
Lifestyle
Summer Holidays 2022: Villa Holiday Guide/Where to Go
We're sure you've been dreaming of your next getaway and summer 2022 holidays! So why not browse our collection of quality villa properties that make for a great sunshine escape with your loved ones? From Portugal's dramatic Algarve coast to tranquil ...
Swap your home office for a villa with a view
Unless you're lucky enough to be a teacher with six weeks of holiday to take at once, you're self-employed or retired, it's likely that you'll only have a set amount of time to take off on holiday in one go. Most employers stipulate that their ...
Where’s hot in December?
It's the most wonderful time of the year, but with the shops heaving with customers, a long list of presents to buy and family dinners to organise, December can also be the most hectic month on the calendar. If you're longing to escape to sandy ...
Where’s hot in November?
Lanzarote
Make cold, dark mornings and drizzly days a thing of the past on a holiday filled with warm winter sunshine. Jet off to the warmer climes of the Canary Islands and make lasting holiday memories with your family on a villa holiday to ...
Where’s hot in October?
Autumn is in full swing and back home in the UK, the nights are beginning to draw in. Escape the autumn chill to the balmy and beautiful Croatian coast, or the stunning island of Sicily, which both share warm temperatures that nudge the high teens ...
Where’s hot in September?
If you're wondering where's hot in September for a glorious late-summer getaway, look no further. Escape to warmer climes and soak up the 26°Cscorching heat of the French Riviera and Puglia as the UK starts to cool down and the autumn chill sets in. ...
Where’s hot in August?
In the height of summer, August is one of the best times to experience many European and Mediterranean destinations in all their glory. Enjoy azure waters, golden-sand beaches and an endless number of things to do in the plentiful hours of sunshine ...
Where’s hot in July?
Summer is in full swing and July is the time of year when the days and hours of sunshine are at their most plentiful. If you're wondering where's hot in July for your next summer break, browse our selection of stunning villas in Menorca and Rhodes – ...
Where’s hot in June?
It's time to celebrate summer with the perfect villa holiday in the sun. Jet off with your loved one and enjoy glorious weather, blue skies and sizzling temperatures in the beautiful destinations of Kefalonia and Majorca. If you're wondering where's ...
Where’s hot in May?
Thinking of booking your next dream villa holiday, but want to avoid the summer crowds and extreme heat? Travelling in May may be the best way to go, as destinations across Europe enjoy the warm temperatures of late spring, and the beaches still ...
Where’s hot in April?
Fed up of the UK's grey and rainy skies? Ready to escape April showers for warm sunshine on your face and a margarita by the pool? Spring is the time of year when Mother Nature waves her magic wand and transforms landscapes right across Europe into a ...
Where’s hot in March?
Spring is finally starting and the mercury is on the rise across many countries in Europe. Say goodbye to what has seemed like an ever-lasting winter and get ready to start booking your next getaway! If you're looking to avoid peak season and want to ...
Where’s hot in February?
Struggling with the winter blues? If you've forgotten what a blue sky is and you're ready to switch multiple jumpers and pairs of socks for your swimwear and flip-flops, it's time to find out where's hot in February so you can get booking your next ...
Where’s hot in January?
Christmas is long gone, so get your year off to a great start and soak up some rays on a winter villa holiday of a lifetime. Escape the UK's grey and cloudy skies, top up your vitamin D and spend quality time with those you love on a luxury villa ...
Where to visit in Italy in 2021
As the fifth most-visited country in the world, with an abundance of history, culture, delicious food and a love of the arts, it is easy to see why so many people flock to Italy every year. But where do you go on a family holiday to Italy? From the ...
Discover the best beaches in Corfu
Known as Greece’s emerald isle, Corfu boasts a fantastic coastline with a wonderful variety of beaches. From endless stretches of golden sands, to pretty pebbled bays and coves, you’ll find the perfect seafront setting for everyone. But what are the ...
5 fun travel-themed activities to do at home
Coronavirus may have temporarily put your villa holiday plans on hold. But that doesn’t mean you can’t still indulge your love of exploring the world. Here are 5 travel-related activities you and the family can enjoy at home during this period:
1. ...
12 winning reasons why shoulder season travel is the best
The “shoulder seasons” are those travel periods that fall in spring and autumn, between the peak and fully off-peak seasons. For those not at the mercy of school terms – like couples, retirees, and families with tots – they can be the perfect times ...
What are the advantages of holiday villa rentals for groups of friends?
Has the winter series of Love Island got you glued to the TV watching them get up to their cheeky antics in the sun? If the show’s got you dreaming of a villa holiday with your group of friends, then now is the perfect time to start planning ...
5 easy yoga poses to help you chill on your villa holiday
Want to kick your holiday relaxation up a notch? Then make sure you pack a yoga mat for your next villa getaway. With its peace and privacy, your sun-soaked villa garden is the perfect place to get your chakras aligned while working on your tan. Even ...
