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Archive for the ‘La Mer’ Category

Rich Men’s Playgrounds

September 30th, 2010 | Author: emotornado

Property Developers Paralimni Cyprus

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Marbella and Prince Alfonso zu Hohenlohe

Until the 1940s Marbella was nothing but a village of 900 inhabitants on the Spanish coast. That all changed when, according to legend, a German prince’s coal-powered Rolls-Royce broke down there. Prince Alfonso zu Hohenlohe fell in love with the place and decided to stay.

Born into one of the oldest noble families in Europe (he was godson to the king of Spain), Hohenlohe was a successful businessman and notorious playboy, fluent in five languages and skilled at sports such as rally-driving and tennis. After his fateful stop in Marbella he decided in 1947 to build a grand private residence there – the Finca Santa Margarita, with traditional whitewashed walls, red-tiled roofs, charming patios and terraces and wonderful, sprawling gardens with fountains, thousands of old trees and manicured lawns. There he played host to a constant flow of glamorous visitors with names such as Bismarck, Metternich and Thyssen, many of whom eventually bought adjacent plots to build their own homes.

But Hohenlohe had even grander plans. In 1954 he sold his own home (to his friends the Rothschilds) and used other parts of the estate to build the famous Marbella Club, which quickly became synonymous with Europe’s mid-century elite “jet set” lifestyle. (Indeed Hohenlohe was often credited with having “invented” the jet set.) Regular guests included the Duke and Duchess of Windsor, the Formula 1 driver James Hunt, photographer Patrick Litchfield, actors Sophia Loren and Sean Connery and many others.

Soon the former village was a fully fledged international resort, with Hohenlohe still a driving force. As head of the Costa del Sol Promoters’ Co-operative, he successfully lobbied for improvements to roads, airports and water supplies in the region. He continued to run the Marbella club and eventually set up another estate, not far away in the hills near Ronda, where he planted Bordeaux grapes and produced his own award-winning wine under the “Principe Alfonso” label.

By the late 1970s, however, Hohenlohe had become disenchanted with Marbella’s move toward mass tourism and so he sold the club to a consortium of Arab businessmen. Yet he was still proud of his accomplishments and in 2003, only days before his death, he accepted a medal for merit in tourism from the Spanish government.

One of Hohenlohe’s famous quips was: “I have lived in castles, in Venetian palaces and the world’s finest hotels. I have watched the sun rise over the beaches of five continents and I have looked into the eyes of the most beautiful women of the universe.”

The latter group included Princess Ira von Fürstenberg, a Fiat heiress whom he married when she was 15, actresses Ava Gardner and Kim Novak, with whom he had affairs, and actress Jackie Lane, whom he married in 1970. But his greatest love was probably Marbella.

Bel Air and Alphonzo Bell Sr

Los Angelenos describe the three neighbourhoods of Beverly Hills, Holmby Hills and Bel Air as the “golden triangle”. Beverly Hills started out as a dry oil well of the Amalgamated Oil Company; Holmby Hills was founded by wealthy retailer Arthur Letts Sr. And Bel Air, on the west side of the city, was the brainchild of Alphonzo E. Bell Sr.

Bell was born in 1875 into a family of entrepreneurs; his father created Bell Station Ranch, now the City of Bell, in Santa Fe Springs, while his uncle was Ed Hollenbeck, founder of the First National Bank and a driving force behind the creation of LA‘s first public transportation system. Alphonzo first found fame as a champion tennis player, winning bronze and silver medals at the 1904 summer Olympic games, then went on to become a successful gentleman farmer in Santa Fe Springs.

But his life changed dramatically in the early 1920s after oil was discovered on his land. The profits allowed him to buy a 4,500-acre ranch in the LA area, the Danzinger Estate, complete with a Spanish-style mansion. Inspired by the views from this house, he realised he could use the land to create a magnificent, upscale community. And the idea for Bel Air was born.

Engineer Wilkie Woodward planned the houses and roads, while landscape architect Aurele Vermeulen co-ordinated the plantings. Bel Air officially opened on more than 600 acres in October 1922 and was a success right from the start, thanks in part to the growth of Hollywood. Huge iron gates marked the entrance to the new community and uniformed guards checked in visitors, a novelty at the time. Bell built a sales and development centre in Stone Canyon and worked in an office that is today a large suite at the Hotel Bel Air. He also built the elegant Bel Air Beach Club in Santa Monica and the Bel Air Country Club in 1924. Land purchasers in Bel Air were required to spend a minimum of $20,000 on home construction and most early residents built in Spanish-Mediterranean style. Nowadays, the community’s architecture ranges from classic Californian to mid-century modern and contemporary. The neighbourhood has become one of the most exclusive in LA, with notable residents including the late US President Ronald Reagan.

