Protect your holiday - and have peace of mind

Your holidays are too important to risk so protect yourself against the financial failure of the different parts of your trip.

In light of recent tour operator and flight company failures, and in addition to your travel insurance, there is now the opportunity to protect yourself against the insolvency of suppliers such as:

* Airline

* Car hire company
* Hotel
* Other accommodation provider

* Excursion provider

* Theme Parks

While I cannot provide advice about the suitability of products for your individual needs there are specialist companies that provide cover of this nature.

Holiday Letting Shop recently announced its affiliation to one of these specialist providers. The company, Protectmyholiday.com, can arrange protection from as little as £5.

The decision to join the plan was made in view of over 65 airlines collapsing since the start of the recession and record losses continuing in 2010 highlighted by the recent collapse of Globespan. Added to this is the General Public’s confusion as to what is covered under the CAA’s ATOL scheme and use of credit cards reducing due to low cost airlines charging for their use.

Under the FSA regulations, Holiday Letting Shop will not be issuing the policy but merely highlighting that specialist cover is available from companies such as Protectmyholiday.com

Prices start at only £5 per person and policies are provided by the world-wide leaders in supplying financial failure insurances to the travel industry, International Passenger Protection Ltd (www.ipplondon.co.uk). Importantly, security is provided by A rated Insurers (Standard and Poors) with a combined net worth in €100 billion.

‘The cover protects travellers against the liquidation of un-bonded end suppliers and is a quick, simple and effective method of adding the protection missing from many retail travel insurance products. If the failure occurs prior to travel then the Insurance will refund the lost monies. If the failure occurs during the trip then the insurance covers an equivalent return ticket, which usually costs much more then the original ticket price’ stated Michael Ward, Sales ad Marketing Manger at International Passenger Protection Ltd (the parent company of Protectmyholiday.com).

On-line policy issuing takes 5 minutes, and the applicant simply selects the cover they need for their airline, car hire company, excursion providers, etc, until they have all the component end suppliers covered.

For further information please click here

HLS provides much needed rental support to owner committees

Choosing to be an elected member of a timeshare committee is not for the feint hearted. For many owners who volunteer it is the first time they have every been involved with the supply side of the travel and tourism industry - and it must be a bit of a shock. After a sharp learning curve they have to get to grips with legislation, resort management, business strategy, budgets, inventory control, timeshare sales and marketing. And they are just volunteers!

An important part of a committee's budgetary responsibility is to generate rental income from the weeks that have been repossessed or are unsold. Many committees are successful in renting these weeks out to their current members and promote them on their websites and in newsletters. However, marketing weeks through third party rental websites can be expensive and resource-heavy especially if all enquiries are being sent back to the resort to handle.

This is where the services of an agent such as the Holiday Letting Shop can help.

Holiday Letting Shop (HLS) has been developed to work with owner committees who need to rent out their timeshare weeks and need an easy, cost effective, web-based service to help them distribute this stock to a wider market place.

The team behind HLS has considerable experience in both the timeshare and tour operating industries and the rental service has been created to make it easy to add inventory and distribute it to customers.

So how can Holiday Letting Shop help?

Here are the five main reasons why you should use the services of HLS.

1. The HLS team will work with you to analyse the inventory that you have available to rent.
2. Together you will determine the best wholesale rate for your inventory.
3. HLS staff will then load your inventory on to the HLS website - this is not a DIY rental site and they do this for you.
4. HLS will ensure that their advertised rates do not undercut your management fees to maintain the integrity of your product
5. Through the search-engine optimised HLS website and our distribution channels HLS will promote your inventory across the internet and bring in new customers.

HLS is not unique but it is the only service in the UK working with committee members that is focused on rentals - they do not offer re-sales or exchange. And from their wide experience, they have distribution channels that many other rental services simply cannot offer. Therir activities have also been approved by TATOC, the Timeshare Association who are always supportive of businesses that can reduce the pressure on committees and improve the profitablity of resorts.

In these difficult times, committee members have enough challenges as resorts struggle to survive. Why not let Holiday Letting Shop look after your holiday rental programme and remove one of those challenges for you?

To find out more about Holiday Letting Shop contact Sharon Jackson at sharonj@holidaylettingshop.com or visit the site for further details at: http://www.holidaylettingshop.com/

Orlando, Florida the self catering sunshine state

If ever there was an example of a marriage between the consumer and the self catering holiday concept, it can certainly be found in the fun capital of the world – Orlando, Florida.

Even during the most significant financial crisis of the last 75 years, holidaymakers still come in their droves to the sunshine state to stay in high quality self catering accommodation and enjoy the often spectacular facilities that these apartments have to offer.

Although there are signs that the overseas market (there are some great bargains to be found) has slowed down in recent years the overall market place is still thriving. And why would it not be I hear you all ask - with Walt Disney World, the Universal Theme Parks, Seaworld all close by to many self catering properties the appeal to all ages is certainly still there.

