New York Habitat Blog

• Twenty stages
• 2,201 miles
• Six mountain stages with three mountain finishes
• Only two rest days

That’s right! The much-awaited Tour de France has arrived and will take place throughout France between July 7th and July 29th. Stay with New York Habitat and get a first-hand view of the world’s most famous bike race: the 94th Tour de France.

New York Habitat has apartments available in various towns near the different stages of the tour. Whether you are travelling alone, in a small group, or with a large family, there are many charming options waiting for you. Below are some great apartments:

July 17th, Stage 9: Val-d’Isère to Briançon

New York Habitat has several chalets available in the small town of Briançon.

This year marks the 33rd time that the town will host the Tour de France, which is in large part due to the difficult mountain passes.

Briançon attracts scores of skiers and winter sports enthusiasts who are eager to attempt the Alps.

Praised for its historic architecture, the area is also known for its charming chalets such as this 4-Bedroom Chalet (PR-22) that sleeps 11 people.

July 18th, Stage 10: Tallard to Marseille

Tallard is heralded around the world for its exceptional weather and this lends itself to an abundance of fruit orchards bearing apples, pears, and peaches. The fantastic weather and atmospheric conditions also make it an optimal location for aerial activities such as skydiving, helicopter rides, parachuting, hot air balloons, and motored paragliding.

Bring the whole family to enjoy the adventure of a hot air balloon ride, as well as the thrill of the Tour de France. New York Habitat has a spacious 6-Bedroom Villa (PR-476) near Tallard that sleeps 17 people.

In Marseille, spectators will enjoy an already predicted thrilling finish to Stage 10, as well as an enchanting city. Marseille is France’s oldest city and has attracted artists such as Van Gogh and more currently, directors and photographers.

The city and its waterfront attract over 400,000 sailors a year, aiding Marseille’s economic success. The hills provide a unique setting for the area’s homes and villas, one of which is this 2-Bedroom Villa (PR-791) that faces the sea.

July 19th, Stage 11: Marseille to Montpellier

The greater appeal of Marseille is that it works as a central point for two stages of the tour. While staying at one of the scenic Marseille villas, you can witness the finish of Stage 10 and the start of Stage 11.

Montpellier is considered one of the leading cities of the Mediterranean world. The city is home to the world’s largest vineyard, as well as to universities and major companies.

Montpellier continues to develop towards becoming a powerful economic and cultural center for France and the world.

New York Habitat currently has a 2-Bedroom Rental (PR-141) with a small conservatory and garden available.

July 29th, Stage 20: Marcoussis to Paris, Champs-Élysées

The grand finale of the Tour de France happens in Paris, as the bikers race towards the Champs Elysées. Only the riders who have managed to survive the arduous 2,000+ miles of road will be able to experience the glory of crossing the much anticipated finish line. Filmed by television crews worldwide and cheered on by thousands of spectators, the finish of the Tour de France is truly awe inspiring.
 
You and your family can grab a front row seat to the final stage while staying in this grand 4-Bedroom Triplex (PA-3006). For smaller groups, there is also this modern 2-Bedroom Apartment (PA-2989),as well as a Studio Apartment with Balcony (PA-1829).

The Tour de France is the most famous and well-known bike race in the world. Enjoy the wonders of France, take part in history, and cheer on the riders of the 94th Tour de France.

For more information on the 2007 Tour de France, visit http://www.letour.fr/.

Do you have a favorite town on the Tour de France trail? What is your favorite spot to view a stage? Feel free to comment below.

The Lower East Side has become one of New York’s hot neighborhoods with the development of new apartment buildings, restaurants and clubs in the area. New York Habitat’s vacation rental team member Larry Buckles notes, “It has become like a SoHo of 20 years ago.” New York Habitat has seen a surge in the demand for rentals in the area and an increase in the number of listings there as well.

Apartments of the Lower East Side:

The apartments on the Lower East Side are an interesting array of old tenement buildings, storefronts that were converted to apartments before the retail scene in the neighborhood became lively again, and newer low- and high-rise buildings. New York Habitat’s mix of apartments in the area is similarly unique with offerings from studios to two-bedrooms. Here are a few examples:

• NY-12286 is a hosted 2-bedroom located on the second floor of a walk-up building, which has a retro-styled bedroom to rent for 1 or 2 people
• NY-12201 is a studio accommodation in East Village that has two sleeping spaces — a loft and a futon — in the living room. The apartment also has a retro feel with its teal chair, carpet and curtains.
• NY-11706 is a 1-bedroom accommodation available for weekend rentals. The apartment is in a doorman building, which is unique for the neighborhood, and has a terrace with views of the Manhattan skyline.
• NY-11991 is a studio apartment located in a converted storefront building. The apartment features a loft bed, renovated kitchen and bathroom.
• NY-7114 is a two-bedroom accommodation. The apartment is a duplex set up in a postwar building, which also has access to a private terrace.

