France

Fabulous Finds…a haven in Paris

Following my introductory blog on fabulous accommodation finds, seems only right to start with the most beautiful city of all…the city of lights…Paris. My love affair with this magnificant city demands regular returns, most recently with friends Ross and Jenny, the latter responsible for finding us this little accommodation gem.

Situated in St-Germaine-des-Pres, this ‘Apartement’ is on Boulevard St Germaine and right in the heart of the action, the region positively pumping with gorgeous little cafes, restaurants, boulangeries, patisseries and fromageries each nestled between antique markets, funky fashion boutiques and organic food markets and within easy walking distance to central Paris, Notre Dame, Musee d’Orsay and Delacroix, the lush Jardins du Luxembourg to name just a few of the many treasures around the 6th and surrounding arrondissements.

Oh! And those markets! Picture yourself feasting on a crisp baguette, creamy cheese washed down with a crisp white, or nibbling tenderly steamed plump white asparagus spears, slurping juicy tomatoes or supping freshly shucked oysters? Well you can, ‘cos that’s what apartment life versus hotels affords.

We are met by our English speaking Greeter bearing an enormous bunch of Peonies and bottle of wine and fell in love with the place as she introduced us to it’s beautifully appointed luxury before discreetly departing to leave us to oh and ah at a fully stocked pantry, piles of fluffy white towels and oh so soft beds while singing along to our in house Bose docked iPod. Delicieux! A note of caution… 70 plus stairs, no lifts! Great exercise I say!

St Germaine Luxe:

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To find this and similar apartments in the slightly more luxurious budget category go to: Haven in Paris

And if your as in love with this city as much as I am you will relish Carla Coulson’s work: Carla Loves Photography follow her blog, Pinterest and all scial media forums for a regular dose of Paris inspiration. Enjoy!

Fabulous Finds – Chateaus…Apartements…Maisons…Villas…,

New Year Resolutions…love ’em! Mine always involve another opportunity to explore some part of the world as budget allows. Do you have travel in your sights too?

As we blogged our 2011 travels around France and Italy (archives May-June) so many of you commented on the quality of our fabulous accommodation and those of you planning a similar journey have since been asking for details.

Thanks to our trip coordinator extraordinaire and travelling companion…the beautiful Jenny (Fifi), our journey became so much more than just sightseeing…and eating…and drinking. Carefully researched, selected and booked in advance, Jenny ensured we placed weary heads on feathered pillows in digs that were beautifully appointed, close to the action, just a little bit special, often quite unique yet still within mid range budget. I’m still telling her she should make a career out of this!

With your queries in mind and drawing from our archived details, January’s blogging will be devoted to sharing best of the best.

Looking forward to hearing your comments (click on comments below post), please share your own faves too, if you agree with mine feel free to FB Like/Share.

And drawing our journey to a close…

As we wing our way home we reflect on 5,500k worth of France, Italy, Switzerland and a touch of Britain, 17 beautifully appointed, quaint lodgings, countless incredible vistas…ah! Has indeed been a huge six weeks…

Fun and laughter, giggles and snorts, headaches and sore feet, aching backs and tears. So many happy tears – over candles lit for passed ones, breathtaking sights, historical tragedies, frustration with hotel communication breakdowns…and those special tears, you know the ones you have from laughing too hard?…just before wetting your pants?…

20110606-092800.jpgQuirky situations – a shower recess so small that dropping soap meant poking ones butt out the door to retrieve, another resembling a space capsule that washed places you hadn’t thought shower nozzles were designed for, a loo in a cupboard, another under the sink, opera singing dogs, steps so steep ascent demanding all fours, a wonderful host waving an enormous British flag to herald the entrance, a delicate lace doily serving as a curtain.

20110606-092855.jpgTouching memories such as the dear little French man who happily assisted with automatic petrol pumps and an unexpected health emergency, private tour guides who went way beyond expectation, wait staff with wry senses of humour, Dicky stepping up with the most beautiful gestures…just when he was due a fork stab in the eye.

Breathtaking moments – the immediacy of the Leaning Tower of Pisa, the Eiffel Tower suddenly bursting into sparkles, sleeping in a Medieval tower, viewing a magnificent panorama from a roof top attic, a woodpecker tapping on our windows, the sheer brilliance of Pompeii’s origins.

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Scary moments – streets so narrow, folding the car mirrors in a must; a maniac Italian reversing at 40k, swerving to avoid those behind simply to stop and chat with a parked friend, oblivious to building traffic mayhem.

So many memorable imprints fueling inspiration and desire to plan the next journey…

Thank you for coming along with us, for your comments and for your encouragement…we hope you’ve enjoyed the journey!

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Fifi (Jenny), Pixi (Jane), Dicky (Ross)

A fond farewell from Cast and Crew:

• Richard (Dicky) Seville Lyons the III – Intrepid, fearless driver
• Fifi de Murgatroid Lyons – Lodgings extraordinaire
• Giovanni (Ducky) de la Rhodes – Tour guide champion
• Donnutella (Bella) de la Rhodes – Fresh Produce specialist
and
• Penelope (Pixie) Bogsworth Winterbottom – Blog Queen
Honorable mention to:
• Rupert Smythe Farquharson and Hortense Higginbottom Farquharson – my gracious and graceful hosts in Cambridge.

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Bella and Ducky
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Fifi and Bella
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Dicky and Fifi

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Pixi, Fifi, Bella

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