Last week we spoke to a few management companies  who were bemoaning their lot when its comes this year’s rental occupancy levels and owners outlays on updating properties!  In particular they were talking about “Devon and Cornwall Cottage Holidays”.  Oddly our bookings are up, not down and this begged the question, why?  I’m sure its not because we are any cleverer, but there must be reasons. In this particular region we have a modest portfolio of large and small cross budget properties so the spread is good and the need to market hundreds of properties is not necessary with its more complex strategies. Also year on year occupancy stats from local offices and Govt. are relatively stable.

We suspected that these particular companies have relied for many years on their own brand, returning customer loyalty and good web positions. Marketing has changed dramatically over the last few years as new high profile companies enter the fray and search is diluted with PPC plus more businesses challenging for top spot. In researching this and combining it with the recent trends it maybe that some businesses are having trouble adapting as the options are more complex and need work, investment, technology and a strategy rethink.

Assuming that we are talking only about holiday rentals (fully inclusive hotel packages have no doubt damaged some markets) we started to research the process of seeking a holiday home and how people found our properties or our competitors properties and how the market is changing.  Using Google’s tools  we picked some highly popular general terms from “Adwords” and plugged them into “Google Trends”.  We all know everything can be proved by statistics but these results are as they appeared on first pass and seem to support the increase of the big brands increasing dominance.  There will be searches from investors and many peripheral industries for both brands and generic words, but we are just questioning the  trends?

GLOBAL SEARCH

Without being too specific some of the most popular searched keywords related to the holiday home business are shown between 2004 and 2013 as a trend graph. Obviously some searches also relate to property purchases etc, but this would also reflect on interest in holiday home rentals as well. You can try this yourself and be more specific and will get different results, but many I suspect will see this trend. We see this in our key regions.

THE ADVERT TO ENQUIRY BRANDS

Constantly being beaten on by advertising companies must mean something – they have money to spend! We know that the industry giants and others have seen massive funding and much of this is being spent on marketing and attracting inventory, plus developing a hotel booking style model without any real consultation with owners or agents. The brands are getting significant exposure however! The graph below doesn’t include VRBO  (it dwarfs the ones shown here ). 

THE ONLINE BOOKING BRANDS (+VRBO)

The pure “disruptive” booking models that bill owners and visitors for the joy of arriving at an unknown property are next. These will no doubt soon add hotels to their online offering (just wait) but have also thrown huge sums of investors money at the market and want inventory, great commissions and short cancellation terms. A few of the big ones are listed below.  PLEASE NOTE: VRBO is also included for comparison as this dwarfs the other rental companies brands for US business.  

“PPC” vs “ONLINE ADVERTISING” TERMS

So far we can see main search terms declining and big brand names increasing.  All these terms are heavily dominated on organic search pages by the big brands especially on Google. Adwords also sees huge revenue from these companies, spending large amounts of commission on position.  Think booking.com, who spends over $40m alone (2011 figure). The graph below shows a couple of keywords, Brand and Generic again.

There is no simple answer, we can’t fight the corporate behemoths, we can only modify our behavior.  The industry is still incredibly fragmented and being targeted by the big booking brands, but they presumably also have their eyes on B&B’s and Hotels in parallel, just as the hotel sites have targeted rentals.

The large advertisers also want to get into bookings and control the cash, this trend will continue, but presumably there will be consolidation in the industry as these two models converge. Consolidation often means chaos however and from the ashes……

Search pages are dominated in major destinations and regions by the big brands, so being proud of No.1 organic search is less important, but still critical especially for long tail keywords and when the money runs out from the competition on PPC. We can all compete in the PPC arena and for some places its perfect, in others its just too expensive to hold position.

Going mobile will help as many sites are not mobile friendly and the mobile/tablet trend will only accelerate (even if Windows 8 is struggling).

So Search vs Brand, which is more important to be seen on, with, around, among, on the home page of and where best to invest time and money??

