• properties of character in idyllic rural locations
• complete freedom to explore as you wish
• detailed walking or cycling notes provided for most properties
• hire car included if you are flying to your destination
We offer a unique selection of self-catering villas, cottages and apartments, with something for everyone. They may vary greatly in terms of size and décor, but the vast majority have been converted from handsome old buildings in which original architectural features have been retained, and are set with other properties in outstanding scenery. What makes many of these properties really special, though, are the owners themselves. Many of them live on site or nearby and are, therefore, able to offer advice on local attractions as well as giving you an insight into local life.
Explore to your heart’s content
We hand-pick all our villas and cottages, choosing only properties that are set amid timeless scenery of astonishing natural beauty. With no fixed itinerary, you are very much free to choose how much or how little you do each day, though if you can drag yourselves away from your idyllic surroundings, you can gain a wonderful insight into the region over the course of a week or two’s holiday.
Such alluring scenery invites exploration either on foot or on two wheels. As the UK’s leading specialist in self-guided walking and cycling holidays, we include maps and walking or cycling route notes (usually aimed at anyone of average fitness) for the vast majority of our properties. These rewarding, carefully researched routes enable you to explore deep into the region and gain a better feel for it.
For a less energetic holiday or simply a break from walking or cycling, you may prefer to make full use of your (hire) car to visit some of the many places of interest that lie within easy reach, be they ancient castles with many stories to tell, fortified medieval villages, chapels with ornate frescoes, great cities or family-run vineyards where you can sample the wines.
Dine in or eat out
Just as you are free to choose how you fill your days, so too are you free to choose whether to cook for yourselves or dine out – these are self-catering properties. To give you an idea of the cooking facilities, we describe the properties as having either a ‘basic’ kitchen or kitchenette which offers at least a two-ring hob and a fridge; or a ‘well-equipped’ kitchen, consisting of at least a four-ring hob, an oven and a fridge (additional appliances are usually specified).
Detailed documentation
To help you get the most out of your holiday, we provide detailed customer documentation. Along with cultural information and directions to the property, it offers suggestions as to what to see and where to explore, plus detailed walking or cycling notes in most cases. For the end of the day, we offer restaurant recommendations if you wish to dine out, although we also include information on the local markets if you prefer to try cooking with the wonderful local produce yourselves.
With every aspect of your holiday covered, we hope that you will enjoy a relaxed and carefree holiday. Things rarely go wrong, but for peace of mind we provide a 24-hour emergency helpline.
The right property for you
Our descriptions give you a good idea of the standard and style of each property, but standards can vary and, with so many considerations to bear in mind when choosing a property, we will be happy to offer advice so that you can choose the one that is right for you. We particularly advise you to contact us if you have any queries relating to facilities or access (a few are reached by driving down an unmade track, while at others you may have a short walk between the car park and the property).
Once you have chosen a property, we can also help you tailor the arrangements to suit you. You can choose your travel method and route, the length of your holiday (you can choose to book an additional week, either in the same property or in another), and whether or not to upgrade your hire car.
Practical information to help you plan your holiday
Most property owners require holidays to run from Saturday to Saturday, although others have no preference (see individual price panels for details). Some properties may also be available for shorter stays, especially outside the busy summer season – please contact us for details.
Your health and safety while on holiday are a priority. We work with the property owners to ensure that a high level of safety is maintained. Many properties are buildings of character and, while they meet local safety requirements, such regulations may not be the same as those in Britain. On arrival please familiarise yourself with the accommodation, especially if you are travelling with children, as some properties have unguarded water or stone or irregular steps, for example. Swimming pools, where available at a property, are unguarded, and some unfenced, so children must be supervised at all times.
Welcome hampers of basic supplies are provided at the discretion of indivdual owners in some properties. At others, we state in the description if we include a meal at a local restaurant on arrival. Other meals are not provided unless specifically stated.
Bed linen is included in the price of each property. Towels are not always provided so please refer to your holiday documentation (sent with your tickets before departure) and bring these with you if necessary.
Heating and electricity are included, unless stated otherwise in the price panel.
Final cleaning is included at all properties, but you still have the responsibility to leave the property as you found it. A refundable cash deposit is sometimes required by the property owners on arrival to cover any breakages or damage. We will tell you about this in your holiday documentation.
We ask that smokers only smoke outside the property.