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Archive for the ‘Property Spotlight’ Category
Spa and ski holidays to France
Ski breaks are hard work! A full day whizzing up and down the French pistes can result in tired and aching limbs… So what better way to prepare yourself for some après-ski drinks and delicious alpine ski cuisine than with a relaxing swim and sauna, a light warm-down in a state of the art fitness suite, or a soothing massage for those weary muscles.
‘Deep Nature Spas’ by French marine brand Algotherm are offered at seven of the Pierre & Vacances’ Premium residences in French ski resorts including Aime la Plagne, Arc 1800, Chamonix, Les Carroz D’Arâches, Les Menuires, Méribel Village and there is also a brand new spa for this winter in Arc 1950 alongside Le Village district.
Facilities offered include indoor and outdoor swimming pools, saunas, steam rooms, cardio fitness suites and relaxation studios. And spa packages are pre-bookable, so you can plan your post-piste pampering before you leave home.
Here are some examples of the facilities on offer at the Pierre & Vacances Premium ski and spa residences, whether it’s a short weekend break or a two week holiday:
Les Arcs 1950, Pierre & Vacances Premium Residence Le Village
Le Village is a Savoyard-style district offering eight Premium residences. The spacious, comfortable apartments all have a balcony or terrace overlooking the Arc 1950 village or the mountain. The newly launched ‘Deep Nature Spa’ is located in the lower part of the resort and is designed in the style of a cave with walls made up of rock and timber. There are seven treatment rooms, heated indoor and outdoor swimming pools, a sauna, steam room, Jacuzzi, fitness suite, sensory shower and nail bar.
Aime-La-Plagne, Pierre & Vacances Premium Residence Les Hauts Bois
The ski in ski out residence lies in the heart of the vast Paradiski area and is just a stone’s throw away from the resort’s shopping centre. The apartments are decorated in the traditional Savoyard style and all guests have access to WiFi and the underground car park. The residences’ ‘Deep Nature Spa’ has a cardio-training room, indoor heated swimming pool, saunas, steam rooms and treatment rooms.
Enjoy the Paradiski area with a stay at Les Hauts Bois starting from £23 per person per night.
Méribel, Pierre & Vacances Premium Residence Les Fermes de Méribel
The recently renovated Les Fermes de Méribel is set in the heart of Méribel Village, just 50 metres from the shops. Its six chalets made of wood and stone have ski in ski out facilities, a balcony or terrace, a bakery ordering service and a covered car park. The Algotherm Spa has a well being area with a steam room and sauna, a heated indoor pool, fitness room and lounge with fireplace.
For more details and to book a spa and ski break to France visit the Pierre & Vacances website or ring 0870 0267 145.
A weekend in Le Crotoy at the Résidence de la Plage
Last month Pierre & Vacances customer Andy Parker visited Picardy for a weekend get-away. Check out his review of our Premium Résidence de la Plage, and the things to do in Le Crotoy and the surrounding area:
We recently took to the shores of North France for a stay at the Pierre & Vacances Premium Résidence de la Plage in Le Crotoy, in the Bay of Somme (just an hour’s easy drive from Calais).
Le Crotoy is a pretty special place. A small town on the bay of the Somme, where Jules Verne wrote the majority of 20,000 Leagues Under The Sea whilst staying in the town, just a short drive from Abbeville. Being a fishing town there are several restaurants all serving fresh catches and we managed to visit the morning market to see what was available straight off the boat that morning.
Le Crotoy, Picardy
Only visiting for a weekend trip we decided to eat out both evenings, but had we stayed longer we would have been more than accommodated to cook my own local foods with the fish markets setting up when the trawlers come back in, an amazing butchers, grocers and patisserie all within walking distance of the apartment.
We stayed in a two bedroom apartment which could quite comfortably have slept up to six people because the sofas were also beds. The living space was ideal, the kitchen was fully kitted and exceptionally clean with the espresso machine and complimentary capsules a nice touch.
There were two bathrooms, one with a bath/shower and the downstairs a spacious shower, both were perfect after a long day walking along the coast line watching the wind and kite surfers.
The view from both the master bedroom and the living room/sun terrace were stunning, spanning all the way across the bay and up the coast line.
The view from Residence de la Plage
Being a cold November, we didn’t get an opportunity to dip into the outdoor pool but its location, facing over the waterfront, seemed ideal.
We took a trip to Abbeville which was no more than 20 minutes by car. The town has a wonderful high street with a strong mixture of high street brands and independent retailers (particularly the chocolatiers). The church in the centre of town has been restored several times throughout its history and information was available in English which helped with our lack of reading French!
