Country Vacations & Resorts

We’re half-way through this eight weeks of gift basket ideas. This week’s recommendation does double-duty as a gift for holiday travelers.

Not only do you not have to carry it to give later at your holiday destination, its “ingredients” have a travel-focus – this one for men.

This travel luxuries for men gift basket contains:

~ Couto Tootpaste from Portugal
~ Abbaye de Flavigny Mint Flavored mints
~ Borotalco Talcum Powder
~ Lightfoot regular soap (pine)
~ Omega Razor
~ Omega Shaving Brush
~ Omega Shaving Soap in pot
~ Epi de Provence Ocean Scented Lotion

These are not items found in any local drugstore! And all are full-size products, not samples.

Order any of the gift baskets online and if you’re heading out for Christmas Day, know that these gifts will be delivered on time – without you having to carry them through airport “security.” This is a great way to make the gift-giving portion of the Christmas holiday as stress-free as possible. Your purchase may even qualify for free shipping…just click the link below for more details…

Going further into this mini article series, which is approaching its conclusion, I want to give you some advice on how to get the most out of your holiday rental search. All in all, if you want to be in Tuscany at Christmas, you will need a comfortable place to stay. Since there is nothing more comfortable than self catering properties carved out of typical stone-wall farmhouses, I will be concentrating on how you can rent one while saving some money.

“Cooler” prices

The Christmas period in Tuscany is not subject to such a high demand as the warmer period of the year (roughly from May until October). Many properties, however, close their activity from November until March, which gives you less to choose from. Nevertheless, there still are myriads of self catering accommodations such as villas and apartments that offer the perfect winter retreat to snuggle in and enjoy the festive atmosphere with your family.

Many offer medium and high season prices starting from December 23 until January 6 (although some lower their prices after December 31). Even though at first this might not seem a great deal, you have to take advantage of the fact that during this period home rentals are very flexible, allowing you to stay less than 7 days arriving and departing any day of the week. Hence you may arrive prior to December 23 and leave on the 27, when airports are less congested. It is important that you do not stop at the price page and run away in front of high season prices. Always ask the owner, which will be very likely to have someone at a lower price than no one at all. Moreover, ask to many properties: you might spot a gem in the rough, especially if it’s been in the business for just a few months. Some direct rental websites allow you to send multiple requests at once, considerably cutting down your workload.

Choose your location wisely

Needless to say, location has a strong impact on pricing. Italians are not keen on going to the seaside during the Christmas period, as they think it’s not in tone with the season. Therefore, rental prices at sea localities in Tuscany are much lower than anywhere else.

Grosseto Coast, Italy

In spite of what Italians think, being in a Tuscan marine town at Christmas is very romantic and peaceful. You have the choice of villas on the seashore, more secluded ones in the pine forest, or others set closer to villages. On the other side, mountain chalets are much more pricey. Being in a snow covered area surrounded by mountains is certainly very Christmas-like, but may ultimately provide little extra benefit for a much greater expense.

In addition, consider that the seaside will be much more easily reached than a mountain place for both climatic and terrain morphology reasons. If your kids really want to play with snow, you can rent a property in the Grosseto coast and then take a day-trip to Mount Amiata, just an hour from the sea. Here you will have all the snow you need and discover fascinating mountain towns.

You do not need to start searching for your self catering property in Tuscany much before Christmas. This is just about the right time to do it. You are likely to still find a good number of available properties, and owners getting antsy about renting them for the Holidays: the perfect combination to cut yourself a good deal!

Matt works for Thriftytuscany.com, a property rental website with useful tools for you to find villas Tuscany coast for your vacations.

Read Matt’s, “Christmas Dinner the Tuscan Way” as part of our “Christmas in Tuscany Mini-Series.”

I’ll have a guest post later today from Matt, our Tuscany expert, on how to find some great and inexpensive Tuscany Christmas vacation rentals. While you’re waiting for that, here are the top 5 deals on the top 5 products recommended by readers of “Country Vacations & Resorts,” for Cyber Monday 2011…

The Dingle Peninsula Fishing Sweater provides the same exceptional warmth and durability required by fishermen plying the waters of the Dingle Peninsula.

