Just a few miles off the coast of Miami Beach, Florida, is the exclusive Fisher Island, known as the residential retreat for wealthy Americans. Until the mid twentieth century this island belong to the Vanderbilt family, who used as a winter residence. Today the population of Fisher island has risen to five hundred people.

Being in close proximity to the famous Miami beaches, Fisher Island enjoys the same exquisite weather and conditions, only with significantly less people. There are stunning beaches to enjoy as well as fantastic views of the ocean from the intriguing landscape. Arguably the main attraction on Fisher Island is the Fisher Island Club, which is an exclusive club boasting top class facilities including a golf course, tennis courts, a marina and a spa amongst various other features. The dining facilities here are five star quality, with the views from the restaurants truly incredible.

Travel from Miami Beach to Fisher Island is only available via private boat or ferry. The ferry journey to Fisher Island from Miami Beach only takes seven minutes and runs twenty four hours a day. Departures occur every fifteen minutes from a specific terminal just down the road from Miami Beach. You will be required to prove that you have permission to enter Fisher Island, so if you are visiting the Fisher Island Club you will need to pre-arrange the travel documents, although this is part of the standard procedures for guests and should not be an issue.

Since 2006 Holiday Velvet offers Miami apartments.

South Beach in Miami has so much more to offer than the beaches and weather, and that includes the vintage shopping opportunities, for which the area is renowned.

Miami is an absolute haven for shoppers, with street after street packed with stores of all different types to explore, including street markets, department stores and, of course, its famous vintage boutiques. A day shopping in the vintage boutiques in South beach is like spending a day traveling through time, with many shops specialising in past fashion-eras.

Start your vintage journey at C. Madeleine’s, a large vintage shop which sells items dating back to the 1920’s through to more modern eras. Then head for the shops on Bird Road and don’t miss the famous Miami Twice that sells “everything and anything” and even does clothe rentals.Vintage shop Fly Boutique on Lincoln road has a great reputation for reproducing women wear from the 50s. Recycled Blues Inc on Washington Avenue has a great selection of classic men’s vintage clothing (think Levis jeans).

It is likely that you will have planned a jam packed itinerary for your visit to Miami, but the late opening hours of the majority of the vintage shops in the area means that you can fit a shopping spree in regardless of your other plans. Many of the shops stay open until 9pm or later. Happy shopping!

Since 2006 Holiday Velvet offers Miami accommodation.

London is a city of staggering beauty. It is an incredible place to educate and entertain children of all ages. It is a city that families come to visit from across the world, to learn and share memorable, lifelong experiences. If you are planning a family holiday in London make sure you don’t just go to the usual famous tourist attractions like Maddam Tussords and The London Bridge. There are many prestigious parks full of hundreds of acres of rolling green splendour which are ideal to keep your kids entertained in London. Here are our top 5 parks for Kids in London, England.

Hyde Park
Hyde Park is set in over 300 acres, making it one of the largest parks in London. It boasts an amazing playground and has over 4000 trees making it perfect for spotting wildlife . There are also swimming baths in the summer months as well as Tennis courts and numerous restaurants to keep you and your kids entertained in London.

Richmond Park
Like stepping back in time, Richmond Park is a combination of glorious, floral, grandeur and the type of park that kids will suit kids of all ages. With the Swans on Lakes and Deers roaming freely you can cycle, ride horses and when you done take tea at the Georgian Pembroke Lodge.

Battersea Park
Not only does this London park have a Zoo to keep your youngest Kids entertained, but it also has a lot to offer older kids with a resident running track as well as the Peace Pogoda which was built by Nuns, Monks adding some education to the fun.

Hampsted Heath
This park is one of the highest point in London, with views across the City making it a ‘ must see ’ for you and your Kids. It has an adventure playground and boasts over 20 ponds, which includes one reserved for model boats.

Brockwell Park
One of the Child friendly feautures of this historic London park is a specially designated dog free area which includes pool for toddlers as well as BMX track for older kids. It is also home to Brockwell Lido which is one of the most highly regarded outdoor pool in London.

Whatever park you decide to visit in London you will be sure to have a safe, relaxing family day out in England’s capital city.

Since 2006 Holiday Velvet offers London accommodation.

