In France, get a real taste of wine country at charming wine-themed hotels in the heart of the vines

April 30, 2009

Hotels in Burgundy, Langudoc and the Loire Valley make both seasoned oenophiles and casual wine lovers feel right at home.

You can almost taste the names: Saint-Emilion. Cotes-de-Nuit. Sancerre. Even if the closest you’ve come to the time-honored regions in France that these names represent is the label on the bottle at your local French bistro, now you can stay in the heart of these celebrated wine regions and enjoy these wonderful wines in their natural habitats. Luckily, if your travel budget–or your personality– do not make a stay in a French chateau ideal, there are a number of charming hotels in France that cater to the wine lover, both expert and novice.

Logis, the famous network of charming hotels in France, is rolling out the red carpet for wine lovers. Well-known already for their high standards of comfort and quality, with their unique “fireplace” ratings system, Logis hotels are now also classified by theme, so those with special interests can find the perfect hotel in France to indulge their passions. The hotels labelled Logis Bacchus, after the Roman god of wine, are specially equipped and situated to suit the taste of wine-loving travellers.

These charming hotels are all about wine, in both their locations in the heart of French wine country and in the environment they create within the hotel.  Guests receive inside information and advice as regards the choice of local wines or tours of local wine cellars. The trained staff will organize a private wine tasting in one of the hotel’s rooms equipped for this purpose, giving advice right down to the proper glasses in which to enjoy each wine, and a chart of which vintages to enjoy with specific dishes on the regional menu.  Your hoteliers, proud of their roots and their area, will take pleasure in introducing you to all the riches of their region and will be able to organize any and all visits or wine-tastings in the cellars, vineyards and chateaux of France’s wine regions. Whether a romantic wine-tasting weekend in France with a special someone, a long weekend of wine-tasting among friends or a longer stay centered around a more serious study of oenology, Logis will let you organize a perfect stay in any of its charming hotels with gourmet restaurants.

But which wine region of France to go to? France’s vineyards are so varied and each area has its own wine identity, as well as its unique historical heritage to explore outside its vineyards and cellars.  A stay in a charming hotel in Languedoc for example, will enable you to discover this territory where the slopes accomodate both the vineyard and the olive-tree, and where the perfumes of wildflowers and grasses mix with the heady emanations of the wines of Corbières. These vineyards dotted with chateaux cover more than 300,000 hectares, yielding wines from old and noble vines, such as the AOC Blanquette de Limoux and the Muscat of Frontignan. A hotel that has earned the designation of Logis Bacchus is the perfect departure point from which to explore these fantastic vineyards, as well as the ideal place to enjoy their products after your adventure, along with a wonderful regional meal prepared by gourmet chefs. Or you might settle on Burgundy for your wine-tasting vacation. Burgundy is destination full of charm quite apart from its world-famous vineyards. A stay in a Logis Bacchus hotel in Burgundy, will prove ideal to not only to discover the vineyards of the territory, to visit the cellars and to taste Mâconnais, Cotes de Nuits and other renowned wines of the Burgundy region, but also to tour the beautiful landscapes and historical sites of the area.

But wine isn’t all you’ll discover at a Logis Bacchus hotel. Food shares the spotlight, and the restaurants of Logis not only attain a high level of gastronomy, but respect the regional culinary traditions, so your stay in a Logis Bacchus hotel will be one of discovery for all the senses. And the prices at these restaurants are kept reasonable, which will leave you with nothing but a pleasant taste in your mouth.

Some Logis Bacchus hotels even offer themed wine tours, such as “Secrets of the Sommelier” in the Loire; an excursion into Franche Compte with a tour around the town of Arbois, allowing the introduction to vintages such as Trousseau, Poulsard and Savagnin; and in Aquitaine where a Logis Bacchus hotel will accomodate you in homey and authentic surroundings as you sample the local Graves, Saint-émilion, Médoc and Haut-Médoc.

Like a good Burgundy and a wedge of Brie, or Sauternes with foie gras on toast, a Logis hotel is a perfect marriage for wine lovers: a charming hotel in France nestled in the heart of the vineyards, with a great local restaurant on the premises at which to enjoy all the good things the wine country of France has to offer.  A wine vacation in France is easy to plan and easy to enjoy with a Logis Bacchus hotel as your home base.

