Whatever the occasion, whether it is a wedding, engagement party, a significant birthday, anniversary, retirement or any other family celebration, organisation can be a huge and committing process. And one that can bring with it an equally large amount of complexity and anxiety.
Increasing numbers of families, couples, groups of friends, and work colleagues are choosing to celebrate on holiday. Here are just a few of the reasons why it makes sense to jet off to the sunshine for your big occasion.

1. Beauty & Romance

What’s more romantic than watching the sun going down on a beautiful, secluded beach or a leafy hilltop retreat? Whether you are in a small party or part of a larger group, with your closest friends and family around you, romance and beauty will always shine through in an iconic location, making things even more memorable.

2. Better Weather

Everyone yearns for the perfect blue-sky day for their big party or celebration, but let’s face it, even in the UK’s summer, the weather is just one big roll of the dice. Heading off to a warm, exotic location will give you the best possible chance of perfect conditions on the big day.

3. Stress Reduction

Committing to a far-flung destination for your gathering can free you from many of the pressures the big day brings. You will be on holiday, in a beautiful destination, relaxing in a luxury villa whilst you make your final plans. And of course, you won’t be anxiously scanning the daily weather forecast either.

4. Cost Comparison

Compared to the same level of luxury in the UK, the price of decadence is often significantly lower in remote locations. Catering, food and drink is usually far more affordable and accessible. You’ll also be enjoying several days away for your money and spending much more quality time with loved ones.
You could also consider maximising value by renting for a two week period and inviting two separate groups of friends or relatives, one for the first week and the other for the second week.

5. Fewer People – Fewer Complications

When you decide to celebrate abroad, there will always be a limit to the number of people you can invite. It is the perfect excuse to keep things simple by only inviting very close friends and family. That will instantly distil your guestlist for the event down to the absolute best. So you may reduce both money spent and hassle.

You can always throw a less extravagant party for the others when you arrive home.

6. Timescale

Often celebrations and events can be arranged quicker in holiday destinations and as the whole day will be smaller and easier to manage. Holiday destinations are geared up for hospitality and entertainment, so there’s should be no shortage of facilities, staff, food or drink.

7. A Special Place To Remember

A special day creates a permanent connection with a location for all of you. One that you can return to long into the future to rekindle the same emotions and remember special times and great memories together, long into the future.

8. A Special Place Remembered

You may choose to celebrate in a location which has special significance to you and your family. A place that you already have a deep connection with. A country or area that a parent or relative had a strong connection with or one which means a great deal to you for many other reasons.

9. Culture

Free from the cultural, religious and social norms, you will be able to create the function that you really want. A blend of local customs and your own tastes.  Getting away from the pressure and expectation of the big event can be truly liberating. A smaller celebration with only close friends and family, means you can really do it your own way.

10. Amazing Photographs

Photos taken on a sunny beach or clifftop beauty spot don’t come much better. Iconic locations provide iconic images, so you should all head home with the most memorable and striking photo albums tucked under your arm.

At villa retreats, we have a portfolio of luxury villas that are perfect for your birthday, anniversary, retirement party, wedding celebration or honeymoon. We’re also happy to talk to you about your plans and to put you directly in touch with highly recommended local companies and suppliers who can help to make every aspect of your big day absolutely perfect.

Also, check out Simon Rowland’s simple tips for finding the perfect villa here

Choosing the perfect villa for a relaxing break should be an enjoyable and fulfilling experience. Yet for many who find themselves in the organisers role it can quickly turn in to a major frustration. Trying to please everyone yet pleasing few, and in the end feeling unappreciated.
Managing Director of Villa Retreats, Simon Rowland has been searching out perfect villas for almost 30 years. Here, he has distilled his lifetime of experience into few simple steps which can significantly reduce hassle, confusion and frustration when choosing a villa for your next relaxing holiday.

So before you start work on your family’s villa wish list, read these tips and use them to structure your planning process.

Think Family/Party Members

Consider the people you are inviting. What are their interests? Do they have any special needs? Are there any babies, toddlers, teenagers, elderly, infirm or people with mobility issues within the group?

Write down specific requirements for each person. Be sure to list things that relate to the property and to the area around the property.

For example, a choosing a hilly location if you are taking grandparents who have mobility issues may cause them difficulties, leading to a far from relaxing trip for them, and the group.

Think Location

Put the destination to one side for the time being (unless it is absolutely written in stone) and think about where your ideal villa would be in relation to facilities, amenities and terrain. The location of your villa is far more important than the actual destination.

Again, run through the list of people in the group and consider their individual interests and requirements.

Consider the distance to the beach, restaurants, bars, a golf course, gym, playground and pool.

Would you like a sea view? Do you need to ensure certain facilities are within walking distance so that driving and vehicle rental is not essential? Are there teenagers in the party who will appreciate bars and nightclubs being only a short walk away?

Do you also need to be far enough away to not be disturbed by the hustle and bustle of the nighlife?

Think Duration & Dates

With the party and their interests and requirements now mapped out, the next thing to consider is the time of the year.

Chances are your group have a date, or at least a rough date, for the trip in mind. Study the climate and temperature of possible destinations carefully. Not only during the day but also consider night time temperatures and how they may affect your group.

Think through all the implications and their effect on those joining you on the villa holiday.

If your trip is off-peak season, the pool temperature be kept low by plummeting night time temperatures, so you may decide that you need a heated pool?

Temperature can be an issue for the very young and the very old as well. August temperatures in the Algarve could potentially be too hot for a new born baby. The same intense heat may be uncomfortable for elderly relatives.

When considering the Caribbean or even further afield, be careful to look into natural weather patterns. Is there a typhoon month, hurricane season or a period where rain is recognised as a major factor? Unless you already know a location well, research is everything. Google away and gather as much information as you can.

Think Change Over Days

You will need to decide on the precise range of dates you are available to travel within.  Most properties insist on a particular arrival day. This is likely to be a Saturday. Seven and Fourteen nights are the norm in peak season but owners are sometimes more flexible when considering off-peak season bookings.

Think Villa Specification

Now you have all the groundwork in place, it is time to think carefully about the villa and the facilities your party will need.

Go back to your list of people and run down it, listing any particular facilities they will need.

How many bedrooms will you need?  One often-overlooked consideration is the kind of beds (double or twin) your party will need in each room.  Make a careful note of these next to the list of rooms you require.

If you have children (or adults) who enjoy games, would a games room, pool table or table tennis table come in handy?

Is a tennis court essential?  If you have an enthusiastic chef travelling with you, you may want a fully equipped kitchen and certainly a BBQ.

Style and standard are also worthy of great thought. Would you rather stay in a  contemporary villa or one with a more classical feel. Or perhaps an informal, beach style property.

Think Budget

Write down your ideal budget and your maximum budget. Make sure that all paying members in your party are comfortable with their commitment.

Don’t be afraid to share this information when looking for a villa. The more specific you can be, the more focused and useful the results of your enquiries will become.

Think ‘Must Haves’ & ‘Nice to Haves’

Split your list of requirements into two distinct lists.  A ‘Must Have’ and a  ‘Nice To Have’ list. Once prepared, share the lists with the other decision makers in the family or party, to make sure you have covered everything – and that they are on the correct lists.

At this point you are nearly there and the important part of the process is almost complete.

Who Should I Send My Brief To?

Now that you know what you want, where, when and for how much, it’s time to select the appropriate villa companies to send your brief to.

Always choose prospective Villa specialists very carefully. You must make sure you are sending your brief to experienced and established villa specialists.

Here are a few tips to help you select the right shortlist:

1. Ensure that those you deal with are members of ABTA and ATOL registered to assure you of the consumer protection. Do not underestimate what can go wrong if you either deal with an owner direct or deal with a so called specialist, if they cannot offer financial security.
   Buyer beware and seek proof of important credentials. You need accountable parties to deal with in case anything goes wrong. This accountability is lost if you deal with anyone or any company who is based overseas. Be warned. We have spoken to many clients who have been hoodwinked in the past and been swindled out of thousands by unscrupulous villa operators.
2. Once you are sure the correct protection is covered, be prepared to ask a few cheeky questions that may unsettle less-professional villa providers. For example, how often they visit the properties they rent and are you able to speak to a member of the team who has either stayed at the property in question or who has visited it in the last 12 months. This is essential.

