Bordered by the majestic Rhone River on the west, Provence France is coincidentally a Province in France. The Rhone River forms a natural frontier with its neighbor Languedoc.

Provence France is a region of mountains, fertile plains and rivers that display all the magnetic beauty and contrast of Mediterranean mountain country.

The Rhone River borders the Provence France on the west which is a fast flowing river. The true artery of the Province of Provence France is the Durance River which was one a seasonally destructive torrent that has since been tamed by the use of dams.

The Durance River sluggishly curls around a broad valley like a snake. People who are interested in sight seeing on their trip, will definitely want to see these two rivers during their trip to Provence France.

The landscape of Provence is filled with many distinct contrasts and characters. You will find lush valleys throughout Provence. These lush valleys are commonly associated with areas with less fertile vegetation. The Alluvial plains are lined along the edges of the major rivers. The Camargue offers an interested landscape that is great for sight seeing as there is often a blurred distinction between the land and the sea. The wildlife of Camargue is similar to that of an African environment.

You’ll find carved caves between the limestone rocks in certain parts of Provence where the water meets the land. There are some really large and easily accessible caves located in Provence. These caves happen to be the some of the most popular tourist spots in all of Europe. In some located rivers have cut deeply into the limestone forming gorges. The Verdon Gorge is one of the most popular sight seeing gorges in the Province of Provence France.

You will find a very complicated range of mountains in the Provence France. These mountains lay west of the Verdon Gorge. This is the area where the Alpine and Pyrennean folds meet. You will also find Mont Ventoux in this region which is the highest peak in all of Provence. If you travel further south you will find the buckled mountain ridges of Montagne Ste Victoire. These mountains were one of Paul Cezannes favorite perspectives.

Provence France follows in suit with the rhythms of the common Mediterranean climate in which seasons tend to change in abrupt succession. You will find that the rapid autumn rains of autumn quickly end the extensive heat of summer. Winters really tend to be mild in Provence France. The region gets the most rainfall in the spring which is around the same time that the plant life explodes into growth.

The Province of Provence France happens to be located in the northern section of the Sahara Desert which means that the summers in this region tend to be brutally hot. The Provence would be nothing but Saharan without the Mediterranean which is a strongly salted inland sea that is almost tide less. There are times within the Algeria when there will be six months without rain. The Provence can go three months without rain at times.

Located in the heart of the Jardin Alpin – France, the five-star Hotel de Charme Les Airelles is well known for its old world charm.

Hotel de Charme Les Airelles had completed a 37 million Euro renovation back in December 2009.

The Hotel de Charme Les Airelles is designed in the spirit of grand chalets of the past. The hotel is perfectly positioned at the foothills of the mountain with convenient access to the ski slopes via Gloriette and the Relais des Skieurs.

The hotel offers its guest 37 guestrooms, 14 suites, plus a 5,900 square-foot private apartment.

Several of many guest amenities include: flat screen TV’s and built-in DVD players, video-on-demand service, sound dock, jukebox, in addition to wireless high-speed Internet access.

Enjoy the luxurious 7,000 square-foot Valmont Spa, the Pierre Gagnaire Restaurant and three additional dining options.

The hotel provides a beautiful Hermes designed horse-drawn carriage, a skating rink and carousel offering endless hours of fun. Shoppers can also find an exclusive Valentino boutique.

Hotel de Charme Les Airelles offers families an elaborate Kid’s Kingdom that provides hours of entertainment for children, under the direct supervision of a certified nanny.

Hotel de Charme Les Airelles is just five minutes from the nearby Courchevel Airport, thirty minutes from Moûtiers Rail Station, and approximately a two-hour drive from both the Geneva and Lyon International Airport.

For more information, please visit www.airelles.fr

Le Meurice, Paris

The Le Meurice hotel is located in scenic and romantic Paris, France. Enough can’t be said of the magnificent hotel terrace that provides direct views of Paris’ key sites.

You’ll feel as though you can reach out and touch some of the most famous Paris landmarks, including: the Louvre museum, Arc de Triomphe, Place, de la Concorde, and Eiffel Tower.

The Charles X-style decor contains finely crafted marquetry, a trove of art and rare antiques.  The decor is in the style of a mini Versailles. It is elegant and sophisticated.

