25 May 2010

Welcome to our May 2010 newsletter. We've sent it to you either because you've been to our website and signed-up to receive it, or because you've previously enquired about one of our rentals, or because you've stayed with us before. If your email system is having problems displaying it properly click here.

We send out some 4/6 newsletters a year, approximately every 2 months though it can sometimes be shorter or longer depending on what there is to tell you, covering such topics as: interesting and unusual things to do and see in London, Paris, Rome and New York over the coming months, new or unusual properties that have joined our listings, tips on how to make the most of your visit to London, Paris, Rome and New York, and special deals.

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Harley Nott
Coach House Rentals - live like a local
London - Paris - Rome - New York
www.chsrentals.com

Greece's economic woes and the result of Britain's recent election have both been good news for travellers. A few days ago the $/€ rate hit a four year high, with one euro now costing only $1.24, making Paris and Rome much more affordable than they have been for a very long time. Meanwhile in Britain the pound continues to slide against the dollar, with one pound currently costing just $1.44 making London a bargain - 30% cheaper than it was two years ago!

The miseries of the April flight disruptions caused by Iceland's volcano are well behind us. More accurate weather forecasting, higher aviation tolerance limits and reduced volcanic activity are now keeping disruption to a minimum and your chances of being affected are minimal. But for added re-assurance do remember to take out travel insurance that includes cancellation, trip interruption and travel delay coverage - see http://www.travelinsurancereview.net. If your return flight is affected Coach House Rentals will do everything possible to assist - in April we were able to offer a few days extension to several parties at very reduced prices and in one case completely free!

Although our bookings this year are well up on last year, the addition to our listings of many new properties means that we still have some summer availability and it's not too late to book a rental in June, July or August. You can check what's potentially available via the links at the top of http://rentals.chslondon.com/properties.htm. At the bottom of the same page is a selection featuring some new additions and some old favourites. We're adding new properties every week so it's worth checking back if you don't see what you want. Remember that if you pay the full amount when you book you can protect yourself from adverse currency fluctuations and ensure you benefit from the exchange rate at that time.

Did you know?
Banqueting House - The original building, designed by the architect Inigo Jones, was partly destroyed by fire. It is perhaps most famous as the place where King Charles I was beheaded in 1649. Steeped in history, it is now used as a concert venue and for private functions. See the Rubens ceiling, which survived the fire, and the wonderful Palladium architecture.
Monument - Designed by Sir Christopher Wren & Dr Robert Hooke, this Doric column with its 'flaming' top was completed in 1677 as a memorial to the 1666 Great Fire of London. It is 61 metres high (202 feet) and has a viewing platform near the top. More details and a list of 149 other interesting things to do and see at 151 Things to do in London.

Apart from the excellent news about the $/€ exchange rate, the other news is that we have taken on a number of great new properties - mainly in the 5th arrondissement - the fabled Latin Quarter. This neighbourhood takes its name from the Sorbonne, where Latin was the common tongue for all students during the Middle Ages. The neighbourhood has the feel of a small village and students mix freely with professionals in its winding streets. The rue Mouffetard is a primary artery where shops, international restaurants and student bars and cafés are found.

Our new, and available for summer rentals, Latin Quarter properties are:
• rue Gay-Lussac (Ref: PGLC)- sleeps 4, €150 ($190) per night
• rue Gracieuse (Ref: PGCE) - sleeps 3, €180 ($225) per night
• boulevard Port Royale (Ref: PPRY) - sleeps 4, €195 ($245)
  per night
• rue Saint Jacques (Ref: PSJQ)- sleeps 7, €345 ($430) per
  night

Two old favourites still with summer availability are:
• Saint Sébastien (Ref: PSSB) in the 11th - sleeps 4/6,
  €210/$265 per night
• boulevard Malesherbes (Ref: PMHB)in the 8th - sleeps 5/6,
  €255 ($320) per night

You will find full details of these properties at http://www.rentals.chsparis.com/properties.htm. Tip - to see the precise location of a property click the Map link on that particular property's page.

