Category: Family Travel

 When you’ve got a villa complete with a private pool, you’re in for the family holiday of a lifetime. No small wonder there – it’ll be shared just with you and your loved ones! Not only that, it’s the perfect opportunity to learn and enjoy some kids’ swimming pool games. Everyone can let loose, and you’ll never have to worry about incoming swimmers or other pool users!

Don your swimming goggles and make a splash, these games that are so fun and infectious that even adults will want to join in.

1. Marco Polo

Sharing its name with the famous 13^th century Venetian explorer, Marco Polo is one of the world’s most famous pool games. Like tag, one player is ‘it’ who must then catch the other participants. Unlike tag, ‘it’ must keep their eyes closed and rely on sound to catch their opponents. By shouting “Marco”, to which the other players must respond with “Polo”, ‘it’ must make their way around the swimming pool to catch the players. All together now…Marco!

2. Invisible bottle hunt

All you need for this is a clear plastic bottle with either a white cap or one the same colour as the pool tiles. Have everyone line up with their backs to the swimming pool, fill the bottle with water and throw it in. When the players hear the bottle land, they have to race to find it – a task much harder task than it sounds. Another version of this game is to get a variety of different sized bottles and draw a number on the inside of the bottle top, now it’s a competition to get the highest number. Bring it on.

3. Dolphin races

Each player has a ball and must push it from one side of the pool to the other using only their nose, the first person to do so is the winner. If hands or feet are used the contestant must return to the start line and begin again. This fantastic holiday activity that can be varied by going from a race to a relay or by changing the size of the ball. Try using beach balls, footballs and even ping pong balls for a challenge!

4. Mirror me

This simple children’s activity can provide hours of entertainment. Two people stand in front of each other with one person mirroring the actions of the designated leader. Throw in some funny swimming, silly noises and underwater movements for comical value. To add an extra edge to it, you can include more players and try to have no leader at all.

5. Stuck in the sand

Another game similar to tag, this family favourite sees one player trying to tag the others. When caught, you must stand still in a star shape and wait to be freed by someone swimming through your legs. The game ends when all players are caught. Try adding flippers and snorkels to give the game a little variation.

As with all swimming pool games, stay safe, keep watch and enjoy yourself. Let us know in the comments what kids’ swimming pool games you and your family play during your holiday break.

Browse some properties with heated pools and get the ball rolling for the family holiday of a lifetime.

By Isabella Perkins, a freelance travel writer best known for writing about self-catering holidays. Her writing tends to have a family focus, and she is in the middle of writing a new travel guide due to be published next year.

With a new baby in the family, it can be tempting to take the easy route and postpone any holidays for a couple of years. And while there is no denying that traveling to a holiday rental with an infant has its challenges, it is one of the most rewarding ways to take a holiday.

You may need to pack some extra equipment for the perfect baby-friendly holiday, but there is no reason why you and your little one can’t have a wonderful time on a self-catering trip. It also has plenty of benefits too. Granted you might want to stay away from long-haul destinations and busy hotels, but by taking a self-catering trip abroad you and your baby can bond, relax, and have fun! And here are some reasons why.

It offers a new world of stimulation

All children are sponges to their senses, and this is even more true with those under three years old. By taking them to an exotic destination, the new sights, sounds and smells they experience will help expand their minds and boost their development.

It helps you be more social

Everyone knows how easy it is to hide away in the comfort of your villa whilst on a self-catering holiday. But if you’re taking young children with you, you’ll far more likely to be active – ensuring they’re constantly amused! Combine this with the fact that children are the best ice-breaker and you may find yourself being much more social on holiday than you are used to. A love of kids is the most universal language, and a precocious little one is likely to turn even the stoniest faced local into a smiling and welcoming friend.

It helps you relax

Having a new baby is as rewarding as it is exhausting. By giving yourself the time to relax on holiday with none of the other stresses and distractions in life (chores, work, bills etc.) you are refuelling your energy levels and reenergising for the next leg of the parenting journey ahead.

It is easier than you think

If you’ve never travelled with a baby, you might be fooled into thinking it’s more difficult than it actually is. Babies are resilient, not to mention portable. In some ways, they’re the best people to travel with. After all, when faced with a short flight or a transfer to a hotel most babies will just fall asleep! And thanks to their predictable diet, you won’t have to worry about what to order them for dinner!