The luxurious Belle Etoile Suite is 2,250 square feet, plus a 3,200 square foot terrace.

Rate: $18,500

Le Meurice
228 rue de Rivoli
75001 Paris, France
Tel: +33 1 44 58 10 10
Fax: +33 1 44 58 10 15

The French Riviera’s La Villa Mauresque on the French Riviera is one of the most splendid villa hotels you will find anywhere.

La Villa Mauresque is located in the charming village of Boulouris, which lies between Cannes and St. Tropez.

La Villa Mauresque features 17 luxurious bedrooms housed in two Moorish villas dating from 1860. Most rooms offer stunning sea views, while the others provide lovely garden views.

Found on a private seafront, the luxury boutique hotel offers luxury and serenity with an infinity pool and a seafront spa and Jacuzzi, lush garden, and private harbor
with facilities for complimentary water activities: canoeing, kayaking, small catamaran, zodiac and snorkeling.

Windsurfing and scuba diving are also offered, as well as a small 4cv motor boat for those without a sailing permit.

To really enjoy the local sites, hire a 97-foot private yacht for day cruises along the scenic French Riviera or a 17-foot motor boat.

Ideally located for exploring the French Riviera, otherwise known as the Côte d’Azur, La Villa Mauresque is just 30 minutes from Cannes, 30 minutes by boat from St. Tropez, 50 minutes from Nice airport and one hour from the port of Monaco.

For additional information or reservations, please call +33 (0) 4 94 83 02 or visit the website at www.hotelsfrench-riviera.com

Courtesy of: Hotel du Palais

The luxury Hotel du Palais in Biarritz was built in 1855. This five-star hotel overlooks the Atlantic Ocean, and has been permanently restored boasting a glamorous five-story Guerlain Imperial Spa.

The legendary Hotel du Palais is well-known for its surfing spots and a glamorous jetset scene, and was once the palatial summer home of Napoleon III and Empress Eugenia.

This truly grandiose oceanfront villa in Basque Country, has interiors with restored nineteenth-century antiques and décor dating all the way back from the Second Empire.

This upcoming summer, Hotel du Palais will host a wide selection of both exciting and culturally enriching events, including a Dior jewelry exhibition, classical
musical and dance performances, art auctions and a special guest chef.

Art & Accessories – Hotel du Palais will host a DIOR Jewelry Presentation showcasing the latest collection from this legendary fashion house (July 28-August 14); French artist Maître Françoise Carayol will be auctioning some of his finest works including antiques and paintings (August 6-9), and local ceramist Joël Cazaux will display many of his signature pieces (August 9-18).

Sounds of Summer – Hotel du Palais is highlighting virtuosic concerts performances throughout the summer: a cello-piano duet featuring some of the Romantic Era’s greatest pieces (June 27), the world-renowned Ballet Flamenco de Maria Carrasco from Madrid (July 14), soprano Princesses Sophie and Catherine Galitzine of Russia (July 23), and a four-hand duet from piano prodigies Lidija and Sanja Bizjak (August 4).

Culinary Delights – In accordance with the annual Indian “Festival Namaste,” celebrated Chef Hemant Oberoi, Grand Chef of the Taj Group of Hotels and Executive Chef of the Taj Mahal Palace & Tower in Mumbai will be a guest chef to the hotel’s world-class restaurants (July 1-7).

For additional information, please visit: www.Hotel-du-Palais.com

Paris is known all around the world as the “city of lights and “romance”. Visiting Paris can be a lifetime experience and is the ideal blend of civilization, travel, and cuisine.

There are a lot of wonderful places you can see in Paris, in addition to numerous other things you can do during your stay in Paris.

First of all, you should visit the Cathedral Notre Dame which is located in the heart of Paris. This is a truly a work of art when it comes to the French Gothic architecture. It has amazing rose windows and the interior is absolutely enormous. For those who love architecture, there is also the Sainte Chapelle, which is a beautiful attraction based on Gothic architecture.

Any trip to Paris must include a visit to the Louvre. Here you can find the most prominent works of art from all over the globe. There are also pieces of art that were formerly collected by the French Royalty and were later donated to the museum.

If you are an art enthusiast, you don’t want to miss the Musee d’Orsay, which houses a large collection of paintings, sculptures, and many other artistic items.

