Exploring the French Riviera and Provence

Sometimes a tourist destination cannot be limited to a locale, or a city. Sometimes the best tourist and vacation destinations encompass entire regions, such as the case with the regions of Provence and the French Riviera. The French Riviera and the region of Provence in France is home to some of the most sought after vacations in the entire world!

Boasting the beautiful regions of  Bouches-du-Rhône, Luberon, and Vaucluse, Provence is an interior region with rolling green countryside, and quaint towns that are centuries old. Provence vacation rentals in this area allow you to rent country homes in the Provence area for very affordable rates, and for a nice country getaway, this is a five-star option.

Lavender Fields -- Provence France

The French Riviera is also a region that is not to be missed, and is more optimal for those travelers who love the sea, the coastline, and more of the big city glitz and opulence. With cities larger cities such as Nice and Canne, and smaller coastal villages close-by, the French Riviera boasts some of the finest hotels in the world, though French Riviera vacation rentals such as apartments, shared rooms, and vacation rental houses are quite common in the area, and are the choice of the most savvy of travelers.

Want to Find a Vacation Rental in the French Riviera or Provence?
Ville et Village has the most affordable rates for European Vacation Rentals.

Tricks That The Pros Use When They Travel

Travel is one of the greatest activities that humankind can engage in. For many of us, the experience does not come as often as we would like it to, and for some, large trips are a once in a lifetime experience. Therefore, this article is meant to familiarize you with all the travel advice necessary to maximize your experience while at the same time minimizing your cost.

When selecting a location to travel to, there is no better source of information than a fellow traveler. Other travelers with similar needs and plans, can tell you what destinations are must-sees and what areas you should try to avoid. No guidebook can replace the first-hand experience of another person or family.

Make use of social media when traveling and when planning your trip. Many blogs and online forums have first-hand reviews of the locations you'd like to visit, plus you can ask people directly about their experiences. In addition, if you use sites that allow you to update your status, your friends might have good suggestions on what to do next.

Plan clothing for your trip so that everything can be worn together. This reduces the need to pack individual "outfits" and allows you to plan for the number of days you'll be traveling. If all of your clothes match, you don't have to worry about which are clean when you're doing laundry.

When booking a hotel online, don't forget to search the web for discount codes or promotions for that hotel chain. If you are a AAA (American Auto Association) member, don't forget to request the rate, which most hotels in North America have. There's no reason to pay list price for a hotel room, so shop around and ask for better rates.

It is important to do research before you pick your destination and it is incredibly important to shop around. By applying the advice in this article, you will not only pick the destinations most suited to you, but you will also posses the knowledge to make the most of your trip.

Use These Travel Tips To Make Your Next Trip A Breeze

Travel presents so many options, so many opportunities for fun and memorable experiences, and very many possibilities for trouble and disappointment too. Here's a few facts and astute tips that will help you to make your next trip a wonderful one.

If you are traveling to Europe with electronic gadgets, remember that the voltage for household outlets is going to be different than in North America. This means that you'll either need to bring a converter so that you can plug American goods into European power, or find appliances that can handle a range of voltages.

When traveling, increase your safety and your peace of mind by wearing a money belt. This item is one essential that you cannot go without when traveling, and is barely noticeable to wear. Keep your wallet and your passport safe in your money belt so that no matter what happens, they don't get lost.

Once you've chosen your destination, take the time to get to know more about where you're going. Purchase a decent map of the city or region where you plan to travel, and spend time looking over the environs, major sightseeing areas and museums. Memorizing a bit about your environment will make it that much easier to navigate when you arrive.

If you are collecting frequent flier miles from your travels, pay attention to the terms of use for those miles. In many cases, the miles expire just twelve to eighteen months after they've been earned, or they can only be used on certain dates and to a limited set of locations. Before selecting an airline based on miles, know the restrictions.

For a trip to wine country or just a beach getaway, if there's a chance you'll be drinking wine, pack a waiter's corkscrew. This tool will come in handy for the bottles you buy at the winery and can make picnics and hotel drinks much easier. A corkscrew can be especially difficult to buy when traveling abroad, so plan ahead and toss one in your suitcase to make life easier.

