The luxury and price of a villa can beat that of the best hotel

At St. John and other Caribbean hot spots, a week's stay at a villa can be cheaper and more luxurious than even the best hotel room

The benefits to renting a villa begin at the airport. There you will sit in the departure area and survey your fellow passengers, inevitably a kind of Peterson’s Field Guide to Caribbean flotsam and jetsam: the knots of senior citizens on their way to meet cruise ships; the frat boys in Señor Frog T-shirts; the would-be Jimmy Buffetts with leathery faces and thinning ponytails; the moms already applying sunscreen to their screaming kids and the dads already plotting their escape to a fishing boat or golf cart. You will look around at them and whisper to yourself, “After this flight is over, I will never see any of you people ever again. Not at the pool. Not at the reception desk. Not at breakfast. Never.”

While your cabinmates are checking in at the local upscale resort, you’ll be wandering through room after impeccably decorated room of your villa trying to figure out which one has the best view of the ocean from its private balcony. And if you’ve played your cards right, you and your handpicked companions may have paid less for your accommodations than the resort crowd did. With four bedrooms, St. John’s Hakuna Matata averages out to just $370 per night per couple—in the high season. Compare that to the nearby Westin St. John Resort, where the rack rate can be as much as $700 per night.

But beyond cost (and even beyond the undeniable tingle that saying the words “my villa” provokes), there’s a vast aesthetic difference.

A villa is somehow of a place—integrally part of the landscape—an authentic alternative to the McLuxury served up by even a well-meaning hotel chain. To stay in a private residence puts you in a community, not only of your neighbors and the locals you’ll meet at the market, but of a sort of “villa-ocracy” whose members have known how to travel right through the ages: from Italian counts relaxing in the hills of Tuscany to David Letterman taking a break on St. Bart’s.

As you may have imagined, the inaugural, stock-up trip to the liquor store is one of the great rituals of villa life. So are a host of other, usually boring, domestic chores. Like ending an evening of picking out constellations in the hot tub by throwing your bathing suit in the dryer, so it will be ready for the beach in the morning. Or telling the cook the snacks you had in mind for tomorrow’s poolside backgammon tournament.

Eventually, of course, you will deign to come down off the mountain and spend a few hours snorkeling across impossibly blue water or riding a horse over wild green hills or just lolling in the sand. And then, pleasantly sunburned and weary, you will return to your villa—up the dirt road and past the gate and up the long driveway—and, inevitably, someone will sigh happily and say, “Ah, home.”

And, for a week at least, they’ll be right.

Travel To Paris

Paris is France's capital city and is located in the north of the country on the River Seine. The city is known for its romantic charm and atmosphere with gorgeous outdoor cafés, the scent of freshly baked croissants filling the area and stunning residents that are clothed in the most stylish fashions. Paris has a great history that is felt when within the city. The city also possesses amazing architecture, style and atmosphere that make being there a pleasurable experience.
Travelling There
Paris has a couple of airports that make flying there an easy option. It is also linked with excellent road and rail services. Euroline buses run constantly to and from the city in all directions. Ferries cross over from the UK to nearby ports for those who are looking to take there own car.
Accommodation
As Paris is such a large and popular city there is every type of accommodation available to suit all budgets. The only problem with accommodation is that you must book well in advance as the city gets busy with visitors, especially during fashion shows.
Eating & drinking
All of France is renowned for its cuisine and wines. Paris is one of the best places in the country to go out to restaurants. Parisians take their food seriously and tend to eat two sit-down meals a day. Restaurants, cafés and bars are found just about everywhere in Paris so you will always find something for your taste.
History
The city of Paris dates back to more than 2,000 years ago when it was first built. It developed into a metropolis after it was overruled by Julius Caesar in 52 BC. The city is linked to the French Revolution that saw the killing of thousands of people. Although Paris has a somewhat violent history, these days the city is a charming place to visit where many people fall in love in its wonderful atmosphere.
Sights and Must Sees
Paris is known for its magnificent architecture layout. If th interests you be sure to visit Sacré Coeur Basilica. It is located on the butte of Montmartre and provides wonderful views of the city. Also visit the Arch de Triomphe and the cathedrals of Notre Dame and Saint Denis as these are also very impressive to look at.
The city has many art features that are worth a visit if that is your interest. There is also plenty to do in the ways of excursions within and away from the city as well as a relaxing cruise up the River Seine.
Shops
Paris is quite possibly the best place in the World to shop for top quality fashion. The Champs Elysee is the main shopping area. It has huge shopping malls, perfumeries and entertainment venues. It is possible to find almost any designer brand in Paris. The city has a number of flea markets that offer a nice alternative to the main high street shops.

