentary system up using the Observation-Anticipation-Planning system shown in the DVD. Start by talking through the hazard routine as you use it, mentioning all stages of MSPSL including physical actions such as mirror checks, braking, gear change etc. This first stage improves the coordination of the controls, encouraging a higher level of vehicle sympathy. Mirror checks become more regular, acceleration sense is brought into play resulting in much less need for harsh braking. Questioning whether each gear change is absolutely necessary develops a much more economical driving style and smoother ride. Timing and consistency in the use of signals is brought to the attention, are you making best use of them? As you get through the awkward stage of talking to yourself expand into MSPSLADA and you will see this is a very flexible and comfortable system of car control, changing from the rigid by the numbers style taught to learners during their early stages into a fluid and involving system of driving.

Next, start to add other elements into the commentary. Road signs and markings can be seen and their meanings spoken aloud, along with the course of action taken as a result of seeing the sign. You may find that signs begin to appear that simply did not attract your attention before. 'Saying what you see' helps to develop an active scanning process. Keeping the eyes moving helps the driver to gain information to the front, sides and rear of the car. This is essential when driving in an unfamiliar area. Late and incorrect decisions are so easy if you are not sure where you are headed for, commentary helps a driver to sort and prioritise visual information leading to earlier decisions, alleviating stress and assisting in the forming of a driving plan. Lane changing, speed management and car control all improve when we see the signs and markings early.

Add the actions of other road users into the mix. The unpredictability of some road users combined with an ever changing traffic scene gives the commentary a sense of calm urgency. Attention is totally focussed on the drive, cutting down reaction times by allowing the driver to anticipate the actions of others at a much earlier stage. By talking through the actions of other road users, observation links can be made, helping prevent the driver from having to make last minute snap decisions. As a result all actions take on a smooth and unhurried approach, the driver has taken control of the situation and can more easily manage risk.

Finally, add environmental factors such as road and weather conditions. Notice the road surface, bends, trees and buildings, Is the road wet or dry? By describing the physical environment aloud during commentary, an awareness of how the vehicle is directly affected can be developed and the drive planned in accordance. Potholes and debris in the road can be avoided without the need for harsh steering, the vehicle can be positioned to gain the best possible view of the road ahead, speed can be altered early to allow for restricted zones of vision.

When all these elements are combined into a comprehensive commentary the driver is in a better position to produce the standard of drive demanded by the Special Test. I have also found that after regular practise of commentary, driving instruction improves as well. The learner's attention can be directed towards hazards earlier leading to greater opportunities for the use of Q & A. Inviting commentary from a pupil makes the lesson more interesting by involving them directly in the decision making process as well as developing planning skills.

After much practise of commentary driving I took the Diamond Special Test again and was successful in passing. I did notice a definite improvement in my drive compared with the first attempt. It is good to know my skills are back up to scratch and surprising how much they deteriorate if not practised regularly. I would recommend the Diamond Special test to any instructor who takes their profession seriously as it offers an excellent opportunity to improve a wide range of driving and teaching skills.

More info at http://www.mydrivinginstructortraining.com

My name is Russ Chaplin. I am a driving instructor working in the Nottingham area. I am a Diamond Advanced instructor, holding the Diploma in driving instruction and have passed the Diamond Advanced and Special driving tests. As an ORDIT registered driving instructor trainer, I am qualified to deliver training for all parts of the ADI qualifying examinations, as well as Check test re-assessment. I teach all levels of driving and also deliver the Pass Plus post test driving course.

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The Music Lovers Guide to the Balearics

More recently the Balearic Isles have been associated with being a clubbers paradise, especially Ibiza. And for good reason too. In Majorca too, you can head to Tito's or Araxes for classic dance anthems and cutting edge sounds. But the islands have a long history with music, and provide classical, traditional and modern music, catering for all tastes throughout the season, and it doesn't end when the tourists go home.

Jazz

Formentera has had jazz concerts on Saturday nights from 10:00 p.m. to approximately 1:00 a.m. all summer long in the Plaza de Sant Francesc. It's a tradition that's lasted 15 years now, and the number of concerts, as well as the number of listeners has been growing year on year.

Ciutadella, Majorca, is relatively quiet, but it does offer a wide variety of clubs, one of which is Jazzbah in Pla de Sant Joan. This jazz club offers a cool cats' refuge from the thumping dance beats providing high standards of live music every weekend.

Classical

Coves del Drac (Cuevas del Drac in Castilian) is a well known tourist spot, with throngs of tourists being lead through the lit cave system. The end of the walk leads to a massive natural amphitheatre and there, as in the Coves d'es Hams, the lucky travellers are treated to a classical music performance on a stage floating on an underground lake. The whole thing is really very well done, even if the actual caves are often heaving with tourists.

Pollença Music Festival is organized annually. Eleven classical music concerts are staged throughout July and August. In Palma, the Bellver Castle Music Festival takes place in the open air courtyard of Bellver Castle, creating a wonderful atmosphere. It takes place every year in July.

If opera is more your thing, you should try to get tickets to one of the annual Maó Opera Season in Menorca. Held at Maó's Teatre Principal since 1972 there are 2 opera seasons during June and December.

It's also worth checking what's on at the Auditorium Majorca. Concerts, spectacular opera or theatre performances are often staged.

Traditional

Various bars and hotels run regular flamenco nights, and most hotels will open these nights to all comers, not just residents. Other traditional music, specific to the Balearic Isles can be found during fiestas. Christmas Songs, Caramelles, are played traditionally in Formentera's and Ibiza's churches during the Christmas period. Or there is the traditional 'cantada'. Cantadas are a major part of the festival of Saint James, held every July 25th. The songs are intended to resolve the differences between the sexes, various churches and venues in Formentera will have performances around the time of the festival.

First Choice offers a wide range of all inclusive offers for beach holidays. If you're looking for information about Majorca holidays, First Choice has comprehensive resources.

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