For the professional help on paint and also decorate house, you could trust it to www.painteranddecorator.co.uk. They provide you with the best service in painting your house and also decorating your house. You just need to tell them what you need to have for your house and they will handle all.

If you really need to know further information about this, it would be better for you to visit the website mentioned and get the detail there. Do not hesitate to ask question so that you will get all that you want completely. Take this great chance and make your house looks new through their professional help.

I like to think of myself as open minded, especially when on the road. I’ve lived in Prague, Paris, and Rome, and have gluttonously celebrated holidays in each place. And while I didn’t end up eating the spongy, candied-fruit-studded dessert that night, I eventually learned that one person’s panettone is not just another person’s fruitcake. Enrico’s sweet of choice is what Pistachio baklava is to a Greek or amaranth-laced dulce de alegria (which means “sweets of joy”) is to a Mexican or a cardamom-scented cannoli-like krumkake is to a Norwegian. Holiday desserts—whether at home or abroad—are more than just the last course of a big meal.

My moment of clarity came a few years ago in Prague, when a Czech friend invited me to celebrate Christmas with her family. The traditional main courses are carp and potato salad—two reasons, in my opinion, to consider fasting for the holidays. Not wanting to insult my hosts, I ate some fish and starchy salad—but had plenty of room for dessert. I feared the worst.

The smell of just-baked vanilla-scented goodness hit me first. I was thousands of miles (and a couple decades) away from my grandma’s house in Sumner, Iowa, yet the scent instantly brought me back there. My grandma wasn’t Czech, but, as it turned out, she had a recipe similar to these valilkove rohlicky, crescent-shaped Christmas cookies made with walnuts, vanilla, and butter. And if the aroma transported me to the Midwest, my first bite brought forth memories long buried in my psyche.

Later that night, as I was putting on my jacket to leave, Vera, my friend’s mom, handed me a few tin-foil-wrapped packs to take home. Potato salad in one. Carp in another. And, finally, vanilla crescents. I ate them on the way home, staring out the tram window at the spires of Prague, but feeling like a boy in at my grandma’s house in Iowa. And I realized then that somewhere out there, someone was eating fruitcake—and loving every bite.

David Farley

Happy holidays to you, from Vacationist!
The BodyHoliday – up to 44% off (see photo above)
St. Lucia, West Indies

St. Lucia is known for its bevy of high-price hotels, but now that the BodyHoliday, LeSport, an adults-only all-inclusive resort on the island’s northwestern coast, is fresh from a $20 million refurbishment, there’s a top option for those in search of great value. Here, wellness is the focus, and guests can create itineraries as rigorous or relaxing as they’d like. Seeking tranquility? Lounge by the new two-level infinity-edge pool, head to a tai chi or yoga class, or opt for an aloe vera body wrap at the 33 treatment-room spa. Active types, or those who simply want to take advantage of the resort’s many inclusions, will sign up for island activities ranging from scuba diving certification programs to guided hikes up the Pinton mountains. (Sale ends in 9 days.)

Bella Vista – up to 34% off
Punta Leona, Costa Rica

Unless you have a live-in chef, views of dolphins from your bedroom, and 750 acres of rainforest at your doorstep, this six-bedroom Pacific coast villa is better than a home-away-from-home. All 8,000 square feet of contemporary stone, hardwoods, and furniture are yours: kitchen, indoor-outdoor living rooms, infinity pool and hot tub, bedrooms with ocean-view balconies, and the constant soundtrack of the pounding waves mixed with calls from monkeys and macaws—all just a 45-minute drive from San Jose, thanks to the region’s new highway. It’s an idyllic escape: days can be spent deep-sea fishing, surfing, or lounging on one of the country’s few white-sand beaches. (Sale ends in 11 days.)

The Crane Residential Resort – up to 24% off
Crane Beach, Barbados

Built in 1887, The Crane was the first resort hotel on Barbados. In the 1970s Oliver Messel revamped the main building; a more recent redo has taken The Crane into prime time, adding three buildings and private plunge pools. But despite continuous expansions, The Crane still retains its original charm: rooms in the modern residences have a certain tradition about them—Old World but clearly Caribbean—with mahogany furniture, jalousie windows, and coral stone walls, plus private verandas that overlook a powdery pink beach. Recently, The Crane cut the ribbon on a 55,000-square-foot retail and entertainment center with a state-of-the-art gym, souvenir and apparel shops, and a 120-seat Italian restaurant with a wine wall and sprawling veranda. (Sale ends in 14 days.)

