Villas & Apartments

W elcome to the July 2009 issue of Choice Villas & Apartments. In

addition to our quick and easy-to-use design, allowing you to
locate your dream family holiday even faster, we hope you’ll find
our extra edit pages useful too. Choice Essentials (p6) is full of new
product reviews and reader giveaways and Choice Holidays (p8)
concentrates on Tenerife. Also, enter our competition (p12) for your
chance to win a holiday to the Paradise Park Resort & Spa, Tenerife.
Within the magazine we have retained our popular country/region section
format with a brief introduction to the area and useful website listings to
help plan your holiday.
Also, if you fancy a holiday home of your own, check out our Property
for Sale section towards the back of the magazine.

Choice Essentials 6 France 27

Win some holiday goodies Cyprus 28
Choice Holidays 8 Italy 31
Tenerife Portugal 32
Competition 12 Car hire 35
Win a holiday to the Paradise Flights 35
Park Resort & Spa, Tenerife Insurance for car hire 35

Property for sale 36

Florida 14
Balearic Islands 20
Canary Islands 22
Costa Blanca 25
Costa del Sol 26

Published by: The publishers cannot accept responsibility for errors or

Travel & Leisure Magazines Ltd,
103 Cranbrook Road, Ilford,
Essex IG1 4PU, UK
Tel: +44 (0)20 8477 1529
Fax: +44 (0)20 8514 4536
Email: choice@tlmags.com
Printed by Wyndeham Heron
©Travel & Leisure Magazines
Limited 2009
omissions. Whilst every care is taken, all material Editor:
submitted to Travel & Leisure Magazines Limited is Keeley Gordon keeleyg@TLmags.com
done so at its owner's risk and neither Travel & Leisure
Magazines Limited nor its agents can accept any liability Editorial Assistant:
for loss or damage. Travel & Leisure Magazines Limited
Loretta Prince lorettap@TLmags.com
is a completely independent company and can hold no
responsibility for the actions of outside agents. No part Advertising Sales:
of this magazine may be reproduced without prior
written consent. Beverley Sennett bevs@TLmags.com
Please note: property buyers should expect extra
Admin/Accounts:
financial costs such as legal costs, local taxes etc. All
private advertisers are totally responsible for their own Wendy Barfoot wendyb@TLmags.com
wording within their advertisement, and Travel &
Leisure Magazines Limited can therefore take no Publishers:
responsibility as to their content. Please seek legal Peter Lewsey peterl@TLmags.com
advice and thereafter verify all the details of your Terry Stafford terrys@TLmags.com
purchase in writing before proceeding.

YOURNo– 1 CHOICE FOR RENTING OR BUYING

A VILLA OR APARTMENT
 Choice Essentials
Save your skin with 100% waterproof and
AfterBURN ready for action
AfterBURN Sunburn Rescue Gel will help soothe Do you wish you could take under water photos
and repair sun damaged skin, unlike traditional or use your mobile phone whilst in the pool?
‘aftersun’ products that simply moisturise. The gel Well you can now with the range of waterproof
cases from OverBoard. There is one for
draws water from within the skin (the dermis) to
everything from technology cases and waist
the surface (the epidermis) helping to rehydrate and packs to duffel bags and back packs. The dry
treat sun-damaged skin. It’s odourless, non sticky and tube bags even float if dropped in water!
non-staining and rapidly
absorbed and acts quickly For everyone,
on the skin. It contains no
alcohol, added for every holiday,
preservatives or colourings for everything!
and helps to reduce the Prices vary depending on product and size; a 20
chances of premature skin Ltr Dry Tube is £19.99 and a Small Aqua Phone
ageing. AfterBURN Sunburn Case is £14.97. Go to www.over-board.com for full product details.
Rescue Gel is available from
Boots and pharmacies and Choice Giveaway: We have five OverBoard
leading retailers nationwide cases to giveaway. You can choose from a mobile
priced £9.78 for 75g. phone case, a camera case or a multi-purpose case.