Services

Logis Hotels
Booking hotline : +33 1 45 84 83 84
Central Reservation : info@logis-de-france.fr
Web : http://www.logis-de-france.fr/uk/

Talking Turkey : A visit to Istanbul is an exotic departure from the everyday

April 28, 2009

Explore the bazaars and palaces of mysterious Istanbul, a world and several centuries away. 

Want a trip that combines European sophistication and Eastern exoticism?  Istanbul has always straddled East and West, part European and part Asian, and was the fabled destination for the famous Orient-Express train. You can still get to Istanbul from Paris aboard the luxurious Orient-Express, now meticulously restored, though this once-in-a-lifetime six-day journey will set you back over $9000 per couple. For the more budget-conscious, flights are available from Paris to Istanbul from as low as $89. And hotels in central Istanbul can be found in all price ranges.

Once you get to Istanbul, founded in 633, the sights are endless, and span the centuries of Ottoman rule, foreign influences left by Crusades and trade with the East, all with a new veneer of modern glamour, arts and nightlife. For history buffs, the Topkapi Palace, built by Sultan Mehmet II, was a seat of power for the Ottoman Empire from the late 15th century to the middle of the l9th. Or perhaps you prefer to spend your days as tradesmen and merchants from afar have done for centuries, shopping and haggling in the the famous old Bazaar of Istanbul. Along its 58 covered “streets” you’ll find mounds of colorful, fragrant spices, beautiful Persian rugs, silks and millions of odd must-have knick-knacks–all prices very negotiable, of course. Culture buffs may want to time their visit to coincide with the Istanbul International Film Festival or Jazz Festival.

Istanbul is full of hotels to fit every taste and budget. To explore the facets of mysterious city that interests you most, the location of your Istanbul hotel is key. Fortunately, finding the right hotel in the heart of Istanbul need not be a mystery.  But how to choose the right hotel in central Istanbul for your trip ?

One website allows you to make Istanbul hotel reservations, without a fee, while choosing your Istanbul hotel based on its precise distance from the sights that interest you most. Atel Hotels lists a host of hotels in the heart of Istanbul and allows visitors to its website search for hotel availability in Istanbul by price, level of luxury, and–most importantly, by exact location. For example, if you wanted your Istanbulhotel to be close enough to the Grand Bazaar to carry your treasures home on foot, you might choose the cozy boutique Hotel Nezih, which Atel Hotels lists as being little over 1000 feet away. On the other hand, if you preferred being walking distance from the famous and historic Hagia Sophia, once a church, then a mosque and now a top museum, you might make your Istanbul hotel reservation at the four-star Armagrandi Spina, just 700 feet away, from both Hagia Sophia and the Blue Mosque! Atel’s website is unique in that it lists exact distances of each of its Istanbul hotels from important sights and monuments, a great boon to foot-weary travellers. For example, Atel lists seven hotels in central Istanbul within half a mile Topkapi Palace, from two to four stars. And to help even more with your planning, Atel’s website offers real-time, 24/7 information on hotel availability in Istanbul and up-to-the-minute room rates. Photos and detailed descriptions of each hotel give you a great feel for each property, so there are no unpleasant surprises on arrival. Istanbul hotel reservations made through Atel are confirmed immediately and incur no extra fees, which is amazing for this level of service.

If you are looking for a trip that satisfies your notion of exotic travel with a European twist, an easy trip from Paris but a world away, Istanbul is an ideal choice. And if you seek a hotel in the heart of Istanbul that will suit your budget, meet your expectations and save you time and shoe-leather by putting you on the doorstep of the things you want to experience in Istanbul, make your Istanbul hotel reservation online with Atel.

Atel hotels is a reservation network of fine independent hotels all over Europe, offering travellers pinpointed location information, real-time hotel availability and 24/7 immediate confirmed reservations.

Services

Atel Hotels
10 rue Louis Vicat
75015 Paris
Tel : +33 1 45 31 25 45
Fax : +33 1 45 31 22 21
Email : Contact form
Web : http://www.atel-hotels-istanbul.com

Visiting France with a passion? Try a charming hotel centered around your special interest.

April 27, 2009

Tourists to France custom-tailor their stays at themed hotels catering to skiers, gourmets, cyclists, wine-lovers and more.

