Category: Paris
The Ultimate Parisian Experience…
Experience an unforgettable stay in Paris by treating yourself to a stay in one of our beautiful, hand-picked, luxury apartments.
Georges V, Stunning Parisian Home.
This beautiful 2 bedroom apartment is located in a classified 1800s stone building close to the Champs Elysees, Arc de Triomphe and near the famous Georges V hotel. The Eiffel Tower is 15 minutes walk. Louvre Museum and the Invalides are at a 20 minutes walk.
This luxurious apartment has been decorated with the utmost care. It is filled with original antiques Louis XV and Louis XVI, French Savonnerie carpets, top of the line appliances, luxury linens and more.
Sorbonne Nouvelle, Luxury Modern Paris Apartment in a Great Location.
Sorbonne Nouvelle, Luxury Modern Paris Apartment in a Great Location.
This luxurious apartment is ideally located just 200 yards from the Notre Dame Cathedral, in the heart of the Latin Quarter. One of the most extraordinary districts of Paris. It is located just off the Boulevard Saint Germain, the left banks’ most famous thoroughfare and home to a number of famous cafes, residences, boutiques and bookshops. The famous River Seine is just moments away.
The Latin Quarter is famous for the Sorbonne and it’s students, it’s maze of narrow cobbled streets, ethnic shops and avant garde theatres and cinemas.
A selection of the best Autumn Festivals in Europe : Part 1
The nights draw in. There’s a nip in the air, and out come the fleecy PJs! The summer excitement fades and the days somehow seem a bit dull. But despair not! For autumn is when European Festival fever reaches a new pitch. Outbursts of contemporary art, classical music, fine art, cinema and jazz spring up like mushrooms across Europe. If you’re a cultural buff of any persuasion, you can find something to suit your taste!
In Budapest, this most elegant and vibrant of cities straddling the Danube, is Café Budapest. From 5 – 14 October you can enjoy an inspirational blend of classical and modern with stunning performances of music, drama, and poetry. Hosted by a variety of city bars, cafés and theatres, this showcase for progressive art and artists is not to be missed. Visit www.cafebudapestfest.hu for full information. Or visit the city’s Festival Box office, open daily from 10 – 6 pm.
Chocoholics – this is your moment! Heady cocoa aromas will titillate your taste buds at the Paris Salon du Chocolat (31 October – 4 November). A delectable menu of mouth-watering treats is on offer at the Porte de Versailles. This celebration of the glories of cocoa is open 10 am – 7 pm daily with tickets from €6.50 – €13.
For a sparkling end to this autumn festival season, head to a Loving Apartment in Berlin to enjoy October’s Festival of Light. Over 45 of the city’s famous landmarks will be floodlit from 7 pm – 1 am daily. Fireworks, laser shows and ‘lightseeing’ tours by bus, coach or boat are all part of the monthly spectacle.
Discover the beauty of Europe in Autumn. What are you waiting for!
Festival d’automne à Paris
Tumbling autumn leaves spread a golden carpet underfoot as you wander along the banks of the Seine in the sunshine. Warmth billows from the door of an enticingly chic French café, with the rich aroma of coffee wafting onto the pavement. A window display of strikingly contemporary Parisian fashions, makes you pause to admire. Yes, this is Paris in the autumn, every inch or centimetre proving as atmospheric, engaging and continental, as only Paris can be.
But at this time of year you might find another reason to book a romantic Parisian hideaway, a stylish Loving Apartment. A bohemian rhapsody of theatre, dance, visual arts and film, ‘The Festival d’automne’ is Paris re-awakening after the slumbers of the August Holidays. The 41st Festival is currently in full flow, running until 31 December at performance venues across the city. Whatever arrondissement your holiday rental apartment is in, you’re more than likely to find a Festival performance almost on your doorstep.
The performances are nearly always experimental, contemporary, international and highly original combining complementary art forms. This is after all Paris, the city of stylish invention and cutting edge fashion, a city where the young and hip are neighbours to the traditional and distinctly ‘haute couture’.
So this autumn, Paris will once again throb to the beat of over 40 events, drawing over a 100,000 people to this major European cultural event. A complete programme can be found, and tickets booked online at www.festival-automne.com.
