IMPORTANT VILLA INFORMATION

OUR PROPERTIES

We have a varied selection of properties, most of which have private swimming pools. They range from simple cottages and apartments to luxurious villas and accommodate from two to eighteen people. We spend a great deal of time ensuring that the descriptions on our website are as accurate as possible but please ask if there is anything specific you would like to know about an individual property. Perhaps you want a villa which is totally private but do not want to feel isolated, or maybe you have an aversion to bumpy tracks. We can't guarantee that the neighbourhood dogs won't bark during your holiday but we can certainly tell you if this has been a problem in a particular area in the past. By giving you honest answers to your questions, we can help to ensure that there are no nasty surprises awaiting you on your arrival. Please note some properties do not accept single gender bookings (although couples are welcome) and in all cases, when you have such a party, it is essential to check with us before making your booking.

PROPERTY DESCRIPTIONS

We try to make our descriptions as detailed and informative as possible. "Bathroom" means a bathroom with a bath and "Shower Room" means there is no bath but a full size shower. "Cloakroom" usually means a hand basin and lavatory. If we say "Car Essential" it means that you will not be able to walk to shops or restaurants. If we say "Car Recommended" it usually means that there are one or two facilities within walking distance, or that the less agile might prefer to drive. If we state that there is an "enclosed garden", this does not imply safety but indicates that the property has gates and is surrounded by walls, hedges, bushes or a combination of the three. "Barbeques" may be built-in, gas or portable. Music systems may be hi-fi’s or portable players.

DISTANCES, POOL SIZES & POOL DEPTHS

All distances and pool measurements are approximate, intended purely as a useful guide and may not be completely accurate. During the summer months, depths can fluctuate due to hot weather and constant usage.

PROPERTY LOCATIONS

Please bear in mind that some of the roads in Portugal may not be as good as those in the UK and many of our villas are off the beaten track. Where possible, we mention particularly bad terrain in the property description; however, heavy rain can sometimes change a reasonable lane into a bumpy track overnight. Inevitably, the ever increasing number of tourists, particularly to the Algarve, has meant more cars and improved main roads. Consequently, even at some of our more remote villas, you may occasionally hear the distant rumble of motorway traffic if the wind is in the wrong direction. On the plus side, better roads mean that even if you choose an inland property you will not have too long a journey to the nearest beach.

LOCAL REPRESENTATION

All of the properties featured on our website have English speaking staff on hand to help with any local information. In addition, we have a full time area manager, based in the Algarve, to deal with emergencies. The properties on the Lisbon Coast are usually looked after by the owners who will come to see you shortly after your arrival and are contactable if required but do not tend to visit during your holiday.

VILLA OCCUPANCY

Each villa description states the tenancy start time and all end at 10am on the last day. If you have very early or late flights, or want a different arrival day to the one specified, we will try to be flexible. The maximum number of people is also stated but one extra infant in a cot is usually accepted. Sometimes a second infant can be accommodated but you must check this with us before booking. If your party is an all female or all male group please tell us before confirming your booking. ONLY THE PERSONS NAMED ON THE BOOKING FORM MAY OCCUPY THE VILLA and we MUST have all names, titles and initials before we can send out your final holiday documentation. If, for any reason whatsoever, any additional people are accommodated during the holiday, they will either be asked to leave the villa or we will deduct the additional rental cost from your security deposit. Pets are not generally permitted although one or two of the villas may accept a well behaved dog, subject to prior written confirmation.

WHAT’S INCLUDED

If required, we will provide one free cot and one free highchair. Please bear in mind that cots are often travel cots, not necessarily manufactured to British standards and cot linen is NOT provided. In the Algarve, unless the villa has air conditioning, we will supply one fan in each bedroom if requested on your booking form (additional fans may be hired). Fans are not usually necessary on the Lisbon Coast but can often be arranged at extra cost if required. On arrival at the villa, you will find an initial supply of lavatory paper, soap, a litre of drinking water and washing up liquid or some dishwasher tablets.

ADDITIONAL EQUIPMENT

When available, pool heating, air conditioning and extra beds are usually at additional cost and prices are shown on the price panel. Unless otherwise stated on the villa description, heating and firewood are charged for separately and payable locally. If a stairgate is not mentioned in the villa description, it may be possible to arrange one at additional cost - please ask at time of booking.

SWIMMING POOLS & GARDENS

Swimming pools and gardens are looked after throughout the year. If the villa has a heatable pool, the price quoted will usually be either for the duration of your holiday and include pre-heating, or for a seven day period which commences when the pool heating is switched on prior to your arrival. If the pool is solar heated, it is dependent on the sun - no sun, no heat! Pool temperatures are bound to vary according to the outside air temperature, so we cannot guarantee that any pool will maintain a particular temperature at all times, especially in the cooler months. If the pool has a cover, it is essential to draw it over the pool when the sun sets as this will prevent heat loss overnight. The pool maintenance companies and gardeners will need to visit during your holiday; they are as unobtrusive as possible but cannot usually confirm in advance when they will come.