Camden Market in London offers the opportunity to purchase everything the latest fashion items and musical instruments to kids toys and food items from around the world. It should go without saying that anybody staying in a holiday apartment in London should not consider their London adventure complete until they have visited here.

It is not widely known that Camden Market is actually a collective term for a number of smaller markets within a close proximity. They’re called Camden Stables Market, Camden Lock Market and Inverness Street Market to name but a few. Each market places you’ll find here are slightly different in layout and even in content, but have the core vibe and atmosphere synonymous with this world famous market.

In a city which is jam packed with some of the most famous attractions in the world, you’ll find Camden Market ranked as the fourth most popular attraction in London. Hundreds of thousands of people pass through the market each month, and it is this sheer number of people which creates the atmosphere for which the market is renowned. The iconic image of the London market seller shouting the latest deals and trying to attract people top their stalls can still be experienced here, with genuinely cockney tones ringing out around the stalls.

There is a significant ethic influence in the modern market which reflects the diversity of the city as a whole. The modern market has stalls ran by people of all nationalities who sell food and goods from their culture which are popular not only with visitors but with locals also.

Since 2006 Holiday Velvet offers London holiday rentals.

A great way to add diversity to a visit to London is to visit one of the many parks around the city. One of the most famous and popular parks is Regents Park located in the North West of London. Regents Park is of royal status and has plenty to offer the visitor, with enough attractions to entertain for an entire day.

Of the many different features that Regents Park has to offer, the open space is perhaps the most conventional and is certainly a great way to escape the hustle and bustle of the busy city centre. The greenery within the park is stunning, whilst the large lake complements it perfectly. The gardens provide the opportunity to explore some of the best kept flower displays in the city, with spotless arrangements on display all year round. Another feature of the gardens is the specimen plants, some of which are unique to the park.

Regents Park is a great day out for those of an active disposition as there are a variety of sporting and physical activities to enjoy. The sports pitches are a great place to stretch your legs and enjoy a kick about with kids or with some friends on one of the ten full size football pitches, whilst the cricket nets allow you to perfect your technique during the summer months. The tennis courts can be extremely popular as a result of the desirable location, so booking a tennis pitch in advance will avoid what can on occasions be a long wait.

Regents Park is child friendly with plenty of open space and greenery to enjoy, but perhaps the most attractive feature to the young ones are the four different play grounds dispersed around the park. Each of the parks offers exciting yet safe apparatus and is monitored by an attendant. There is, of course, also the option to visit London Zoo which is located within the park, but that is a day trip in its own right. Aside from the zoo there is other wildlife to be enjoyed around the park, including the herons which inhabit the lake area.

Checking the schedule at the open air theatre is an absolute must when visiting Regents Park. This is a surprisingly large venue offering performances of a variety of levels. You can enjoy musicals, plays and orchestras, and performances run at different times of the day.

Since 2006 Holiday Velvet offers London apartments.

Vancouver is regularly voted as the best city in the world to live due to the cleanliness of the streets, the employment opportunities, the healthcare system, the infrastructure and safety. These qualities and this status attract people from all over the world to settle in the city, many of whom open up restaurants selling their native cuisine. Below are some of the best ethnic restaurants in downtown Vancouver, where incidentally Holiday Velvet has many Downtown Vancouver holiday rentals!

Samba Brazilian Steakhouse
Address: 1122 Alberni St. Vancouver
Opening times: 1130-1530 then 1730-2300
Steak is a dish which is popular universally. At the Samba Brazilian Steakhouse one can enjoy top quality steaks as well as an extensive barbeque menu. The Brazilian culture is a colourful one which includes a large amount of music and dancing, so the assortment of entertainment available at the Samba Steakhouse comes as no surprise.

San Sui Wah – Chinese Food
Address: 3888 Main Street
Opening times: 10-1500 then 1700-2230
The San Sui Wah restaurant on Main Street is a highly acclaimed establishment which offers genuinely top quality Chinese cuisine in an authentic setting. There is a good choice on the menu, which includes Dim Sum, specialities and a main menu. The roasted squab is something which comes particularly well recommended.

Bistro Pastis – French Food
Address: 2153 West Fourth Avenue
Web: French bistro Vancouver
Opening times: 1100-1400 then 1730-2230
The French are famous for the quality of their food which has influenced the cuisine of so many cultures. At this establishment in the centre of Vancouver you can discover exactly why.