So find your romantic Parisian loft or elegant Left Bank nook at Loving Apartments, book your Eurostar seats and you’ll be able to immerse yourself in an unsurpassed cultural feast. And they say that the shopping’s not bad either in Paris . . .
Cosy 3 Bedroom Apartment Located in Montmatre from €24 pppn
Bright and Contemporary 1 Bedroom Apartment, from €39 pppn
10 Free Things To Do In Paris
Forget Paris’ reputation for being one of the most expensive places in Europe to visit; we at Loving Apartments offer great value rental apartments and suggest things you can do for free in the city of love:
- Spending time at the Gothic masterpiece of Notre-Dame Cathedral really is a must. You can bask in the beauty of its architecture; increase your knowledge with a summer tour; and, enjoy one of the spectacular sound and vision night shows – all for free.
- Wend your way along the many beautiful trails and paths in the Parc des Buttes Chaumont. There are so many outstanding features and gardens here that you might forget you are in urban Paris. If you have a head for heights, take the 22 metre high suspension bridge to the belvedere of Sybil – a temple folly that sits atop a craggy peak overlooking the park.
- Visit Galeries Lafayette, which since opening nearly 120 years ago has become an institution for fashionable Parisians. The urge to spend will be strong in this amazing art nouveau building but if you reserve a place at one of the free fashion shows held there each Friday afternoon, you may just be distracted long enough to forget about spending money.
- Walk barefoot on the sands of Paris-Plages. Every summer artificial beaches spring up along the river Seine. Topless sunbathing is a no-no, as is taking a dip in the river but feeling the sand between your toes and the cool breeze from the Seine makes this a perfect chill-out spot.
- Take a walk through the quietest neighbourhood in Paris – Père Lachaise Cemetery. Well, the incumbents are quiet but each year literally hundreds of thousands of visitors ensure that this cemetery is a place for the living. See the final resting places of: novelist, Oscar Wilde; singer, Édith Piaf; American lead singer of The Doors, Jim Morrison and many other famous residents.
- On the first Sunday of every month you can wallow in the sophistication of the Louvre for free. It’s a great opportunity to visit one of the most famous art galleries in the world and get up close to the most enigmatic smile in history – Mona Lisa’s.
- You don’t need to don a white lab coat on a visit to The Curie Museum but the tour will bring you much closer to understanding the achievements of famous husband and wife scientists Pierre and Marie Curie.
- Comfy shoes at the ready for a fantastic three-and-a-half hour walking tour of Paris. These tours may be free but your guide’s knowledge is priceless. As well as seeing some of the most famous sights of the city, you will discover parts you didn’t know existed. Tours are held daily at 11:00 and 13:00, meeting beside the fountain at Place Saint Michel.
- Take in the artistic wonders of the Centre Pompidou for free on the first Sunday of every month or any day if you are under 26 and from the EU. Like the Lloyd’s building in London, the Centre Pompidou looks like it has been turned inside out: unlike Lloyd’s, it houses a huge collection of 20th century art.
- Walk the Place des Vosges and you’ll be following in the footsteps of some of Paris’ most famous and influential citizens. This perfectly proportioned square is the oldest in the city and amongst its famous residents was Victor Hugo, the writer of ‘Les Misérables’. As a bonus, when you’ve taken in the symmetrical beauty of the square you can also visit the permanent exhibits in Hugo’s house for free.
Why not book a Paris holiday apartment now and start sightseeing for free?
Win 2 nights for up to 4 Guests in Paris
Whether you’re looking for long romantic strolls, late night parties, theatre plays, shopping, concerts or sporting occasions, Paris is the perfect destination. In ‘the Capital of Lights’ there is always something going on, events take place all year round and history awaits you at every corner. So if Paris was on your bucket list for this year, make sure you enter our latest competition to win a 2 night stay in a bright Parisian apartment.
Just moments away from Champs Elysees Boulevard, Place de la Concorde and Eglise St Augustin, Elysees Walk#2 Apartment is the perfect home away from home. Furnished with care and style, the apartment provides an open plan living, dining and kitchen area, double bedroom and bathroom, all well-equipped. The only thing you have to worry about is allowing time to visit and revel in the very best Paris has to offer.