There are several landmarks dotted around the town which we uncovered from exploring side streets which reflect how much devastation the town saw throughout 1914-1945.
Great War cemetary in Lebucquiere
Our final trip was to a discrete cemetery for those who served in the Great War in the village of Lebucquiere. Although we’ve never been to some of the larger memorials and cemeteries which are considerably closer to Crotoy, this one held personal interest to me.
It was a drive of several hours and we decided to utilise the toll roads. They really do put UK road services to shame! Yes you do have to pay (maximum journey was from Lebucquiere to Calais at 9 Euros) but they’re fast, direct and pretty empty at peak times.
My top tip - I had no problems with driving on the other side of the road, but remember to check your headlights before leaving to see if you should purchase headlight reverse stickers which make sure you’re not blinding on-coming traffic!
Visit Le Crotoy for yourself! Andy stayed at the self catering Pierre & Vacances Premium Résidence de la Plage in Le Crotoy, Picardy. Pierre & Vacances also has a wide range of self catering apartments around North Picardy, perfect for mountain-biking, hiking and horse-riding, as well as visiting the the Somme Bay and Compiègne forest for sports and bird watching.
Pierre & Vacances Profile: Calarossa Holiday Village, Sardinia
Introducing…Pierre & Vacances Calarossa Holiday Resort
New to Pierre & Vacances customers this summer, the Pierre & Vacances Calarossa Holiday Resort in Sardinia – the perfect spot for an affordable family holiday to Italy with the kids this summer.
Property Spotlight
Situated just 5km from the ancient rugged harbour of Isola Rossa, Calarossa Holiday Resort- a self catering resort in kid friendly Sardinia – is nestled within 110 hectares of spectacular scenery with panoramic sea views. With a full array of facilities and activities for kids of all ages, Calarossa is set to be one of our most popular family resorts.
Leisure activities include three swimming pools, a flood-lit tennis court, bowls pitch, volleyball court and a beach, popular with canoeists and scuba divers alike, just 500 meters form the resort. The coastline is littered with beaches and coves, perfect for those with a snorkel.
The property itself consists of 315 fully equipped self catering apartments with the choice of either a balcony or a patio, an onside restaurant with sea views, a solarium, a bar and an amphitheater. Alongside the great array of local eateries and cultural attractions, Calarossa Holiday Resort is a great spot from which to explore Sardinia.
Current Offers
Pierre & Vacances are delighted to offer prices for a one-week break at Calarossa starting at €571,20 for a studio apartment sleeping four in August 2010.
The Low-Down
We recently caught up with the manager of Calarossa Holiday Resort, Alessandro Antinori, who gave us the full insight into this great property.
What advice would you give to someone visiting Calarossa?
Make sure you eat dinner outside to witness one of our glorious sunsets!
Best local restaurant for couples, families, and friends?
I would say stick to the resort, the one in the residence!
Best beach for couples, families’ friends?
La Marineda for families and for those who want to surf. Cala Tinnari for couples who are looking for somewhere quieter.
Best shopping?
1 hour by car to go to Alghero.
Whats the best thing about Calarossa for our UK customers?
“The great thing about Calarossa is that yes, you are in Italy, but you also are not. You’re on an island, far from everything, it’s a different place, it has its own identity, its own local customs, food, and has a great community feel for families.
Calarossa is the true meaning of nature and sea, separated for the routine of daily life. With clear waters and an array of multi-coloured rocks, swimming in the sea feels like being in your own natural pool. Add to that some of the most beautiful sunsets you’ll ever see and you get the full picture of beautiful Calarossa.
There’s so much to explore. Taking a walk along the white sandy beaches, you’ll come across the Spanish courts of Castelsardo, Santa Teresa and Alghero all settled beneath acres of palms, almond and olive trees. Surrounded by pine forests and open fields, wildlife and dazzling light, the days in Sardinia feel longer than in any other place.
Food lovers will love Sardinia. Some of Italy’s best wines, cheeses, olives, almonds, ricotta, orange cakes and Sardinia’s specialty, thin flavoured cracking carasau bread, are all plentiful in their availability in and around Calarossa Holiday Village.
For further information and bookings about Calarossa Holiday Resort, please visit http://www.PV-holidays.com, the website for Pierre & Vacances.
Pierre & Vacances group gains resorts in Flaine and Les Arcs with Intrawest acquisition
We have some fantastic news for all you Skiers!
