A luxury villla makes the perfect place to celebrate

Renting A Villa After Lockdown

As we navigate our way through the Covid-19 crisis, it’s widely understood that renting a villa provides a private space, protection and security that a hotel-based vacation simply cannot compare with.

As a family or small group of friends who have been isolating together that makes it a positive and entirely appropriate way to enjoy a holiday in a safe environment. A place that you can call your own.

Only last week, it looked unlikely that UK travellers would be able to enjoy a summer holiday overseas. Today it seems things are changing daily as our government unveils new plans and approaches to travel.

Now more than ever, considering a villa for a relaxing week or two in the sun, makes complete sense.

Here are a few reasons why:

  1. A private villa with your own pool offers a safe space for families and friends isolating in the sun.
  2. All the usual airlines including EasyJet, Jet2, Ryan Air & British Airways are open for bookings.
  3. Currently the cost of flights are very reasonable indeed.
  4. UK Government is now positively considering open skies and no isolation for July & August. More news will be released soon.
  5. The Algarve, parts of Spain and the Islands are ahead of the UK and now safely opening up restaurants, beaches and other facilities.
  6. On per person basis, renting a villa is surprisingly cost effective.

Although, things are moving very quickly, there is still availability in some exceptional villas for July, August, September & October.

If you’d like to discuss options and availability, call us now on 01625 581102

Christmas on a villa holiday

Christmas In A Suitcase

Booking a villa holiday over the Christmas period is an excellent way to get the extended family together and to spend valuable relaxing time with children, grandchildren or just a group of old friends.  In this short article, we give you a few tips on how to make you’re your Christmas Day (or New Year’s Eve) celebrations go with a bang on your villa holiday.

Christmas Presents.

If you don’t have children with you, you may like to consider celebrating Christmas and exchanging gifts before you leave for your holiday or after you return. This needn’t limit the fun. With the right approach it can just add another great day, or at very least an evening, to your Christmas festivities.

If the thought of having no gifts to exchange on Christmas day leaves you cold, you could always reduce the collective luggage weight by opting for the ‘Secret Santa’ approach.

Secret Santa is a long-standing festive tradition in which members of a group all pull one name from their group out of a hat (or have name assigned to them any other random method). Their job is then to choose a gift for that person, and only that person. It is best to agree a maximum budget for the gift, which no-one should exceed. Technically, the identity of the gift giver should remain a secret and should never be revealed. However, guessing who selected the gift is often part of the fun.

When unwrapped and unveiled one by one at the dinner table, this can lead to a very enjoyable and entertaining spectacle. Fabulous fun for large groups and extended family holidays.  There are many apps available for organising your Secret Santa. Here’s one example that we came across www.secretsantaorganizer.com.

If you have very young children, you will probably want to take along a few gifts.

Think carefully about the weight, size and fragility of anything you intend to pack in your luggage. Also, think very carefully about any security issues that may arise. It may be difficult to explain that the brightly coloured rocket launcher in your suitcase is simply a child’s toy.

Wrapping Gifts

Airlines recommend that you do not not wrap any gifts before you fly. Airport security staff may unwrap gifts in your hand luggage or checked in bags, causing delays at security. And of course, leaving you with the job of rewrapping them.

Instead, pack wrapping paper in your checked in bags, and wrap your gifts after you arrive at your villa.  Don’t forget to pack a roll of celllotape. But even though your airline may permit you to carry scissors with blades less than 4 inches in length, it’s probably best to leave the scissors at home. Any well-equipped villa is sure to have a pair in the kitchen drawer.

Music

Yes it’s cheesy, but a few Christmas jingles always set the scene on the big day.

Be sure to take along a Christmas CD or two or better still, compile an online playlist.

If you go for the online option be sure to check the box to ‘download’ the tracks in advance just in case you have no WiFi at the crucial moment.

Christmas Outfit

Spread the word before you leave. Make sure that absolutely everyone packs a festive outfit to wear for the big dinner.

You can give this your own spin. Whatever you choose From Christmas ‘Hawaiian’ Shirts and Santa Hats to Red Dresses, White Shirts and Christmas Ties, it is a chance to generate a bit of extra Christmas cheer and get everyone in the mood. A common theme always makes for great photographs in and around your villa too.

Don’t let your plans become too grand, whatever you choose should be light and easy to pack, easy to find and not too expensive.

Decorations

We’re not suggesting that you drape the entire villa with tinsel and glitter. However, if you take a few lengths of tinsel and a handful of sparkly accessories, you will be able to wow everyone in the party with a beautifully decorated dinner table.

