Bridge at the Chateau des comtes de challes

23 June 2022

1 days

Join First for Bridge at the ever-popular Chateau des Comtes de Challes in the Rhone Alps where a full programme of Bridge is complimented by wine tasting in the Chateau cellars and excursions to both Chambery on market day and the thermal town of Aix-les-Bain.

Bridge directed by Mark Hooper with our friendly Bridge hosts
Flights included from London Heathrow. Manchester & Bristol available at a supplement.
9 nights at the stunning Château des Comtes de Challes half board with quality wine & coffee with dinner
Situated in the Rhone Alps with stunning views over the valley and mountain peaks
Included excursions to Chambery on market day and the thermal town of Aix-les-Bain
Included wine tasting in the hotel's wine cellar

Bridge at the Chateau des Comtes de Challes

This First for Bridge holiday is both something special and a little unique. The 15th century Chateau des Comtes de Challes is situated in the Rhone Alps, with stunning views over the valley and mountain peaks from its terraces – making this a very popular holiday with our guests.

A short 10 minute walk will take you into the centre of Challes-les-Eaux, which is a spa and resort town situated in the valley of the Bauges close to Chambery. Here you can take a bath in the sulphur rich waters of the thermal baths or chance your luck at the casino, or take a leisurely walk through the park or around the lake. There is a small selection of shops in the typical French town that include a patisserie, boulangerie, tabac, bank & supermarket and a couple of cafes and pizzeria.

There are many beautiful walks in this region and Monsieur Treves, a former member of the French Olympic Ski Team, is more than happy to advise. It is also famous for its wine and the Chateau’s sommelier will introduce you to its grand selection of wines on a tour of the cellars with a tasting of 3 different wines. We play bridge in the Granier Room in the Orangerie which can accommodate up to 20 tables.

Included to enhance your holiday:

A visit to Chambery where you can shop on market day and have a guided tour of this historical old town with its cathedral and narrow alleyways, Piedmont-inspired mansions and picturesque squares.
An excursion to the thermal town of Aix-les-Bains. As well as having time to spend in the port and you will have an included boat trip on Lake Bourget to Hautecombe Abbey where we take a audio guided tour.
Wine tasting in the chateau cellars

You can also join a popular optional tour to Annecy, “The Venice of the Alps” with its old town crossed by numerous canals, situated on the banks of Lake Annecy with its medieval arcades, bridges and flower-decked quays.

What to expect on this Bridge holiday:
Fly from London Heathrow to Geneva with our flight inclusive package. Departures from Manchester and Bristol may also be available for an additional supplement. On arrival in Geneva, your transfer will also be included and will take approximately 1 hour, 30 minutes.

At the start of your Bridge holiday you’ll be invited to join our Bridge director and host for a welcome meeting in the hotel. Any single travellers will have the opportunity to find a partner for the Bridge room.

Our Bridge programmes will vary according to the length of your break, and, in addition to playing Bridge, we try to include interesting Bridge seminars, hosted by your Bridge Director.

Your duplicate Bridge will be available every evening between 7.45pm and 11.15pm and we endeavour to vary these evening sessions, balancing between teams and pairs, with at least one Swiss style event during a two-week Bridge break.

Bridge will also be offered some afternoons between 2.30pm and 4.45pm. These sessions are normally given over to open pairs/teams.

During your Bridge holiday nothing is obligatory and you can play in as many, or as few, Bridge sessions as you wish. We don’t forget you are on holiday and our Bridge programmes also allow time to relax and the opportunity for you to explore the surrounding area.

Included in our package:

Full bridge programme directed by Mark Hooper with our friendly Bridge hosts, with seminars and varied bridge sessions
Masterpoints and prizes awarded
Return flights from London Heathrow to Geneva (Manchester & Bristol available at a supplement)
Airport transfers from Geneva airport on our arrival and departure dates
9 nights in good 3* accommodation on a half board basis
Wine and coffee served with dinner
Welcome cocktail

Plus the following excursions:

Excursion to Chambery on market day and guided tour of old town
Excursion to Aix-les-Bains, including boat trip on Lake Bourget and guided tour of Hautecombe Abbey
Wine tasting in the Chateau Cellar with the hotel sommelier

Mark Hooper

Mark is a bridge Premier Life Master, having played competitively for over 30 years. After retiring from a career in IT, Mark has been able to indulge his passion for bridge. While allowing time to play more bridge, he also threw himself in to other aspects such as bridge directing and teaching.

He is an EBU qualified tournament Director, and an EBU accredited bridge teacher, teaching beginners at his local bridge club. He continues to play lots of bridge at a high level, having represented Dorset in major competitions such as the Tollemache, the Corwen and the Pachabo. Mark can be seen at most of the major bridge congresses across the South of England.

Fly from London Heathrow

Return flights from London Heathrow are included in our package on our specific arrival and departure dates plus one item of checked in luggage, per person.

Transfers will also be included on our specific arrival and departure dates to take you to your holiday destination. If you choose to arrive or depart on a different day, there may be an additional supplement charged to cover your transfer costs.

Fly from other airports

If our included flights are not suitable, alternative flights may also be available from other airports on our arrival and departure dates. These may have an additional supplement and are subject to availability at the time of booking.

Where possible, transfers will also be included, although if you choose to arrive or depart on a different day, there may be an additional supplement charged to cover your transfer costs.

Please call one of our friendly Holiday Advisors to check flight options and availability for this holiday.

Meet us at our hotel

If you would like to make your own travel arrangements, you can meet us at our hotel. This package will not include flights or transfers. Please contact our friendly Holiday Advisors who will be happy to help, assist with travel information and advise you of our ‘meet us there’ holiday discounts.

Overview

The stunning 15th century Château des Comtes de Challes is situated amongst over two hectares of beautiful grounds offering luxurious rooms, a charming atmosphere and a peaceful location. The chateau has been lovingly restored, retaining much of its traditional charming features - which will no doubt inspire your own creativity during your stay. A short 10-minute walk will take you into the centre of Challes-les-Eaux, which is a spa and resort town situated in the valley of the Bauges close to Chambery.

Hotel Facilities & Amenities

Delicious traditional and local cuisine is freshly prepared by the hotel chef on a daily basis and there is an on-site pool and spa if you fancy a little pampering during your stay. Breakfast is usually taken in the Summer Garden or on the terraces. It is continental with a wonderful range of French pastries, croissants, pain au chocolat and breads, cereals, cheeses, and cold meats, fruits and juices and honey from the hotels own hives. Scrambled egg is served from 08.00 am. The chateau can arrange optional light lunches, which are usually pre-bookable, and a limited option of snacks and sandwiches during the day.

Room Facilities & Amenities

All the bedrooms are individually designed 'charm rooms' offering the following:

TV
Direct dial telephone
Hair dryer
Full tiled bathroom with bath with shower attachment or walk-in shower
Toiletries
Laundry service
Air-conditioning

Room Types

Choose our standard room type for an enjoyable stay in comfortable surroundings, or upgrade to add a little extra luxury to your holiday.

Classic room
These lovely rooms capture the true spirit of the Chateau, combining comfort and charming finishing touches to enhance your stay. Classic rooms are available as a twin or double to share or for sole use.

Suite
Enjoy your stay at the Chateau in one of the beautiful suites with exceptional views of the Coomb of Savoie. They are quiet and comfortable, and are available as a double to share or for sole use.