stunsworth Posted April 29, 2013 Share #1 Posted April 29, 2013 Advertisement (gone after registration) Yes, it's a long way away, but I thought I'd make a suggestion regarding the timing and the location. I was wondering if there would be any support for holding it a month earlier at Perpignan in South West France in the second week of September. The reason being that it would then coincide with the Visa Pour L'Image photo festival. The festival is extensive, and is mainly concerned with reportage type photography. Also, it's all free! Some details of it this year... Visa pour l'Image Perpignan 2013 The main problem that I can see is one of timing. It may be a bit too close to the summer holidays for many people. The nearest airport is probably Carcassone or Verona in Spain. There's an aiport in Perpignan itself, but I don't know if it's used by any budget carriers. No problem if people aren't keen, and I know I've made this suggestion in the past, but I thought I'd float it as an idea again. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Advertisement Posted April 29, 2013 Posted April 29, 2013 Hi stunsworth, Take a look here The One Challenge - 2014. I'm sure you'll find what you were looking for!
stunsworth Posted April 29, 2013 Author Share #2 Posted April 29, 2013 Edit... It appears that RyanAir fly to Perpignan - at the moment at least. Details here... Schedules | www.aeroport-perpignan.com Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
bill Posted April 29, 2013 Share #3 Posted April 29, 2013 I wouldn't do it, I have to say. I'd be interested in Perpignan as a standalone visit, but I wouldn't relish doing a One Challenge there - two different purposes, IMO. Regards, Bill Sent from another Galaxy 2 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
robert_parker Posted April 30, 2013 Share #4 Posted April 30, 2013 I think you can get flights into Toulouse and there is a regional airport near Nimes, although I wonder if the timing would be a little early for The Challenge being so close to he main holiday season 2 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ted99 Posted April 30, 2013 Share #5 Posted April 30, 2013 Extremely interesting I have already planned to go to South France and Barcelona in about a year , can't be better. Suppose one week stay ( maybe more ) and rent a car during the time is an alternative. cheers Ted 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
andybarton Posted April 30, 2013 Share #6 Posted April 30, 2013 The main problem that I can see is one of timing. It may be a bit too close to the summer holidays for many people. I think that it would be. We obviously chose October (when it moved from December after a couple of years), because it sits between summer holiday time and Christmas. Too close to the summer and I suspect that people won't be able to fit in the leave required. There is also the issue of several participants using the Challenge as a convenient "excuse" for a weekend away with a partner. I would have a hard sell if I suggested that we go and immerse ourselves in even more photography for the whole weekend... 2 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
stunsworth Posted April 30, 2013 Author Share #7 Posted April 30, 2013 Advertisement (gone after registration) We obviously chose October (when it moved from December after a couple of years), because it sits between summer holiday time and Christmas. Too close to the summer and I suspect that people won't be able to fit in the leave required. There is also the issue of several participants using the Challenge as a convenient "excuse" for a weekend away with a partner. I would have a hard sell if I suggested that we go and immerse ourselves in even more photography for the whole weekend... The proximity to the summer holidays was something that I thought may be a problem. As for Mrs B, you could always put her on a train to Avignon/Nimes or Barcelona for the day <grin>. For anyone who's not been, Visa is well worth a visit. I can't make it this year, but I hope to be there next. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
earleygallery Posted April 30, 2013 Share #8 Posted April 30, 2013 Sounds interesting but again timing would be an issue for me as I usually go away towards the end of August. Two trips in short time would severely harm my cashflow! Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
robert_parker Posted April 30, 2013 Share #9 Posted April 30, 2013 The proximity to the summer holidays was something that I thought may be a problem. As for Mrs B, you could always put her on a train to Avignon/Nimes or Barcelona for the day <grin>. For anyone who's not been, Visa is well worth a visit. I can't make it this year, but I hope to be there next. I'll second that. The seaside town of Canet Plage is only a Eur 1 bus ride away, so it is possible to escape the photgraphy. The town itself is very nice too. It really does come down to timing though, as has already been said. The big advantage of The Challenge as it stands is that it just catches the end of the holiday special deals without being right in the season itself, avoiding problems with annual leave, clashes with school terms, etc. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