Belgravia and Richard Grosvenor

The UK’s Grosvenor family, currently headed by the 6th Duke of Westminster, dates back to the Middle Ages. But it owes its first title to Richard Grosvenor – an Oxford graduate and member of Parliament from Cheshire who was knighted in 1617 and made a baronet in 1621 – and its immense fortune to Sir Thomas Grosvenor, 3rd baronet – who in 1677 married Mary Davies, heiress to 300 acres of land on the outskirts of London. As the city grew, the land quickly became prime real estate, laying the foundation for even more wealth and more titles. Today, 500 roads, squares and buildings bear the names of titles, people and places associated with the family and the Grosvenor Group has billions of pounds worth of real estate under management.

The first neighbourhood the Grosvenors developed, in the 17th and 18th centuries, was Mayfair. But by the time Richard Grosvenor, 2nd Marquess of Westminster, became head of the family work there was mostly complete. So he turned to another area he owned: a rural swamp south-west of Buckingham Palace known as the “five fields” and the “lagoon of the Thames.”

In 1826 a special act of parliament was passed, empowering Lord Grosvenor to drain the site. He did and then commissioned master builder Thomas Cubitt, who would later be responsible for the east front of Buckingham Palace, to lay out the new neighbourhood, Belgravia. Cubitt was chosen for the quality of his work – unlike other builders at the time, who used sub-contractors, he employed his own large staff – and the classic white stucco houses around Eaton Square and Belgrave Square that he built are still coveted.

Grosvenor himself continued to live in Mayfair, in Old Grosvenor House, on Upper Grosvenor Street, overlooking Hyde Park, which was eventually demolished in 1927. But there’s no question that building Belgravia was his legacy.

Monaco and Aristotle Onassis

Monaco has been ruled as a constitutional monarchy by the Grimaldi family – originally from Genoa in Italy – since 1297, when François Grimaldi disguised himself as a monk and seized it. By the middle of the 19th century the 495-acre micro-state had developed into a renowned seaside resort with its own casino but, after the second world war, it was in crisis. The upper classes that had frequented its clubs and beaches before the war emigrated or lost their money. The resort’s beautiful belle époque buildings began to crumble. Its swimming pools had no water and it was rumoured that the income from the casino barely covered the electricity bill for its chandeliers. Of course there were still people living there, including old European aristocrats and international businessmen taking advantage of the tax-free regime, but it was a far cry from its heydey. This changed when “Ari” Onassis arrived in the early 1950s.

Born in 1906, a member of the poor Greek minority in Smyrna, Turkey, Onassis and his family had to flee for Greece during the Turkish civil war. He then emigrated at the age of 16 to Argentina, where he laid the foundation for his fortune by selling Turkish tobacco and investing the proceeds in several old tankers, which would soon be carrying Allied war materials across the Atlantic. After the war Onassis began building the first supertankers and was soon dubbed the “tanker king”. His fortune grew to a then-almost unimaginable sum of $1bn.

In 1954 he moved to Monaco for the tax advantages and fell in love with it in spite of its postwar malaise. In fact, he saw an investment opportunity and acquired a 52 per cent stake in the Société des Bains de Mer, which owned major parts of Monaco, including the Hotel de Paris, the Hotel Hermitage, the casino, the opera, restaurants, bars and land, for the unbelievably paltry sum of $1.5m. He subsequently put more money into renovation and restoration of the properties and encouraged the construction of the high-rise apartment buildings that now dominate the landscape. Monaco’s fortunes began to turn and, in the aftermath of Prince Rainier’s fairy-tale wedding to Grace Kelly, it was again a hotspot for the international rich and famous.

Onassis himself usually lived and held court in the Hôtel de Paris and also stayed at the legendary Château de la Croë, now owned by Russian oligarch Roman Abramovich, at Cap d’Antibes. But his real home was the Christina, a sleek, 325ft, shimmering-white yacht named after his daughter.

Rainier and Onassis later had a rather dramatic falling out, disagreeing on their visions for Monaco’s future and engaging in a fierce legal battle, which Rainier eventually won. As a result, Onassis’s legacy in Monaco is now just a faint memory. But his impact was undeniable.

Alexander Kraft, is chairman and chief executive of Sotheby’s International Realty in France and Monoco http://www.sothebysrealty-france.com. This article is based on extracts from his book “Living in Luxury – Inside the World’s Most Glamorous Homes”

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Shhhh – Holidays to the Seychelles Are Affordable

September 30th, 2010 | Author: emotornado

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Affordable Paradise

Holidays to Seychelles, the tropical paradise of affluence, elegance and luxury that’s out of reach for all but the select few? Not quite! You could spend up to the skies on a five-star resort with the plush bathrobe thrown in, but why? There’s more to a Seychelles holiday than the rarefied atmosphere of posh resorts. After all, the Seychellois who live there don’t pay resort prices, so why should you? Cheap holidays to Seychelles are attainable and available now – but you don’t have to tell the neighbours what a sweet deal you got.

