Date published: 01.09.08 - not release date

Over 66% of British people long for a holiday home: live the dream this Christmas & rent your own in Lucca or Provence

Choose from over 600 holiday homes still available to rent on Holiday-Rentals.co.uk

Recent reports show that over 66% of British people yearn to own a holiday home* abroad to escape the chaotic pace of life and cold, wet weather at home, so why not live the dream this Christmas by flying away to a private, rented property? Renting a private home has the benefit of providing more space, privacy and flexibility than a hotel. Italy and France, with their fantastic food and slower pace of life make a fantastic choice for a revitalising December break.

If you’re looking for charming shops and markets, great gifts, delicious food, good wine and a spot of relaxation to boot, choose a holiday home in Lucca or Provence. Holiday-Rentals.co.uk has 100's of beautiful holiday homes available for rent in both these wonderful areas, renowned for their captivating beauty and high quality local produce.
Among some of the fantastic, unique properties on offer are:

-A Provencal farmhouse surrounded by lavender fields that donates its rental income to UNICEF (50945)

-A farmhouse set in 10 acres of vineyards, olive trees and pine forest that produces its own rosé wine and features a 9-hole pitching course (773)

-A an old Tuscan estate that produces some of the best wine and olive oil in the region, features a Turkish bath and offers a cook, masseuse and babysitter on request (10045)

-A villa containing art nouveau furniture and original frescoes, with guided tours of the owners’ Chianti vineyard available on request (7327)

LUCCA

The walled city of Lucca, with its winding streets and piazzas is magical at Christmas and has numerous markets selling antiques, crafts and tempting local food produce. In the run-up to Christmas, many shops stay open until midnight, making it perfect for last-minute gift shopping! The town and surrounding villages are filled with enchanting nativity scenes or ‘presepe’, a national tradition and source of great local pride, with many featuring life-size figures and incredible, intricate details.

For wine-lovers, there are many wineries to visit in Lucca, where it is possible to taste and purchase wine, as well as olive oil, honey and other farm produce. And for those after some well-earned rest and relaxation, there are numerous spas in the vicinity; Monsummano Terme has subterranean, thermal spas and treatments like hyrdo-massage, or try the baths and spas dating back the 14th Century at Montecatini Terme. The Bagni di Lucca also offers a full range of treatments and cures, and swims in its thermal pool for just £7.

Accommodation available on www.holiday-rentals.co.uk

www.holiday-rentals.co.uk/63146

‘La Torre’ (the Tower), a unique, elegant and luxurious 2-bedroom apartment in Lucca’s historic centre. Situated on the 4th floor, its terrace affords spectacular views of the city, surrounding hills and Lucca’s famous tree-topped Guinigi Tower. Features marble ensuites in both bedrooms, one with Jacuzzi bath, a large, open-plan living space and the Tower, with its sitting room, studio and terrace. £1,678 per week

www.holiday-rentals.co.uk/66479

‘Al Casino dei Papi’, a detached, 2-bedroom, stone country house situated in the hills above Lucca with panoramic views and terraced garden. Thoughtfully renovated and furnished, preserving many original features, such as wooded beams, terracotta floors and stone walls, while providing every modern comfort. £1,007 per week

www.holiday-rentals.co.uk/54410

3-bedroom farmhouse in the village of Gattaoila, a 5-minute drive from Lucca city centre. Offering the best of both worlds, proximity to the city and an oasis in verdant countryside, the property has been newly renovated and affords stunning views from every window. Nearby motorway links make this a perfect base for touring the rest of Tuscany: Pisa (20 min), Florence (45 min), Chianti (30 min), or Abetone for skiing (40 min). £506 per week

www.holiday-rentals.co.uk/7327

‘Villa del Console’, a charming 4-bedroom villa, 4km from Lucca city centre. Light and spacious, with art nouveau furniture and original frescoes, maintained to preserve the original character of the villa. The owners offer excursions to their vineyard in Chianti and guided tours of Lucca or the surrounding countryside. Free airport pick-up included in the price. £1,880 per week

