Holiday-Rentals press releases

Budget & Luxury Winter Sun Holiday Homes on Holiday-Rentals
From as little as £218/wk, enjoy a private holiday home without the mortgage

05 November 2008 If you thought you couldn't afford a winter sun holiday this year, think again. With beautiful holiday homes available to rent from just £218 per week, Holiday-Rentals is a great starting point for those looking to escape the winter chill. Browse thousands of properties worldwide to find the perfect place in the winter sun; from the Americas to Asia Pacific.

There are properties to suit every taste and budget. Here, Holiday-Rentals highlights the most outstanding bargain and luxury options in 10 of the best winter sun destinations: Miami, Mexico, the Caribbean, Cyprus, Malta, Morocco, Kenya, South Africa, Dubai and Thailand. Choose from beach-front apartments and houses, renovated Moroccan Riads, secluded romantic hideaways, or fully-staffed, luxury villas.

Providing more space, comfort, luxury and privacy than a hotel, renting a private holiday home is extremely cost-effective and can work out much cheaper per person. For £450 per week, for example, you can rent a stunning four bedroom Riad town-house in Marrakech, (see property 88379 below) - based on eight sharing, that's just £56 each for the week.

All prices quoted are per property and were correct at time of going to press.

Miami - over 460 properties
LUXURY: www.holiday-rentals.co.uk/54526 Contemporary, 1 bedroom loft apartment in South Beach, equipped with designer, minimalist furniture and boasting a large, 1000sq ft balcony and access to residents' rooftop infinity pool.
£1,204 to £1,389 per week

BARGAIN: www.holiday-rentals.co.uk/407762 Newly renovated, 1 bedroom condo in the heart of South Beach, with access to a beautiful garden and pool. The beach is only a 7 minute walk away.
From £494 per week

Mexico - over 1660 properties
LUXURY: www.holiday-rentals.co.uk/407714 New 2 bedroom beachfront condo in the Riviera Maya, with luxurious, simple, contemporary décor and access to private beach, pool, garden, revitalising spa, beauty salon and beach club.
£1,111 to £1,667 per week
SPECIAL OFFER: 10% off from 1 December to 11 December 2008

BARGAIN: www.holiday-rentals.co.uk/93166 Chic, but affordable 2 bedroom condo in Playa del Carmen, with access to lovely shared pool and just 3 blocks from the famous Fifth Avenue Promenade and 'Little Italy'. A few more blocks and you're at the beach.
£370 to £494 per property per week

The Caribbean - over 3330 properties
LUXURY: www.holiday-rentals.co.uk/79681 Elegant 3-bed villa, a short stroll from the clubhouse, pool and a/c gym on the Royal Westmoreland Golf Resort near Holetown in St James. High-ceilinged lounge with mezzanine dining area, sea views and sunny deck.
From £1,300 per week

BARGAIN: www.holiday-rentals.co.uk/404481 Cosy 1 bedroom apartment on a private estate on the west coast of Antigua with a balcony with hammock, garden, pool area and amazing sea views.
£494 per week

Cyprus - over 1,190 properties
LUXURY: www.holiday-rentals.co.uk/94664 Very large, prestigious detached 4-bed villa in Aphrodite Hills Golf Resort. Features include large lagoon overflow pool with whirlpool and swim-up bar, thatched dining pergola, wrap-around terrace, BBQ and high spec furnishings.
£2,250 per week

BARGAIN: www.holiday-rentals.co.uk/12806 Fantastic value, spacious 1 and 2-bed apartments with colourful modern furnishings just 50m from the beach in Kaparis. Guests can also enjoy all the facilities of the nearby Kouzalis Hotel, including pool, tennis, gym, sauna & Jacuzzi.
£75 to £95 per week for a 1-bed apartment

Malta - over 160 properties
LUXURY: www.holiday-rentals.co.uk/402622 Stylish 4 bedroom villa on the island of Gozo, with private pool and terrace. The natural, contemporary style and large, open-plan living areas provide the luxury, serenity and comfort discerning travellers expect.
£1260 to £1600 per week

BARGAIN: www.holiday-rentals.co.uk/406076 Modern but cosy 1 bedroom apartment in the heart of Sliema, 20 metres from Malta's longest and most beautiful promenade, and just seconds away from the beach.
£218 to £238 per week

Morocco - over 430 properties
LUXURY: www.holiday-rentals.co.uk/13882 Stunning 2 bedroom townhouse in Essaouira, spread over three floors, with two secluded terraces and a stylish sauna. Daily maid service and breakfast included in price. Cook will also prepare evening meals if desired.
£580 per week (year-round)

BARGAIN: www.holiday-rentals.co.uk/88379 Characterful 4 bedroom staffed riad in the Medina of Marrakech, built around a pretty tiled courtyard and spread over 2 floors. There is also a well-planted roof terrace for relaxing or dining.
£450 per week

Kenya - over 30 properties
LUXURY: www.holiday-rentals.co.uk/99176 Secluded 4 bedroom beach villa on Lamu Island, with a walled garden framing a private swimming pool. The property is designed in the Swahili style and furnished with stunning items from around the world. Full-time staff includes a cook, a boatman and a masseuse.
£1,620 to £3,241 per week

BARGAIN: www.holiday-rentals.co.uk/504919 Romantic, tranquil, thatched 2-bed beach villa surrounded by lush tropical garden with bananas, mangoes and papayas. Just 30km south of Mombasa and near the Shimba Hills National Park for safaris.
£254 to £389 per week

South Africa - over 250 properties
LUXURY: www.holiday-rentals.co.uk/2881 Striking, secluded 3 bedroom mountainside villa, furnished by an interior designer and overlooking the ocean. Guests can sip cocktails in the pool as they gaze out to sea. A great spot for whale-watching (August-December) and 50 minutes drive from central Cape Town.
£1050 per week

BARGAIN: www.holiday-rentals.co.uk/16549 Modern 2 bedroom beachfront apartment in a secure complex in Big Bay, with views of Table Mountain and Robbin Island. The local beaches are great for water sports and are also a prime spot for whale watching.
£45 to £65 per night

Dubai - over 150 properties
LUXURY: www.holiday-rentals.co.uk/404888 Fully staffed, 4-bed villa on Frond P of Palm Jumeirah. Designed and decorated to the highest standard, features include private beach, heated/chilled pool and entertainments room.
£3,750 to £5,050 per week

BARGAIN: www.holiday-rentals.co.uk/11880 Luxury 1-bed apartment in the new Al-Mejara complex in Dubai Marina, with separate living and dining areas and fully equipped, modern kitchen with dishwasher. The complex has its own gym and pool.
£750 to £850 per week

Thailand - over 220 properties
LUXURY: www.holiday-rentals.co.uk/53213 Beautiful, fully serviced 4 bedroom villa above Kata beach in Phuket, boasting fabulous sunset and ocean views, as well as infinity pool. Breakfast is included in the price, and staff is available to prepare all other meals if desired.
£2,809 to £3,025 per week

BARGAIN: www.holiday-rentals.co.uk/52976 Spacious 3 bedroom bungalow in Chiang Mai, beautifully furnished in Thai style, with free minibus and driver. Access to a nearby large Bali-style infinity pool, tennis courts and fitness centre included in the price.
£490 to £550 per week

Winter holiday bargains at home & away from Holiday-Rentals
Lift your spirits & enjoy a change of scene in a home away from home

23 October 2008 If the end of summer and the darker nights are bringing your spirits down, cheer yourself up, unwind and relax with a winter break away to a private holiday home. Whether it's a short break in the UK, or some winter sun you're after, www.Holiday-Rentals has the ideal holiday home for you. Below is a selection of the best deals currently available in Egypt, Morocco, Cyprus and the UK.

