Les Herolles - Poitou-Charentes France Self catering holiday rental

Booked your summer holiday yet? Take a look at this great holiday rental in the Poitou-Charentes area of France.

It has 3 Bedrooms - all en-suite - perfect for 4 to 6 people .Located in the heart of France, and just an hours drive from both Poitiers Airport and Limoges Airport - this charming french chalet style house is ideal for 4-6 people. A detached property, set in in it's own large grounds, it has 3 en-suite bedrooms, a large living and dining area, and is close to many local attractions -Les Herolles is a small village in Region 86 on the Indre / Vienne borders of France. The village is wonderfully quiet and peaceful (except for the fabulous market day each month - more info here) and is within easy driving distances of many major towns and attractions -There is also an additional double sofa bed on the upstairs mezzanine landing should there be more in your group. Comfortably furnished, and with a well equipped kitchen you’re sure to have all you require to enjoy your holiday in France.

Find out more by visiting the jmlvillas.com website Here

The entrance to the property is by double gates with a drive leading up to the house. There is ample parking for numerous vehicles, or even a caravan or holiday home should you wish. The very large gardens have mature fruit trees and many areas for you to relax during your holiday. Depending on what time of year you stay there will be a choice of apples, pears, cherries, peaches, nuts and much more for you to pick at your leisure.

Holiday homeowners in a fix according to Irish Times report

The Irish Times was delivered this morning and being a Thursday contained the "property" supplement.

Today the headline was "Can't sell, can't rent: holiday homeowners in a fix" - property journalist Edel Morgan's article started "Holiday home dreams have turned to nightmares for many – is there anything second homeowners can do?

When your dream holiday home turns into a financial millstone, it can seem like there’s no way out. You can’t rent it, you can’t sell it, you’re under pressure to meet mortgage repayments and it’s proving a massive drain on already limited resources."

The report Here goes on to report on various owner's problems. Renting it out is mentioned once and Ireland is still a great place to go to on holiday. The downside can be the cost of taking a car there. I have written several aricles now on the high costs of taking a car to Ireland from Britain opposed to the the very low costs going to France. SEE HERE

The fact that a return crossing from Holyhead to Dun Laoghaire in July 2011 is costing £427 including credit card fee is incredible. Last September it cost £286. An increase of nearly £150 is totally amazing and I am receiving email from Sea France and P&O saying take a car and up to 9 people from £35 each way. The crossing to France is 1.5 hours and twice as long to Ireland!

On the 30th June The Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service issued a press release saying "The irish Government launched the first ever Irish Short-stay Visa Waiver Programme.

Under the Programme, tourists or business people who have lawfully entered the UK, including Northern Ireland, on a valid UK visa will be able to travel on to Ireland without the requirement to obtain an Irish visa. They will be allowed to stay in Ireland for up to 3 months or until their UK visa runs out, whichever is the shorter.

The visa waiver has a major role to play in boosting our tourism industry, stimulating job creation and bringing economic recovery. It will allow us to attract new visitors from fast-growing countries like India, China and the Gulf states. These countries are only just becoming aware of Ireland as a tourism destination. The waiver will allow holidaymakers from these nations to travel seamlessly to Ireland from the UK.

The visa waiver is just one of a number of tourism measures in the Jobs Initiative designed to boost tourism jobs. Other measures include the VAT cut on tourism products which starts this week, a three-pronged approach to boost air passengers, and halving employers’ PRSI. I hope this will be the first in a series of measures to ease visa requirements for tourists, business people and students wishing to come to Ireland"

Getting to Ireland by air is very reasonable and car hire costs have fallen by 50% (See Information Here)

So tourists are being encouraged and owners of holiday homes should now get them to earn their keep.

At www.jmlvillas.com there are lots of people looking for self catering holiday rentals in Ireland. People visit Ireland all over the year and the holiday home owner can still fit in their breaks. Sure they will have "strangers" living in their home from time to time, but just make sure all the personal possessions you don't want your guests to use are securely locked away.

Advertising the holiday rental won't break the bank when you use jmlvillas.com. It only costs £12.50 for ONE YEAR. In euros that is approximately €13.90 not a lot. You get a page to feature your holiday rental with 6 photos and if you have your own web site you get a FREE link as well.

So start your listing today as it not too late to catch the remainder of the 2011 season.

Monaco's big weekend

Life will now be getting back to normal now following the €50 million wedding celebrations of HSH Prince Albert II and HSH Charlene (Wittstock)Princess of Monaco took place on Friday and Saturday.

The wedding is the first of a ruling prince in the principality since the prince's father, Prince Rainier III, married the Hollywood star Grace Kelly in 1956.

The weekend included free concerts by The Eagles and Jean Michel Jarre.

Can you visit Monaco "on the cheap"? This is what The UK's Independent newspaper's travel writer Simin Calder wrote about on Saturday. His entertaining feature " Visit Monte Carlo without going bust- What can a single euro buy you in Monaco? Simon Calder explores Europe's most glamorous principality on a pocketful of small change"

View the article Here

2011 Speen Festival starts on the 8th September

Every couple of years the picturesque village of Speen in the Buckinghamshire Chiltern Hills holds a Festival. The 2011 festival is on for 11 days between the 8th and 18th September 2011.

