If the term ‘bleak mid-winter’ had not already been coined then somebody, somewhere, would surely have made it up to describe the wretched season that has plagued the UK since the outset of 2010.

Snow, once a novelty, is no longer welcome, at least by adults, and is eyed up with a wariness that is oft reserved for a half cut rambling uncle at a wedding. Britons will have noticed that global warming – chance would be a fine thing – has been replaced by climate change. Quite right too.

The silver lining to this snow filled, hateful cloud is that it gives us that chance to talk about the weather, the nation’s favourite leisure activity. And if we can talk about said conditions while queuing up in an orderly fashion as well, then that’s just great.

But there is only so much stoic acceptance one can do, and anyone that has slid, fallen and stumbled their way through the great freeze of 2010 can think of themselves as having earned a holiday (unless you live in the Scottish Highlands – they really must be wondering what all the fuss is about, they would consider this a mild Spring).

If the public finances weren’t strung so tightly, it would be worth lobbying the Government to establish a holiday fund for beleaguered Britons. It might sound like a barmy idea but stick with it. There’s going to be a huge surplus (stop laughing) where the pot of cash used to be for MPs to clean their moats, and the Government loves an idea from left field that’s bound to fail – if not, how do you explain the Millennium Dome?

Unfortunately, that’s not going to happen, so it’s back to saving furiously and keeping an eye out for a bargain abroad. For those undecided on destination, brochures are a good place to start – “we research it,’” as Jamie Redknapp would say. And so you should, but for competitive prices the internet and in branch are the places to go. Prices online or over the counter can be far reduced to those on operator’s glossies, making a location seemingly out of touch a reality.

Good deal bagged, it is worth considering a specialist foreign usage credit card when going on your travels. Most plastics charge a whopping 3% on top of spending when abroad, which can add up to a lot when in holiday mode. But there are a handful of cards that do not saddle holders with what is known as additional loading.

If you do use one of these, it is important to pay the balance in full when you arrive home, as typical APRs can be on the high side.

Seasoned travelers often tire of the standard routine of airplane, hotel, restaurant and visiting museums and cultural attractions. So as an alternative, some of these travelers look for ways to get more in touch with the local culture of the place they’re visiting. One way of doing this is short term, vacation apartment rentals.

Thanks to the internet, renting a private apartment for a few days or a few weeks is fairly easy. What was once a small market of properties available in specialized catalogs, classified ads and by word of mouth, has grown into a cottage industry. Nowadays many landlords own several properties available only for short-term business or vacation rentals. Entire agencies are devoted to this market niche as well.

In fact finding accommodation in a private residence during your trip is quite easy. An Internet search turns up hundreds of available properties and dozens of agencies. In fact, the biggest challenge is not finding the apartments, it’s finding something that suits you, for a reasonable price that is available when you need it.

Once you find a place, you’ll also want to have some way of knowing that what you see is what you get, so many travelers choose to work with reputable agencies or via a vacation rentals website. That way they will at least have some neutral authority to give them recommendations on their particular needs, as well as some recourse in the event of problems (which are rare).

Of course, finding a rental apartment in a city you’ve never seen presents its own particular set of challenges. You’ll want to make sure that you do research on the neighborhood that you’ll be living in. In many large cities, neighborhoods can change dramatically in the space of just a few blocks. So when planning a trip with a Paris vacation apartment rental or a Prague vacation apartment rental, doing your homework up front will help to make sure that your stay is an enjoyable one. Additionally, you need to try to have a basic idea of what you want from your vacation rental. Will it just be a place to sleep, or will your trip be a stay at home getaway for rest and relaxation. Different situations require different amenities, so be sure to ask about such things up front.

All in all, renting an apartment for a short period of time during a vacation is a sure way to a unique and rewarding travel experience. And one that let’s you get closer to the culture than you would by staying in a hotel.

