Biarritz

This Month in Biarritz (August):

Shopping: The Fournil du Rocher is no ordinary bread shop. All the bread is freshly made on the premises and is well worth queueing for. Buy a fresh, warm loaf and have a picnic on the beach (60 Rue Gambetta, tel: 05 5924 8676).

Key areas: Imagine yourself as a Formula 1 superstar for the day as you whizz round the tracks at Karting Briscous, just outside Biarritz. Passes cost between €10-€12 and there are circuits for children over seven years old, a teenage track and one for the big kids out there (kartingbriscous.com, French only).

Biarritz News & Gossip

Travel Advice

My boyfriend loves to ski and I'm not bad, but we don't want to spend the whole week on the slopes. Which resorts have interesting day trip options?

+ It's no exaggeration that from Nice you can start the day with a swim in the sea and then be hitting the ski slopes by lunchtime. It's just over an hour's drive from the high-altitude resort of Isola 2000 to the French Riviera. In early December, when Isola 2000 opens for its winter season, you can still enjoy balmy temperatures on the coast. If you have a car, there are plenty of day-trip options: drive to the Riviera and take in the cobbled lanes of Antibes, the glamour of Cannes, the bustling markets of Nice or the stunning village of Eze (don't miss the Fragonard perfume factory there: www.fragonard.com).

+ There can't be many places in the world where you can go from the hustle-and-bustle of inner city life to the slopes in under 20 minutes. Innsbruck is situated right in the heart of the Tyrolean Alps and offers some spectacular gentle blue-slope skiing that you can enjoy together, and some seriously challenging pistes (including the hair-raising Hafelekarrinne, one of the steepest runs in Europe) for your boyfriend to show off his prowess on the snow. Back at city level, Innsbruck boasts fine Renaissance architecture, the baroque Imperial Palace and its iconic landmark, the Golden Roof, There are also numerous, classic Austrian cafés serving strudel and superb shops along Herzog Friedrich Strasse and the Rathaus Galerien - without the inflated resort prices.

I'm treating my 29-year-old girlfriend to a romantic weekend away. We want a fun city and a hotel to match

+ Berlin is an exciting city for a couple to discover together. Restaurants like Kreuzberg's White Trash (www.whitetrashfastfood.com) and hedonistic clubs like Insomnia (www.insomnia-berlin.de) provide a cool, seductive atmosphere. The perfect romantic base is the Hotel de Rome (37 Behrenstrasse), where you can relax in the spa, recharge the chemistry with intimate drinks on the roof terrace and then retire to your suite for a kinky night in.

+ Most people dismiss Málaga just as the gateway to the Costa del Sol, but this seafront city has a young, glamorous vibe. Book into the stylish Parador de Málaga Gibralfaro (www.hotels.easyJet.com), perched opposite a 14th-century Moorish fort. Its glorious views across to Morocco provide the perfect backdrop for a sneaky kiss. The botanical garden is an amorous oasis just outside the city, set up by a devoted couple in the 19th century. Come nightfall, reserve a table at Vino Mio (11 Calle Alamos), a buzzing restaurant serving quirky dishes such as crocodile and ostrich (not exactly an aphrodisiac, but very tasty!) before hitting the best club in town, Sala Gold (5 Luis de Velázquez).

+ Lisbon has a faded romantic charm that makes the perfect setting for any loved-up weekend away. For a secluded stay, check into York House (Rua das Janelas Verdes) - a stunning 17th-century convent turned boutique hotel. It's also only a couple of minutes from nightlife hotspot Avenida 24 de Juhlo. Start your night as the locals do with a long dinner á deux - try the Op Art Café (Doca de Santo Armaro), with its amazing location on the River Tagus - before bar-hopping and canoodling in the clubs.

For my nephew's 16th birthday, I want to take him and a friend away for an experience he'll never forget. I'm 38 and have no idea what 16-year-olds like doing. Help!

+ Despite its historical reputation, Rome has a youthful, alternative buzz. Trastevere is the hippest neighbourhood, where local kids and 20-somethings socialise in bohemian cafés come nightfall. If they're into football, catch a game at the Stadio Olimpico to see the capital's top-flyers, AS Roma (www.asroma.it). Or, for something completely different, take them to learn how to fight like Russell Crowe at Rome's only gladiator school (www.gsr-roma.com).

+ The lively north African city of Marrakech is a top choice for teens, with its mix of culture and adventure sports. Spending a couple of hours in the souk is the ultimate culture shock: soak up unforgettable sights, smells and sounds in the bustling market. Head out into the desert on quad bikes for some high-octane sightseeing (www.dunesdesert.com), then return to the medina quarter for dinner in Djemaa al Fna square, eating at open-air stalls.

+ If they're sporty, they'll either be surfing already or desperately wanting to learn. Biarritz is one of Europe's surfing meccas with 6km of epic beach. Take your pick from 10 surfing schools (www.biarritz.fr), all experienced in taking beginners from novice level to challenging reefs. If they've caught the surfing bug and you fancy a change of scene, whisk them over to San Sebastian in Spain on a day trip, another hot spot for catching the waves.

ATTENTION TRAVELLERS!

Do you have a burning question you would like us to answer? Please send an email through to travelclinic@easyJetinflight.com and we'll pick the most original questions to be published in the magazine.

Biarritz Trivia

• August: A person from Biarritz is affectionately referred to as a Biarrot.

• July: One form of Basque Pelota, Jai-Alai, is recorded as being the world's fastest ball game. The ball travels at speeds of up to 303kmh.

• June: Lots of famous writers from all corners of the world have found inspiration in Biarritz. Victor Hugo was a local, but other literary masters such as Ernest Hemingway used to summer here.

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