A dose of Vitamin C....

A dose of Vitamin C....
The Fete du Citron (The Lemon Festival) usually takes place between mid-February until March, in Menton on the Côte d'Azur.  This year it is the 80th edition and runs from February 16th until March 6th.  The theme for this year’s festival is “Around the World in 80 Days”. The festival started in the 1930s with a handful of carts loaded with orange and lemon trees and has turned into one of the largest festivals in the South of France and almost rivalling the Carnival of Nice.
This event attracts up to a quarter of a million people as well as using up to 150 tonnes of oranges and lemons. These massive fruity floats are up to 10 metres high with incredible decorations and for 3 weeks the Jardins Biovès and the streets are given over to these citrus giants.
As this event is held over a few weeks then it is divided up into various sessions, each one different but just as entertaining.  Listed below are just a few of what can be seen and enjoyed.

The Parade of Golden Fruit
The "Promenade du Soleil" parades are held on Sunday’s, when lots of cars and people parade towards the sea.  It’s a delight for children as there are costumes, fanfares, drums and lots of confetti sprinkling.

 Moonlit Parade
The French say that the fruits of the sun have a date with the moon and as its held around Valentine’s Day then whose to argue! As the night falls the preparation for the incandescent party follows. Fireworks and celebrations galore, this is a celebration of the sun, with everyone "dancing in the moonlight".  This is held on Thursdays.

The citrus "World Tour"
You can travel virtually all corners of the world in citrus flavour, at the Jardins Biovès with famous statues and building constructed of lemons and limes.

Gardens of Light
Held here every Tuesday and Friday evening are spectacular sound and light shows.

Menton villas include this one, worth a look if you want to visit the area: http://www.qualityvillas.com/cote-dazur/menton/villa-olivier

Morocco and Ramadan

Some useful information for visitors to Morocco...

Ramadan

The Moroccan calendar holds many important events but Ramadan is the most important.  It is a deeply spiritual time for all Muslims.  Ramadan commemorates the revelation of the Qur’an to the Prophet Mohammed and it is always in the ninth month of the Islamic calendar it does not have a fixed date.  It begins on the day of the new moon and moves backwards each year by approximately 11 days. This year (2013) it will fall between 9 July and 7 August when the sun rises early and sets late. In 2014 the month of fasting will fall back slightly to 28 June to 27 July therefore falling back each year to cooler spring months.

Stunning Marrakech in Morocco

During Ramadan all Muslims must refrain from eating, drinking and smoking from dawn to dusk. Physical relations are also prohibited as Muslims are expected to spend more time in prayer seeking forgiveness and humility.  There are some who are exempt such as the old and sick, pregnant women and children.

At the end of the day just before sundown the streets empty and everyone hurries home.  When the call for prayer from the temples is heard at sunset Moroccans everywhere will break the fast.  The fast is first broken by a date and a glass of milk followed by a bowl of harira which is a thick lamb broth with lentils, tomatoes and chickpeas.  This dish is also eaten with shebbakia which are deep-fried pastries dipped in honey.  These can be homemade or bought from the special shebbakia stalls that are around during this time of the year.

It is in the evening after sundown that the towns and villages come alive again.  Cafes become busy, families’ parade in the streets and the shops are full again.  Later in the evening between 11pm and midnight, “dinner” will be eaten before most people drift off to bed.  This festive feast, at which families come together and celebrate, consists of tagines of meat or vegetables, couscous, endless plate-loads of patisserie and fruit and glasses of thick, milky drinks. Later, as the dawn prayer echoes from the mosques, drummers patrol the streets and alleyways rousing households for the assohour, a sleepy feast of thick pancakes spread with honey and served with mint tea or coffee before the fasting and prayer begin again.

On the last day of Ramadan, in the evening, the fast ends. The following day is Aid es Seghir, which means “Little Feast”.  This is a public holiday when new clothes are worn and alms and food are distributed to the poor. 