Pierre & Vacances group (P&V) have taken over two new properties in time for the upcoming ski season in Arc 1950, part of the Les Arc ski resort in Savoie and the Flaine Montsoleil resort located in the Haute Savoie region of France.
This is great news for skiers wanting to take a snowy break in the winter season 2009/2010. We’ll let you know as soon as you can book the accommodation in the newly-acquired area on pv-holidays.com – it should be soon!
We do of course, already have affordable ski accomodation in many of the leading ski resorts in France.
Information on Les Arcs
Arc 1950 was built by Canadian company IntraWest, their first mountain resort in Europe. They are also the name behind popular North American mountain resorts such as Whistler-Blackcomb, Copper Mountain and Mammoth. Arc 1950 is an ideal location for a ski holiday in France. The resort is abundant in charm and convenience; a high resort, with reliable snow, within the Paradiski ski area. Arc 1950 also offers great services, with numerous shopping arcades, lively bars, restaurants and excellent child centres.
The acquisition agreement includes the Pierre & Vacances group taking over the resort’s lodging management business, which consists of 655 apartments, two restaurants, a bar and two commercial spaces located in the resort village will also be owned by P&V Holidays.
Information on Flaine
Flaine, the brainchild of architect Marcel Breuer, a master of the Bauhaus style, is a resort proud of its Modernist and artistic design which is a dramatic contrast to the natural landscape of the French Alps. As well as the architecture, several large public art works adorn the base of the resort, including a Picasso. Under the acquisition agreement between Pierre and Vacances Group and Intrawest, P&V will now operate 138 apartments in the Flaine ski resort.
For skiers, this means both resorts will now be under the management of a respected and leading European ski accommodation provider. As part of the terms of the agreement, the Pierre and Vacances group will operate both resorts in accordance with 4-star tourist residence standards. All residences will feature modern facilities and appliances and provide comfortable accommodation whether you’re travelling with friends or looking for the perfect family ski haven.
Best places to ski in 2009/2010
In terms of convenience, residences couldn’t be better situated – most are nestled in ski-in ski-out locations! We hope you’re as pleased as we are and that you’ll be staying in our new, high quality ski accommodation.
P&V already have affordable ski accommodation in many of the leading ski resorts in France. Including Val D’Isere, Avoriaz and Chamonix. There are plenty of early bird ski savings to be had, please do take a look at our ski offers on PV-Holidays.com, the website for the Pierre & Vacances group.
Pierre Vacances: Self catering and the city guide: Biarritz
As canny city break addicts are quickly discovering, the cheapest way to explore Europe’s finest cities is to check into a self-catering apartment.
Whether you’re escaping for a romantic weekend , or looking forward to a cultural tour , cooking up your own meals means you can easily cut down the cost of your trip.
Swapping an expensive hotel for a self-catering apartment doesn’t mean foregoing comfort or central locations. You’ll find a vast choice of clean, modern apartments in Paris to Rome, situated in the heart of the action.
And why not pack a glossy cookery book, forage in the markets for delicious local produce and whip up gourmet treats in the comfort and privacy of your own little home from home?
Each week, we’re featuring a city break destination with money-saving tips and the best self-catering apartment deals to ensure you get the most out of your hard-earned cash.
Biarritz on a budget
Dreaming of a city break destination with a beach? In a peachy part of France? On a budget? Forget snooty St Tropez and make your way to the infinitely cooler Biarritz for a heady mix of nightlife, beachcombing and, of course, surf culture – French style.
Situated on the Atlantic coast on the Bay of Biscay , this vibrant seaside town combines belle epoque grandeur with boho chic. While the beaches, elegant bars and smart hotels continue to seduce the rich and famous, this youthful town is now the European centre of upmarket surf action where barefoot and tousle- haired boys and girls rub shoulders with models and watersports-mad millionaires.
This surftastic playground is accessible to those on the most modest of budgets. Here’s how to get your place in the sun for less…
Getting to Biarritz
You can get to Biarritz by rail in under nine hours from the UK if you take the Eurostar train from London via Lille or Paris.
Or fly in with a low cost airline. Both easyJet and Ryanair fly to Biarritz with daily departures in high season. The Aéroport de Biarritz-Anglet-Bayonne is located just four kilometers from the city centre.
Beach life
Biarritz boasts some of the best beaches in Europe and has won multiple awards for cleanliness and top ocean front facilities.
Beachcombing is free! Explore the vast swathes of sandy beaches from Grande Plage to the Plage Miramar – the hubs for top people watching and sunbathing action. Picnic in the sheltered coves of little Plage du Port Vieux and watch the sun go down with a cold beer at the Rocher de la Vierge (Virgin’s Rock), which is floodlit at night.