The miles of beaches are public – and beautiful and clean. Every turn in the path reveals tropical wonders and colours that even the most comprehensive guidebook cannot hope to replicate. The Seychelles boast a terrific range of boutique hotels and self-catered accommodation making your Seychelles holidays an affordable dream. With acres of pristine beachfront, turquoise seas and tropical foliage, anywhere you stay will delight the senses and refresh the spirit. With so many choices of accommodation and islands, a holiday to Seychelles begins by deciding whether to holiday on the main island, Mahé, or branch out to smaller islands like La Digue and Praslin. The great news is there are no wrong choices.

Mahé – Capital of Paradise

Mahé, the largest island at 17 miles wide and 5 miles long, is where your international flight will land and your affordable holiday in the Seychelles begins. Affordable boutique hotels like Lazare Picault or Anse Soleil Beachcomber could tempt you to stay here for your entire holiday, but after you browse the capital city of Victoria and take in the beautiful white sand beaches surrounding Mahé, you’ll want to see more jewels in this archipelago of dreams.

Praslin – World Heritage

Praslin has the honour of being the world’s smallest designated World Heritage site, and is home of the famous Coco de Mer tree and exotic black parrots. If you are on a quest for the most beautiful beach in the world, Anse Lazio on Praslin is consistently rated in the top ten. Once proclaimed as the Garden of Eden, Praslin is a tropical wonderland. Small boutique hotels like Le Relax Beach Resort or Les Villas d’Or put you into this Seychelles holiday paradise without breaking your holiday budget.

La Digue Beckons

As the fourth-largest island in the Seychelles archipelago, La Digue is small enough to boast ox-cart or bicycles as the main form of transport. With friendly locals and a very relaxed pace of life, this is the ultimate retreat for the over-stressed. With white sand beaches and much-photographed granite rock formations, La Digue is an excellent choice for your holiday to the Seychelles. For accommodation, Fleur de Lys offers clean and affordable self-catering bungalows just 150 metres from the sea, or let the staff do the cooking and stay at the Chateau St Cloud for about the same price.

Start Planning your Seychelles Holiday Now

With so many deals available, this is the perfect time to find cheap holidays to Seychelles, so start researching and you could be setting off on the holiday of a lifetime. The best part is that since it’s so affordable, you could experience the Seychelles more than once in a lifetime. Choose the right operator and you can buy a cheap holiday in Seychelles from around £800 to £1,000 per person – one that includes return air, hotel accommodation and transfers! You might just find that holidays to the Seychelles are the perfect island antidote to summers on our own temperate islands. It’s up to you whether you tell the neighbours or keep this to yourself.

I have an interest in travel and having been to the Seychelles, I discovered that a holiday to a dream destination doesn’t need to be expensive or break the bank, there are cheap holidays to Seychelles out there! This is why I decided to share my experience and write this article. It is definitely an interesting subject and something that not a lot people know.

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What Skincare Products a Woman Should Use?

September 29th, 2010 | Author: emotornado

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Looking your best is every woman’s desire. To be able to maintain good looks means you are able to find the best skin care program. These three products are essentials to have – facial cleansers, toners and moisturizer. A facial cleanser cleanses your face from all stubborn dirt and oils. It removes traces of make-up. After cleansing come the Toner which ensures freshness of the skin and moisturizer replaces lost moisture and elasticity.

How do you choose your beauty care products? Do you go for brand names and the most popular product in the market? Or are you one of those who are health conscious and are concerns with a beauty product that has harmful ingredients in it? Indeed it is worth to be concern of especially if you come to know that there are products that have cancer-causing ingredients in it.

Cancer is the second leading cause of death today and it is just right that you do all you can to prevent such disease. It is best then to avoid such ingredients and to avoid these products that has this ingredients altogether. So be a responsible shopper, when you buy your beauty goods, be sure to read the label and check the ingredients. See if there are any harmful ingredients and if you find one then better stay away from it.

The best and safest thing today is to go all-natural or organic beauty care products where ingredients are all natural thus safe for your skin. Another factor to consider when purchasing your product is of course your budget. But here are some known brand names that you can trust when it comes to beauty products.

Creme de la Mer offers a selection of products from facial cleansers to moisturizing creams.
Organic products of Burts Bees. They offer a wide array of items from moisturizers to lip balm. There creams promises to erase fine lines and makes you look younger than your age.
The anti wrinkle cream of Aveeno helps to rejuvenate the skin making it healthier and younger looking. The Aveeno Positively Ageless contains of soy beans, it’s actually the main ingredients of all their products.
Neutregena Hydration Cream re-hydrates the skin, penetrating deep into the skin layers allowing the skin to repair itself. The product claims to see results in just twenty four hours.

These are just a few of the popular brand names in the market today. One that you can truly trust to work well with your type of skin. You can find more skin care products online but remember you can’t expect good results if you don’t apply your skin care regimen daily.

You have to take good care of your skin regularly and that means, do your skin care regimen in the morning and at night time before you sleep. The essential caring of the skin that is cleansing, toning and moisturizing takes only a few minutes but the result in your skin last a lifetime.

