Paul Shawcross Travel

 Tel: 0191 4885313

Mob: 07708 952044

Published work

    New for 2018/9 - Smartphone apps 

    A selection of Travel Guide Books:  

    Some Magazine Pieces:

    Some On-line pieces:

    Some Reviews:

Provençal Roaming. A Travel Guide - reviewed by Philip Haslett of Unique Provence Nov 2012

Created by Francophile Paul Shawcross here is an app that will guide you through Provence and beyond as far as Aigues Mortes and as far North as the Ardeche neither of which is strictly speaking in Provence. But I can see why they are there, I wouldn't be able to contain myself to strict geographical limits if I was creating such an app and I would imagine that if you are visiting the region you wouldn't either! However the Eastern limits are Aix en Provence and Cassis, and he recommends other apps (Riviera Roaming App by Kimberly Lovato) and a forthcoming app called Nice and Easy Nice to cover the missing department of Les Alpes Maritimes. I would have liked to have seen the Provence Verte included, (around Brignoles) as here there are a myriad of secrets to reveal and it is often left out. I hope that this will figure in later editions.
The informative text for each entry is written with authority and I would even say affection as he is not just mindlessly listing places but is sharing his vision as well as that of other people mentioned in the app and I suspect using their personal recommendations for some of the addresses, but this is hardly surprising as Paul Shawcross is a travel writer who is no stranger to Provence and that is why this is a must have guide.
It may not have every place listed, but it has the most important sites as well as some lesser known ones like the Tom Simpson Memorial on the top of the Mont Ventoux. It has a list of restaurants recommended by the author, some hotels, camp sites and even an address for camper-van hire. There is plenty of historical background about Provence and even a section on the Troubadours.  Another aspect of this app that I like is the fact that you can leave comments and Paul will get back to you with a pertinent answer, an unlikely event with major tourist guides.
It is an app that I will recommend to my self-drive clients (along with a few others mentioned in this post) for its good accurate information from someone who is talking from personal experience. Like Edible Heritage it is worth downloading this before you leave so as to whet your appetite for your journey to come! The App is available for I-Phone & I-Pad as well as Android platforms for a mere $2.99.

French Travel Apps by Paul Shawcross  Reviewed by Scott Jones & Justin Postlethwaite of France Today Nov 2013

It’s a reflection of the times that a travel journalist who’s used to making his living in print or online has now turned his hand to creating apps. But given his wealth of experience and endless visits to France, Paul Shawcross is well placed to share his considerable knowledge via tablets or smart phones.

N.B. Provençal Roaming is currently unavailable as an App but the content is downloadable f.o.c. here from BinduTrips.

 

Originally published in the August-September 2013 issue of France Today

Telephone or e-mail for further information

 

HOME PAGE

PICTORIAL

OTHER SERVICES 

TRAVEL IMAGES