Travelling close to the holiday season can often put a strain on your budget, but the Concorde Hotels and Resort group is offering the chance to make your money go further.

Stay in any Concorde Hotel in Europe between now and March 31st and your Euros will go further with the Night Bonus Offer; guest will receive a daily voucher of €30 or €50 which can be put to use in the hotel’s restaurant or bars.

Plus, if you’re travelling in a group you can also combine the offer with the Friends and Family package: when you book two or more rooms you receive a complimentary breakfast and a 50% discount on the second room.

The Concorde Group have hotels in nine countries and 20 cities around the world including: Prague, Boston, Tokyo, Geneva, Barcelona, Cairo, and Berlin. Concorde hotels can also be found in eight French cities (Cannes, Lyon, Marseilles, Nice, Nimes, Strasbourg, Toulouse, and Paris).

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For more information or to book call reservations at
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Photo Credit: Concorde Hotels and Resorts

There’s still no snow up around Solsona, in northern Catalonia’s LLeida province, but the crisp late fall air promises snowflakes are on their way. This is a popular area with skiers who hit the slopes at Port del Comte and those on their way up to Andorra, a tiny country between France and Spain. It was my first time to this area of Catalonia, and I have to say I was impressed. It’s a very rural and rugged part of Spain, and will soon be a Winter Wonderland, if the Snow Gods abide.

Sant Roc

If up for hitting the slopes at Port del Comte or just in the mood for a winter weekend getaway, stay at boutique hotel and spa Sant Roc in the center of Solsona. The hotel is a historic monument, built back in 1929. While many original details remain, the hotel got a makeover in 2004 and is better than ever. Sant Roc has 25 rooms, many of them with ample tubs and all of them with WiFi, LCD televisions, mini-bars and large beds. The Junior Suites have whirlpools and one large room has a private terrace (on the first floor). Each room is different, but all are decorated in a modern-design style, with original artwork. The rooms on the third floor are especially fun, in that they have the shape of the diagonal rooftop.

Jr Suite

Sant Roc also has two restaurants on site, one serving fusion or new-age tapas and the other serving more elegant, traditional meals. Neither is outrageously priced, which I appreciate. Just because a hotel has four stars, does not mean they need to price gouge guests! At Sant Roc rates and food prices are fair, except for the breakfast, which was 10.00 euros and seemed expensive for the service and buffet offered. Instead, skip breakfast at Sant Roc and walk across the plaza in front of the hotel to one of Solsona’s local cafes.

Sant Roc Tub

Restaurant at Sant Roc

I’ve been to quite a few hotels and have to say that Sant Roc does a great job overall. It’s classy yet low-key, good for couples and good for families, and has a simple but worthwhile spa. For 10.00 euros extra, guests have unlimited access to the Sant Roc Spa waterworks area, which has a sauna, pool, vapor sauna, hot tub, cold plunge and more. Book one of their many spa treatments in advance for ultimate relaxation, such as the Fruit Bamboo massage (60 minutes – 70.00 euros).

Third floor rooms

MORE:

Sant Roc is about 2 hours from Barcelona and a little more from Perpignan, France.

From 60.00 to 180.00 euros a night!

http://www.hotelsantroc.com/

Lobby

Photos and post by Regina Winkle-Brya. See more of her tips on Spain at The Spain Scoop.com

Once you get a very good idea about the best rental apartments that you would find in Bucharest, then it would be very prudent of you to book that rental apartment in advance. You would find all details here in various websites in the Internet, as to which rental apartment is free at that moment of time, and which is the best rental apartment that would find in the entire city. Such is the demand for rental apartments, that if you do not book in advance, you would always be greeted with a smile and be told that there is no rental apartment free for you at the present moment.