BUGS AWAY
Mosi-guard contains only natural active ingredients so it’s
kind to skin and there is no danger of damage to plastics and
fabrics. Protect the whole family including children from three
months old from insect bites with Mosi-guard.
Available as Mosi-guard Natural Insect Repellent Aerosol 150ml, Cream 100ml,
Spray 100ml, Roll On 60ml and Stick 50ml, all SRP £5.86.
Mosi-guard is available to buy online at www.safariquip.co.uk;
www.ifsogo.com; or from MASTA Travel Clinics, Waitrose, Superdrug and some independant pharmacies. www.mosi-guard.com

Choice Giveaway: 10 x Mosi-guard Natural Insect Repellent Aerosol 150ml

With hotels at every major UK airport and rooms

from just £29, there’s no excuse!
Forget early mornings and stressful
traffic jams and stay at an airport
Travelodge the night before your
flight. A family room will
accommodate either: two adults and two
children under the age of 16 or three adults and
all you pay for is the price of the room which
starts at £29. All Travelodge rooms offer en-suite
facilities, luxury king-size bed, flat screen TV, wifi
and free tea / coffee making facilities.
The latest Travelodge opening is Heathrow
Central. The hotel has a hopper bus service to
Terminal 1, 2 and 3. There is on-site car-parking
and customers can get up to 60% off airport
parking by booking in advance for stays over
four days or more with BCP.
The 304 room hotel is styled in the company’s
new room style and has a Bar Café that offers an
all-you-can-eat breakfast buffet, snacks, evening
meal and bar service. Throughout the summer
Travelodge is launching a 99p cream tea offer at
some of its airport hotels which includes:
Heathrow Central, Heathrow T5, Gatwick,
Stanstead and Manchester. The cream tea
consists of a large scone, a pot of clotted cream,
a pot of either strawberry or raspberry jam and
a collection of teas. To book visit
www.travelodge.co.uk

6 Choice Villas & Apartments July 2009


Handbag essentials
from Boots
Whether you’re clubing in Ibiza or
cruising in the Caribbean, Boots has
some great products to see you
through the summer.
Soltan mini sunscreen (75ml SPF
25–£4.99) is ideal for keeping in
your bag. It won’t take up much
space and with UVA & UVB filters to
reduce the sun’s burning effect on
the skin, it could be your most
treasured handbag item!
Other vanity case must haves from
Boots include No7 Quick Thinking 4
in 1 Wipes (30 wipes) £6.90; Boots
Smile Totalcare Mouthwash
Coolmint 75ml 79p; Botanics Cooling
Foot & Leg Spray 150ml £3.99;
Extracts Mini Body Butters, 50ml
£2.45 and Extracts Mini Body
Washes, 75ml £2.45. www.boots.com
Choice Giveaways
How to enter: Entries can be made by going to
www.choicetravelinfo.com
before the Friday 21 August 2009 and entering your
details under ‘competitions and giveaways’. The winner
will be announced and published on the website after
the closing date. Terms and conditions on the website.
Reviews & Giveaways
Safe belongings
in your room,
at the beach or
by the pool
The security experts at
Yale have introduced a
handy new portable
Travel Safe that can be
attached to any fixed
objects in your hotel
room or while you’re out
and about to keep your
belongings safe.
Available in black or
white, the slim-line safe
can hold your passport,
spending money and
mobile phone, and comes
with a steel cable, which
can be securely locked
around a wardrobe
rail, parasol or even a
restaurant table.
Designed to fit in
your handbag
or travel
bag, the safe
comes with a
four-digit combination
lock and has a
strengthened casing for
further protection against
attack and theft.
The Travel Safe
retails at £9.99 and
is available from
www.argos.co.uk
Your first choice for travel,
accommodation and days out
www.choicetravelinfo.com
10% off
For the man who has
everything
The Travelwrap for him is so luxurious it
will make even the hardest person to buy
for feel special! The classic look and sharp
colours will never go out of fashion and the
quality and finish of the Scottish cashmere
will make everyone feel at home. The
Travelwrap for him is available in plain
shades of charcoal, oatmeal, silver, black and
an eclectic choice of charcoal/silver stripe
and makes the perfect travel accessory to
take on board a flight, cruise or simply
relaxing at home or in the garden.
Travelwrap for him is the deluxe wardrobe
investment for the discerning man and will
soon make it to the top of his list of
favourite travel items along with the comfy
t.shirt, the linen trousers and the vintage
leather wash bag!
The Travelwrap costs from £191 and comes
with a protective linen bag beautifully
wrapped in the signature Travelwrap
Company box – a gorgeous gift for
someone special. Or maybe you would like
to treat yourself – Travelwrap is also
available for women and children. Go to
www.thetravelwrapcompany.com for
further details or phone 0844 800 1296.
Choice Special Offer: Enter
the code: VILLA10 for 10% off
any of The Travelwrap for Him
collection of Travelwraps at
www.thetravelwrapcompany.com
until 31 August 09.
Choice Villas & Apartments July 2009 7
 Choice Holidays
Strelicia flower
©Tenerife Touri
sm Corpo
Been there and done that? The chances are that you ration

haven’t! Visitors to Tenerife are blessed with heaps of

spectacular attractions, both new and old but how many
people actually leave the poolside and take the time to
explore? The largest of the Canary Islands, is lucky enough
to enjoy year-round sunshine, beautiful beaches, a rich and
varied landscape and some of the most colourful fiestas and
carnivals in Spain – can you be tempted?
Playa de las Americas ©Keeley Gordon

