Essential Europe Travel

St Paul de Vence

Pick up car in Nice airport
3 nights - Accommodation in junior suite, breakfast & taxes included at Hotel Le Clos des Arts****

At the foot of the city walls of Saint Paul de Vence on the Côte d'Azur in the south of France, you will find the romantic 4 star Hotel Le Clos des Arts. Saint Paul de Vence is one of the most beautiful locations in Provence and is situated in the hinterland of the Côte d'Azur, between Nice and Cannes. If you feel drawn to the Provencal countryside and above all to its famous cuisine then you will immediately fall in love with the country house Hotel Le Clos des Arts.

This 4 star hotel in Saint Paul de Vence is made up of three elegant country houses which is where you will find the 9 attractive suites. Around these houses there is a very well kept garden with a pool and a spot where you can play boules (or petanque, as the French call this national sport). From many places at this romantic hotel in Provence, such as the terrace, the dining room and also the rooms, there is an attractive view over Saint Paul de Vence and the surrounding hills and valleys. Special mention should be given to the exquisite French top-notch cuisine which is served here. If simply enjoying the food isn't enough for you and you'd like to don an apron yourself, then you can also book a cookery course at this Provence hotel.

Provence

3 nights - Accommodation in deluxe room, breakfast & taxes included at Auberge la Regalido****

Situated in the narrow streets of the old village of Fontvieille, La Régalido, with all its charm, must not be missed when you journey through Provence. In the steps of Alphonse Daudet, it is an ideal stopover, lying at the foot of Les Alpilles, near to Les Baux de Provence.

Jean-Pierre Michel, his wife Mijeanne and his family have high ideals of hospitality. The word "Regalido" sums up the conviviality and family atmosphere you will find here. In this case, the Provençal expression really means something: A "Regalido" means to build up the fire when friends arrive to make them feel at home. With this in mind, the Michel family wish their establishment to be a village inn, a new reference with a blend of luxury and simplicity.

La Regalido Restaurant has had stars in the Michelin guide since 1972. The menu changes every two months, according to the seasons and to Thoma's inspiration. Its cuisine is light and elegant, a graceful blend of local products and other Mediterranean cooking: Morocco, Italy, Spain... The menu offers traditional specialities such as: Bouzigues mousesls au gratin with spinach, jugged hare or L'Aigo Sau and so on. For desserts, the Chef uses unexpected local produces: herbs, spices, tomatoes, olive oil, local liqueurs, lavender.  Finally, this gastronomical offer is extended to the cooking classes offered for small groups.

Last but not least, all around the village of Fontvieille many exceptional places and several activities are available, including loads of vineyards, Daudet's Windmill and the nearby Saint-Rémy de Provence.

Carcassonne

2 nights - Accommodation in classic room, breakfast & taxes included at Hotel de la Cite*****

This Hotel has a fantastic location in the heart of the walled city, with its magnificient views over Carcassonne.
The bedrooms are large and elegantly furnished in a traditional style. Both rooms and bathrooms are in excellent condition, most of the original fixtures and fittings have been preserved.

There is an amazing dining room, which has been very well restored, there you can enjoy some excellent gastronomic, gourmet dishes.
It is an interesting traditional building, dating back to the middle ages.
Altogether, the Hotel is a most impressive, historical property, offering outstanding atmosphere and decor.

Beaujolais

2 nights - Accommodation in tradition room, breakfast & taxes included at Hotel Chateau de Bagnols*****

Château de Bagnols is a magnificent centuries old castle, exquisitely restored and decorated, set in the glorious landscape of the Beaujolais region among vineyards, forests and green hills in the heart of the Beaujolais countryside in south eastern France. From the moment you arrive at Château de Bagnols you will be a cherished guest. The ambiance is calm and welcoming like that of a superbly run private house allowing you to relax and enjoy the beautiful surroundings. Dating from the 13th Century the Château de Bagnols is one of France's historic monuments.

