The Emotional Escapes website new features

Find all our destinations through one site.

The major advantage of the new emotional Escapes site is that you can now access our all portfolios by hovering your mouse on the “destinations” bar at the top of any page. A menu opens offering all the available destinations.

New search options

You can use the search button to open a scroll down bar offering you to not only select your requested date and capacity but also some essential features of the property. this feature changes depending on the destination you are searching through.

Direct access to regional information

Over the years  we have come to realize that the location of a property is just as important as its commodities in the choice of a luxury holiday rental. Therefore we  have put a lot of effort in being as informative as possible in our property descriptions, you can now have direct access to information about the area in which the property is situated.

Property Reviews

When choosing a holiday rental it is often helpful to have insight into past experiences which is one we have added a review feature which presents reviews from past guests to the properties we promote.

Cet article What’s new on the Emotional Escapes site. est apparu en premier sur Provence Emotional Escapes Blog.

New luxury rentals to

Emotional Escapes

March 2014

Emotional Escapes is proud to present the latest additions to two popular destinations in England. Offering a wide selection of property in England’s landmarks whether you are looking for the typically English experience of Cotswold’s rolling hills and stone built cottages or the more trendy city of London in a luxury apartment within easy reach of world famous attraction.

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New Properties in London.

Knightsbridge Fairview Apartment, a vacation rental in

the heart of London.

[portfolio column=”1″ max=”1″ cat=”exclusive-holiday-rental” current=”exclusive-holiday-rental” ids=”2026″ title=”false” more=”false” moreButton=”false”]This unique 180 sqft vacation rental in Knightsbridge, Central London, can comfortably host up to four guests. The interior is tastefully decorated with a blend of modern and classic styles set in spacious and light-filled rooms. Overlooking the famous Harvey Nichols store this short term rental apartment is truly an exceptional accommodation.

Thames View Penthouse, an ideal family rental near Central London.

[portfolio column=”1″ cat=”exclusive-holiday-rental” current=”exclusive-holiday-rental” ids=”2042″ title=”false” more=”false” moreButton=”false”]This two-floor vacation penthouse is ideal for families that need lots of space and want to stay in this beautiful area of London that is Greenwich. Capable for accommodating up to 6 guests the penthouse not only has fantastic views over the Thames but also a spacious terrace and a recreation room which the whole family can enjoy.
Greenwich is an area teeming with activity including The Cutty Sark, National Maritime Museum, the Royal Observatory and Sir Christopher Wren’s Old Royal Naval College. You will also find here a number of high quality restaurants, cafes and bars.

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New Properties in Cotswolds.

The Lavenders, a vacation apartment in the heart of Herefordshire.

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This holiday apartment is situated  in the grounds of a typical English country home. This exclusive open plan  apartment not only benefits from an idyllic location but also provides exclusives amenities for a couple  looking for a romantic hideaway in Cotswolds. The private indoor pool has large glass doors leading to the patio, the pool house is also host to a private sauna.

Evesham Ridge, a typically English set of farmhouses near Gloucester.

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Set in  the beautiful English countryside this set of historic farmhouse buildings can host up to 30 guests comfortably. Evesham Ridge is set in 90acres of private grounds including a private lake and  structured gardens, it can host weddings with large flat surfaces to set up marquees, conference room and a private indoor bar.

Cet article New luxury rentals to Emotional Escapes – March 2014 est apparu en premier sur Provence Emotional Escapes Blog.

Just Dordogne

Steve and Natalie – our first year with Emotional Escapes

Natalie and I joined Emotional Escapes just over a year ago.  Like many couples we work hard and look forward to our leisure time which, for us, means regular trips to the Dordogne in France.  In fact we love it so much that last year we were lucky enough to purchase a traditional French farmhouse in the region.  Now we have homes in the UK and France!

Dream jobs rarely present themselves but, when they do, you have to seize the opportunity.  Emotional Escapes business founder, Tim, was clearly taken with our enthusiasm for France and the Dordogne and was keen for us to become involved with the business.

