Villa Ideas for Special Birthday

scottishlizzie

Next year I will be 40 and want to celebrate by renting a villa for two weeks at the end of August.

Thinking of France, Spain, Portugal or Italy. I love France and that would probably be my first choice but it would have to be near somewhere reasonably lively so that we can visit a selection of restaurants and go shopping and generally experience local life.

We want to bring some friends along for part of the time so the villa would have to sleep up to 6 adults and 3 children. Also must have a pool or be right by the beach. If close to a budget airline airport even better.

All suggestions and advice welcome re agencies, likely cost, or anything else welcome.

Felix

Hi, Try https://www.algarve-travel.com/rentals.php Some of their bigger villas would suit. All properties have pools and are in the Vale De Parra/Gale area of the Algarve.

kdee_2

try this: http://www.champouteau.com/uk_index.htm

near enough to Blois to get decent restaurants, fantastic heated pool and of course, Chateuax country.We're going this year so I'll let you know what it's like!!

redridinghood_2

My husband and I rented a villa in Portugal through

https://www.jamesvillas.com

We had a fantastic time, would highly recommend them.

Lally

I have used both https://www.valgarve.com and https://www.lanterna.com for villas in the Algarve

welshcake

I've just booked a place on http://www.agriturismo.net. It is a complete guide to Farm Houses, Villas and Country Inns in Italy and Tuscany. There are absolutely loads to choose from all over Italy and most are very reasonably priced. The site is very generous with photographs as well. The booking looks more complicated than it actually is, in most cases they let you just call and give your credit card details for insurance rather than having to pay a deposit if you're not Italian. I found the customer service excellent.

mssjab

For France have a look at https://www.easycottages.co.uk

kdee_2

Easycottages have a huge mark up, I know as ex used to work for them. You can often find cheaper going independently.

Natelle_2

Try Owners Direct

Felix

kdee wrote:

Easycottages have a huge mark up, I know as ex used to work for them. You can often find cheaper going independently.

This is the same with most Villa companies, they are just agents, sometimes agents for agents so the mark up gets rather high! Owners direct is a good one (I have my villa on there) but you don't get the guarantee/assurance as with a larger company however it is alot friendlier and you can end up with an excellent property for a 1/3 less!

scottishlizzie

Thanks for all the suggestions and keep them coming.

Have had a look at OWners Direct and I like the look of it. Current favourite is Menorca so if anyone has any comments or suggestions for there please let me know. Might have to start a separate thread for that.

It is so great to have all you guys out there with all this info. Many thanks.