Among these is a penthouse apartment for up to six in Cyprus that works out at just £29 per person, per week.

Now listing over 120,000 properties worldwide available to rent direct from owners, Holiday-Rentals is the UK's largest, longest established and most trusted holiday rentals website, providing great choice, great prices and more flexibility for travellers. It's also currently the only site of its kind to provide a payments guarantee and traveller reviews for increased peace of mind when booking with private owners.

Egypt
Property 57942 - A luxury apartment in the 4* Ocean View Hotel, El Gouna, Egypt with a balcony and spectacular views of the Red Sea, pool and beaches. El Gouna remains largely undiscovered, despite its fantastic facilities and location, and offers a quieter and more exclusive-feeling holiday experience than Sharm El Sheikh. EasyJet also starts low-cost flights from Gatwick to nearby Hurghada airport on 7 November, making El Gouna a great option for a cheap winter sun break.
1 bedroom, sleeps 4
£350 per property per week

Morocco
Property 13882 - A stunning Moroccan riad townhouse in Essaouira's enchanting Medina, with rounded walls, Berber doorways, vibrantly coloured stone floors and fireplaces set deep in to soaring white walls. The property boasts two private terraces, courtyard, sauna and daily maid service.
2 bedrooms, sleeps 4
£580 per property per week for two people (an extra £60 for each additional person)
Special Offer: 30% Discount Throughout November - £406 per property per week for two people + an extra £60 for each additional person

Cyprus
Property 58605 - A spacious penthouse apartment in Kapparis, near Protaras, with a large veranda offering unobstructed sea views and ideal for sunbathing and dining al fresco.
2 bedrooms, sleeps 6
From £175 per property per week

Go East for skiing on a budget
Ski holiday lets from under £50pp/wk in Slovenia & Bulgaria on Holiday-Rentals

18 September 2008 Skiing holidays needn't be expensive if you know when and where to go, and how to book. When it comes to saving those pennies, a little forward planning can go a long way!

For the best ski holiday deals, book flights and accommodation independently and head to Eastern Europe. Slovenia and Bulgaria provide great value accommodation and are very reasonable to get to. Holiday-Rentals has apartments available from under £50 per person per week, and easyJet and Wizz Air currently have some fantastic cheap flight offers to Ljubljana and Sophia.

Book now to get the best deals. By making reservations early, you'll get the best prices on flights and the best choice of accommodation, and bear in mind that both will be cheapest at the beginning and end of the season.

Holiday-Rentals is the UK's largest holiday rentals website now listing over 120,000 holiday homes worldwide, including thousands in popular ski resorts in Austria, France, Italy, Switzerland, Canada and the U.S.A and a special ski index to facilitate the search.

Below we've selected the best deals currently available on chalets and apartments in Slovenia and Bulgaria. All prices shown are for ski season, and all properties had good availability at the time of going to press.

Bulgaria
The increasingly popular Bulgarian ski resorts of Bansko, Borovets and Pamporovo offer some fantastically cheap ski passes, top class ski facilities, snowboarders half-pipes and paragliding. Plus, beer from 80p a bottle!

www.holiday-rentals.co.uk/92571 - Luxury ski apartment in Bansko with sauna, Jacuzzi and gym, ideally located between the base gondola station and Bansko old town.
1 bedroom, sleeps 5
From £125 to £325 per week (or £25 to £65 per person, based on 5 sharing)

www.holiday-rentals.co.uk/89437 - Charming new apartment in Bansko with mountain views, 5 minutes walk from the town centre.
2 bedrooms, sleeps 6
From £175 to £375 per week (or £29 to £62 per person, based on 6 sharing)

www.holiday-rentals.co.uk/89182 - Modern ski chalet with sauna and Jacuzzi, 10 min from Borovets, run by English-speaking ski instructor. Breakfast is included and daily maid service arranged.
6 bedrooms, sleeps 16
£111 per person per week

Slovenia
The central position, unspoilt nature and uncrowded slopes of Slovenia make it an ideal choice for discerning skiing enthusiasts. Plus modern facilities and wide pistes are perfect for learners. Alternative activities include sleigh rides, ice skating, ice climbing, hiking and excursions to the Lakes and Postojna caves. Not to mention the chance to attempt one of the World Cup black runs in Kranjska Gora.

www.holiday-rentals.co.uk/78013 - Modern apartment in vineyard location in Maribor, 5 minutes from the longest ski slope in Europe.
2 bedrooms, sleeps 4
From £190 to £350 per week (or £47 to £87 per person, based on 4 sharing)

www.holiday-rentals.co.uk/73010 - Cosy Alpine chalet near Kamnik with great views of the limestone peaks of the surrounding mountains.
2 bedrooms, sleeps 6
From £395 to £595 per week (or £66 to £99 per person, based on 6 sharing)

www.holiday-rentals.co.uk/62031 - Beautiful Alpine chalet located near Lake Bled. 4 ski resorts are within 40-minute drive: Kranjska Gora, Krvavec, Vogel and Kobla.
3 bedrooms, sleeps 8
From £495 to £695 per week (or £62 to £87 per person, based on 8 sharing)

Discover the U.S.A with Holiday-Rentals: over 36,000 American rentals added
Take advantage of the weak dollar and live your very own American dream!

08 September 2008 With the weak dollar, there's never been a better time to discover America, and now it's easy to find your perfect HomeAway from home © in the USA as Holiday-Rentals adds over 36,000 properties from its US sister site. So whether it's in a New York City apartment, a beachfront condo, a mountain-side cabin, or on a ranch, you can now live your very own American dream!

In addition to the favourable exchange rate, the price of flights across the pond is also set to come down thanks to the 'Open Skies' pact, which came in to effect at the end of March and has freed up restrictions on routes between the US and the UK, providing more choice and better prices for British travellers.

On www.holiday-rentals.co.uk/discoverusa, we've highlighted just ten of the fabulous new destinations and properties available on the website, as well as the price of food, drink and key tourist attractions and activities. With properties from as little as £100 per person per week, and a whole host of amazing and free activities, there is something for every taste and budget! Visit our new page today and find your American dream home.

NOTES TO EDITORS

As part of the HomeAway™ global network of industry-leading holiday rental websites, Holiday-Rentals provides UK travellers with the largest and most trusted resource to find privately owned holiday accommodation to rent direct from owners online: -

• The recent addition of over 36,000 properties from our US sister sites has taken Holiday-Rentals's total offering to more than 120,000 properties worldwide - four times as many as the nearest UK competitor.


