Long term lets (over 1 month) Corporate bookings House-swap
Changeover day:
Flexible
Access:
Car advised
Notes:
Pets welcome Suitable for children No smoking at this property Self-catering
Late deal: 23 Aug 2008 to 18 Sep 2008. £595 per week.
Home description
Save extra on your flights! We have introduced new holiday weeks called Smartdates; these weeks start on a Thursday and end on a Thursday. This means that by using these days on your flights you will save extra travel money, as flights on Thursdays are cheaper than the traditional Sat to Sat. This coupled with our late deals means you have plenty of reasons to enjoy this great peacefull award winning property.
Main Discription: Enjoy sunshine, peace and tranquillity in this award winning Gîte located in 30 hectares (75 acres) of private parkland in the heart of Provence, with a pool overlooking the valley
This two bedroom stone house is tucked away on a small hillside in the hamlet of La Colle. There are only three properties in La Colle, so there is little risk of traffic jams, noise, pollution, parking tickets, urban fog and other little side benefits that come with life in a big city. Just nature, tranquility and peace occasionally disturbed by bird songs and the buzz of bees.
Barely a five minute walk in any direction and the visitor is confronted with the splendour of nature, prairie, forest, lavender fields, scented shrubs, and the prodigality of the flora and the wild life. Here, nature is to be experienced by close contact, taste, and smell. Even the storms are spectacular!
The owners moved here from London at the same time as Peter Mayle did. They could have written the book themselves! La Colle was built several hundred years ago and stands as a good example of the traditional and ancient life and times of Provence.
The accommodation itself has received the Five Globes Award presented by World One Call, a private holiday referral service and has also received four golden olives from "Provence Golden Olives"
As the property is accessed by a narrow country lane, it is not recommended that guests bring sports cars or caravans see main European site for details.
Gite Galileo - La Colle - Provence
Swimming pool overlooking the valley
On the terrace
View from the terrace
To see more photos please visit http://www.holidaylettings.co.uk/31084
The Provence Alpes Cote d'Azur / Alpes-de-Haute-Provence region
I’ve loved everything visual and creative all my life and having spent the greater part of it in creative advertising and marketing; therefore I know what pleases the eye.
In this region you can venture out in any direction of the compass and find things to be visually excited. Yet you can also be encapsulated by moods or enveloped by tastes or just seep down into the pleasure of relaxation at a pace of life “sans stress”.
Generally the South East of France is one of the highest areas of constant sunshine in Europe, which is why people love it and it's lifestyle.
From our spot you can range out in any direction and within a short drive get to the coast, discover the ancient cities of Aix en Provence, Avignon or Marseille. Roll through undisturbed countryside, visit huge lakes, wander through the Southern Alpes or just cool out in you own hidden domain of La Colle
Forcalquier / Sigonce area
I have literally travelled the world and was nearly born in a plane, so new places and adventures are very familiar to me. Yet one of the main reasons why I am happy to tell you about this area and why I bought and established myself here was the sense of “a very laid back way of life”, yet with all that the modern world can offer at the same time. A sort of “sophisticated relaxation!”
The principal town serving the area is Forcalquier where one will find all the necessary ingredients of such quality and variety that the preparation of a feast will become an immediate requirement. There are two supermarkets, and a host of small shops and businesses that will tempt your senses. Many of the products have been produced locally, tomatoes that taste like the real thing, local lamb that has been brought up organically on the prairies and pastures, and of course a vast selection of high quality cheeses and wines.
However there are many small interesting villages and towns to discover. Throughout the summer almost every town presents some type of festival, show, concert, special event or a local fête. In addition, there are many interesting architectural sites to see within a thirty minute radius, from churches to monasteries, beautiful villages such as Lurs -a fully restored hilltop village full of artists- a lovely countryside and some spectacular nature landmarks
How to get there
By far the best way to get here at the moment depending on where you live is via Marseille Airport with its specialised budget airline terminal known as MP2.
This hub now caters well for multiple European destinations as well as all the principle intercontinental hubs.
Marseilles has the advantage of only being about 1hr.15mins from us by road
The currant destinations supported directly from this airport are shown on MP2 own site shown here. http://www.mp2.aeroport.fr/index.php?page=vols_directs
Easyjet (Linked car hire Europcar) Easyjet now has a permanent hub at Marseille airport MP2 and offers a great series of flights in.