This month we have launched our first mobile apps for Discovery Holiday Homes. Like most apps, websites and marketing tools, they are work in progress and will continue to be so, for ever, no doubt.  It has been a great learning curve and as the apps are developed by us in-house, the team are overflowing with new ideas to improve the experience and local information available.  All our properties are shown, can be filtered, searched for, priced with real time availability. Visitors can also add favorites and search for local attractions and facilities at each location.

We are bolting on mobile checkout facilities to compliment the web version currently shown, but last minute enquiries and calls for availability is the first objective.

Please download from the Apple Store or Google play, depending on your operating system and type of  “Smart Phone”. We would love your feedback and ideas.

BACKGROUND

A mobile app is software for mobile devices that undertakes a specific task, such as a game, music, booking system etc. A native app as one that is designed to run on a mobile device’s operating system and hardware, and as many developers will tell you (gleefully) needs to be adapted for different devices. These apps came first with calendars and address books and Nokia’s popular snake game in 1998!

A web app browser application is one in which some or possibly all parts of the software are downloaded from the web each time you use it and can usually be accessed from all web-capable mobile devices. These differences are now getting blurred as some web app use native code and native apps access the web frequently or continuously.

The game changer was when Apple introduced the App Store in 2008. This was after it opened up the iOS software development kit (SDK) to third-party developers who could then be enterprising in use and development of tools and toys for the world of “Smart Phone” users.  The iPhone’s interface was revolutionary and combined with the iStore  saw a massive uptake and growth in the market.. This phone and then the development of the Android open source operating system saw an explosion of smart phone use and further movement to the use of a mobile as the ubiquitous tool.

Before the clever “box of tricks ” smart phones appeared there were “mobile” websites making use of specific phone browsers (WAP’s) and many people adapted their websites to be formatted for phone screens sizes and browsers, but these could not be called Apps!

These days the mobile device now encompass tablets and larger touch screen devices. Microsoft has also entered the fray with its own Windows mobile operating system and there is renewed vigor and expectations from Blackberry.

Tablets are becoming incredibly popular for browsing, light commercial or personal use and especially when on the move. This has ensured a massive surge in traffic via “mobile” devices.  These devices can generally accommodate the normal browsers that dominate the market (IE, Chrome and Firefox), but as Apple has such success with its iPAD and the installed browser is Safari, then this browser has seen a massive uptake and use. It’s another browser that developers seriously need to consider when web developing.

As you can see from our stats recently, all in the rental industry need to address mobile devices in their business. Anybody researching a holiday rental these days will no doubt use a larger screen (tablet, laptop, PC etc) to get the full effect and for ease of use. Smart phones however are a different species and come with all manner of tools that are now helping people at destinations or searching last minute on the move.

Accelerometers, GPS, mapping, touch technology, scanning, Bluetooth, wireless, cameras and  apps that hook all this into the Internet’s unlimited data, provides a user with a lot of opportunities to search, price, locate, pay, travel and leave a review, all on their phone. Although much of this may be last minute and bigger screens used for more leisurely research, the use of “mobile” devices and hybrids will continue.

If you would like to see some stats on use of mobiles and browsers on our websites, we have published a couple of graphs and some numbers that rather shocked us and caught us by surprise. We knew it was coming, but its here, now!

The stats may be found here.

Firstly people are still making plenty of bookings and many people have seen this as an opportunity to benefit from the downturn in the economy and to try and bag a bargain. With low cost airlines, Ryanair and Easyjet both flying there, access is no issue and these airlines are still flourishing.

Cyprus Tourism Organisation (CTO) chairman Alecos Oroundiotis said the main aim now was to keep overall tourist arrivals at the same level as last year, at around 2.5 million.  He noted that the British market saw an increase in arrivals in March of 17 per cent.
“Certainly all markets have been affected to one degree or another, but the situation is stabilizing”.

Britain has not been involved as other countries in stabilizing the islands economy and the freezing of deposits was not well received by Russians.  This and bad press within Russia, indicates that Cyprus expects to see less tourism from Russia and mainland Europe, such as Germany, but this can only be evaluated as the season approaches and last minute bookings are made.