• The HomeAway Rent with Confidence Guarantee, launched in September 2007, provides free protection for travellers using the service, and traveller reviews, launched in December 2007, now provide invaluable feedback and insights from previous guests. No other holiday rentals site in the UK currently offers both these features.


• In 2008 and 2007 Holiday-Rentals was voted among the top 10 villa rental companies in the Conde Nast Traveller Reader Awards and one of the top 100 travel websites by Times Online. In 2007, the site was also awarded 4/5 stars by Webuser magazine.

Climate change not a barrier to second home ownership abroad
For two-thirds of second home owners a rise in travel costs due to green taxes would not impact upon their travel to an overseas property

July 2008 For two-thirds of second home owners with property abroad a rise in travel costs due to green taxes would not impact upon their travel to an overseas property, according to the latest results of a survey carried out by Savills Research and Holiday-Rentals.

Savills estimates that there are currently 425,000 UK owned overseas properties, which reflects an increase of 35,000 units during 2007, with the total value of UK owned foreign property now worth £58billion.

Jacqui Daly, Director Savills Research comments, "Whilst the issue of climate change is an important concern for the majority of second home owners it is not seen as a barrier to travel. In fact there has been a notable increase in the number of British second home owners buying property further a-field, with locations such as Dubai, the Far East and the Caribbean increasingly emerging as destinations of choice."

There still remains a considerable price differential between overseas and UK second homes, which is a key driver of demand. The majority of UK buyers estimate that they will have about £225,000 to fund their next overseas purchase with buyers remaining optimistic over the long term.

Greg Grant, Managing Director, Holiday-Rentals comments, "Investing in overseas property, both for leisure and investment purposes remains a key aspiration for many Britons. Taking regular holidays is also a top consumer spending priority, despite environmental concerns and the credit crunch. As a result, we expect to see continued growth in the holiday home rentals market, both in terms of supply and demand. As more owners become aware that there is strong demand for holiday lets and that it is relatively simple to self-manage rentals, privately owned holiday accommodation will become an increasingly important sector of the travel market. In these tighter times, savvy owners will realise that a month's rental can, if timed well, pay for much of a year's running costs on a property."

Leisure is the key motivation driving second home purchases accounting for 67% of all purchases with investors making up the rest of the sample including 17% buying specifically for fly to let. The ideal holiday location was rated as the most important factor amongst purchasers, which goes some way to explaining the ongoing purchase of property in locations where capital growth slowed or even turned negative last year, such as Spain.

Fly to let investors however, target locations that are served by low cost airlines and where there is good rental potential. Many investors have capitalised on the growth in city break tourism and have increasingly bought in cities including New York, Barcelona, London and Paris. Other city break rental destinations growing in popularity include areas of Eastern Europe such as Prague, Krakow and Budapest.

Real Mums' Top 10 Travel Tips
Mums find journeys & packing the most stressful parts of a holiday, & offer their top tips for coping with both

04 June 08 The saying, "travel is a journey, not a destination", would not appear to be one Mums agree with, as they rank the journey there and back the most stressful part of a family holiday. In a recent survey of over 1,600 Mums this was overwhelming voted the number one cause of stress when going away, followed by packing the right things and remembering all the necessary paperwork.

In addition, the survey revealed over 80% of Mums are lumbered with ALL the holiday planning, so it's not surprising they set off feeling less than relaxed! Good news, however, is that once they're away, the stress of all the planning and worrying about the journey soon dissolves and the majority come back feeling relaxed, refreshed, revitalised and closer as a family.

In the survey, carried out by leading holiday home rentals website, Holiday-Rentals, Mums were asked to share their best tips and advice for family holidays. Below are their top five tips for de-stressing the journey and packing; by far and away their two biggest holiday hassles.

These, plus many more tips and advice on booking the perfect family break are available in the new Mums Holiday Guide which is FREE to download from Holiday-Rentals. Visit: www.holiday-rentals.co.uk/mumsholidayguide). It offers advice on everything from choosing the right location, to packing and how to get the rest of the family involved in organising the holiday.

Top 5 tips for de-stressing the journey

1. "Have a bag of cheap items (pound shops are good for this) all wrapped up and just produce another goodie from the bag whenever they start getting bored. Our daughter had loads of fun unwrapping each little novelty and she was as good as gold for the whole ten hour flight!"

2. "Portable DVD players are a life-saver. Don't take loads of their favourite toys - you'll get upset if they get lost and kids will make their own amusement on holiday and leave those toys right where you packed them, until the minute you arrive home."

3. "A fifteen meter roll of aluminium foil costs £1.50. The foil can be used to create sculptures, such as birds, dinosaurs and egg cups. If each meter keeps a child entertained for half an hour, you have a while until they start getting bored!"

4. "On plane journeys, take a bags of sweets for kids to chew during take off and landing to reduce painful ears, and for newborns/young babies, give them a bottle of milk/drink to suck."

5. "Take blow up neck pillows and blankets so children can sleep and if you're going to arrive before early evening then change them in to their sleepsuit beforehand so they can be moved straight from the car into bed - saves having to wake them up!"

Top 5 tips for packing like a pro

1."To enjoy your holiday start preparing passports and other important information two weeks prior to leaving. Prepare clothes on each bed so you can easily see what you're going to pack. Remember to check all passports are in date too!"

2. "Don't pack too much stuff, the less gear you take the better, and often you don't really need it. Kids don't care if they wear the same clothes three times, and if you are really desperate you can always buy items whilst away!"

3. "We vacuum pack the whole family's clothing, towels etc.., so we only need to take one large suitcase." (Useful website: www.packmate.co.uk/packmate_roll_bag.htm)

4. "Split the family's clothes between all cases so you all have something to wear if a case gets lost."

5. "Put coloured ribbon (all the same colour!) on suitcases, so they are easy to locate on carousel. This also keeps the kids amused when looking for them."

Download the full mums holiday guide now

80% of Brits have holidayed with extended family
Halve the cost of your reunion & enjoy more privacy in a holiday home

28 May 2008: As the UK population becomes more dispersed and people have family peppered throughout the country and even across the globe, holidays have become a key time for getting the family together. A recent survey conducted by the UK's number 1 holiday home rental website, Holiday-Rentals revealed that nearly 80% of British families have been on holiday with extended family*.

However, finding hotel accommodation for such large groups can be difficult and costly. It can be time-consuming to find a group of rooms in one hotel and the average cost for five 4-star doubles is around £5,000 for a week. In comparison, holiday home rental websites make it quick and easy to find larger properties and the average cost of a five bedroom home is around £2,500 per week**, meaning this can work out up to half the price!

In addition, since the whole idea of travelling with relatives is to spend quality time together, having everyone scattered around in different rooms or hotels defeats the object, as you are restricted to simply going out together. By opting for a holiday home rental instead, extended family groups have the space to simply relax and have fun together in their own private space.