Did you know?
The Louvre - The world's largest palace is home to the world's largest collection of art. If you are not impressed by the unbelievable number of masterpieces on display here, you will certainly be overwhelmed by the shear scale and beauty of Paris's most famous museum.
Musée Rodin - One of the most tranquil spots in the city, this magnificent 18th century mansion, once owned by Rodin himself, shows off his powerful works to their best advantage. The Hand of God, St John the Baptist, Balzac, Cathedral and the Kiss are all on display here. The largest private garden in Paris boasts his most famous work, The Thinker. More details and a list of 99 other interesting things to do and see at 101 Things to do in Paris

The excellent $/€ exchange rate is great for Rome too! There is not much summer availability left, but if you are quick you might be able to grab something. Properties with some availability in the months indicated include:
• Luce Apartment (Ref: RLUC) - sleeps 2/4, €170 ($215)
  per night - Jun, Jul, Aug
• Testaccio Apartment (Ref: RTST) - sleeps 4/6, €175 ($220)
   per night - Jun, Jul and Aug
• Corso Apartment (Ref: RCSO) - sleeps 2/4, €285 ($355)
   per night - Jun, Jul, Aug
• Carrozze Apartment (Ref: RCRZ) - sleeps 6, €275 ($345)
   per night - Aug, Sep
• Cenci Apartment (Ref: RCNC) - sleeps 6/8, €320 ($400)
   per night - Aug, Sep
• Brunetti Apartment (Ref: RBNT) - sleeps 6/8, €345 ($430)
   per night - Aug

You will find full details of these properties at http://www.rentals.chsrome.com/properties.htm. Tip - you will also find a link to our "Brief Guide To Rome" on the same page.

Did you know?
The Pantheon - Due to the building's conversion to a Christian church in 608, The Pantheon is the best-preserved ancient building in Rome. It was built (and possibly designed) by Hadrian in AD 119-128 as a temple to the 12 most important classical deities.
Vatican City - The city was created in 1929 by the Lateran Treaty and is solely governed by the Pope. It is located on the Vatican hill on the right bank of the Tiber River within the city of Rome. It is the smallest sovereign state in the world with a surface of 0.44 square kilometres. You will find these, and another 99 interesting things to see and do in Rome at: 101 Things to do in Rome.

Summer Deals in the City!

We are always looking for new activities and deals to recommend to our guests. Here's one we've just discovered and can't keep to ourselves: Big Apple Greeters, http://www.bigapplegreeter.org/index.html. This not-for-profit organization offers free tours given by real New Yorkers who love their city and want to share it with its many visitors. These tours are easily arranged, visit their website for details. We do recommend least 2 weeks advance notice (more is even better) - they are very popular!

We are pleased to say that we still have some summertime availability in many of the most visited and popular neighbourhoods toured by Big Apple Greeters. Pick a neighbourhood, and Coach House Rentals is there...

• YHOR95 - West Village/Meatpacking District
• YCHR123 - Lower East Side
• YE10223 - East Village
• YE2910 - Grammercy/Flatiron District
• YSEC470 - Murray Hill
• YE46225 - Midtown East
• YE40305 - East Side/United Nations
• YE79508 - Upper East Side
• YW81112.4 - Upper West Side
• YWES1.2 - Battery Park

All of these properties have availability for June, July and/or August. You will find full details of these and other properties at http://www.rentals.chsnyc.com/properties.htm. We are adding new listings to our site weekly, so please check back to see where we will be next!

Did you know?
The Metropolitan Museum of Art is one of the world's great art galleries and features a collection which now contains more than two million works of art from all points of the compass, ancient through modern times.
The Cloisters is the medieval outpost of the Metropolitan Museum of Art . Overlooking the Hudson River with a collection of five thousand works of art from medieval Europe, dating from about the ninth to the fifteenth century. The building and its cloistered gardens-located in Fort Tryon Park in Northern Manhattan-are treasures in themselves. You will find these, and another 99 interesting things to see and do in New York at: 101 Things to do in New York.

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