Barcelona Sightseeing

Barcelona has a lot to be proud of. A city literally stuffed with spectacular architecture, historical and cultural places of interest, fantastic food and a vibrant nightlife, it is no wonder tourists flock to the area. There is more to Catalunya than Barcelona sightseeing however, including a glorious coastline, beautiful mountains and a fierce independent spirit that will be felt by even the least informed visitor.

by: Clinton Maxwell

Make sure you have a map detailing the places of interest when you arrive in Barcelona; it is surprisingly easy to get lost in Barcelona’s bustling streets. A good place to start your tour is Gaudi’s Park Guell, an open space filled with pieces of Gaudi’s work including benches, archways, walls and balconies. It is a place where Gaudi’s imagination really ad free reign, and you feel almost that the works of art are more natural than the plants and trees.
From here you can move easily on to Gaudi’s iconic work, the Sagrada Familia. This church was started in 1882 but was not finished when Gaudi died in 1926. Various attempts have been made to complete the work to Gaudi’s designs but the church is still not entirely finished and probably never will be. If you don’t think you can capture the spirit of the church in your own photographs, you might want to check out the stunning images available in postcard stands that surround the building.
The Barcelona zoo was founded in 1892 and is located in the Ciutadella Park, next to the old town or Ciutat Vella. This is a great place to visit especially of you have children that are likely to lose interest in architecture and history. Some of the seven and a half thousand animals on display include pelicans, American buffalos and red kangaroo, as well as a specialist primate collection which the zoo is famous for.
There is an aquatic park within the zoo that provides a home to bottlenose dolphins among others. Dolphin shows can be seen throughout the warm summer months, and this can make a refreshing escape from the heat of the city. An acclaimed research program at Barcelona zoo is well known for sympathetic breeding of animals in captivity and protection of endangered species, which would otherwise become extinct.
The main avenue in Barcelona, La Rambla is a riot of color and bustle with flower stalls and street performers at regular intervals along the promenade. The main hotels and restaurants center around La Rambla, but you may get a better deal and more authentic dishes if you explore a little further out. One place not be missed is the Boqueria, a fantastic food market to one side of La Rambla, with exotic delicacies you have never even imagined.
The port area received a face lift with the Olympics in Barcelona in 1992. The Olympic village was situated right on the coast and the area is marked by the dual towers of the Arts Hotel, Mapfre Towers and Nova Icaria Square. The main Olympic sites can be found on top of Montjuic, a hill overlooking the city, and can be reached by cable car.

Clinton Maxwell writes mainly for http://www.barcelona-information.com , an online site on the topic of travelling in Spain and Costa Brava. You can find his publications over at http://www.barcelona-information.com and various other sources for Barcelona Spain knowledge.

10 Best Chateaux to Visit in the Loire Valley France

The kings of France, seduced by the temperate climate and the game-filled forests built their sumptuous homes here in the Loire Valley. They surrounded themselves with the greatest artists and architects of this era. This is the country of a thousand castles. The valley is full of not only royal castles and renaissance palaces, national museum and large magnificent chateaux, but also medieval castles and fortresses, small fairy tale manors, private chateaux, medieval cities, churches, abbeys, and cathedrals.

By: Corina Clemence

Many chateaux and stately homes are open to the public: some are state owned, such as Chambord and Blois; others are private, and still lived in. A large proportion of them run son-et-lumiere shows during the tourist season. Chateau de Chenonceau and Chateau de Chambord are definitely worth a visit and are close to Blois.

1.Chateau de Chenonceau
Le Chateau des Dames built on a bridge across the river Cher is one of the more romantic chateaux of the Loire with elegant turrets, arches and stately avenues bordered by plane trees. It's romantic feel is further heightened by the fact that its stylised and symmetrical structure is reflected in the waters of the Cher.

Chenonceau owes much of its design and beauty to four women in particular. It was Catherine de Briconnet who first started the trend and was largely responsible for its early Renaissance style. Catherine then passed the baton to Diane de Poiters (mistress of Henri II) who was responsible for the formal gardens to the left of the chateau as you approach it. Unfortunately Diane de Poitiers was forced to relinquish ownership of Chenonceau to Catherine de Medici (the embittered wife of Henri II) who offered Chateau de Chaumont in exchange. Not entirely a fair swap! Later the castle was inherited by Louise de Lorraine, the bereaved wife of Henri III Catherine's favourite son. Louise painted her bedroom ceiling black and white out of respect for her late husband.

Madame Dupin also had a pivotal role in the development of Chenonceau in the 18th century and was responsible for encouraging literary events to be held here. The likes of Rousseau, Voltaire and Montesquieu all spending time here. Today Chenonceau is a profitable business owned by the Menier family who are known as respected chocolatiers.
Chateau de Chenonceaux: Chateau de Chenonceau, 30 minutes from Blois, Chenonceau, 37150 Tel: +33 (0)2 47 23 90 07 Open: Closed 25th Dec & 1st Jan, 1st May

2. Chateau de Chambord
Chambord is truly royal in its great scale, its grand air, its indifference to common consideration (Henry James). It combined the dream of King Francois I with the imagination of Leonardo de Vinci. The result is a real mathematisation of architecture, a grandiose creation : 440 rooms with 365 fireplaces, a fabulous double staircase, and a unique roof terrace
Chateau de Chambord: 15 minutes south east of Blois, Domaine national de Chambord, Chambord, Tel: +33 (0)2 54 5040 00 Open: Closed on 25th Dec, 1st Jan and 1st May