On Holiday-Rentals, which lists over 50,000 properties worldwide, there are over 5,700 properties available which can sleep ten people or more. From grand English country manors, to French chateaus, luxury villas and even monasteries and towers, Holiday-Rentals has venues perfect for all types of family get-togethers.

Below is a selection of properties that sleep 10 or more people, which are available to rent on Holiday-Rentals. Click on the links below or visit the website for more.

Close to home:

English country houses

**Used for the filming of Miss Potter**
LAKE DISTRICT
Property 68939 (Croft House): Georgian country house with over an acre of gardens, 6 BEDROOMS, SLEEPS UP TO 12
‘Low Millgillhead’ offers three self catering Georgian houses within two acres of gardens in the small village of Lamplugh. Croft House is a beautiful barn conversion, with accommodation for twelve. Upstairs, the large sitting room also has a dining area to seat twelve in style. There are a variety of board games for entertainment, as well as a wide screen TV with DVD. The large garden features a big chestnut tree to provide some shade in the summer and conkers in the Autumn. There is also a secret garden over one of the bridges across the stream. There are many small nooks and crannies and plenty of outdoor furniture to help guests enjoy the beauty of it all. Pets are welcome too!
Price: from £950 to £1,575 per week (£79 to £132pp, based on 12 sharing)

CORNWALL
Property 14647: Large waterfront house with private beach, games room & motor boat 8 BEDROOMS, SLEEPS UP TO 20
The Anchorage is probably the finest creek-side country estate for rental in the West Country. This fabulous, luxurious, waterfront home has a 200ft frontage to the Port Navas Creek on the stunning Helford River and its own private shingle beach, slipway, quay and dock. The country house features eight bedrooms, six bathrooms, a comfortable lounge, fully fitted kitchen and a games room with a snooker and pool table, providing something for all the family. There is also a heated indoor pool and spa, and complimentary use of a motor boat.
Price: From £4,000 to £8,000 per week (£200 to £400pp, based on 20 sharing)

European retreats:

Your own French chateau

GASCONY
Property 94173: Château Déhès - a beautiful 13th Century tower with private pool 5 BEDROOMS, SLEEPS 10 + INFANT
Château Déhès is a historic 13th century tower, modernised to create a romantic holiday hideaway. Set in six acres with a private swimming pool, it sleeps a maximum of ten plus baby in five comfortable bedrooms. Updated to a very high standard and furnished with antiques, it is warm and cosy in winter and cool and breezy in summer. All linen provided. Accommodation is spread over three floors and includes a hall, dining room, grand salon and library with TV.
Price: £1,000 to £2,500 per week (£100 to £250pp, based on 10 sharing)

Secluded Spanish villa

JAVEA, COSTA BLANCA
Property 9554: Secluded villa with private pool & bar, walled courtyard & BBQ area 5 BEDROOMS, SLEEPS UP TO 11
In a quiet neighbourhood and close to the centre of Javea, this lovely hillside villa has great views of Cape San Antonio, Montgo mountain and Javea bay. A few minutes away are the sandy beach at Arenal and the picturesque bays of Granadella and Portixol. The main house has three double bedrooms and a spacious naya (covered terrace) and in the garden there is a newly built 'casita' (guest house) for two, overlooking the pool terrace and bar. The expansive mature gardens are laid to lawn and surrounded by palm, pine, mimosa, almond and olive trees. To the rear of the house is a walled Spanish courtyard with built in BBQ, for al fresco dining under a large olive tree.
Price: £1,350 to £1,850 per week (£123 to £168pp, based on 11 sharing)

Luxury living in Portugal

**Celeb-owned property**
PORTIMAO, THE ALGARVE
Property 79559: Luxury villa in Golf & Country Club owned by footballer Steve Guppy 5 BEDROOMS, SLEEPS 11
Owned by footballer Steve Guppy and his brother Andy, this five bedroom villa is sure to wow any guests! Set in the grounds Of Alto Golf & Country Club, the villa boasts luxury furnishings and fantastic facilities. Designed over 3 levels over looking its private swimming pool this villa boasts 2 large master bedroom suites, private bedroom balcony, en-suites, master bedroom walk in dressing / lounge room, beautiful large kitchen with access to a spacious curved balcony designed and set for alfresco dining overlooking the swimming pool. Also offers Sky TV, DVD player and films, plus a PlayStation library and much more!
Price: £1,152 to £2,450 per week (£105 to £223pp, based on 11 sharing)

Italian rural retreat

CITTA DI CASTELLO, UMBRIA
Property 54884: Converted 12th C. monastery with beautiful original features & pool 6 BEDROOMS, SLEEPS 14
Sant'Ansovino is a beautiful Benedictine monastery nestling in the tranquil hills of central Italy at the crossroads of Tuscany, Umbria and Le Marche. It has been lovingly restored into a luxury holiday home using original materials. Any original feature that could be saved has been, and much of the work has been completed by hand. But Sant'Ansovino isn't a museum, it's a home where children play, and adults relax around the fire with a glass of wine. The owners, whilst keeping true to the spirit of the place, have incorporated their own needs into the renovation so that the monastery also incorporates modern conveniences such as en-suite marble bathrooms, ISDN telephone/internet links, a large American-sized fridge, professional range cooker, and a heated swimming pool.
Price: £2,320 to £3,080 per week (£166 to £220pp, based on 14 sharing)

Outside the Euro-zone:

Bargain Bulgaria

VARNA
Property 83979: Newly built villa with fantastic views over black sea 5 BEDROOMS, SLEEPS UP TO 12
Palm Tree villa is a newly built detached villa with five bedrooms, it has on open plan feel with a large lounge, kitchen and dining area. There are floor to ceiling windows throughout the villa offering fantastic views over the black sea. Outside there is a large private pool and impressive covered BBQ- perfect for al fresco dining.
Price: £470 to £845 per week (£39 to £70pp, based on 12 sharing)

Turkish delight

KALKAN
Property 89601: Stunning villa with Ottoman style seating and large infinity pool 5 BEDROOMS, SLEEPS UP TO 10
This brand new villa is set amongst hillside olive trees and surrounded by large grounds which make it ideal for large groups and families getting together. The villa is built on three levels and consists of an open plan kitchen and comfortable dining area and five bedrooms. Outside the huge roof terrace is furnished with Ottoman style seating and allows fantastic sea views, there is a second terrace with a large infinity pool and lounging area.
Price: £650 to £1,100 per week (£65 to £110pp, based on 10 sharing)

Disney Magic

Fabulous Florida home

KISSIMMEE
Property 98256: Beautiful house minutes from Disney with games room & pool 6 BEDROOMS, SLEEPS 12
This luxury holiday home is in Rolling Hills, the closest residential community to the Disney Theme Parks, which are just 2 miles (5 minutes) away. This gorgeous villa has 4 large master suites, 2 Disney-themed rooms, 4 bathrooms, 2 spacious sitting areas and 2 dining areas. There is a large wide screen TV and DVD system, cable television is also provided in the family room, master suite and all bedrooms. There is a games room with a full-size pool and football table. A cot is available, 2 highchairs and a variety of pushchairs. There is a selection of videos, games, books and toys for all ages, together with a PlayStation. Outside, there is a large heated swimming pool and an extended deck area which is fully screened.
Price:£600 to £750 per week (£50 to £62.50pp, based on 12 sharing)

* According to a survey of over 1,600 Mums conducted throughout January and February 2008
** Based on average costs from Holiday-Rentals and a leading hotel booking website

Holiday-Rentals offers more choice & security
~ UK's largest private holiday rentals website hits 50,000 listings, launches guest reviews & offers its top 10 tips for booking direct ~

12 May 2008 Holiday-Rentals provides more choice and security for travellers than ever before, as it hits a landmark 50,000 listings. As well as offering over double the number of properties as the nearest competitor, it is now the only website of its kind in the UK to feature guest reviews and offer a guarantee against fraud. With nearly a quarter of all overseas holidays now taken in private holiday homes;, renting direct from owners has become a mainstream holiday option and Holiday-Rentals is committed to providing the best possible experience for travellers.

As holiday home rentals continue to grow in popularity thanks to the privacy, flexibility, authenticity and value for money they provide, Holiday-Rentals has received a record number of visits and booking enquiries in 2008.

Greg Grant, Managing Director comments, "Holiday-Rentals, along with our parent company HomeAway, Inc., is committed to making it as easy and secure to book a holiday home rental as a hotel, and to offering the most efficient marketing channel to holiday home owners. With our huge selection, advanced search tools, the introduction of the HomeAway Rent with Confidence Guarantee and guest reviews, we have set new industry standards in terms of quality of service and traveller confidence."

In September 2007, Holiday-Rentals launched the HomeAway Rent with Confidence Guarantee, to offer travellers protection against payments made to advertisers on its website, free of charge. The guarantee provides tangible assurance that they are covered for up to £2,500 (€3,600) in rental fees per holiday home booked in the unlikely event the listing is not legitimate. Then in December 2007, guest reviews went live on the website and hundreds are being added every week. Reviews are posted as-written by travellers with the option for owners to respond, providing potential guests with independent opinions and increased peace of mind when booking direct.

Holiday-Rentals top 10 tips for renting direct from owners

1.Speak to the owner before you confirm your booking to sound them out about the property, exact location and nearby facilities.

2. Ask for extra photos if not all rooms are shown in the advert. Also ask if the owner has a private website.

3. Check their reviews, or ask to see references from previous guests. You may have to go on gut instinct if you're their first ever guests though!

4. Make sure you understand the owner's policies on refunds and cancellations etc? and ask if they can provide a rental contract.

5. Get everything in writing and ensure you have a complete record of all communications. Follow up all telephone conversations with an email.

6. Ask the owner the best way to get to the property. Can they arrange airport transfers? Many owners can help you get special deals, or the best price from local cab or car-hire firms.

7. Verify check-in / check-out times. Ask the owner if this is flexible.

8. Check key handover details and get a mobile number for the person if someone is handing them over on arrival.

9. Get emergency contact details both for the person who will deal with any problems once you're there, and also local emergency services and maintenance staff.

10. Check if you need to clean the place before you leave, or if an end-of-stay clean is, or can be, included in the rental rates

* Mintel 'self catering holidays UK' report, Oct 2007

Family holidays leave mums feeling the heat!
~ Planning a family getaway is one of the most stressful events for mums ~

26 March 2008: Far from being an enjoyable prelude to a relaxing break, planning the family holiday is likely to leave mums feeling stressed and tempted not to go away at all, according to new research from Holiday-Rentals. The survey of over 1,000 UK mums has revealed that 84% are left to plan the family holiday by themselves, with 60% finding it a stressful experience. The problem has reached such an extent that many have considered not going away at all due to the stress of trying to plan the perfect getaway.

The research has found that, behind moving house and preparing for Christmas, planning a family holiday is the most stressful event in most mums' lives. To help ease the pressure, Holiday-Rentals has developed the "Mum's Holiday Guide", offering advice on everything from choosing the right location, to packing and how to get the rest of the family involved in organising the holiday. The Mums Holiday Guide is free to download from www.Holiday-Rentals/MumsHolidayGuide and has been created with advice and top tips from real mums, allowing everyone to benefit from the nation's collective experience!

The survey found that the journey to and from the holiday destination is the most stressful part of a family holiday, with almost a third (29%) of mums stating that long flights, cramped car journeys and claustrophobic ferry trips cause anxiety. Making sure that everyone has packed the right things and organising passports and paperwork also top the list of holiday hassles.

Although it is overwhelmingly mums (84%) that organise the family holiday, many do get a helping hand from the rest of the family once they arrive. When on a self-catering holiday nearly half (47%) of mums share tasks with the rest of the family, compared to a mere fifth (22%) when at home. Typically Dad lends a hand by barbequing, helping to prepare meals and washing up, while everyone helps to keep the place tidy.

Accommodation also proved to be a major bone of contention, with many mums complaining about inadequate facilities or arriving to find they hadn't quite got what they booked!

One disgruntled mum commented; 'My worst holiday ever was when we arrived and discovered, having booked two interconnecting rooms, we hadn't got them. My two and half year old daughter was put in a room on her own with double doors to fire escape which didn't lock and the heating didn't go above 17 degrees!' Another said, "Don't assume anything! We thought going to a well-known family holiday camp would be fun. How wrong we were; the caravan stunk to high heaven, the camp was tacky and the entertainment was awful! We won't be doing that again!"

With its easy to use website listing over 122,000 properties worldwide, Holiday-Rentals makes finding the perfect accommodation easy, and has created the Mum’s Holiday Guide to help make the planning process smoother for busy mums too. With advice on destinations and tips to take the pain out of planning, the guide contains everything mums need to make sure they enjoy their holiday too!

Greg Grant, UK MD for Holiday-Rentals says: ‘Based on the results of our research, it’s not surprising that mums can find holidays stressful! We can’t force other members of the family to help mum more on holiday, but we have done everything we can to help take the pain out of planning with our Mum’s Holiday Guide.”

“Renting a holiday home provides families more space, privacy, comprehensive facilities, and the flexibility to take time out for themselves. Unlike hotel rooms, holiday homes give kids space to breathe and parents freedom to relax in another room, but everyone is still under the same roof.”

With a wide range of accommodation available, users of Holiday-Rentals can choose the type and size of property they want for any destination they’d like to visit. The website is easy to navigate and all properties have at least four colour photos and a detailed description of what guests can expect.

Holiday home rentals provide fix for 'binge holidaymaker' Brits
~ Find a 'home from home' for all seasons on Holiday-Rentals - now listing over 45,000 properties worldwide ~

30 January 2008: As memories of Christmas and New Year festivities fade fast, our focus turns to our main priorities for the upcoming year; namely holidays, holidays and more holidays! Research from Mintel shows we are now a nation of ‘binge holidaymakers’, craving multiple, differing holiday experiences throughout the year. And though one in four of us daydreams about buying a holiday home, in reality the majority would rather spend their money on a variety of breaks1. For this reason, renting private holiday homes is increasingly popular as the huge variety on offer means there’s a home from home for all seasons. Holiday-Rentals , the UK’s largest holiday rentals website, now lists over 45,000 properties worldwide, from city centre apartments, to beach front villas and ski chalets. 

