Paris. What more can be said about the beautiful City of Light? We all know about its romantic atmosphere and countless museums and galleries that will sweep you away to another time and place. But around every corner and along its grand boulevards, there is a Paris that is specifically tailored towards your interests, preferences, and curiosity; and all you need to do is wander its streets to discover what you have been missing all this time.

While you so desperately want to discover the hidden treasures of this city, if it is your first visit there are a couple of sights that absolutely have to be at the top of your itinerary. Of course, standing beneath the Eiffel Tower and riding up to its landings for the breathtaking, panoramic views is bound to be your first adventure, while the Louvre and its spectacular art collection, complete with the Mona Lisa and the Venus de Milo, will probably be a close second. Other classic favorites that will definitely occupy your first couple of days in the city include Notre-Dame, the Arc de Triomphe, and the Basilique du Sacre-Coeur.

After wandering the Louvre for hours or soaking in the unparalleled beauty of Notre-Dame, your senses are bound to be overloaded, downright exhausted, and in need of less demanding pursuits. Although this is most likely in complete contrast to what you imagined before arrival—trekking from one sight to another, checking off dozens of attractions from your must-see list seemed so reasonable back then—this weary feeling as actually for the best since now you can truly experience Paris instead of having it rush by as you hit up attraction after attraction. So what then should you do for the ultimate Paris vacation? Quite possibly less than you ever imagined…

Depending on your particular interests, there is a touristy Paris, a historical Paris, a laid-back Paris, and a fashionable Paris to ensure that you have the most memorable and enjoyable vacation possible. Shoppers and tourists alike will appreciate the elegance of one of the world’s most famous promenades, the Champs-Élysées, where they can dine on exquisite cuisine, shop to their heart’s content, and relax in a café and simply watch the endless parade of people down its cobblestone street. With the Arc de Triomphe at one end and historic restaurants such as Laurent and Ledoyen scattered throughout, you could easily lose an entire day enjoying the ambiance of this one-of-kind avenue.

Although history-buffs will be hard-pressed to find a city with more amazing museums (consider the Musée Jacquemart-André, the Musée d’Orsay, and the Centre Pompidou after the Louvre) at its beck and call, there is more to Paris’ past than strolling down a corridor and looking at your 180th oil painting. By resisting the pull of the French Impressionists and making time for the cobbled and historic streets of Montmarte and the picturesque Latin Quarter, which rests over the Seine, you can create a more personal and memorable experience than all of the museums combined. Exploring hidden alleyways and wandering without a final destination, you can discover history, beauty, and something special to only you, all while getting a little lost in the process.

While it is easy to only think of all of the excitement you plan to pursue during the day, the City of Light certainly lives up to its name when night falls on its charming streets. The first couple of days during your trip you may be exhausted from hitting up all the popular attractions, but after you have gotten into the groove of your own getaway, be sure to spend a few evenings living it up with the Parisians. With the high quality and quantity of bars, nightclubs, music halls, wine bars, jazz dives, and cabarets, there is bound to be at least a couple of places that suit your taste.

Now that you have your days and evenings stuffed to the gills with entertainment, you need to find somewhere to rest your weary head after a long day in Paris. Beyond your typical hotel, one excellent option that offers all the luxuries of home and proximity to all your favorite attractions is a Paris apartment rental. While other accommodations are simply a place where you can rejuvenate your body before another day in the city, Paris vacation rentals surround you with amazing views and feature a cozy, lived-in atmosphere that makes you feel welcome in the city the moment you arrive. Even if Paris isn’t exactly off the beaten path, you can make this trip more personalized than you ever imagined by selecting a vacation rental that perfectly meets all of your individual needs.

Tags: Beyond, Ordinary, Paris, Vacation

Belgium really is a truly remarkable county full of friendly and welcoming people who with three official languages still find it easy to converse in English, the 4th unofficial language. It is no wonder that people go there on vacation year after year and many now stay in holiday home rentals.

Belgium is a country full of stunning architecture and quaint cobblestone squares. It has incredible cuisine and superb family run restaurants where each meal eaten tastes better than the last. It is an energetic and carefree country and the overall mood in Belgium is infectious.

Belgium is situated between France and Holland and it is said that the kingdom of Belgium encompasses all the best that Europe has to offer in an area no bigger than Maryland. In order to sample this unique culture holiday home rentals in Belgium make a great starting point for a grand tour of central Europe.

With its unique diversity of cultures and scenery, a self catering apartment rental in Belgium can offer a vacation of much variety and contrasts. Within one day you can take a romantic trip down a canal in Bruges or hunt for diamonds in Antwerp.

