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

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.

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

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.

The new Villa & Hotel Majestic in Paris recently debuted the stunning 4,800 square-foot MajClub Wellness Centre.

The new luxury spa features revolutionary treatments that were designed by Céline Claret Coquet, the creator of Clé des Champs, which is an organic line of products inspired by traditional Chinese medicine.

Coquet has created an innovative face lifting treatment through the use of acupuncture and gold needles, that provide spa guests with 100% natural rejuvenation.

The innovative treatment consists of only three, painless, simultaneous actions. Well trained spa therapists provide their guests with 100% natural rejuvenation.

Courtesy of: MajClub Wellness Centre

Céline Claret Coquet explains, “The first step is an acupuncture session, to relax and harmonize the body’s energy. This is followed by a facial lifting created by acupuncture, which considerably improves the skin’s elasticity by stimulating the facial muscles and encouraging microcirculation. The third step involves a natural beauty prescription using Clé de Champs beauty treatments, optimizing the benefits of the acupuncture lift.”

MajClub Wellness Centre offers other simply scintillating treatments, including deep cleaning facials using extracts of seasonal products to nourish and tone the skin, combined with stimulation of acupressure points to regain balance.

Courtesy of: MajClub Wellness Centre

Bodywork is just as holistic. The “Turina” massage, for example, restores the flow of energy throughout the body by stimulating pressure points, preparing the body to face the challenges of each season.

MajClub Wellness Centre is located in the lower level the Villa & Hotel Majestic hotel. The Centre raises the bar among its closest competitors thanks to the variety and quality of its treatments and facilities.

Additional spa amenities at the MajClub Wellness Centre include: blue-tiled hammams, infrared saunas, a fitness facility with Technogym equipment, a heated indoor lap pool, teakwood chaise lounges for relaxing and more.

Courtesy of: MajClub Wellness Centre

The Villa & Hotel Majestic has quickly distinguished itself as one of Paris’ best properties since its debut earlier this year.

The Villa & Hotel Majestic is a contemporary sanctuary located just steps from the world famous Champs-Elysées. The luxury hotel has 52 guestrooms and suites that offer classic décor with modern accents.

Many of the hotel’s accommodations have spacious private and landscaped balconies that bring the beauty and elegance of Paris to the forefront.

For more information, please visit: Villa & Hotel Majestic

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

Les Airelles, the Pierre Gagnaire restaurant located at the Hotel de Charme Les Airelles in Courchevel, receives a two Michelin star rating for its consummate service and artistry.

Les Airelles is known for its timeless luxury and offerings and it is fitting that the hotel’s crowing culinary jewel is awarded such a honor.

For Chef Pierre Gagnaire, a leader among his peers, this honor motivates him to pursue his craft and simply “do good work with professionalism and conviction.”

celebrated Pierre Gagnaire for Les Airelles Restaurant in Courchevel that was recently awarded a coveted two Michelin stars. A few of his signature dishes include:

STARTERS: Malabar peppered-goose liver soup, green lentil gnocchi, Roscoff pink onions sprinkled with 50-year old balsamic vinegar

ENTREES – Carob-rubbed red mullet, oven-baked on bread; cuttlefish, two types of sea cucumber with slightly-salted anchovies OR Traditional veal stew with truffles, small silver onions, sunflowers and Jerusalem artichokes with creamy basmati rice and burrata cheese

DESSERT – Indian Jelly: crystallized quince syrup, lassi with coconut milk, aloe vera and jellified infusion of lemongrass with herbs.

The sumptuous dining room features 19th century inspired furniture, Olivier Gagniere designed armchairs, Saint-Louis chandeliers and crystal glassware, Puiforcat silverware, Hermes tableware and contemporary artwork by Francoise Petrovitch and Cédric Teisseire.

For more information, contact the Hôtel de Charme Les Airelles

For an art aficionado or antique collector, Europe is a literal treasure trove of hand-crafted goods from centuries past, in addition to numerous masterpieces from contemporary talents.

But how do you find the right art pieces for you. The knowledgeable concierge teams at Europe’s Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts are your ticket for success.

Beyond the overcrowded gallery trails, the Four Seasons local experts can arrange artful experiences for you to enjoy. View a private collection or attend a top auction. The options are endless.

The Four Seasons is offering the Cultural Capitals Programme to entice avid art and antique collectors off the beaten track to private galleries, artisans and auction houses in Europe’s most alluring cities.