In the historic city center of Rome you’ll find the elegant Intercontinental Hotel de la Ville. This vast 5 star hotel with Mediterranean open-air restaurant, fitness club and cocktail bar is a picture-perfect old school grand hotel. Spectacular suites with panoramic views, exclusive and comprehensive services and the Italian interior design of this historic hotel in Rome will have you rushing back for more! The Intercontinental Hotel de la Ville in Rome This prestigious luxury hotel in Rome is situated right between the Spanish Steps and Villa Borghese. Particularly attractive is the beautiful Italian courtyard where waiters of the See more at: en.escapio.com

This video from ValleHotel in Rome is brought to you by Eurobookings.com to make your hotel selection decision easier. Here, you can get a better idea of room types, the lobby, exterior and interior of Valle Hotel. Book a room here through Eurobookings.com to receive up to 75% off! www.eurobookings.com Eurobookings Your European Hotel Specialist

This video from Hotel Bettoja Massimo Dazeglio inRome is brought to you by Eurobookings.com to make your hotel selection decision easier. Here, you can get a better idea of room types, the lobby, exterior and interior of Hotel Bettoja Massimo Dazeglio. Book a room here through Eurobookings.com to receive up to 75% off! www.eurobookings.com Eurobookings Your European Hotel Specialist

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This Gucci Unique Heritage Collection, including handbags, luggage and scarf, is to celebrate the unveiling of recently renovated Rome store—Via Condotti. This one-of-a-kind accessories collection is a combination of Gucci’s skilled artisan techniques and its unparallel luxury goods expertise.

Its creative director Frida Giannini has created a collection of five new handbags that represent the ultimate in the design house’s luxury product offering. These bags relied on Gucci’s iconic handbags models and a striking vintage print called “Rinascimento”, which was inspired by the rigorous beauty of Renaissance motifs. Deep red and dark green flowers, thorny spires and crowns dance across a creamy canvas background with striking effect. It is what the conventional style is about. But Giannini marries the playful canvas print with a precious, wine colored crocodile.

In various models, the rich crocodile skin covers handles, sides, flaps and trims of handbags, complementing the whimsical print while adding and irresistible luxuriousness. Other precious skins like ostrich, python and crocodile powerfully display Gucci’s luxury know-how. The five different handbag models, including the Jackie and the bamboo, are considered classic models in a modern light. Each bag is crafted in incredible soft leather, features beautiful details and visibly exquisite craftsmanship. Bamboo handles and clasps, artisan stitching, and subtle touches of gold hardware finish off the elegant look.

A scarf and a series of small leather goods in exotic skins make a charming addition to the collection. Two classic wallet shapes are offered in python, crocodile and ostrich make the perfect add-on accessory, together with other mini handbags for clipping on to the larger bags. Besides, an elegant set of brown crocodile hard case luggage, a beauty case and a jewelry case also released to embody the extreme elegant and luxuriousness of crocodile skin, which is a nod to the grandeur of chic traveling essentials of the last century. The notable large crocodile traveling trunk with drawers and hanging space is destined to be a collector’s item.

This video from San AlselmoHotel in Rome is brought to you by Eurobookings.com to make your hotel selection decision easier. Here, you can get a better idea of room types, the lobby, exterior and interior of San Alselmo Hotel. Book a room here through Eurobookings.com to receive up to 75% off! www.eurobookings.com Eurobookings Your European Hotel Specialist

This video from Hotel Caracciolo inRome is brought to you by Eurobookings.com to make your hotel selection decision easier. Here, you can get a better idea of room types, the lobby, exterior and interior of Hotel Caracciolo. Book a room here through Eurobookings.com to receive up to 75% off! www.eurobookings.com Eurobookings Your European Hotel Specialist

This video from Hotel La Residenza inRome is brought to you by Eurobookings.com to make your hotel selection decision easier. Here, you can get a better idea of room types, the lobby, exterior and interior of Hotel La Residenza. Book a room here through Eurobookings.com to receive up to 75% off! www.eurobookings.com Eurobookings Your European Hotel Specialist