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La Manga Resort, Spain - villas & apartments at this famous resort
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Ocean Club Beach Resort, Algarve - half board apartment holiday
holiday villas - a perfect choice for summer 2014
- I thought you might like me to share my insights into our first villa holiday with my family. I have 2 boys now aged 8 and 9 plus as you may or may not know I am disabled so my husband & kids spend a lot of time looking after me. Every year, we go for our main summer holiday for 2 weeks in July & we have pretty strict criteria:
- we don't want to travel too far
- we want somewhere warm
- I want easy access to both accommodation & a pool
- the kids want some activities or entertainment
- my husband wants to be able to go for a run & have a gym
- the kids want some activities or entertainment
- the kids want some activities or entertainment
- the kids want some activities or entertainment
- the kids want some activities or entertainment
- Perhaps these requirements sound familiar to you? Fortunately running a holiday company, it is much easier for me to find somewhere to suit us all than for most people. So, last year we packed our bags and headed off for a leisure resort in Spain – the Mar Menor – it's a bit like its more famous neighbour, La Manga but smaller, quieter, cheaper but then it doesn't have its own beach! As it was our first leisure resort we chose it as it offered excellent value for money – we could get a lovely ground floor villa with its own little pool but onsite there were loads of communal pools, golf course, paddle tennis courts, playgrounds, bar, restaurants that offered takeaway on all of its dishes – superb!
- We arrived & it was everything we had hoped for & more – it suited us as a family just perfectly. The villa was gorgeous & really well equipped and the kids headed straight outside to admire the pool – not huge but plenty big enough for them to play & for us to relax. Of course, next they headed out to explore the resort & its facilities which were again excellent. The only drawback we found later was the beach – it was a good 15 minutes drive away so wouldn't suit everybody but for us it was fine – you could hire sun loungers & the shallow warm waters of the Mar Menor (a huge sea water lake) were safe, clean & fun for the kids.
- I had always thought that villas holidays with its own private swimming pools would be out of our price range, but this one wasn't. Previously I had almost ruled out this type of holiday for us but in fact it was so good that I am just booking to go back again this year.
- Fortunately for me (and perhaps you!), James Villas offers this type of holiday in its own section called "Holiday Resorts". Described as a "fantastic range of resorts perfect for families and friends, combining the space & freedom of your own private self-catering property with a collection of on-site family entertainment, leisure facilities, dining and shopping in modern, village-style settings, with a welcome community feeling". I love them! They cover, Portugal, the Canary Islands, Mainland Spain, the Balaeric Islands, France, Croatia, Greece, Turkey, Cyprus, Egypt, Morocco & Florida so surely you must be able to find one of the best holidays you have ever had from that list?
- Holiday villas often offer the perfect get away for many families – independent living with your own swimming pool just adds that touch of luxury to your precious relaxation time designed to switch you off from the hectic life we all run at home. All I can say is I highly recommend them & there are now so many companies offering this type of holiday which can suit all budgets – below are a few that I have teamed up with. Please remember that if possible, could I ask you to book online? I ask as I receive a small commission which allows me to keep RecommendedFamilyHolidays.com working to help as many people as possible to enjoy their holidays as we do.
- James Villa Holidays - With over 2500 hand-picked villas, all with private pools, in over 40 of the most popular holiday destinations around the Mediterranean, the Canaries, Egypt and Florida, you can be sure there's one that's right for you. With James Villa Holidays, you can tailor your holiday to suit your needs. In addition to your villa they can organize flights, car hire and travel insurance. We also cover the extras that make life easier, like airport hotels and parking, welcome pack on arrival, cots and high chairs. They also offer the largest range of Leisure Resorts by any one tour operator. Book a Leisure Resort holiday and you have the best of both worlds: all the freedom, privacy and space offered by your own private accommodation, whilst being based in a community setting which typically offers a superb range of leisure activities and facilities. Whether you’re looking for golf holidays, spa holidays, or simply to relax, Leisure Resorts offer something for everyone.
- La Manga Club Resort, Spain - biggest choice of Villas and Apartments on La Manga Club in Spain.
- Al Fresco Holidays – covers some of Europe’s very best holiday parks, each with superb facilities, incredible pools, water complexes slides, kids play grounds, sports areas, tasty eateries, kids clubs, entertainment impeccable organization and of course wonderful holiday atmosphere. Park sizes vary hugely but all offer the essentials like on-site shops, take-aways and laundry facilities. Choose from 54 stunning locations across France, Corsica, Spain, Italy, Croatia, Austria and Holland.
- Madame Vacances (ABTA registered) is the 3rd largest accommodation rental provider in France specialising in villas with pools, ski chalets, hotels and self catered residences in both well known resorts and rural retreats. The properties range from 2* to 5*. This company is great as they offer a best price guarantee.
- Villas to go Ltd was established in 2002 offering quality accommodation in the Algarve. By 2008 the portfolio had grown to 800 properties in 14 destinations around Europe and Florida. We offer the broadest range of properties from budget apartments to luxury villas and include royal residences, beachside villas and even a villa with its own football pitch!
- Club Med offers premium all-inclusive holidays to over 80 exclusive Resorts all around the world. With Club Med all-inclusive expect stunning locations, superb accommodations, gourmet food, endless bar drinks and snacks, fantastic children's clubs and a multitude of sports and activities.
- Owners Direct specialises in advertising privately owned holiday accommodation direct from the owner. We have advertised holiday properties since 1997 and on our web site you will find over 33,000 villas, apartments, chalets, farmhouses and cottages - all types of holiday accommodation in countries throughout the world.
- Olympic Holidays are leading specialists to Cyprus & the Greek Islands. In recent years Turkey, Bulgaria, Spain, Portugal, Tunisia, The Red Sea & Goa have been added as this tour operator has grown in stature among consumers. They are now widely recognised as one of the best known names in leisure travel. Flights & holidays can easily be booked on-line with an amazing range of 2-5 star hotels, villas & apartments available.
- Malta Direct is the UK’s number one holiday specialist to Malta, Gozo and Comino, with the widest product portfolio and over 40 years experience in providing holidays and tailor-made services. As Malta specialists, Malta Direct’s local knowledge and contacts enables its experts to source the most appropriate accommodation and negotiate the best deals for their clients. Whatever the client’s requirements the team can arrange and tailor-make a holiday to suit their needs. Returning clients, year after year, prove that Malta Direct holidays are great quality at the right price.
- Article By Lucilla Paull
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