It is always an option to ask every member of the party to bring one item of decoration. Unveiling the collection of assorted decorations and arranging them around the villa could become an enjoyable and entertaining part of the celebration.

Games

Nothing is more festive than after dinner games. They are a great way to extend the celebrations and to bridge the age gaps. Why not take a long a few simple games to play after dinner. That doesn’t necessarily mean that you need pack heavy or cumbersome board games. With a little research, you may be able to simply take along a pack of cards, a pen and some paper and a few notes/prompts to remind you of a handful of games and their rules.

Of course, on a villa holiday at Christmas there is always a chance that you will be enjoying dinner outside on the sun terrace, by the pool or even down at the beach, so you may want to adjust your game selection accordingly.

Whether you play wink murder, spoons, charades or name that tune, you’ll have great fun and create many, many memories

If you need a little inspiration, there are countless suggestions for games online but here are a couple of links to get you going:

Table Place Names

Carefully prepared and packed in your luggage, a pile of festive place names for the dinner table will add a special touch to the big event and allow you to carefully adjust the seating plan to ensure harmony or hilarity.

Skype or Facetime

If you have any family members who can’t make it on your trip or friends at home that couldn’t come along with you for any reason, why not gather round an iphone, ipad or latop and call them up live on video with Skpe, Facetime or any alternative.

There are various ways to make video calls these days. But whatever method you choose, it is best to agree a precise time in advance and to be sure everyone in your party knows when it is happening. Make sure you make the call precisely at the agreed time and all should go to plan.

This is a lovely way to share the festive cheer, have some fun and to share a bit of love at the same time.

Cooking

For some, cooking Christmas dinner seems like a military operation and an utterly unrewarding task. Whilst others thoroughly enjoy the hustle and bustle of the kitchen preparation and revel in the role of head chef and host.

If it is your thing, throw yourself headlong into the process and enjoy every minute.  But remember, there are no rules. You don’t have to produce the perfect, traditional Christmas dinner. This dinner is about the people and the connection between them.

Be prepared to break the rules and adjust the menu to make it easier for you to prepare and serve. It doesn’t really matter if you serve up burgers, pasta, seafood, curry or a beach barbecue buffet.

If cooking a big dinner is simply not your bag, why not consider the alternatives?

External catering may be an option in your villa. Whether you have food delivered or have dinner prepared by a visiting chef, it well be worth the additional cost.

Don’t forget that you can always book and enjoy dinner at a local restaurant. In which case all the tips above still apply.

Whatever you choose to do, think things through carefully in advance and you will soon be enjoying your best Christmas ever together in a luxury villa in the sun.

Check out our range of ‘Family Party’ villas

 

 

 

Villa Holidays in Sardinia

8 Good Reasons To Visit Sardinia In The Late Season

If you’re looking for a late break in September or October, Sardinia is a tough choice to beat. Here are just a few of the benefits this late-season paradise has to offer.

  1. It’s still Lovely And Warm

    Late season temperature ranges between 27 and 23 degrees at this time of year which is warm enough for the pool or the beach but also not too hot for walking or other activities.

  2. Everything is Quieter

    The villages and beaches are quieter at this time of year and the type of visitor can be a little quieter too. Things have slowed down a little and there should be increased availability in restaurants, bars, cafes and other facilities.

    Sardinia In September

  3. The Sea Is At Its Best

    Having warmed up through the hottest months, the sea is at its warmest in the late season. Snorkelers and divers will be able to enjoy the improved visibility which comes with the late season and benefit from the warmer water.

  4. The Roads Are Quiet

    If you choose to hire a car, the roads should be nice and quiet, making getting around much more straightforward. Parking can be much easier and often care-hire rates can be significantly more affordable than during the peak season.

  5. The Perfect Time For Young Children

    For families with pre-school children, this can be a great time to visit. The sun is not as powerful (although you should always use high factor sunscreen) and the water is warmer, making it even more fun for children.

    Evening In a Luxury Villa in Sardinia

  6. Cooler Evenings

    The evenings are cooler and it goes darker earlier, making sleeping, or even just snuggling up, altogether more appealing.

  7. Flights Can be More Affordable

    Off peak times often lead to more affordable flight costs. Whilst this can’t always be guaranteed, it is well worth exploring carefully to find the best deals on offer.

  8. The Food Festival Season

    Many of the island’s Food and Drink festivals are in September and October which can be an absolute cultural delight for foodies.

    Sardinia in October We have a number of Villas with late availability during this years’ late season. Why not grab yourself a last minute bargain and jet off for Sardinia to enjoy some late sun.

Check out our villas in Sardinia here