Vij’s Rangoli – Indian Food
Address: 1488 West 11th Avenue
Opening times: 1100-2200
One of the best features of this establishment is the fact that it manages to successfully combine being an Indian food market and a high level Indian restaurant. The market consists of ready to eat frozen meals, Indian cookbooks and a large range of spices of ingredients. If you don’t fancy getting your hands dirty in the kitchen you can choose from the acclaimed menu.

Mona’s Lebanese Cuisine
Address: 1328 Hornby St
Opening times: 1100-1400 then 1700-0100
Lebanese cuisine is one which is often neglected when people go out for food. However, the menu at this downtown Vancouver restaurant demonstrates why it is becoming increasingly popular. The unique dishes which range from mild to spicy will suit all.

Since 2006 Holiday Velvet offers Vancouver holiday apartments.

As the sun rises on Sunday, vendors from all over the local area set up stall in Porta Portese Flea Market, which is in the Trastevere area of Rome. It is a place where bargains can be found and when visiting Rome this is an excellent way to sample the local culture first hand.

This flea market sells everything you can possibly imagine. It has a beautiful antique section, selling brash brass and noisy clocks. You can find 18th century paintings, capturing local imagery from times that have long gone by. There is something distinctly Italian about the whole experience. You can see the passion and determination in the eyes of the vendors. Clothes are for sale everywhere. The smell of Italian leather washes over you as you make your way through alleys of colourful bargains. This is an ideal place to buy gifts for loved ones whilst staying in Rome.

A word of warning here. Whilst the The Porta Portese Flea Market is generally a safe place to be, pick pockets work on Sunday’s too, so it is our recommendation that you keep your valuable possessions in a safe place at all times. So hold on tightly to your wallet and purse.

Eating in Porta Portese is popular with the bargain hunters. There are food stalls and café’s a plenty, with simple snacking food, ideal to give you energy for more shopping. Like anywhere in Italy, the coffee is like nothing you have tasted before. Esspresso shots are handed out like sweets to thirst locals.

The location of the The Porta Portese Flea Market is easy enough to find. From the Travetevere train station you need to head for Mercato delle Pulci. There are also buses running from Termini station – Catch the number 75 pr the number 8 tram from Largo Argentina. The Sunday market in Rome is very well known. If you are unsure then ask a local or visit the Rome public transport website. if you chose to stay in a Trastevere holiday rental then even be able to walk there.

One last point about this wonderful Flea Market in Trastevere is be prepared to haggle with the vendors. If you were impressed by the haggling in places like Morroco and Spain, the Italian’s put them both to shame. Remember to hold your ground and not be defeated, because if you show sign of weakness you will lose the battle and lose out on the bargain that your heart is set on purchasing.

Since 2006 Holiday Velvet offers Rome apartments.

The upmarket area of Jordaan in Amsterdam is home to many of the city’s best art galleries and great place to choose your holiday apartment in Amsterdam in. Below are some worth checking-out during your stay in Amsterdam:

Rock Archive Gallery Amsterdam
Web: Rock Archive Art Gallery
This is a gallery of international pedigree as it has galleries in many of the major cities around the world. The building itself has a light and contemporary feel to it, whilst the art is a collection of classic rock and jazz images which will appeal to the art lover who enjoys how a photographer and artist can capture the charisma and character of a person or people. The photos are not just of artists in action, they are also limited edition prints staged specifically for the shoot.

Dolf D. van Omme Gallery
Address: Eerste Bloemdwarsstraat 19, Jordaan, Amsterdam
In an area of Amsterdam where many of the galleries are focussed on modern concepts, this gallery offers you the opportunity to enjoy fine art from around Europe created in the 19th and 20th century. Amongst the best attractions of this gallery are the fantastic paintings of the city of Amsterdam over the years which really capture how it has evolved into the modern city that it is today.

Galerie Buuf
Address: Eerste Anjeliersdwarsstraat 36, Jordaa, Amsterdam
This is one of the newer galleries in the Joordan district and has a mainly contemporary feel to it but also has a range of fine arts and tributary works to famous artists such as Andy Warhol and Pablo Picasso. Lovers of artistic sculptures will also find plenty to indulge in here.