While in Paris, you can also experience the famous French cuisine which is exclusive. The finest restaurants in the city are the Les Fontaines, Au Bistrot de la Sorbonne, Les Degres de Notre-Dame, Au Jardin des Pates, and many others. In addition there are also great Paris bars and clubs including Batofar, La Locomotive, and Mustangs.

There are some very nice parks and gardens in Paris which have fantasy landscapes and open spaces where you can take a stroll, rest on a park bench, and also have an enjoyable picnic.

When it comes to shopping in Paris, it is one of the things the city is famous for. There are large designer shops as well as small shops that sell everything from antiques to other local products such as clothes, pottery, wine, and books.

Of course, one of the greatest attractions in Paris is the mighty Eiffel Tower. If you are lucky enough to stand on top of the Eiffel Tower, you are able to get a fantastic view of the city in all directions. Inside the Eiffel Tower is also a cinema, a bar, and several restaurants.

Another grand museum that is a must see is the Musee du Quai Branly, which has works from Africa, Oceania, America, and Asia. You can see costumes, music instruments, masks, and other artifacts from various continents.

There is also the National Picasso Museum which has all the phases of art by Pablo Picasso – from his preparatory sketches to large sculptures.

Next to Paris, Marseilles is the second largest city in France based on population. Marseilles has the largest port on the Mediterranean as well as being the financial center of the Provence-Alpes-Cote.

Even though Marseilles doesn’t have the immediate allure that fabulous Paris has, most visitors will fall in love with this great city.  You can spend hours just walking the many African markets, go to the cliffs falling into the blue sea, or visit Panier and the Corniche.

Marseilles has numerous sights for tourists who take the time and make an effort to really discover this French city.|

One stop to visit is the Vieux Port, or the old harbor. You can view fishermen selling the daily fish catch in an auction. In addition, if you land on the port in the evening, there’s a sight you will never forget – Notre Dame de la Garde.

The Notre Dame de la Garde is a large church that looks over Marseilles. In ancient times, the fishermen used to get their boats blessed here. As you tour the place today, you will discover a few boats remaining in the area.

The Cours Julien is a great place where you can rest and visit various book stores, a local playground, or even get a cup of French coffee.

The Boulevard Longchamp and Palais Longchamp are a castle and a walkway. The palace itself i not very large, but is definitely worth a visit.

Panier is an area near Borely park and is the oldest part of town. There you will find many old buildings, museums, monuments, and various exhibitions that are present throughout the year.

One place you should visit outside of Marseilles, is the Chateau d’If, a small island and was actually once a prison. It’s quite famous due to its association with the novel “The Count of Monte Cristo”. The Calanques are fjords which are spectacular, and have great views.

Marseilles is a beautiful place to visit, and absolutely has enough to keep its visitors busy with even if it is not as renowned or marketed as Paris.

The dark, enchanting blue of the Mediterranean, white grains of sand from the beaches of the coast, and the serenity that murmurs quietly in distant city sounds.

These, mixed with the fresh air, tinged slightly with salt from the sea, and a gentle breeze that appears near ceaseless, are what make a Cote d’Azur villas nothing short of but, entirely and completely, a paradise.

Cote d’Azur, a hybrid name inspired by the French word for gold and the azure blue of the Mediterranean Sea, is deservedly and well named.

The beautiful coast of the South of France has been a tourist hot spot for centuries, and many of the first visitors to this luxurious landscape were royalty and aristocracy from around the world.

The cities that line the coast, Nice, Cannes, and St. Tropez, are famous for not only their beautiful views, but also the wonderful culture and architecture that these cities have been built upon and around.

It is no wonder then, that such a place has drawn so many famous writers and artists from around the world as well, hoping to catch a spark of inspiration from its calming beauty. In the past, greats such as Pablo Picasso and Edith Wharton visited, lived in and worked on the Cote d’Azur.

Today, celebrities like Elton John and Bridget Bardot have even made their homes on the French Riviera.

Cote d’Azur is a dreamlike haven for foreigners and locals alike, as the weather that permits outdoor activities and relaxation stays relatively moderate year round.

In Cannes, it has been boasted that the city regularly receives sunlight for twelve hours a day, almost every day. Rich in history, culture, beauty and still so full of a sweet piece of calm, Cote d’Azur calls out to the heart of the weary and wishful, offering rest and peace.