Staying in one of the twentyone rooms, including eight apartments offering the experience of being a cherished guest in historic, luxurious and relaxing surroundings. Every room bear the names of those who have contributed to the Château's distinguished past: For example the Chambre des Seigneurs d'Oingt, The Suite des Seigneurs de Balzac, the Chambre de Madame de Sévigné and the Claude Marie Chavanais Suite. Many are decorated with remarkable wall paintings which date back through the centuries.

The rooms, all with private bathrooms, have been furnished with exceptional care; with soft velvets and shimmering silks and with rare and beautiful antiques; they also possess the very latest telecommunications system. The bay window was originally mullioned. The partitioned ceiling also dates from this period. On the east there are some fragments of an early 18th century decoration, depicting the sacrifice of Iphigenia according to Euripedes.

Burgundy

3 nights - Accommodation in tradition room, breakfast & taxes included at Chateau de Gilly****

The château de Gilly, former residence of the Cistercian Monks, is located two minutes from the famous village of Vougeot at the heart of the finest wine ("Grand Cru") producing area in Burgundy, between Dijon and Beaune. It has preserved its authentic Fourteenth and Sixteenth Century character, reflected in its moats, French-style gardens and dining room with its magnificent vaulted ceiling.
http://www.slh.com/france/gillylesciteaux/gilgil.html

Loire valley

4 nights - Accommodation, breakfast & taxes included at Domaine des Hauts de Loire****

Domaine des Hauts de Loire, built in 1860 by the famous publisher Panckoucke, is secluded in tranquil parkland. Relish the calm of a cosy guestroom with painted beams, then savour exquisite gourmet delicacies such as «salade d'anguille croustillante à la vinaigrette d'échalote» or «pigeonneau du vendômois au jus de presse», accompanied by superb local wines. Visit the Loire valley by hot-air balloon or helicopter.

A pleasant feeling of intimacy with nature comes with the first glimpse of the domain. The sun shines through the leaves, the birds sing, the swans silently slide on the water, and upon seeing this friendly dwelling, one cannot resist the desire to enter. The bedrooms and apartments give onto the park and water, where your stay will be made of dreams, relaxation and calm. To further guarantee everything said, the owner of this delightful and luxurious property is always there looking after his guests to make sure nothing goes wrong and that you get the service you deserve while enjoying his superb installations.

The restaurant is 2 star Michelin at very reasonable prices.

Paris

4 nights - Accommodation in deluxe room, breakfast & taxes included at Hotel Victoria Palace****

Since 1913, the elegant limestone façade of the Victoria Palace Hotel has been a landmark at the heart of Paris' Left Bank. On a quiet street just off the bustling rue de Rennes, it embodies the enduring qualities of a neighbourhood renowned throughout the world for its mix of luxury, artistic vitality and sheer enjoyment of life. Today more than ever, the Victoria Palace Hotel strikes the perfect balance between traditional elegance and exceptional comfort. Its lavish, plush lounges are as warm and cosy as any in a grand country house, yet they are in the centre of one of the world's most cosmopolitan cities.

The exquisite deluxe bedrooms and junior suites are the epitome of French taste, with their Louis Seize décor, yet everything is designed for your comfort: marble bathrooms, well stocked mini-bars, upholstered settees in the junior suites... Every modern amenity has been thought of: extra telephone outlets for modems and fax machines, direct incoming telephone lines; of course the rooms are all air-conditioned and sound-proofed. . It opens directly onto a private, grass-filled courtyard and its luminous, yellow stretched-silk walls and dazzling gilt stucco-work will make any event unforgettable. Last, but by no means least, the hotel even has its own, private parking garage for its guests.

The Victoria Palace Hotel has a relaxing residential feel. Staff and management are not intrusive yet always around when needed. This is a quality-driven old-school hotel that prefers to stay out of the limelight. This well-kept secret welcomes repeat guests regularly.