Happy New Year ! It's Time to Plan Your "Slow Vacation"!

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Helping Busy Professionals plan Culturally Immersive Trips to Europe, the Caribbean and Beyond!

Dear Carol,

Happy New Year ! I hope that you had a fabulous time with your family and friends over the holidays. We were in Toronto with our family and had a wonderful reunion! Of course we talked about trips we have taken and the ones we want to still go on. I hope that you too have some new travel plans that you wish to discuss with us for this year or next.

Last year, we ended on a successful note with the highest sales ever for our company. Globally air ticket sales were the largest ever recorded so it was a record breaking year for the travel industry in general! We believe travel to be a source for good as it promotes not only the transfer of wealth to poorer nations giving greater prosperity to everyone, but that it also fosters peace and understanding as we experience first-hand different attitudes and perspectives. AS far as trends go, "Slow travel" continues to be popular as people seek to stay longer in a destination and really connect to the less touristy places. Also in 2025 it is the first year that 7 generations will travel at the same time and sometimes together! We are equipped in the industry to suggest the best ways to cater to this diverse group of globetrotters. Whether that means the freedom of a villa rental vacation, a cruise, a custom package or an all-inclusive package, we are here to help you with your individual or group travel.

This month I will focus on one of my favourite places in France again - Villefranche-S-Mer - a small medieval fishing port 3 kms east of Nice in the French Riviera, where you can enjoy sweeping views over the Mediterranean and every day life from one of our 60 rental apartments or Villas there. WE visited in November after Corsica and I loved the mild weather and ambiance of this town just as much as I did in 1989 when I first arrived there as a student at L'institute de Francais - a French language school in town. From Villefranche it is easy to visit Nice and also to see all the coast has to offer including Monte Carlo, Antibes and Cannes! It is a great place to spend part of the Winter as the weather is sunny and mild and the famous Nice Carnival -the most important Winter event on the Rivera takes place from February 15th to March 2nd. Please see below a few suggestions of what Not to Miss in the area!

I have posted photos to the Your Vacation Home face book page -of Villefranche-S-Mer and of all of our trips so please follow us to see them at www.facebook.com/yourvacationhome

Your Vacation Home has Luxurious trips worldwide. We care about you and your travel experience. We also try to get you the most value for your money". Why not experience one-stop shopping with your next villa rental? Group River Cruise? Scandinavia? Western Canada? Arctic Voyage that visits Greenland? We have it all!

Your Vacation Home is part of a large travel company and luxury consortium called Travel Leaders Network giving us increased access to programs, tools and services, discounts and perks that will better serve you our wonderful clients. PLEASE NOTE my direct line is 416 705 2065.

It's Time to start planning your Vacation for 2025 - so we hope to hear from you soon!

Sincerely, Carol Murray,

President, HBA, CTC

PS. Please "like" the face-book page below to see photos of the most recent trip to CORSICA , Villefranche, Nice and Barcelona as well as our previous trips and to receive travel updates!

"Villefranche-S-Mer is a "Gem of the Riviera" with ochre coloured medieval buildings that climb the hills and reach down to the Shimmering Blue Sea"

"Get Personal Service with Your Vacation Home and Explore the World!"

ENJOY a minimum $50 pp or more onboard ship credit!

When you book your next River Cruise or Ocean cruise of 7 days or more with us you will enjoy this extra GIFT. When you book a small ship ocean cruise your credit could be up to $300 pp!

A few Things Not to Miss in Villefranche and Nice!

Medieval Villefranche - Is One of the gems of the French Riviera. It is a quaint well preserved fishing port just outside of Nice and a wonderful place to spend a vacation any time of the year! It is a walkable town if you don't mind a few steps - you will be rewarded with unique shops and scrumptious restaurants with today's catch on the menu! There is also a small sandy beach!

Our accommodations: We have been representing Villas and apartments in Villefranche-S-Mer and Nice for 34 years. We know the areas and our supplier well. From one week to 6 weeks or more we will help you plan the entire trip including flights, tours and anything that you need. All of the properties have amazing views - like this view shown..AND we have Long Term Pricing for Winter Stays.

GO Inside the Saint Michel Church and see the Chapel Saint Pierre - with murals from the artist Jean Cocteau which date back to the 16th century. You will find it in the old part of Villefranche right by the harbour and it is a must-see! Villefranche also has a Flea Market every Sunday in the square just across from the church as well as a daily produce market on the main street.

Vieux Nice - Since Nice is only 3 kms away you will probably find yourself there often during your stay. It's always fun to wander the narrow cobblestone streets and to peruse the various shops that sell clothing, Nicoise soaps, lavender, Provencale textiles, olive oil meats and cheeses. A daily market on the Cours Saleya - an elongated square close to the Promenade des Anglais offers produce, crafts and flowers and is well worth a visit.

The Art Museums

Two famous art museums in Nice are the "Matisse" Museum and The "Marc Chagall" Museum. We went to the Marc Chagall museum in November which houses one of the largest collections of his paintings particularly those illustrating a biblical theme - we thoroughly enjoyed it!

As European Travel Experts we can help with a Trip to the Cote D'azur, France or anywhere in Europe. Click HERE to Email US to set up an Appointment to chat !

Current Information for Travellers!

Canadian Travellers Click Here

US Travellers Click Here

Important Notes for Canada and U.S. Passengers

New as of January 8th, 2025 - Britain entry requires an ETA - Electronic Travel Authorization which will cost 10 pounds and allows multiple journeys to the UK of up to 6 months over a 2 year period. This travel authorization will NOT be applicable for those transiting through the UK.

Click here to apply

2025 Venice Access Fees:

The fee, €5 if booked early or €10 if booked closer to the visit, will apply from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. on designated days from April to July. It will start with a single block from April 18 to May 4, then continue in May (9 and 10, 11 and 16, 17,18 ,23,24,25 and 30,31), June (1,2 and 6,7,8 and 13,14,15 and 20,21,22 and 27,28,29) and July (4,5,6 and 11,12,13 and 18,19,20 and 25,26,27)

Please check your government website for the most up to date information by clicking on your country's button above.

Want to Travel in 2025 or 2026? Call us to Discuss any type of trip!

Visit our Website

Email US to get more information and set up an appointment to chat!

Discounts and freebies with group bookings!
Extra amenities for Luxury hotel and Cruise bookings!

Share this letter and Refer a Friend who books an apt or villa for 2025 for an additional $ 100 discount! Referrals always earn you discounts!

Check the Website!

55 York St. Ste 1003, Toronto, ON M5J 1R7 Canada

Main- 416-367-8264 ex 3354 - Direct 416 705 2065

or Call Us Toll Free: 1-877-895-2614

www.yourvacationhome.ca

info@yourvacationhome.ca, Tico REG # 50021282

U.S. Marketing office -Long Beach, CA, USA -562-342-6476