This high-design hotel offers more than 100 soundproofed rooms in two edifices linked by a subterranean passage, European spa, and gourmet dining and an exclusive European spa. Seek solitude in the middle of the ancient trees, green gardens, marvel at the stunning reflection of the majestically styled décor and surroundings, and savor the indulgent facilities right from suites to the rejuvenating Spa and to the French restaurant of the famous Gordon Ramsay. Despite this, it is the 100% concerned service that sets Trianon Palace Versailles apart from the other hotels here.

Rooms

There are 199 rooms including suites all of which are adorned in gold, light green, and purple shades as well as offer the refreshing vistas of the Versaille Castle, Royal Domain, or the Trianon’s park. All of them are split into edifices: the old Palace and the modern Pavilion. The Palace houses the restaurants, lunges, and the reception desk; while the Pavilion offers the business center and conference rooms. Bathrooms boast white tile or pink marble, mosaics on floors, combination shower/tubs, heated towel racks, and double-basin sinks.

The common amenities include cable/satellite television channels, pay movies, climate control, complimentary newspaper, air conditioning, multi-line phone, dial-up Internet access, mini bar, wake-up calls, housekeeping, private bathroom, bathrobes, hair dryer, bathroom phone, iron/ironing board (on request), desk, opening window, in-room safe, rollaway beds, and cribs.

Amenities

• Self parking (surcharge)  • Parking (free)  • Valet parking  • Limo or Town Car service available  • Air-conditioned public areas  • Elevator/lift  • Complimentary newspapers in lobby  • Lounge

• 2 restaurants  • Room service (24 hours)  • Breakfast available (surcharge)  • Concierge services  • 24-hour front desk  • Safe-deposit box – front desk  • Audio-visual equipment  • Business center  • Banquet facilities  • Event catering  • Ballroom(s)  • Secretarial services  • 19 conference/meeting rooms

• Wireless (high-speed) Internet access – surcharge  • Multilingual staff  • Translation services  • Currency exchange  • Dry cleaning/laundry service  • Doorman/doorwoman  • Express check-out  • Laundry facilities  • Porter/bellhop  • Shopping on site  • Babysitting or child care

Recreation

• Full-service health spa  • Massage – spa treatment room(s)  • Spa tub  • Swimming pool – indoor  • Beauty services  • Hair salon  • Health club  • Fitness facilities  • Garden  • Patio  • Boating  • Golfing  • Archery  • Hiking/biking trails  • Running track/path  • Bicycle rentals  • Helicopter/airplane sightseeing

From boating, all the activities take place nearby. The Spa Guerlain is a famous beauty as well as health spot among the travelers, which offers a myriad of treatments, open-air solarium, indoor pool, 14 private cabins, and fitness centre.

Restaurants

At the Trianon Palace Versailles, the most famous is the one that is run by the world-wide famous Chef Gordon Ramsay – Gordon Ramsay au Trianon. This was his first talent hub in France, which even today serves the French-inspired cuisine.

At the Restaurant La Veranda, dining is just great for six people, which include mouth watering French dishes. Be at the chef’s table for both lunch and dinner, which looks over the Ramsay’s kitchen.

For a refreshing afternoon tea, be at the Gallery Bar.

Note:

Swimming pool and sauna are closed from mid-February to early-March due to renovation.

Rates

From $240 per night.

This 5-star luxury Paris hotel within its white facade offers Le Spa as also the fitness centre, wrought iron balconies, limestone saunas, whirlpool bath, Turkish bath, two French restaurants of silver dome and glass ceiling, and 4 treatment rooms along with the business center and deluxe rooms as well as park suites.

Rooms

At the Park Hyatt Paris Vendome, there are some 167 guest rooms and 11 suites all of which are nicely tucked on the six out of seven floors featuring floor-to-ceiling windows for some mesmerizing vistas of the streets as well as the courtyard. Within each of the, the decor is adorned with the blend of modern design and classic furnishings of French in form of gold-leaf cornices, designer fittings, wood and bronze minutiae, and special French figurines.