Most airlines let you take your buggy on the plane at no extra cost and wheel it right up to the plane.

It doesn’t cost much extra

Aside from a flat charge of around £10-45, babies aren’t expensive to fly. Most villa rentals, resorts, and hotels also provide cots and high chairs free of charge. While you always need to check what’s included before you book, you might be surprised at how little extra taking your baby will cost you.

So, there is really nothing stopping you taking your little bundle of joy on a self-catering holiday with you, just make sure you do it before they turn into a toddler!

By Isabella Perkins, a freelance travel writer best known for writing about self-catering holidays. Her writing tends to have a family-focus, and she is in the; midst of writing a new travel guide due to be published next year.

Even if you love the convenience of staying in a hotel, it’s not always the best option for family holidays. Finding the right sized room can be a challenge, and with three or more people to pay for, prices soon start to skyrocket.

Holiday rentals are a fantastic alternative if you want to stick within your budget without skimping on comfort. Imagine lounging on the terrace of a villa in Menorca while the kids splash in the pool, or waking up to a beach view from your balcony in Fuerteventura. All the best family holiday destinations have a fantastic range of self-catering accommodation to choose from.

Interested? Here are some more advantages of holiday lettings for family breaks:

You’ll have more flexibility

Holiday rentals are like home away from home, and that means flexibility and freedom. You can come and go as you please, and choose you own mealtimes. You can put together your own itinerary without worrying about when breakfast is or what time reception closes at. Added flexibility makes family holidays more relaxing no matter how old the kids are.

There will be plenty of space

Dreading the thought of having your family of four crowded into a cramped hotel room? In a holiday letting, you’ll have separate bedrooms and a kitchen/living space all to yourselves. This is ideal if you’re travelling with young kids whose toys will soon be scattered all over the floor, or with older kids who want a bit more privacy.

Extra storage space also means that you won’t have to live out of a suitcase for your entire trip. You can unpack and make everyone more comfortable.

You can choose facilities tailored to your needs

When it comes to picking holiday rentals, you’ll find a wider range of options than in a typical hotel package. From a luxury family villa in the Algarve to a seafront apartment in the Costa del Sol, there are all kinds of rentals to suit many budgets.

There are plenty of features you can pick and choose from – stick to the basics with comfy beds and free Wi-Fi, treat your family to a hot tub, or pick a fun kids’ room with bunk beds. With rental accommodation, you can enjoy a holiday tailored perfectly to your family.

Longer stays for lower prices

If you like the sound of a long escape to a sun-soaked paradise, holiday lettings are definitely the way to go. Longer trips leave plenty of time for family adventures, sightseeing, and relaxation, so you’ll all return home feeling refreshing and energised.

Self-catering accommodation is an excellent way to save money on a longer break – no hidden charges for services, no expensive meal plans. Often, the longer the stay, the lower the price per night.

You can cook your own meals

For many families, having cooking facilities of your own is what seals the deal on holiday rentals. In self-catering accommodation, you don’t need to fret about whether your kids will like the food on a hotel menu. Cook up family favourites to make everyone feel like they’re back at home, or, for the more adventurous eaters in the family, try making a local dish. Your nearest supermarket will have all the essentials and ingredients you need. So, what are you waiting for?

By Lara Scott. A former executive at a major hotel chain, Lara Scott is a freelance travel writer and journalists. She says her previous career gives her valuable insight into both sides of the tourism industry.

Travelling with a group of friends promises plenty of fun, and you’re sure to return home with lots of lost-lasting memories. Self-catering villa rentals are one of the best ways to make the most of your trip. Group holiday villa accommodation saves you money over a hotel, which means you’re able to spend more on exciting activities and going out.

Whichever type of holiday rental villa you choose – from a seafront villa in Tenerife to a poolside apartment in Corfu – there are many advantages of holiday lets for groups. Here are just a few:

You’ll have lots of space to make yourself at home

The last thing you want on a group holiday is to be crammed into a small hotel room. If you go self-catering, you can choose a villa with spacious bedrooms. This way, you’ll have plenty of room to unpack and store your belongings, so there’s no need to live out of a suitcase.