After a long day of enjoying all the wonderful sights of Paris, you can relax over a glass of wine at the restaurants and cafes surrounding Elysees Walk#2 Apartment or you can go on exploring the shops and boutiques that compliment the area.
The competition is running from 31st of Jul – 31st of August. To enter, simply answer the question and complete your full name and email address. Entry is via our Facebook page
http://www.facebook.com/LovingApartments?v=app_190322544333196
Good luck!
Superb Spring City Break Getaways
Spring is the perfect season for a weekend city break or long holiday in Europe. The climate is mild enough to explore at your leisure without sweating profoundly, yet warm enough to sit out and enjoy a coffee or glass of chilled cava in the spring sun. Flora and fauna come alive in the various parklands dotted around the city, creating some colourful and vibrant photo opportunities. All in all, spring is a lovely time to visit Europe, and here are just a few cities that are particularly dazzling during this flourishing season.
1. Barcelona – Not that Barcelona requires spring shades to brighten up its already colourful exterior, but it certainly looks beautiful during the season. Its dormant beaches come alive in March with people strolling along the promenades and sand, and some even daring to dip a toe in the still chilly waters. Wildlife is in full bloom in Barcelona’s Guell Park, and Parc de la Ciutadella, and you can admire over 2,000 types of roses at the Cervantes Rose Garden in the heart of the city. Enjoy a drink on the balcony of your Barcelona apartment, or soak up the rays on the terrace of one of the city’s many cafes and bars. If you’re visiting over Easter, be sure not to miss the Easter parade outside Plaça Sant Agustí that takes place on Good Friday.
2. Paris – Spring is a desirable time in Paris for those travellers looking to capture the city’s iconic landmarks in their most idyllic setting – surrounded by colourful flowers, adding a splash of colour for picture-perfect photographs. Enjoy the spring sunshine cruising down the River Seine admiring some of Paris’ much-loved landmarks, such as Invalides, The Eiffel Tower, and The Louvre. Stroll around Jardin des Tuileries – a spectacular and impeccably maintained garden located in the centre of Paris.
3. Budapest – Already considered one of the most attractive cities in Europe, spring only accentuates Budapest’s existing beauty. Budapest has some exquisite architecture that can be explored on foot, or by meandering down the River Danube on a lunch or dinner cruise. Visit an outdoor thermal spring, in spring, and see if you experience any of the therapeutic and healing capabilities they are believed to have. The tranquil haven of Margaret Island is a fantastic place to visit in fine weather, with calming water fountains and a variety of flower gardens, which are especially impressive during spring. This car-free oasis can be reached from mainland Budapest apartments by crossing over bridges on either end of the island. A horse drawn carriage ride can be a special way to explore the island fully.
Excuse me, do you Speak English?
When visiting a city that speaks an alternative language to your own, do you make the effort to interact in their language? It’s so useful, and respectful, to learn a few common phrases to help you get by on your travels, without the embarrassing common scene of saying something in your language that little bit louder, and getting frustrating when they still don’t understand! I’m sure we’ve all been guilty of this at some point, or have at least resorted to a spot of charades to get by.
I always try to make the effort to at least be able to order something in my destination’s native language as I feel a sense of accomplishment, and most of the time the locals truly appreciate my endeavours. There has been the odd occasion when I’ve been skiing in France, when I have ordered food in French, and the waiter has responded back to me in English. Not put off by his blatant lack of patience, I continued to speak French to him, much to his frustration.
No one expects you to spend weeks brushing up on your Spanish skills, or to sign up for French classes before you travel – even just spending a few minutes on your flight over, or making sure you have a handy phrase book in your pocket is sufficient. To help you along your way, here is a handy list of common words and phrases when visiting some of our most popular destinations.