Although there is a certain amount of doom and gloom, due to the finance restructuring there are rays of hope on the horizon, talks of reverting to the Cypriot pound (a once strong currency) and gas deposits that will increase exports. NOBLE Energy will commence appraisal drilling at the Aphrodite well in June and Japan’s Mitsui was interested in both co-financing the project as well as purchasing gas.

There is still a vote by parliament on the bailout and a lot of  opinions and options, but one thing is for sure, the island needs tourism and all who decide to enjoy the wonderful climate, food, beaches and lifestyle will be welcomed.

With the island nervous about its tourism prospects this year, some areas of  Cyprus will see more competition at the budget end of the market, but the locations with class and quality are seeing the same level of bookings, if not higher this year as peripheral services, such as car hire and eating out will see keener prices.

If you are seeking somewhere that is completely removed from the stresses of the “economic signals” then stay at Aphrodite Hills. You won’t see big discounts, you’ll just come away feeling content, have a fabulous time and wanting to return. We were there a few weeks ago and we can’t wait to go back.

We thought it may be helpful to other rental companies to publish a few stats from our own site. These numbers come from Google Analytics and are from several hundred thousand visits.

As a company we knew mobile was coming, but its here faster than we thought!  The use of tablets and in particular the iPAD has surged and increases daily. There are all sorts of dynamics and market segmentation here so obviously these numbers may not apply to other locations, price ranges and markets.

We hope you find them interesting.

With its prudently-kept pedigree from being the second oldest seaside resort in Devon after Exmouth, Teignmouth is the quietly confident older sister of Torquay; offering a timeless and untarnished quality few seafarers and daydreamers would deny.

 Teignmouth may not shout about it (that’s not its style) but for some years before the Victorian railway tracks brought along the unquenchable fashion for seaside holidays along the ‘English Riveria’, Teignmouth was already a popular destination in its own right.

From the early 18^th century novelists, artists and musicians including John Keats and Fanny Burney were inspired by the hidden South Devon gem, and its illustrious visitors and residents still continue to this day; with the resort’s most recent edgy export being the global sensation that is Muse.

With an idyllic coastal setting along the north banks of the River Teign layered with an elegant presence of splendid Georgian architecture, the picture-perfect beauty spot of Teignmouth has maintained a more discerning and genteel appeal throughout the years; whilst its nearby sister Torquay embraces modernity with an admirable vigour that has ultimately led to the resort trappings of the ever popular hen and stag goers, accompanied by the throng of day trippers, who come to enjoy its fantastic array of family-friendly attractions and its all-inclusive cosmopolitan buzz.

Unaffected by the outside commercial vigour and pressure of the age, Teignmouth has quietly stood still, maintaining its allure and visitor appeal by simply accepting and thriving on its own nostalgic ways, which are the very things that visitors coming here seek.

Looking for a lazy old-fashioned beach day, a stroll along the Victorian pier, a spot of sea fishing or an afternoon of gentle sightseeing on the Teignmouth Circular? All the simple pleasures of the seaside and more await you in Teignmouth! 

With timeless seaside fun to be had and a convenient location, just a 20 minute drive from popular Torquay and a 5 minute drive from the delightful range of eateries, beaches, family-friendly zoo and golf course of picturesque Shaldon, Teignmouth relives the idyllic memories of your childhood; with something delightful for everyone!

We have just the holiday home for you to enjoy the delights of Teignmouth ~ Teignmouth Townhouse with our selection of  Shaldon rental homes just across the river!

Whether it’s for a romantic break, timeless family fun or for a weekend fling with art, West Cornwall offers all this and more!

From sailing, canoeing, fishing and horse riding to surfing, walking, bird watching and lazy beach days; this destination is a cracking choice for those looking to discover the great outdoors and to embrace the county’s spectacular coastal scenery.

With our insightful info and top pointers below you can make the most of your getaway here, particularly in the stunning holiday hot spots of Hayles and St Ives. So wax that surfboard, pack up your beach towel and read on!