Ryan Air now has a permanent hub at Marseille airport MP2 and offers a great series of flights in.
http://www.ryanair.ie/
Please note you could be adventurous and have a two centre holiday in different locations using MP2 as your cross over point i.e. Provence with us for a week and then on to Moroco for the next week retuning via MP2 to home.
Other near Airports:
If you can not get a flight direct to Marseille; try Nice or Nimes, or try one through London as it is a major hub to the rest of Europe.
You can then pick up a good rental at say Budget, Europcar or Hertz and be here within 2.30 hrs approx. (from Nimes or Nice) rather than spending 3 - 4 times the time coming down from Paris.
Road and Rail My research has shown that if you are coming from another continent or country outside mainland Europe i.e. the US or the UK you would be better off using a company like Easyjet, British Airways or Ryan Air hiring a car through say Europcar or Hertz ( you can get a good discounts) and then driving up from Marseilles.
When I did a cost comparison driving from London to here for a family of 4 if you take all the costs including ware and tear on your vehicle the costs come out about the same.
The advantage is that you can gain 2 extra days of relaxation and the low cost airlines are getting cheaper all the time.If you live on the continental mainland of Europe, a car drive is financially better but there are so many new budget carriers that this changes very quickly. Also if you are coming for say only a week then why get tired on a long car journey? After all you are going on holiday!
In France between the 15th of July and the 15th of August is the French national summer holidays. These two periods are split roughly 50/50 into two weekly periods, therefore the first weekend near the 15th of July, the nearest weekend in the middle two weeks latter and the weekend nearest to the 15th August are signaled as RED heavy traffic. The first weekend going South, the second North and South and the third weekend going North.
Nearest Travel Links
Airport:
Marseille MP2: 75 km
Railway:
La Brillanne: 15 km
Ferry:
Marseille or Calais: 80 km
Activities near Forcalquier
Sports: Tennis in town Horse Riding
Great for: Walking holidays Rural / countryside retreats A winter sun break
Facilities
Luxuries:
Internet access, DVD player
General:
Central heating, TV, Video player, CD player, Telephone, Satellite TV, Wi-fi available
Single beds (2), Double beds (1), Cots (2), Dining seating for 4, Lounge seating for 4, Sleeps maximum of 4
Other:
Linen and towels provided. Highchair available.
Outdoors:
Balcony / Terrace, Shared outdoor pool (unheated), Shared garden, BBQ, Swing set
Access:
Parking space
Further details indoors: Entering the property, is a large open-plan living - dining - kitchen area with a high oak-beamed ceiling. The living area has built-in comfortable seating and additional sigle lounge chairs. There is a full entertainment centre which includes a stereo for relaxation. The fully-equipped kitchen includes a four-burner gas stove, a combination hot air oven and microwave, a dishwasher, a large fridge with a separate freezer, and everything else necessary to look after your culinary needs. The first double bedroom has a commanding view over the valley and its crested hills in the distance. The second double bedroom has a make up/ changing area with a hand-basin and an en-suite bathroom with a bath, shower, WC and basin. The two bedrooms are located at opposite ends of the house, thus ensuring maximum privacy for its occupants. The accommodation is also equipped with a cot, high chair, baby bath, and other items for babies and small children.
In addition to the above facilities list there is also : Wi-fi, DVD / CD / Video, Hi-fi. Fully modernise with great respect for the ancient ways. English French library Kids board games Beds pre-made up prior to arrival. Full cleaning service available on request. On site bi-lingual help. Used often by honeymooners and second honeymooners.
Further details outdoors: Tucked away on a small hillside is our little hamlet of La Colle with its three principal properties. You will not find here; traffic jams, noises of the city, pollution, parking tickets or a grey sky. Instead you will find nature in all its glories and will, more than likely, be awaken by the birds and the bees rather than the busy cry of the city.
