Ten Top Tips For a Successful Villa Holiday
Posted July 15, 2009 , trackback
Renting a holiday villa that you’ve never seen can be worrying, but if you take a few simple steps beforehand, you’ll find the property that suits your needs. COUNTRY If you’re the type of person who doesn’t take the sun very well, don’t book a holiday in Spain in August. If Greek food doesn’t agree with you, don’t go to Greece. If you detest the sound of car horns, stay away from Italy. I know this is a little simplistic, but the point is; have a little think about which country suits your needs best. SEASON Don’t be caught out by the seasons. Some hot countries can be pretty chilly in autumn and winter, especially if you’re up in the hills. On the other hand, some hot countries can be just too hot in the summer. Inland is usually hotter than the coast in summer and cooler in winter. Study the climate before you book. LOCATION The countryside sounds so peaceful and appealing, but if you’re stuck ten miles from the nearest grocery store, the novelty will soon wear off. Find out how many restaurants are nearby. Is the villa within walking distance of a bar, and if not, are you willing to go without alcohol or stump up for a taxi every time you fancy a couple of glasses of wine with your meal? Another thing to consider is the distance from the airport; do you really need a three hour journey after your flight, or doesn’t it bother you? DO YOU NEED TO HIRE A CAR? If the villa you decide upon isn’t on a bus route, then you’re going to need to hire a car. Take this into account when working out your finances for the holiday. If the villa is in a built up area, say by the beach and you intend spending your entire holiday on the beach, do you really need to hire a car? BOOK YOUR HOLIDAY WITH A REPUTABLE INTERNET WEBSITE
By using a reputable company to source your villa, you are minimizing the chances of being let down. Good rental companies are keen to make sure that the properties on their books are what they say they are. Secure payment methods are another reason to use a good company. AIR CONDITIONING If you’re going to a hot country in summer, it could be a wise move to make sure that the villa of your choice is equipped with air conditioning. Many a holiday has been ruined through the lack of sleep. Most air conditioning units provide heat as well as cool air. It can be chilly in winter, so ask the question before you book. SWIMMING POOL Do you need a swimming pool? If you have small children and intend to keep them away from the water, book a villa without a pool? If the villa is on the beach, do you really need the use of a pool? Even in hot countries, the water temperature in winter can be a little to cool for comfort, so take this into consideration when booking. On the other hand, in summer, there’s nothing better than cooling down in the pool. PETS Not all property owners welcome pets, but some do. Check with the owner that the villa is pet friendly. A good website will have the facility to do this. NUMBER OF HOLIDAYMAKERS If you’re going as part of a group, make sure that you book a property that’s big enough to accommodate you all. It’s OK being on top of each other for day or two, but tempers will soon start to fray if you can’t spend a moment alone. ASK THE OWNER Before you commit yourself to a particular villa, contact the owner and ask questions. Most property owners will be delighted that you are showing an interest in their villa, and will help you all they can. A good website will make it easy for you to contact the owner, and clear up any uncertainties before you pay your deposit. Once you have done your homework and found the answers to your questions, you can book your holiday with peace of mind, in the knowledge that you have done all you can to ensure a memorable family holiday.
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