What’s new?
Loro Parque, Puerto de la Cruz
Tenerife’s newest attraction is
Loro Parque’s Katandra
Treetops. The park will be
opening a free flight aviary
named Katandra Treetops that
Church, Puerto de la Cruz
will include over a hundred
©Tenerife Tourism different species of birds such
Corporation
as cockatoos, pelicans and fruit
pigeons. The new exhibition is
due to open late
summer/autumn 2009. Loro
Parque is home to the largest
collection of parrots in the
world as well as killer whales,
sharks, penguins, sea lions,
Sailing ©Tenerife Tourism Corporation dolphins, iguanas, tigers,
monkeys and many many more.
www.loroparque.com
Siam Park, Costa Adeje
The very latest addition to
Tenerife’s exciting theme parks
is Siam Park, a Thai-themed
water park, with detailed
sculptures and lush green
Arts Space) opened in October 2008 and is the latest
addition to Tenerife’s museums and contemporary
architecture. The spectacular building, designed by the
prestigious Swiss architects Jacques Herzog and Pierre de
Meuron and Spanish architect Virgilio Gutierrez, aims to
become a leading example of contemporary architecture.
The futuristic building is set between the contrasting old
and new districts of Santa Cruz and has an extraordinary
display of photography, paintings and sculptures including
that of a respected surrealist artist from Tenerife named
Oscar Dominguez. www.teatenerife.es
www.webtenerifeuk.co.uk
T3 AthleticSphere, Tenerife Top Training Centre – La
Caleta de Adeje
The High Performance Tenerife Top Training Centre opened
in October 2008 and is located in a quaint fishing village
named La Caleta, in Tenerife South. Also known as the T3
AthleticSphere, the sports centre is fully equipped with the
latest developments in sports facilities and will offer
amateurs the chance to unite in a welcoming atmosphere.
The indoor swimming facilities include Spain’s only counter-
current swimming machine with hydrodynamic streams,
which is also the most modern of the 20 existing machines
in the world. www.tenerifetoptraining.com
Playa de las Americas ©Keeley Gordon

vegetation. Visitors can

wonder around the Floating
Market, drift peacefully along
the Lazy River, relax on the
Thai Beach, swim along with
alligators, surf the largest man made waves
in the world and enjoy the fun sea lions.
Adrenalin-seekers will love the Tower of
Power, with its breath-taking 28 metre
drop and heart-stopping finale or the
Volcano, where the darkness envelops
you as you increase speed or for the
less-adventurous, sheer relaxation can
be sought on the largest (9,500 square
metres) white sandy beach in Tenerife. Further information
www.siampark.net Tenerife Tourism Corporation
www.webtenerifeuk.co.uk
TEA, Tenerife Espacio de las
Artes – Temporary display of Hotel Paradise Park Resort & Spa
Roland Penrose’s surrealist www.hotelparadisepark.com
art Santa Cruz Airport Parking – Holiday Extras
The innovative TEA (Tenerife www.holidayextras.co.uk