Once you have your final list of three or four villa specialists, send your brief to them all, in an easy to understand format with the ‘Must Haves’ and the ‘Nice To Haves’ all clearly listed. Don’t forget to share your budget figures – the ideal price and the maximum price.

Think Service

The response you receive from your enquiry directly reflects the service and support you can expect from your villa specialist.

The replies you receive should be prompt, precise and easy to understand. They should also include up to date availability otherwise the information has little or no purpose.

As soon as you see a potentially perfect villa, you must ask for it to be put on hold at all costs. Even if it is just for 48 hours. Any Villa specialist worth their salt will offer to do this for you without question.

Any Villa Specialist should be available to arrange a phone call or reply to an email when you need a reply, even if it’s out of office hours in the evening or weekend.

You should expect help and assistance all the way up to arriving at the property and returning back home. Remember, a professional and experienced Villa Specialist will aim to build long term relationships with customers by offering the best possible service and support at all times.

Check out our luxury villas here

Take a look at our family friendly villas here

See our portfolio of ‘Family Party Villas’ here

 

 

The news of Thomas Cook’s collapse was sudden and shocking. Most shocking for those with holidays booked, or for those potentially stranded overseas on their trip.

Whilst things unfold, in the aftermath tens of thousands have been airlifted home and many, many more are attempting to secure refunds on their holidays.

As a nation of holidaymakers calms down and carries on, we take a moment to consider what lessons we can all learn from the Thomas Cook Affair.

ATOL and ABTA – are well worth checking for.

The Air Travel Organisers Licence (ATOL)was setup in 1973 to protect holiday makers from precisely this kind of crisis.

During the last few weeks, over 600,000 people have received assistance from ATOL.

Whilst ATOL was originally designed to cover flight-based trips, Package Travel regulations apply to other holiday packages and cruises, provided they are booked through ABTA registered agents.

Both Villa Retreats Wildfoot Travel are ATOL registered and both are registered members of ABTA (Association OF British Travel Agents). We strongly believe in the value, their protection offers.

Beware Foreign Imposters

Many foreign travel websites give the impression that they are based in the UK. But check very, very carefully. ATOL protection is only applicable to flights or packages booked with UK based travel firms.

By law travel companies must publish their ATOL number. You can check this number on the Civil Aviation Authority Website.

Booking with agents or airlines who are not registered with ATOL or ABTA could result in uncompensated loss of your holiday.

Check Your Certificate

When you make an ATOL protected booking, you should receive an ATOL certificate. This will list the parts of the trip that are protected. If you don’t get a certificate, you are not protected.

Check Travel Insurance Cover Before You Buy

All insurance policies are not the same. Check and compare the details before you buy.

Make sure it covers Scheduled Airline Failure (SAF), which exists precisely to cover you in the event of an airline’s collapse. The SAF cover should also have a figure allocated to it. The range of cover varies from £100 – £15,000, with the average being about £2,500.

Make you own mind up about how much cover you need. But check the policy carefully and don’t underestimate the difference a few pounds more on an annual policy can make.

Get Your Credit Card Out

Purchases made with a credit card can often be covered by the card providers insurance policy. Check carefully. And always pay the balance off at the end of the month, or you may end up paying hefty interest on your booking.

Don’t buy vouchers as a gift

Many people who held Thomas Cook travel vouchers suddenly discovered they are now completely worthless. Think carefully before you buy a voucher of any kind as a present.

If someone gives you a voucher as a gift, use it as soon as you can. It seems, you never know what could happen.

Keep all your paperwork carefully

In the event of any kind incident of on holiday, it always helps to be able to get hold of receipts, invoices, policies and other documentation quickly.

Gather them in your e-mail and set up a neat new folder so you can find them quickly. Consider downloading them to your phone or tablet, in case you are unable to access wifi whilst you are away.

Take That Trip

If you have a dream trip, don’t keep putting off. Book it now. You never know what will happen. International travel may become more expensive and less accessible as the political and environmental world changes in the future.

 

Check out our family friendly villas

Take a look at our most romantic villas

 

As children or grandchildren head off to university, to start new lives and develop new careers, so an exciting new-age of holiday begins.

During this transitional period, children’s personalities are evolving rapidly. Their world is filled with new experiences, insights, influences and experiences. They are full of new-found energy and passion. But at the same time, they appreciate their family more than ever, and the security, strength and warmth family connections represent.