Prices in the neighborhood vary depending on the features of the building and the size and quality of the space, but generally single rooms are available from $90 to $120 per night, studios and one-bedrooms begin at $125 and reach as high as $250 with most 2-bedroom apartments beginning at about $200 and topping out as high as $300.

Transportation:

The Lower East Side is primarily served by the F train, which cuts right thought the neighborhood, making stops at Second Avenue and Houston Street, Delancey and Essex Streets and East Broadway and Rutgers Street. The J,M,Z trains also run along Delancey Street and stop at Essex Street and Bowery.

Traveling to Midtown is about 10 minutes aboard the F train and downtown is 5-10 minutes ride on the J,M,Z trains. There is also a cross-town bus running across Houston Street. For those people looking to drive in Manhattan, parking in the neighborhood is somewhat less difficult than in most of Manhattan because of the large parking lots along Delancey Street.

Also, access to the major highways is convenient, as the Williamsburg Bridge offers direct access to the Brooklyn Queens Expressway and entrances to the FDR Drive are on the eastern edge of the neighborhood.

Things not to miss

• The restaurant and nightlife scene:
  The Lower East Side features one of the fastest growing lists of nightlife locales with the Zagat guide reviewing over 100 hotspots. Some favorites include Stanton Social club, popular for its comfortable lounge atmosphere, and Whiskey Ward, which is a common spot for locals to play pool and enjoy the wide selection of high-end whiskeys. Many of the night spots in the neighborhood have hours as late as 4 A.M. For those looking for an old-fashioned deli, Katz’s offers a REAL deli sandwich.
• Delancey Street Bargain District:
  Looking to find that perfect souvenir trinket? Take a look along Delancey Street. There are assorted shops, which give it almost a flea market type feel at times.
• Lower East Side Tenement Museum:
  The Lower East Side was once a community that housed many people in tight quarters; this history can be seen at the Tenement Museum located at 97 Orchard Street.
• Lower East Side Trips:
  New York offers some of the most diverse neighborhoods of the world’s big cities and the Lower East Side has a youthful vibrancy and a strong history of immigrants, which makes it unique in New York City at this time. For your next New York vacation, consider an accommodation in the Lower East Side.

The Fourth of July: a work-free day for Americans filled with fireworks, barbecues, and parties. Fast-forward ten days and the party hops to a completely different spot on the globe. This year, July 14th marks the 217th annual French celebration, ‘14th Juillet’ or Bastille Day, as it is called in the United States.

Bastille Day marks the anniversary of the storming of the Bastille (a French prison) in 1789. To honor the start of the French Revolution and the subsequent unification of the country, many French cities hold fireworks at night.

There are also military parades that take place on the morning of the 14th. The largest of these parades takes place on the Champs-Élysées Avenue in Paris.

The parade always ends, amidst great applause, with the Paris Fire Brigade. There are also balls and dances in honor of the holiday that are thrown by the country’s firefighters.

New York Habitat has many Paris apartments located conveniently near the Champs-Élysées Avenue. Perhaps the inviting terrace of this One-Bedroom Apartment near the Arc de Triomphe (PA-41) suits your needs or maybe you prefer the traditional appeal of this One-Bedroom Rental near Parc Monseau (PA-1582). Both of these apartments are only a short walk from the ‘15th Julliet’ parade site.

If, however, Paris is not in your summer cards, celebrate Bastille Day in New York. From noon to 6 p.m. on July 15th, New York will honor the French holiday.

Presented by the French Institute Alliance Française and others, the festival will be held on 60th Street between Fifth and Lexington Avenues.

The celebrations will include various activities, displays, and vendors. There will be music, dancing, French cuisine, a stationary Tour-de-France bike race, and much more! For more information on the Bastille Day street fair, visit BastilleDayUSA.com.