Among the common amenities, expect high-speed Internet access, DVD player, pay movies, CD player, hypo-allergenic bedding, premium bedding, curtains, complimentary newspaper, air conditioning, multi-line phone, Internet access (surcharge), direct-dial phone, voice mail, complimentary bottled water, mini bar, wake-up calls, housekeeping, turndown service, designer toiletries, private bathroom, bathrobes, hair dryer, bathroom phone, makeup/shaving mirror, in-room massage, slippers, separate bathtub and shower, bathroom scale, extra towels/bedding in room, in-room childcare (surcharge), electronic/magnetic keys, satellite television service, welcome amenities, iron/ironing board (on request), desk, opening window, in-room safe, and cribs. Further, the French limestone bathrooms offer stone-closed rain showers as well as under-floor heating.

Amenities

• Airport transportation (surcharge)  • Limo or Town Car service  • Parking (free)  • Parking (secure)  • Parking garage  • Elevator/lift  • Fireplace in lobby  • Complimentary newspapers in lobby  • Air-conditioned public areas  • 24-hour front desk  • Safe-deposit box – front desk  • Concierge desk  • Breakfast available (surcharge)  • Restaurant(s) in hotel  • Room service (24 hours)  • Lounge  • Ballroom(s)  • Audio-visual equipment  • Business center  • Multiple conference/meeting rooms  • Multiple small meeting rooms

• Multilingual staff  • Internet access in public areas – surcharge  • Internet access – wireless  • Secretarial services  • Banquet facilities  • Computer rental  • Event catering  • Exhibit space  • Translation services  • Laundry facilities  • Dry cleaning/laundry service  • Currency exchange  • Technology helpdesk  • Tour assistance  • Doorman/doorwoman  • Express check-in and check-out  • Medical aid  • Patio  • Security guard  • Babysitting or child care

Recreation

• Full-service health spa  • Massage – spa treatment room(s)  • Sauna  • Spa tub  • Steam room  • Beauty services  • Fitness facilities  • Health club

Restaurants

At the Park Hyatt Paris Vendome, there are two options for you to satisfy for appetite. At the Les Orchidées where everything is quite elegant as well as modern in form of glass ceiling, colonnades, art works of Sideo Fromboluti and Christiane Durand; you can enjoy the contemporary bistro cuisine at all three meals of the day.

La Terrasse is the terraced zone in the middle of the patio where the shade is offered by the olive tree. During summer, it is open for lunch.

National Rating

4 Star De Luxe.

Rates

From $755 per night.

Rooms

Amidst the spectacular architecture in Hotel Martinez, there are 409 luxury as well as spacious rooms including suites all adorned with the Art Deco images, limed-wood furnishings, sea/mountain/city vistas, and individual decoration in bright colors. No matter which you choose, expect all the amenities: Premium television channel(s), cable/satellite television channels, pay movies, climate control, curtains, soundproofed technology, complimentary newspaper, air conditioning, multi-line phone, Internet access (surcharge), voice mail, mini bar, wake-up calls, turndown service, Annick Goutal toiletries, private bathroom, bathrobes, hair dryer, bathroom phone, mirror, in-room massage, extra towels/bedding, handheld shower, electronic/magnetic keys, desk, welcome amenities, in-room safe, iron/ironing board (on request), cribs, housekeeping, double sink, and wheelchair accessible.

Amenities

• Airport transportation (surcharge)  • Valet parking  • Parking (surcharge)  • Parking (secure)  • Air-conditioned public areas  • 24-hour front desk  • Safe-deposit box – front desk  • Coffee in lobby  • Elevator/lift • Concierge desk  • Complimentary newspapers in lobby  •

Restaurant(s) in hotel  • Room service (24 hours)  • Breakfast available (surcharge)  • Bar/lounge  • Dry cleaning/laundry service  • Multiple small meeting rooms  • 15 conference/meeting rooms  • Internet access in public areas – surcharge

• 24-hour business center  • Wireless (high-speed) Internet access – complimentary  • Multilingual staff  • Ballroom(s) • Banquet facilities  • Exhibit space  • Event catering  • Audio-visual equipment  • Secretarial services  • Translation services  • Cell phone/mobile rental  • Computer rental  • Currency exchange  • Doorman/doorwoman  • Security guard  • Express check-out  • Porter/bellhop  • Medical aid  • Shoe shine  • Patio  • Babysitting or child care  • Beach/pool umbrellas  • Wheelchair accessible