That’s why it is a such a wonderful time to bring the extended family together for a holiday and re-enforce the family bond.

On a villa holiday, teenagers have the opportunity to unveil their new-found knowledge experience and enjoy those all-important connections with the extended family unit.

In this article, we reflect on the what makes a villa holiday perfect for multi-generational family holiday.

No Agenda

Staying in a villa as opposed to a hotel means you will be free from any precise agenda. This flexibility is critical when dealing with different generations. It’s always important to remember, that it is everyone’s holiday and what suits one person, isn’t always right for another. Staying in a well-equipped, well-appointed villa means you can all get up, eat, drink, sleep and come and go as you please.

Space to be Yourself

There are times when we’d like to talk, laugh sing and dance. There are also times when we’d rather relax quietly with a good book or just enjoy the view quietly, with only our own thoughts for company.

A villa with plenty of room inside and out will give you plenty of options to find space or to get together with others when you would rather be in company.

A quiet lie down in an air-conditioned room. A few minutes lost inside the pages of a captivating novel under the shade of a whispering olive tree. A solitary dip beneath the shimmering, motionless water of a deserted swimming pool. Or a relaxed, one-to-one garden-chair conversation under the dappled-orange glow of a Mediterranean sunset. It’s all possible in the right villa.

A place to get together

Alongside the quiet times of course, there are incredible opportunities to enjoy time together. Enjoying the vibrant conversation and laughter of a family meal, reliving old times together beside the pool or settling down to a ‘family movie night’ in front of the big screen.

A carefully chosen villa will provide countless chances for both all-encompassing enjoyment and individual tranquillity.

Room to rest

A good villa will have plenty of bedrooms, bathrooms and communal space. So you should never be on top of each other, leaving you all with space to relax in your own way.

Have fun in the sun

Whether you choose to lounge by the pool, swim in the sea or read under the shelter of the nearest palm tree, it’s hard to deny that the warmth of the sun is uplifting and relaxing.

With everyone enjoying ‘doing their own thing’ in the sun, spirits will be high, which leads to relaxed, rewarding and enriching conversations and experiences. It is a great way to re-cement the family unit.

 

Dining together

A good villa will always have great dining facilities. Both inside and out. Because the dinner table is where the family magic is truly made.

Light the BBQ, pop open a bottle or two while the dinners sizzles in the background and just talk.

Take plenty of time to eat, drink, chat, tell stories, play games and just enjoy each other’s company. One day, the children will look back on those meals under the stars as some of their most special and cherished family memories.

Early nights or late mornings

Choose a villa that is within walking distance of a few bars, restaurants and maybe even the occasional night club. That way each generation can dance the night away as much as little as they want.

Flexible catering options

Whilst catering itself brings with it the flexibility to do things at your own time and pace, it also takes time and effort for some (or all) of the family.  Choosing a villa within walking distance of some good restaurants will give you great alternatives.

In many villas, it is possible to book external catering for the length of your holiday or just for the occasional evening.

Activities To Enjoy Together

If any of your group have specific interests, you can choose a villa or location that allows them to enjoy activities together. Often, these activities can have cross-generational appeal which can lead to wonderfully memorable days out.

A game golf together, a kayaking or stand up paddleboard adventure, snorkelling, sailing or just a walk on the beach as a small group.  With the development of electric bikes, even mountain biking or cycling can be enjoyed together by a wide range of ages and abilities.

The range of activities on offer today is incredible and affordable, so be sure to check what is possible when you are choosing a villa.

Of course, there are many more positive reasons to bring the whole family together on a villa holiday but we’ve given you plenty to think about in the list above. If you’d like to chat to our team about the incredible villas we have available, why not call us for a no-obligation chat and we’ll give you a few suggestions.  Why not call our team and discuss your plans on 0800 988 5586

These villas are just perfect for a multi-generation holiday.

Villa  406 – Deia, Mallorca

Villa 2394 – Antigua

Villa 2115 – Quinta do Lago, Algarve

Villa 2263 – Marbella

Villa 524 – Menorca

Villa 2388 – Provence

Villa 2067 – Mallorca

Villa 2091 – Ibiza