If you are in need of affordable New York housing for this event, New York Habitat has several charming apartments available. Here are two apartments that are conveniently located near the New York Bastille Day celebrations:

• Two-Bedroom Rental in Midtown East (NY-6023)
• Studio in Midtown East (NY-4364)

Similar to last year’s New York celebration, New York Habitat agents will be present to meet, greet, and answer questions concerning the company and what we do.

If you are interested in renting an apartment with New York Habitat or are already working with us and are eager to meet some of our agents, please come and visit our booth!

Bastille Day is New York Habitat’s major event of the year! Come meet our team and enjoy the music. Perhaps, if you book an apartment, we will dance for you, too.

To read more on Bastille Day celebrations in New York, check out the following articles:

• New York Habitat Celebrates Bastille Day - Take Two!
• Bastille Day on East 60th Street - Formidable!

Neighborhoods in New York are constantly changing. What was once hip becomes taboo and what was once passé becomes the place to be. So it is with the Harlem neighborhood of Hamilton Heights. New York Habitat has a two-bedroom duplex accommodation in the heart of this thriving neighborhood.

Handsomely Decorated, Two-Bedroom Duplex Townhouse:

The apartment, owned by an architect, is impeccably designed and fills up two floors of a gorgeous townhouse. The owner also keeps a cat in the apartment, which a past renter of the accommodation has called “sweet and very friendly.” Therefore, if you enjoy cats, beautiful architecture, and stylish décor, then perhaps this Two-Bedroom Accommodation in Harlem (NY-12274) is for you.

One appealing aspect of this apartment, besides the duplex townhouse and the intriguing décor, is the unbelievable price. Crain’s New York Business reports that on average the prices of New York hotel rooms have risen since last year. The average hotel rate for the year up until now is listed at about $248 per night. New York Habitat, at the time of this article, is offering this fully furnished two-bedroom rental with Jacuzzi for $135 per day and $675 per week.

Travel into other areas of Manhattan (like Times Square and Rockefeller Center) is incredibly convenient. The townhouse is a brief walk to the 1, A, B, C, and D trains. The A and D trains travel express and reach 59th Street in midtown Manhattan in only two stops.

Hamilton Heights, Harlem:

The rental, as stated above, is on the second and third floors of a Harlem townhouse. According to the Hamilton Heights – West Harlem Community Preservation Organization, the pride and joy of the neighborhood are the gorgeous array of townhouses designed in various styles such as Dutch, Beaux Arts, Queen Anne, and Romanesque Revival.

Due to the hard work of community preservationists and the beauty of these houses, large portions of the neighborhood have become landmark areas. These areas have since been renamed the Hamilton Heights Historic District Extension and the Hamilton Heights/Sugar Hill Historic District.

While this townhouse is not located in the heart of Times Square, it is close to an array of museums, restaurants, and theaters that have become staples of Harlem life. Such locations are the world famous Apollo Theater and historic night spot, The Cotton Club. It is due to the rich culture and history of the area that the Community Preservation Organization has called it “a neighborhood like no other.”

What makes this two-bedroom a Hidden Gem?

This two-bedroom apartment is split between two floors of a historic Harlem townhouse. The cat is charming, the décor is interesting, and the neighborhood is a thriving cultural center. Also, how many New York apartments can you find that have a Jacuzzi at this price? These numerous attributes all add up to make this two-bedroom a Hidden Gem.

For more information on Harlem, check out some of our other blog posts: Harlem apartment rentals near the Renaissance Theater and New York In Song - “Uptown – The New Harlem.”

Feel free to share comments about Hamilton Heights, upcoming city events, or neighborhoods that you feel deserve notice below.

Traveling comes with various risks and many New York Habitat customers have asked what is the best solution to minimize those risks. One solution that our team often recommends is purchasing travel insurance which can include coverage if:

• Your trip is interrupted or delayed by unforeseen events
• Your baggage is lost in transit
• You need medical assistance far from home
• You have to cancel your trip
• You have to be medically evacuated 

New York Habitat has a long-standing relationship with Travelex to provide travel insurance to customers who are interested in purchasing it. Travelex offers full-line coverage that can include basic plans just for flight coverage to plans that include baggage, trip delay, medical and flight coverage. New York Habitat’s discounts can be seen on the Travelex website.

In addition to Travelex, there are many other providers of travel insurance. One easy way to find other choices and get a variety of quotes is to use the new websites that have cropped up specifically to provide competitive insurance quotes.

