Why I Love Provence in the Springtime!
With an average of 300 days of sunshine a year, you are almost guaranteed some sunshine when holidaying in Provence.
Combine that with a visit in the spring time and you’ll also find that a vacation rental out of the peak season is far more reasonable than you might have thought!
In spring, the beaches on the French Riviera are almost empty, the sun is still warm and the welcome is friendly.
Booking yourself a holiday in the south of France in the spring time is just what you need to chase away the cold grey days of winter. You’ll
The pretty hill town of Bormes-Les-Mimosa typifies what is just so perfect about France in the spring. The Mimosa trees are in full bloom with a perfect yellow blossom. The pavement cafes are open and you can take a seat and enjoy a view out across the hills to the Mediterranean sea in the distance. Browsing around the village shops you’ll find jewellery stores, stores selling limoncello (a local drink made from lemons), fresh olives, olive oil flavoured with basilic and cushions filled with fragrant lavender. It’s well worth the winding drive up the hillside to see this pretty village.
At this time of year not only are the road and beaches empty but the restaurant owners are pleased to see you and have plenty of time to serve you and make your time there enjoyable.
Even the renowned St Tropez wakes up quiet and sleepy on a spring morning and you can find a waterfront seat in one of the cafes overlooking the harbour. If you get there early enough you can browse the designer shops in the little backstreets before enjoying your croissant or petit pain with a hot chocolate or coffee in one of the many pavement cafes.
If you have children, they’ll relish the opportunity to dig alone in the clean sand whilst you lie back and enjoy the sight of the sun glittering on the sea.
With little competition you can also enjoy the delicacies created by the local bakeries, in particular the gateau and confectioneries that are often snapped up quickly during the summer months.
With the arrival of Easter, the French are on vacation but there is still plenty of room for everyone. You have time to visit the shores of La Lavandou, the wide beaches at La Cavaliere, the delightful shops at Le Rayol.
With access from Nice Airport direct on to the autoroute (motorway) you can be at your holiday destination within an hour or two of landing on the runway.
Vacation Rentals are often cheaper than their counterparts in the U.K. and combined with the very cheap airfares now available to all European locations, you could treat yourself to a week in the warm French sun for about the same as a week in Padstow in the drizzle.
Out of season, villa rentals are fairly reasonable, but if you are on a budget then renting an apartment can be very well priced. You’ll also find adapted accommodation suitable for the disabled at well below the price of it’s equivalent in the UK.
Of course, you’ll also be the envy of all your friends and work colleagues when you return looking slightly bronzed and very relaxed from your holiday in the Cote d’Azur!
For further information on choosing your holiday home, visit Vacation Rentals in Provence
This article was submitted by Jen Carter, she is owner of the Toujours Provence website.
What to see in Pretoria, Gauteng
Pretoria didnt develop as quickly as Johannesburg did over the years but two of the most impressive buildings are located in this beautiful Jakkarandastad (city, filled with the most beautiful purple flower trees called the Jakkaranda).
The first building is The Union Building that was built on Meintjieskop, Arcadia, named after Stephanus Jacobus Meintjies. Arcadia was farmland, originally belonging to Andries Francois du Toit, who then sold it on. Sir Herbert Baker was the architect of The Union Building and it was built from light sandstone. The building was completed in 1913, 3 years after the colonies united, forming the South African Union.
The building is 275 m long and has a halve-round shape with two wings at the sides, representing the English and Afrikaans (Boer) population of South Africa separately at that time. The gardens of the Union Building consist of roses imported from England, plants from Rotterdam and others from South Africa. Today, tourists from all over the world come to see this building.
Parliament spends the winter months in Pretoria at the Union Building, while they spend their summer months down in Cape Town.
The Voortrekker Monument is the second great building and can be seen from almost any location in Pretoria. It was built in honour of the Voortrekkers who left the Cape Colony and embarked on the Great Trek back in 1836. This monument is the icon for all Afrikaans South Africans. The architect for the monument was Gerard Moerdijk and construction started on the 13th of July 1937. The monument was inaugurated on 16 December 1949 and stands 40 metres high with a base of 40 m by 40 m.