4 of the best couples retreats
Now the school holidays are over, why not book a trip away for just the two of you? By jetting away off-peak, you’ll skip the crowds and save money on accommodation and air fares. Here are four small but fabulous villas that are just the ticket for a ...
5 top tips for keeping fit and healthy on holiday
Ah, holiday time. A chance to leave the stressful everyday routine behind and spend a few weeks indulging in endless food, drink, sun and relaxation.
But you don’t have to completely neglect your health and fitness while you’re away. Check out our 5 ...
7 easy ways to go green (and save money) on holiday
7 easy ways to go green (and save money) on holiday
Climate change. Plastic pollution. Food waste. These are all hot topics right now, and with good reason. But how can you care for the planet when you’re miles away from home? Well, it’s not ...
On the Gourmet Trail. Italy: Puglia
Taste a piece of Puglia at home with this delicious Orecchiette pasta with broccoli sauce.
Ingredients
12 ounces broccoli florets- cut or broken into very small florets about equal size
8 ounces short pasta- orecchiette pasta, penne, rigatoni, ...
How do you choose your next destination?
Have you booked your holiday? How did you decide where you were going? Did you spend hours thumbing through Instagram, checking out your friends’ pictures of sun-kissed legs set against the backdrop of an azure sea, or envying those influencers ...
Ways to protect yourself in the sun
With temperatures this week due to reach a scorching 38°C, we’ve put together a list of handy tips to keep you and your family safe in the sun
1 Make sure you always carry water with you – carrying water or something cool to drink not only keeps ...
33 years of Adding Extra
To celebrate our 33rd birthday, we've chosen 33 reasons why customers love holidaying with Villa Plus!
1. You’ll have your own very own private pool.
2. We have villa in 18 European destinations, so you have plenty of choice.
3. ...
On the Gourmet Trail. Greece: Moussaka
Want a taste of Greece without leaving the country? Try our easy to follow Moussaka recipe.
Ingredients
750g/1lb 10½oz lamb mince
1 onion, finely chopped
2 garlic cloves, crushed
1 tsp dried oregano
1½ tsp dried mint
1 bay ...
We LOVE ISLAND Life in Majorca
Are you glued to your TV watching the Love Island celebs get up to their cheeky antics in the Majorcan sun? If the show’s got you dreaming of a villa holiday to this amazing Balearic island, here are four ways to enjoy life out there.
Stay ...
On the Gourmet Trail. Spain: Paella
This delicious dish is from Spain and is the ideal meal for a night in with your friends and family.
Ingredients
4 tablespoons olive oil
1 onion, chopped
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 red pepper, chopped
125g (4¼ oz) fresh chorizo sausage, ...
We’ve Got Wimbledon Fever
It’s time to pour the Pimms and bring out the strawberries – the nation’s favourite tennis tournament is here once more! If you’re feeling inspired to dust off your racket and perfect your backhand, here are some of our holiday villas with tennis ...
On the Gourmet Trail. Croatia: Truffle Pasta
This tasty and simple dish is from Croatia and is the ideal dinner for a night in at your villa.
Ingredients
150g Fuži
30g butter
100g cream
40g Truffle sauce
Pinch of salt & Pepper
Garnish
Drizzle of Truffle Olive Oil
Grated Parmesan ...
The 3 most Instagrammable destinations in Europe
Are you an Instagram lover deciding where to book your next villa holiday? Look no further than our top three most photogenic destinations in Europe. Rent a holiday villa at one of these Insta-worthy locations and you’ll get incredible #nofilter ...
On the Gourmet Trail. Cyprus: Souvlaki
Our recipe for delicious Souvlaki, from Cyprus, is delightfully simple yet wonderfully tasty! Easy to make at home or in the comfort of your villa, this dish will please everyone.
Ingredients
3 sweet pointed peppers
4 sprigs fresh mint, leaves ...
On the Gourmet Trail. Algarve: Piri Piri Chicken
As part of our On The Gourmet Trail campaign, we are taking the most popular and traditional dishes from our fantastic holiday destinations and showing you how to create them on the BBQ at your villa or in your kitchen back home. Here is a recipe ...
Floral Themed Villas
To celebrate the RHS Chelsea Flower Show 2019 we decided to dig out some of our floral inspired villas and share a bunch of our favourites with you.
Villa Poppy, Polis, Cyprus
Situated in a fantastic central location, just 900 yds from the ...
Overpacking For Holidays
Do you travel light or tend to over-prepare? We reveal the packing habits of UK holidaymakers, revealing the most popular items we like to cram in.
How do you tackle packing for holidays? Some of us will get started weeks in advance, while ...
Healthy Happy Villas
Do you let your hair down on holiday or do you prefer to pace yourself? Villa Plus looks at how wild we go when we get away from it all.