The depths of the Bay of Biscay outside Biarritz form a “wave funnel”, enabling surfing here all year round. For a ringside view of surf action, head to the Cote de Basques beach, situated in town. It was this beach with its colossal breakers which spawned European surfing culture, and it now plays host to the annual Biarritz Surf Festival in July.
Grand Plage also has powerful waves breaking right in front of the town centre. This is where the Biarritz Surf Trophy is held in October every year.
The beaches of Ilbaritz – Marbella, Bora Bora and Edouard VII – are located south of the town centre, and Anglet, to the north of Biarrit, is where you’ll find the beaches of Les Sables d’Or, L’Ocean, La Madrague, Marinella and Les Corsaires. Good peaks break at all points between the jetties that separate these beaches.
If you fancy learning to surf and can’t persuade a salty local to show you the ropes, the École du Surf (102 rue Pierre de Chevigné, 05 59 23 15 31, Surftraining.com offers affordable one-hour lessons in addition to its celebrated week-long courses.
City tour of Biarritz
The town’s architecture is a visual feast. As you stroll around you’ll discover a blend of gabled Basque houses and art deco villas.
To get your bearings, take a walk from the Côte des Basques and follow the winding trail to Port-Vieux. Then cross the footbridge to the Virgin Rock, named after its statue of the Virgin Mary, and climb up to the Atalaye Plateau for panoramic views across the town and beaches and the old seamen’s huts on the Fishermen’s Harbour.
Museums in Biarritz
On rainy days, or if you simply crave a break from the sun, there are plenty of cultural havens to explore.
At the sweet smelling Musée du Chocolat (avenue Beau Rivage, 05 59 41 54 64) you’ll not only learn about the history of Basque cocoa production but get to sample a generous selection of the fruits of the bean.
If you’ve got little ones in tow, come and meet the sealife at The Musée de la Mer (esplanade du Rocher de la Vierge, 05 59 22 33 34, www.museedelamer.com). Time your visit for either 10.30 am or 5pm and you can watch the keepers feed the hungry resident turtles and seals.
Discover the city’s illustrious past at the Musée Historique de Biarritz (rue Broquedis). Housed in the former Anglican church, this little museum features a memorial to the fallen officers at the French Napoleonic wars.
Markets in Biarrtiz
Rub shoulders with the locals and fill you baskets with Basque delights at the bustling covered market, Les Halles. The market is open every morning and local ham, chorizo, breads and luscious fruits and vegetables are among the rich pickings.
Also buy a bottle or two of chilled wine or cider. Shop well in the market for fresh produce and the supermarkets for staples and you can create delicious breakfasts, picnic lunches and dinners at a fraction of the cost of dining out.
Eating Out
When you don’t feel like cooking and want a treat, tapas bars and cafes are the cheapest options but that doesn’t mean you’ll miss out. Sample Basque specialities such as piperade (ham and peppers), chipirons (baby squid), spicy meatballs and potatoes washed down with cider.
For a big treat, the fish restaurant Le Corsaire (00 33 5 59 24 63 72), situated at the Port des Pêcheurs ,is a local institution and guaranteed to impress.
Nightlife
Kick off the evening at the Café de la Grande Plage situated on the beach-level floor of the Casino, and you’ll get one of the best sunset views included in the price of the cocktails. The Old Port offers a wealth of buzzing watering holes and affordable tapas bars. The surfing fraternity convenes in the bars on rue Mazagran.
Local treats
Saunter around like a local in a pair of espadrilles – one of the traditional crafts that will actually come in handy for just a few Euros.
You may or may not be excited to learn the Basque town is also famed for its high quality table linen but everyone loves the chocolate. The region produces some especially delicious chocolate and there are plenty of chocolate shops crammed into the town. Patxaran (a liqueur made from aniseed, wild prunes and vanilla) is also a local must-try.
Accommodation in Biarritz
Pierre & Vacances has a selection of affordable self-catering apartments close to the top beaches, including Pierre Vacances Haguna Residence (17 avenue de la Reine Victoria), which offers a choice of self-catering studios and one-bedroom apartments.
All apartments offer a great base for visitors looking to soak up the city’s charms on a budget. Each apartment has its own fully-equipped kitchen, and comfortable living accommodation within easy reach of the beaches, cultural attractions and nightlife.
Hot offer
Apartments costs from just 290 Euro per week and short breaks (minimum two nights) are also available. For latest deals, visit www.pv-holidays.com