An amphitheatre which seats 20 000 was built to the north west of the monument in 1949. The focus point of the monument is the cenotaph. On top of the Hall of Heroes is a dome from where you can view the inside of the monument. The sun shines through this dome only one day a year at exactly 12 oclock on the 16th of December, onto the middle of the cenotaph and the words Ons vir jou, Suid-Afrika (we for Thee South Africa).
This ray of sunshine symbolises Gods blessing on the lives of the Voortrekkers. The 16th of December is the day of remembrance, a promise that was made to God to always remember this day, treating it as a Sunday, every year, because He was with them when they fought and defeated the Zulus at the Battle of Bloodriver. Lots of lives were lost on that day and at present, we remember those who lost their lives.
People in South Africa have different views and it means something different to everyone in regards to the Monument as well as the Battle of Bloodriver. Doesnt matter what your opinion is these days, these two building are very impressive and has to be visited! Go there, see the buildings, read about the history and learn a little more about how South Africa became the country it is today!
What is the best season to visit Whistler, BC?
Whistler is known as a four-season resort, with activities for all the family available all year-round. If you are planning a trip, when should you come?
First we must divide this question into two parts. If you are coming for the legendary skiing on Whistlers 8000+ acres, you have to choose sometime between November and April. Although there is skiing available later than April it is not for serious skiers, due to the combination of marginal snow conditions and limited mechanized uplift. Within this time, you should definitely avoid November, as although occasionally there is good snow, more often than not it is too thin on the ground. So your choice is between the months from December to April. What are the main characteristics of each month?
December is a game of two halves. The early part will find the slopes deserted, great deals on accommodation and restaurants and a lottery with respect to snow. If you have come in a great early snow year, this will be a fabulous time to visit. If not, bring your rock skis and plan to spend some time in Whistlers great spas. Later in December, and especially over Christmas and New Year, you will pay the steepest prices of the season, have trouble getting a table in any of the good restaurants and stand in some brutal line-ups on the Harmony Chair. However you will experience the rush which goes with peak season in a top resort: the buzzing nightlife, the parades, the fireworks and the thrill of First Night in the Village.
January often has the best snowfalls of the year (Jan 2006 was the snowiest month in Whistler for 25 years). It also offers discounted accommodation (you can safely wait to the last minute to get a great deal on a beautiful chalet or condo), and no lift lines, except on weekend powder days, when the locals will crowd the lifts lines at 8.00 to catch the fresh tracks. But it can be cold, and it gets dark early. January is the best month for hard-core skiers.
February and March are more crowded, but more mellow. Avoid Presidents Week in February and Spring Break in March and you could have the best of all worlds: plenty of time for snowfall accumulation to have built up, plenty of buzz in town but easy access to the best tables.
April is mainly for the British market, who come over in droves during their Easter holidays. The peculiarity of the April snow is that there is more of it at the top of the mountain, but less at the bottom, so dont bother to pay the premium for a ski-in, ski-out condo as it may not be possible. Last minute Whistler accommodation discounts are widely available in April.
In the non-skiing season you can pretty much write off the autumn: too cold to swim in the lakes and too much rain. May and June can be fabulous weather-wise; perfect conditions for white-water rafting in the snow run-off and great golfing weather. But you will probably have to leave it to July and August if you are looking for warm water in Whistlers beautiful lakes.
Warren County New Jersey: the New York Metro area’s Undiscovered
Warren County New Jersey: the New York Metro area’s Undiscovered Historic Treasure
When people head out from New York and surrounding environs in search of weekend retreats, invariably they end up in western Connecticut, the Hudson River Valley, the Catskills and other upstate New York areas, the Jersey Shore, and the Hamptons.
As places where New Yorkers traditionally vacation, purchase second homes, celebrity watch and more, its understandable that these locales are top of the list.
