New York Habitat Blog

Shopping may be the last thing on your mind after the hectic holiday season, but for bargain-hunters and fashionistas the second week in January is exactly the time to hit the stores. Starting January 9th, the entire city of Paris is transformed into a discount shoppers’ paradise with the advent of soldes (or “sales”).

Twice a year–once in winter (soldes d’hiver) and once in summer (soldes d’ete)–the French government regulates nationwide sales. Over 1,000 retailers participate in the five-week sales event, offering discounts of up to 70%. And visitors from outside of the EU can get a refund on the Value Added Tax (VAT) which adds up to extra savings.

For the second year in a row, the Paris Chamber of Commerce and Industry, along with the Paris City Council and the Paris Convention and Visitors Bureau, have joined forces to promote “Paris by Soldes” – an event that strives to attract tourists to Paris for the bargains. Along with useful shopping tips, the official website  of Paris by Soldes features five themed shopping itineraries: Classic, Trendy, Bobo-Chic, Creative and La Fushionfashionworld. Pick the one that suits your style and plan your shopping strategy!

The best way to nab those marked-down designer duds is to stay close to the action. New York Habitat has rental accommodations available in the heart of the shopping districts. Check out:

A spacious 1 Bedroom Rental (PA-3601) located near the famous Champs-Elysees. With an elevator in the building, there’s no need to fret about getting all of those shopping bags up the stairs. And there’s an elegant bathtub to soak in after a long day of bargain hunting.

An inviting Studio Rental in Marais - Les Halles (PA-3350), just steps away from the big brand name stores along Rue Rivoli and in Le Forum des Halles shopping center.  The apartment is located on the first floor of a well-maintained walk-up building and has warm yellow-hued walls and a window that opens onto a peaceful courtyard.

An exquisite 3 Bedroom Rental in Champs Elysees (PA-791) located near the shopping avenues of Victor Hugo and the Champs-Elysees. This sprawling apartment is located on the first floor of a Haussmanian building and is elegantly furnished.

Once the frenzied holiday season has come to a close and you’ve rung in the New Year, it’s time to treat yourself to some shopping indulgences. And there’s no reason to feel guilty when you’re getting such great deals.

What’s your favorite store in Paris? Share your shopping tips and soldes experiences with us!

New Year’s Eve is one of the best and busiest holidays in London. Clubs host events all over town (such as the Ibiza Underground and the Bond Ball), friends and family gather in pubs and restaurants in every corner of the city and, of course, there is the exceptional year-end fireworks display held at the London Eye that can be seen across the capital—and is televised throughout the world. With a well-located New York Habitat rental accommodation, you can be in the thick of it all and celebrate the New Year in a way you’ll never forget.

Last year’s London Eye fireworks display was attended by almost one-tenth of all Londoners—so to make like a local, head to the Thames riverbank or to one of many convenient viewing areas set up around town. Because the display can be seen from quite a distance away, spectators can watch the event from any higher ground—like Hampstead Heath, the Strand or the window or balcony of your very own New York Habitat apartment.

Although London is preparing for crowds of about 700,000 visitors, getting around the city is easy thanks to all-night Tube and DLR train service (much of which is free throughout the course of the evening!). Fortunately, London is also a remarkably walk-able city, so you can leave your comfortable New York Habitat rental, hit a few pubs or stop for some hot chocolate and still arrive at your destination with plenty of time left before midnight.

Besides being an enormous draw in itself, New Year’s Eve in London is also a prelude to the New Year’s Day parade, which features thousands of local and international acts performing en route to many of the city’s famous landmarks. The parade is not only fun—it is one of the biggest charity fundraising events in the nation! The beginning of January also kicks off the city’s long-awaited winter sales, so you’ll definitely want to leave your New York Habitat apartment at least for a little while to hit some department stores.

For perfect places to stay in the center of London and celebrate the holiday, consider

• A 1-bedroom vacation rental in Bayswater, Westminster (LN-672), close to all the festivities in Hyde Park. This enormous, spacious apartment comes complete with a library area, a living room with a cozy gas log fireplace, a wall-mounted plasma TV on which to watch New Year’s celebrations from around the globe and a twice weekly cleaning staff.

• A stylish and impeccable 1-bedroom rental accommodation in Bloomsbury, Westminster (LN-663) on the first floor of a period mansion block. This first-floor apartment is near the British Museum and all of the bars, pubs and restaurants in central King’s Cross that are sure to be teeming with celebrations come New Year’s Eve.

