Europe

Spring is that off-the-shoulder number by Olyana Sergeenko, red roses in rack and rows; its the snow-drop daisies of Chanels newest line. Its like Marimekko after months of prison drabs. In the gardens of Versailles, its carpet of anemone tucked between newly greening-up boxwood; its the sun-warmed play of a thousand fountains in a hundred little bouquets lined with fresh clusters of violets.

The 20 arrondissements of Paris unfurl in a clockwise spiral, revealing a particular personality and style as each new neighborhood unveils itself. Navigating the arrondissements can be a bit tricky if youre not a frequent visitor to the City of Light, but Time & Place makes it easy to familiarize yourself with what each arrondissement has to offer. Use this guide to plan your daily itinerary or to discover which Time & Place luxury vacation rental is the perfect fit for you.

The French have Hitler and Mussolini to thank for their beloved Cannes film festival. Seriously. In a measure of poetic justice, apres guerre, the Festival de Cannes becomes the center of art film; good film. Everyone whos anyone comes. Sophia Loren, Kirk Douglas, Max Von Sydow and Ingmar Bergman. Its huge and crowded, but also exclusive.

If a persons home is their castle, why cant a castle be a vacation home? FOOD AND WINE seems to agree with us as theyve just named not one, but two – of our Time & Place villas among their Best Castle Hotels. Ideally located in two of the worlds most desirable luxury destinations California and the French Rivera, these unique properties offer Time & Places trademark blend of architecturally significant estates supported by world-class, atyour-doorstep concierge service.

Carnaval is a Spanish celebration of colorful costumes, music, and much food and drink. Known as Mardi Gras in the US, this exuberant display of excess falls just before the Christian observance of Lent begins. As Lent is typically a period of refraining from extravagance and making sacrifices, Carnaval is the perfect time to indulge in whatever your heart desires. Whether its eating rich foods, enjoying an extra drink or 2, or dancing until the sun comes up, Carnaval gives you the chance before its too late!

Cupids signature day, St. Valentines, should be full of Cupidian heroics and free of family drama especially if you and your special someone are spending it in Paris. Of course, its your Paris concierge who is tasked with the Olympic job of curating the perfect French Valentines Day. Heres a sampling of five hand-picked experiences we can arrange to make your Paris Valentine a memory second only to the day you felt the sweet sting of Cupids arrow:

This February, the eyes of the world will be fixed on one place. Our attention is riveted as competitors descend from all over the globe, bringing years of training to bear in a crescendo of skill and daring. Were talking of course about – Paris Fashion Week where Olympians of style go head to head on fashions most colossal of catwalks. Weve put together a fashion-themed itinerary so fabulous that fashionistas everywhere will be tossing over their Manolo Blahniks just for a shot at it:

Paris is, without a doubt, the most romantic city ever. So imagine the look on your loves face when you surprise him or her with a visit to this City of Light and Love for Valentines Day! Those that enjoy the thrill of spontaneity will delight in the experience of whisking their partner away for an amazing trip, while those whose significant others might want to have a hand in planning the romantic endeavors will be adored for presenting a gift certificate for an unforgettable trip to Paris.

From the unique and breathtaking architecture to the beautiful beaches along the Mediterranean, Barcelona has been the epicenter of art and culture for centuries. As one of Europes premiere destinations, this ancient Spanish city offers locals and travelers alike a unique cultural experience.

One of the best times to visit Paris may surprise you as it has nothing to do with spring time; in fact, one of our favorite times to be in Paris has nothing to do with weather at all! Twice a year boutiques and department stores in the City of Light open their doors and offer deep discounts to customers from both near and far. Called simply Les Soldes (the sales), the bi-annual events stretch over 5-6 weeks in mid-January and in mid-summer. If you count shopping as one of your passions, or covet the finer things in life, you will want to consider a trip to Paris during Les Soldes!