From Paris to the Mediterranean by bike

One Guardian reader has told of her experience cycling from Caen in Normandy all the way to the Mediterranean, which may offer inspiration to people hoping to have a European holiday with a difference in 2009.

Frances Philcher spent three days cycling through the rural countryside and managed to put in some 50 miles a day to reach her destination.

After setting off at 06:00 local time, the group would stop for breakfast around two hours later and "savour a delicious croissant and cafe au lait while watching local life shuffle by".

Following some more cycling taking in the beautiful surroundings, Ms Philcher explained the group were happy to relax and enjoy an ice-cold beer in the evening.

"When we reached our destination and had to pack up our bikes to fly home, we agreed that - if not for work waiting for us - we would have cycled back again," she added.

Britons who wish to take their own cycling trip from France to the coast may be pleased to hear they can book cheap flights to Paris with low-cost airline Jet2.com.

Meanwhile, the Association of British Travel Agents has claimed that Tenerife is a popular destination for winter sun-seekers.

Book cheap flights to Paris online from Jet2.com, the low cost airline.