• A richly decorated 1-bedroom vacation accommodation in Marble Arch, Westminster (LN-392). This ground-floor apartment is located right off of Hyde Park and is within easy walking distance of Oxford Street, all of the major department stores and the South Bank fireworks display.

Come to London for a world-class New Year’s Eve celebration—and stay in a New York Habitat accommodation to really start the year off right!

Leave us a comment about your favorite place in London to spend New Year’s Eve—and have a happy 2009!

Paris is a city where history is ubiquitous. Visitors to the city marvel at the opulence of the French monarchy embodied in the Chateau de Versailles, bibliophiles can’t help but imagine the lives of the Lost Generation in the City of Light, illuminated by a wealth of classic literature and Parisians themselves appreciate the paintings, architecture and cobblestone work of Frenchman past. France’s history is surely a proud one, marked by an undeniably French call to civic action. Like any country however, French history does have a dark side, one that needs to be remembered and reflected upon as much as any other period in Gallic history. Paris’ memorial de la Shoah is holding an exhibition until March 22 focusing on La Nuit de Cristal, one of the darkest nights in the history of the Europe’s Jewish population. New York Habitat has dozens of apartments available in the city this winter, all with their own unique history and historic arrondissement.

Paris accommodation: 2-bedroom accommodation in Marais Les Halles (PA-2389)

The La Nuit de Cristal exhibition focuses on the night of the November 9th, 1938 where thousands of Jewish Germans were terrorized, many of them being murdered or sent to concentration camps. Countless Jewish storefronts, homes and synagogues were destroyed or vandalized by the Nazi government. Though the terror campaign occurred in Germany, the historical significance it had on France and the rest of Europe is clear in a modern historical context. The events of the Crystal Night were essentially a prelude to what occurred in many French cities, including Paris throughout the Second World War. For any history buff looking for some insight into WWII while jaunting around the French capital this might be a nice start. From here, buffs can walk the streets of Paris daydreaming of the war that once gripped the city and the brave resistance then eventually led to its liberation.

Winter is a nice time to spend exploring the history of Paris. It doesn’t get too cold, so going on wandering walks down the city’s boulevards and side streets is always a nice treat. Here are a few notable New York Habitat apartments close to the history and beauty of the French capital:

Paris 3-bedroom: accommodation in Champs Elysees (PA-791)

-This stately 3-bedroom apartment rental in Champs Elysees (PA-791) is located near the most famous and historic of all Parisian avenues.

-This 2-bedroom accommodation rental in Marais-Les Halles (PA-2389) mixes a modern flair with the history of its Parisian landscape.

What slice of history are you looking forward to exploring on your next trip to Paris?

When you think of the South of France, you probably think of glitzy beach towns along the Mediterranean like Cannes or Nice, or charming provincial towns like Avignon or Aix-en-Provence.  But did you know that between the coast and country lies a large nature preserve that is unlike anything you’d ever expect in the South of France?  The Camargue is definitely worth exploring and with a vacation apartment rental from New York Habitat, it couldn’t be easier to see all that the Camargue has to offer.

Camargue: Blue Coast, France

Located along the southern coast just west of Marseilles, the area known as the Camargue is formed by the Rhone River delta and covers over 350 square miles, making it the largest delta in Western Europe. Made up of pastures, wetlands, marshes, lagoons, sandbars and salt flats, and home to over 400 species of plants and animals, most of the Camargue is a national park and wildlife refuge.  Traveling through the area you are sure to see large flamingos and the small wild horses native to the region which are kept by the gardians.  You’ll also see huge mountains of salt, the area’s main source of income.  Throughout the dry season, sea water will evaporate, and the salty remnants will be gathered into mountains, sometimes as high as a house!  There are not many towns and villages in the Camargue, with the exception of Saintes-Maries-de-la-Mer, which is where Mary Magdalene, Mary Salome and Mary Jacobe were said to have landed when they left Egypt. The town is an annual gathering place for gypsies who celebrate Saint Sarah, who may or may not have been the daughter Mary Magdalene.  Walk through the town to learn about these women and decide for yourself!

New York Habitat has some wonderful accommodations for your visit to the Camargue in the town of Carry-le-Rouet, a village on the eastern edge of the area known for its annual sea urchin festival that runs from December to February every year.

