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 the hottest neighborhoods in New York 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-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-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.

Unfortunately this apartment is no longer available. If you are interested in a vacation rental in Montmartre, Paris check out these vacation rentals:

A 1 bedroom vacation rental in Montmartre (PA_3463)

A 1 bedroom vacation rental apartment in Montmartre - Sacre Coeur (PA-1263)

This one-bedroom apartment is located in the heart of Paris’ art community: Montmartre. The building features a shared roof terrace, which afford views of the Eiffel Tower, the Georges Pompidou Centre and Montparnasse Tower.

In this latest episode of “Guess the Apartment Price” we ask our readers to look at the information about this one-bedroom apartment and make their best guess about how much this apartment costs on a monthly basis. The person who guesses the correct price will be offered 10% off the agency fee of a Vacation Rental (30 day or less rental).

The features of this Montmartre one-bedroom:

This accommodation is located on the ground floor of an elevator-equipped building which features a shared roof terrace and a courtyard space. The terrace is accessible via the elevator and one flight of stairs and offers 360-degree views of the city. 

The apartment has about 450 square feet of living space, which includes an open living room and kitchen area, a spacious bedroom with a king-sized bed and a bathroom that includes a washing machine. The apartment also has many windows, providing good light and air circulation.  

This area is very residential and includes several other New York Habitat apartments in various price ranges. Here are three examples to help in determining the market price for this unit:

• PA-3351: A 1-Bedroom Rental  for 1,850 Euros per month
• PA- 799: A 1-Bedroom Rental for 1,350 Euros per month
• PA-915: A 1-Bedroom Rental for 1,200 Euros per month

Take a look at our Paris Furnished Rentals for other apartments in the area before making your guess about the price of this apartment.

For more info about the Montmartre area, check out:

• Hidden Gem: Studio Apartment in Montmartre, Paris

Well, it’s time to get to your research on this apartment, as you only have until 2:30 tomorrow afternoon to draw your conclusions about it. We will post the results and the winner of this contest at that time.

Check back soon for more “Guess the Apartment Price” contests and you too can be part of New York Habitat’s price guessing game.

Rules:
10% discount on agency fees is only good for vacation rentals (30 days or less rental).
Only one guess allowed per e-mail address.
Discount is good for 30 days after you are notified that you are the winner.
The winner must provide a valid e-mail address.
In the event of a tie, the first person to guess the price closest to the correct price will be declared the winner.

————————————————-

This contest is now closed.

You can view the result and the winner here: Guess the Price Results: One-bedroom in Montmartre, Paris

Unfortunately this apartment is no longer available. If you are interested in a vacation rental in Montmartre, Paris check out these vacation rentals:

A 1 bedroom vacation rental in Montmartre (PA_3463)

A 1 bedroom vacation rental apartment in Montmartre - Sacre Coeur (PA-1263)

What is a gift from France, appreciated by millions, and requires thousands of hours to put together?

The answer is not the Statue of Liberty, but good guess. The correct answer is the Fête de la Musique. While New York has consistently been at the center of the music scene, the city has never been witness to this celebration. For the first time, however, on June 21st, New York will take part in the Fête de la Musique.

If you plan to be in New York on this date, instead of renting a hotel room, why not stay in a New York bed & breakfast or a New York vacation rental? Join New York Habitat and the city of New York as we celebrate the first coming of this world-renowned festival.

The organizers of the New York celebration have chosen to name the festival Make Music New York, in response to the French play on words: fête, which means “festival”, and faites (same pronunciation), which means “make.”

As New York Habitat operates offers apartments in New York, apartments in Paris, as well as villas and apartments in the South of France, this festival is of great interest to us. The Fête de la Musique originated in France in 1982. Jack Lang, the Minister of Culture, worked to create a day in which anyone could perform on the streets of France and any person was free to crowd the squares and plazas to enjoy the music making.

The Fête de la Musique was first held on the day of summer solstice in 1982 and has continued to be held on that day in France and all over the world. The festival is meant to promote diversity in music and also aids to provide a stage for non-professional musicians.