Some sites include:

Insure My Trip (http://www.insuremytrip.com)
Total Travel Insurance (http://www.totaltravelinsurance.com)

For more information on travel insurance, you can visit the ASTA website article “Tips for Purchasing Travel Insurance”.

We hope that this information helps to answer the basic questions you might have about travel insurance.

 If you have further questions while planning your stay at one of our furnished apartment rentals, feel free to make a comment on the blog or email us at blog@nyhabitat.com.

The 2007 Mermaid Parade will take place on June 23rd at the magical Coney Island, and New York Habitat offers vacation rentals and furnished apartments with convenient subway connections to the area.

This year is the event’s “Silver Anniversary,” as it celebrates 25 years of artistic self-expression and summer fun in New York City. The parade is a ceremony to open the beaches of Coney Island for the summer and to celebrate Coney Island’s pride, history, mythology.

Since 1983, people have participated in this Mardi Gras-like event by dressing in hand-made costumes as mermaids, Neptunes, various sea creatures, and even Coney Island nostalgia such as lighthouses, postcards, and amusement park rides. You will also find marching bands, drill teams, and yacht floats.

A celebrity King Neptune and Queen Mermaid overlook the celebration proceedings each year, with past maritime monarchs like Queen Latifah, Moby, David Byrne, and David Johansen to name a few, leading the parade from the boardwalks to the Atlantic Ocean where they toss fruit as an offering to appease the sea gods. After the parade, the celebration continues at the Mermaid Parade Ball at Velocity (Stillwell and Bowery) with live music, raffle tickets, and burlesque and sideshow acts. 

The parade starts at approximately 2 p.m. at West 10th Street by the Cyclone roller coaster. You can pre-register for the parade on the Mermaid Parade website ($10 adults, $5 children), or you can do so on-site from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. To get there, take the D,F,N, or Q train (Downtown/Coney Island direction) to Stillwell.

To go to the Mermaid Ball, you need to purchase your tickets in advance at the ball’s official website.

Coney Island is located on the southern end of Brooklyn and is host to an amusement park area of at least 35 or more separate rides and attractions. It is also home to the world’s longest boardwalk with a distance of approximately 2½ miles (about 4km). This is the perfect place to go for summer fun in New York City, as Coney Island maintains a beach community environment within a big city. 

When considering summer vacation plans in New York City, remember that New York Habitat offers accommodations that are a direct subway ride to the city’s beach areas like Coney Island or Long Island, including a beautiful one-bedroom brownstone in Boerum Hill (NY-11601), a stylish one-bedroom brownstone in Park Slope (NY-11949), or a two-bedroom apartment in Prospect Heights (NY-11841) .

The Mermaid event occurs during the peak summer rental season, so remember to book in advance.

For a list of other events in New York City, visit the events section on our blog.

Photograph provided by francois-roux-photography.com

Today’s winner of the “Guess the Price” contest is Jacques Boratelle and the correct price for this one-bedroom apartment in Montmartre is 2000 euros per month. The winner is entitled to 10% off the agency fees for a vacation rental of 30 days or less.

This one-bedroom apartment in Paris is now published on our website with a full description, floor plan and a complete set of pictures. Here are some other interesting details:

The Montmartre apartment:

The greatest asset of this apartment is the roof terrace. The shared outdoor space offers a great bird’s eye view of the city well above all of the activity below. The apartment is nicely furnished with a leather sofa and chairs as well as a unique feature in Paris: a king-sized bed in the bedroom.

Montmartre:

The apartment is located conveniently near the Anvers metro station on the 2 line which runs from East to West and also near the Château Rouge metro stop on the 4 line which runs from North to South. The metro reaches central locations in less then 10 minutes. The apartment is also a short cab ride away from Gare du Nord, which offers train service to London and Brussels.

The neighborhood, a favorite haunt of writers and artists, is known for small cafes lining the streets, the nightclub scene at night and the Sacré Coeur, the white-domed church located at the top of the highest hill in the neighborhood. Some famous artists that lived in the neighborhood include Dali, Monet and Picasso. The neighborhood was also featured in the movie Amelie where the lead character worked as a waitress and lived in Montmartre.

For events happening in Paris, check out the events section of our blog.

Check back for the next “Guess the Price” contest featuring a new apartment in New York, Paris, London or the South of France.

To see the original clues: Guess the apartment price: One-bedroom in Montmartre Paris

Once again, congratulations to Jacques Boratelle, the winner of the “Guess the Price” contest for this Montmartre apartment.