8 Choice Villas & Apartments July 2009


Mount Teide ©Tenerife Tourism Corporation
Siam Park ©Siam Park
Discover Tenerife
Old favourites
Get up close with the dolphins: Take a boat trip
from the south coast and keep your eyes peeled for
Pilot whales and Bottlenose dolphins in the straits
that separate Tenerife from its neighbour La
Gomera. It’s sometimes possible to see White
Whales.
Ride with the camels: Take a camel ride at the
Camello Centre at El Tanque or a donkey or pony
ride at the Oasis del Valle in the Orotava Valley
Natural salt pools: Enjoy the natural salt water
pools along the coastline of Puerto de la Cruz –
swim, sunbathe or just ‘people watch’ at the Costa
Martianez. For safe, calm swimming conditions head
to the Lido at Martianez beach
An explosive day out: Appealing to all ages, a visit
to the Parque Nacional La Canadas del Teide is an
absolute must. Fascinating volcanic rock formations
surround Mount Teide. The National Park was
declared a natural heritage site by UNESCO last year.
Adrenalin junkies: The warm climate is perfect
for many activities including canyoning, caving,
climbing, hiking, horse riding, mountain biking,
paragliding and scuba diving. The most popular dive
sites are off the south east coast from centres such
as Radazul, Las Eras or Las Galletas where divers
can find slopes, walls and spectacular chasms.
Siam Park ©Siam Park
Facts
The average temperature in winter is
20ºC while in summer it’s 23ºC. The sea
temperature stays between 19 and 25ºC
all year round.
The south of Tenerife has the highest
number of hotels and apartments on the
island.
The Teide National Park, dominated by
the volcano that gave it its name, and
which stands at a height of 3,718 metres,
is the most visited park in all of Spain.
Festivals
Hearts of Tejina La Laguna, last weekend
in August
One of the most original festivals in Tenerife
takes place each year. It is known as the
"Corazones de Tejina" (the hearts of Tejina) in
honour of Saint Bartholomew. Its strange
name comes from the custom of making
three large, two-metre high hearts from
beech tree sticks decorated with flowers and
fruit.The three neighbourhoods of the "Calle
de Arriba" (Upper Street), the Calle de Abajo
(Lower Street) and El Pico (the Peak)
compete to see who can make the most
beautiful heart.
Fiestas of Nuestra Señora del
Carmen Los Cristianos, first week of
September
The tourist resort and fishing harbour of Los
Cristianos, celebrates the festival of the
"Virgen del Carmen" on the first Sunday in
September. On this day, the patron saint of
fishermen is honoured by leading a
procession across the harbour in a brightly
decorated boat followed by a convoy of other
boats.There is a wide range of events and a
festive atmosphere that lasts for various days.
Tenerife

www.alandowtenerife.co.uk ★ www.alandowlanzarote.co.uk
★ TENERIFE ✷ LANZAROTE ✷ CYPRUS ✷ SPAIN ✷ FLORIDA ★
• QUALITY APARTMENTS AT AFFORDABLE PRICES •
★ ★
PERSONAL SERVICE FOR SHORT & LONG TERM RENTALS FROM THE OWNER
★ Contact Alan Dow, email: alansholidayhomes@gmail.com ★
w w w. a l a n d o w c y p r u s . c o . u k ★ w w w. a l a n d o w s p a i n . c o . u k

10 Choice Villas & Apartments July 2009 Please quote CVA when replying to ads
 TENERIFE SOUTH - LA CALETA FISHING VILLAGE - ACCOMMODATES 10
• Five-bedroom villa and two bathrooms
• Twenty-minute drive from airport

Tenerife
• Sun terraces and swimming pool
• 50 metres to shops, cafes and restaurants
• 30metres from the sea front
• One mile from Adeje Costa Golf Club,
a new 18-hole course and driving range
Contact Mike Carroll
LOW SEASON £800/WK Tel: 01484 510846 Fax: 01484 425953
HIGH SEASON £1300/WK Email: macengs@btclick.com

Please quote CVA when replying to ads Choice Villas & Apartments July 2009 11
 ‘We don’t just cater for
kids, we cater for the
whole family’

A 7 night stay at the

4★ Hotel Paradise Park Resort & Spa
in Los Cristianos, Tenerife
The prize consists of 7 nights accommodation in a Junior Suite
for 2 people on half board basis

he Hotel Paradise Park Resort & Spa is a family owned and

T run hotel situated in the resort of Los Cristianos in the South

of Tenerife. The hotel has a variety of room types to suit all,
including standard twin rooms, twin rooms with lounge for families
and larger groups, junior suites and executive junior suites. There are
also several one and two bedroom apartments on the complex for
those who prefer a more independent option. All rooms have a
balcony.

For further information visit: www.hotelparadisepark.com

The hotel boasts a host of facilities including:

● Six swimming pools:
• one on the roof top solarium, designated an adults only area,
• a main pool in the family area,
• a second adult only pool,
• two pools in the hotel owned leisure area and a kids pool.
● Pool Bars
● Restaurants
● Roof Top Solarium
(adults only) How to enter
● Spa facilities To be in with a chance of winning this
fantastic prize simply go to
● Daily entertainment
for adults and www.choicetravelinfo.com
before Friday 21 August 2009 and
children enter your details under ‘competitions
● Free shuttle bus to and giveaways’. The winner will be
published on the website after the closing
beach date.
● Gym Prize must be taken between 4 Sep – 18
Dec 09 subject to availability. Flights and
● Hair Salon Holiday Insurance not included.
● Shop Terms and conditions on the website.