|
Dutch (Amsterdam) |
Catalan (Barcelona) |
||
| Hello | Hallo | Hello | Hola |
| Good morning | Goedemorgen | Good morning | Bon dia |
| Good evening | Goedenavond | Good evening | Bona nit |
| Bye | Dag | Bye | Fins ara! |
| Thank you | Dank u | Thank you | Gràcies |
| Please | Alstublieft | Please | Si us plau |
| Excuse me | Pardon | Excuse me | Dispensi! |
| Sorry | Sorry | Sorry | Perdó! |
| I don’t understand | Ik begrijp het niet | I don’t understand | No ho entenc |
| Yes | Ja | Yes | Sí |
| No | Nee | No | No |
| My name is… | Min name is | My name is… | Em dic … |
| Where is…? | Waar is? | Where is…? | On és…? |
| How much does it cost? | Hoeveel kost het? | How much does it cost? | Quant costa això? |
|
French (Paris) |
Czech (Prague) |
||
| Hello | Salut | Hello | Dobrý den! |
| Good morning | Bon jour | Good morning | Dobré ráno |
| Good evening | Bon soir | Good evening | Dobrý večer! |
| Bye | Au revoir | Bye | Na shledanou! |
| Thank you | Merci | Thank you | Děkuji |
| Please | S’il vous plaît | Please | Prosím |
| Excuse me | Excusez-moi | Excuse me | Promiňte |
| Sorry | Pardon | Sorry | Je mi líto |
| I don’t understand | Je ne comprends pas | I don’t understand | Nerozumím |
| Yes | Oui | Yes | Ano |
| No | Non | No | Ne |
| My name is… | Je m’appelle | My name is… | Jmenuji se… |
| Where is…? | Où est…? | Where is…? | Kde je…? |
| How much does it cost? | Combien? | How much does it cost? | Kolik to stojí? |
Calling All Bloggers
Are you as passionate about travelling and exploring new adventures as we are? Do you want to write about places that excite and interest you whilst getting paid for doing as such? If so, we’re calling on you to share your experiences and love of travelling and to write articles for the blogs section of our website. It doesn’t matter if it’s your favourite landmark, the best restaurants to dine at or an undiscovered gem; if it interests us we’ll post your article and give you money for doing so.
However you approach the blog is completely up to you; it can be in the form of a countdown list on your favourite shopping destinations or simply a tale from your experiences of travelling. However, the subject must be focused on one of our destinations.
These are:
• Amsterdam
• Barcelona
• Berlin
• Budapest
• London
• Madrid
• Paris
• Prague
• Rome
• Sitges
• Verbier
• Zermatt
How much we pay you for your article depends on the length. For 300 word articles we pay £10, and for 500 word articles we pay £15. If you’re a keen writer and want to share your experiences with a larger audience, e-mail us at info@lovingapartments.com and if we like what we read, we’ll post your article in our blogs section in due course.
For Terms and Conditions, please click here.
Good luck and get writing!
Beating the January Blues
With the festive season in full swing and Christmas now tantalisingly close, it won’t be long before we’re throwing out used wrapping paper and eating leftover turkey sandwiches. However, you can avoid the post-Christmas blues by booking an exciting holiday and give yourself something to look forward to going into January and beyond. The winter season might be upon us, but there’ll be no frosty reception waiting for you in any of these fun and friendly destinations.
Zermatt
It may be cold outside but that only means it’s the perfect time to go skiing or snowboarding here in Zermatt. Even if you’ve never been before, you can have beginner’s lessons to ensure you’re not on thin ice or that you get cold feet when it comes to the slopes, whereas there’s more advanced slopes if you’re feeling particularly confident. Zermatt’s landscape is particularly stunning and sure to take your breath away. The mountain peaks, particularly the Breithorn which stands tall at 4,000 metres, offer a tranquil and peaceful backdrop when you’re exploring the area. Zermatt’s natural wonders will certainly lift your spirits after the Christmas season and give you the chance to experience the holiday of a lifetime.
Paris
Is there any better way to put a smile on your face than the Disneyland theme park in Paris? Disneyland truly is one of the most magical attractions in the world, leaving the whole family feverishly excited for weeks on end. The park is open every day throughout January and beyond, with both the Euro Disneyland and Walt Disney Studios Parks available for you to enjoy, as well as all the other entertainment the village offers. Disneyland Paris truly is the perfect antidote to the January blues and will have you excited for the weeks and adventures ahead.
