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WE'D BEEN BOOKING OUR OWN VACATIONS for years, but a once-in-a-lifetime family trip led us in a new direction, to “self-catering” apartments in Europe. We needed to accommodate a family of five, from teenagers to near-seniors, in three great cities. Not only did we want to visit Barcelona, Florence and Rome for their history, culture and attractions, we wanted to share as much of the experience as possible during what might have been our last extended time together.

Sure, we could have rented two or more hotel rooms. But aside from being expensive that would have meant making appointments with each other to talk about where to go, what to do or to compare notes at the end of the day. “How about if we meet in the lobby at 11?” might have been the protocol.

Instead, we stayed in spacious quarters that provided privacy when needed as well as casual moments together watching television (in languages we barely understood!) or sitting around a dining room table, eating local takeout while planning or recounting a day’s adventures. With the right arrangement of rooms we could come and go separately or as a group; some of us would stay out late while others crashed early, all while feeling as though we were living in – not simply visiting – an excitingly different destination.

That first trip led to more, including as a couple to Paris for a memorable anniversary. And everyone we told about our experiences said, “Oh, that sounds great; I’d love to do that someday.”

But they didn’t. The truth is, if you haven’t done this before or aren’t familiar with the territory, it takes countless hours to sift through hundreds of offerings, compare features and prices, check out neighborhoods and settle on the kind of place that fits your plans. That’s where we come in. Tell us about your needs, your desires and the kind of experience you’re seeking here and we'll find lodging that fits your plans, your taste and your pocketbook.

The places we recommend will likely cost less than hotel rooms but more importantly they'll be base stations for the experience you’re seeking, whether you choose a Left Bank garret in Paris or a 110 square meter, four-bedroom home-away-from home in Barcelona. (We’ve stayed in both.)

And because we love to share the thrill of travel, we’ll throw in suggestions about getting around, “must-see” sights, pleasant hangouts and memorable restaurants, as well as some to avoid. Check in with us and have the kind of travel memories you’ll savor and recount for years to come.

Our service is focused on Barcelona and Paris, cities we’ve researched extensively. But we’ll be happy to put our expertise to work for you elsewhere (we know a fabulous yet affordable chambre d’hote in Burgundy, for example).

Get started now by completing a no-obligation Trip Plan.