Traditionally synonymous with Ireland’s fishing trade, this crew-neck sweater is knitted in County Kildare from 100% wool with a generous rib stitch, forming a naturally lofty cable pattern that keeps out the cold while evoking a centuries-old Irish maritime motif of a wish of safety and good luck for fishermen.

Its suede shoulder and elbow patches are faithful to the self-reliant, resourceful nature of the country’s fisherfolk, who were known to sew patches onto their “jumpers” for reinforcement against the wear and tear of hauling ropes and nets over the shoulders.

The Unparka provides warmth in temperatures as cold as -40F without the restrictive bulk of a heavier parka.

The jacket owes its exceptional warmth to its unique construction–a double layer of fleece bonded with a polyurethane layer that retains the body’s heat while blocking wind, water, and snow. It allows the body’s moisture to escape, keeping skin dry and warm for optimal comfort. Its lightweight construction also permits nimble movements that are otherwise impossible while wearing a heavy parka, ideal for recreating or working in cold weather.

Both sleeves unzip to provide use as a vest. Three zippered pockets–two at the waist and one at the chest–secure valuables.

The Clarity Enhancing Sunglasses use optical technology developed by NASA to make objects appear more vivid while blocking 100% of UV rays and shading eyes from sunlight.

Based on the glasses designed by NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory to protect astronauts’ eyes from solar radiation, the polarized lenses filter blue and violet light rays that can impair vision, yet allow sight-enhancing green, yellow, orange, and red light rays to reach your retina. As a result, objects appear more distinct and distortion is greatly diminished. The stainless nickel-silver frames have a gunmetal finish, adjustable, non-slip nose pads, and spring hinges.

Bifocal version also available…

The National Geographic Lightweight Leather Travel Tote has seven organizational pockets, and a look that only gets better with every expedition. This will be the indispensable travel tote you’ll rely on for years to come.

Rich brown or deep black leather is fully lined and enhanced by tonal cross-stitched accents.

12″W x 13 1/2″H x 4″D with 11″ handles.

This Carabiner Clip Watch with LED Micro-light is brought to you by the National Geographic Online Store – who knows better what travelers want and need?

Equipped with a powerful LED micro-light, this clever explorer’s watch has a built-in carabiner that clips right onto belt loops, packs and more, keeping the time and a light source within reach as you travel.

Luminescent hands and hour markers provide visibility in all kinds of conditions.

Uses one 376 watch battery and one LR1131 watch battery (both included). Water-resistant to 100 feet.

Free Shipping site-wide, today only…

Here’s a guest post for you with a definition of “Boxing Day,” for those who still think gloves may be required, and also some info on the new jewel in the crown of UK vacation cottages, Emmett’s Grange…

Thanks to Dan at My Favourite Holiday Cottages!

With the previous British celebrations of Bonfire Night and Halloween out of the way, we’re now looking ahead to Christmas holidays and with only 6 weeks to go, time seems to be flying by.

The traditional festive period in England consists of Christmas Eve, Christmas Day and Boxing Day celebrated on the 26th of December.

The main difference between an American and British Christmas is Boxing Day. Boxing Day is a public holiday named after the old custom for tradesmen to collect Christmas boxes of money or gifts for their good service throughout the year. Nowadays it is treated as a simple bank holiday where people go for family walks and continue to eat the leftovers from Christmas Lunch the day before.

With all these things to look forward to some people still haven’t decided on the one big question for Christmas – where to stay? Should it be a Christmas at home, visit with relatives, or to go on vacation instead?

So, if you are looking to getaway for the holidays, the perfect property is the stunning Emmett’s Grange.

Newly added to the self-catering market, Emmett’s Grange is a luxury Georgian Farmhouse located in the middle of Exmoor National Park in the South West of England.