As we increasingly want not only more holidays, but more authenticity and flexibility, self-catering holidays that provide a closer-to-the-action experience are soaring in popularity and growing at a faster rate than overseas holidays in general, according to Mintel2. Thanks to the thousands of Brits who do now own holiday homes and rent them out on sites like Holiday-Rentals , the choice of properties available is practically endless and there are properties to suit every type of holiday, from activity to exotic. Renting holiday homes direct from owners is also popular as it provides huge savings off travel agent prices, as well as more space, privacy and flexibility than a hotel. 

Greg Grant, Country Manager for Holiday-Rentals comments, “ Holiday-Rentals now lists an extraordinary selection of privately-owned holiday homes, enabling travellers to find the perfect home from home for their various holidays throughout the year. While many of these properties are located in Europe, as investors have become more adventurous there are also now hundreds of properties in exotic and secluded locations, as well as city centre apartments and unusual conversions, providing authentic and unique holiday experiences worldwide. Renting private holiday homes is not a new phenomena either; Holiday-Rentals has been in business for over a decade and many Brits have been holidaying in this way for even longer.”

Holiday homes for all seasons available on Holiday-Rentals

SPRING – INDULGE IN A SPOT OF CULTURE & SHOPPING WITH A CITY BREAK
Make a chic apartment in a cosmopolitan city such as Paris, Barcelona or Rome the base for your spring breaks and enjoy long weekends of world-class shopping, culture, food and drink, and soaking up the ambiance of the city from your very own balcony or local café. 

PARIS
Property 74083: Modern one bedroom apartment in Montmartre
€900 (£672) per week / €165 (£123) per night
This bright, modern apartment in the heart of Paris’ bustling art district, Montmartre, features a fully equipped, modern kitchen with breakfast bar, large sitting room with dining area, spacious double bedroom and large bathroom with bath and shower. Also includes DVD player, cable TV, computer with high-speed internet and cooking lessons on request.

BARCELONA
Property 60507: Funky two bedroom apartment 5 mins from Las Ramblas
€693 (£517) per week / €110 (£82) per night
This funky, designer apartment boast top-class facilities and furnishings and a prime location just a few minute’s walk from Las Ramblas in the centre of Barcelona.  The two double bedrooms, living area, kitchen and bathroom all feature equipment from the best brands and furnishings include wooden beams, top class Italian ceramics, tropical woods and natural oak and Indian stone floors.

SUMMER – TAKE OFF TO YOUR PRIVATE VILLA IN THE SUN
Enjoy all the benefits of a private villa with pool without having to worry about the mortgage! Whether you’re looking for a base near all the action of a top summer resort, or somewhere more peaceful and secluded, there are thousands of villas to choose from in favourite holiday destinations such as France and Spain, as well as in emerging hotspots like Bulgaria, Croatia and Montenegro. 

MAR MENOR, COSTA CALIDA, SPAIN
Property 17548: Exclusive four bedroom villa with pool, hot-tub, gym & games room
€2,000 to €2,250 (£1,493 to £1,679) per week in Jun/Jul/Aug
This stunning, detached villa is situated on the exclusive Mar Menor Golf Resort; a 5-star, luxury, Polaris World Resort with 24 hour security and all amenities you could possibly need on site, including a medical centre and supermarket. The villa, however, still provides total privacy and guests benefit from their own huge private pool, hot-tub, gym and games room.

VAR, PROVENCE, FRANCE
Property 56112: Romantic, traditional Provencal villa in leafy surroundings
From £1,200 to £1,800 per week from Jun to Sept
Set in the heart of the Var, this romantic villa sits in one acre of grounds filled with olive and cypress trees, providing a wonderfully peaceful, shady haven to laze away the sunny days. The large pool and terrace are bathed in sunlight all day long, with comfortable loungers and umbrellas to ensure total relaxation. Inside, the villa features pretty antique furnishings in keeping with is original character, creating a beautiful holiday home.

AUTUMN – ENJOY A PEACEFUL RURAL RETREAT OR ACTION-PACKED ADVENTURE
To experience the best of the autumn colours, rent an idyllic rural retreat somewhere with beautiful countryside like England or Italy. Whether you want total peace and quiet, or an action-packed adventure, a home in the country makes the ideal base: Enjoy country walks, horse-riding, cycling and fishing in beautiful surroundings and then return to your own cosy cottage or farmhouse to warm up around the fire. Do as much or as little as you want!

CALDBECK, LAKE DISTRICT, ENGLAND
Property 82107: Luxury 5* character cottage with period features & large garden
£590 per week / £110 per night in Sept/Oct
Situated on the edge of Caldbeck, with views across open countryside yet within easy strolling distance of all village amenities, this 3 bedroom, 5* Tourist Board accredited 18C luxury cottage has been renovated to an exceptionally high standard. Afternoon tea and a start hamper including seasonal local produce and wine is included in the price, and additional meals can be ordered on request.

CITTA DI CASTELLO AREA, UMBRIA/TUSCANY BORDER, ITALY
Property 11291: Stunning five bedroom stone farmhouse with incredible views
£1,300 to £1,700 per week / £185 to £240 per night in Sept/Oct
‘Casa Colcello’, a spacious stone farmhouse set on a 10 acre estate of olive trees, meadows and woodland has been renovated to an extremely standard by the owners who have retained all its original charm whilst providing all modern comforts. There are few other houses in sight and no traffic noise, providing the perfect place to relax and unwind and a great base from which to discover Tuscany and Umbria.

WINTER – ESCAPE FOR A SPOT OF SKIING OR WINTER SUN
For snowbunnies, there are a mountain of ski apartments and chalets available, and for sun-lovers there are thousands of properties available in hotter climes. Rentals in the Canaries, Cyprus, Greece, Morocco and Turkey are a great value, short-haul option for winter sun, while for a more exotic escape there is a wide choice of properties in Bali, the Caribbean, South Africa and Thailand. 

BANSKO, BULGARIA
Property 71444: One bedroom apartment with access to indoor pool, sauna & gym
£250 to £300 per week in ski season
This modern apartment is set on a new development that features its own indoor pool, sauna, gym, and restaurant and is in a superb location just a short walk from the gondola station, town centre and local amenities. Set on the first floor, the apartment has a private balcony with panoramic views of the mountains, bathroom with bath and shower, fully fitted kitchen, and open plan dining/living area with cable TV and DVD player.

SAMOENS, GRAND MASSIF, FRANCE
Property 66205: Luxury apartment 100m from ski lift with private parking & ski lockers
€1,380 to €2,800 (£1,030 to £2,090) per week in ski season
This luxury three bedroom apartment is just 100m from the Grand Massif Express ski lift and five minutes walk to the centre of Samoens. Set within private lawned gardens, in a quiet location with breathtaking views. Opposite is a bakery, sports and equipment shop. Equipped with luxury and comfort in mind, it features under floor heating, washing machine, dishwasher and full size oven with ceramic hobs. Plus, secure underground parking and ski lockers.

