During the end of year festivities we had a chance to talk to friends, especially those with families who are planning their holidays this year. With children young and old, they reminded us that when you choose a holiday property to rent, there’s more to your decision than just the food, wine and scenery.

Well, we hope we can offer these a plenty, but here are a few other good reasons why families should enjoy their stay at the villa. (And not just our special offer of 10 percent off all bookings made before January 6, 2010).

Still time to get a booking at 10 percent off our list prices – see details after this article.

Eus, one of the most beautiful villages in France

But until then, five golden things for the fifth day of Christmas. This time five of the most beautiful villages and towns in the vicinity of the villa. We’ve rated them with our high and low points, and a link for more information. (All times by car).

Eus (30 minutes): You’ve seen all those gorgeous Tuscan hillside villages? Course you have. Well here’s a Roussillon town that’s just as beautiful. See if you can find a route that zigs and zags up and down the streets until you find the shaded town square for a glass of refreshing lemonade.

There’s still time to book your summer holiday and get 10 percent off our list prices. See the information below.

In the meantime, here’s a short photomovie of the villa. We hope it gives you a good flavour of what you can expect: sun, swimming and plenty to see and do!

Celebrate the 12 days of Christmas by getting 10 percent off all bookings made until January 6.

28 March – 29 May. Was £750 a week, now £675 a week

30 May – 26 June. Was £1,200, now £1080 a week

27 June – 4 September. Was £1,600, now £1,440 a week

Contact us for more details about this offer and bookings outside of these dates:

pspringett@gmail.com

Tel: 00 49 171 1441 209

Here’s an offer that will get the lords a leaping and the ladies dancing:

Celebrate the 12 days of Christmas by getting 10 percent off all bookings made until January 6.

28 March – 29 May. Was £750 a week, now £675 a week

30 May – 26 June. Was £1,200, now £1080 a week

27 June – 4 September. Was £1,600, now £1,440 a week

Contact us for more details about this offer and bookings outside of these dates:

pspringett@gmail.com

Tel: 00 49 171 1441 209

More photos here: www.picasaweb.com/pspringett

Happy Christmas, we hope you’re having a lovely break.

And if you’re searching the web looking for a great holiday in 2010, congratulations for being so organised!

We’re enjoying a few days with friends and family, but we’d be delighted to hear from you if you want to find out more about the villa and whether it’s right for your holiday next year.

Hard as it might be to imagine in the middle of the great British winter we can offer 300 days of sun a year and poolside temperatures of 30 degrees celsius.

Call Peter on 00 49 171 1441 209.
Or email: pspringett@gmail.com

More photos here: www.picasaweb.com/pspringett

We look forward to hearing from you.

Did you know your UK visitors would rather cut back on their holidays then do without the internet?

The penny dropped last weekend. We had my five year-old godson to stay along with his older sister and parents. The first question when they arrived: ’What’s the wireless key so that we can download some games for the children?’

Well, they survived without Flight Control for a couple of days thanks to a steady diet of walks and Christmas markets.

But it got us thinking, should we install wireless internet for our guests?

First off, we did a bit of research. According to a report(1) earlier this year, 74 percent of UK adults use the internet.  More astonishingly still, when asked how they would save money if times got tough,  47 percent said they would cut back on going out for dinner, 41 percent on DIY and 41 percent on holidays. Broadband internet? Just 10 percent.

A picture paints a thousand words when you’re trying to describe to visitors the distance to the nearest shops, where the best beaches can be found and how to get to a famous art museum. Which is why we’re big fans of Google maps.

One of the best features is ‘My Maps’ – a simple way build your own customised map. Use it to highlight places, write a description and even include photos if you really want to bring the location to life. Then send a link to visitors or embed the map in your web site as we’ve done here. (NB This is work in progress, but you get the idea).

Afterwards there’s a great video tutorial where you’ll learn all the basics in five minutes. As well as highlighting places to go, it explains how to draw a walking route and even insert a video. Best of all, it’s pretty easy to follow. We’re filing this project under ’so straightforward even we could manage it’. Give it a spin.

View Larger Map

If you’re reading this post, you probably came via Twitter. By now you probably know the basics. With 19 million users, it’s also the new celebrity communication channel of choice with everyone from Stephen Fry and Ashton Kutcher leading the charge.

But let’s get on to the important business of Twitter in the world of holiday rentals. We’re really keen to find out how you use Twitter to share news with fellow property owners, visitors and the world at large. Is it a fundamental part of the way that you publicise your property? Or is it just a bit of fun keeping up with friends and family?

About two months ago we were offered a single page of advertising in Candis magazine via Homeandaway.com. Happy to say that the December issue is now out and we’re starting to see a more enquiries come through.

We spent forever this weekend thinking of new ways to attract visitors to the villa. Especially with the New Year just around the corner. We asked friends and family and previous visitors what struck them most about the Rue Rourede. Most of all we wanted something unique, something that would persuade a prospective tenant that they should stay in this particular corner of South-West France.

On Sunday evening I spoke to a friend who has stayed a couple of times. I asked him what he remembered most about his stay. The wine? Maybe the pool or fresh croissants from the village bakery in the morning? “It was the smell.” I beg your pardon? “It was the smell. You know. That smell of pine and blossom that smacks you in the face the moment you turn right out of the Rhone valley, or when you get off the plane at Perpignan airport. The smell that reminds you why you always thought Roussillon was the most fragrant region of France.”

At that point I cut him off before he went all Mary Archer on me. But there you have it. Rue Rourede –  the villa with the famous smell.  It made us wonder – what do your visitors tell you is most special about your property when they stay? And were you as surprised as we were?