What do you look for in a holiday? Some of us are seeking sun-filled days and nights of bar hopping, while others ...
New Year’s Resolutions
New Year, New You? As we look ahead to 2019 we've asked some of the Villa Plus team what their 2019 resolutions are.
Nick Cooper - Founder and Co-owner
Don't put off next year what you can do this year.
Sandra - Area Manager Tenerife
Get back to the ...
Hilarious Villa Plus holiday complaints and requests
We're dedicated to making sure our customers have a fantastic time on holiday, so it's no surprise that some unusual requests and complaints are sent our way every now and again. From inflatable animal treatment practices to shop opening times, here ...
Taking Children Out of School for a Holiday
Term Time
Have you ever been tempted to take the kids out of school to take them on the trip of a lifetime? Perhaps work commitments get in the way, you’ve found an amazing mid-term deal on a holiday to Spain, or maybe there’s a package on a family ...
Eat Like a Local with Seasoned Courses Cookery School
Here at Villa Plus, we love Spanish food. The various scents and tastes which are now synonymous with the country’s cuisine are renowned worldwide and draw so many holidaymakers to its beautiful coastlines year upon year. To help you learn how to Eat ...
Best Mediterranean places to visit for cycling holidays
There’s something idyllic about cycling along a clifftop track while the sea gently crashes beneath you. Apart from that and the whizz of your hubs, the world seems mysteriously quiet. It’s moments like this that make cycling holidays in the ...
Good snorkelling holidays for villa-loving travellers
Holiday rentals provide the perfect basecamp for snorkelling getaways. Hiring a villa gives you the freedom to prepare your own packed lunches and dinners, and you’ll have plenty of room to store your snorkels, flippers and wetsuits.
Image by ...
Villas with table tennis – how to make the most of your facilities
Few sports are as easily accessible as table tennis. You don’t need lightning-quick reflexes or the hand-eye coordination of Andy Murray to enjoy the rush of a good ping pong rally – just a little perseverance and the right facilities. Luckily, ...
5 holiday travel games for a savvy self-catering getaway
Holiday travel games are an essential for any self-catering getaway, particularly if you have young kids. Be a savvy holidaymaker, load up the suitcase with a few portable games and bring some extra fun to your rental accommodation.
These ...
5 romantic nights in for the best ways to propose on holiday
The best ways to propose on holiday are personal and based on what your partner loves. Stick to those two all-important mantras and you shouldn’t go far wrong. To stay on the safe side, it’s a good plan to brainstorm a handful of proposal ideas. For ...
Villa honeymoon ideas: inspiration for cunning newlyweds
When many people imagine their perfect honeymoon, they envision nights in a hotel’s most luxurious suite, complete with a hot tub, rose petals and some bubbly. Yet this style of honeymoon can be both expensive and lacking in adventure. A villa ...
DIY European cycling holidays – your guide
After something a little different to lounging about by the swimming pool? Satisfy your inner adventurer and plan a cycling holiday in Europe instead! Kids will love the active aspect to it, and you’ll get to see some of your favourite destinations ...
How to take your bike on a plane
Want to take your cycle rides up a gear, beyond the daily commute and weekend trips? Then do so with a cycling holiday! The mix of exhilaration and tranquillity this kind of activity getaway delivers is nothing short of fantastic for your mind, body ...
Why a self-catering holiday is perfect for a short break
One of a holiday’s simplest, yet most rewarding pleasures is receiving the keys to your luxury villa. Upon entering, you realise you’ve not only unlocked the front door, but a whole realm of possibilities to enjoy your time away from home. From ...
Self catering ideas for villa holidays: four alfresco evening eats
One of the best things about going abroad is getting stuck into that first evening meal under the setting sun. Imagine the orange light illuminating off the plates, or the sound of clinking glasses mixed with the crash of waves on a nearby beach. ...
What are the advantages of holiday rentals for single people?
Travelling alone can be a daunting prospect, but with adventures waiting wherever you go, and interesting people to meet in every destination, it’s well worth taking the plunge. If you’re trying to decide on the best accommodation for solo ...
How to add a little extra luxury to a self-catering holiday
For many of us, going on holiday means a few weeks of indulgence – sunning ourselves by the beach or pool between delicious meals. Once you’re settled, there’s no reason why your stay in a luxury villa won’t leave you as pampered as a weekend in an ...
How to enjoy a low-cost self-catering break
Holidays might involve spending money, but that doesn’t mean you have to fork out a fortune if you want to enjoy a sunny getaway. There are countless ways to keep costs down when you travel, and choosing self-catering accommodation is a great way to ...
Recipe for delicious tumbet mallorquin
A self-catering holiday doesn’t mean you have to forgo the cuisine of your destination. In fact, by learning a few recipes you can enjoy the flavours of where you are and have a new recipe to bring home! To help you savour the real taste of Majorca, ...