12 Choice Villas & Apartments July 2009


F
lorida is the perfect holiday destination for
the entire family, whether you look to
please your five-year-old son or your 65-
year-old mother! From its sandy beaches to its
breathtaking parks, Florida has everything from
history to the hottest attractions.
Siesta Public Beach in Sarasota is a family-
friendly beach with shallow waters,
year-round lifeguards and the whitest sands in
Florida. The Everglades National Park is the
only subtropical preserve in North America,
With its luscious wetlands and more than
150 miles of canoeing and walking trails, this
reserve will excite a family of nature lovers
of all ages.
Florida is known for its enticing stores,
malls and outlets filled with merchandise
that is sure to delight – for some of the
best shopping, travel up the west coast
to Northwest Florida. With both Destin
Commons and the Silver Sands Factory
Stores, this is a true shopper’s
paradise.
For the perfect match of history,
culture and beauty, travel to
Florida’s east coast and
experience St. Augustine – the
nation’s oldest city. St.
Augustine amazes visitors
Image: Discovery Cove ©Orlando CVB
with its ancient cobblestone streets, quaint cafés and
a host of historical landmarks and attractions, such as
the 310-year-old Castillo de San Marcos National
Monument, allowing you to travel back to the early
Spanish empire in the New World.
For a taste of everything, visit Walt Disney World,
where you are bound to find something to please
everyone, from one of Orlando’s best shopping
districts to Blizzard Beach or Epcot and Animal
Kingdom – not to mention the amazing nightlife!
Useful info
Temperatures Orlando
Dec–Feb 23°C Mar–May 28°C
Jun–Aug 33°C Sep–Nov 29°C
Average daily maximum - guide only
Currency US dollar
www.xe.com (currency converter)
Further info
www.visitflorida.com/destinations
Getting there
British Airways www.ba.com
Virgin Atlantic www.virgin-atlantic.com
Florida

16 Choice Villas & Apartments July 2009 Please quote CVA when replying to ads
 Vacation Rentals

Florida
on Beautiful Captiva Island
Photo gallery on our website
www.captiva-island.com
001-239-395-2490

Please quote CVA when replying to ads Choice Villas & Apartments July 2009 17
Florida

18 Choice Villas & Apartments July 2009 Please quote CVA when replying to ads
 Florida

Please quote CVA when replying to ads Choice Villas & Apartments July 2009 19
 Picture © Turespaña

A
bout a hundred miles off the east coast Massanella).
of Spain lies a group of islands blessed
There are no large rivers on the islands, this is due
with a combination of nature, climate
to the moderate rainfall, the permeable soil and the
and culture that has transformed them into
actual size of the islands themselves and its waterways
tourism giants. The Balearic Islands consist of
are dominated by watercourses and torrents. The
Majorca (Mallorca in Spanish), Menorca and
subsoil, however, houses important aquifers that have
Ibiza, plus the smaller Formentera and
given rise to major caves of extraordinary beauty, that
numerous minor islands. Drenched in
include the Caves of Drach and the Arta Caves in
sunshine, the Balearic Islands boast stunning
Majorca, and Xoroi Cave in Menorca.
scenery and sandy beaches, pulsating
nightlife and rural serenity; but perhaps the
key to their success is their individuality:
each of the main islands has its own Useful info
peculiar look and feel, and is associated
with a particular type of holiday.
Temperatures Palma, Majorca
Dec–Feb 15°C Mar–May 19°C
The Balearic Islands can be found just Jun–Aug 28°C Sep–Nov 23°C
off the east coast of Valencia, with the Average daily maximum - guide only
closest island being 85 km from the
mainland, whilst the furthest lies 333 Currency Euro
km away. Various bays, coves and www.xe.com (currency converter)
capes dominate the smooth coastline
but there are a few rugged
landscapes and cliffs to be seen.
Further info
Majorca has the largest mountains www.visitbalears.com
of the islands with some
summits reaching 1,445 metres Getting there
(Puig Major) and 1,340 EasyJet www.easyjet.com
metres (Puig de Iberia www.iberia.com