This 1 bedroom villa rental in Carry Le Rouet, Camargue - Blue Coast (PR-805) is just a two minute walk to the beach!  But you can also take a dip in your private pool, just off the large terrace which is perfect for dining al fresco.  The house itself is decorated in the charming Provincial fashion but the kitchen and bathroom include all the modern amenities for your comfort.

South of France: accommodation in the Blue Coast, Camargue (PR-374)

If you don’t want to stay too long in the Camargue this 2 bedroom villa bed and breakfast rental in Carry Le Rouet, Camargue - Blue Coast (PR-374) might be for you.  Also in Carry-le-Rouet, this villa is a bit farther from the beach but still within walking distance.  Enjoy the views, and breakfast, from the large terrace!

Both of these rentals are a short drive from the major cities in the area, such as Marseilles or Aix-en-Provence, if you need a break from quiet country living.

If you think you’ve seen and done everything there is to do in the South of France, the Camargue might just hold a few surprises for you.  Though you won’t be surprised by your New York Habitat vacation apartment rental - it will be just as nice and accommodating as expected.

If you’ve been to the Camargue, please share your tips with us in the comments section.

It’s New Year’s Day 2009 in London. Just when you thought you were done ringing in a brand-new year, the city of London has one more gigantic celebration to offer. Boasting a sizable Chinese population, London features extravagant Chinese New Year festivities that are some of the most glamorous events in the world. Renting an apartment in the city will allow you to experience the Chinese New Year festivities like a local.

London, United Kingdom

The city traditionally holds the celebration on the first Sunday after the Chinese New Year, which falls on a different day each year. In 2009, the holiday falls on Monday, 26 January, so the festival will be held on Sunday, 1 February.

Naturally, the Chinese New Year celebrations in London are concentrated around Chinatown and are also near the SoHo area of Westminster. Visitors from all over the world come for the authentic cuisine found among the Chinese restaurants, bakeries and supermarkets. And don’t forget about the tons of souvenir shops. You will find plenty of priceless ethnic trinkets for your family and friends back home.

The festivities begin at 11 a.m. with the Grand Parade from Charing Cross Road to Trafalgar Square. For six fun-filled hours, the main stage in Trafalgar Square features international artists from Shanghai and other Chinese provinces, in addition to talented lion and dragon dancers! In Leicester Square, from 2 to 6 p.m., the London skies light up with fireworks every hour as the celebrations move from Trafalgar Square to Chinatown.

Experience the most magnificent event in London that brings together the best of western and eastern culture. Don’t miss your chance to be close to the action by staying in one of these New York Habitat vacation accommodations:

London Apartment: 2-bedroom rental Covent Garden, Westminster (LN-337)

•    A cozy 1-bedroom rental in Westminster (LN-429) right near the Charing Cross Tube station. It is the perfect little place to drop your bags off and wander off into the Chinese New Year celebrations happening just a few minutes away!

•    A spacious and luxuriously furnished 1-bedroom rental in Kensington, Chelsea (LN-459) located on Ormande Gate. Highlights of this impeccably designed apartment include a marble-tiled entrance and a warming gas log fireplace. This apartment also features breathtaking views of Sloan Square.

•    A comfortable 2-bedroom rental in Covent Garden, Westminster (LN-337) nestled within walking distance of Leicester Square. The apartment is close to the sight of bright fireworks booming at the Chinese New Year celebration, the flat is also just steps away from the busiest, trendiest outdoor market (Covent Garden) in the whole of London.

Where do you like to be for the Chinese New Year festivities in London: Trafalgar Square, Leicester Square or Chinatown? Comment below!

Paris Apartment: 1-bedroom rental in Marais Les Halles (PA-3567)

A glass of Champagne, a block of foie gras accompanied by fresh baked bread and a view towards the glittering Eiffel tower as the calendar passes from one year to the next. Guests in New York Habitat’s Paris accommodations will have all of this at their fingertips this New Year’s Eve. The French capital is a wonderful place to reflect on another year and look forward to the possibilities of the future. What could be a better place to spend the holiday in Paris than in the warmth of your own New York Habitat rental apartment?