If you make as much preparation as you can for a trip, and you follow sensible advice (and a few notes or a task list can be indispensible) there's no reason why you can't avoid most of the stress that many people bring upon themselves when traveling. Be determined to enjoy your next traveling experience, and act on the advice you've read here.

Tips To Make Your Travel Experiences More Memorable

There is no right or wrong way to travel, but you can always use some more tips and ideas. There are things that you may have not even thought of yourself. The article below has some great travel related tips, that are sure to keep your next vacation, worry free.

If you want to visit Walt Disney World in Orlando on a budget, consider going around the beginning of December. Fees to the park do not go down, but this is when hotels in the area cut their prices and run promotions to attract local visitors. In addition, the park is less crowded, so you do not have to wait in line as long for your favorite attractions.

Before departing on a trip, the wise traveler makes sure at least one person back home knows where he will be. This "home base" contact should also be updated with any unplanned changes the traveler encounters on the way. Someone who knows where a traveler is - and where they should be - can be a great help in the case of trouble on the road.

If you're traveling somewhere where you'll need tickets, like amusement parks or a play, look for ways to have them ahead of time. You might have to pay a little extra for the convenience, but you won't have to bother with long lines when you get to the attraction. For big attractions that have timed entry available, you can use that, too, to get you in faster.

Keeping your vacation worry free is always a must. It is always helpful to read ideas from others and how they solve their problems. Arm yourself with knowledge for your next business trip or vacation. Sticking to the ideas in the article above, is a sure way to your success.

Travel Is A Breeze With These Awesome Travel Tips

Before you take your next trip, whether it be for pleasure or business, you may want more tips on how to make traveling a piece of cake. In the following article, you are going to get some information about travel. These tips can be used for people of all ages!

If you are traveling in another country and your passport is lost or stolen, head to the nearest Embassy or Consulate as soon as possible. Many times these agencies can issue a replacement in as little as 24 hours, letting you get back to enjoying your vacation quickly and easily.

Preparing a road trip entertainment kit for children can help make sure your family vacation is a dream instead of a nightmare. There is no better way to see the country than a road trip. However, it is essential that your children stay entertained in order to combat the boredom of a long car ride. Pack travel versions of popular games, cards, and older children may enjoy a journal in which to document their experiences.

Travel during the off-peak seasons. Hotels and airfare are usually a lot more expensive during the peak summer months. Also, popular destinations can be so over-crowded during the summer that it takes the enjoyment out of it. If you travel in the off-peak months you can save money on airfare and accommodations and you can avoid the crowds.

Pay attention to hidden fees when booking airline travel. It is becoming commonplace to charge fees for checked baggage, especially overweight baggage. In addition, airlines now charge fees for checking in at the terminal instead of online, and may even charge extra to select a more coveted seat on the airplane, such as exit row seating.

As stated above, traveling can be easy as long as you are well informed. Now that you are equipped with theses tips about traveling you will hopefully keep them in mind for the next time you travel. Remember, the only way that traveling can be stress-free is if you allow it to be.

Don't Miss The Boat On These Fantastic Travel Tips

Making the most of every trip that you take is how you get your money's worth. This article will give you all sorts of ideas and tip on how to make your vacation more enjoyable than ever. Just sit back and enjoy it.

Be sure to pre-plan your trip if an airport is involved in your travels. Just reaching the airport can be difficult to do quickly, especially if you are traveling through a major city during rush hour. Have your bags packed well in advance. To reduce your pre-flight anxiety, prepare for your trip well in advance. You want to do everything possible to avoid arriving late for your flight.

If you are traveling to an area that has a high level of crime, consider purchasing your own padlock for the hotel room door. These locks are more difficult to pick than the ones the hotel will have already and no one in the hotel will have a spare to let in "visitors".