If you are a shopper-holic then Orlando is certainly for you with all major brand names featuring at the now famous Premium Outlets shopping facility just off International Drive. For those who want to do the local thing, the Mall at Millennia or indeed the Florida Mall are just the ticket and only a short drive away from most properties.

Eating out is part of the Orlando experience and you can certainly do this on the smallest or largest of budgets. From the local McDonald's, KFC, Chick Fil A, Wendy's that seem to be on every street corner, families can experience the ever popular buffet “eat as much as you like” type concept that seems to be sweeping the scene. Names to look out for include the Golden Coral and Ponderosa offering breakfast, lunch and dinner services. If it is up market you want then try Charley's Steakhouse or Vito's Chop House both famous for their quality meat offerings. Whatever your taste, or preferential cuisine type there is sure to be one of them in town

The quality of accommodation is first class, offering spacious living quarters and large on suite bedrooms. The option to have self catering accommodation so close to all the major attractions is something that normally prices most people out of the market. But not in Orlando! Holiday Letting Shop has several summer and winter offers that can be found at Orlando Deals. Note that these prices are on a per apartment basis for one week and are not per person prices, so if you are looking for some great family fun and fantastic value, then these are for you 

Additional information and useful links

Quality Accommodation Providers with the latest offers in Orlando, Florida

Holiday Letting Shop

Useful UK Flight Information

Fly schedule to Orlando International Airport with Virgin Atlantic & British Airways

Fly charter to Sanford International Airport with Thomas Cook Airlines, First Choice Airways and Monarch Airlines from most UK airports.

Valuing your timeshare week - how to get the best rental

We are often asked by timeshare owners how we value the timeshare weeks they want us to rent out for them. As with everything involved with timeshare, timing is of the essence. When it comes to exchange, owners know that depositing early is one way to improve their trading power. Renting out your timeshare is no different and planning is essential.

Once you have decided that you would prefer to rent your timeshare out rather than use it or exchange it, then contact the Holiday Letting Shop immediately. You can complete our on line valuation forms and within 48 hours we will come back to you with a valuation. This is based on our understanding of the rental market in the area where your resort is based, the week number, the rating of your resort and the size of the unit.  

If you own less than four weeks - click here for your valuation form

If you own more than four weeks - click here for your valuation form

And this is when timing is essential. The earlier that you give your week/s to the Holiday Letting Shop, the better the rental return. Why do we do this? Well, the longer that we have access to the week/s for rental, the easier it is for us to rent it out - and we want to reward those owners with a great rental rate.

As such we have two rental bands - band A and band B.

All owners registering their timeshare week/s for rental nine months before the scheduled arrival date of the week/s, will be entitled to band A income return if the apartment is let for 7 nights. HLS will inform you of the band A income that you will receive by email at the point of you applying for a rental valuation.

Owners registering their accommodation for rental within nine months of the scheduled arrival date of their week/s will receive the band B amounts as listed below:

* 9 months - 6 months before arrival date - 60% of the net income received by HLS for letting the unit

* 6 months - 4 months before arrival date - 50% of the net income received by HLS for letting the unit

* Under 4 months - 40% of the net income received by HLS for letting the unit

We will inform you of band B income by email at the point of you applying for a rental valuation and this will be based on market conditions. HLS operates a policy where rental rates vary on a daily basis to reflect consumer demand. This could mean that those on band B could receive a greater or less amount than the guide price given at the point of registration.

Our aim is to rent your week/s - and to do this we need to be competitive in the market place. This will mean putting together special offers and last minute deals using your week/s. If you need a fixed return, then it is essential that you give us your week/s as soon as possible so you can enjoy band A rates. If you can't do this or are happy with a contribution to the costs of your week, then band B values are still going to help you.

But you have to act - and act as soon as possible. For further information about the rental services of Holiday Letting Shop, contact sales@holidaylettingshop.com - NOW!

5 things you have to do in Tuscany

Tuscany has long been a popular destination for holidaymakers looking for that special blend of culture, fine food and beautiful, inspiring vistas. But if you only have a few days to enjoy all these delights, what should you include to ensure you enjoy the real taste of Tuscany.

Here is our essential guide to the five things you must do when you are in Tuscany:

1 Climb up the 294 spiral steps of the Leaning Tower of Pisa and then treat yourself to an espresso and a pastry at " Salza" the best pasticceria in Pisa.

The Tower, known locally as the Torre Pendente di Pisa, took two centuires to build and was finally completed in 1372. Since the completion of the restoration work in 2001, the Tower now tilts at an angle of 3.99 degrees (previously it had been measured at 5.5 degrees) - and once inside you can really notice the tilt. You will definitely welcome that espresso!