stunsworth Posted April 30, 2013 Author Share #10 Posted April 30, 2013 I'll second that. The seaside town of Canet Plage is only a Eur 1 bus ride away, so it is possible to escape the photgraphy. The town itself is very nice too I've stayed in Canet before when I've turned up on spec and not been able to find a hotel in Perpignan itself. For anyone thinking of going, I can recommend the Mercure, Hotel de France, and the Ibis. The first two are slap bang in the centre of town, the Ibis is about a 10 minute walk away. The Hotel de Paris is more old fashioned than the other two. The best place to people watch is in the Cafe de la Poste underneath some plane trees by the red brick castle. The last time I was in Perpignan - not for Visa - it was full of Bradford Bull fans, including for some reason one bloke in a wedding dress, who'd come for the rugby league game against the town's side Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
robert_parker Posted April 30, 2013 Share #11 Posted April 30, 2013 I've stayed in Canet before when I've turned up on spec and not been able to find a hotel in Perpignan itself. For anyone thinking of going, I can recommend the Mercure, Hotel de France, and the Ibis. The first two are slap bang in the centre of town, the Ibis is about a 10 minute walk away. The Hotel de Paris is more old fashioned than the other two. The best place to people watch is in the Cafe de la Poste underneath some plane trees by the red brick castle. The last time I was in Perpignan - not for Visa - it was full of Bradford Bull fans, including for some reason one bloke in a wedding dress, who'd come for the rugby league game against the town's side They hosts a team called the Catalan Dragons, who are quite well known in Rugby League circles Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
farnz Posted April 30, 2013 Share #12 Posted April 30, 2013 I wouldn't have a problem with the idea in principle although I suspect that Visa's popularity would cause accommodation to fill up quite early, which is a potential problem. Pete. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
robert_parker Posted May 1, 2013 Share #13 Posted May 1, 2013 (edited) I wouldn't have a problem with the idea in principle although I suspect that Visa's popularity would cause accommodation to fill up quite early, which is a potential problem. Pete. I think accommodation is only really tricky during the first week (known as 'Professional Week'), although even then it is generally possible to book last minute but it does require a little luck - after Professional Week, I think it's ok. Here's a link to the event: Visa pour l'Image Perpignan 2013 Edited May 1, 2013 by robert_parker 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
stunsworth Posted May 1, 2013 Author Share #14 Posted May 1, 2013 I wouldn't have a problem with the idea in principle although I suspect that Visa's popularity would cause accommodation to fill up quite early, which is a potential problem Pete, my advice would be that if you decide to go then book accommodation as soon as you make up your mind. If there's nothing in the town itself try Canet Roussillon - aka Canet Plage. That's about a 15-20 minutes drive away on the coast. One of life's more pleasant pastimes is to sit under the plane trees at the Cafe de la Poste sipping a cold beer on a hot day. 1 Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
robert_parker Posted May 2, 2013 Share #15 Posted May 2, 2013 Pete, my advice would be that if you decide to go then book accommodation as soon as you make up your mind. If there's nothing in the town itself try Canet Roussillon - aka Canet Plage. That's about a 15-20 minutes drive away on the coast. One of life's more pleasant pastimes is to sit under the plane trees at the Cafe de la Poste sipping a cold beer on a hot day. ...or a coffee and Orangina.. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dan Bachmann Posted October 8, 2013 Share #16 Posted October 8, 2013 Disregarding the date discussion, I like the idea of the South of France. Scotland, Mediterranean islands are also appealing options. I have some other ideas to throw in the pot, but they are outside the EU and it looks like France has some momentum. Taking the train from London at least in one direction through France would be very civilised. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
spylaw4 Posted October 8, 2013 Share #17 Posted October 8, 2013 In 2014 it would be very close to Photokina (15 - 21 Sept), which for me at least would probably rule it out. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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