While there’s still time to book an apartment in Barcelona or Paris for the holidays, the selection is thinning fast. Keep in mind that most owners consider the days around Christmas and New Year’s to be high season, so prices will be elevated compared to November and early December or past early January to March.
Ironically, though regular church attendance is low in Europe, the holidays are less commercial than in the States. One of the most memorable ways to observe the reverence of the season is simply to take in the modest decorations in local churches. Even outdoor displays are more about style than gaudiness. The photo above was taken one recent December at Place de la Contrescarpe in the Left Bank, one of my favorite places in Paris. Note that evergreen trees are not lighted but are hung with balls and bows.
On the apartment front, savvy travelers are now looking hard for places in May and the summer because they know they have their pick of a huge selection. The real flood of inquiries comes right after New Year’s – my theory is that many people throw themselves into holiday shopping and entertaining until then, but get serious about vacation only afterward. Since there’s no price advantage in waiting, we advise to book now if your circumstances allow.
Here’s a shot of a roomy two-bedroom in the Right Eixample of Barcelona, just off the tourist track but convenient to Sagrada Familia and the classy Passeig de Gràcia with its shops, restaurants and Gaudi buildings. Friends stayed here in September and really like it. We joined them on the terrace, which faces the courtyard.
To see more about this and other apartments, visit www.likelivingthere.com
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