The day’s performances will cover classical, electronic, hip-hop, jazz, world music, funk, young musicians, Latin, and more!

Today the festival takes place in over 300 cities in 108 countries including: Egypt, Cuba, Australia, Japan, Poland, and Greece. For a detailed list of the many countries involved, as well as further information on Make Music New York, visit http://www.makemusicny.org/.

Make Music New York will take place in various locations all over the five boroughs. Use this festival as an opportunity to explore a neighborhood or borough that you have never visited, while also enjoying local musicians. Don’t wait! Find a great apartment, discover New York, and perhaps, while you’re at it, make some music.

Feel free to suggest great neighborhoods or to comment on Fête de la Musique and/or Make Music New York below.

As described in A Writer’s Retreat in the South of France, the South of France can be a very relaxing and comfortable environment for a vacation. Renting a quiet villa can be more rewarding than occupying a small and impersonal hotel room. New York Habitat has a stunning and scenic accommodation in a Five-Bedroom Villa in Provence, Luberon (PR-766).

Today, New York Habitat highlights this great find and the charming region of Gordes.

Beautiful, Five-Bedroom Stone Villa:

This enchanting villa is fully furnished, pleasantly private, can accommodate up to 12 people, and is located in one of the most enchanting villages of southern France.

The spacious villa was originally an old stone farm house. However, the reconstruction of the property has transformed it into a lovely five bedroom, four and a half bathroom property in the heart of Luberon. The home manages to balance its modern style of décor with the traditional style of Gordes architecture.

Outside of the living room windows is a shaded terrace with comfortable sofas and pillows. A very private setting heightens the sense of comfort around the pool area and garden.

The surrounding vineyards, farmland, lavender field, oak and olive trees work to enclose the home, pool/terrace, and pool showers. Even more, this sprawling home is being offered at a competitive price compared to the quality of the space.

Gordes in Provence, South of France:

Due to consistent efforts to maintain charm and tradition, Gordes has become a fashionable place to travel in the South of France. The villas are made of limestone, the roofs of terracotta tiles, no fences are allowed, and the beige stone of the castle burns orange in the sun.

The narrow stone streets wind their way in between the tall houses and speciality shops, while the majestic image of the 12th century castle proudly overlooks the enchanting city. Town ordinance has helped to preserve its image. Builders are only allowed to use limestone and terracotta during construction. It has also been ordained that all electricity and telephone cables be routed underground, rather than over the city.

Gordes and the general area of Luberon, since the 1980s, have become a well-known real estate market. This locale, referred to among journalists and real estate moguls as the “Luberon Gold Triangle,” was catapulted into the center of Parisian real estate by famous developer, Christian-Jacques Rosier. Since then, the Beaux Villages de France association has named Gordes as one of the most beautiful villages in all of France.

Every Tuesday morning, Gordes comes alive for market day. Merchants set up to sell everything under the sun: instruments, food, clothing, and more. While there are no supermarkets in this charming town, Gordes is full of mini-markets and stores that specialize in all the items you may need.

You can also travel down into the green valley among the world-reknowned lavender fields to find the Abbey of Sénanque, a Cistercian abbey that is still in use by Monks and open for visitors. Other areas of France can be reached using the Cavaillion-Gordes bus line that provides thirty minute trips, three times a day.

What makes this five-bedroom villa a Hidden Gem?

The enchanting villa discussed above is special because of the seclusion of the outdoor area, the modern use of the space,  its capacity for large occupancy, and the charm of the surrounding location.

François Roux, the Vice President of New York Habitat, calls Gordes “truly unique.” This is no understatement. With its stone streets, majestic castle, and lavender fields, Gordes will continue to be a dream getaway destination.  New York Habitat and our Hidden Gem will provide the privacy and the comfort to make that dream a reality.

For information on upcoming events in Gordes, check out Gordes-Village.com. If you have any questions or would like to give your own suggestions of activities to do while in Gordes, feel free to comment below.

All information received from: Gordes-Village.com, ProvenceWeb, Provence Beyond, and Wikipedia.com.
Final image courtesy of: www.web-provence.com/infos/gordes.htm