M
ost visitors go to the Canary Islands
because the weather is reliable, the
beaches are good and the tourist
facilities are fantastic, but there is a whole lot
more to discover on the ‘blessed islands’.
Tenerife, La Palma, La Gomera, El Hierro,
Gran Canaria, Fuerteventura and Lanzarote
form the Canary Islands and they lie in a part
of the Atlantic Ocean known as
Macaronesia, which includes the
archipelagos of Madeira, Salvajes, Azores,
Cape Verde and part of Morocco. It’s easy
to assume that the Canary Islands are part
of Africa with the closest point on the
African coast only 210km away from
Gran Canaria, but it was in fact Spain
who eventually conquered the Canary
Islands with a long quest between
1402–1495.
Throughout the years the Canary
Islands relied on an economy of
sugar cane, wine, cochineal,
bananas, tobacco and other
agricultural resources before the
tourism boom in the fifties,
which saw holiday-makers
flocking to its shores.
Image ©Tenerife Toursim
They vary dramatically between western and
eastern ends of the chain, but all offer a wonderful
climate throughout the year, which every winter
attracts thousands of European weather-fugitives to
their beaches, towns, volcanoes, forests and deserts.
The only problem you have now is deciding which
island to visit – you can of course island-hop by plane
or boat so why not visit them all!
Useful info
Temperatures Sta Cruz, Tenerife
Dec–Feb 21°C Mar–May 23°C
Jun–Aug 28°C Sep–Nov 26°C
Average daily maximum - guide only
Currency Euro
www.xe.com (currency converter)
Further info
www.canarias-turismo.com
Getting there
British Airways www.ba.com
Iberia www.iberia.com
 Fuerteventura
Lanzarote

Please quote CVA when replying to ads Choice Villas & Apartments July 2009 23
Lanzarote
Bungalow La Casita Puerto Del Carmen, Lanzarote
Exceptional 3-bed 3-bath bungalow villa in the exclusive area of Los Mojones, completely private, just 10 mins walk from
main promenade, beaches and Puerto del Carmen. Fully fitted kitchen, private off-street parking, large heated pool, sun
bathing terrace, BBQ and covered outdoor eating area. Pleasant dining area with views
of pool and terrace. Lounge with comfortable, modern corner suite and plasma digital
TV with UK channels. External laundry area. Master Bedroom Lovely airy room with
king size bed, fitted wardrobes and superb ensuite bathroom. Bedroom 2 Twin
bedded room, fitted wardrobes and ensuite bathroom. Bedroom 3 Situated
across the terrace from main bungalow, twin beds with ensuite bathroom, also
small kitchen area with fridge and sink. Arrecife Airport 10 mins approx.
Contact Annaley Yates Tel: 01253 300435 Mob: 0772 0763378 admin@lanzarotevillas.info www.lanzarotevillas.info
24 Choice Villas & Apartments July 2009
Los Techos Villa
Completely private, spacious villa on several levels with marvelous views of the volcanic mountains. Magnificent
11m heated pool and sun bathing terraces, covered games area, family-sized hot tub, BBQ & bar. Fabulous day
lounge with Sky TV and DVD player. Fully fitted kitchen. Beautiful dining area.
Master Bedroom with king size bed, huge dressing room, en-suite
bathroom. Bedroom 2 Enormous twin-bedded room with dressing room and
en-suite bathroom. Bedroom 3 King-size bed and en-suite shower room.
Bedroom 4 Twin-bedded room with en-suite shower room. Bedroom 5
Separate from the main house, overlooking the pool. Twin-bedded room
with en-suite bathroom. Sleeps 10. Arrecife Airport 10 mins approx.
Please quote CVA when replying to ads
Useful info
Temperatures
Alicante
Dec–Feb 17°C Mar–May 20°C
Jun–Aug 28°C Sep–Nov 24°C
Average daily maximum - guide only

Currency Euro
www.xe.com (currency converter)
Image ©Turespaña

Further info
I
n the south west of Spain in the province of Alicante, the Costa Blanca is
www.spain.info a land of many contrasts with golden beaches, green valleys, mountains,
quaint villages and over 150km of coastline overlooking the beautiful
Getting there Mediterranean sea. With the sun shining almost all year round, its natural
landscape makes the Costa Blanca an ideal destination for all kinds of sporting
British Airways www.ba.com
activities, including horse-riding, trekking, bicycle-riding, mountaineering and
EasyJet www.easyjet.com numerous water-sports. On average, seven out of ten visitors to the Valencian
region choose to stay in Benidorm, the Costa Blanca’s main tourist resort with
the capacity to cope with 300,000 tourists over the peak-season period.

25 Choice Villas & Apartments July 2009 Please quote CVA when replying to ads
Useful info
Temperatures
Malaga
Dec–Feb 17°C Mar–May 21°C
Jun–Aug 29°C Sep–Nov 23°C
Average daily maximum - guide only

Currency Euro
www.xe.com (currency converter)
Image ©Turespaña

A
Further info round Malaga to the east of Gibraltar, the Sun Coast has built its
www.spain.info success on its warm air and sea and almost guaranteed sunshine.
Resorts range from Marbella – with its exclusive marina at Puerto Banús
– to Torremolinos; add the dramatic mountain scenery and spectacular cave
Getting there at Nerja and a wealth of sporting options, and the Costa del Sol emerges as a
British Airways www.ba.com varied and complete holiday destination. There are 11 marinas on the Costa
del Sol, putting the region ahead of the rest of Andalusia in sailing and
Ryanair www.ryanair.com
watersports facilities. Most of these ports have magnificent nightlife and top
restaurants, with many stylish boutiques and shops of all kinds. The Costa del
Sol is also a golfer’s paradise.