Hiking hotel in FranceFrance has always been a top tourist destination for Americans, Brits and others. But sharing a passion for France doesn’t mean all travellers are the same or want to see or experience the same things. Some are more into the history of France, while others want to combine sports with their holiday. Others just want to experience the food and wine that France has to offer. And many sophisticated travellers want to immerse themselves in the culture of the country rather than keep it at arm’s length. Until recently, packaged tours and large, impersonal hotels didn’t take much of this into account. But there’s good news: like everything else these days, travel is becoming more customized to the individual.

Take Logis hotels. While it’s the biggest hotel chain in Europe, Logis combines 3,000 hotels of character and charm all over France, and most are unique, unlike the cookie-cutter images the idea if chain hotels conjures up in the US.  Better still, all Logis hotels, no matter how different they are, must adhere to a quality standard that makes a stay at one of their charming hotels in France guaranteed to be comfortable and pleasant, with only happy surprises in store. The news is that, while Logis Hotels still make use of their handy “fireplace” ratings system ( the more fireplace symbols assigned to a given hotel, the more luxurious the accommodation) the network now also classifies their hotels by theme or area of interest. This means that those who are visiting France with a more specific activity in mind than general sightseeing will be able to find the hotel that more closely fits their idea of the perfect French vacation for them.

If you love vacations centered around winter sports, you know location is key. You don’t want to waste precious time getting to the action. In a Logis hotel labelled Logis Neige (Snow) you’ll be right in the middle of the white stuff, at or near the slopes, so in many cases you can ski right out the door. Whether in the French winter wonderlands of Courchevel, Megeve, Mirabel or Grenoble, you’ll be in a warm and cozy hotel that keeps your needs in mind, from a locked, ventilated room to store and dry out your gear to trail maps and ski conditions posted in the lobby every morning and a hearty breakfast to keep you going strong.

Other sports-minded individuals will appreciate the Logis hotels geared toward other activities in the great outdoors. Logis Peche (fishing), Velo (cycling) and Randonnee (Hiking) hotels in France are all perfectly situated near rivers or in countryside full of marked out trails. Each charming hotel caters to the special enthusiasms of its guests, and the proprietor and staff of each hotel are knowledgable about the area, showering guests with tips on the best fishing spots, the most challenging bike routes and the most picturesque scenery to be found along hiking trails, providing maps and making introductions to local tours and guides.

If you’re looking for a vacation in France that’s a bit more relaxing, Logis offers hotels they call Logis Nature-Silence. These are located in tranquil, beautiful areas in the mountains, countryside or by the shore that will lift your spirits, soothe your soul and make you forget all about the hustle and bustle of the city.  The hotels themselves have been carefully enhanced for peace and quiet.

Other hotels in the chain are designated Logis Caractere (Hotels of Character) for their authentic and charming architecture, decor and atmosphere. These are perfect for those who want to immerse themselves in the culture and history of the region of France they are visiting.  And for those whose passion is wine, there are the Logis Bacchus hotels, named for the Roman god of the vine. These are situated in the heart of the world-renowned, historic and beautiful wine regions of France, such as Burgundy, the Loire and Languedoc among many others.  Here oenophiles can design an all-wine-all-the-time vacation, with visits to local vineyards, chateaux and cellars; special tours and wine tastings organized by the hotel’s proprietor, and tips on the proper serving of local wines and the best pairings with food.

Speaking of food, no discussion of any Logis hotel would be complete without mentioning the excellent cuisine the chain is known for in its hotel-restuarants all over France. The menus are concentrated around regional fare prepared by accomplished chefs, but without the pretentions–or high prices–of more snobbish establishments, and the conviviality and ease of the atmosphere adds immeasurably to the enjoyment of the satisfying and well-executed meals.

Whatever your passion, for sport, sightseeing, sipping or scenery, there is a Logis hotel that will allow you to plan a vacation in France you can truly call your own.

Services

Logis Hotels
Booking hotline : +33 1 45 84 83 84
Central Reservation : info@logis-de-france.fr
Web : http://www.logis-de-france.fr/uk/

Paris VIP Shuttle the happiest way to get to the happiest place in Paris

April 22, 2009

Shuttle provides easy service to Paris Disneyland as well as area airports.