Go Gallery
Web: Art Gallery Amsterdam GO Gallery
This is a modern art gallery which contains a great range of street art. The gallery displays work from around the world as well as from up and coming artists in the surrounding area. The gallery has a number of permanent displays but is largely made up of feature artists, meaning that you can experience something new each time you visit.

KochxBos gallery
Address: Eerste Anjeliersdwarsstraat 3-5, Jordaan, Amsterdam
The name of this gallery is a mixture of the names of the two people who created it, Esther Koch and Hans Bos, and is a showcase of the art type that the two have a great passion about which is lowbrow and underground art. Therefore, this museum is a great option for people who appreciate different takes on art, and in particular, the modern approach. This museum provides diversity to your Amsterdam museum experience.

Since 2006 Holiday Velvet offers Amsterdam holiday rentals.

The Ostermalm area of Stockholm is amongst the most exclusive areas in the city and a perfect one to choose as a base to discover Stockholm. There are countless streets lined with quite fantastic shops selling items of varying nature. Not only can you find a string of top end designer cloth shops, there are also a collection of other boutiques to choose from, making this area one of the most popular for shopping with visitors to the city. Below are some of the luxury boutiques worth visiting and some streets where you may find a number of boutiques in a cluster.

Svenskt Tenn
Web: www.svenskttenn.se
It seems fitting, what with Sweden’s association with furniture, to start this summary by mentioning a luxury furnishings boutique which can be found in Ostermalm. This is a well established shop which has been the pilgrimage of many interior design lovers. The furniture and decor on sale here are unique and of genuine quality.

Malmstenbutiken
Address: Strandvägen 5b
Carl Malmsten, the celebrated interior designer who opened this store, did so with a vision of restoring traditional Swedish craftsmanship. Today, after a full refurbishment programme, the shop sells top quality interior design items. The shop is considerably bigger than the small establishment that it once was, and you are sure to find some great items to give your home a unique feel.

Sturegallerian
This is possibly the most popular area in Ostermalm for shoppers who enjoy small boutiques. Since 1895 this section of the city has been home to glorious fashion boutiques, whilst over the years a number of quirky restaurants, cafes and bars have also found their home here.

Kommendörsgatan
There are too many small shops on this street to pick one of them in particular. The shops range in nature from designer clothing and books to rugs and lamps. All of the shops are delightfully presented and the area as a whole provides a distinctly exclusive feel. Antique dealers and art lovers will probably find this street to be their favourite place to shop in the area.

Asplund
Address: Sibyllegatan 31, 11442 Stockholm
This is another boutique which sells high quality interior design objects. The theme of this shop is light and minimalistic designs which are sculptured lovingly and to a very high standard. The rugs sold here are particularly exquisite, whilst the quality of the lamps and other retail items put larger furniture stores to shame.

Since 2006 Holiday Velvet offers Stockholm holiday rentals.

Prague is not only an ideal location for couples or those in search of culture, there is also plenty for kids to enjoy in the city. Below are some of the child friendly activities in the Stare Mesto area of Prague.

Lego Museum
Lego has for decades been one of the favourite pastimes for kids, and today is no different. This Lego museum is a great way for children to discover Lego through the years by viewing fantastic Lego constructions, playing with Lego and also having the chance to purchase it. This is the largest Lego museum in the world and boasts a staggering 2,000 unique constructions, each of which will capture your child’s imagination in a different way.

Hall of Mirrors
If you have been to a hall of mirrors before you will know all about what to expect, but if you haven’t, the idea is that you have to find your way around a maze, with the twist being that all of the walls are made of either see through materials or mirrors. Hours of fun.

Ultra Ant Climbing Wall
Take your child to this attraction and let them indulge in the instinctive activity of climbing. There are different walls to climb to suit different abilities and ages.

Umělecká Scéna Říše Loutek
This is a great way to expose your children to a traditional Czech children’s activity. There are regular puppet shows put on here as well as other activities designed especially to entertain children.

Muzeum Hraček / Toy Museum
This museum of toys will make children understand how toys have evolved over the years. In the different exhibition rooms at this sizeable museum, the second largest toy museum in the world, there are toys dating as far back as the ancient Greeks.

Since 2006 Holiday Velvet offers Stare Mesto holiday apartments.