PAPHOS, CYPRUS
Property 15326: Cute two bedroom villa on small complex with communal pool
£175 to £245 per week / £25 to £35 per night in winter
This cute, end-terrace, two bedroom villa is faultlessly furnished and proves ample space for a couple or family of four. The two bedrooms include a king-size master and twin, each with their own balcony, and there is a private patio area with BBQ, which leads out to the communal pool area. A parking space is provided, but a car is not necessary, since many of the major attractions of Paphos and the beach are within walking distance.

KAS, TURKEY
Property 52456: Stylish three bedroom villa with private pool, sea & mountain views
£650 per week in winter
This contemporary villa is located on the lagoon side of the exclusive Kas peninsula on Turkey’s beautiful Mediterranean coast and boasts fantastic sea and mountain views. Stylishly furnished and air conditioned throughout, the villa features three ensuite double bedrooms, including a master bedroom with romantic four-poster, a large private infinity pool and garden, gourmet kitchen, utility room, and spacious living room.

ESSAOUIRA, MOROCCO
Property 13882: An extraordinary townhouse with private sauna & roof terrace
£580 per week year-round (based on 2 sharing)
Welcome to ‘Dar Rondé’; a unique Riad townhouse with rounded walls, Berber doorways, vibrantly coloured stone floors and fireplaces set deep in to soaring white walls. Designed by Maria Pergay, it is spread over three floors with two large en-suite bedrooms, two secluded terraces and a stylish sauna on the top floor. A flowering garden fills the tiled courtyard circled by glass walls, a library and a salon with long sofas and spacious dining area.

KO SUMUI, THAILAND
Property 84729: Four bedroom villa with stunning infinity pool, deck & sala, set on a lush hillside
$3,500 (£1,768) per week Jan to Apr
This spacious, luxurious four bedroom, open plan villa is fronted by a 14m x 6m infinity-edge swimming pool that overhangs beautifully landscaped gardens and the tropical jungle below. Adjacent to the pool is a spacious sala (open pavilion) that is perfect for relaxing, day or night. The house is simply but elegantly furnished throughout with contemporary Thai furniture and artifacts and a live-in couple takes care of the housekeeping and breakfast.

1. Speak to the owner before you confirm your booking to sound them out about the property, exact location and nearby facilities.
2. Ask for extra photos if not all rooms are shown in the advert. Also ask if the owner has a private website.
3. Ask to see references from previous guests. You may have to go on gut instinct if you're their first ever guests though!
4. Make sure you understand the owner's policies on refunds and cancellations etc? and ask if they can provide a rental contract.
5. Get everything in writing and ensure you have a complete record of all communications. Follow up all telephone conversations with an email.
6. Ask the owner the best way to get to the property. Can they arrange airport transfers? Many owners can help you get special deals, or the best price from local cab or car-hire firms.
7. Verify check-in / check-out times. Ask the owner if this is flexible.
8. Check key handover details and get a mobile number for the person if someone is handing them over on arrival.
9. Get emergency contact details for the person who will deal with any problems once you're there, and also for local emergency services and maintenance staff.
10. Check if you need to clean the place before you leave, or if an end-of-stay clean is, or can be, included in the rental rates.

Sources:

1 Source: Mintel 'Holiday Property Abroad', Oct 07
2 Source: Mintel 'Holiday Property Abroad', Oct 07 and Mintel 'Self catering holidays UK', Feb 07

Family holiday rentals for February half term
~ Canary Islands, Cyprus, the Lake District & Florida ~

14 January 2008: This week on Holiday-Rentals.co.uk there is still a huge variety of accommodation available for the February half-term. With over 46,000 properties on offer, homes for every type of holiday can be found; from fun-packed Disney breaks in Florida, to walking holidays in the lake district, or simply ‘sun, sea and sand’ getaways in favourite destinations such as the Canary Islands and Cyprus.

Whether the family and the budget are large or small, there are properties to suit all requirements. For example, two bedroom apartments in the Canaries and Cyprus are available from as little as £200 per week; three bedroom cottages in the Lake District start at around £450 per week; and large, five bedroom luxury villas in Florida can be found for around £500 per week.

Thanks to the site’s quick and simple search tools, it has never been easier for families to find the home from home that meets their needs. From the homepage, they can browse by destination and date, or simply run a free text search and then apply a variety of filters to quickly locate the ideal property. Alternatively, the advanced search enables them to search by a range of themes, including ‘activity’, ‘luxury’ and ‘tourist attractions’. 

Holiday homes are perfect for families, providing space, private facilities, a safe environment, the flexibility to eat in or out, and huge savings on travel agent prices. With holidays being a key time for re-establishing family bonds, rentals are ideal for larger, extended family groups to, or two families can double up to cut costs and keep the kids entertained.

Click on the links below for a selection of the best rentals available for the February half term or visit Holiday-Rentals for more.

All properties listed below were available from Saturday 9th February to Saturday 23rd February at time of going to press:

Magical family holiday at Disney World

Cumbrian Lakes, Kissimmee Area, Disney / Orlando, Florida, USA
www.Holiday-Rentals/p89838
Fabulous five bed villa perfect for two families travelling together
This fabulous five bedroom (sleeps 10) villa is perfect for those travelling with a large family or for two families wanting to holiday together. The master bedroom has a kingsize bed and ensuite bathroom plus a large balcony overlooking the pool and lake. Downstairs the villa has three lounges, the largest having a 52” TV and cinema with surround sound, a perfect place for all the kids to crash out after a long day at Disney World! The kitchen is fully equipped and has a separate eating area which overlooks the pool and lake. The property is only 15 minutes from Disney and there are plenty of local amenities such as shops and restaurants nearby.
Price: £475 per week (£47.50pp per week based on 10 sharing)

Kissimmee Area, Disney / Orlando, Florida, USA
www.Holiday-Rentals.co.uk/p85343
Spacious three bed villa with private pool close to the main attractions of Disney World
This luxurious and spacious villa with private pool, situated close to the main attractions of Disney World, has all the features and amenities needed to make the perfect relaxing holiday. The house has three bedrooms and can sleep up to six comfortably; the villa has plenty of space with a 23’ heated private pool, a fully equipped kitchen plus cable TV’s and a PlayStation 2 to entertain the kids! The villa is in the perfect area as it feels very private and isn’t overlooked yet it is only minutes from Disney and a 24hr supermarket is just around the corner!
Price: £500 per week (£83pp per week based on 6 sharing)

Sunny getaways to Cyprus

Kato Paphos, Paphos & Suburbs, Paphos region, Cyprus
www.Holiday-Rentals.co.uk/p16384
Two bedroom fully air-conditioned apartment built in traditional Cypriot style
This comfortable fully air-conditioned, two bedroom (sleeps 4) ground floor apartment, is located within the “Paradise Gardens” complex. The complex is designed in traditional Cypriot style with special attention to detail and quality and is situated in a beautiful setting. The apartment feels very spacious with an open-plan living area which leads through patio doors to a large private patio and compact garden, and then on to spacious communal gardens and swimming pools.
Price: £250 per week (£62.50pp per week based on 4 people sharing)