Paris shuttle VIPParis has so many wonderful attractions… but getting to them is not one of the city’s charms.  Traffic jams, taxis that whiz by and ignore you as you try to hail them, the long trek into the city from airports by train. Getting to Disneyland Paris with your family means herding them all onto the train, and having to wait at the end of the day with a cranky brood for the next departure, or paying a fortune for a taxi — if you can find one, that is.  And if you do manage to get a taxi, traffic adds insult to injury,  as you’re not only late, but have to pay the meter rate too! And just try to complain about this to a driver who doesn’t speak your language.

The best way to ferry yourself and your whole family around with a Paris shuttle such as Paris Shuttle VIP.

For one thing, their Paris airport shuttle prices can’t be beat.  Despite the fancy-sounding name, Paris-shuttle-VIP.com  is one of the most affordable services around for a Charles De Gaulle airport shuttle and all  Paris airport transfers…and you won’t pay more if your trip takes longer due to traffic, detours, or that other unique and all-too-frequent feature of Paris street life, the political demonstration!

Disneyland Paris ShuttleAnd their Disneyland Paris shuttle service is an amazingly convenient and affordable way to get your family out to Disneyland Paris at a fraction of  the cost of a taxi, and much more comfortable. You won’t be stuck waiting on a crowded train platform trying to keep an eye on the kids.

Of course, you get all the perks you’d expect from a luxury Paris shuttle , without the luxury price tag. After a long flight, there’s nothing like having  your own Paris airport shuttle with its driver waiting for you with a sign bearing your name.  (Just try to ignore the resentful, jealous stares of the other passengers who weren’t smart enough to book their own Paris airport transfers ahead of time like you!) Your driver is uniformed, and speaks both French and English, so communication is no problem.

With just a little advance planning, made ultra convenient by their website, you can book a Paris airport shuttle or a Disneyland Paris shuttle that will save you a lot of time, money and stress.

Paris-Shuttle-VIP.com allows online booking of private cars and vans with service to all major Paris airports and train stations. The service specializes in service to Disneyland Paris.

Services

Shuttle VIP
15 rue du Vert Bois
93100 MONTREUIL
France
Tel : +33 148 585 404
Fax : +33 148 585 421
Mobile : + 33 6 23 71 86 87
Email : Contact form
Web : http://www.paris-shuttle-vip.com

Toulouse, a haven of culture and history to explore in France’s southwest

April 21, 2009

Cathedrals, culture and cassoulet make Toulouse a rich and varied destination for French and foreign tourists alike.

With hot summers and mild winters, Toulouse, nicknamed The Pink City because of its terracotta buildings, enjoys emperate, Mediterranean-style weather. Its history goes back centuries, with a wealth of architecturally notable monuments, chateaux and churches. For example, Toulouse’s Basilique St-Sernin is Europe’s largest Romanesque church, built between the 11th to the 13th century, containing the tomb of Saint-Saturnin or Sernin, martyr and bishop, who brought Christianity to Toulouse.  But Toulouse is no dusty museum piece of a city, with its thriving student culture, lively nightlife and fabulous food, whether you prefer the traditional specialties of the region such as cassoulet, foiegras or confit de canard , or want to sample the wares of innovative young chefs.  Dotted with chateaux, more than a dozen golf courses and even an African safari park, and host to famous music festivals devoted to jazz and to the pipe organ, Toulouse is truly a destination with something for everyone.

Toulouse is an easy trip from Paris and other cities in France, making it a popular tourist destination for the French. The Toulouse-Blagnac International Airport is only seven miles from the center of the city, and as many as 25 flights go to Toulouse daily from Paris.  If you prefer to enjoy the French scenery, nine high-speed TGV trains run from Paris to Toulouse every day in about five hours.  Trains also run from Bordeaux (two hours) and from Marseille (4.5 hours). Be prepared to spend about seven hours in your car if you drive from Paris to Toulouse.

Toulouse, divided into  17 districts, each with its own City Hall, has hotels to fit every taste and budget. As any tourist knows, style and comfort matter, but to have the kind of stay you want, it’s the location of your Toulouse hotel that makes the difference. But if you’re not familiar with Toulouse, how do you pick the right hotel in central Toulouse for your trip?

