Villa holiday company CV Travel comments on how Europe’s top five holiday destinations (France, Spain, Italy, Greece and Portugal) are faring in 2013.
(TRAVPR.COM) UNITED KINGDOM - June 17th, 2013 - Villa holiday company CV Travel comments on how Europe’s top five holiday destinations (France, Spain, Italy, Greece and Portugal) are faring in 2013.
Forty years ago, CV Travel (then `Corfu Villas’) was sending its first guests to a handful of beautiful villas on the north east coast of Corfu dotted with tiny villages, olive groves, beachside tavernas and small boats bobbing on the glistening sea. Today, this stunning stretch of coastline is still CV Travel’s heartland, which over the years has become the holiday choice of well-heeled Brits, and a few politicians and celebrities, who enjoy the charm that a villa holiday in this area continues to offer in abundance.
With an enviable portfolio of some of Europe’s finest villas, ranging from stylish coastal properties to renovated farmhouses and cosy cottages, and some years into the global economic crisis, CV Travel entered 2013 with the usual mix of excitement and a small, sensible amount of trepidation.
- How would the political and economic uncertainty in Greece, Italy and Spain affect villa holiday bookings?
- Would new and former clients choose to stay at home in the UK and forgo overseas holidays?
- How would the British weather perform and would it influence overseas holiday bookings?
UPDATE, JUNE 2013 :-
GREECE
CV Travel’s villa holiday bookings to the Greek Islands of Corfu, Paxos, Lefkada and Kefalonia have increased, year on year, with around 20% more villa holidays already booked than in the same period in 2012.
CV Travel’s MD Francis Torrilla said “This year good quality villas are so in demand in Greece that CV Travel only has a few villas with availability remaining for the high season summer period. Early in the season we were out in Corfu looking for more villas to add to our portfolio, demand was so positive. The reason is that British guests know that they can pretty much rely on good weather in the Greek Islands in the summer months, al fresco meals are a way of life, prices are far more competitive than a few years back and, of course, the wonderful Greek hospitality never wavers”.
Example availability:-
Villa Olivia, sleeping 10, is a new villa to the CV Travel portfolio situated close to the village of Nikiana, Lefkada, with its restaurants, boat hire and beach. With fabulous views out to sea and surrounded by olive groves and cypress trees, this is a restful villa with air-conditioned bedrooms, a covered terrace area, and a private swimming pool.
With availability remaining in July & August 2013, price for seven nights from £5,370 including villa rental, maid service, welcome pack and car hire, based on 10 sharing.
http://www.cvtravel.co.uk/en/destinations/europe/greece/lefkada/nikiana/accommodation/pages/villa-olivia.aspx
ITALY
Tuscany, Umbria and the Amalfi Coast still draw a large number of British guests attracted by beautiful villas in the rolling countryside and romantic Saracen Towers on the coast. However, regions such as Puglia and Basilicata have emerged strongly as awareness of their attractions grow and British guests seek out new Italian destinations and experiences.
Francis Torrilla said “It is said an Englishman’s home is his castle and for even a couple of weeks a year our clients know they can find properties in Italy where they can live like kings. Particularly popular with our British guests are the `Masserias’; fortified country houses originally built from the 16th – 19th centuries, and the iconic ‘trullo’ houses, many converted into delightful holiday homes offering a truly authentic experience in Puglia”.
Example availability:-
Masseria Ferrantino, sleeping 10, is a magnificent stone property built by local craftsmen with a wonderful large courtyard for al fresco living and dining, a private 15 metre swimming pool, extensive walled grounds, in an ideal locations close to beaches and charming villages.
With availability remaining in June 2013, price for seven nights from £3,395 including villa rental, maid service and welcome provisions, based on 10 sharing.
http://www.cvtravel.co.uk/en/destinations/europe/italy/puglia/puglia-coast--countryside/accommodation/pages/masseria-ferrantino.aspx#/
Masseria Oria, sleeping 10, has been looked after by generations of the same family and is set in 30 acres of gardens, surrounded by vineyards and hundreds of ancient olive trees. This lovely farmhouse boasts a rustic charm, complete privacy and is situated close to the beach and the wonderful landscape of Puglia, perfect for exploration by all the family.
With availability remaining, primarily in July 2013, price for seven nights from £4,995 including villa rental, maid service and welcome provisions, based on 10 sharing, for bookings made by 15 June 2013.
http://www.cvtravel.co.uk/en/destinations/europe/italy/puglia/puglia-coast--countryside/accommodation/pages/masseria-oria.aspx
FRANCE
France continues to be high in the popularity stakes with several million Brits holidaying there each year, attracted by wonderful restored mas surrounded by lavender fields and stylish coastal villas on the sparkling Mediterranean, by weekly markets, rosé wine and regional cuisine. But the country has suffered a drop in visitor numbers in recent years with emerging destinations denting their market share while Brits choosing to stay at home have squeezed tourism figures still further.