If you want to get more advice on beauty care, try visiting health beauty tips, where you will find this and a lot more tips including how you can benefit from three great homemade natural beauty product recipes.

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Seychelles Hotels For All Budgets

September 28th, 2010 | Author: emotornado

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So, you’ve narrowed your choices for a holiday destination down to a top ten – and maybe the Indian Ocean is now at the top of the “must do” list. With scenic wonders at every turn, as well as perfect weather and pristine white sand beaches, Seychelles is a sure winner for best of the tropical destinations. What’s more, there is a great choice of hotels in Seychelles – situated on a variety of picturesque islands that make up Seychelles – to suit all kinds of tastes and budgets.

Spoiled for Choice

Now comes the important bit – where to stay in this tropical idyll. There’s a wide spectrum of Seychelles hotels ranging from the ultimate luxury of private islands to quaint family-run seaside hotels and guest houses. Depending on your tastes and budget, any of the hotels in Seychelles mentioned below will qualify as the “best”. Are you seeking a sumptuous spa retreat or a therapeutic beach view – or both? Do you desire fine dining or a PADI dive centre and tennis courts? The following taster menu of hotels will give you a general idea of the kind of accommodation and amenities you can expect from Seychelles hotels.

Ultimate Luxury

Flights into Seychelles arrive at Victoria on the main island of Mahe. If this is your final destination, one of the finest Mahe island hotels is the Banyan Tree Seychelles. Its’ luxuriously appointed one and two bedroom villas are either close to the beach or perched on the hillside with incredible views. You’ll enjoy your own private swimming pool and sundeck, some with a private outdoor jet pool. With three restaurants, a spa, tennis, health club and gym, this is a destination unto itself.

Alternatively, seek out barefoot luxury on a privately owned coral island – Denis Island. Self contained within 375 acres surrounded by brilliant white sand, coconut palms and coral reefs, this exclusive retreat is just 30 minutes from Mahe by plane. Each of the 25 individual cottages is discreetly placed on the island, ensuring privacy and seclusion. The restaurant is renowned for its culinary delights, with a wide range of a la carte choices and a Creole buffet, something you’ll appreciate fully with a full board option. Spa treatments are available in-room, and the resort boasts a PADI dive centre along with canoeing, snorkelling, tennis and a range of activities. You might even be treated to a beach barbeque.

Further Afield

Just 15 minutes by air from Mahe is Praslin – the island one explorer thought must have been the original Garden of Eden. With the lush foliage of the Vallee de Mai National Park and the amazing giant double coconut of the Coco de Mer tree coupled with some of the finest beaches anywhere, you might agree.

Among the many Seychelles hotels available in Praslin is the Coco de Mer Hotel, named in honour of the indigenous and unique coconut palm of the same name. It occupies a prime position at Anse Bois de Rose on the southwest coast, perfect for enjoying a romantic cocktail on the jetty as the sun sets. Spacious chalet-style rooms at this small hotel are all sea-facing and each boasts a private terrace or balcony. Nature lovers will appreciate the guided nature trail and bounty of native flora and fauna.

Across the island lies Hotel L’Archipel, another small hotel with spacious cottage-style rooms with verandas facing the Indian Ocean. If you’re looking for a place to relax and unwind, Hotel L’Archipel could be just what you need. Chill out by the pool sipping a refreshing drink, revel in the laid-back luxury of a late breakfast, or step onto your veranda and enjoy the panoramic views before heading to the beach with a good book. Enjoy the two restaurants, the lounge or beach bar and free watersports.

(Almost) Secret Seychelles Hotels

At the opposite end of the spectrum of Seychelles hotels are the small individual properties, each with their own charm. These are often promoted by the Seychelles tourist office under the ‘Seychelles Secrets’ name. Mahe island hotels include a terrific range of boutique properties, from the garden setting of Lazare Picault to the beachfront ambience of the Anse Soleil Beachcomber and the Sun Resort’s proximity to Mahe’s longest beach. The Seychelles also offers a great range of guest houses and self catering apartments and chalets on the 3 main islands of Mahe, Praslin and La Digue. With comfortable and clean rooms, delightful settings and plenty of opportunity for independent explorations, these smaller properties are a great option if you are searching for great value and a stunning location, and what’s more, you’ll capture the real Creole spirit!

Seychelles Hotel Value

If you’re tempted to book a holiday now, look for a tour operator who specialises in hotels in Seychelles. They’ll know what is available and can help find a hotel that suits your personality, style and budget. Your operator should give you prices based on return air, inter-island flights and transfers, hotel accommodation and any meal options, so look around for the best deal for your money. Then relax and enjoy the anticipation of a glorious holiday – one you’ll want to repeat!

Having been to the exciting destination of Seychelles, I discovered whilst there that a holiday to the Seychelles does not have to be expensive. This is why I decided to share my knowledge and tell the world about the range of Seychelles hotels on offer out there, not everything is expensive!