For visitors to Morocco during Ramadan does mean it will be difficult but it is worth noting that tempers can be frayed, due to hunger and thirst and some shops and restaurants in smaller towns or rural areas may close for the entire month. In the larger towns and cities shops and restaurants will close for half an hour before sunset and for an hour after sunset. 

Read more about Marrakech 

Les Quatre Fleurs - a Provencal offering

Villa Les Quatres Fleurs - http://www.qualityvillas.com/st-tropez-var/bormes-les-mimosas/les-quatre-fleurs

This latest post is to mention a special offer for a luxury villa in Provence, known as 'Les Quatres Fleurs'.

Sleeping 10, a private 11m x 5m swimming pool, countryside views, midweek maid service and wifi all add to the comfort on offer. In fact highlighted (as a negative I suppose!) is the fact there is no telephone at the villa. For me, this would be a strong point to help a prospective tenant take the house to really switch off and get away from it all!

A further positivity is an offer just released by the owner of this villa:

"Early booking reductions:  confirm your booking before Easter to take advantage of these offers:
04 - 24 May: was £3695 per week, now just £3360
24 May - 28 Jun: was £3970 per week, now just £3550"

In high season, when the price would have been £370 per person per week, it will now be £336, which is tantamount to a 10% saving.

The house is described thusly:

"Les Quatre Fleurs enjoys a wonderfully tranquil location surrounded by woodland and vineyards in the hills just above the beautiful little village of Bormes les Mimosas. This secluded holiday villa is also close to the sandy beaches and pretty coves which adorn this particularly appealing stretch of the French Riviera.

The villa lends itself perfectly to easy indoor/outdoor living, with the open-plan living room opening onto the large terrace and outdoor dining for up to 12. Bormes les Mimosas is classed as one of the most beautiful villages in France (un des plus beaux villages de France), and rightly so: known for its stunning flower displays for which it regularly wins prestigious awards, this delightful little medieval town is full of narrow streets, small squares and fountains and boasts a very favourable climate. It has exotic and botanical gardens, as well as a large park with walks and a children's play area. There are plenty of restaurants, cafes and shops, and a traditional Provencal market is held in the main square every Wednesday morning. "

Click to see the full description: http://www.qualityvillas.com/st-tropez-var/bormes-les-mimosas/les-quatre-fleurs


The local area may also be of interest:

"The old village of Bormes-les-Mimosas, sitting on a the flank of the forested Maures mountains, is well decorated with mimosa (of course) and has a lot of cactus growing along the rock walls around the village. The commune of Bormes-les-Mimosas includes a marina (Port de Bormes), the new town (which you will drive through) and the old village (which you will drive to). "
Please see this link more: http://www.beyond.fr/villages/bormes.html

Wikipedia describes the local area also:
"Bormes-les-Mimosas is a city in bloom and won the 2003 Gold Medal awarded by the Entente Florale. The Fort de Brégançon, located in the commune, is the official retreat for the President of the French Republic". http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bormes-les-Mimosas

If you would like to book this villa, make further enquiries about it or others in the region, please do call or go online and browse. We look forward to hearing from you.

Quality Villas Ltd
0044 -0- 1442 870055
Find a Provence villa to stay

Feeling hot, hot, hot!

Well actually, if any piece these days should start with a song, probably it should be 'I've got chills...they're multiplying...' although not quite '...losing control' yet, aside sliding the car down a few hills in the current ice and snow.

However I am happy to report the thaw and defrost is coming in the UK just now, rooftops and fields still have the gleaming white effect (of snow, then frost...then snow again) but the roads, slowly but surely are clearing and people are driving fast again (there were some of course who drove fast even in the ice, sometimes it works out, sometimes you read about them in the papers).

As a public service, here at Quality Villas, we bring you the hottest villas available. Glorious images of summer holiday villas, blue pools, blue skies, barbecues in full flow and sandy beaches with the waves lapping at your feet can all fill the mind!