3. Chateau Blois
Chateau Blois is almost like four separate chateaux rolled into one - so diverse are the architectural styles at play here. The Medieval heart is centred around the Salle des Etats Generaux which is where the court and council were based. Flamboyant Gothic flair is evident in the Louis XII wing whereas Renaissance architecture is the dominant style in the Francois 1 wing. It is in the Francois 1 wing that you'll find Catherine de Medici's private rooms complete with array of poisons. This was also the spot where the Duc de Guise was brutally murdered in 1588 after he was thought to be planning a Catholic uprising against Henri III. Apparently, it was Henri who carried out the deed himself only to be murdered himself a year later by a monk. Lastly, the Gaston d'Orleans wing will satisfy any cravings for Classical architecture. Evenings are a particularly good time to visit Blois especially if you book to see the 'son et lumiere' shows that recount the chateau's turbulent past.

Chateau de Blois: Place du Chateau, Blois, 41000 Tel: +33 (0)2 54 90 33 33 Open: Closed on 25th Dec and 1st Jan

5. Chateau de Cheverney
Chateau de Cheverny is undoubtedly the most lavishly furnished of all the Loire Chateaux. Built between 1604 and 1634 little has changed. Its present owner is a direct descendant of the original owner and his 70 hounds or so are still used for regular stag hunting. Some of the chateau's masterpieces include paintings by old masters, tapestries from Paris and Holland plus Louis XIV's commode and unforgettable grandfather clock. The 1640s interior decoration, consisting of panelling, painted ceilings, and fireplaces, and paintings by Jean Monnier, is among the finest of its kind.

There are two interesting facts pertaining to Cheverny. Firstly, die hard Tintin fans will note that Herge based the mythical Moulinsart on Cheverny. If this appeals, check out the Tintin exhibition situated directly opposite the chateau. Secondly, the 18th century Orangerie served as a hiding place for the Mona Lisa during WWII. From here, you'll be able to take in the majesty of the park and its canals which are open to the public from April to November
Chateau de Cheverny: 16 kilometres south-east of Blois, Cheverny, 41700 Tel: +33 (0)2 54 79 96 29 Open: Open daily

6. Chateau de Beauregard
Chateau de Beauregard was largely built at the same time as Chateau de Cheverny as a hunting lodge for Francois I. It is famous for its Galerie des Portraits which comprises over 327 portraits of Kings and their lovers plus famous dignitaries from 14th to 17th centuries. Take note of the unique flooring that is covered in 17th century porcelain tiles.
Chateau de Beauregard: 6 kilometres south of Blois, Cellettes, 41120 Tel: +33 (0)2 54 70 36 74 Open: Closed Wed in winter months and entirely for the month of January

7. Chateau Azay le Rideau
The Azay le Rideau Castle, one of the purest creation of the Renaissance, was built on an island of the Indre River, an ideal setting for an architectural jewel. The son-et-lumiere events held in the park during the summer tell some of the history of the Chateau and are not to be missed if you are there at the right time.

8. Chateau de Villandry
Villandry was one of the last of the very big chateaux built around 1536 in the Loire valley during the renaissance. It houses some interesting and very valuable antiques and furnishings but it is probably best known for its Italian Renaissance garden created by Dr Carvallo. As well as being very ornate and decorative, the gardens produce fruit, vegetables and herbs which are sold locally to raise funds for the maintenance of the chateau.

9. Chateau du Clos Luce
Chateau du Clos Luce is where Leonard de Vinci spent the last years of his life. You can visit his study, salons, kitchen and bedrooms, the chapel and see frescoes painted by his pupils. His drawings and paintings are set out in the park of the chateau with giant models of the most spectacular machines he invented with voice-overs of Leonardo da Vinci and his disciple Melzi.
Le Chateau du Clos Luce: 30 minutes from us, at demeure de Leonard de Vinci,Amboise 37400 Tel: +33(0)2 47 57 00 73 Open: daily except 25 December to 1st January

10. Chateau du Chaumont
Chateau du Chaumont is located on the southern bank of the Loire River about 20 minutes west of Blois. It was the first chateau at Chaumont-sur-Loire, Loir-et-Cher, France. Originating in the 11th century, it was built by Eudes II, Count of Blois.
In 1560, the castle became the property of Catherine de' Medici who entertained numerous astrologers there, including Nostradamus. On the death of her husband, King Henry II, Catherine used her power to take over the much coveted Chateau de Chenonceau from her husband's mistress, Diane de Poitiers. As certain legalities had to be met, Diane was forced to accept the Chateau de Chaumont as payment for her beloved Chenonceau. Diane de Poitiers lived at Chaumont for only a short time when the castle was sold.
The chateau holds an international garden festival covering a different theme each year from April to October.
The Loire Valley is a splendid region awarded world heritage listing because of its magnificent chateaux.

Article Source: http://content.infowizards.com

Corina Clemence operates Chateau du Guerinet, near Blois as a luxury boutique chateau hotel for up to 15 people. Our guests get to truly experience the grandeur of living in a french chateau. www.loirechateau.com Rent a castle in France. Don't just visit a french chateau - stay in one.