“What has positively affected France this year is the increase in flights from regional UK airports, for example to Nice, and of course the easy driving conditions down to the South of France” said Francis Torrilla. “In France, we’ve also seen an increase in interest for villas where several generations of the same family can holiday together or where groups of friends can congregate. Again, the ease of accessibility of French properties has helped to drive this trend as individuals and groups can arrive at different times, under their own steam”.
Example availability:-
Le Château d’Aubenas, sleeping 12, was once the summer retreat of French royalty and is an authentic 16th century château where ancient and modern meet with stunning effect, the exterior giving no hint of the transformation of the interior where rooms are furnished in minimalist chic. The private, gated grounds are classically beautiful, with large sheltering trees, an olive grove, a swimming pool and a large sun terrace, perfect for a large group of family or friends.
With availability remaining, primarily in July 2013, price for seven nights from £5,980 including villa rental, maid service and welcome provisions, based on 10 sharing.
http://www.cvtravel.co.uk/en/destinations/europe/france/provence/forcalquier/accommodation/pages/le-chateau-aubenas.aspx
SPAIN
Spain also remains a popular holiday destination for CV Travel clients but in line with the global trend, as a destination it has waned in recent years, losing out to other European countries and indeed some long haul destinations.
Francis Torrilla said “Not deterred by the state of the Spanish economy and some disparaging press coverage, and no doubt fed up with the dreadful weather we have had in the first half of 2012 in the UK, CV Travel’s clients continue to be drawn to the hills of Andalucia, to the ‘pueblos blancos’ (white villages) of Casares and Gaucin, attracted by sunshine, fiestas and tapas, and the knowledge that the beaches of the Costa del Sol are within driving distance”.
Example availability:-
Casa Los Romos, sleeping 8, and Casa del Lucero, also sleeping 8, are two stylish villas with spacious interiors, attractive grounds and each with a private swimming pool, just a five minute drive from the lovely village of Casares. These villas are situated next door to each other so are ideal for two families wishing to holiday together but retain independence.
With some availability remaining this summer in both villas, price for seven nights from £4,075 & £4,575 respectively including villa rental, maid service and welcome provisions, based on 8 sharing.
http://www.cvtravel.co.uk/en/destinations/europe/spain/andalucia/casares/accommodation/pages/casa-los-romos.aspx
http://www.cvtravel.co.uk/en/destinations/europe/spain/andalucia/casares/accommodation/pages/casa-del-lucero.aspx#/
PORTUGAL
Less in the spotlight for either its economic situation or its tourism, British visitor numbers to Portugal remain fairly constant, while in no way rivalling those of Spain, France, Italy or Greece.
CV Travel’s Francis Torrilla said “Portugal somehow always seems to keep a low profile, the country and in particular the Algarve quietly getting on ‘doing what they do best’ by offering fabulous beaches, warm hospitality, and good quality local cuisine. To capitalise on the continued popularity of Portugal, CV Travel has recently introduced a couple of delightful properties in the less developed Alentejo, just one hour from Lisbon. This largely agricultural area is dominated by vast plains and dotted with hilltop sites, boasts wonderful historic towns such as Evora, and enjoys an extensive coastline which remains much less crowded than the Algarve even in high summer”.
Example availability:-
Moinho do Montemor-o-Novo, sleeping from 6 – 16, is situated in the heart of the Alentejo. This working farm of 12 hectares comprises a spacious country house, re-constructed from the ruins of a 19th century water-mill, and retains many original features including an all-stone living room built on top of the river channel. A large patio with river views is ideal for dining al fresco, there are extensive outdoor areas for relaxation, and within the large lawned garden is a heatable swimming pool and a spacious pool house with cooking facilities and a built-in barbecue. The sandy beaches of the west coast and fabulous fish restaurants are within easy driving distance.
With availability remaining this summer, price for seven nights from £3,945 (based on 6 sharing) and from £5,805 (based on 16 sharing) including villa rental, maid service and welcome provisions. A cook service can be arranged at an additional cost.
http://www.cvtravel.co.uk/en/destinations/europe/portugal/alentejo/accommodation/pages/moinho-do-montemor-o-novo.aspx#/
END
Issued by:-
THE CREATIVE CONNECTION (UK) Ltd
Travel PR & Representation
Mary Stuart-Miller
Tel: 01403 738844
E-mail:
The Creative Connection UK Ltd
South Marlands, Itchingfield, Horsham,
West Sussex
RH13 0NN
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