26 Choice Villas & Apartments July 2009 Please quote CVA when replying to ads
Useful info
Temperatures
Bordeaux
Dec–Feb 10°C Mar–May 17°C
Jun–Aug 25°C Sep–Nov 19°C
Average daily maximum - guide only

Currency Euro
www.xe.com (currency converter)

Further info
www.uk.franceguide.com
Getting there
EasyJet www.easyjet.com
Air France www.airfrance.co.uk
F
rance is the biggest country in western Europe, and also one of the most
diverse. It has oceanic, continental and Mediterranean climates, soaring
mountains (including Europe’s highest), rugged plateaux, dense forests,
sun-drenched vineyards and olive groves, sweeping plains traversed by great
rivers, and mile upon mile of beaches on three different seas. It has diverse
regions, with their own distinctive cultures and languages. It has ancient cities
full of architectural splendour, juxtaposed with the sharpest of modern
technology and design. It has some of the world’s greatest art treasures, dating
from the Stone Age to the present day. Above all, though, France has a certain
approach to life that makes time spent here special and unique.

27 Choice Villas & Apartments July 2009 Please quote CVA when replying to ads
 Image ©Cyprus Tourist Office

yprus is the third largest island in the lined promenade lead the way to the Larnaka Medieval

C Mediterranean Sea and despite being at

the crossroads of three continents, it is a
distinctive place that can feel blissfully apart
Museum, housed in a 17th Century fort. Not far from
Larnaka is the enchanting village of Lefkara, once
admired by Leonardo da Vinci for its exquisite
from it all. There are beaches to suit just about handmade lace.
everybody, from families with small children to
Life in the southeastern corner of Cyprus revolves
seekers of solitude and the Troodos Mountains
around the sea, with water sports of all kinds readily
offer an alluring contrast to the coast. Explore
available. East to Protaras, glorious beaches spread out
the narrow stone streets of Nicosia for a taste
under the sun, while just inland the white-washed town
of history, where crimson flowers cascade from
of Paralimni boasts open-air tavernas known for their
window pots and the aroma of traditional
succulent grilled fish.
baking wafts through open doorways.
Along the route that leads from the port
city of Limassol to Paphos, is a magnificent
stretch of coastline where you can swim in
Useful info
the sea at Petra tou Romiou, where Temperatures Paphos
Aphrodite emerged from the sea-foam in Dec–Feb 16°C Mar–May 20°C
ancient times. In the Akamas region, hikers Jun–Aug 28°C Sep–Nov 25°C
exploring the area's rich flora can cool off
at the grotto where the love goddess Average daily maximum - guide only
bathed after her amorous interludes!
A tradition of celebration and
Currency Euro
hospitality is always present in the www.xe.com (currency converter)
vibrant seaside town of Limassol.
From the Wine Festival in Further info
September, to the Carnival in www.visitcyprus.org.cy
February, music, parades, and
dancing is a way of life! Getting there
Shopping boutiques, British Airways www.ba.com
inviting cafés and a palm- Easy Jet www.easyjet.com
Cyprus

Aura Holiday Villas are an exclusive group

of 2 and 3 bedroom detached holiday villas
in the Coral Bay area of Paphos, Cyprus.

Each villa has it’s own private swimming pool and balconies, which all enjoy magnificent and
unobstructed views of the Mediterranean Sea. They are elegantly designed and have been built
metres away from secluded sandy beaches and local amenities, such as supermarkets and Prices per week – 2 bedroom villa
tavernas. The bus stop is 100 metres away and gives easy access to the popular sandy beach of Low season Mid season High season
Coral Bay, the fun and exciting nightlife of Kato Paphos, and all the shops of Paphos town. £330 £550 £990

Contact Tel: 00 357 26935373 Mob: 00 357 99385910 Email: info@auravillas.com www.auravillas.com

30 Choice Villas & Apartments July 2009 Please quote CVA when replying to ads
Useful info
Temperatures
Rome
Dec–Feb 14°C Mar–May 18°C
Jun–Aug 28°C Sep–Nov 22°C
Average daily maximum - guide only

Currency Euro
www.xe.com (currency converter)

