We are proud to announce our new arrivals......

We have 3 new luxury villas to add to our collection in Aglou Plage, south of Agadir. They are right on the beach and all in a residential domain that offers quality accommodation with comfort in mind. Interest is growing already with these beach side villas in Morocco so read on and get booking!

Our newest recruits are Dar Takama http://www.qualityvillas.com/agadir/tiznit/dar-takama The style of decoration has an Indonesian flavour and oozes comfort with big settees and luxurious bedrooms. With comfort and style in mind this villa will delight all who stay here. Most of the rooms have sea views and a large first floor terrace that overlooks the beach. The villa has a patio next to the kitchen so perfect for breakfast as well as a large terrace that surrounds the pool area for poolside lunches or evening meals under the stars!

Our second arrival is Dar Kamar http://www.qualityvillas.com/agadir/tiznit/dar-kamar The villa is spacious, comfortable and furnished with white wooden furniture giving it a beach style ambience. Most of the rooms have sea views and a large first floor terrace that overlooks the beach. The villa has a patio next to the kitchen as well as a large terrace that surrounds the pool area for al fresco dining or just lazing in the sun listening to the waves coming in – pure relaxation!

Lastly, we have Dar Zidana http://www.qualityvillas.com/agadir/tiznit/dar-zidana Designed slightly differently from its sister villas on the domain, it has been decorated and furnished extremely well. This is a stylish villa in a modern style incorporating Moroccan furnishing with bright colours here and there. The front garden is stocked with palms, flowering shrubs and succulent plants. The first floor bedroom has sea views and a large terrace that overlooks the beach. The villa also has a private infinity style swimming pool and poolside terracing.

Contact us now to discuss your sunshine holiday on 01442 870055 or visit our website www.qualityvillasmorocco.co.uk

Gill Woolsgrove
Manager
France & Morocco

France - No: 1 destination for 2011

A new report shows that France is predicted as the country that most will want to visit in 2011 according to a report from the World Travel Organisation.

I have lived in France for 17 years and while food has almost doubled in price, eating out is still very cheap and public transport is efficient and cheap too!! Not only this but it is a relaxed and beautiful country whereby the French have a philosophy – you work to live and not live to work. The sheer fact of the lifestyle, beauty and most of all an unhurried way of life is exactly why it’s the number one place to visit.

Whilst many cannot up sticks and move here – you can come on holiday here and stay in one of our family villas in France from Brittany to the Cote d’ Azur.

The classic image of Brittany's coastline is that of massive Atlantic breakers bursting over defiant granite rocks, but Brittany's coastline actually offers a wide range of seashores, from small sandy or pebbly coves to sand dunes and broad sandy beaches; it also offers a wealth of inlets and harbours, making this region the most popular in France with sailing enthusiasts. The south-facing coast of the Morbihan benefits from a particularly mild climate. One of most popular villas rental in Brittany is Cottage on the Beach and its sister property House on the Beach.

The Dordogne with its 101 chateaux steeped in history to the lush green countryside and famous Dordogne River. Hire a kayak and pack a picnic for a glorious day out before having dinner in one of many fine restaurants or Auberges that are plentiful in this area. We have many superb villas in this area plus new villas that will surely please. View our family villas in Dordogne to sample other delights in this region.

Provence is a region of contrasts and colours. This delightful region of the French Midi (the South) is associated with warm breezes, a mild climate, and rolling hillsides covered in the gray washes of olive trees and lavender. The lavender fields are truly amazing to see with not only their beauty but the heady perfume that is in the air. View our villa rentals in Provence for your next holiday.

People in the hundreds of thousands flock to the Côte d'Azur or French Riviera for its sun and dazzling blue waters. This coastline is a constant hub of activity and excitement. The Riviera attracts an international group and jet-setters here to see and to be seen. If you want glamour and maybe spot a famous face or two then this is the place to be. So, to be one of the “in set” visit our website www.qualityvillas.com for your Cote d’Azur family villa rental 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

If you would like a copy of our new 2011 brochure call our office on the number above or order a copy via our website www.qualityvillas.com

Gill Woolsgrove
Regional Manager
France & Morocco

New Year and looking forward to the sun!!!