While many renters will undoubtedly decide to watch the clock pass 12 with friends and lovers in the comfort of their rental apartment, the city will be buzzing with activities on the big night. The center of all French New Year celebrations is along the Champs-Elysees. Much like the festivities at New York’s Times Square , residents flock to the famous avenue to watch the sparkling of the Eiffel Tower and a shower of dramatic fireworks as France ushers in 2009. The ambiance is raucous along the packed avenue, as Champagne corks fly through the air and lovers embrace in prolonged kisses. In addition to the public festivities in central Paris, hundreds of restaurants will offer special menus for couples and families looking for a calmer end to 2008.

- This elegant 1-bedroom apartment rental in Marais-Les Halles (PA-3567) will have guests ringing in the new year in chic Parisian style. This accommodation pairs contemporary flair with a classic French charm.

Paris Accommodation: 2-bedroom apartment in Halles, Opera - Le Luvre (PA-3799)

-This 2-bedroom apartment rental in Ile de la Cite, Opera-Le Louvre (PA-3865) is bright, carefully decorated and boasts some stunning views of the Seine river.

-This 2-bedroom rental accommodation in Halles, Opera-Le Louvre (PA-3799) sports an open design quite rare in the tight quarters of Parisian apartment buildings.

Where do you plan on popping that bottle of new year’s Champagne? On the streets of Paris or around the table in your rental apartment?

Starting this year, the Bankside Winter Festival will sweep into London’s South Bank with the spirit of the holidays—stretching along the Thames in front of the Tate Modern and the Globe Theatre, which are themselves amazing backdrops in any season. To really get into the festive swing, stay in a nearby New York Habitat vacation rental and be a part of all the spectacle and celebration!

London: Thames River

Included as an integral part of the ten-day entertainment festival is the four-hundred-year-old Frost Fair, which used to be held on the actual Thames itself when the river would freeze over in midwinter. This more updated version is a modern take on those classic winter markets, with about forty stalls selling the perfect presents, from handcrafted goods and jewelry to one-of-a-kind crystals and fossils.
Although the river no longer freezes over, that’s not to say there isn’t a nip in the air. To keep it at bay, a main bar serving mulled wine, ale, hot chocolate and seasonal foods is set up among the stalls for intrepid shoppers.

The Frost Fair opens in dramatic style with a stunning “parade of lanterns” that features schoolchildren carrying such illuminated seasonal images as ice skaters, roasted chestnut vendors and dancing bears past Southwark Cathedral and St. Paul’s (where you can listen to carolling performances in the grandest of settings). The parade ends in front of the Tate Modern, where a huge and ornate Frost Fair scene will be assembled.

You should also see the traditional “procession of boats”—stately cutters flying the Frost Fair flag as they float down the river between Southwark and Blackfriars Bridges, where the sailors, decked out in full livery uniform, disembark and join the festivities.

For even more family fun, there are special seasonal workshops at the Bankside Winter Festival that let the kids get interactive, Husky dog sledding displays and street theatre performances to keep everyone enthralled.

London Accommodation: 2-bedroom rental in Lambeth (LN-525)

Best of all, South Bank is the ideal place to stay in London at any time of year because there is always so much happening. Theatres (the Old and Young Vic, Royal Festival Hall, Shakespeare’s Globe), museums (the Tate Modern, the Hayward Gallery, The Gallery @ OXO), attractions (The Clink, the London Eye), pubs (the sprawling, absolute must-see Anchor), restaurants and shops abound—not to mention the knockout view! To experience it all, stay in a well-located, nicely appointed New York Habitat accommodation, such as:

• A bright and airy 2-bedroom vacation rental in Lambeth (LN-525) near Waterloo station. This ground- and first-floor accommodation is in a period, terraced house with a dual living room, hardwood floors, high ceilings and a sunny breakfast room with exposed brick walls.

• A charming and spacious 2-bedroom accommodation in Southwark (LN-528) near Blackfriars station, next to Blackfriars Bridge. This rental is on the third floor of a modern apartment building and comes with its own balcony overlooking the Thames. The view alone should be enough to keep you warm in winter!

• A 1-bedroom vacation rental in Southwark (LN-467) near Southwark station. This cheery and comfortable accommodation, on the first floor of a modern apartment block, has laundry and a balcony that looks out onto communal gardens.

There’s nothing quite like a traditional holiday festival in London—and to start your own tradition, stay in a New York Habitat vacation rental!

Let us know your favorite spot on the South Bank by leaving a comment below.