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Brittany’s Summer Festivals

September 27th, 2010 | Author: emotornado

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Sea Shanty Festival

In August 2009, the port town of Paimpol on the north coast of Brittany, celebrates its maritime tradition with a Sea Shanty Festival. Hundreds of decorated boats gather at the town to show off their livery to the huge crowds. The festival is a celebration of sea-faring music, so when you head back to your campsite, Brittany ‘s shanty tunes will put a spring in your step.

Paimpol is just forty minutes from Perros-Guirec on the north Pink Granite Coast of Brittany. Camping le Ranolien is a good place to stay here, and you can indulge in your own waterborne fun in the pool complex with its exciting water slides. Alternatively, you might prefer the luxury spa facilities or aqua aerobics available on site, making your camping holiday in Brittany a healthy one. The festival lasts three days, so you can choose a day to suit your schedule, or even return for more if you have a good time on the first visit.

La Semaine du Golfe

The south coast of Brittany has its own boating festival every two years, called La Semaine du Golfe. If you are near the Gulf of Morbihan on a camping holiday in Brittany you can see hundreds of boats – skiffs, gigs, small sail boats and yachts – as they form flotillas and tour the harbours of the area. The longer tours take several days and are divided into stages, stopping into several towns such as Saint-Goustan, Le Bono and Larmor-Baden, where they are received with a festival atmosphere.

There are a couple of Brittany campsites nearby: Saint-Goustan is just a twenty minute drive from the mobile homes at the Brittany resort of Carnac. The Camping la Grande Metairie site is a good location to take a boat trip to La Trinité-sur-Mer, which is another well-known hotspot for boating enthusiasts.

Further to the southeast in Brittany, the campsite in Baden is close to two of the major ports that celebrate La Semaine du Golfe. You could walk north to Le Bono from the mobile homes at Brittany’s Camping Mane Guernehue in about an hour, and Larmor-Baden is a little further away in the opposite direction.

Festival Interceltique

The Festival Interceltique is a chance to see the longstanding connections between the Bretons and the cultures of Ireland, Wales, Scotland and Cornwall. Thousands of performers gather for ten days of Celtic music, poetry and dance in Lorient on the south coast of Brittany. The campsites at Arzano and Carnac (mentioned earlier) are both about forty minutes from Lorient by car, so you can enjoy the fun and colour of the festivities as well as the convenience of the quality mobile homes that Brittany campsites can provide.

These are just some of the events you might enjoy on a camping holiday in Brittany, a beautiful coastal region of France that has something for everyone.

Lorraine Waddell is the brand and advertising manager of Canvas Holidays, a leading European camping operator that provides the best selection of mobile homes Brittany’s campsites can offer. With over 40 years of experience, Canvas offer superb camping holidays to France, Spain and a total of 9 European countries.

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Take a Ferry to France – Get Away For a Day, A Week Or Even a Month!

September 25th, 2010 | Author: emotornado

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Dunkerque is the northernmost French ferry port, only six miles from the border of Belgium. The third largest harbour in France, Dunkerque is popular with surfers, windsurfers and kayakers. Less touristy than some of the other French ports, Dunkerque is mostly industrial, producing a substantial portion of France’s oil and steel products.

South of Dunkerque is the port of Calais. Calais is one of the oldest and most popular ports for ferries to France via the English Channel. Only one hour and fifteen minutes from the port of Dover, Calais is also the closest port to the U.K. Like most of the towns on France’s west coast, partially demolished and restored medieval buildings and permanent reminders of World War II abound. Calais is also a gateway to many small and fascinating French towns.

Another popular and well-established ferry port in France is Boulogne. Also reputed to be the largest fishing seaport in France, Boulogne has a great selection of seafood restaurants to choose from. Preserved and renovated, Boulogne’s old walled medieval town contains churches, museums, palaces and restaurants just waiting to be explored. Outside the fortressed town, the Nausicaa Aquariium hosts a wide variety of marine exhibitions and activities to educate and entertain visitors of all ages. For those who prefer to just lounge in the sun, there are miles of long wide sandy beaches.

Once a popular seaside resort, Dieppe is one of the more attractive ports accessible by ferry. Less industrial than some of the other coastal towns in France, Dieppe is known for its delicious scallops and a great Saturday morning market. High chalk cliffs and pebbly beaches enhance the appeal of this small medieval town.

Further south along the coast is the city of Le Havre, which sustained the heaviest damage of any port in Europe during World War II. Reinforced concrete was the primary material used in Le Havre’s restoration, which occurred from 1946 to 1964. Architect Auguste Perret single-handedly planned and organized this colossal task, which resulted in a fascinating and visually compelling mixture of medieval architecture and thoroughly modern structural design that is internationally renowned.

Another interesting place to visit if you’re traveling by ferry to France is Cherbourg. The largest aquarium in Europe, containing 500,000 liters of seawater, can be found at La Cite de la Mer in Cherbourg. One can also visit Le Redoutable, which is the very first French nuclear submarine and also the largest submarine in the world that can be visited by sightseers. Cherbourg is also the home of a luxury umbrella factory, and those fortunate enough might catch a glimpse of them being wind-tested at nearby beaches.

