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A small family run hotel in the heart of Seville. It's an 17th-century house that was sensitively restored by an anglo-spanish family maintaining all the beauty of the original ruin with a simple restoration and elegant and contemporary details in the fabrics and furniture ... also boasts a small but impressive contemporary art collection! Exceptionally helpful and charming service and incredibly comfortable with all necessary mod cons, plasma tv + dvd ( with great selection) plus ipods with great music! Plunge pool on the top, great breakfast and tapas if you feel like a break from exploring the incredible barrio santa cruz its set in. An amazing experience! Matches the glory of Seville.
Chanced upon this hotel a few years ago, the AC chain is Spanish owned and there are a lot around Spain. This chain nails it. Modern and chic rooms, in Malaga you get a roof top pool, overlooking the old town which is beautiful. Crisp and clean and uber stylish, and, best of all, very reasonable. You get free beer (in bottles) and small snacks all day too, an incredible find, highly recommend.
Villa Sunrise was amazing. For a very reasonable price we got more than in some 4-four hotels we visited during our stay in Croatia. It was a combination of breathtaking views, being able to relax and enjoy the holiday or walk down to the nearest beach.
It is the perfect place to spend a few weeks, taking trips to other parts of the country , relaxing on the beaches just 300m away and exploring the many islands and attractions in the surrounding area.
www.villa-sunrise.com/
+385 98 9666 820
Dar Najat is a fabulous riad in the medina. Comfortable, relaxing with the finest staff I have encountered. They and the owner Olivier Behar are a "family" - so much so that we kept wanting to get back to our home-from- home. As we ate our delicious dinners under the stars we counted our blessings. Look at the website and be convinced - it's hospitality at its best. Prices from €83.
Stunning little town. Good food, really friendly people and a fair amount of ex-pats to talk to. Lots to do too. Hillwalking, coastal walks, boat trips, sea kayaking, an ancient amphitheatre to visit. Simply amazing. Even the drive to the town will blow you away.
A short drive along the coast from Kalkan. Or there are plenty of hotels in Kas itself if you fancy a stay. Dalaman Airport is closest.
Had to be in the UK for business and extended my stay there, for two days before heading to Barcelona for the weekend.
I found a nice little studio apartment in South Kensington, close to Hyde Park and the Victoria & Albert Museum (beautiful building, great exhibitions). The apartment, Cromwell, was perfect.
I went shopping at Harvey Nicols and Harrods and visited the V&A Museum and the Tate Modern.
A restaurant worth mentioning is Tokyo Diner, near Leicester Square. Great, inexpensive Japanese food. I loved their social and environmentally-conscious philosophy.
In Barcelona I was very lucky to have beautiful weather and was even able to spend time on the beach. I found a great two-bedroom apartment, Girona Design 2B, in the Eixample, just north of El Born, with Aspasios. The Eixample is a very nice and quiet neighbourhood to stay in and still in close proximity of all the good stuff.
www.vam.ac.uk
www.tate.org.uk
www.tokyodiner.com
www.shortstay-apartment.com/london/apartments/short-term-london-apartment-cromwell-a.html
www.aspasios.com/ficha.asp?idPiso=138
Stayed at one of two lovely "modern Habsburg" studios with ViennaFlatSeven over Easter. I really enjoyed the warm reception, and the Neubau neighbourhood, especially the cafes, and the apartment was of fantastic quality and not full of cheap Ikea like much of the rest.
I'm already planning my return to Vienna, for more of the excellent antiques markets!
From €90 a night.
Now that Spring is here, Portugal is once again taking on its own special charm. The sun shines ever more brightly, there are flowers everywhere and the time is ripe for communing with Nature. Come and visit us and discover the pleasure of strolling around without any fixed timetable, enjoying new experiences and savouring some perfect moments. Take your inspiration from our suggestions and draw up your very own tour plans!
Come and stay with us to enjoy the nature of the Algarve. Check our website for great private villa’s in the Algarve!
We give you 4 suggestions of the many we have to explore the Natural Algarve:
1.