The festival is sponsored by a number of companies including Cannon Moorcroft - accountants, Gabbitas Robins - solicitors, jml Training and Consultancy – www.jml-training.com , Hypnos bed manufacturers, Beechdean Farmhouse Ice Cream and www.insurance4carrental.com - car hire excess insurance and car rental.

A musical has become a regular tradition to start off the Speen Festival and this year The Dreaming which is based on A Midsummer Night’s Dream by William Shakespeare with music by Howard Goodall (of Blackadder & Vicar of Dibley fame) and book and lyrics by Charles Hart is Speen Festival’s most ambitious community theatre yet.
Updated to just before the start of the First World War, the action for The Dreaming takes place in a small hilltop village, surrounded by ancient and mysterious woodland – in fact, a place not unlike Speen, set in the heart of the Chiltern Hills near High Wycombe.

Audiences young and old can look forward to superb comedy and glorious tunes as well as spotting echoes of local history and culture.
For children and families an imaginative selection of activities kick off with a Wild Workshop Saturday of craft, photographic and outdoor fun, continuing with a host of other events aimed at the whole local community. Back by overwhelming popular demand will be the taste-bud-tickling Food Festival.

There is everything for the fine food lover, including cookery demonstrations and beer and wine tastings. Sample a diverse and delicious range of local fayre as we celebrate some of the best producers and suppliers in the Chilterns. No need to bring lunch or tea but do bring your shopping baskets to stock up your shelves.

On the 14th September, the ear-caressing Jazz Concert takes place. An evening of jazz by the Martin Hart Quintet with Lynn Garner featuring the music and life story of Johnny Mercer, one of the quintessential giants of the 20th century popular-song genre. A man who won 4 Academy Awards and was nominated for a further 19.

The final weekend starts with Folk Music in The King William IV Pub & Restaurant. Folk music is enjoying a renaissance, come and find out why and enjoy live acoustic music at its best. If you can’t get to Dingle, or even Towersey, come and join in for a great night in the local.

On the Saturday night the Festival’s celebrated Cabaret Supper makes a welcome appearance. An intoxicating and stylish evening of food, drink & entertainment with a twist of Art Nouveau. The Festival ends as it began with a riotous ball in a hilltop village surrounded by woodland - only 100 years on. Some regular and some surprising events come together to form our homegrown, and sumptuous, cabaret supper.

On the final day there is “Prom in the Playing Field” Just when you thought it was all over: a fabulous free finale afternoon treat for all ages. Settle down for an entertaining afternoon of music classics and some prom style participation with impresario Sam Laughton. A collaboration of local orchestras and soloists will showcase their talent and perform favourites from film, TV and the classical masters. Collections will be made for various charities nominated by participating musicians.

There is free admission to some of the events and for others you need to book early. The Speen Festival has an excellent website and details can be found at www.speenfestival.org

Speen Festival has established itself as a celebration of the very best artistic and creative talent from the village itself and the surrounding areas. At the heart of the Festival is the desire to provide local people with opportunities to create and participate in innovative, artistic events. Performances, exhibitions and outdoor activities are offered to the whole community at affordable prices.

The Festival reaches beyond the village boundaries and is a true platform for new and developing talent excelling in art, music, dance, science, nature and photography including a full theatrical production. It is well worth a visit. It is at Speen in Bucks (near High Wycombe / Princes Risborough) not Speen in Berks near Newbury!

Charming Duplex holiday rental in Old Antibes France

Just listed in time for the 2011 Juan Les Pins Jazz Festival.

Weekly Holiday Renting in Old Antibes - Directly from owner, no agency fees - Ideal for Family and Children

Located at Place de l’Amiral Bernaud, in the heart of the Old Antibes, this charming 45m2 duplex south oriented is placed on two floors:
Living-room, dining-room and kitchen – first floor Two bedrooms, bathroom and toilettes – second floor

Local Info:
In front : Free public parking places
Marché Provençal – 5 minutes walking distance
Automatic Washing machine in 10 m
Regional bus station in 100m
Direct bus to Cannes, to Nice...
Hypermarket Carrefour – 4 minutes walking distance
All the restaurants near by

Location de vacances par semaine au cœur du vieil Antibes

Directement du propriétaire, sans frais d'agence -Idéal pour une famille et les enfants

Valable pour location pendant le Festival du Cannes et le Festival du Jazz!

Situé sur la Place de l'Amiral Barnaud, au coeur du viel Antibes, l'appartement de charme lumineux de 45M2 en duplex orienté plein Sud :
Le salon, salle à manger et la cuisine américaine au RDC ou vous pourrez cuisiner la vraie cuisine provençale
Deux chambres, toilettes et salle d'eau au premier étage

A Noter :
Devant places de parking gratuites
Le marché provençal à 5 minutes
Une laverie automatique à 30 mètres
Station de Bus Régionale à 100 mètres
Bus direct à Cannes et à Nice
Hypermarché Carrefour à 4 minutes
Tous les restaurants à proximité

Find out more at the jml villas.com holiday rentals website: Here