I’m ready for my close up now Mr Demille….

As Norma Desmond said to the famous film producer Cecil B Demille there is one place to visit when you are in your luxury villa in Marrakech and that is the famous Atlas Film Studio. Situated in Quarzazate it’s 2 hour drive to this amazing studio, but worth it. This studio is one of the best Morocco tourist attractions set in a fantastic desert like landscape and is a must see for all visitors to Morocco.

Morocco is also known as the Hollywood of Morocco. The film sets in the Atlas Film Studio have been a favourite with the directors of period movies. There are a numerous international blockbusters that have been shot in Atlas Film Studio in Morocco. These include The Jewel of the Nile, Cleopatra, Lawrence of Arabia and the Sheltering Sky. In addition to these a few scenes from the recent blockbusters Star Wars and Gladiator have also been shot there.

There are guided tours around the studio and visitors take an elaborate round of the film sets where all the film stars had once performed. If luck prevails the visitors might even chance meeting one of their favourite stars in the studio in full action !!

After an exciting day at the film studios hoping to be “discovered’ you can then drive home to your Morocco quality villa and sample some film star living.

Contact us now to discuss your Autumn and Winter sun holiday on 01442 870055 or visit our website www.qualityvillasmorocco.co.uk

Gill Woolsgrove
Manager
France & Morocco

The surest way you will savour La Dolce Vita ….

Is by renting one of our wonderful villas that we have to offer! Our portfolio is bursting with rustic farmhouses, villas by the sea to a Chianti wine estate. Rent a holiday villa in Italy and you won't fail to be amazed by a country and culture so rich it will have you falling in love with its every curve and feature. There simply isn't anything about Italy that isn't beautiful, and our villas are no exception.

Find yourself a true taste of Italy; the sumptuous romance of the Tuscan Hills, the Renaissance art and even the way the locals dress oozes a chic charm. From the Chianti Vineyards to the art and beauty of Florence, to the medieval character of Siena and through to the jaw-dropping Amalfi down to the island of Sicily. There's a range of beautiful places to fall head over heels with when you are at your luxury family villa in Italy.

From our exceptional range of villas in Italy, you can indulge in the wonderful cuisine well-loved across the world, and sample local wines direct from the source. Get active on the beaches with water sport adventures, or relax by the pool with a long, cool drink. Explore the romance of Venice or the history of Rome. However you like to unwind, Italy makes the perfect get away.

Contact us now to discuss your Italian holiday on 01442 870055 or visit our website http://www.qualityvillasitaly.co.uk

Gill Woolsgrove
Manager
France & Morocco

Did you see Jamie in the Midi Pyrénées…..

For those following Jamie’s culinary adventures last week he was in my area, the Midi Pyrénées and it was a joy to watch knowing all the places that he visited – I knew too!!

If there is something clear in the world, it is the gastronomy language is defiantly French!! Its kitchen is the national pride of the French people and the fame of the French is good eating and drinking. As you read on think about your family rental villa for your summer holiday.

In the area that I live duck, goose, and foie gras are elements of the kitchen of the region of Dordogne and Midi-Pyrénées. These dishes are mainly accompanied by plums, raisins or truffles. The markets groan each week with fresh local produce, cured hams, duck, farm bred chickens and wonderful cheeses.

Did you know that there are more than 400 varieties of cheeses. The most famous are Brie, Roquefort, Camembert and those of goat. My favourites are the ripe, runny Camembert’s and St. Felician and the stronger the better! I like my cheese to take the roof of my mouth off and leave the milder cheeses to the less adventurous. What could be better that having lunch of fresh cheeses, French bread all washed down with a hearty bottle of Cahors wine at your rural French farmhouse in South West France.
What about the wine you say!! The glasses are always full in France, in spite of the recognized spiritual drinks like Armagnac, cointreau, the cider or the calvados, the king is the wine!! The French are authentic lovers of good wines and its country is seeded from corner to corner of vineyards. In this area are the Cahors vineyards where wine tasting is a must.

If this has wetted your appetite and tingled your taste buds then why not think about your South West France holiday now by booking one of our family villas. We still have good availabilities in the summer months – but hurry this area is popular!