For some holiday suggestions to enjoy the above, pick from these:

Italy, Amalfi coast: Il Delfino (http://www.qualityvillasitaly.co.uk/amalfi-coast-campania/atrani/il-delfino )
"...Il Delfino is the height of elegance: newly refurbished, the interiors are tastefully decorated using neutral colours, with splashes of colour provided by the frescoed, vaulted ceilings of the living room, choice pieces of furniture and the hand-made majolica tiles used in all the bathrooms. From the living room, with its views of the sea and Amalfi, you can access both terraces, which offer wonderful places to relax, soak up the sun and dine al fresco."

Italy,Tuscany: Il Capoccio (http://www.qualityvillasitaly.co.uk/tuscany/tavernelle-val-di-pesa/il-capoccio )
"...Sleeping 22 across a main villa and annex (cottage) the property includes a ' wellness centre' with a heated jacuzzi, sauna and small gym. The stunning outdoor pool area also sports a jacuzzi feature, meaning plenty of opportunity for rest and relaxation."

Italy, Lazio: Orazio (http://www.qualityvillasitaly.co.uk/lazio/selci-sabino/orazio )
"...Surrounded by olive trees and vineyards in the gentle hills to the north of Rome is this charming small villa located in the beautiful countryside of the Sabina region. The property has tiled floors, beamed ceilings and is elegantly furnished with country antiques giving a traditional Italian feel typical of this region."

For anyone still doubting the desire to travel to warmer climes or at least have something booked for the summer so that 'warmth' is pre booked (!) have a look in your back garden, or just on the road outside. Turn up the heat!

Our back garden...brrrr!







 

2013 is here...

Keep smiling...

So the festive period can now be said to be fully behind us. The Christmas Tree must be down by Sunday and if you are still eating turkey leftovers, you probably shouldn't be!

For those that partied on the 31/12, hopefully you have also recovered.

The issue now is that January is a month that looms large for not having a whole lot to look forward to, aside the desperate appearance of pay day at the end...which also looks way off at time of writing.

So how to cheer oneself up?

Apparently a holiday is a good cure for a lot of things, relieving stress when it does come round of course. However having something to look forward to through the dark months (a way to refer to winter time, when it gets dark early rather than anything else!) is to have a holiday planned and coming. That beacon of light on the horizon will warm the cockles at any time of year, so the thing is, to plan it early, then not only have you got it all sorted (thus you can start to tell friends and family how organised you are) but you also have that warm feeling inside knowing you have the place you want, for the dates you want.

At Quality Villas we are feeling the 2013 rush already, good news indeed as clients old and new get their villa holidays sorted, but have you sorted yours yet?

If you would like to speak to someone about a villa in France, please browse online to www.qualityvillas.com

For Italy - go to www.qualityvillasitaly.co.uk

For Morocco - go to www.qualityvillasmorocco.co.uk

And for the early birds who love the powder and hitting the slopes, also onsale for 2014 and ready to go:
www.qualityvillasski.com

New villa on the Cote!

It is not like us to make a thing about a new villa coming on the books of course, but then again, its Friday and we are feeling celebratory! The new villa is this little gem, located near Cagnes Sur Mer on the French Riviera : http://www.qualityvillas.com/cote-dazur/cagnes-sur-mer/vue-sur-cagnes Sleeping 12 persons, with a private infinity pool (salt water for those that like to know these things), air conditioning...but also the most amazing sea views. Places like Biot, Antibes and Cannes are all on the doorstep - plus of course the rest of the Riviera. Its even possible to get to the Italian border and try another country for a day! Area Manager Muriels review of the house is as follows "I love the situation of this house where everyone can have fun. The old village of Cagnes sur Mer is beautiful and especially the Grimaldi Castle has an interesting history. Art lovers will take pleasure in visiting the house where Auguste Renoir, master of Impressionism, lived the last few years of his life leaving a precious collection of paintings. If you like sports here you can try a lot of different water sports or just relax on the beach. " Why not have a look?

