News

Customer Satisfaction
In recent years, in addition to guests from: England, Scotland, Northern Ireland and Wales as one would expect, we have also had guests from the Republic of Ireland, South Africa, USA and Australia. To that international selection of guests, in 2011 we also welcomed our first guests from Denmark.
Unsolicited comments from La Vele guests, of all ages, during 2011 [see Guest Comments] continue to echo those made in previous years, so we must be doing something right!!

Climate Changes
Regardless of conflicting scientific views, in SW France the summer of 2011 seemed to start in April, with much higher than average temperatures and very little rainfall until July. For some time the farmers and vignerons were very concerned about the lack of rain. The higher temperatures then continued long after the 'real' summer had ended, until well into November. As a result, in the immediate area, early cereal crops were poor, but most fruit trees produced record quantities of quality fruit, including the vines, most of which were harvested up to 2-weeks earlier than usual.

Grape Harvest - 2011
For the 'real' wine experts, the above suggests that over the next few years, some of the 2011 Gaillac AOC wines could be quite special. For the rest of us, still struggling to sample the products from the 132 local vineyards within a 20-minute drive of La Vele, we will know much earlier than that!!!!!

Advanced Bookings for 2012
France continues to be the No.1 holiday destination for 'Brits', and as the employment and economic situation continues to be uncertain, seems likely to continue to be so because of its easy [and relatively low cost] access by road, sea and air. Firm bookings and general enquiries for 2012 are well underway, so potential La Vele guests should take action to avoid disappointment. Each year, it appears that we refuse 70/80% of all enquiries received because of prior bookings, the majority being for July/August,.
With the apparent changes in weather patterns [see above], for the more flexible holiday makers there are amazing bargains to be had outside the 'peak period' of July/August, with the standard La Vele pricing structure offering discounts from 'peak period' prices of –
• 55% in April, May, October and November, and
• 33% in June and September.

Guest Discount Card - Tourist Attractions
A new initiative has recently been introduced by the Regional Office of Tourism for the Tarn. An informative leaflet on six open air leisure activities and seventeen places to visit, is now available from participating gite owners. Discounts on entrance fees to all 23 of the venues, varying from 5% to 50%, are available on production of an accompanying Guest Discount Card. This initiative identifies some of the benefits arising from the recently increased daily Tourist Tax [La Taxe de Séjour], now €1.10 per day for visitors over 18 years of age.