If you would to talk to one of our experienced staff about your luxury villa in France contact our office on 01442 870055 or visit our website www.qualityvillas.com

Gill Woolsgrove
Regional Manager
France & Morocco

Miles of golden shores, long sunny days and so much to do for families …

This is the Vendée and Charente !

Home of Cognac, fabulous beaches, idyllic islands and rich rural heritage, your Vendée and Charente family villa offers a region bursting with excellent attractions and activities, culture and history – a really top spot for your get-a-way-from-it-all holiday in a beautiful region of France.

This Atlantic coast line has some fabulous beaches and boasts plenty of sunny hours – second only to Provence. This is a water sports paradise with the added attraction of some gorgeous islands just off the coast to explore including La Rochelle and the Ile de Ré. Surfing, sailing, or whatever you like to do at the seaside you’ll find it all here.

Inland you’ll find rolling vineyards and a strong rural tradition. There are many picturesque villages, fortified towns, châteaux and fine historical buildings and gardens to enjoy in Charente, including the Roman baths and amphitheatres of Poitiers. The River Charente winds its way through beautiful scenery between Angouleme and Rochefor which offers bags of opportunities to mess about in boats and some great fishing. Take your catch back to your family villa and BBQ by your own private swimming pool.

The Vendée & Charente are also home to two of the most amazing theme parks in France: Futuroscope between Poitiers and Châtellerault, and the awesome experience at Le Puy du Fou. There are also many aquariums, wildlife parks, museums and zoos to inspire and delight the whole family!

We still have full availability at Chateau de Seigneurs one of our super luxury family villas from our select portfolio of properties. This chateau is spacious and oozes comfort with a heated swimming pool, private tennis court and a fitness room. Situated in a rural area the chateau is ideal for touring around this wonderful region.

If you would to talk to one of our experienced staff about your luxury villa in France contact our office on 01442 870055 or visit our website www.qualityvillas.com

Gill Woolsgrove
Manager
France & Morocco

Surf beaches and miles of prestigious vines.....

From the regal and fashionable seaside resort of Biarritz, the endless beaches of the Côte d’Argent hold irresistible appeal for holidays by the sea. Surfers flock here to ride the Atlantic breakers on France’s ‘California coast’ while families enjoy carefree days on sandy shores. Learn to surf on the superb beaches or go sailing and windsurfing on inland lakes and find excellent golf courses in scenic settings.

Vast pine forests back onto these beaches, towering dunes rise into an incredible desert like setting near Arcachon and inland lagoons promise all kinds of water sports in scenic surroundings for walking and cycling. Savour plump local oysters from the Bassin d’Arcachon. How does that sound to you? Has that whetted your appetite for a beach villa in Biarritz.

This corner of France is also wine country. The historic city of Bordeaux is surrounded by 1000 square kilometres of carefully tended vineyards with over 5000 wine châteaux scattered throughout the precious landscape. Enjoy the full bodied St. Emillion, lighter Médoc reds, dry-white Entredux-mers, sweet Sauternes and make an appointment for tastings at prestigious Pauillac châteaux including Lafitte Rothchild, Mouton Rothchild and Margaux. What better to enjoy a glass or two when you are lunching by the sparkling pool of your luxury French villa rental.

The Pyrénées Atlantique provides a mountainous backdrop in the south, climbing to a dramatic natural border with Spain and with sheer cliffs plunging to the sea on the coast. The ancient riverside city of Bayonne is the capital of the French Pays Basque and there is a distinctive character to the tall, half-timbered houses and traditional coloured shutters in red and green. Of the local specialities, the smoked Bayonne ham has a distinctly Spanish flavour or visit the famous Chocolate Factory.

We have an exciting selection of houses ranging from a full hotel style service in a former stately home; a fabulous apartment right on the beach; a stunning property in Bidart with amazing views to a delightful house set within a forest with a pretty garden and pool and close to a sandy beach. Escape the General Election and book your French villa holiday now!!

If you would to talk to one of our experienced staff about your luxury villa in France contact our office on 01442 870055 or visit our website www.qualityvillas.com

Gill Woolsgrove
Regional Manager
France & Morocco

Sete – The Venice of the Languedoc with Quality Villas

Mention Mediterranean France and everyone automatically thinks of the Cote d’Azur and Provence. Beautiful areas to visit but why not venture further west and sample the delights of quaint fishing villages, lively cities and at affordable prices. Why not consider this marvellous region for your family villa in Languedoc.
As part of my portfolio of houses across various regions of France the one area that I have always felt that I am on holiday in, even though I am working, is Sete and the surrounding coastal towns and small villages. We have many luxury villas in Languedoc and some still with summer availability.