Cannes...Cannes...Cannes

Cannes…once a small fishing village is now a luxurious bustling city along the water front that attracts millions of visitors throughout the year. A city that has something for everyone: whether you are looking for a quiet scenic day discovering the historic beauty of the streets of Le Suquet; exploring the long stretch of extravagant shops and boutiques along La Croisette ; or even if you would simply like to relax on the shoreline. Cannes does have something for everyone, and on every budget and is a must visit when staying in the South of France. Cannes is most famously known for hosting the world’s most prestigious and glamorous event, ‘The Cannes Film Festival’. The celebrated film festival, founded in 1947, attracts celebrities, actors and directors from across the globe and is an event that will not go amiss in the year. The festival has become increasingly popular, creating more of an awareness of the emerging talent and honouring the less well known films that contribute to the world of cinema on an international level. The selections of films that ‘Cannes Film Festival’ chooses highlight a passion for cinema and a diversity of film. The film festival has also become an important event commending European films and documentaries. ‘Cannes Film Festival’ may be one of the world’s best films festivals, although finding tickets to the events proves very difficult when one is not known in the industry. However, do not let this put you off visiting the beautiful city during the festival. Cannes does have much more to offer than just the annual Film Festival and a glamorous shopping destination. It is home to many cultural attractions and interesting museums. The Musee de la Castre being one of them, in the heart of the old streets of le Suquet, this charming castle poses a change to the usual hustle and bustle in Cannes city. The museum holds a unique collection from around the world, collected over the past view 100 years and the views from the tower are simply magnificent. If you are looking to escape the happening and opulent Cannes and are looking for a quiet a day, take a stroll along the quiet streets of Le Suquet. One thing of course that is difficult to miss when visting Cannes are the beaches; a great way to complete your vacation with a spell of sunbathing we think! For more information on the local area, why not visit this link for information on the Cote d'Azur

Introducing an old partner.

For 2013, we are proud to say we have signed up for another year with Dream Villa Rentals. DVR feature 200 of our properties across France, Italy and Morocco and for a number of years have offered a great site offering guests around the world the chance to find a villa holiday...usually with us of course! If you are browsing online looking for a villa, of course there is our site too, but always worth looking at the link below. Luxury villa holidays by Dream Villa Rentals

Boiled Octopus or Chocolate factory? Well it’s that time of year again. The traditional end of August panic as Mum’s realize that their youngest hasn’t got the right sized ruler for their new school, tinged with disappointment as we cover up our barbecue’s, well in the knowledge that our weather this summer hasn’t quite lived up to expectations for the eighth year in a row. But fear not! We’ve already been treated this summer to excitement and joy from team GB in the most unlikely of events (who had ever heard of team dressage?) And Quality Villas is on hand with more wacky yet really enjoyable activities. Our ‘things to do’ guide has two more entries with the beautiful Island of Elba and of course Umbria. And alongside the natural beauty and fascinating monuments that all our Villa’s are in close proximity to, there are a few less known treats too. I was as surprised as anyone to find that Perugia, Umbria’s capital, has a chocolate factory (if I knew I would have already visited it) White, milk, dark, truffles, melting, not melting … the list is endless. In fact, knowing Italy (as opposed to the UK), it probably is melting; you better get down there quick. But in all seriousness, we have a fantastic range of Villa’s in Umbria, a great place to end your summer. I hope I haven’t made you too hungry, if so then let me mention the boiled octopus on the island of Elba. This island’s seafood is legendary, and the Villa’s aren’t bad either, a very good choice of destination at this time of year. But there’s obviously more to a holiday and a region than food, so please read our full ‘things to do’ guide for both these regions and others in Italy where we have Villas available here at http://www.qualityvillasitaly.co.uk/.