Whilst we both still need to work full time at present we see a bright future with Emotional Escapes over the long term, representing and running the Dordogne region for the business.  It’s hard work balancing the jobs at the moment but it’s proving so rewarding.  Already we have met charming people who own stunning properties.  Sometimes we have to pinch ourselves that this really is a job, as we drive around the sunny Dordogne countryside on our way to the next breathtaking property, to be given a personal guided-tour.  And sometimes lunch and glass of wine!

What really impressed us though is the core values that are central to the success of Emotional Escapes.  There is no compromise on quality, insistence on personally viewing of all the properties and commitment to top-rate customer service.  It’s a refreshing antidote to the large, impersonal travel agencies or the lumbering, bargain-basement ‘owner direct’ websites.  It’s the personal touch.  We want to work for an organisation that believes in these things.

The goal now is to significantly grow our portfolio of properties over the next 12 months and start to introduce those who want to experience the charm and delight of the Dordogne to some truly fabulous holiday properties.

And if it proves to be half as successful as Just Provence, you never know, the day jobs may become a thing of the past.

We still can’t quite believe it!

Stephen & Natalie

Cet article Just Dordogne est apparu en premier sur Provence Emotional Escapes Blog.

Perfect Golf courses for your holidays in Provence Part 3: Bouches du Rhône

The department of the Bouches du Rhône in Provence englobes some of the most important cities of Provence, the  most prominent being  its capital Marseille but also Saint-Rémy-de-Provence, Arles,  Salon-de-Provence, Tarascon or Aix-en-Provence. Making it the most populous area in Provence. It is named after the mouth of the river Rhône who reaches the sea in the Camargue Delta after having gone through Lyon, Avignon and Arles. The Alpilles range borders the department making it a highly sought after  region and therefore host to  a some very interesting golf courses and exclusive vacation rentals.

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Pont Royal Golf and Country Club officially opened in 2002 although the project was completed in 1992. Designed by Seve Ballesteros, the 18 holes, par 72, 6303 m Golf course sits in a 445 acres domain and offers a challenge for players of all levels. The domain also has the Golf de la Durance,  a 6 holes, par 19, 910 m course part of the David Leadbetter academy.
“Golfers enjoy a delightful voyage between sweet-smelling pine trees, gentle hills and the sparkling water that swathes certain greens.”
The domain offers all amenities: shops, restaurants including the renowned “Moulin de Vernegues” closely linked to the creation of the domain, a swimming pool, riding lessons and tennis courts are also available.

Domaine Pont Royal is situated near the perched village of Mallemort and is only a 30 minute drive from the Avignon TGV station, placing it in an ideal location in Provence. Just Provence guests  get a discount of 30% on all green fees on the Pont Royal Golf Course.

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Golf de Servanes: opened in 1989, this 18 holes, par 72, 6161 m  Golf course is ideally situated near Les Baux de Provence in the Alpilles. The golf House is an 18th century oil mill which is host to a restaurant and conference centre. This great location in an original setting places the golfer into a truly authentic Provençal experience.
“You will enjoy taking a rest in the shade of an olive tree next to the cool, tumbling waters of the lakes between two holes.”

Golf Ouest Provence Miramas: this 18 holes, par 71, 5619 m Golf Course prides itself in a family atmosphere from the welcoming staff to the services offered and the prices they practice. The Golf House has a  restaurant and the course itself is very close to Miramas, making it easy for the non-golfing family members to visit the town while you enjoy the round.

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Should you plan on visiting any of these golf courses, you could stay in some of the most popular and exclusive destinations in Provence. Saint-Rémy de Provence, a city  boasting roman sites and a rich artistic heritage that includes Van Gogh and Provençal poet Frédéric Mistral, being the main location. The smaller and highly sought after villages of Eygalières and Lourmarin are also within half an hour’s drive from any of these courses. They offer all the amenities you would want in a typical Provençal village but also high quality vacation rentals in which to stay and experience the  local lifestyle.