Take the first travel photo" of your luggage. If you do end up checking your luggage, take a picture of it before you turn it over to the airline. In case of a problem, this will document what the luggage looks like and its condition when you left it. Also keep your baggage claim ticket in a safe place or snap a picture of it, too, so you have all the information necessary in the event that your luggage is lost.

Every time you travel, you should be taking a mini vacation. Even if your trip is for business purposes, there is no reason you can't enjoy yourself and have a good time. If you are well prepared it will only add to the experience. You can use the information you've read here so that you always have better trips.

Eco-Friendly Tourism

With the advent of the 24 hour news cycle, incessant mobile connectivity, fast and prepackaged food, the amount of disconnect we feel from the world around us is at the highest level it has ever been at.

There is a lot you can do both for your physical self and your emotional and mental well-being. Eating organic, buying local, raising some of your own crops or animals to installing sources of green-energy generation equipment around your home.

For many of us though, that is not something feasible. We are either too busy, lack the available space for such things, or feel like doing what we are isn’t enough to balance-out everything else in your life that’s ‘unnatural’.

A new style of retreat or vacation has come into being and they’re known as ‘natural living vacations’, ‘eco-friendly vacations’ and ‘eco-tourism.’

In a natural living vacation, you will stay in a place that is as eco-friendly as possible, with like-minded people in a place that has as small of a footprint as possible on our planet.

The level of comfort on these vacations can vary from bare-bones camping, to luxury villas in the African bush. Whatever you chose, or even if you go your own route, you can take part in a myriad of activities from animal safaris, hiking, community gardening and sightseeing of natural wonders.

The reasons why people go on natural living vacations are as varied as the places that you can take then at. Many people just want to get away from the 24 hour connections to technology of modern life, eat organic and healthy while cleansing their system and getting away from all hectic, attention-grabbing devices that modern life revolves around.

On a natural living vacation, the aim is to provide you with wholesome sustenance for mind, body and soul. You can feel good about the places you stay at that have a track record of being eco-friendly and get back to a more basic state of mind, free from all the mind and body pollutants that cloud our daily lives.

Not to worry though, going on a natural living vacation doesn't mean that you won't be unreachable by your friends and family, so you don't have to worry about not being alerted to an emergency. But when you go, do try to relax a bit and put the cell phone and laptop down.

Ways To Travel Off The Beaten Path

Traveling is something that you want to always have as much information on as you can, you want to always know better ways to travel so you can save money and time. This article is to serve as a place where you can gain a lot of tips and insight onto how to travel better in the future.

If you pack electronics while traveling, either remove the batteries or flip them around. Some small electronics can be easily flipped on. You definitely do not want them flipping on in your bag during the trip. There is a good chance the battery might be drained by the time they are unpacked.

Make sure that your cell phone plan is on a national calling set up before you leave town. If you are normally on a regional or local plan, switching to a national plan, even just for the short time you will be gone, can keep you from getting charged for roaming or long distance.

If you don't mind the inbox clutter, sign up for airline and hotel mailing lists when planning your trip. These lists will often tell you in advance about promotions or offer coupon codes - and they're always free. These kinds of deals will go quickly, so seeing them right away gives you an edge when booking.

Choosing a specific seasonal time to take ones trip can lead to a more enjoyable trip. For those who like snow sports they should aim for a trip during the winter. Someone who likes hunting should plan a trip to coincide with their hunting season of choice. Differences like that can make a big change to a trip.

The tips and advice you just learned is a great place to start when thinking about better ways you can go about traveling. When you're actually out traveling then all you want to worry about is having fun, so be on the look out for more traveling tips that can relieve your stress when thinking about traveling.

Tips For Traveling In A First Class Way

Travel is a fantastic thing to do. It broadens your horizons, lets you meet new people and see new places and it is a great way to take some time off to relieve stress and blow off steam. Travel can also be difficult and dangerous, however. Read on to find out what you need to know when traveling.

To receive the best service when traveling, tip generously at the beginning of the trip. If the bellboy or steward knows that you tip well, they will be more likely to tend to your needs. Especially on cruises, you'll receive more personal attention and better service from the staff if you're seen as generous.