Kato Paphos, Paphos & Suburbs, Paphos region, Cyprus
www.Holiday-Rentals.co.uk/78353
Ground floor two bed apartment in great location for local amenities
This ground floor apartment is located in a quiet and peaceful spot on the new development of Serena Olympia. The spacious apartment has modern comfortable furnishings with full air conditioning throughout; there are two twin bedrooms one with an ensuite and it can sleep up to four people comfortably. There is a fully equipped kitchen with washing machine and full cooking facilities, television and DVD are also included. The apartment is in a great location on the development, with the patio looking directly onto the communal pool and extensive sunbathing areas.
Price: £195 per week (£49pp per week based on 4 sharing)

Oroklini Larnaca region, Cyprus
www.Holiday-Rentals.co.uk/9235
Two exclusive villas for al fresco dining area and private pool, available with either three or four bedrooms
These exclusive villas are the only ‘Cyprus Tourism Organisation’ licensed luxury villa in the area, both have private pools and a unique character and charm designed for the discerning traveller looking for five star quality for the family. There are two villas available one with three bedrooms and the second with four, both villas are very stylish and spacious with comfortable living areas and a fully fitted kitchen. Outside there is an eating area for al fresco dining and the surrounding area has all amenities needed for a relaxing holiday.
Price: £560 per week

Protaras, Famagusta region, Cyprus
www.Holiday-Rentals.co.uk/19520
Luxury three bed villa in central location so no car needed
Mandali Villa is a great luxury villa that oozes excellence in the quality of its fixture, fittings and décor; it has a secluded swimming pool which is under lit at night time. The villa is surrounded by well maintained gardens and patio area furnished with outdoor table and chairs plus a BBQ is also available for guests use. Inside the villa there are three bedrooms and the property can sleep up to eight people, there is a large living room and a fully fitted kitchen. The surrounding area is very safe and no car is needed so the whole family has total freedom.
Price: £400 per week (£50pp per week based on 8 sharing)

Total relaxation in the Canary Islands

Costa del Silencio, Tenerife, Canary Islands
www.Holiday-Rentals.co.uk/5770
Two bedroom villa on luxury complex
This two bedroom apartment is well equipped on a medium sized complex in the south west of the Island, just a short walk to the sea. The apartment can sleep up to four people comfortably, there is also a spacious living area and fully fitted kitchen within the apartment, there is a large terrace where guests can relax in the sun. The complex itself has many activities to keep the kids, and adults, entertained!
Price: £240 per week (£60pp per night based on 4 sharing)

West Costa del Sol, Malaga Province (Costa del Sol), Andalucia, Spain
www.Holiday-Rentals.co.uk/19155
Luxury three bed villa with marble floors throughout and private garden
This luxury three bedroom villa on the Santa Clara golf course is finished to a very high standard with marble floors throughout, air conditioning and a fully fitted kitchen. All three bedrooms are ensuite and the property can sleep up to six people comfortably, the living room which opens up on to the patio is equipped with sky TV, DVD and stereo. The villa has its own private garden with swimming pool, BBQ, patio heater, eating area, and sun loungers, with sea, golf and mountain views surrounding the villa! There are also two communal pools on the complex; all amenities are within five minutes drive including shops, restaurants and bars.
Price: £700 per week (£116.60pp per week based on 6 sharing)

Playa Blanca - Yaiza, Lanzarote, Canary Islands
www.Holiday-Rentals.co.uk/13903
Spacious two bed villa in a luxury new development with private heated pool
Situated in the new luxury development of Faro Park, this beautiful villa is ideal for families who need a bit of a break this half term. Villa Roja has it own private heated pool with Roman steps and underwater lights for a midnight dip! The villa has been tiled throughout in marble which creates a cool and airy feeling, there are two bedrooms and the property can sleep up to six comfortably, the living room comes equipped with TV/video and hi-fi, an attractive open archway spans a solid teak breakfast bar opening onto a beautiful kitchen area which is fully equipped. Large patio doors lead out to the large terrace; the property is set in 1/5 of an acre and is surrounded by a volcanic wall making it very private and safe.
Price: £395 per week (£65.80pp per week based on 6 sharing)

Exploring the English countryside

Cark-in-Cartmel Cumbria - Lake District, England
www.Holiday-Rentals.co.uk/1955
Charming and luxurious three bed cottage filled with character
Grange End Cottage is a charming and luxurious three bedroom 18th century, listed Georgian holiday cottage. Full of character and charm with exposed beams, ancient thick walls, and an inglenook fireplace for a roaring log fire. The house can sleep up to six people in total and there is a lovely ‘olde worlde’ lounge with room for the whole family to sit.
Price: £450 per week (£75pp per week based on 6 people sharing)

Borwick Cumbria - Lake District, England
www.Holiday-Rentals.co.uk/74086 - Langley
A cosy three bed villa near swimming pool and sauna
Langley is a cosy lodge in an idyllic location situated away from the hustle and bustle in a quiet circle of landscaped gardens with trees and pampas grasses, yet within easy walking distance of all leisure amenities such as the swimming pool, sauna, bar and restaurant. The lodge has a light and spacious lounge with patio doors giving access to the veranda, with garden chairs and table for al fresco dining. There is an adjoining kitchen and three bedrooms so five people can sleep comfortably.
Price: £475 per week (£95pp per week based on 5 sharing)

Lamplugh Cumbria - Lake District, England
www.Holiday-Rentals.co.uk/68939 - Millgillhead house
Beatrix Potter style five bed house surrounded by beautiful countryside
This stylish Georgian house offers comfortable accommodation for up to ten people and was recently used for the filming of ’Miss Potter’, a film about Beatrix Potter starring Renee Zellweger. The house comes with its own garden and has recently been refurbished to a very high standard and the surrounding area has plenty of long country walks suitable for the whole family. The house itself has five bedrooms and can sleep up to ten people comfortably so is great for two families wanting to travel together. The kitchen is very large with a range cooker and lots of storage space, the sitting room is beautiful with an open fire and comfortable sofas and chairs, with enough room for everyone to sit together. 
Price: £920 per week (£92pp per week based on 10 sharing)

Stoke Gabriel Rd, Galmpton, Nr. Brixham, Devon, West Country, England
www.Holiday-Rentals.co.uk/89262
Pretty two bed cottage with original features in rural surroundings
Barnacle Cottage, sits on the edge of the village of Galmpton, a mile from the sea with village stores and a pub and plenty of rural countryside and woodland. The property has two bedrooms and can sleep up to four; the ground floor is open plan with oak flooring and incorporates a comfortable seating area, dining room and a well equipped kitchen. The cottage boasts a very traditional and cosy feeling with original beams and turning wooden staircase. Pets are also welcome at this property and there are plenty of walks around the area for all the family.
Price: £275 per week (£68.75pp per week based on 4 sharing)