All Hayle!

Situated just 7 miles north east of Penzance, Hayle’s strategic setting on the mouth of the Hayle River helped cement the fame of the small port town as a hub for innovation and trade in the Victorian age.

Today the rich heritage and pioneering accolades of Hayle not only places it under the protective wing of the UNESCO Cornwall and West Devon Mining Landscape World Heritage organisation but its industrial pedigree has also attracted significant national interest in recent years and investment from distant waters, to culminate in a multi-million pound regeneration scheme for its Harbour; ensuring a promising and sustainable future for ‘happening Hayle’.

Hayle Towens Beach

It’s important past and promising future adds a unique essence to the naturally beautiful setting of the small port town, which neighbours Cornwall’s largest sand dunes and offers a dramatic arc of flawless sand for 3 miles, to hug the dreamy waves of Carbis Bay for one of the most iconic views in Cornwall.

Spectacular beaches and scenery accompanied by a thriving migrating birdlife, makes Hayle the ideal holiday destination for nature lovers, avid walkers, sand fans and families.

Find Beauty & the Bay, in St Ives

Boasting a timeless appeal with a modern flavour and an injection of cultural vigour, beautiful St Ives remains the fashionable Cornish destination of choice for families and friends.

The idyllic meandering cobbled streets of the historical seaside resort rest quaintly against a breathtaking natural back drop of St Ives Bay, in Britain’s mildest and sunniest places, to provide the perfect year-round holiday haven!

St Ives was first mentioned in the 5^th century BC with the arrival of Christianity in the area by the Irish Princess St. Ia or Hya, and since then was left relatively untouched, allowing it to flourish and develop its own magical intrigue and traditions, until the zealous cogs of the industrial age started grinding and the Great Western Railway firmly placed the St Ives beauty spot in the nations heart, as one of its best loved seaside resorts. Its strong artistic ties also provide a unique dimension to this flourishing seaside town, to offer a truly distinctive escape!

West is best…

From beautiful beach days and sunset strolls on St Carbis Bay, to Spa experiences in St Ives, idyllic coastal painting and alfresco sea view dining, the mild year round climate and naturally beautiful surroundings offer a unique way in which to relax and replenish the senses. 

Arty pants

Original Artwork by Judi Trevorrow

Of course its beauty spot quality and famous natural light has meant that many notable writers, artists and sculptors throughout history have made St Ives their home including Virginia Woolf, Turner, Whistler, Henry Moore and Barbara Hepworth to name but a few.

So it’s not for nothing that St Ives is known as the creative capital of Cornwall, with its artistic legacy vividly celebrated in its well-known cultural attractions alongside its inclusive and zealous enclave of contemporary artists, providing a strong artistic pull that attracts many visitors from far and wide each year.

From current art exhibitions, ‘walkabout talkabouts’ and discussions at The Tate, to viewing the permanent collection and embarking on the family trail at the Barbara Hepworth Museum and Sculpture Garden; visitors of all ages will find something at the Tate to inspire, move and educate!

It is no surprise that with the strong artistic legacy and the modern day prominence of the Tate that the town is firmly edged into the international Art scene; providing the catalyst to a passionate new breed of creative industries, which are just waiting to be visited and enjoyed within the timeless and idyllic quality of St Ives.

From the world famous ceramist Bernhard Leach’s studio at the Leach Pottery to the contemporary fine art on display at the Porthminster Gallery and the leading commercial solo artist exhibitions of the Millenium Gallery; there is something for every roving artistic eye to enjoy here in St Ives!

The Tate in St. Ives, Cornwall

Family fun!

With kids in tow make your family getaway one to remember, with some of our top days out!

Paradise Park, Hayle

With a staggering range of 650 birds, countless exotic species, a Fun Farm and a Jungle Barn indoor play centre to keep everyone amused at Paradise Park, you can be sure of an ‘animal-tastic’ day whatever the weather! 