You can find more information about these Golf courses on their respective websites :
www.opengolfclub.com/servanes
www.golfpontroyal.com
golfouestprovencemiramas.com

You can read part 1 of this series by clicking here.

Have you ever visited any of these courses? Would you like to comment on them or the locations mentioned in this article? We’d love to hear about your experiences. Please leave a comment or contact me at [email protected]

Dylan

Cet article Perfect Golf courses for your holidays in Provence part 3/3 est apparu en premier sur Provence Emotional Escapes Blog.

5 Good reasons to visit Provence during the Christmas period.

In a previous blog post I introduced the virtues of holidaying in Provence off-season, taking the example of the Jazz scene to show how active the region is all year round. Today we will take a look at the Christmas period in Provence. It is a little known fact to most visitors of sunny Provence that this region has a rich Christmas tradition which makes for a great cultural and culinary experience in the South of France. But Christmas is a special period for everyone so why should you leave your home to spend it abroad?

1 It lasts 2 months.

Christmas in Provence is scheduled around a traditional calendar called “la Calendale” which starts with  “La Sainte Barbe” on December 4th and ends with “La Chandeleur” on February 2nd. Sainte Barbe is also known as Saint Barbara and on her day (every day in the french calendar has a patron saint) people  seed wheat in a saucer with cotton and watch it grow for good fortune. It is also the time  when Christmas decorations start to appear, the Christmas tree, but also Provençal specific traditions and events such as winter wine events.

2 Christmas markets

Christmas markets start to appear in major towns of Provence around the time of Sainte Barbe, each stall selling wheat for charities and growing their own miniature crop. The markets in Aix-en-Provence and Avignon (23rd November until 1st January 2013) are particularly well noted with a wide range of products. From delicacies such as Foie Gras, Ginger-bread, calissons, truffles (both of the mushroom and chocolate type) mulled wine or Christmas decorations like santons, Christmas baubles, etc.

Christmas markets in Provence differ from their more famous Alsatian counterparts  in that they’re usually sunny sober occasions where white and gold replace the traditional germanic/ Anglo-Saxon red and green of decorations. If you are in Provence at the end of the year you will find the permanent Christmas markets to be a great place to try out local produce and discover traditional  arts and crafts that you would not have come across during the summer time.

3 13 desserts and counting

One of the best known traditions of Christmas in Provence is the 13 desserts. As with  all things in Provence’s tradition it is full of religious symbols. On Christmas eve after going to the Midnight Mass and seeing the living Nativity (reenacted by the local parish’s children) families go home to have supper  on a table set up with three tableclothes representing the Trinity and  the three saucers  with the wheat they have sown 20 days before. The supper itself is supposedly lean, which in truth means it is composed of fish and seafood. The main attraction is of course the Thirteen Desserts.

The tradition although recorded as existing in the Middle Ages was only defined in the early 20th century. The Thirteen Desserts is not only a Christmas tradition but a symbol of Provençal culture and was one of the main concerns of the Félibres (a 19th century cultural movement to preserve Provence’s  heritage). You can find the Thirteen Desserts on all Provençal markets and bakeries, the locals will be more than happy to share their knowledge of a heritage they are very proud of. Each dessert has a meaning, for example dates represent Jesus’ oriental origins, you may find the full list here.

4 The Nativity and santons

The traditional Crib (Crèche in French) is not only a religious affair it is also something every community takes great pride in presenting each year. You will find one in every family home. Town halls have their own cribs, usually of quite impressive sizes. Every church has its crib, some boastings santons hundreds of years old. The Cribs in Saint Siffrein (Carpentras), Notre Dame des Doms (Avignon) and   the Avignon town hall are very popular. The tradition of painting terra-cotta figurines and sometimes dressing them in miniature attires is a Provençal tradition that has spread recently to the whole of France. Some villages are famous for their artisans such as Séguret and Aubagne. The tradition goes back to the Revolution of 1789 when churches were closed and santons were a means to have your own miniature Saints and Holy Family at home.