Our property alone has 30 hectares (75 acres) of private park land, yet this is small compared to the adjoining natural space, some of which is cultivated and some left just as it has been for centuries. Here you will find:
A real old-world natural stone agricultural hamlet Only three property owners in the hamlet Lavender fields within walking distance Olive tree plantations Huge open areas to discover Large pool Fantastic local area to discover Terrace with superb view of the valley below BBQ gas and traditional Hidden in the countryside Great area for photographers and artists
Further details
Welcome pack provided on arrival. Swimming pool open between April to October. Garden and parkland is shared yet everyone has their own space. English-speaking representative on hand to answer any questions. Multiple outside dining nooks. Professionally run Photo Safaris for Photographers April to July/Oct to Dec - see Owners website link at bottom right of this page. Professionally run Painting Holidays (Learn and improve your style) April to July/Oct to Dec - see Owners website link at bottom right of this page. As the property is accessed by a narrow country lane, it is not recommended that guests bring sports cars or caravans.
Conditions
Prices shown are for a one week rental. A 30% deposit is required at the time of booking, with the balance due one month before your arrival. Discounts are available for 2,3 or 4 week rentals. Linen and towels are supplied with the rental. Beds are fully made up and the gite is inspected and presented to our standard of cleanliness for your arrival. You will be given a welcome pack and a small quantity of some products which you can use immediately. (washing powder, soap etc..)
We have now spent over ten years providing high quality holiday accommodation and in our continued search for improved ideas for people who want to get away from it all at a reasonable price we have developed Smartdates and this policy now also allows people on smaller travel budgets to obtain quality accommodation for the same price of cheaper but less comfortable holiday accommodation. We have changed the rental week to Thursday to Thursday meaning that you can save on your flights by booking Thursday flights instead of Saturday flights.
If you are a frequent flyer you will know that some days of the week are less expensive than others (especially on low cost airlines).
Rental rates
Rental prices originally quoted in: Euros €
Convert to:
Period
From
To
Weekly
Nightly rate
Minimum stay
Weekday
Weekend
January 6, 2008 until May 20, 2008
6 Jan 08
30 Mar 08
775£ 615
140111
0-
Flexible
Mid
30 Mar 08
13 Jun 08
950£ 754
160127
0-
Flexible
Shoulder
13 Jun 08
20 Jul 08
1150£ 913
180143
0-
Flexible
High
20 Jul 08
31 Aug 08
1250£ 992
0-
0-
1 Week
Shoulder
31 Aug 08
14 Sep 08
1150£ 913
180143
0-
Flexible
Mid
14 Sep 08
21 Dec 08
950£ 754
160127
0-
Flexible
Chrismas & New Year
21 Dec 08
11 Jan 09
999£ 793
0-
0-
1 Week
Winter
11 Jan 09
31 Mar 09
775£ 615
140111
0-
Flexible
71
NB: Prices may be subject to change at the owner's discretion. Our prices as most French gites are based on Saturday to Saturday rentals it is impossable* to break these in the high and peak seasons. If you wish to request rental periods other then weekly we can consider them in the shoulder or off season months.
We have changed the rental week to Thursday to Thursday meaning that you can save on your flights by booking Thursday flights instead of Saturday flights.
Smartdates are available from Jan 1 to 24th July 2008 and 30th Aug 2008 to the 10th Jan 2009. *In the event that there is sufficient demand for the main season we will make them available as well.
We regularily offer specials for "Earlybird booking" and "You pick your price" offers on weeks still available near their take up times. You could save greatly on either of these offers, Look at our website see link below at the end of this page.
Guestbook
Gîte Galileo is a beautiful holiday residence in a stunning location we all had a wonderful time. Thank you for setting up such a beautiful holiday location Simon, Rachel, Isold & Charlotte R London United Kingdom
Thank you for all your hospitality. You make us feel welcome here. I will miss your road! Tom Cari Kristi and Blayne M Milwaukee USA
What a wonderfully equipped gîte, thanks for your charming hospitality after your long days work it was much appreciated. We will miss La Colle Adrian Fay Jessica & Louella Oxon UK
We have spent a wonderful week in this gîte, we are sad that we have to leave. Last night we celebrated the Swedish Midsummer Eve Nils & Britt-Marie; Hedi & Laurence Sweden
Very sorry we have to leave this wonderful place everything has been perfect. Very helpful hosts, magnificent scenery, a wonderful variety of wildlife. Chris & Terry W, Eleen & Fred S North Yorkshire UK
Availability notes
To see availability please visit http://www.holidaylettings.co.uk/31084
Click to view availability for this property.
Late deal: 23 Aug 2008 to 18 Sep 2008. £595 per week.
Contact owner
To contact this owner please visit: http://www.holidaylettings.co.uk/31084
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