Many visitors to the city often rent or stay in hotel rooms or suites, if only to rest for a bit when running low on energy from enjoying all that Cote d’Azur has to offer. But, for an optimal experience on the French Riviera, it may be better to stay at a villa.

While it may be an interesting enough experience to run into and listen to other foreigners and visitors to the coast, for a more private and focused stay a hotel does not offer the same feeling as a villa might. Crossing paths with strangers on the street, is very different from brushing shoulders in a crowded lobby or narrow hallway.

To stay in a villa is similar to staying in a vacation home, providing one with a more authentic and at-home feeling. Enjoying a drink on a private deck or patio as the sun sets is a surprising amount more serene than staring at the sky through a hotel room window.

Full of beautiful land, buildings, people and history, Cote d’Azur is paradise in waiting.

The sun continues to shine over this French vacation spot, and all that is left is for more people to see and take in for themselves, the blue gold that is Cote d’Azur.

Val d’Isère

Spend the holidays by cozying up to the fire in the beautiful town of Val d’Isère, a commune located in south-eastern France just 3 miles from the border of Italy.

Val d’Isère is perfect for lovers of luxury ski holidays as it is a part of the Rhône-Alpes region known for its snowy peaks dusted with white powder.

The town of Val d’Isère is known for its “chalet” architecture and is often called the “Most Beautiful Ski Area in the World.”

Nicknamed “The Hotel of Kings”, the Meurice has played host to everyone from Queen Victoria and the Maharajah of Jaipur to the King and Queen of Spain. For more than a hundred years the Meurice has been, for many, the quintessential French hotel.

Reflecting its uninterrupted attachment to the French art of living, Le Meurice is a magical, serene place, where the refined splendours of 18th-century architecture meet the latest in contemporary comfort and elegance. It was the place you went to for Brillat-Savarin-esque banquets and to sip tea in the red velvet salon.

And since its renovation, the Meurice has taken French-ness to new heights. Waiters swish by with their noses in the air. If you order a simple piece of toast, expect it to come on an enormous silver trolley.

Here, too, as the seasons pass, are born the creations of Yannick Alleno, the chef of the renowned restaurant, Le Meurice. Drawing his inspiration from the gastronomical treasures that abound in the Parisian region, this young French chef adds a daring touch to traditional dishes, creating a delicious, and whimsical link between past and present. The spa meanwhile offers treatments using grapeseed oil from nothing less than Château Lafite grapes.

Purists still prefer the slightly dilapidated elegance of its former reincarnation but it’s hard not to be impressed by the massive entrance across from the Tuileries and the marble interior with its chandeliers and priceless mosaic floors. The restaurant is one of the most beautiful in the city, three-tiered candelabras illuminating the heavy damask tablecloths and Limoges porcelain.

And every room is packed to the gills with an excess of old master paintings, Oriental rugs, Louis XV, XVI and Empire furniture. Bathrooms are enormous and marble, with tubs that fill in the blink of an eye, and super-sized showers that sport high speed jets.

You’ll find that the French-ness of the Meurice extends to the staff as well. Service is Gallic in both efficiency (very efficient) and in attitude (a lot). Doormen and porters who guard the door are intimidating figures who, with ineffable snobbery, act as hotel bouncers, deciding who belongs to the Meurice and showing others firmly out.

Meanwhile, the concierge will fetch your dry cleaning, fix your cellular telephone, and reserve your theatre tickets. Nonetheless, breakfast in bed at the Meurice is guaranteed to cure any ill. A white-sheeted trolley, a rose on the tray, a lot of silverware and truly ethereal croissants, while the daylight streams gently in. It’s the ultimate Parisian experience. Source: TabletHotels

What is the life of luxury? Could it be owning your own private jet with a pilot ready at a moment’s notice to whisk you away to your favorite Caribbean Island?

Or, could it be spending $37,200 a night for a room?  That’s right. $37,200 per night.

According to Forbes, the most expensive hotel room in the world is the Penthouse Suite at Hotel Martinez in Cannes, France.

So, what do you get for a year’s salary? A private entrance, four bedrooms, plasma TV, open bar, a Jacuzzi, and the most important amenity of all — bragging rights.

For more information, or to book, you can directly contact Hotel Martinez.