Walk when you can. To keep your ankles from swelling and your joints from getting sore, stand up and walk whenever you get a chance. On the plane, get up and go to the bathroom or walk the aisle, once every hour. If you have a layover, opt to take a few laps of the terminal, rather than just sitting at your gate.

If you will be traveling to a foreign country where English is not the primary language, please make the effort to learn at least a few basic phrases, and make sure your pronunciation is as close as possible to the real thing. If you start out in THEIR language, most non-English speakers will quickly realize that you don't actually speak their tongue, and will meet you more than halfway in a helpful attempt to communicate. Starting out in English, on the other hand, sends the message that they need to communicate on your terms, which is impolite.

Now that you know what kinds of concerns there are when traveling, and how to counter them, you're ready to book your own trip! Travel is great for your mind and health and can be a whole lot of fun. We hope you enjoy your trip and have a great time!

Travel Like A Pro By Following This Advice

So, you've booked it. You're ready to execute your traveling plan? Well, now is a great time. You probably have many questions on what you need to know, but don't worry, this article can assist you. Listed below are some tips that will help you get started with your traveling aspirations.

When flying, always have a bottle of water handy. Drinking plenty of fluids will ensure that your body stays hydrated during the flight. The air inside the cabin is extremely dry, playing havoc with your body. Don't substitute alcohol or caffeine for water, as this can make dehydration worse.

Peruse the blogosphere. Bloggers are everywhere, and there is most likely one, if not many, bloggers blogging about your destination. Their blogs are a great resource for finding information about hidden gems of the city--restaurants, hotels, attractions, and more. Don't be shy. If you contact them, many will be happy to answer your specific questions as well.

You already know you can't take drinks with you through security at the airport. But you can definitely take a water bottle as long as it's empty. Save yourself the two dollars on water you're going to buy immediately after you get through security - just bring an empty water bottle from home and fill up with icy-fresh fountain water once you're through.

You can help make your vacation less stressful by packing lightly for your trip.
Try to keep all the items you will need in one bag; while this may seem impossible, it can be done if you are careful about what you include. Packing lightly means that there are less things for you to keep up with, and worry about, while you are enjoying your trip.

Now you are much more prepared when it comes to traveling. You should now be more prepared for this trip and for future trips! Hopefully, the tips that were given gave you some advice that will help you get started with your traveling, so that you can begin traveling like a pro.

Vacations For You, and Your Budget

Travel: It’s such a romantic concept. When we think of travel, we often think of the jetset, and people of leisure, who wake up one day and decide to go have dinner in Paris or breakfast in Ascensión; of weekend getaways in anyplace underneath a fingertip when the globe stops spinning. Truth is, being well-traveled isn’t something limited to those with massive disposable incomes or months of free time; travel is something all of us can do.

The number of travel websites has grown almost overnight, like mushrooms in your lawn after a rain shower. With the explosion of these websites that let you find the cheapest prices, name your own price, or search every travel-booking site known to man simultaneously, arranging a trip at a reasonable price has arguably never been easier. The sharp decline in the travel agent industry is a clear indicator of just how many people are buying directly from hotels and airlines when arranging their own travels. Not too long ago, visiting your local travel agent was the only option you had for arranging a vacation and there was always a slight sense of doubt as to whether or not you were truly getting the best deal. Today, you have many more options and an ability to search out those deals that have never existed before. The ability to plan a vacation to a far-flung land, from flights to hotels to car rentals and being able to do all this with the best deals possible from the comfort of your living room is something truly amazing.

One of the most common reasons people don’t travel more is for lack of time. Between employers cutting-back on the benefits and paid time off that they give to their employees and all of the things which normally tie you down, be it children, pets, or other obligations - finding the time to travel the world is harder and harder these days. One option you might not have considered is a weekend trip. With sites like www.megabus.com, where you can book inexpensive regional travel to select destinations, and www.airbnb.com which is a site that lists apartments, houses and single rooms for rent, often at the same price or less than the cost of a hotel room, you can plan a very inexpensive weekend getaway in another city.

