
Get more ooh-la-la for your moolah. HomesAway is offering 20% off rentals of its French villas through the end of the year.
by Kathryn Maier on Travel Deals
Last-minute summer trip to France, anyone? The folks at HomesAway, which has been on our annual list of top villa rental agents since we started it four years ago, have come up with an exclusive deal for Perrin Post readers: 20% off through the end of 2009--and six bottles of wine thrown in for good measure.
HomesAway's properties are all amazing, but what really sets this
company apart is its local hosts: All stays include several hours of
time with an English-speaking longtime resident of the region who acts
as a concierge and so much more. In addition to recommending
restaurants and making reservations, yours might take you to a favorite
winery or introduce you to the local shopowners.
A rental villa makes the most sense for a large family or group, of course. If your late-summer/early-fall family-vacation fantasies involve a Provençal château, consider Aire de Beaumes, pictured above. It's got five bedrooms, a gorgeous pool, and a location within walking distance of a village, and it comes with a staff of two (a husband and wife caretaker team). Normally $8,000 per week, this year it's $6,400. That's less than $200 per bedroom per night--a great value.
You can rent Aire de Beaumes for less than $200 per bedroom per night.
If it's an autumn escape you're looking for, check out four-bedroom Château Esperance in the Dordogne. Even if the temperature's slightly cooler, you can still swim in the heated outdoor pool or cozy up in front of its enormous fireplace. Normally $8,800 per week in autumn, this fall it's $7,040 for rentals starting September 26 or later. That's $251 per bedroom per night.
If you've never taken a villa vacation before, check out Wendy's guide to villa rentals in our June issue--especially her advice on how to make sure it's the right type of vacation for you.
Book by: August 14.
For travel through: The end of 2009.
Book through: Evan Wood at HomesAway. He's one of the France specialists on our annual list of top villa rental agents (800-374-6637; evan@homesaway.com).
Bonus tip: Although HomesAway has a great Web site, it's important to speak with Evan by phone early in your search for a villa. He has personally visited all of the properties that HomesAway represents and will be able to recommend the right one for you, based on your group's specific needs and interests.