Marrakech heat

This time of year in Marrakech is a great time to go. Its still very warm but not as hot as a month or two ago, but for sun starved Europeans (ok we mean British) its a great way to top up any tan or just simply to get some colour before our obligatory artic winter (the tabloids start predicting armageddon on the weather front about mid August usually!) In order to assist clients browsing the Quality Villas websites and looking at the villas on offer, we have now added some additional touristic material - basically some hand written travel guides by staff who have actually been there and done it, whether on holiday or work, they have listed out some of their experiences and things to do. The last phrase is key, we literally entitled the pages 'things to do'! Here are links to the Morocco ones: Morocco Marrakesh Agadir and Tiznit Essaouira Oualidia We like to think these pages will help travellers to these destinations, however we also are always willing to talk about the places - simply a phone call or email and we will do our best! We also have a number of great places on offer in Marrakesh, excellent staffed villas with pools that have prime locations, just a short distance from the famous red city. Marrakesh is a short flight from the UK - worth a read on what to do and a short city break methinks! If you have been considering something in France, the weather has also been balmy this year, try this luxury villa near beach France sleeping 6, it is only one mile from the beach, in St Tropez area.

Our villa of the week... Villa Du Bosquet, Roquefort les Pins, on the Cote d'Azur. This is a small 3 bedroom property, sleeping 6, that immediately sets the taste buds off by knowing its only a mile to local shops and a restaurant from the property. This of course means fresh croissants, french sticks, pain au chocolat and if you don't quite fancy setting your own meal up that day, the local eaterie presumably offers some suitable fare! The villa itself has a classic style, with light, airy rooms, whilst the private pool and elegant gardens finish this one off perfectly. The nearest beach is at Cagnes sur Mer, whilst Cannes, Nice, Antibes old town and more aren't far away. Prices start from £2360 per week in low season periods, reaching £3640 in high season. Peak months are of course July and August. Back to the pool, there is a Roman stepped entrance, whilst the measurements for those that need to know, are 11m by 5m...more than enough space to practise some strokes. Finally, a bbq and pizza oven mean dining al fresco is merely a step or two away! For more about this villa, please follow this link : http://www.qualityvillasitaly.co.uk/cote-dazur/roquefort-les-pins/villa-du-bosquet If you would like to know more about activities and things to do on the French Riviera and Cote d'Azur, click here.

The hills are alive with muscles and lycra…. They say there is a fine line between sanity and madness and the Tour de France is no exception and literally the biggest bike race in the world. This years Tour de France is the 98th and part of the route is near Souillac in the Lot Department. This lovely area is popular with holidaymakers and we at Quality Villas have some beautiful properties still with some late availability. We have such properties both with a religious theme – one was a former Presbytere and the other a former Convent. Both of these properties can be found by clicking on these links. http://www.qualityvillas.com/dordogne/nadaillac-de-rouge/la-retraite http://www.qualityvillas.com/dordogne/saint-sozy/le-pelerin The race can be watched anywhere along the route: near the start of the day's leg, riders tend to be very bunched and the actual race passes in about a minute. Towards the end of a leg, riders are more spaced out, so the thrill of the race lasts longer. However most of the spectacle comes not from the riders themselves, but from the "caravan", an hour-long procession of cars, floats and motorcycles from the Tour's sponsors and the teams. It's all very commercial, with freebies being thrown out to the spectators; baseball caps, little packs of sweets, mini-pretzels, key rings and other gimmicks. It's interesting to watch, and the children love it. Many of the families who book a Quality Villas holiday ask about hiring bikes with some even bringing their own either to amble along country lanes or to tackle steep hills and mountainous terrain. Cycling is big in my region due to the terrain and open countryside and after an energetic cycle what better that to have a swim at your French country villa and a long cool beer. Contact us now to discuss your French villa holiday on 01442 870055 or visit our website http://www.qualityvillas.com Gill Manager France & Morocco

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.