Popular for both day trips and longer holidays, St. Malo can be found further south. Once legendary for corsair, pirates and privateers, St. Malo is now known for its great beaches and resorts. Those planning to visit St. Malo during the summer must be sure to make hotel reservations way in advance.

If war-struck and restored medieval churches and palaces, World War II relics and memorabilia, and aquariums are a bit overwhelming, then Roscoff might be just the place to go. As the southernmost and quietest ferry port on the French coast, Roscoff is best known for quiet nature walks and relaxation. Most of the harbor traffic consists of boats for fishing and for seaweed harvesting. As with most of the French coastal towns, restaurants in Roscoff are known for their seafood. Roscoff has sometimes been called “The Seaweed Capital of the World”. This is because of the massive amount of seaweed harvested in Roscoff and the numerous and diverse uses the inhabitants have discovered for it.

The great selection, availability and affordability of ferries to France ensure that surfers, scientists, beach bums, historians, and seafood gourmets will never lack places to explore and enjoy on the other side of the English Channel.

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Top Beach Resorts of France

September 24th, 2010 | Author: emotornado

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There are many reasons to visit the wonderful country of France. If it is pure relaxation and abandonment at a sunny coastal location you are looking for, then look no further! The North, West and South of France provide wonderful beach resorts where you can enjoy the sun and sand without a care in the world. Read on for more…

Resorts of North Western France

The most popular northwestern resorts of France include the Caen region, which is lapped by the waters of the English Channel. This region holds an important place in French history – much of the area was part of the WW2 Allied landings and the area is dotted with historical landmarks relating to these events in the turbulent European military history. The beaches around the area of Point du Hoc are pretty poignant – some the D-Day landings took place here and so many young men died here fighting for the liberation of Europe during the Allied invasion of June 1944. Many of the beaches in this region such as Calvados represent a pilgrimage for people who lost loved ones in the conflict with Nazi Germany.

Arromanches is a pleasant seaside town which is a popular visiting place for those in interested in the Allied Landings at the Normandy region – this town was right at the heart of the Allied operation. The beaches at Omaha, Juno and Utah are a must to sample the terrain that greeted the landing of the Allied forces.

Some of the more popular beach resort towns include Saint Malo, Le Touquet, Trouville and Deauville. The white cliff faces and the strange rock formations around the Alabaster Coast are well worth checking out. Other villages included Etretat and Fécamp.

Resorts of Western France

The western area is dominated by the beautiful Brittany region. There is a wonderful combination of white sandy beaches and delightful rocky coves to explore. Brittany has a striking coastline that is woven by the Atlantic waves. There is a notable Celtic influence on this region. The beaches and coastlines make it a perfect area for those interested in surfing and deep sea diving!

Some of the most prominent costal resorts in Brittany include:

· The Emerald Coast (Cóte d’Emeraude), which is the area near Dinard to the north east

· La Cóte de Granit Rose to the north of the Cotes d’Armor

· Western Brittany and Finistere

· The Crozon Peninsula

· The Gulf of Morbihan

· Vendée Region (especially La Baule, which is a long fine sand beach loved especially by families; Bretignolles-sur-Mer, a great Vendée surfing area and Pornichet beach

· Atlantic coastal beach areas such La Rochelle, St Martin de Ré

· The Coté de Beauté area, to the north of the Gironde estuary

· Biarritz – the popular and bustling town on the Atlantic coast in southwest France (in the Atlantic-Pyrenees department of Aquitaine). This is a popular area for surfers; La Grande Plage is the main beach here.

Resorts of Southern France

One of the most famous beach regions in France is the Languedoc area. It borders the Mediterranean Sea and borders Spain. Languedoc has several quality sandy beaches. Some of the main resorts are:

· Saint Cyprien

· Cape D’Agde (Note that part of this beach has a Naturist section)

· The charming town of Montpellier and the nearby resort of La Grande Motte

· The town of Sète, which is known as the Venice of the Languedoc region.

· The Med Coast in Languedoc is known as La Coté Vermeille and has resorts such as Collioure and Argeles-sur-Mer.

If you want to experience a resort with all of the glitz and glamour then the Cote d’Azur is the place to go to – also known as the French Riviera. The capital city is Nice and the other two main resorts are St Tropez and Cannes. It is the diversity of the region that illustrates how enticing this region is – you can enjoy sandy beaches and stunning Alpine scenery. The Riviera offers stunning coastal views, great all year round weather, and wonderful tourist attractions. The Cote d’Azur goes to the east from Antibes through Cannes, Monaco/Monte Carlo and Villefranche-sur-Mer. The main resorts here are as follows:

· Nice is the largest resort on the Cote d’Azur -and has something for everyone – marvelous beaches, history, wonderful buildings.