In addition to being more comfortable, you’ll have space to find a few moments to yourself if you fancy a break from the rest of the group. In a large rental house, you won’t all be living on top of one another, with is particularly good if you’re going on a longer trip with several others.

Enjoy drinks in the lounge or on the terrace

Not only does a holiday villa rental mean more spacious accommodation, but you’ll also have your own lounge and kitchen. Here, you can hang out with your friends without worrying about crossing paths with other guests. Whether you want to put on some music or enjoy a few rounds of post-dinner drinks, you’ll appreciate having some communal space to yourselves. And don’t forget all of that outdoor space and your very own private pool!

You’ll have a kitchen to cook and eat in plus an outdoor BBQ

It doesn’t take long for costs to rise if you’re eating out every night, but in a holiday home, you can save money by making your own meals. Cooking is always a fun group activity, so why not get creative an experiment with some local dishes? You could cook up Canary flavours on Fuerteventura, or make some tapas in Costa Blanca. You will have a fully equipped kitchen and an outdoor BBQ to choose from.

Furthermore, if you can’t all agree on a single dish, that’s not a problem. Self-catering also means you can make your own food individually if you feel like it. Alternatively, if you want a quick and convenient option, you could even order take away to your holiday home. This is perfect if you and your friends feel like having a lazy night in.

You can stay in and unwind

No matter how action-packed your villa holiday is, you’ll still want some down time to recharge and relax. A holiday let means you have a place to stay if you fancy some time off from going out and sightseeing.

You might want to watch a movie, or just spend the day lounging in the sun in your garden. If you opt for a holiday villa with a private pool, you don’t even have to leave to be able to have fun.

By Lara Scott. A former executive at a major hotel chain, Lara Scott is a freelance travel writer and journalist. She says her previous career gives her extra insight into both sides of the tourism industry.

Villa Plus holidays tackle the three f’s – Families, Fun and Food

At Villa Plus, every holiday detail is considered to make sure that the whole family loves it more.  From ensuring meal times go without a hitch to providing enough activities for the whole family to enjoy, we are sure that you will find villa holidays the key to solving the problem of the three F’s!

Travelling with kids (young and old) can always be interesting around meal times with fussy eaters and costs topping conversation topics.  Having to worry about hidden costs and whether or not restaurants serve food which will satisfy everybody’s taste buds all lead to dining stresses.  But these reasons disappear for holidaymakers renting a villa.

At Villa Plus, all of the villas come with fully equipped kitchens, but what is really exciting is the outdoor dining areas and barbeques which are in all villas, often situated in stunning locations with easy access to street markets and supermarkets. It is also a great way to introduce kids in to cooking, with everyone taking turns to pitch in with food preparation!

Recent research comparing local restaurants to the costs of food produced from supermarkets being cooked at the villa showed that savings can be huge! In the Algarve, lunch costs €18 at a villa as opposed to €73 in a restaurant, while dinner worked out at €73 and €147 respectively. In Corfu, lunch cost €23 at a villa and €61 eating out, while dinner cost €69 and €143 respectively. Definitely something to consider.  If you do want to go out and sample the brilliant local restaurants, then choose from one of our Centrally Located Villas, we have over 600!  You can view the full research with examples by clicking here.

But when you’re not cooking and eating, what else can you do to entertain the whole family?  To start with how about your very own private pool?  That’s right, your own private oasis and many of which are heated and there are also hundreds available which can have a protective pool fence put up for peace of mind.

Apart from swimming you will also find pool and table tennis tables at every villa, making perfect opportunities for the family to indulge in some friendly competition.  Perhaps the loser could prepare that night’s dinner?  To enjoy some time indoors, outside of the blazing sun, you can enjoy the free DVDs and music systems that are included so you can watch another Peppa Pig or bust out some holiday dance moves.  You can also share you latest holiday snaps across social media with free WiFi in over 94% of all villas.

So that’s it, our plan to solve the three F’s of holidays.  Cook what you know people will like, when you in a perfect and private holiday setting, have hours of fun with the free added extras and also look forward to spending some family time together, in a safe environment.  On top of that, with the cost savings available you could almost book another wonderful villa holiday.  Start you holiday search now at www.villaplus.com