In March, hoards of antique lovers flocked to Paris to the famous Parc des Princes (March 20 to 21), where some 250 exhibitors displayed one-of-a-kind furniture, silverware, artwork, jewelery and objects.

Novice collectors should put themselves in the hands of the concierge team at Four Seasons Hotel George V Paris, who will guide guests through the fair, offer tips on the best sellers and even arrange an expert escort.

In a tiny lane in Old Prague sits the brand new Manto Gallery. Visitors are encouraged to create their very own art pieces against the inspirational backdrop of Antonin Manto’s most striking works. Visitors learn the traditional art of glass painting before passing their designs through an 800°C (1,470°F) kiln and watching them come to life.

If you’d like to enjoy other secrets the city has to offer, the concierge team at Four Seasons Hotel Prague has endless tips for art lovers and can even arrange private tours of the Lobkowicz Palace’s private art collections with Prince Lobkowicz himself.

In Budapest, the Nagyházi Gallery on Járőr Street has been drawing international collectors since 1984. Hungary’s first auction house, this gallery has grown from a modest 60-square-metre (645-square-foot) space to a multi-storey gallery that spans over 200 square metres (2,150 square feet) and hosts 10 to 12 auctions every year.

Concierge staff at Four Seasons Hotel Gresham Palace Budapest, an exquisite Art Nouveau landmark, will arrange home delivery of guests’ precious findings, which may include fine art, sculptures, furniture, watches, jewellery, folk objects and china.

Visitors to Lisbon’s Tile Museum can see a collection spanning five centuries of the decorative tiles, called azulejos, that cover the city. Housed in the monastic building of the Madre de Deus Convent, this unusual museum has one of the most magnificent interiors in the city and is home to the largest collection of its kind in the world.

In addition to being another reflection of the fine nobility and charm of historic Portugal, Four Seasons Hotel Ritz Lisbon is home to the largest contemporary art collection in the city. In the 1950s, a group of local entrepreneurs committed to showcasing contemporary artists in a new hotel, which today represents the region’s rich history and its vibrant present.

Visit Four Seasons Magazine online for endless tips for travelers to help you get to the heart of your destination.

The beautiful Villa & Hotel Majestic in Paris, France made its debut on January 12, 2010.

As the luxury Paris hotel continues to celebrate the occasion, the Villa & Hotel Majestic has decided to extend its special opening offer through the end of 2010.

Rate start at 300 Euros per night for a Deluxe room and it’s based on double occupancy, This special price does not exclude either breakfast and the city tax.

The special price represents a 40% discount off the Villa & Hotel Majestic rack rates.

For patrons wanting to stay in Paris 15 days or longer, the luxurious Villa & Hotel Majestic rate is reduced to just 250 Euros per night.

The luxury Villa & Hotel Majestic makes a statement with its stylish interiors combining classic French design with contemporary abstract artwork and furnishings resulting in an entirely modern aesthetic throughout the hotel.

For more information, go to http://www.majestic-hotel.com/

The Hotel Banke is the ideal location to enjoy Paris – the City of Lights – in France.

The Hotel Banke is located in the 9th arrondissement, in Paris’ Opera area on Rue La Fayette. The hotel is in the heart of the Grands Boulevards quarter, close to the Place Vendôme and just ten minutes from the Louvre.

The Hotel Banke has been billed as “an exciting blend of the historic and the avant-garde of fabulous Paris, and just a short walk from the magnificent Place Vendôme and Rue Faubourg Saint-Honoré.

The hotel is housed in the former headquarters of CCF Bank (a classic Belle Époque building).

The Hotel Banke is part of the Derby Hotels Collection, and has been beautifully restored for its new life as an urban resort.

The Banke has 93 rooms, some with panoramic views of amazing Sacré Cœur. For a small boutique hotel, the facilities seem quite expansive, including: two restaurants (one of which is gastronomic), a night club, a spa zone and gym, and art collection displayed on every floor of the building, showcasing art from all cultures and historic periods.

Fully soundproofed, hotel guest rooms are outfitted with all the latest technology: LCD television with 250 satellite channels, wi-fi, and individual air-conditioning and temp controls.

Hotel Banke guests can also take advantage of 24-hour room service, late breakfast served until 1 p.m. in the bar, and limo service around town.