Fortunately, finding the right hotel in the heart of Toulouse just got easier. One website allows you to make Toulouse hotel reservations, without a fee, while choosing your Toulouse hotel based on its precise distance from various points of interest in Toulouse. Atel Hotels lists a host of hotels in the heart of Toulouse and allows visitors to its website search for hotel availability in Toulouse by price, level of luxury, and–most importantly, by exact location. For example, if you wanted your Toulouse hotel to be close to both the train station and the sights if the city center you might pick Hotel Saint Exupery, which Atel Hotels lists as being little over 600 feet away from the station. The three-star Hotel Mermoz would be another good choice. But if you preferred a quieter stay away from the crowds and activity of the city center you might make your Toulouse hotel reservation at the charming — and charmingly-named– three-star Hotel Le Canard sur La Toit (The Duck on the Roof), a few miles from both the airport and the city center, with its own gourmet restaurant. Atel’s website is unique in that it lists exact distances of each of its Toulouse hotels from sights, monuments and transportation hubs a great help to both business and leisure travelers. And to make your planning your visit to Toulouse even simpler, Atel’s website offers real-time, 24/7 information on hotel availability in Toulouse and up-to-the-minute room rates. Photos and detailed descriptions of each hotel let you know exactly what to expect at each property. Toulouse hotel reservations made through Atel are confirmed immediately, no matter what time or day you book, and incur no extra booking fees.

If you are looking to satisfy your hungers for both history, culture and a good hearty southwestern French meal an easy trip from Paris, head down to Toulouse. And if you seek a hotel in the heart of Toulouse that will suit your budget and meet your expectations in terms of location and atmosphere, make your Toulouse hotel reservation online with Atel.

Atel hotels is a reservation network of fine independent hotels all over Europe, offering travellers pinpointed location information, real-time hotel availability and 24/7 immediate confirmed reservations.

Services

Atel Hotels
10 rue Louis Vicat
75015 Paris
Tel : +33 1 45 31 25 45
Fax : +33 1 45 31 22 21
Email : Contact form
Web : http://www.atel-hotels-toulouse.com/gb/

Vacationing in France – Mobile homes latest choice for a hassle-free holiday

April 4, 2009

More tourists in France choosing mobile homes in holiday villages in Brittany, Provence

Dreaming of a holiday by the seaside in France this spring or summer, but don’t want the expense and formality of a fancy hotel?

Mobile home in a holiday villageFor a super-relaxing vacation in France, why not try a mobile home in a holiday village ? It’s a way of enjoying all the benefits of a campsite  — easy beach access, a laid-back vibe — while still enjoying the comforts and shelter of a house. And you can enjoy an out-of-box vacation like this extremely affordably too.

For example, you could opt for a great stay in a mobile home in Brittany by checking out Club Homair’s two gorgeous locations in St. Nic and Quiberon. St. Nic has breaktaking untamed views, access to beautiful sandy beaches and secluded coves, and a charming town nearby as a starting point for all your adventures exploring the region. The campsite itself has a heated pool, activities for all ages and many other amenities. And the mobile homes offered on the site are charming, fully furnished and cute – a true home away from home. For a truly zen experience, try a mobile home in Quiberon, on Club Homair’s other campsite in Brittany, the aptly-named Bois D’Amour (Love Wood). This 3-star campsite is only a few hundred feet from a beautiful beach and a golf course, great amenities onsite and a wealth of summer activities. The temperate salty air of the micro-climate will put you in the right mood, and your comfortable mobile home in Quiberon will relax you even more.

Club Homair has been in business almost 20 years and has made all their campsites and mobile homes extremely comfortable and convenient. They’ve taken great care to set up all their sites near the best regional attractions: beaches, spas, charming towns and magnificent hiking trails. Everything has been thought of to make the campsites perfect for vacations among friends or with family.

Mobile home for French holidays are no longer the bare-bones experience or boxy, ugly trailers you may picture. The ones on offer at Club Homair are anything but! People can’t believe how comfortable and attractive these mobile homes are. They are beautifully designed and appointed, made with the finest materials, and come with fully equipped kitchens and tasteful contemporary furnishings. Some even have bay windows opening out onto spacious outdoor patios, and pull-out sofas for extra guests.

