Villa Holidays
Discussion
Wife and I have always done all inclusive type holidays but realised on the last one that we’ve grown out of it, especially now that we’re not big consumers of alcohol, and are more bothered than ever about other people and their irritating behaviour!
Next year we’re looking to do a 7-10 day break where we rent a villa with a pool somewhere quiet, was thinking the likes of one of the smaller Greek islands or even the bigger ones, but in a quiet part a bit further away from the usual tourist spots.
Having never booked a holiday of this nature I’m not sure where to start looking. Villa Plus and James Villas ring a bell in terms of ‘household names’ but sure there’s loads of reputable places to use that I don’t know about.
Anyone that can recommend somewhere through first hand experience?
We’re not loaded, powerfully built company directors, so cost is sadly a factor! Without doing too much thinking about it, budget likely to be around £2k for the accommodation for 7-10 days, does that sound reasonable to get something of a good standard?
Next year we’re looking to do a 7-10 day break where we rent a villa with a pool somewhere quiet, was thinking the likes of one of the smaller Greek islands or even the bigger ones, but in a quiet part a bit further away from the usual tourist spots.
Having never booked a holiday of this nature I’m not sure where to start looking. Villa Plus and James Villas ring a bell in terms of ‘household names’ but sure there’s loads of reputable places to use that I don’t know about.
Anyone that can recommend somewhere through first hand experience?
We’re not loaded, powerfully built company directors, so cost is sadly a factor! Without doing too much thinking about it, budget likely to be around £2k for the accommodation for 7-10 days, does that sound reasonable to get something of a good standard?
A word of warning: there's a lot of scam websites out there in the rent-a-villa market. Plenty of media stuff about this occurring regularly.
When I booked a villa in Tuscany for July 2017 I was extremely cautious how I went about the booking and payment. I seem to recall that I went via Trip Advisor, which led to a rental site and then payment through Paypal. I felt that this would give me the best security, and there were no problems at all.
A few weeks after booking I saw what seemed a legit website for the same villa, went through their process, and the week I had booked was shown as being available and at a bit lower price, all of which should not have been possible, so I assume it was a scam website.
You will find the companies that you mention to be honourable but not the cheapest, but maybe be you would prefer to pay extra for the peace of mind.
R.
When I booked a villa in Tuscany for July 2017 I was extremely cautious how I went about the booking and payment. I seem to recall that I went via Trip Advisor, which led to a rental site and then payment through Paypal. I felt that this would give me the best security, and there were no problems at all.
A few weeks after booking I saw what seemed a legit website for the same villa, went through their process, and the week I had booked was shown as being available and at a bit lower price, all of which should not have been possible, so I assume it was a scam website.
You will find the companies that you mention to be honourable but not the cheapest, but maybe be you would prefer to pay extra for the peace of mind.
R.
I book everything separately and book villas through sites like VRBO, Holidays Lettings, Trip Advisor or AirBnB. Put in your destination, your dates and zoom in on the area you want to stay.
Your money is protected. Book flights separately.
Now up to 50 plus holidays done this way. Just read the reviews before booking them.
Your money is protected. Book flights separately.
Now up to 50 plus holidays done this way. Just read the reviews before booking them.
The two companies that I have personal experience of using are Simpson Travel and CV Villas - both are excellent. All of their Villas have been inspected and are of a good standard. You can also speak to someone who has visited the Villa before you actually book.
You'll get a really nice Villa for £2K for a week - as long as you're not planning to go in August.
You'll get a really nice Villa for £2K for a week - as long as you're not planning to go in August.
LuS1fer said:
I book everything separately and book villas through sites like VRBO, Holidays Lettings, Trip Advisor or AirBnB. Put in your destination, your dates and zoom in on the area you want to stay.
Your money is protected. Book flights separately.
Now up to 50 plus holidays done this way. Just read the reviews before booking them.
As above. We have a villa we rent out via managers and the vast majority of reviewers are from AirBnB bookings.Your money is protected. Book flights separately.
Now up to 50 plus holidays done this way. Just read the reviews before booking them.
I regularly see scam ads being questioned on tripadvisor forums etc. Some of the websites are very convincing.
Swimming pool shapes shown in photos plus some google earth searching makes a good combination for checking exact locations.
I avoid hotels - even posh ones - or joined apartments like the plague and instead make my own DIY flights/car hire/accommodation package.
Self catering in a remote villa well away from the bright lights and big resorts is my preference every time. Not only is that where the best deals are to be found but it's pretty much guaranteed you'll never have some mouthbreathers telly or noisy balcony drinks party or violent domestic keeping you up 'till 4am.
Self catering in a remote villa well away from the bright lights and big resorts is my preference every time. Not only is that where the best deals are to be found but it's pretty much guaranteed you'll never have some mouthbreathers telly or noisy balcony drinks party or violent domestic keeping you up 'till 4am.
Gassing Station | Holidays & Travel | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff