Bargain Hunting! If there is one thing that I enjoy more than anything and that is shopping! Not food shopping I might add but bargain hunting for almost anything. On one of recent flying visits to UK I had a whole day to shop for a wedding outfit but before long I was shopping for much more as the bargains to be had were amazing. Thank goodness I had decided to book a bag with my flight but this only made me buy more to fill it up and get my money’s worth! Unpacking my goodies when I got back to France was sheer pleasure until I added up my receipts but “Hey Ho” you only live once and there are no pockets in a shroud which is my mantra when I hit the shops! Bargain hunting is not just confined to clothes, shoes or whatever takes your fancy but to holidays as well. Most of us now wait and see what bargains there are to be had and they are not disappointed. Whether its 50% off or 2 weeks for the price of one, a bargain is uplifting and a personal sense of achievement by striking a good deal. There are many of our villas in France that are offering fantastic deals on last minute bookings. Even the “die hard” holidaymaker will wait until the 11th hour to snap up a bargain. There has never been a good time to book a European holiday with the Pound strong against the Euro, bargain villas and sunny weather which we are experiencing at the moment in South West France. Check out our Special Offers page on our website – it’s the most visited page on our site! If you would to talk to one of our experienced staff about our extensive range of luxury villas in France please contact our office on 01442 870055 or visit our website http://www.qualityvillas.com

My Villa of the Month! Les Trois Couronnes has to be my favourite property on the Basque coast and when I visited it recently the first thing I said to myself when I walked in the door was “I want to stay here!” This exceptional Basque family villa rental sits proudly on the surf-washed shores of the French Atlantic coast with inspiring panoramic views of the Ocean and inland to La Rhune, the highest peak in the Pyrenees-Atlantique mountain range. Floor to ceiling windows and sliding doors are predominant throughout the house making the most of the light and the glorious views from all rooms. A large lawn slopes gently down to the pool, the nearest sandy beach is only 200 metres and the nearest restaurant even closer still, making this an ideal base for families who want to ditch the car and enjoy the great outdoors! Liven up the pace with one of the many exhilarating water sports available along this coastline; the Atlantic surf in this area is renowned the world over, and international surfing competitions are held here. Long, wide sandy beaches make kiting, beach-karting and kite surfing popular. For those who prefer less adrenaline, there are some spectacular golf courses here, plus relaxing Thalassotherapy spas, or you may just prefer to wander round the smart town of Biarritz and try your luck at the Casino’s roulette tables, or venture south through the charming town of St Jean de Luz and across the border into Spain. The Pyrenees offer endless opportunities for hiking, or you can take the highest train ride in Europe up to the summit of La Rhune where the panorama spans from the Atlantic across the Pyrenees and Northern Spain – breathtaking. The charming Basque villages dotted in the foothills are a must, especially the village of Espelette, where the colourful local peppers – the cornerstone of Basque cuisine – can be seen hanging out to dry in the sunshine. So much is possible from this exceptional Basque family villa so click on this link now and see for yourself! http://www.qualityvillas.com/biarritz/st-jean-de-luz/les-trois-couronnes If you would to talk to one of our experienced staff about our extensive range of luxury villas in France please contact our office on 01442 870055 or visit our website http://www.qualityvillas.com Gill Area Manager France & Morocco

After the down pours of rain in the past few weeks, much of the country resembled a giant lake! However I am thankful to say that the rain has temporarily moved on and we now have glorious sunshine again. It made me think of the Italian lakes this morning, presumably there is little to tell the difference right now between our own azure countryside, shimmering waters and presumably a few ducks paddling where once was civilisation (ok we have not become Atlantis just yet) and the charming Italian Alps - looking down across Lakes Como and Garda. This beautiful lakes have fascinated for centuries - even Winston Churchill has a suite named after him at one of the lake side hotels as he used to visit frequently. The Lakes are great for general recreation, but water sports in particular at Riva on Lake Garda are renowned. Quality Villas have offered villas in Lake Garda and villas in lake Como for several years - part of their extensive Italian villa programme. If you might be interested in staying in this stunning region, taking a little Alpine air and possibly even a dip in the lake (yes it has its own 'beaches'!) then a visit is muchy recommended. Why not add on a few nights of Opera in Verona for good measure? The city is under an hour away and frequently used for its airport as an entry to the region.

When summer feels like winter, you know you are probably in the UK and its 'balmy' June! As I write this latest missive, the clouds look grey, almost the same as we saw back in December before it snowed! The temperature is a fresh 13 degrees, ok, we accept this isn't artic conditions, but when the breeze comes up, we feel cold! Why not keep a check on the weather system for yourself? The last week or so there have been numerous flood warnings across the country, whilst parts of the west country and Wales have been hit hardest. This has included river banks breaking and a few flooded caravan parks, at one stage even the would be rescuers had to be rescued (airlifted!) The Queens Jublilee celebrations will sadly be remembered for the rain. Desperate crowds alongside the Thames watching the flotilla through the mist and drizzle were treated to a spectacle of soaked dignataries, singers and the like. So what has happened to summer this year in the UK...and were those few days of heat about 4 weeks ago the actual summer? Its fair to say the premature rush of barbecues and sausages onto the supermarket shelves were off the mark, as has been the English Tourist boards promotion to encourage the people of UK to holiday at home this year. The Jubilee weekend sparked a rush to holiday companies for clients wishing to escape to warmer shores, presumably those who attempted a street party of two and found themselves awash c/o natures own shower system. Still, the country looks enviably green and can possibly be spotted from outer space as a green oasis! Here at Quality Villas, we are continuing to book clients looking for a late escape to France or Italy (or even Morocco) - a summer holiday in the sun where the Euro is looking decidely reasonable and the weather slightly more assured. If the wash out summer continues, we can see the bleakest of Wimbledons (tennis), a sad cricket season and a few strained summer holidays for disappointed school children couped up indoors. Come on the sun! If you are thinking of a summer escape, do consider contacting us here at Quality Villas for a villa suggestion or two.