Coast 2 Coast Karting, Hayle

Let off some steam during your stay, with an action-packed Go-Karting day! Ideal for adults and kids over 8 years old (above 1.25m), the centre offers a fantastic circuit with free racing kit provided and a range of ‘arrive and drive’, ‘mini race session’ and ‘Grand Prix Events’ to choose from, alongside its onsite cafe, picnic benches and facilities. 

Country Skittles, nr Townshend Village

For a spot of old-fashioned all-weather family fun why not try Country Skittles? Offering traditional skittle alleys alongside a shooting gallery, amusement arcade, mini crazy golf, a giant draughts board and a fantastic range of traditional board games, Country Skittles offers the perfect family-friendly refuge for when the British weather turns! 

St Ives Treasure Trail, starting at the St Ives Visitor Information Centre

Whether your kids want to follow a treasure trail or play detective on a secret spy mission, the St Ives Treasure Trail takes approximately 2 hours to complete and offers the ideal way to enjoy some fresh air, see the sights and solve the clues along the way. With plenty of cafés and restaurants en-route and offering easy access for those with light pushchairs, it offers the perfect excuse to explore the area. 

St Ives Surf School, St Ives Blue Flag Beach

St. Ives Surf School

Surfs up for kids at the St Ives Surf School! No trip to Cornwall would be complete without enjoying a surf or two! Beginners, groups and families of all abilities are welcome here and with all the necessary equipment and expert teaching you could wish for; the St Ives Surf School provides an awesome and unforgettable experience! 

Orca Sea Safaris, Falmouth

Situated a 40 minute drive away from Hayle, the Orca Sea Safari offers families one of the best boat trip days out in Cornwall! From dolphins, seabirds and seals to whales and harmless basking sharks, take to the sea today!

T- off your stay!

From learning the ins and outs to practising on the range and enjoying the 12 hole course, the Hayle Golf Range offers a relaxed way to learn more of this classic sport, whilst the West Cornwall Golf Club, famous for being the oldest Club in Cornwall, provides a prestigious seaside setting for both beginner and experienced golfers, to T-off their Cornish getaway! 

Live the Beach Life!

From colourful fishing boats bringing in the catch of the day to miles of unspoilt golden sand leading gracefully out to calm cove waters and the tempestuous surf of the sea, the Cornish way of life teaches us to embrace and thrive alongside the sea!

Read on for 5 of the best West Cornwall beaches!

Hayle Sands

Carbis Beach Bay not only offers truly spectacular year-round scenery, with glowing morning sunsets across Hayle and romantic evening sunsets over St Ives, it also affords calm waters, with a Blue Flag status making it perfect for families looking for safe daytime swimming and paddling, which is encouraged by the lifeguard presence in the summertime. The cliff top walks above also offer a truly magical view of the beach below, providing an ultimately idyllic setting you will not easily forget!

Also providing the perfect safe spot for family-friendly swimming, Porthminster Beach is just a short walk from St Ives harbour and town centre. Historically favoured by the Victorians who arrived by train from Penzance, the serene sands offer the perfect daytime distraction, with the thriving and highly recommended Beach Cafe and Restaurant also on hand to suppress those healthy appetites brought on by the fresh sea air!

Dog friendly beaches

Families with small children are most suited to the safe bathing and lively rock pools of nearby Porthgwidden, which also offers a great beach café with summertime BBQs to also enjoy when the weather is fine.

The trendiest by far, Porthmeor Beach is famous for both the Tate and its fantastic Atlantic swell, making it the biggest hotspot around for surfers. The surf school runs in the summertime to provide the perfect amusement for beginners whilst serious dudes can enjoy the fantastic surf conditions year-round!

The sandy haven of Harbour Beach draws in an ever-popular crowd from St Ives town centre, who come here to enjoy the vibrant restaurants, buzzing cafes and world famous Cornish pasties along The Wharf that surrounds the charming harbour. It proves to be the perfect pit-stop for all! 

 Tantalized by a traditional Cornish getaway? Then staying in one of the oldest chalet parks in the country is a start!