Further info

www.italiantouristboard.co.uk
Getting there
EasyJet www.easyjet.com
Alitalia www.alitalia.com
I
taly is not just a place; Italy is a world-famous cuisine, the most glamorous cars,
footballing legends, and some of the most beautiful art, music and architecture
the world has ever seen, as well as one of its greatest empires and most
influential languages. The country traditionally divides into three mainland areas,
plus the islands of Sicily and Sardinia. The north boasts many fascinating cities,
including the region’s largest, Milan and Turin, as well as the Alps and the Italian
Lakes. The south is dominated by Naples; and has the added attraction of nearby
Mount Vesuvius and the excavations at Pompeii and Herculaneum. Between north
and south lies the Italy that has become the beloved haunt of distinguished tourists.

31 Choice Villas & Apartments July 2009 Please quote CVA when replying to ads
 t the south-western extremity of Europe,
A Portugal’s history and culture are
inseparable from the sea. Once a great
imperial power, it is now better known for
sunshine, golf and fortified wine. The Costa
de Prata, the Estoril coast and Costa Azul all
compete for the attention of tourists, but best
known are the beaches and year-round
sunshine of the Algarve in the far south.
Nature has blessed Portugal’s 850 km of
coastline with a bit of everything, from
enchanting beaches to varied, breath-taking
countryside and the Atlantic coast is prized
by surfers and windsurfers across Europe.
The coastal towns are also rich in
Portuguese heritage, discover the
colourful seafaring and fishing traditions
and end your day by sampling some of
the finest fresh fish in the world.
Lisbon is the Atlantic capital,
blessed with natural beauty and
steeped in fascinating history and
the only European capital with
Atlantic beaches. Take the train
along the north bank of the
Tagus estuary and discover
miles of golden sandy
beaches. The beaches of
Estoril and Cascais are home to a number of royal
castles – a stunning legacy of the times when the
kings of Portugal spent their summers there. Lisbon
also has a rich and colourful seafaring heritage, in the
16th century, ships set sail from the beaches of the
River Tagus to chart a route to far-off India. The city’s
passion for the sea continues to this day, visit the
Parque das Nações and you’ll discover Europe’s
largest aquarium.
Useful info
Temperatures Faro, Algarve
Dec–Feb 17°C Mar–May 20°C
Jun–Aug 28°C Sep–Nov 23°C
Average daily maximum - guide only
Currency Euro
www.xe.com (currency converter)
Further info
www.visitportugal.com
Getting there
EasyJet www.easyjet.com
TAP Air Portugal www.tap-airportugal.co.uk
 Sympathetically converted farmhouse in peaceful, rural
Casa Martin, Nr Loulé surroundings with private swimming pool and terraces.
Five mins by car from charming market town of Loulé,
excellent for shopping and dining.

Portugal
Faro airport and the coast 20-min drive. Car hire is
essential. 1 double and 1 twin bedroom, large shower
room and comfortable lounge. Fully-equipped kitchen
and dining room. Wood fire and electric radiators.
Situated on high ground amongst fields of almond,
olive and fig trees with coastal views. Shady tiled
covered terrace, large built-in barbecue with tiled
dining table and benches.
Accommodates 2–4. Prices from £350/wk.
Contact Hugh Cross Tel: 020 7823 2032 (office hours)
or 0780 193 1721 Email: hugh@hill-cross.com

Please quote CVA when replying to ads Choice Villas & Apartments July 2009 33
Portugal

34 Choice Villas & Apartments July 2009 Please quote CVA when replying to ads
 Car hire
• Discount Flights Worldwide • Car Hire

Flights
• Airport Car Parking • Holiday Insurance
DESTINATIONS • Balearics • Canaries
• Caribbean • Cyprus • Greece & Islands
• Italy • Portugal • Spain • Turkey • USA

Telephone: 0845 045 0152

www.charterflights.co.uk

Insurance for car hire

Please quote CVA when replying to ads Choice Villas & Apartments July 2009 35
LOOK NO FURTHER
FOR THE HOLIDAY HOME OF YOUR DREAMS!
Now all properties for sale are collected together in
their own special section.
Villas and apartments for sale, separated into easy-
to-use country sections with fabulous properties
from all around the world.

Timeshare...................................................37
Turkey........................................................38
Spain ........................................................38
Cyprus .....................................................38
Turkey

‘BEST BUYS’ on the Spanish Costas

Spain

www.villavalue.com
RICHARD A ROOKE
Independent Property Consultant Tel/Fax: 0034 965 320024 E-mail: richarda@eresmas.net
Cyprus

38 Choice Villas & Apartments July 2009 Please quote CVA when replying to ads