I have visited Sete many times plus the coastal town of Marseillan where I have had the best moules frites ever to the pretty town of Meze north of Sete and famous for wonderful oysters from the Bassin de Thau – again the best oysters I have ever eaten!!

However, Sete is special and my favourite!! Once a small fishing village on the island of Mont St Clair it’s become the definitive Languedoc fishing port for France on the Mediterranean. This warm and colourful town is known as the Venice of Languedoc with its canals and small bridges. The charm of Sète is in the canals, the sea, the streets and the restaurants. You can walk and discover fishing boats, busy with their catch, or find a restaurant to eat and watch the fishing boats go out to sea. Walk down the Saint Louis Pier and look for yachts vie for space. Here you will see some of the fastest sailboats in the world, as it is here that the French train for the America's Cup. For families there are 12 kms of sandy beaches that stretch from Sete to Cap d’Agde. There is so much to do in and around Sete from sailing trips, water sports, micro light flights, tennis, golf, horse riding, museums, theatres and a casino if you fancy a try at the tables!!

We have two new luxury villas in Sete on the horizon, both quite stunning with modern interiors, fabulous pools, gymnasiums, saunas and their own cinemas. More on these villas very soon!!

Why not consider this pearl of the coastline for your family villa holiday. Our two new villas mentioned above will be available to rent from May so look out for them on our website www.qualityvillas.com
If you would like to speak to a specialist on a French villa holiday or where best to visit, do visit this site on line : http://www.qualityvillas.com and contact our office or email us.

Gill Woolsgrove
Area Manager
France & Morocco

There's a lot to do in the Lot !!!!

The Lot Valley is one of the most beautiful regions in France, a perfect holiday destination for your rural French farmhouse holiday. The area has remained fairly untouched by 20th century development and tourism and the rural way of life continues very much as it has for centuries. Local farmers seem happy to live a fairly subsistence lifestyle, and village markets continue to flourish. This is due, no doubt, to the local taste for fresh ingredients and traditional methods of regional cooking. Although medieval villages and towns are starting to be discovered by tourists looking for a more authentic France, they have managed to retain their old-world charm. Visitors are drawn to the stunning countryside, pâté, truffles, foie gras and fine wine. A perfect place for your family farmhouse in South West France!!!

The summers are hot and the pool is a great place to sunbathe and cool down. Music and wine festivals and village fêtes go on throughout this time. Canoeing along the river Lot is a lovely way to while away a day – in search of the perfect spot for a picnic, French style. And, talking of food, what better way to indulge in the region’s gastronomy than to install ones self at a local restaurant that specialises in foie gras, magret and cassoulet. How perfect to be here in your very own South West France Villa!
This area boasts many beautiful villages and the scenery is without a doubt truly stunning. It’s a perfect area to enjoy a wonderful family holiday in a countryside villa with your very own swimming pool. This region is vast but its worth mentioning just a couple of areas of interest.

The ancient city of Cahors sits on the River Lot and steeped in history. It is now a fashionable town with some superb restaurants, nice shops and an excellent Saturday market, bursting with local produce. Across the river is the town's signature piece, the Pont Valentré. This magnificent fortified bridge was built between 1308 and 1500 and features a trio of towers, battlements and seven pointed arches. The Cathédrale St-Etienne dominates the old town and features a sculptured Romanesque north portal, which was carved around 1135. Today the town is best known for its excellent cuisine and the fine deep red wine that is made in the surrounding vineyards. A good excursion from Cahors is the stunning cliff-edge village of St-Cirq-Lapopie, (31km) to the east. Perched high above the south bank of the Lot, the village, with its cobbled lanes, half-timbered houses and gardens, it is best visited village in history!

Why not book your South West France farmhouse today so you can enjoy the beauty of the Lot Valley. We have a few rural French farmhouses still with high season availability.

If you would to talk to one of our experienced staff about your luxury villa in France contact our office on 01442 870055 or visit our website www.qualityvillas.com

Gill Woolsgrove
Regional Manager
France & Morocco