LINEN & ADDITIONAL EQUIPMENT

Unless otherwise stated, all linen and towels (except beach and pool towels) are included in the villa rental, sheets are changed weekly, towels twice a week and irons and ironing boards are always provided. Please remember to take your own CDs, games for playstations, videos, DVDs and travel adaptors. If the villa has a tennis court, racquets and balls are generally not provided. When available, pool heating, air conditioning, and extra beds are usually at additional cost and prices are shown on the price panel. Unless otherwise stated on the villa description, heating and firewood are charged for separately and payable locally. If a stair gate is not mentioned in the villa description, it may still be possible to arrange one at additional cost - please ask at time of booking.

TELEVISIONS

We cannot guarantee which channels or networks will be available in individual villas. If the villa description simply says 'TV' it will probably only receive national channels. Limited English channels' usually means you will receive the free to view programmes which may only be CNN News. 'TV with English channels' means you should receive UK terrestrial channels as well as the free to view programmes.

TELEPHONES

If your villa has a telephone, it may be fitted with a meter, which means you can make and receive calls and will be asked to pay the telephone bill at the end of your holiday. Alternatively, the telephone may be for incoming or local calls only. It is often possible for you to use your mobile telephone and your service provider will be able to advise you on this.

FOOD PACKS

We can usually arrange a food pack for your arrival and the various prices are shown on the booking form although, as most supermarkets stay open until 8pm, many of our clients prefer to do their own shopping.

CHILD FRIENDLY PROPERTIES

We are often asked why we do not indicate which of our villas are "child friendly". The answer is because no two parents' view of "child friendly" is the same. Whilst all properties with swimming pools offer potential dangers to young children, some of our villas are more suitable than others in terms of layouts, gardens etc. Please ask our reservations staff for advice and discuss with them any particular issues you may have.

COOKS AVAILABLE AT EXTRA COST

Although eating out in Portugal is extremely cheap, in the Algarve cooks can often be arranged. Please ask at time of booking.

GOLF & HORSE RIDING

We can arrange substantial discounts for golf and, through our associates, can pre-book tee times. One to three day horse riding packages can also be arranged.

EXTRA SERVICES & SPECIAL OCCASIONS

If you have any special requests please ask us and we will try our best to help. For example, we can arrange cakes and flowers for special occasions or organise a catered party at your villa. In the Algarve we can arrange for a chef to tailor-make a dinner party for you - please ask for a quote and sample menus when you make your booking. If you would like to travel in style to your accommodation, we can arrange a chauffeur driven stretch limousine, with champagne and chocolates. In the past we have even tracked down a grand piano, a kiss-o-gram and have helped plan and arrange a wedding reception.

WINTER HOLIDAYS

If you would like to book a villa or apartment during the winter months please telephone this office to find out which properties are available. Many of the villas are not equipped with heating so are unsuitable for the cooler months. In all cases, heating and logs are at extra cost and our staff will be able to assist you with your choice.

HOLIDAYS FOR THE DISABLED

We are acutely aware that individual needs vary. Before choosing a villa, please call our office and we will do our best to find the right property for you, but bear in mind that width of door frames differ in each villa. If there is a wheelchair user in the party, please make certain that you tell us before making your booking. We can arrange for wheelchair assistance in both UK and Portuguese airports and can arrange for special transportation to and from your villa.

PASSPORT, VISAS, DRIVING LICENCES & HEALTH

Please ensure that all members of your party have the necessary visas and permits that may be needed to enter Portugal and re-enter the UK. If in doubt, telephone the Portuguese Consulate on 0207 581 8722. Remember that it usually takes at least 4 weeks to obtain a British Passport. All British Visitors must be in possession of a FULL British Passport - Visitors Passports are no longer valid. For UK and EEC nationals, passports must be valid for the duration of the holiday and for non-EEC nationals, passports must usually be valid for 6 months from the date of travel. Children under 16 years of age are now required to hold a full British passport and family passports are no longer issued. However, children under 16, who are already on their parents' passport will not be affected. In order to drive in Portugal you will need to have a full driving licence. At the present time, no specific vaccinations are required for travelling to Portugal. For up to date information clients are advised to refer to the Department of Health Leaflet 'Protect Your Health Abroad' available from post offices. If you have recently returned from the Tropics we advise you to check with your doctor for any special vaccinations requirements.

PICTURES

Location photographs may not be in the immediate vicinity of the properties featured on the same page.

INTERNET DISCLAIMER

The letting of the properties in the this web site are intended solely for short term residential purposes of a special transitory nature - specifically self-catering accommodation - in accordance with article 1095º, nº 3 of the Portuguese Civil Code. In no way does it constitute an offering of tourist lodging within a tourist complex as contemplated in Decree Law nº 167/97, altered and republished in Decree Law 55/2002 of 11/03.

ESCLARECIMENTO PARA INTERNET

O arrendamento dos imóveis referidos no presente site destina-se exclusivamente a habitação não permanente para fins especiais transitórios, designadamente para fins turísticos, nos termos do art. 1095º, nº 3 do Código Civil, não constituindo oferta de serviços de alojamento turístico em empreendimento turístico previstos no Decreto-Lei nº 167/97 de 04/07, alterado e republicado pelo Decreto-Lei nº 55/2002 de 11/03.