If time isn’t the limiting factor but the available funds are, not to worry, travel is still for you. Staying at a hostel is usually the first option that comes to mind when people think of traveling for free. Most hostels will let you trade a little labor for your room and often meals, while others will gladly take your money. You have to be aware of what the policy of the hostel is before you begin heading there. Free, or cheap, travel isn’t limited to shucking corn at a hostel, though. House Sitting is another option. Check out www.housecarers.com and www.mindmyhouse.com for listings. You might also want to consider www.couchsurfing.org. You can read reviews of the place and the people in the listings to decide on where you want to crash for the night. 

With all of the ways you have to look for travel options and the various means in which to travel, the best thing for you to do is still to do your own research, talk to people and compare as many different options as you have. It might be cheaper to fly than to drive. Cheaper to rent an apartment for the weekend than stay at a hotel. It might be faster and easier to take the bus to a nearby state instead of flying after you figure in all the arrangements. Look around, compare, weigh all of your options and then decide. There are as many ways to travel as there are destinations.

Taking Everything You Need But Not One Item More

You may be looking forward to a much-needed and well-deserved getaway. On the other hand it could be just a regular business trip. Make the most of your trip by planning the details and avoiding pitfalls. There are lots of things that you can do to make the trip a pleasant one. This article will give you some ideas for making the most of your vacation or business trip..

Roll your clothes when packing your bags for a trip. Rolling your clothes up tightly actually saves a great deal of space when packing. Just make sure you begin packing, at least, several days before you need to have all your luggage ready. Rushing leads to very inefficient packing.

A great travel tip is to not leave important things lying around in the room that you're staying at. A maid or cleaning person can easily snatch your wallet if you leave it lying on your bed or your dresser. Always keep your important things hidden or on your person.

A great travel tip if you're traveling abroad is to always take a book of matches with you whenever you leave your hotel. Having this book of matches can be very helpful if you end up getting lost at some point. They can show locals where you've just left.

A great travel tip if you're planning on taking a cruise it to book a room with a balcony. Even though a room with a balcony is a bit more expensive, it's definitely worth it. There's nothing more romantic than gazing at the open sea from your own balcony.

As was stated in the beginning of this article, there are many practical things that you can do to make a journey pleasant. Your trip can be memorable for all the right reasons. Apply the tips from this article to make your trip more enjoyable.

Finding French and Italian Rental Properties

There are many benefits of a rental property over a hotel, motel, or other accommodation. If you plan to do some traveling, a rental property can be a good investment. One of the main advantages is that you have much more space than you do with a standard hotel or motel room. This is especially useful if you're traveling with a group of people, for instance if you're bringing your whole family along on the trip and won't all fit in a single hotel room.

You can also choose to invest in a rental property for the long-term, by purchasing the property and renting it out to others. If this is something you think may be right for you, it makes even more sense to go with a rental property. 

If you're looking for a French rental property, the best idea is to start off by setting a budget for yourself. This way you know how much you can spend and can start narrowing down the selection accordingly. Only consider those properties that fit within your budget, so you can afford to stay there without overspending. 

There are many different vacation rentals French Riviera to choose from, but the amenities included is important to consider. You want to enjoy yourself during your stay, so you need to ensure you have everything you need in the rental property. Start your search early, so you have plenty of time before your leave date to find the perfect property. This isn't something you want to rush into, and if you do, you'll likely spend more money than necessary. You also need to consult multiple sources if you want to find the vacation rental property of your dreams, without paying a fortune. Go through realtors and do your research before making any final decisions on which French apartments for rent are worth considering.

Italy maps and guides are available in certain areas, and if this is your first time traveling here, you may want to find a rental property nearby, so you have help figuring out how to get around, if needed.

With these tips in mind, you can find a French apartment for rent, or any other type of accommodation you're looking for. With such a huge selection to pick from, it can certainly be a challenge just to get started, even more to decide on a single property. However, with these tips in mind, you can sort through the selection and make the decision process easier on yourself.