These mobile homes on Club Homair campsites make for such great, fun holidays, now rather than simply renting, some smart travellers are opting to own a static caravan in France , a vacation home they can return to over and over again. Imagine owning your own mobile home in Provence, for example!!

Of course, when you own a static caravan in France, location is a key consideration. And here Homair Turnkey Owners’ Club really can’t be beat. Because their mobile homes are set in some of France’s most beautiful and sought-after holiday locales.

Club Homair makes it so affordable and easy to own a static caravan in France, with mobile homes starting for as little as 9,900 Euros! Club Homair even lets prospective owners sample a stay of a day or two in a mobile home in Brittany or one of their other great sites for as little as 15 euros per night!

Britanny Quiberon, FranceOnce you try a mobile home in a holiday village for your vacation, and see how pleasant and hassle-free it can be, you may decide that ownership makes a lot of sense. If you are looking for a way to own a static caravan in France without any undue worries or expense, consider buying a mobile home in one of Club Homair’s gorgeous locations.

Club Homair has run quality campsites in France since 1999. The Club Homair Turnkey Owners’ Club offers a chance to own a vacation home in France on one of their campsites in Provence, Brittany, Verdon Gorge and the Perigord.

Services

HOMAIR
Email : Contact form
Web : http://club.homair.com/eng/

How to own an affordable country home in France: an out-of-the-box idea

April 3, 2009

Club Homair makes it possible to get back to nature in France with all the comforts, in a mobile home that’s all yours.

Wouldn’t it be nice to buy a holiday home in France in one of the beautiful spots in the French countryside? For many people, it’s only a dream. But now there’s a new solution that is within reach: to buy a mobile home on a French campsite.

Lots of people have chosen a mobile home for their French holidays. It’s a way of enjoying all the benefits of camping out — fresh air, natural beauty, easily access to mountains or the beach — while still enjoying the comforts and shelter of a house. Now rather than simply renting, some are seeing the wisdom of buying a mobile home in France they can go back to again and again.

Mobile home for French holidays have made great strides in recent years. They’re no longer austere, flimsily-constructed boxes that the term sometimes calls to mind. The ones offered by the Homair Turnkey Owners’ Club are beautifully designed and appointed, made with the finest materials, and come with fully equipped kitchens and tasteful contemporary furnishings. Some have bay windows opening out onto spacious outdoor patios, and pull-out sofas for the guests who will surely want to visit you. People can’t believe how comfortable and attractive these mobile homes are.

Of course, when you buy a holiday home in France, location is a key consideration. And here Homair Turnkey Owners’ Club really can’t be beat. Because their mobile homes are set in some of France’s most beautiful and sought-after holiday destinations, such as Brittany, Provence, Verdon Gorge and the Perigord region. And when you buy a mobile home on a French campsite as well-planned as those of Club Homair, you aren’t out in the middle of nowhere. Club Homair offers the best-equipped campsites in all of France, with amazing amenities on-site such as swimming pools, restaurants, playgrounds and tennis. Many sites have stores where you can shop for food to prepare in your own home. The sites are near to the best regional attractions, such as beaches, spas, charming towns and magnificent hiking trails. Everything has been thought of to make the campsites perfect for vacations among friends or with family. There are even activities for children and teens. So when you buy a holiday home in France this way, you’re actually buying a whole vacation experience… you can enjoy over and over whenever you choose.

Club Homair makes buying a mobile home in France so affordable and easy. There are homes starting for as little as 9,900 Euros! For those wondering if they should buy a mobile home on a French campsite, Club Homair offers a chance to sample a night or two in one of theirs for as little as 15 euros per night for up to six people! Then you can experience for yourself how delightful and amazingly comfortable a mobile home for their French holidays can be.

If you are looking for a way to buy a holiday home in France that will really help you relax — without any undue hassle or expense, you really ought to consider a true out-of-the-box idea: buy a mobile home on a French campsite in one of Club Homair’s gorgeous locations.

Club Homair has run quality campsites in France since  The Club Homaire Turnkey Owners’ Club offers a chance to own a vacation home in France on one of their campsites in Provence, Brittany, Verdon Gorge and the Perigord.

Services

HOMAIR
Email : Contact form
Web : http://club.homair.com/eng/