Riviere Towans in 1926

Enjoying an idyllic setting nestled amongst windswept coastal grass overlooking Hayle Sands and St Ives Bay, this family friendly holiday chalet park offers self-catering living at the heart of some of Cornwall’s best beaches, and is within easy reach of St Ives and the delights of West Cornwall.

Having played host to timeless seaside getaways from the beginning of the 20^th century all the way up to the present day, this holiday chalet park offers the perfect choice!

From modern and chic to budget and vintage, view our fantastic range of holiday chalets today!  

With a host of excellent transport links it has never been easier to uncover the edginess, nostalgia and beauty of Cornwall!  Make this captivating destination your next holiday, today! 

Travellers when asked where they would like to stay on their dream holiday, will often say “A villa on the slopes of a well-known ski resort, or a villa overlooking a clear tranquil Mediterranean sea with an infinity pool. Others may decide on a villa secreted in a jungle setting to watch wildlife or a historic villa on the shores of Lake Como.  The dreams and desires are unlimited in location but the word of commonality is of course “Villa”.

One of the dictionary definitions refers to a villa as “the rural or suburban residence of a wealthy person” the origins of use being 160-1615 from the Latin villa (a country house, farm). So already we know the Romans were used to the term thousands of years ago. This seems rather appropriate as the Romans are from the lands now known as Italy and the entire country is sprinkled with Villas.

A villa is however known for its exclusivity and this was the case all those thousands of years ago and only the elite were rich enough to own them and run them with servants. These villas were separated into classes and residences, similar to a Russian Dacha (although these often refer to smaller less prestigious residences).

The villa “urbana” was a country home and was within easy reach of a central administration or important city, such as Rome and was used for nights away. Clearly this thread has been followed over the centuries with second homes in quieter places being popular. Then there was the “Rustica” villa which was a farm type estate permanently staffed but seasonally occupied and formed part of a village community. These villas were often self-sustaining in terms of food and often had vineyards for production of wine. It is believed that these Rustica’s were the forerunners of plantations we are familiar with around the world, from Jamaica to Malaysia. Coastal retreats we known as “villa marittima” for obvious reasons and there were many famous seaside villas such as the Imperial villas on the Isle of Capri. Famous people in history often had more than one villa, Cicero had 7 and Pliny the Younger had 3 or 4.

As the Roman Empire spread so did their villas and countries such as England have a number of important archaeological sites where villas were established by the Roman lords. These also had agricultural purpose, but are more famous for their ornate mosaic floors, porticos, baths and even forms of central heating.

The term villa and its use from Roma n times and their empire conquest ensured that place names of towns and villages began to appear and have remained ever since. We are all familiar with Spanish or Portuguese town names that have inherited the villa nomenclature, such as Villa Diego or Vila

Some of the most famous villas are clearly to be found in Italy and Tuscany is one of the most famous for its holiday villas. The climate the sea and countryside were all conducive to villa growth and there are some extremely famous inhabitants, for example “The Villa di Medici” built in 1470, but many of these were fortified as the region was seldom at peace! It is thought that the villa culture spread throughout Europe again during the Renaissance period and took on took on their own life with modern embellishments, ornamental gardens and local design influences.

As the centuries progressed villas were always popular but were the reserve of the rich and elite and diversified substantially in architecture and use. The English took up the villa mantle in the 18^th century and started to refer to their country homes as villas, the USA also adopted the villa ethos but these often were seen and referred to as plantations and were working farms. South America had its own versions of villas, with Haciendas and Estancias of Brazil.

In the nineteenth century, the term villa was extended to describe any large house that was standing in a plot of ground. This was a long way from the original terminology that the Romans meant for its use. Germany was guilty of this misuse where mansions and wealthy residential areas were entirely populated by villas.  In England the Victorians built large houses in country and seaside retreats and to this day they are still referred to as villas!

