Here at Holiday Velvet we often get asked about where you can leave your luggage whilst you are waiting to 'check in' to your apartment or after you have 'checked-out'. Whilst you can always ask the owner directly if they are able to look after your bags for a few hours, left luggage facilities still exist at many major train stations and other transport hubs. These days, most of these facilities run on an automated locker system (gone are the days when you checked in your bag in as you would a coat in a nightclub). Remember that they may fill up at peak periods. Rome When arriving at Termini Station on the Leonardo Express train from Fiumicino airport, you can leave your baggage in the ‘piazza’ on the lower-ground floor (follow the ‘Deposito bagagli’ signs). It’s open 6am-midnight, 7 days a week. Venice ‘Deposito bagagli’ is available at Santa Lucia Train Station (open 6am-midnight daily). Cooperative Trasbagagli is a private company that will not only store you luggage for you, but take it by boat to your place of accommodation, saving you schlepping bags over the bridges and canals. They have two offices in Venice; one at the Piazzale ...

The capital of France is ideally located to take in much of what makes France such a wonderful country to visit. From the beaches of Normandy to the Chateaux of the Loire Valley and France's horse-racing hub in Chantilly, there are many easy day trips you could do from Paris. BEACHES OF NORMANDY Taking the train to Caen from Gare St. Lazare, is a superb way of getting a snapshot of the Normandy beaches and understanding their role in the D-Day landings. Remnants of the artificial harbour that was towed over in sections from England still exists at Arromanches, where there is also the Musee du Debarquement which recounts and honours the men who fought in June 1944. THE LOIRE VALLEY CHATEAUX Surrounding Paris, there are many remarkable chateaux many, of which, were ransacked during the French Revolution. Today, they are well looked after and ensure a day away from Paris to remember. If you take one of the Loire Valley tours it’s an early departure from the railway station in Paris Montparnasse to the city of Tours. From Tours it is possible to visit up to three stunning-looking chateaux. These are: 1. Chateau D’Azay-le-Rideau was constructed in the early years of ...