New Year is one of the oldest and most observed celebrations in countries all over the world and France is no exception! New Year's Eve is a great opportunity for families and friends to dine together once again at Le Réveillon or Fête de Saint-Sylvestre. At midnight streets fill with everyone moving outside to continue the celebration. In the Midi Pyrenees, where I live, the local tradition is to attend evening mass and then follow a procession to the vineyards and pick grapes at midnight.

Just after New Year, on Twelfth Night, we celebrate with King's cake (la galette des rois) which consists of a puff pastry case filled with frangipane. Frangipane is made with eggs, sugar, butter and ground almonds. The cakes are sold with a paper crown on top. A dried bean, small coin or ceramic figure is hidden in the filling. The person who finds the bean, coin or figure in their portion is 'king' for the day and wears the paper crown.

New Year is also the time when we start to think about our summer holidays and after weeks of snow and freezing temperatures it’s time to think of sun and your family farmhouse in South West France or your modern family villa in the Languedoc.

We have many new properties on our website with more being added daily – from a penthouse in St Jean de Luz to luxury villas in Agadir. As always, our villas and country houses in France, Italy or Morocco are of the highest standard that is the Quality Villas philosophy.

Call us now to discuss your villa holiday or ask for a copy of our new 2011 brochure on 01442 870055 or visit our website www.qualityvillas.com

Gill Woolsgrove
Manager
France & Morocco

Chateaux, chateaux everywhere....

Did you know that there are thousands of Chateaux in the Dordogne, from ones surrounded by moats to those that look like fairytale legends. For those who have never visited the Dordogne then read on and learn about this fantastic region which is visited by thousands every year and you can see why. This region is known as the Perigord and made up of 4 different Perigord covering the north, south, east and west and all offering history, gastronomic delights, chateaux, manoirs, caves and the fabulous Dordogne River and all accessible from your French luxury holiday property, whether a manor house or stone cottage.

The first place I visited when I moved to France was Rocamadour, France’s second most visited tourist attraction after Le Mont St-Michel. This magical town with golden houses clinging to the side of a cliff over the Alzou canyon is reached by a lift which takes you to the top of the town. From there you pass shops and restaurants until you reach the little church at the top. Not far from Rocamadour is the Gouffres du Padirac which is the most famous caves whereby you travel through on a boat – great for adults but even better for children looking at the stalagmites and stalactites. In our portfolio of Dordogne quality rental properties is a delightful chateau called Chateau de la Riviere which simply translated means The Chateau on the River, the river in question being the famous Dordogne river.

Many visitors to this region visit Sarlat, the medieval town of the Dordogne with its famous Saturday market offering excellent local produce and cheeses. In the evening the town has a romantic feel about it with the portrait artists outside the Cathedral St Sacerodos and the numerous restaurants offering the regions famous cuisine – duck!! Without a doubt the Perigord are superb at their duck, from confit du canard to magret (duck breast) to smoked duck salad with local grown walnuts.

Visitors to this region should not think that the Dordogne is mainly for sightseeing and adults but a fab place for children and teenagers. Kayaking on the Dordogne River or cycling on one of the many routes that snake along the river, the list is endless.
I love this region as it is so diverse and whereas it’s busy in the summer months spring and autumn are delightful. When thinking of booking your French family holiday villa then think of what the Dordogne has to offer – you will not be disappointed!!

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 and at the same time ask for a copy of our new 2011 brochure

Gill Woolsgrove
Manager
France & Morocco

Following the black diamonds.....

In South West France there are many markets which vary from Night markets in the summer to Farmers Markets or just plain Bric & Brac markets so it’s a perfect area for your South West villa holiday whether in summer or off season.

The most famous truffle market starting on the first Tuesday of December until mid-March is in Lalbenque which is close to Cahors in South West France. This market is busiest in the month of January, when the black truffles have their highest perfume and in December last year black truffles were sold for about €1,000 per kilo in some farmer's markets. It takes place in the main street, called "La rue du Marché aux Truffes” and is well worth a visit. The market opens on the dot of two o’clock and generally lasts just a few minutes with everyone hiding their “black diamond” treasure under red checked napkins, in paper bags or small wicker baskets.