Today the term “villa” is often applied to holiday homes and this brings us back to the villa dream. The huge growth in the vacation rental industry and the opportunity to see far flung places via the Internet at the press of a key has exposed the world to the villa rental opportunity. The English language is used to describe a large detached house in a warm or winter activity destination and a quick search on Google will let you see thousands of villas.

We have shown a few diverse villas below in terms of what is available and the range of architecture that goes into historic villas and modern versions.

Lake Como Villas

Lake Como has a large number of villas; many are now attractions and have been the homes of famous people, such as Villa Carlotta, Villa Erba, Villa Cipressi, Villa Balbianello and many more.
With wealthy Milanese families still owning many of these villas the costs of upkeep have escalated and even they need to rent villas to subsidise the overheads. Many have been in the family for centuries. Click the link to read about these but there are celebrity villas there as well, as the costs for a lakeside residence are prohibitive for mere mortals. George Clooney has a good example of a villa and there are many for rent. Some range from a few thousand EU per week to a EU100L per week. Villa Meraviglia is one of these, access by boat only, fully staffed and very impressive sitting around the corner from Villa Balbianello. A smaller and less expensive villa is Villa Aphrodite on the lakeside. Lake Como sees a lot of visitors to these famous villas and many staying in the family homes of the local Italians and experiencing life on the Lake.

All these villas can be seen here.

Aphrodite Villas in Cyprus.

Unlike the true Lake Como and Italian villas these are the modern equivalent, built to take advantage of the changes in the world economy. With individual pools, central heating, air conditioning and all the mod cons you would expect, from satellite TV to icemakers these villas are for those people who like the sun, the peace and tranquillity of a Mediterranean island and the convenience of restaurants and golf courses.

Aphrodite Hills is a vast estate of Villas and apartments, reaching over many hectares with its own golf courses, tennis academy, bars and restaurants. The villas are the modern epitomy of a villa holiday in the Med.

All Aphrodite villas can be seen here

Devon Victorian Villas.

The Victorians loved the English coastal locations and built many Victorian Villas in these seaside towns.

Our offices are in Torquay and we are very familiar with many of these. Agatha Christie was one of the most famous of the local residents and she had a famous villa overlooking the River Dart now in the hands of the National Trust. Many of the local villas have been converted into residential apartments as the upkeep of the villas was beyond the reach of many and conversions could be profitable.  Some however have been kept in the family or bought and renovated.

We have two very interesting properties; the first is a Victorian villa called Longcroft and the second a magnificent large house overlooking the breakwater in Brixham. This villa/house is ideal for group accommodation and is very popular.

• Longcroft Villa
• Wolborough House for  Group Accommodation

Dubai Villas

The Jumeirah Palm Villas are part of one of the most ambitious building projects ever undertaken. Increasing the length of a coastline by creating huge palm islands with villas, apartments, hotels and supporting facilities is one of the 21^st centuries biggest draws.

Visible from space and at the centre of a developing hospitality and finance infrastructure in the United Arab Emirates, everybody should visit Dubai. The signature villas on the Jumeriah Palm are exceptional beach front villas with a large floor area, infinity pools, views and all mod cons!

See our Dubai Palm Jumeirah villas

The biggest Cypriot Marathon of the year is held in Paphos. Every March, over 500 runners spruce up their shoes for the historic town. By no means do you need to be a professional runner to get involved however; the course is mostly flat with gently undulating gradients every now and then. Those who take part will be able to enjoy the best of both words; an electric atmosphere with hundreds of spectators, combined with the tranquility of quiet routes under a winter sun!

As a runner you will have the choice of three distances. The full marathon usually begins from Aphrodite’s birthplace; you can’t ask for much more of a pleasant start than with the Greek Goddess of Love and Beauty. The time limit for this race is 5 hours. Alternatively, you may opt to complete the half marathon in less than 3 hours. The route for this run begins just by the Medieval Fort in Paphos, as does the 10k race which you can complete in less than 90 minutes.

