DESTINATION REVIEW
CAMARGUE – FRANCE

By Nelleke Pruijs

HOW TO GET THERE? THE TGV ALTERNATIVE

To start with, I had not travelled by train in about 10 years, not great distances at least. Even the High Speed connections hadn't lured me away from travel by plane or car. Not because I was opposed to trains: not at all!

I like trains on principle and especially romantic old-fashioned steam trains. But it was the travel-time involved that I found to be the deciding factor not to take the train. Whenever I need to go to Amsterdam I take the train, mainly to avoid parking and driving impossibilities in that town. However, it takes almost 3 hours from station to station not counting delays. The idea of going on a trip 5 times as far didn't excite me much, high speed or otherwise.

I am well aware that to be invited on a press trip means you have to accept what is given to you and preferably write favourable reviews afterwards. The eternal dilemma of the journalist is of course to write or not to write. And for that matter the same applies to readers: to believe or not to believe what the reporter reports.
But let me assure you, this writer has become a convert to trains, at least the High Speed Trains. It was comfortable, fast, easy and extremely convenient. After a ten minute walk to the Antwerp station from where I live (I am aware not everyone lives this close to train stations) and an easy change in Brussels Midi, I settled in my pre-reserved seat and was able to make good use of my travelling time, plenty of space to work and plenty of room to stretch my legs. I was able to use my phone, my laptop, eat my sandwiches etc. One little point of criticism concerns the catering on board, not quite up to my usual standards and not a lot of choice. Arriving at my destination was a breeze, no heavy-weight security, no waiting for your baggage, (no lost baggage!!) and no long waits for transfer busses to town, since you arrive in the middle of it in most cases. I think my total travelling time was about 7 hours, but more important is the fact that it wasn't a waste of time. In comparison: I flew back London just yesterday and it took me from hotel to my front door in Antwerp over 10 hours of which most was spent just waiting around, the actual flying time was less then one hour. Hurray for Belgian Railways!

Another advantage of travelling by train; there are several options for presentations or meetings while you travel. More information may be requested from the groups department of Belgian Railways.

For more information go to the website of Belgian Railways
http://www.b-rail.be

THE DESTINATION: CAMARGUE

The Camargue is a major world heritage wetland, the region maintains a fragile ecological balance, in which a unique collection of flora flourishes, including tamarisk and narcissi, and fauna such as egrets, pink flamingo's and ibises. The pastures provide gazing for sheep, and small white local-type horses, ridden by the "gardians" (i.e. cow-boys), a hardy community who traditionally lived in thatched huts ("cabanes"), and still play their part in keeping Camargue traditions alive.
Horses adapted for riders at all levels, including beginners are for rent by the hour to discover the area on horseback.
Ponds and marshes cover a large proportion of the river delta. Partly dry in summer, the shallow (20 to 80 cm) marshes are subject to the unpredictable seasonal weather patterns of the Mediterranean climate. They are nevertheless, with the ponds, habitats of choice for both migratory and sedentary birds such as herons, bitterns, mallards and wagtails. Since areas like this are rare in Europe, they are carefully protected by all the organizations responsible for protecting Camargue wildlife.
The sansouires or low-lying salt plains, which dry out and crack in summer, are carpeted with glasswort that the wild bulls and horses love to graze. Submerged in winter, by spring they provide wetlands for marsh birds (godwits, sandpipers, black-winged stilts, etc.). The glassworts and salt crystals used to be incinerated to yield soda for soap making and glassmaking, but by the end of the 19th century, the plant soda was replaced by industrial soda made from salt.

The Camargue bulls have a history as old as the horses, their forefathers clearly come from Africa and Spain. But because of their presence in Camargue for centuries they acquired the characteristics that you will only find in this region. The enormous "animals weigh between 300 to 450 kg and live in herds which are called "manade". About thirty of these manades live in Camargue, which means about 5,000 bulls. The Camargue bull is raised for bullfights and games, but much less bloody then the Spanish ones. Racing the bulls through the narrow streets of mediaeval villages is a tradition that goes back to Roman times.

MERCURE HOTEL THALASSA CAMARGUE

Situated between the dunes and direct access to immense stretches of sandy beaches, opposite the largest harbour for pleasure boats in Europe, the hotel offers 92 spacious air-conditioned rooms most with sea view. The Thalassic Institute adds to a relaxed atmosphere. Other amenities include indoor and outdoor swimming pools and tennis courts. The hotel kitchen excels in seafood dishes.

Mercure Thalassa Port Camargue (Accor group)
Route des Marines
Le Grau-du-Roi
30240
France