Rocha da Pena
Hidden paradise in the rich Barrocal countryside
Rocha da Pena is a protected nature conservation area which support ecosystems of great ecological interest.
Between Benafim and Salir, with an area of more than 600 hectares and rising to a height of 479 metres, the craggy terrain of the Rocha da Pena site invites tourists to go for walks and is great for rock climbing.
2.
Sites of Ecological Interest
Remarkable Observatories
Places where you can see different bird species nesting include the Alvor Estuary, Paul de Budens and Leixão da Gaivota. These are places where you can follow the incredible beauty of birds in flight.
The Alvor Estuary, nestled between Portimão and Lagos, is the most important wetland area in Western Algarve. A lagoon complex, it covers 1400 hectares of marsh and dunes, which makes the area an excellent place for bird watching.
3.
Serras de Monchique Espinhaço de Cão and Caldeirão
Variations in landscape in a diversely charming Algarve
Acting as a gigantic amphitheatre, the Monchique, Espinhaço de Cão and Caldeirão hills form a protective barrier for the lowlands of the coastal region, providing shelter from the cold northern winds. The breeze from the Atlantic also contributes to the unique vegetation of the area.
Monchique is like a garden with breathtaking scenery and unique plant life within the Algarvian landscape. This north-western part of the region emerges with streams flowing down from escarpments, hills where the arbutus berry tree grows, and where oaks, pines and chestnut trees are to be found.
4.
Ria Formosa
Natural paradise between land and sea
The Ria Formosa Nature Park is a unique lagoon system that is continually changing because of the movements of winds, currents, and tides.
A gift of nature, of approximately 18,000 hectares, it is an area of transition between land and sea skirting 60 km of the Eastern Algarve coastline, between the Ancão peninsula and the Manta Rota beach in the East.
As you can see, our idea is to invite you to appreciate the best of life, get yourself into a good mood and make sure that you go home completely rested and full of energy! We urge you to accept our invitation and let yourself be seduced by the Spring in Portugal.
As you can see, our idea is to invite you to appreciate the best of life, get yourself into a good mood and make sure that you go home completely rested and full of energy! We urge you to accept our invitation and let yourself be seduced by the Spring in Portugal.
Come and stay with us to enjoy the nature of the Algarve. Check our website for great private villa’s in the Algarve!
Subscribe to our blog, so you won’t miss any of our nice suggestions about the Algarve, our Special Offers, and things to do in the Algarve.
Contact me for any further information about our nice holiday villa’s!
Warm Regards,
Michele
Website:www.algarvehousing.net/index.html
Blog:algarvehousing.net/news/
Contact: www.algarvehousing.net/villasinalgarve/customerservice/contactus.html
Villa Riachuelo is a handsome, modern villa for rent in the Axarquia region of Malaga Province. It has four well turned out bedrooms, two kitchens (one outdoor), a sitting room, dining room and plenty of shady, outdoor seating space.
As well as the villa itself there's a pool (and loads of room for sunbathing), gardens and a series of dusty olive terraces descending to a little brook. While the surrounding countryside is dramatic and mountainous, on the whole, the villa itself is not particularly remote - only five minutes' drive from Canillas de Aceituno (a typical Andalucian white village) and about an hour from Malaga/the airport.
A top choice for a week or so's flop 'n' drop by the pool or as a base camp for exploring other parts of Andalucia.
I use the site www.plymouthdevon4u.co.uk. It has some handy info on Plymouth, particularly the latest events.
If you want to stay in Mykonos for less than a week, the best option is to find a hotel in the town of Mykonos. Prices are most reasonable in June and late September. The hotel Pelican is a good option, just 10 minutes' walk from the centre.
www.pelican-hotel-mykonos.com/
+30 22890 23748
La Seguiriya is a delightful little guesthouse owned (and run with considerable warmth) by flamenco singer Paco Moyano and his wife.