· St Tropez beaches – la Baie de Pampelonne to the south of St Tropez, Pamelonne beach, la Plage des Salins and Plage de la Moutte

· Toulon – Mourillon beach

· Sainte-Maxime – this south facing beach is warm all year round!

· Cannes beaches

· Antibes

· Villefranche-sur-Mer

· Menton – a coastal town on the Cote d’Azur, a few kilometres from the Italian border. Known for its lemon festival, there is a fine beach here.

Hope you enjoyed our guide to the top beach resorts of France. Have we tempted you to take a coastal resort vacation soon? The best way to explore these areas at your leisure is to avail of a top quality rental car at an affordable price, so visit our Car Hire France page.

John writes for Novacarhire.com – an independent car hire reservation website where you can book low cost car hire at over 5,000 locations worldwide.

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What is a Leaseback?

September 22nd, 2010 | Author: emotornado

Image : http://www.flickr.com

What is a Leaseback? ‘Leaseback Property‘ is a real estate scenario where a freehold property is “leased back” to a Property Management Company, for a fixed tenure, which in turn, manages or commercially exploits it without interfering with its ownership. Normally, the Company lets the premises on rent and gives certain percentage of rental income to the actual owner.

What is French Leaseback Property? ‘

Loué Meublé Non-Professionel (LMNP) or the French Leaseback Property System was introduced by the French government in early 1980s to increase the quantity of holiday accommodation available in the country. This was a measure to offset the growth of required holiday accommodation sites in the country, as a result of burgeoning tourism industry in the country.

Under the LMNP, the investors who purchased the property had to lease it back to a pre-determined Property Management Company for a fixed period of time (generally, between 9 to 11 years, extendable up to 18 years). During this period, the task of the Management Company is to furnish, equip and let the property for a guaranteed net return. The return on property tends to range between 2.5% and 6% per year depending on the factors, like the Property Management Company, nature of property, its location, and whether or not you will be enjoying the property for holidays.

The French Leaseback Property Scheme is a runaway hit with most leaseback developments taking place on the Mediterranean and northern coasts, the Alps and in Paris. The Ski stations like Val d Isere in the Savoie region of France are just about ideal investment for a Leaseback property. Similarly the ski resorts in the Three Valleys area (Trois Vallees), like Meribel, Les Menuries, Courchevel and Val Thorens also attract tremendous Leaseback investment.

Some other hot locations for Leaseback Property investment in France include Les Arcs 1950, the French Riviera the Languedoc-Roussillon area along the Cote Vermeille between Perpignan and Banyuls-sur-Mer, Pyrenees ski resorts like La Mongie and Font Romeu, Biarritz, Capbreton and Arcachon, Brittany, Normandy, and Nord Pas de Calais.

Advantages of French Leaseback Property The best part in owning a French Leaseback Property is that the owner avoids paying French VAT on new property, which amounts to about 19.6% that would normally apply.

Additionally, the owner also avoids paying any tax on the Capital Gains if he keeps the property for 15 years.

In a recent clarification by the French government, it has been resolved that upon the sale of a leaseback property, the owners are not required to repay the VAT pro rate temporis as long as the new buyer continues with the lease agreement. Therefore, the new buyer also does not require to pay VAT either.

Leaseback arrangement ensures regular annual rental income. However, if you plan to occupy the premises for some time of the year, the rental income will accordingly decrease. The rule is ‘the less you use your property the higher your yield will be’.

With a number of Property Management Companies to choose from, the investors have choices in plenty. The allurements include flexible packages, including renegotiating the number of weeks’ access to the property each year at a price.

Legalities and Cautions The experts advise the potential French Leaseback Investors to go thoroughly with their contract. Every clause of the contract must be carefully vetted with the help of a local lawyer. Due to the technicalities involved, it’s better to be safe than sorry. At the expiry of the initial fixed term and depending on the peculiar terms and conditions of the contract, you can either exit the lease or renew it with the Management Company. In either scenario, make sure that that you negotiate your rents upwards. For such an advantage, it is pertinent to check the initial contract and ensure that upward revision of rent is an integral and indispensable part of the contract.

However, you must remember that while capital appreciation is incidental, leaseback is principally meant to ensure a guaranteed rental income.

Property Abroad’s directory Les Calvert writes interesting and useful articles on all subjects dealing with overseas property and buying property abroad. With over 400 company websites selling and renting property in almost every country around the world Les is well placed too ffer advice on existing and emerging property locations. Visit their flagship site www.property-abroad.com for more details on buying abroad.

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La Mer – Alluring Name, But Ingredients May Not Be As Exciting

September 21st, 2010 | Author: emotornado

Image : http://www.flickr.com

La Mer Overview

There is now a collection of transformational treatments that could become part of the simplest of beauty rituals each day that is if you call the use of some 18 different products simple! One product is The Hydrating Infusion that is recommended as a precursor for the transformational benefits of Crème de la Mer. We will take a look at the product’s ingredients to determine how it delivers a “wave of hydration, smoothness and conditioning” to the skin.