All races begin at 8.30am and wind their way through a lovely coastal route. So whether you fancy a health kick of a historic tour, some real competition, or running for charity, it is worth signing up. Paphos is of course a UNESCO World Heritage site, so you are guaranteed impressive surroundings. On a more serious note, it is wise to train for the race, especially if you are used to the cooler temperatures of England. You can expect the temperature to be between 10 and 20 degrees celsius. All participants in the races will receive a t-shirt and a medal, and trophies are awarded in 50 different age categories. Before the race, there is usually a fun warm up session which is run by a local health club.

If you don’t want the worry of sorting logistics, then it may be wise to book with a company such as ‘Running Crazy.’ Companies such as this will be able to co-ordinate your entire stay in Paphos, from booking you onto the marathon and providing transfers, accommodation and results sheets to offering sight-seeing trips during your time off. Regardless, it is advisable to look into booking a hotel close to the race start points if you want to avoid crowds and parking on the day.

It is equally enjoyable to be an avid spectator! Your best bet is to find yourself a spot in one of the harbour cafes and settle in for the day! You will be able to see the 10k and half marathon runners pass twice before the full marathoners make an appearance. The best time so far for the full marathon has been 2:33:02 hours for men and 2:59:49 hours for women.

Entertainment also runs throughout the day; there is nearly always the opportunity to get involved with some local folk dancing! Once the excitement of the day is over, there are plenty of bars in Paphos to retire to, whether for relaxation or a celebratory party!

If you are looking for somewhere to relax before the relax and maybe train then we can’t recommend our Aphrodite Hills Portfolio strongly enough.

Jeep safaris to the Troodos Mountains are a popular Paphos excursion (yes it can snow in Cyprus, so check the weather in winter).  Hire your Jeep at the Aphrodite Hills office and take off for the day or organise it with some stop offs. Your best bet is to research the various operators to see which stop off points appeal the most (or if you get treated to a free lunch!). Some popular companies include Ascot, Freetime Tours, Stevies Paphos Taxis, Hercules Travel and Argonaftis Tours. Here’s an idea of some places you might be taken to on your drive up to the mountains;

Omodhos: an old village steeped in history. With winding Cypriot walkways, you can meander around the rustic spot and visit the monastery, or simply buy some homemade sweets and talk a walk in the sun along the cobbled streets. You might spot women hand-making lace on your travels. Do note; the coffee here is fantastic.

The Charilaos Wine Press and Museum: dating back to the 16th century, this quaint museum gives an insight into tradition wine making methods. It would be rude to visit without taking a look into one of the wine tasting courses.

Kelefos Bridge: this ancient bridge used to connect Troodos with Cypriot ports during the Cyprus Venetian period.

Kykkos Byzantine Monastery: a monastery dedicated to the Virgin Mary. Once inside you will be able to see her icon, as depicted by St Luke with tortoise shell and mother of pearl. This is the largest active monastery in Cyprus and possibly the most luxurious; it boats gold mosaics, ancient icons and an abundance of religious relics. Ladies should remember to cover their shoulders and men must wear trousers inside the monastery.

Mount Olympus: the highest part of the island at 6,400 feet. Mingle with the Gods on this fabulous peak as you take in an eagle view of Cyprus.

Platres: a scenic mountain village. The Village Tavern is perfect for a traditional Cypriot lunch!

Milomery Waterfalls: one of the largest in Cyprus. Opulent waters complemented by ambrosial rural surroundings.

Dam of Asprokremmos: the second largest dam in Cyprus providing a vital wetland for birdlife. The white rock edges and azure waters make for quite a breath taking sight.

Panayia: the village where Archbishop Makarios III, the first president of Cyprus, was born. You can visit his old house, which has recently been turned into a museum.

Cedar Valley: a huge cedar orchard from which it is common to spot Mouflon, the Cypriot wild sheep, in their natural habitat.

For the best value for your money, it is advisable to book independently rather than through a rep. Several of these operators will also run tours to the Akamus Peninsula, so take your pick between panoramic mountain views or beautiful beaches!

This a full day trip from our Aphrodite Hills Villas

Troodos Monastery