Six comfortable, well-appointed rooms are dotted around an 18th-century townhouse. Downstairs, there's a lounge area/bar and an excellent restaurant. Best of all, though, is the extensive terrace area out the back, which boasts stunning views of the town's famous gorge.
www.laseguiriya.com
+34 958 36 08 01
Algeciras is Spain's busiest port. It’s handy for a trip to Africa (just roll up at the port at 8am and book a day out in Tangier) or to visit Gibraltar without staying in Gib itself. The Hotel Reina Cristina, built by the Englishman who built the railway from Ronda to the port, still has its colonial feel, even if its charms are a bit faded. Roosevelt and Churchill (when a journalist) are among the famous who've slept here.
The terrace was used by spies in WW2 to watch shipping in the Straits. You could still imagine Inspector Poirot taking a stroll round the well-kept grounds, which include an Arab well. Apart from wedding reception nights, it’s quiet, and not really for children - people look up from their books if someone even makes a splash in the pool.
Paseo Conferencia
11207 Algeciras, Spain
Tel:0034 956 60 26 22
www.hotelesglobales.com
Google map: tinyurl.com/yaqr2qr
10 minutes walk from Algeciras station or the port.
From Dalaman, through Fethiye, through Ölü Deniz, along a narrow road on the side of a mountain, we climb higher. The sun gets lower and sinks as a huge red ball into the sea. We stop, but we should be down at sea level. Out of the gloom a safari jeep appears. We climb in the back and the jeep plunges over the edge of the road, down a precipitous boulder-strewn track, winding between trees barely a jeep width apart. Eventually we do reach sea level and are greeted by Yalcin and his wonderful staff. They, carrying hurricane lamps, guide us to our rooms, which are balconied cabins – rustic, yet well appointed with all mod cons. They, the kitchen and behind the bar are the only places under cover. Elsewhere, sun shades and vines on pergolas shade the many peaceful lounging areas. Everything is clustered round the kitchen garden which provides much of the delicious food. On the first day, everyone was very British and ate at separate tables. Thereafter everyone was very Mediterranean and we all ate round one big table exchanging life histories and tall tales. There are great walks (look out for wild boar, tortoises and rare butterflies) and the sea to cool off in. If you can’t be bothered to go the three minutes to the sea, there is a pool – but don’t try diving in – the rocks on which it was built provide a smooth but uneven bottom. Not just Turkish Delight, but Turkish Paradise.
Beyaz Yunus Faralya, Faralya, near Ölü Deniz
www.exclusiveescapes.co.uk/destinations/property/oyster/detail/
+44 (0)20 8605 3500
This is a fully vegetraian eco-camp which is only accessible down a rocky path via jeep. Set back into mountains lie around 11 small huts with basic Turkish facilities but stunning views of the surrounding countryside and the Turquoise Coast. All meals are made from locally sourced produce, most of which is grown on the site itself. On-site the owners have built a raised wooden platform which hosts early morning yoga and there lies a private cove just 15 minutes walk from the camp which hosts evening bbqs, providing the little needed entertainment.
www.yuvaholidays.com
tel.+44(0)1760755888
e-mail: holidays@vegiventures.com
This three-bedroom villa is located in one of the most striking locations in Turkey. Kayakoy is a ghost town filled with fantastically preserved empty stone houses, gradually crumbling and being consumed by ivy. You can take a stroll up the hills on which it is situated, ducking in and out of the ruins, feeling like you own it completely. Small wonder Louis de Bernieres based his novel Bird Without Wings in this ethereal, historic setting. The villa itself does justice to the mystery and uniqueness of the place, built with regional masonry and cedar interior furnishing. It is spacious and comfortable, with not only a swimming pool but a Romeo and Juliet balcony with a prime view of Kayakoy. The town takes on an especially magical charcter at night, when it is floodlit, and you can hear the faint strummings of guitar players in the distance. What really sets this place apart is the owners; Selma and Hussein, whom we came to know personally, have their house next door. Expect to be invited to one of Selma's fantastic barbeques-welcome is the word, no strings attached. Picking of fruit from the surrounding fig, almond and pomegranate trees is allowed - if you are lucky Hussein will even help you to do it. To cap it all off, the villa is a short drive from the beach, walking distance from sumptuous pine forests, and is well served by restaurants offering the best in locally sourced Turkish food.