Ingredients at a Glance

Aside from the vitamins and minerals of the “soup” we referred to above, the Hydrating Infusion is said to contain tourmaline and “hydrating ferments” that are suspended in a serum-like gel. The interactive gel works with La Mer‘s exclusive Deconstructed Waters(TM) to deliver extraordinary activity on demand. As you can see, advertising can claim a lot without every saying anything.

Ingredients in Focus

The tourmaline and hydrating ferments will provide a cascade of hydration to moisten the skin to prepare it to receive the boost from Crème de la Mer. Dry complexions are claimed to be replenished, feel soft, firm, and smooth to the touch all while being protected from future moisture loss.

Positives

The Hydrating Infusion may moisturize the skin’s surface

Negatives

The Hydrating Infusion does not use ingredients like Hyaluronic Acid or Matrixyl 3000 that could improve the deeper layers of the skin

No testimonials

No research posted to support the claims of the Hydrating Infusion

Final Thoughts

Aside from the adjective-happy advertising, our chief concern is how many La Mer products you’ll have to purchase to add up to an effective anti-aging product. You basically need four ingredients for the most potent defense against the appearance of aging. Of course, collagen is required because your skin loses that as it ages, hence the saggy appearance. Hyaluronic Acid is another ingredient that can cause the skin to retain water increasing the benefits of hydration. When these are combined with Argireline and Matrixyl 3000, the skin can appear tighter and replenished. Finding a formula like that would provide your pocketbook and your time a little more room to live your life as you age.

To learn more about La Mer you can check out what others are saying at beautyblogtalk.com — A premier source for beauty information. We recommend checking out beautifulreview.com, a trusted source for skin care product insight, to learn more about La Mer

Hello! My name is Denise and I am from Beverly Hills, CA. Let me start by telling you image matters! That is why I am taking the time to edit and publish reviews on beauty products. I strive in providing the most accurate reviews in hopes of helping others choose a product. I hope you enjoy reading my reviews and that they benefit you in some way.

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Things to See in Marseille With Your Car Hire

September 20th, 2010 | Author: emotornado

Image : http://www.flickr.com

Marseille is a real cultural melting pot with a curious concoction of Arabic, Greek, Italian and of course French influences. If you grab yourself a car you’ll get to experience it all in good time!

Located on the famous French Riviera, this famous old port town looks out on the azure waves of the Mediterranean. Its situation as a trading point between North Africa has lead to the strong blend of cultures that makes the city such a vibrant hotbed of sights, sounds and experiences.

Your first port of call when visiting Marseille should be the Vieux Port (which means old harbour if you haven’t guessed). This bustling port area is a fascinating snapshot of the Marseille of old, and you can settle in at one of the many fine Arabic and French restaurants along the marina and survey the scene for yourself.

Take a walk around the harbour area and you’ll encounter the fascinating throb of cultures and the charismatic, outgoing nature of the local people. While you’re in the city it’s well worth heading over to the Notre Dame de la Garde church, which offers breathtaking views overlooking the vast urban expanse.

And if you fancy a slice of the local history, you can take in the heritage and history of Marseille with a visit to one of its many museums. Explore the background of the old port during the Phoenician and Roman eras with a visit to the Musée des Docks Romains and the Musée Maritime. Investigate the changing times and demographics through the ages at the Musée d’Histoire, or sample the contemporary art scene at the Musée de la Mode and the Musée Cantini… the choice is yours.

Of course you don’t have to limit your stay to urban Marseille, and this is where having a car at your side really comes into play. The French Riviera is famous for its wealth of beautiful beaches and charming seaside towns. Enjoy the luxurious setting of casino town Monte Carlo, head to Cannes for the International Film d’Or Festival in May, or put your feet back in the cool, elegant setting of St Tropez. Motor up the coast to the majestic region of Monaco, soaking up the sights of the majestic Riviera as the Mediterranean shimmers in the sun alongside you.

Other spots close to Marseille include the wealthy, elegant town of Aix-en-Provence, and the quaint Romanesque town of Arles, formerly home to Vincent Van Gogh and resting place for much of his later work.

Those of you that fancy escaping the trappings of urban life completely can head up into the rocky Alpilles Mountains. It’s an idyllic country setting, and, along with fresh country air and beautiful views you’ll find the beautiful medieval village of Lex Baux de Provence. Other superb settings include the famous old religious town of Saintes-Maries-de-la-Mer, aswell as Salon-de-Provence, a spectacular ex military fortress where the body of Nostradamus was laid to rest.

Of course all this is just a snapshot of the many things you can see and do in the Marseille area – it’s up to you to get out there, hire yourself a car and see it for yourself!

Just bear in mind a few things when driving in France: remember to stick to the right side, and give way to cars on the right!

Mairead Foley writes for http://www.Novacarhire.com/ where you can book car hire at airports, ferry ports, rail stations, cities and towns all over the world.

Visit Novacarhire.com for all you need to know before you take to the roads in France, like where to go and what to see with your car hire. Book your Car hire Marseille now.

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