If you are to make a day of it then arrive before midday and have a truffle omelette in one of the restaurants that line the main street. We have rural French farmhouses to rent throughout the year and within easy reach of this village and many others.

Truffles are strange looking fungi found just below the ground in open woodland, usually under oak or hazel trees, and their pungent aroma attracts many animals, particularly female pigs. The sow is said to be crazy about truffles because the truffle has the same musky smell as the sexual odour of the wild boar. Unlike mushrooms, truffle spores are not spread by the wind so they need animals to disperse them. Pigs need no encouragement to look for truffles. In fact, it requires constant vigilance and firmness on the part of the truffle hunter to prevent them from swallowing the lot. Nowadays, dogs are replacing pigs; they have no natural interest in truffles and can be trained to indicate with a paw the place where they have smelt them. They are also smaller, more manageable, don't tire as easily, and they don't go into a sexual frenzy when approaching a truffle.

I love this area with its rural landscape and rolling hills which is so popular with our clients for their South West France family villa holiday.
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

If you would like a copy of our new 2011 brochure call our office on the number above or order a copy via our website www.qualityvillas.com

Gill Woolsgrove
Regional Manager
France & Morocco

Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow!

Thinking of this old song and watching the news reports of snow in England makes
me think of warmer climes such as Morocco where the temperatures at the moment
are in the mid 70°s. As you sit and shiver and listen to the doom and gloom of more
snow on the way then cast your minds to a Morocco luxury villa right on the beach.

We have villas in Aglou Plage and with 3 more villas in the pipeline to go onto our website in this region near Agadir so start thinking about your winter sun holiday now.

Equally, you could start to think about your summer holiday in one of our South West France farmhouses or luxury villas on the Cote D’Azur when our new brochure becomes available just after Christmas.

Whatever you choice you can be assured of a Quality Villa for your winter or summer holiday.

We have been taking bookings for next summer for a few weeks now and some of our most popular houses are getting booked up so hurry and book your French villa holiday or Beachside Morocco villa holiday now!

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

If you would like a copy of our new 2011 brochure call our office on the number above or order a copy via our website www.qualityvillas.com

Gill Woolsgrove
Regional Manager
France & Morocco

Exciting new villas in Oualidia & Essaouira with Quality Villas

I have just returned from another trip to Morocco and this time I visited Oualidia and Essaouira which are on the coast between Casablanca and Agadir.

Due to the success of our Aglou Plage portfolio which features luxury beachside villas in Agadir Quality Villas are keen to expand into additional coastal regions whereby families and adults can experience the long sandy beaches, memorable sunsets and have a wonderful relaxing beach holiday.

Morocco still retains its history and culture and it remains remarkably inexpensive and with its all round sunny climate and high temperatures it’s a must to visit for your Morocco beach villa holiday.

My first port of call was Oualidia with its fabulous lagoon and long sandy beach. The town is small but big in impact and a surfer’s paradise. Fresh caught oysters and crab are a speciality here and a perfect accompaniment with a delicious Moroccan salad. I found two excellent restaurants whereby I enjoyed fresh squid for lunch and in the evening a feast of fish, ranging from sole, dorade and red mullet. Both meals were amazingly inexpensive too! I visited two new villas that I feel will be perfect for our Morocco family villa portfolio.

My next seaside destination was the adorable town of Essaouira with its blue & white painted houses, excellent food, medina and the harbour. A must is to go early in the morning to see the catch come in and then wander to many of the cafes for your morning coffee. Freshly caught fish and seafood is a speciality here as well as many restaurants cooking excellent Moroccan tajines and couscous. The long sandy beach is perfect for families with miles of sand for children to play. I visited a charming Riad which has its own plunge pool, a rarity in Essaouira, and within walking distance to the beach. This Riad will be perfect for your Morocco beach villa holiday.

These new villas will be on our website later this year so keep logging on to our web site www.qualityvillas.com or www.qualityvillasmorocco.co.uk and consider your next holiday in this new and exciting addition to our Morocco portfolio.

Gill Woolsgrove
Manager
France & Morocco