Sometimes only a private villa holiday will do
But with such a bewildering amount of choice out there, from specialist villa companies to the likes of Airbnb, it pays to have someone you trust doing the hard work for you.
We asked experienced villa holiday organiser Sarah McLennan to explain why you should abandon the search engine and let us find you the perfect holiday home.
Where can you arrange villa holidays to?
We cover a wide range of destinations – from European classics like Italy’s rolling green hills, Sicily’s sandy coast and the sunny Costa Brava, to far-flung places you might not have considered for a villa stay, such as Sri Lanka and the Caribbean.
What extra services can you arrange?
From welcome hampers and water sports equipment to wine deliveries and private chefs – depending on where you are, the sky’s the limit! We can also assist with airport transfers, restaurant reservations and local excursions. Whatever you need, just let us know and we’ll take care of it.
What do I need to consider?
If you don’t have your heart set on a destination, there are a number of key questions we’ll ask to help narrow down the search. Do you need any specific facilities, like a child-gated pool, alfresco dining area or access to a tennis court? How far away from the nearest shops and ‘life’ do you want to be? Is it all about the view? How flexible are you on location – does it have to be coast or countryside?
How do you source your villas?
We work with a handpicked selection of trusted, UK based suppliers like The Thinking Traveller and CV Villas, and also have long-standing relationships with a small number of villa owners in The Pelion, Italy and further afield. Whether you’re looking for budget or blow-out, our extensive list of contacts means we know just who to go to.
Sarah McLennan
Sales Manager
sarah@realholidays.co.ukWhat’s your ideal villa holiday? Views are the most important thing for me. There’s nothing better that sitting amongst friends, having a long alfresco lunch looking over the rolling Umbrian hills or Greece’s Pelion peninsula. Being able to swim - whether in a private pool or azure sea – comes a close second.
Why should I book with you and not direct with the villa company?
We save you time. Why spend hours searching the web and making endless calls when we can do it for you? We book lots of villas every year and will help you avoid the pitfalls – we know when ‘quaint’ means ‘small’ and when ‘rustic’ means ‘tired’! And it won’t cost you a penny more than booking direct. We can also book your flights and car hire (most villa companies won’t), plus if you want to combine your villa stay with a city break, fly-drive or even a week on a yacht – we can arrange that too.
What if I don’t want to hire a car?
We can source a range of villas within walking distance of the nearest town or beach, enabling you to leave the car behind as you shop for groceries or stroll into town for dinner. You’ll also be able to offer a degree of independence to older children and teenagers. It’s a common request, so we’ll often have a few tried and tested favourites up our sleeve.
Are there always minimum stay requirements?
Most European villas work on a weekly basis, although there are sometimes exceptions – especially out of peak season. If you’re looking further afield, like Thailand or Sri Lanka, things tend to be more flexible.