Phone Hussein: 00905326059072. Nearest airport Dalaman airport. Nearest large town Fethiye.
In the old quarter of Istanbul the Empress Zoe hotel is to be found. The rooms range from tiny to more spacious two roomed suites with kitchens and sitting rooms but what they all have in common is exquisite taste; hand painted Byzantine murals, antique furniture, traditional textiles and cool marble Turkish bathrooms. There are many twisting narrow stairs but they are worth the challenge to reach the cool, shaded courtyard garden. The breakfasts are to die for- plump cherries, freshly squeezed juice, crusty bread, olives, home baked cake, cheese and coffee. The staff are attentive and kind- when we arrived too early for our booking after a 12 hour overnight long-haul flight they offered us another room to rest for a couple of hours followed by a delicious breakfast free of charge. It is a popular hotel so book in advance.
Tel: 90 (212) 518 25 04 518 43 60 / Fax: 90 (212) 518 56 99
Empress Zoe Hotel,Akbiyik Cad. No: 4/1 Sultanahmet, Istanbul/TURKEY
www.emzoe.com
On Buyu Kada island just a boat ride from Istanbul stands the magnificent Hotel Splendid Palace with it's red shutters, silvery-grey domes and white wooden walls. When you enter the hotel you expect to bump into Hercule Poirot with its faded 20's splendour. The ballroom has huge gilt mirrors and a candelabra perched on the grand piano.There is a swimming pool surrounded by shady trees to cool off during the hot Turkish summer. The views are fabulous from the sea facing rooms.Horse drawn taxis wait outside the hotel to take you on tours of the car-free island to see the historic wooden mansions.If it's history and atmosphere you want then stay here but not if you want modern luxury.
www.splendidhotel.net
+90 216 382 69 50 or: info@splendidhotel.net
Ferryboat from Sirkeki to Buyukada
We stayed at this delightul apartment with stunning sea views for two weeks last year and have just booked to go back again in August. This is the 'hidden' part of Italy which is virtually undiscovered by tourists other than Italians. In two weeks we didn't hear another English voice and found all the locals to be more than helpful with our limited attempts at Italian. This coastline is totally unspoilt and it's possible to find little coves without hordes of other people kicking sand in your face. There is an abundance of fish restaurants which serve the fresh catch of the day washed down with lashings of the local Trebbiano white wine and all for less than €20 a head. San Vito Chietino is only 25 minutes from the nearest airport at Pescara and has good bus and rail links if you decide not to hire a car. The apartment is newly restored and perfect for our small family of three to use as a base and the garden with views over the clear blue sea is the perfect setting to relax after a hard day at the beach.
www.ownersdirect.co.uk/italy/IT2137.htm
Google map: tinyurl.com/yf544ag
This is a small hotel in a renovated wooden mansion of traditional Turkish design. We always make a beeline for it, whenever in Istanbul. It is an oasis of calm, just a few yards from the bustle of the blue mosque and the Hagia Sofia, and only a short walk from the Topkapi palace. There is a delightful garden, where drinks and snack meals are on offer, or there is a proper restaurant overlooking the garden. We recently (Nov '09) had a snack lunch of borek and beer, which was OK, and worth it for the sit down in such lovely surroundings. However, that was off season. In the summer there is a more imaginative lunch menu al fresco, and this peaceful lost world can't be recommended too highly if you are doing the sights. Sitting in the sun by the fountain eating plump Turkish Napoleon cherries is a treasured memory. Service is very proper, and prices are moderate. This is not a trendy boutique hotel - the rooms are all brass beds and antiques, but stylish and comfortable in a chinzy sort of way (with aircon). A double with breakfast is €250 in high season. And there's a Turkish bath!
Address: Kabasakal 5, Sultanahmet, 34400 Istanbul
Phone: +90-21-2517-6785
Website: www.istanbulyesilev.com
Google map: tinyurl.com/ydcurqa
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