www.holiday-rentals.co.uk/10046

‘Villa Isa’, a beautiful private home nestled in the hills of Lucca, featuring an ‘artists’ room for aspiring painters. Its 9 bedrooms, set in 3 private wings (each with separate entrance) make this villa perfect for a large group of family or friends, allowing you to spend time together, but retain some privacy too. Airport pick-up, guided tours and excursions to owners’ vineyard available on request. £2,685 per week

www.holiday-rentals.co.uk/10045

‘Al Villaggio’, and old Tuscan winery converted in to 3 country houses. With 11 bedrooms in total, sleeping up to 20 people. Ideal for the whole family! Underground area with a Turkish bath, gym and underwater views of the spectacular pool. Professional cook, masseuse, Babysitter and tours available on request. Some of the best wine and olive oil in the region come from this estate. £5,370 per week

PROVENCE

With its mild winter and breathtaking scenery that has inspired artists and authors throughout history, Provence makes an enchanting Christmas getaway. Explore fortified towns and castles, museums and churches and indulge in a variety of gastronomic treats and wines that are second to none. Provence is particularly renowned for its rosés, which can be sampled at numerous vineyards across the land or bought from property 773, who make their own!

The vineyards and traditions of Provence are still very much alive and in evidence throughout the region. Lavender farms and shops, chocolateries, vineyards and markets selling local crafts and antiques are in abundance, so you’ll have no trouble finding plenty of Christmas treats and gifts for yourself and others. Lavender honey is a must! December is also truffle season, so don’t miss out on a visit to one of the truffle markets that can be found in Rognes, Carpentras, Richerenches or Valreas.

Also, be sure to visit the largest Gothic palace in Europe, the “Palais des Papes” (Popes Palace), which offers the chance to taste a selection of the most prestigious vintages of the Côtes du Rhône wines and an initiation into oenology.

Accommodation available on www.holiday-rentals.co.uk

www.holiday-rentals.co.uk/50945

‘La Jauberte’ is a splendidly renovated, 4-bedroom farmhouse in Luberon, surrounded by lavender fields and charming medieval villages. Babysitting, maid service and catering can be arranged on request. Plus, every penny the owners make from this house, they donate to UNICEF. £1,423 per week

www.holiday-rentals.co.uk/66973

3-bedroom country house in the hill-top village of Gordes, with unobstructed views of the Gordes valley and Luberon. In a quiet location, just a 2-minute walk to the centre of the village. Recently renovated and furnished to a very high standard. £1,545 per week

www.holiday-rentals.co.uk/773

2 bedrooms, sleeping up to 6 in a spacious, self-contained part of a restored farmhouse, 2km from the picturesque village of Flaysoc. Contains many original features, with beams and details in the bedrooms dating from the 18th century. Set in 10 acres of vineyards, olive trees and pine forest, the property has a 9-hole pitching course and the owners produce their own rosé wine. £420 per week

www.holiday-rentals.co.uk/13094

Charming stone olive mill in Aix-en-Provence, comprising a 6-bedroom house and 2-bedroom cottage overlooking fields of lavender. The well-equipped kitchen is part of the original vaulted oil mill. Beautifully furnished to a high standard throughout. £3,359 per week

www.holiday-rentals.co.uk/9551

‘Mas de Chenes’ is a pretty 3-bedroom farmhouse, a short walk from the Provencal chateau village, Ansouis, voted one of the ‘most beautiful villages of France’. A food-lovers paradise, with many colourful markets and gourmet restaurants, as well as chic clothing and art shops in the surrounding area. £1,209 per week

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*Sources: http://www.livingspain.co.uk/layoutBody/home.asp?categoryID=..., http://www.pattinson.co.uk/public/content/Articles/68pc_of_B...,

Media Contact:

Sarah Chambers, PR Officer
Tel: +44 (0)20 8740 2472 Email: sarah@holiday-rentals.co.uk

About Holiday-Rentals.co.uk

Based in London and founded in January 1996, Holiday-Rentals.co.uk was acquired in 2005 by US-based HomeAway, Inc., a global network of industry leading ‘for rent by owner’ holiday home sites. Holiday-Rentals.co.uk, together with the European HomeAway sites, is the number one in Europe for holiday homes, offering close to 32,000 properties worldwide. Holiday-Rentals.co.uk has many years’ experience successfully marketing holiday rental properties online and won a New Media Age Award for Effectiveness in Travel in 2003.