For beach lovers you can rent a holiday villa by the sea in Oostende. For those people on vacation in Belgium wanting something more lively, they can rent self catering apartments and frolic in a party atmosphere in Binche.

Some people go on vacation and rent a holiday cottage near to a castle in Namur and spend their vacation looking for antiques at an outdoor market in Liege.

For those holiday makers looking for more culture, they may rent an apartment and explore an art museum in Brussels.

It is said that holiday home rentals in Belgium appeal to people of all ages. It is an ideal country for a family holiday with many taking a trip to Flanders or Wallonia. Short city breaks are now very popular and the growth of the rental market of holiday apartments in Brussels, Antwerp and Bruges has boosted tourist numbers.

Holiday homes in Belgium now cater for almost every need and requirement in both urban and rural settings. You are almost guaranteed to get a taste of the fascinating cultural heritage of Belgium by staying in a holiday home rental.

By staying in self catering apartment rentals, cottages and other types of self catering holiday home accommodation in Belgium, you will get the perfect opportunity to explore the breathtaking scenery and historical sites. When you select a holiday rental in Belgium, you will discover that you’ll need to return many times in order to get a true feel of this great country.

Spa was the city in Belgium that all other spas got there names from and many tourists go there on vacation. Belgium has more castles per square mile than any other country in the world and many people rent holiday homes in Belgium to explore these fabulous castles.

No person on vacation to Belgium can leave without visiting Brussels, the headquarters of the European Union and many take home with them a box of the world famous Belgium chocolates.

Tags: Belgium, Vacation

Although many people like to compare New York City to Paris, the City of Light stands in a class all its own in regards to world-renowned attractions, picturesque scenery, and entertainment options. As its many must-see sights fill up your itinerary and the cultural weight of this cosmopolitan wonder begins to overwhelm, don’t forget to breathe and enjoy the amazing beauty that surrounds you every step of the way from your Paris apartment rental to the cobblestone streets of the Champs-Élysées.

Paris abounds with spectacular sights that are always simply breathtaking no matter how many times you have stepped foot inside the city limits. The Eiffel Tower, Notre-Dame, the Louvre, the Arc de Triomphe, and the Basilique du Sacre-Coeur are just a few of the wonders that will leave you spellbound with their sheer beauty and prestige. Consider the endless stream of museums, galleries, restaurants, shopping boutiques, and cozy cafes that are also waiting for you around corner, and it is easy to see why no vacation ever seems long enough in lovely Paris.

With so much to see and do, it is easy to bury your head in a map and make your way from one attraction to another without ever truly appreciating the history that surrounds you every step of the way. You may be walking to the Arc de Triomphe down the Champs-Élysées, the most famous avenue in the world, and not even notice the distinct ambiance and significance of that restaurant to your left or the romantic nature of the lights all around you. While Paris certainly stands above other vacation destinations for its unique, one-of-a-kind attractions, there is more to this city than visiting every museum and art gallery that the guide books dictate is a “must-see.”

As a city that prides itself on its distinct atmosphere, the only way to truly experience Paris is by staying directly in the middle of the action and close to all the lively nightlife, laid-back cafes, and quaint restaurants. It is in these places where you can surround yourself with Parisians and get a taste for what life in the city is all about beyond the tourist attractions. If you want the run-of-the-mill getaway, then follow everyone else to the nearest hotel. But if you want a totally unique, completely personalized vacation that leaves ordinary by the wayside, then consider a Paris apartment rental.

Hotels are great for touring the sights since the front desk can give you directions and you can follow the other packs of travelers around the city. However, any guide book or local can guide on your journeys, so you actually aren’t getting more out of a hotel than a place to sleep at night. In complete contrast, Paris vacation rentals allow you to live as if you’ve been in the city for years and are convenient to not only the tourist attractions, but also the local hot spots and hidden treasures that you won’t read about beforehand. As others experience the Paris everyone has written about, you can experience the Paris that exists behind the tourist veil.

Even if this is your first trip to Paris, you certainly want to come back with glamorous tales that extend beyond the Eiffel Towel and the Louvre. Escape down a hidden alley in Montmarte, aimlessly wander around the Latin Quarter, or try out a secret restaurant that your local neighbor recommends. No matter what you have imagined for your dream getaway to Paris, you can make it more your own and infinitely more memorable when you live like a local in a vacation rental. About as off the beaten path as you can get in Paris, it is the ideal accommodations choice for anyone who wants to experience the City of Light on their own terms.

Tags: Paris, Rentals, Vacation