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South of France Travel Tips

Picture of a harbor and beach in Villefranche-sur-Mer in the South of France The Villefranche-sur-Mer beaches near Nice in the South of France

With the summer just around the corner, we thought it was about time to start writing about beaches! And it just so happens that the Mediterranean coast contains some of the most beautiful beaches in the world. Since we offer apartments for rent all around the South of France, we’ve  come to know the area well. That’s why we chose to create a list of our 10 favorite beaches in the South of France, categorized by different areas: the French Riviera, Provence, the Montpellier region and even the Southern Alps.

Of course there are so many great beaches in these regions that it’s impossible to list all of them here, but we still hope this list can be of some use if you choose to visit the beautiful South of France! Read the entire story here…»

 

Please note that this article is giving an overview of the visas and other travel information to enter the United States of America and Europe, as of February 2013. New York Habitat advises you to contact your consulate or any other official government office before you travel outside of your country of citizenship in order to get the latest updated information.

Image of a passport you need to bring when travelling Remember to pack your passport when travelling to another country

When you’re planning a trip to another county, the first thing you should look into is the entry requirements of that particular country. Often when you’re travelling to a country near you, the entry requirements are fairly easy to comply with. For example, if you’re a EU citizen travelling to another country in Europe, you often don’t even need to bring along a passport, as a valid ID will do. However, when you want to visit a country on another continent, the rules may not be so simple.

Because we offer apartments in New York City, London and France here at New York Habitat, we often receive questions about entry requirements and visas for the United States and Europe. That’s why we decided to post this article about the documents you need to travel to New York City, London or France. We hope to clear things up for you so when you go on a holiday to another country in the future you’ll know exactly what papers to bring! Read the entire story here…»

 

Picture of winter in Provence Provence in Wintertime

The South of France is often associated with summer holidays. While a beach holiday in Southern France can of course be fantastic, areas such as Provence tend to be very crowded in the summer months.

In wintertime, Provence is visited by way less tourists and has an entirely different kind of charm. The climate in Provence stays mild in the winter, so you can still explore the South of France at your leisure. It also doesn’t hurt that the prices usually go down considerably offseason. In this article, we’ll give you an impression of a winter holiday in Provence, and provide you with some insider tips on the best time to go shopping, where to stay in the wintertime, what to eat in Provence, and more! Read the entire story here…»

 

On the one hand, Toulon will never be able to claim being one of the sexy cities in the South of France, but on the other hand, it would be totally unfair to write it off as just one humongous military harbor and major manufacturing center of various goods such as aeronautical, armament and electronic equipment as well as tobacco, shoes and paper.

Toulon, Panaroma Toulon, Panaroma

The adventurous visitors who dare to make it there typically end up being quickly won over by the charming Old Town, in which attractive fountains stand proudly in numerous small squares. After decaying for decades, this historic part of the city has rightfully been revived, and its new prettiness combined with its centuries-old daily Provençal market have become one of the main attractions of Toulon. Read the entire story here…»

 

Photo of Saint Tropez Harbor Photo of Saint Tropez Harbor

The name of Saint-Tropez never fails to conjure up images of the international jet-set soaking up the sun on luxurious yachts all day and shamelessly carousing in exclusive clubs all night. They notoriously take over the lovely little seaport on the French Riviera every summer and the rest of us cannot help but feel left out of the party.

But as fall approaches, relative peace and quiet return, and there’s nothing like reveling in the last days of golden sunshine in the town Brigitte Bardot famously put on the map back in the 1960s. You may not have a chance to bump into Beyoncé, Jay-Z or Bono anymore, but you will be able to discover why Saint-Trop, as it is familiarly called, is more than ever worth a stay.

Besides being a summer playground for the rich and famous, Saint-Tropez has for many decades been the home of a thriving artists’ community and played an instrumental role in the careers of illustrious visual creators such as Henry Matisse and Pablo Picasso, Bernard Buffet and David  Hockney. Read the entire story here…»

 

South of France Vacation Rental 4 Bedroom in Gigaro South of France Vacation Rental 4 Bedroom in Gigaro (PR 398)

The pristine beaches of St. Tropez, Nice and Cannes are rightly famous – but they can also be a bit intimidating to those of us who are not regularly featured in People magazine. However, the French Riviera has much more to offer than these playgrounds for the rich. Indeed, the French Riviera is bursting with attractions and events – and with miles of coastline and a little help from New York Habitat, you’re sure to find your own private oasis.

For example, try a studio vacation rental in Beaulieu sur Mer (PR-943) , a town about halfway between Nice and Monaco that measures less than 300 acres in total. Dating back to the Greek and then Roman era, it has gone through many resettlements dating back to the 3rd century AD. It features an early 20th century villa open to the public for tours, and a stunning port with a wide variety of marina services for boats of all sizes.

This 4-bedroom vacation rental in Gigaro – la Croix Valmer (PR-398) has a view of the sea and bougainvillea in full bloom for most of the year. Its white sand beaches are never overcrowded, and from the village experienced hikers can explore the miles of trails that go from the beach back to the rocky Col de Collebasse pass, almost 200 meters high. Read the entire story here…»

 

lonely tree alpes provenceIt is the dream of so many who take the pen to the page to go on a peaceful, scenic writer’s retreat. The South of France is a perfect place to indulge that fantasy.

With the combination of beautiful topography, exquisitely prepared food and an array of haven-like accommodations, it makes for an inspiring scenario to work on a book or thesis. And, as it attracts artists of all stripes — painters, photographers, etc. — you’re likely to meet like-minded others
along the way.

If it’s isolation you desire, think about Upper Provence as a destination. Or perhaps some parts of the Luberon. If you require more of a buzz, something livelier, consider travelling to Aix en Provence, Avignon or the French Riviera.

New York Habitat can help make your stay exactly what you want it to be, the productive but sweet getaway you’ve been envisioning for so long. Our villas and apartments in the South of France from spacious to cozy, from long-term to
short-term, and have all kinds of conveniences to meet your needs.

Imagine letting your words flow in an environment that brings you joy and tranquility. Imagine making your writing dream a reality. Imagine.

Photograph provided by francois-roux-photography.com