Amsterdam
Although Amsterdam is a great city to visit all year round, if you’re looking for a more relaxing holiday this could be the one for you. On the clearer days you can go for winter walks around the city and see some of its serene canals and parks which are famously beautiful. However, if the weather gets to you too much you can always keep warm in the array of cafés throughout the city and be entertained by its cultural attractions such as its museums. If you’re looking for a quick and cheap weekend break to lighten your mood, Amsterdam is perfect and will ensure you’re soon in high spirits.
Although Christmas will soon be behind us, there’s no need to be down about it. Instead, book one of our Holiday Apartments today and give yourself something to look forward to beyond this winter.
The Top Christmas Shopping Trips Near our City Vacation Rentals
Christmas shopping can be a stressful activity at the best of times. If we’re not worrying about whether our loved ones will like their present, we’re fretting about how much money we’ve spent. Thankfully, the vacation rentals in our city destinations have shopping centres to ensure you don’t have to pay over the odds this year and can make this humdrum affair a thoroughly enjoyable one.
London
Known for being one of the most fashionable cities in the world, it’s no surprise to see some of London’s shopping outlets being a tad on the expensive side. Our London vacation rentals allow you to be within walking distance of some of London’s most famous shopping districts for maximum convenience. Although Oxford Street is the most lavish place to shop with the best variety and biggest stores, it can be rather chaotic at times which won’t be for everyone, particularly when it comes to the transport of the area. The Westfield Shopping Centre in Stratford is a modern shopping environment with 3 levels of stores, sheltering you from the winter weather thanks to the security of its roof. King’s Road is a scaled down version of other London shopping areas and has many cafés to stop off at for a rest, whilst the Kensington High Street is a great location for its open spaces and upmarket retail chains. However, there are also a number of side streets you can take a detour down to truly appreciate the culture of London, turning your shopping trip into an experience. Our London vacation rentals are throughout the city, so you can ensure your accommodation is as close to any shopping centre as you desire.
Paris
The most romantic city in Europe, Paris is a great place to do some Christmas shopping and buy that extra special gift. Although there is a fantastic range of shopping malls in Paris, some of them can be rather pricey, but the hypermarket Les Quatre Temps offers an incredible amount of boutiques for you to visit, with around 250 stores within its proximity. If Val d’Europe is your choice for some festive shopping you can enjoy the mall’s shops that span over two floors, ranging from the popular brands of today’s fashion to exclusive and independent chains for that distinctive present this Christmas. If you’re selecting Paris vacations rentals near Disneyland Paris, the mall is also within walking distance of the iconic theme park, providing a welcome distraction from all the rides and attractions.
Berlin
No matter what time of the year it is, Berlin vacation rentals are always a popular escape, but there is something particularly special about the city’s atmosphere at Christmas. Besides the famous Christmas markets in Berlin, it also has a number of shopping malls that are all different in their own way. The Gesundbrunnen Center isn’t the biggest outlet, but it does have a great range for its size with a number of cafés to relax in after a hard day’s shopping. The Potsdamer Platz Arkaden has some of the biggest brands of the modern world, and can boast an impressive array of eateries and fast food chains. But the main shopping palace in Berlin is the Europa Center, famous for its tall building that towers over many of the other buildings in the city, giving you some fantastic views through the glass windows. At the front of the mall is the World Fountain, which is a particularly popular hotspot for street performers including acrobats and pantomimes, giving you a unique atmosphere within a shopping centre completed by its entertainment.
Barcelona
A highly desirable city, Barcelona has its own style that allows you to purchase some truly unique items this Christmas. The Passeig de Gracia is a long street of stores that includes a number of brands and cafés you will adore, allowing you to see some of Barcelona’s architecture and landmarks as you make your way down the street. The Diagonal Mar outlet is the biggest in Spain, giving it some of the biggest stores of the largest brands of modern fashion and even its own cinema. However, there isn’t a great deal of Spanish stores that give it that Catalan feel, yet this is very apparent in the Maremagnum shopping mall. The variety of Spanish stores and restaurants will allow you to get a taste of the local culture and experience something new, yet there is still a selection of popular retail brands to ensure you have a great mixture, giving you a happy medium as you can reside in one of our Barcelona vacation rentals after a long day’s shopping, finally completing your Christmas shopping for another year.