Nowadays the Crèche not only includes the Holy Family, shepherds, angels and wise-men but also all the characters of the traditional Provençal village. Cribs evolve along the Calendale with baby Jesus, the shepherds and the wise-men being added until it is put away until next  Christmas on the “Chandeleur” in Feburary.

5 It is a trip in Provence’s traditions.

As shown in the above list, coming to Provence in winter time means discovering a part of Provence that is overlooked in peak season. Christmas in Provence is a wonderful time to discover the South of France, its traditions, history and delicacies. If you are looking for a different Christmas with quality food, drink and centuries of traditions upheld proudly by the locals, Provence is the destination for you this Christmas.

Have you already enjoyed winter in Provence?
If you have any questions regarding this article , we would love to hear from you.

Dylan

You can contact us  via [email protected] or leave a comment.
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Cet article 5 Good reasons to visit Provence during the Christmas period. est apparu en premier sur Provence Emotional Escapes Blog.

Pet Friendly luxury holiday rentals in Provence

As part of our recent partnership with Paws Abroad, Emotional Escapes has established a list of pet friendly vacation rentals.
Specific conditions regarding the pets in the property are detailed in the vacation rental’s description page. The description and location pages can be accessed by clicking on their names in the list below. This non-exhaustive list is classified by ascending order of capacity.

Two-bedroom properties

•  Nid Caché  in Lourmarin.

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Three-bedroom properties

• L’Oliveraie and Vallée du Barroux, both sleep 6 and are situated in Le Barroux.
• The Grange in Lourmarin.

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Four-bedroom properties

• La Bastide sleeps 8 is near Saignon.
• Villa Hélène near Pertuis.
• La Valentine near Lourmarin.

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Five-bedroom properties

• Les Cigales sleeps  9 situated in  Eygalières.
• Les Oliviers sleeps 9, near Bédoin at the foot of Mont Ventoux.

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• Mas des Alpilles, Lavendin and Mas Saint Sixte near the sought after village of Eygalières.
• The Quarry House sleeps 10 close to Beaumes-de-Venise.
• La Gallardo  and Mas des Sources can sleep up to 10  in Saint-Rémy-de-Provence.
• Mas de Mournier sleeps up to 10 near the village of Robion.
• Panoramique  can welcome a party of 12  near Mormoiron.

• L’Amarine sleeps 12 near the large town Saint-Rémy-de-Provence.
• Santiago sleeps 12 in Eygalières.
• Fleurs des Champs can welcome 19 people near the wine rich village of  Valréas
• Villa Maria  sleeps10 near the small village of Saint Pantaléon

• Villa Brégoux in Caromb.
• Mas du Destet near Les-Baux-de-Provence.

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Six-bedroom properties

• Panoramique sleeps 12 near Mormoiron.
• Santiago near Eygalières.
• Clos Paradou near Maussane-les-Alpilles.

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Seven-bedroom properties

• Villa Azur sleeps 14 and is situated near Lourmarin.
• La Ménade, Mas Artémis and Château d’Orgon close to Eygalières.
• Mas de l’Arc near Aix-en-Provence.
• Mas des Couleurs near Laudun-L’Ardoise

Chateau d’Orgon close to Eygalières.

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Eight- to ten-bedroom properties

• Mas Montagnette and Domaine de Roussan near Saint-Rémy-de-Provence.
• Aqua Vita in Venasque.
• Domaine de Grignan near Grignan.
• Fleurs des Champs, sleeps 19 near Valréas
• Bastide de l’Arc near Aix-en-Provence.

Domaine de Roussan

Cet article Pet Friendly luxury holiday rentals in Provence est apparu en premier sur Provence Emotional Escapes Blog.