But what about a place as close to Manhattan as any of the aforementioned hotspots that offers almost everything we find endearing about our destinations of choice for second and vacation homes historic villages and towns, amazing countryside, outdoor activities, farmhouses, farm markets, artists, country restaurants but doesnt have the buzz or the name recognition, at least not yet.
There is an area within the New York Metropolitan region that is still overlooked by the masses. Where residents are already starting Friday night dinner in their stone farmhouses while weekenders are stuck in traffic on the way to Litchfield, or Rhinebeck, or East Hampton. Even places farther a field like Bucks and Pike Counties in Pennsylvania and Sullivan County in New York get more press. Well let me introduce you to the formerly depressed backwater turned beautiful and convenient countryside of Warren County, New Jersey.
Interestingly, Warren is surrounded by counties which consistently rank among the wealthiest in America: Hunterdon, Somerset and Morris. These are counties full of investors, a highly educated workforce, an abundance of so called McMansions, and quite a bit of disposable income. And to be sure, some of Warrens eastern border towns have picked up developments and transplants from these ever more unaffordable neighboring areas. But for the most part, its the locals who know about or consider living in or visiting Warren County and even then, the western and northern reaches are still quite rural and untouched. For most of its history, Warren County has either been a mystery to those who have never seen it or a place to avoid to those who had heard of its largest town, Phillipsburg–a poor industrial city that had fallen on hard times.
A Pleasant Surprise
Four years ago, my partner Mark and I stumbled across the village of Finesville in southern Warren County completely by accident. Living in suburban Morristown New Jersey, we were contemplating a second home purchase in the country and saw a house in Bucks County Pennsylvania on a real estate Website that interested us. Always up for a weekend drive, we decided to find it. With map in hand, we took what looked like the most direct route to Upper Bucks County and found ourselves following the Musconetcong River, along Warren Countys southern border, past a collection of about fifty small but magnificent 18th and 19th century stone and clapboard buildings, known as Finesville, just before we crossed into Pennsylvania.
Although Warren County was barely on my radar screen, as a Real Estate Agent specializing in historic homes and neighborhoods — www.gerrykasper.com —, I was flabbergasted that there was a hamlet of this size and quality in Northern New Jersey of which I was unaware. Even more amazing, Mark grew up in eastern Warren County and we had attended an auction only three miles away from Finesville so I had some knowledge of the area.
With its roots in the mid 18th century, Finesville began as a collection of taverns, shops and a mill along the Musconetcong River run by the Fine and Siegel Families of Germany. The village was fairly prosperous for most of its history but declined during the twentieth century. Today, locals have bought and restored many of its buildings and, indicative of its burgeoning upscale nature, two vineyards, a winery, an antique store, and an alpaca farm have set up shop in the hamlet. Some of the restorations have been so impressive that two Finesville homes were recently featured in national home and garden magazines.
At the time we discovered it, a c.1825 stone Georgian colonial was for sale in the village. The exterior was in some disrepair, the stucco was cracking and peeling, and the original front doors were gone. But the setting in this pristine and unusual village was beautiful and the price, at $135,000, was irresistible. Once inside, we realized this was our dream house in the country. The interior was almost completely intact with a walk-in fireplace, cupboard stairs, beamed ceilings, wide plank floors, and original windowsa jewel box of a house that just needed some sprucing up. And so we bought and restored this house and received the Warren County Historic Preservation Award for our efforts. Even better, because of Warren Countys proximity to work, we were able to sell our primary house in Morristown and move to the country permanently.
The Villages and Countryside
Warren County is full of hidden and beautiful villages and towns like Finesville and since arriving, several of them have tempted us to consider moving again.
As testament to Warren Countys less than stellar reputation, the sign welcoming visitors into its county seat describes Victorian Belvidere as New Jerseys best kept secret. Belvidere is a sleepy town located off the beaten path and layed out around a New England-style Village Green. Each September, the town celebrates Victorian Days, highlighting the prevalent 19th century architecture that lines its streets and forms the basis of the towns small commercial district. Most of the grand homes have already been restored and there is a great sense of pride in this small close-knit community. Its location directly on the Delaware and Pequest Rivers also makes it a good base for outdoor activities.