Recreation

• Private beach in the Zplage area open from April to October  • Swimming pool – outdoor  • Full-service health spa  • Massage – spa treatment room(s)  • Spa services on site  • Sauna  • Beauty services  • Hair salon  • Fitness facilities  • Health club  • Motor boating  • Swimming  • Water skiing  • Surfing/boogie boarding  • Aerobics  • Dock  • Bicycle rentals  • Golfing, golf – driving range, golf – miniature, tennis, running track/path, scooter/moped rentals, parasailing, helicopter/airplane sightseeing, sailing, windsurfing, personal watercraft, boat launch, and hiking/biking trails nearby

Restaurants

At the Hotel Martinez, there are three exciting options. At the Palme d’Or that is much praised restaurant here, you can savor lunch and dinner on the weekdays made by the Michelin starred chef who is an expert in offering a modern Mediterranean cuisine. The same cuisine is also offered at the Restaurant Le Relais but with a focus on the local produce. Stretching on the terrace, this one boasts natural fittings, light wood paneling, and pool vistas besides all the three meals of the day. It remains closed in July and August.

At the big private beach is the Zplage Space Restaurant that offers lunch from April to October amidst the teak chairs ambiance. Lastly, de la Plage is the delicious home of the salads, fried food, and spit roasts along with the Pyrotechnic displays in the summer evenings.

Rates

From $238 per night.

The guests at the Hotel Daniel Paris are guaranteed high level of service bound by professionalism. The staff here is so careful that render this chic retreat a must to stay place in Paris.

Rooms

At the Hotel Daniel Paris, there are 26 furnished rooms of which 7 are suites. Among these, those that are on the 2nd and 5th floor are the best for the tourists as they offer a balcony with view. No matter which one you choose, each room is individually adorned with the elite art works as well as chic items like the light Italian marble in bathrooms, vivid Morocco ceramics, drapes linen from Russia, and the luxury, but handmade olive oil soap and shower gels of the Molton Brown. However, some rooms are adorned with the customary traditional French architecture.

The common amenities within the rooms include: Wireless Internet access, DVD player, soundproofed feature, air conditioning, phone, direct-dial phone, mini bar, hair dryer, in-room safe, iron/ironing board (on request), desk, clock radio, cable television service, flat-panel television, LCD TV, French and International channels, plush cotton towels, slippers, linen, bathrobes, black curtains, ant-allergic pillows, and wheelchair accessible.

Sixth floor has all the Deluxe rooms: 602 with a big bathroom and great vista of the rooftops; 102, 202, 302 and 402 as the small standard rooms of tranquility; and the Daniel Suite from where the sunset behind the Eiffel Tower is just awesome.

Amenities/Recreation

• Limo or Town Car service  • Parking for €25 a day  • Valet parking  • Private parking  • 24-hour front desk  • Concierge services all 24 hours  • Lounge  • Restaurant  • Room service (24 hours)  • Secretarial services  • Fax machine  • Tours/ticket assistance  • Multilingual staff  • Free Wi-fi  • Mobile on rent  • Telephones and laptops for rent  • Shoe shine  • Express service  • Cleaning and laundry service  • Local and international newspapers daily  • Spa treatment  • Beauty services  • Sauna  • Fitness facilities (gym)  • Swimming pool – indoor

Restaurants

At this 4-star Hotel Daniel Paris, you enjoy meals at the only one restaurant – Gourmet Restaurant Daniel – serving traditional French cuisine amidst inspiring setting. All the items are made from the fresh seasonal produce by the Menu Gourmand that also includes daily specials ensuring a variety of items as per the season.

During the weekends, you get a chance to enjoy the classic à la carte menu. On the weekdays, the restaurant serves the guests from 12.30 to 2.30 pm and then from 7.30 to 10.30 pm.

There is also a lounge that offers teas, breakfast, coffees, amidst a friendly atmosphere.

Rates

From $385 per night.

Tip:

You can avail of the discounted spa therapies, swimming, and gym at L’Espace Payot that is very close to Daniel, which will just add to your recreation.