Why Valentine’s Day is the perfect time of year for a holiday rental
Come February and the grim winter weather still feels like it’s never going to leave. What better time to wave the dreary skies cheerio for a few days and appreciate a slice of sun instead? And that’s without even mentioning that Valentine’s Day is ...
Why a holiday rental is perfect for retired couples
Package holidays in hotels might be convenient, but that doesn’t mean they’re the most cost-effective, or even the most comfortable option. In a holiday rental, you can experience luxury accommodation at a much lower price, and this is only one of ...
A guide to booking a self-catering holiday
Knowing where you want to go on holiday is always a good start when it comes to finding a self-catering villa or holiday let. But if you don’t have your heart set on a destination, the things you need to consider are how many people are going and the ...
5 reasons why Christmas is the best time of year for a holiday rental
Whether holiday high season is approaching or you're in the depths of winter, hiring a private villa on a sunny European coastline is a tempting option at any time of year. But it can be especially enticing to rent one for a Christmas with a ...
What to take on a self-catering holiday
Choosing a self-catering holiday in a villa lets you do as you please. You can come and go, and eat and drink, whenever and whatever you like. This unbeatable flexibility, combined with the cost-effectiveness of being able to live like a local, is ...
Why a holiday rental is perfect for a romantic couple’s break
Everyone has their own picture of the perfect romantic getaway, and that can be a secluded retreat, a weekend of wining and dining, or an action-packed adventure. No matter what kind of holiday you and your partner prefer, renting a holiday home is ...
30 Years of Sunshine
To celebrate 30 incredible years of sunshine holidays, we are giving away a host of prizes from chocolates and wine to holiday vouchers!
Click on the image below for details on how to enter.
Competition terms and conditions: The closing period ...
2015 British Travel Award Winners
It’s a hat-trick! We are extremely happy to announce that we have won a top award at the prestigious British Travel Awards for a third straight year.
Villa Plus won the BTA 2015 award for the Best Villa/Self Catering Holiday Booking Company – ...
Baggage changes. You spoke, we listened!
At Villa Plus we endeavour to provide you with the perfect holiday. Until recently when booking a package holiday with us, we would automatically include one suitcase per person in your price. Due to public demand we have now changed this and now ...
Shaun In The City – The Trail!
Shaun has found his place in the nation's hearts as a TV and movie favourite, and is now adorning the streets of our capital city in statue form. Those of you who are Wallace and Gromit fans may have taken part in the Gromit across Bristol last year. ...
A sneak peak of our Shaun In The City statue
Villa Plus is delighted to announce that we will be one of the sponsors of a ewe-nique new art trail coming to London very soon.
LONDON’S BLEATING: From Saturday 28th March, a flock of 50 five-foot tall sculptures of Shaun the Sheep will be arriving ...
Villa Plus – World Book Day Playlist
It’s World Book Day! To celebrate, we’ve compiled a playlist for this month which is entirely made up of songs which have works of literature as their main inspiration.
Have a listen to the playlist and see if you can guess the books that go with ...
Happy Chinese/Lunar Year Of The Sheep!
We're delighted to share with you a sneak peak of the stunning Chinese themed sculptures, which will form part of the Shaun in the City trail. We hope you agree that they look baa-rilliant!
“Jingtai”, designed by Simon Farrell, is inspired by the ...
Introducing – Shaun In The City!
Hi everyone, meet Shaun the Sheep.
We are very excited to be an official sponsor of Shaun In The City raising money for Wallace & Gromit's Children Charity, an extremely special and worthwhile cause.
With Shaun In The City and a host of ...
Did You Know You Can Select Thomas Cook Flights With Villa Plus?
When adding flights to your Villa Plus booking, why not choose Thomas Cook? You can take advantage of their new, refurbished and refreshed fleet. Once you have your ideal villa selected and added Thomas Cook flights, you can then start picking your ...
Travel Tips – Booking Early #ABTAearlybird
As full ABTA members, we wanted to share the latest promotion from the UKs largest travel association and let everyone know about the benefits of booking your holiday early!
Booking early, particularly in January and February has many ...
Villa Plus – As Seen On TV!
We are guessing that many of you would have seen our latest TV advert over the past week or so. If you haven't, then your TV must be broken!
You can view our latest advert below, please let us know what you think of the advert and make sure you ...
Introducing Norwegian Airlines
We have added Norwegian Air to our list of flight providers and thought we would give you a bit of information on our latest carrier.
Did you know
Norwegian is now the third largest low-cost airline in Europe?
It is the second largest ...
Here’s our tick list of things to do before you leave…
Travel documents
Make sure you have your travel documents. At Villa Plus we send out the information 10-14 days before you travel. Taking your documents will ensure that when you arrive, you can start your holiday as smoothly as possible, ...