Northern Warren County offers a scene that rivals the most beautiful in New England. Hope is a one-traffic light crossroads town, founded in the 18th century by a group of Moravians who left an impressive collection of stone dwellings now restored and converted to businesses and residences. One of which is a former gristmill turned into an inn and conference center. Stone and clapboard homes surrounded by cows and sheep dot a landscape that is reminiscent of the Litchfield Hills. With little commercial development, the pace in Hope is decidedly slow but that just adds to its appeal.
North of Hope lies the slightly larger village of Blairstown with its recently restored collection of shops and restaurants, currently under consideration for the National Register of Historic Places. Main Street is bookended by a prestigious prep school and the towns venerable feed store. This is a walking village, good for an hours stroll with weekend guests and a poke around the stores and quiet streets.
Just west of Hope and Blairstown, outdoor activities exist in the Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area which includes part of the Appalachian Trail, Millbrook, a recreated 19th century village, and Peters Valley, an artists colony which offers regular shows and exhibits.
On the eastern edge of Warren, Hackettstown still retains its 19th century feel with impressive multi-colored Victorian homes, antique stores along Main Street and Centenary College in its midst.
Phillipsburg An Industrial Town Reborn
As beautiful as Warren Countys countryside is, its the city that we originally tried to avoid that has captured our imagination and may eventually tear us away from Finesville. The countys largest town is a small, formerly industrial city and transportation hub along the Delaware River that had been neglected for years. Think Hoboken New Jersey or Hudson New York before gentrification. Thankfully that neglect, as in most of Warren County, has kept much of its historic fabric intact and over the past 20 years, building owners have been peeling off old aluminum siding to reveal stunning architecture.
The town actively encourages restoration and business development — businesses in Phillipsburg charge only 3% sales tax with some of that money going to revitalization projects. Progress had been slow, but now there are several highly regarded restaurants in the restored downtown as well as antique shops and several specialty stores. Train rides along the Delaware River start downtown and are popular in the summer as well as for Halloween and the winter holidays. On Thanksgiving, Phillipsburg High School plays its rival Easton Pennsylvania in their annual football game. Pburg, as it is known by locals, is extremely convenient as Routes 78 and 22 run just outside of town as does the express bus to Manhattan, which stops at the Phillipsburg Mall.
There are several plans to transform Phillipsburg including the redevelopment of its underutilized waterfront into a residential neighborhood, with construction set to start in 2006, and the repurposing of a vacant industrial park into a new commerce center. Rumor has it that a bed and breakfast is slated to open in an historic stone tavern near the Delaware River bridge. Phillipsburg was named as the location for the New Jersey Transportation and Heritage Museum. Sadly, legislation to provide the funding to make it happen has been stalled and appears unlikely. However, the town is committed to building its own museum and has plans already in the works.
Just over the river, Easton Pennsylvania offers more restaurants, the Crayola Factory museum, a very popular local grocery store (a branch of which may hopefully pop up in Warren County), a thriving artists community, the State Theater, and the historic College Hill neighborhood. Even more exciting, there are several luxury condominium developments currently under construction or planned in existing historic Easton properties, such as the former Easton Hotel, which will bring wealthy people within walking distance of downtown Phillipsburg.
Phillipsburg has great bones and incredible architecture. South Main Street near the Delaware River Bridge is mostly restored and ready to become the next Cold Spring or South Norwalk or New Paltz. And prices are still a relative bargain. A couple of years ago, we purchased two historic properties on Phillipsburgs Main Street: an 1887 firehouse for $60,000 and a 19th century Georgian-style colonial for $90,000.
As the town continues to revitalize, we are considering a move into the colonial as our permanent home so we can wake up on Saturday mornings and walk to our favorite breakfast spot down the street. Although, well probably keep the Finesville house as our place in the country.