The house is among the most stunning properties in the National Park, sits in the middle of its very own 900 acre (3.6km2) estate, and has some of the most exquisite views of the moorland.

The house itself is over 170 years old and contains everything you could need for a Christmas vacation property.

Sleeping 10, the house boasts a full size farmhouse styled kitchen, games room, dining room, music room, bar area and drawing room – which with a brilliantly warming log fire is perfect for cold, snowy nights. The house will soon be decorated throughout with a full size Christmas Tree to make the property even more special during the festive season.

During the day, the estate is perfect for walking the dozens of trails and paths which cross the moor, with plenty of chance to see red deer and other rare birds. Plus, if the snow does fall over the Christmas period, the gentle sloping fields make an ideal place to go sledging and have plenty of snowball fights.

If the London Olympics, the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee, and rumors of a royal birth have you interested in visiting the UK in 2012, Emmett’s Grange is definitely worth a closer look for an idyllic accommodation. Review our UK Vacation Cottage of the Month series for other great recommendations.

In the quest to make holiday travel easier, here’s a third suggestion for a gift basket you can order online and have sent ahead to your holiday destination. We’re following up the coffee and chocolate and Honey-Themed gift basket ideas with jams and jellies – a great addition to any breakfast!

Anyone who loves a good piece of toast with jam will appreciate your gift of this heavenly creation composed of 6 best selling Andresey Jams.

Each jar is better than the next with flavors such as:

~ Apple Pear Walnut
~ Morello Cherries
~ Wild Strawberries
~ Apricot Almond
~ 4 fruit mix

A Berard Olive wood jam spreader and jam spoon, presented in a Provence bread basket makes this a thoughtful and elegant gift.

There are hundreds of gourmet and specialty food items available from Touch of Europe from countries such as France, Italy, Spain, Portugal, Germany, Holland, Belgium, Great Britain, Sweden, Switzerland and more…with Free Shipping on all orders over $50.

Let’s see the airlines top that!

I guess by now about 90% of the US population has made their plans for this Thursday’s Thanksgiving Day. I’m lucky this year since I will be visited by a few family members – my travels begin today to find the perfect turkey!

If you can’t get to family for Thanksgiving or are traveling at Christmas instead, you can still make your presence felt by sending the gift of flowers to friends and family.

Same day delivery is available and I’ve even found a little deal where you can save 10% when you send flowers from USAFlorist.com!

Take your time and have a safe holiday – especially for those who are heading out early this week for a long drive to their Thanksgiving holiday destination.

Good to 12/31/2011

Here’s the code: londpas05

Also receive:

~ Their free 120+ page Guidebook
~ Free entry to over 55 top London attractions and tours
~ Skip the lines!! Save time – see more!!

Work, work, work…that is all many of us seem to do these days.

If you’ve worked in information technology as I have, you’ll know that non-retail employers often plan computer and software upgrades over holidays when internal employee computer usage is slow to none. I’ve had more than one holiday season shortened to the point of only the actual holiday “day” being away from work.

You can use this to your advantage if work tends to interfere with holiday planning.

Reward yourself with a long weekend. This is a great time to choose bed and breakfast accommodations. You’ll likely find a little extra personal attention and pampering – often available at short notice – and in almost every destination you can imagine.

Plan your trip right before or right after the traditional holiday dates. I’ve found some great deals at bed and breakfast inns – because I’m not looking to stay on their busiest nights of the year. B&B owners usually do a fantastic job of decorating their inns for the holiday – Christmas trees, roaring fireplaces, great (often homemade) food…

I can still partake of the festivities the week after Christmas or the week before. It’s hard to feel sorry for yourself for having a work-shortened holiday when you plan this kind of escape! Here are a few special deals for the 2011 holiday season…

Get a FREE $50 B&B Gift Card!

Bed and Breakfast Holiday Deal Center – Free Shipping on Every Order!

Shop for International Bed and Breakfasts on BedandBreakfast.com