2 Take a trip to the Piazza Michelangelo and get a real "room with a view" look over the stunning city of Florence. Built in 1869 in the Oltrarno district by the architect Giuesppe Poggi, the Piazza is popular tourist observation point providing amazing views of the entire city of Florence. The square takes its name from the great bronze group that Poggi placed in its centre - a "pastiche" of the work of Michelangelo, composed of copies of his David (now in the Academy Museum) and the four allegorical figures commissioned by Pope Clement VII for the Medici tombs in the New Sacristy in San Lorenzo. You'll recognise the view. It has been reproduced on postcards time and again. The panorama encompasses the centre of Florence from Forte Belvedere to Santa Croce Lungarni, includes the bridges crossing the Arno such as the famous Ponte Vecchio, and then on to the Duomo, Palazzo Vecchio, the Bargello and the octagonal bell tower of the Badia Fiorentina and finally to the hills north of the city with the Settignano Fiesole.

3 Enjoy an apertivo drink on the Piazza del Campo in Siena. Regarded as one of the finest medieval squares in Europe, the Campo is renowned for its beauty and architecture. It is also famous for the twice yearly Palio horse races that take place around the edge of the Piazza.

Not sure what aperitivo to choose? Try a traditional campari or aperol based drink such as the Americano, the Spritz or the Negroni which combines gin, vermouth and Campari and is garnished with an orange peel. Yum!

4 Hire a bike and cycle around the walls of the beautiful city of Lucca probably one of Italy's best kept secrets. This is the only medieval city in Tuscany where the original defensive walls are still complete. Built in the 16th century the thick walls surround wonderful renaisance and medieval architecture and are wide enough to cycle around. They are shaded on each of the four principal sides by a different tree species planted in the 19th century. There is much to see in Lucca from the Torre Guinigi - the 130 ft. tower which has has an ancient oak tree on top to the ruins of a roman amphitheatre. It is an ideal city to wander, shop and just sit back and watch the Italians about their daily business.

5 Indulge in real Italian ice cream in the wonderful , small town of San Gimignano.  Also known as the Manhattan of Italy due to medieval towers that fill the skyline as you approach and which can be seen from miles around, the town has fourteen towers of varying height which have become its international symbol. At the heart of the town are four squares - the Piazza della Cisterna, the Piazza Duomo where the Collegiata is located, the Piazza Pecori and the Piazza delle Erbe. The main streets are Via San Matteo and Via San Giovanni.  Today the town is famous for the local Vernaccia wine, produced exclusively in the town, San Gimignano olive oil and the highly prized spice, saffron used widely throughout Italian cuisine and farmed locally.

The Borgo di Colleoli is the ideal base for you to enjoy all these wonderful places and the Holiday Letting Shop has some exclusive special offers. Travel in November when the weather is cooler and the tourist destinations are not as busy and you can enjoy three nights in a luxurious studio suite sleeping two in the main Palazzo villa at the Borgo for just £378. For further information on the Borgo di Colleoli, click here

For all our other latest offers including Spain, Lanzarote, Corfu and the US, please click here

Enjoy the Costa del Sol in September

September is a great time to holiday in Spain. Once the little ones are back at their desks those that are not tied to annual school holidays can enjoy superb accommodation, weather and the local tourist sites without falling over prams or listening to the screams of children wanting an ice-cream - ah bless the little angels.

The weather in September is wonderful. Wtih an average daily temeperature of 28 degrees, falling to 23 degrees by the end of the month,  it is not as uncomfortable as temperatures in July and August which regularly hit over 30 degrees. Evenings are still warm so you can walk about without a jacket or shawl. With tempersatures such as these, and without the daily rush to bag a sunbed, visitors can virtually guarantee that they will have plenty of opprtunities to swim in the pool and relax in the sun, topping up their tans.

For those that want to break away from the delights of their resort destination, the good news is that many of the tourist destinations are still open and not as busy. Tivoli World for example is open in the first half of September from 6pm to 2am. Located in Arroyo da le Miel, 2 km inland from Benalmadena Costa, it can be reached by the train which runs from Malaga to Fuengirola or by bus from most resorts along the coast. It is the biggest amusement park on the Costa del Sol and offers both rides and a varied programme of shows including Flamenco and Wild West shows.

Aqualand aqua park, just 10 minutes from the centre of Torremolinos, is the largest water park on the Costa del Sol, Aqualand covers more than 70,000 square metres and has rides such as the Boomerang, the  exciting Kamikazee Twister, Rapids and the Black Hole. The park is open until 18th September from 10am to 6pm.

For those looking for a unique attraction, then Selwo Adventure Park is located just off the main road along the Costa del Sol near Estepona at Kilometre 162.5. It is a mix of nature park, safari and adventure park and has a huge wilderness area with more than 2,000 animals from all over the world such as elephants, lions, and tigers living in semi-freedom.  You can explore this either in 4x4 jeeps or on foot using the overhead walkways. You can slide on a flying fox over a huge lake, try out archery and ride on the back of camels. There is a large aviary with more than 1000 birds and there are exhibitions of birds of prey. Selwo Adventure is open every day from January to October. In September opening times are 10am to 8pm.

If you are on a budget there are also a number of destinations that you can visit free of charge. Why not visit the Donkey Sanctuary just 40  minutes from Malaga. Entry to the Sanctuary and the nearby Flamingo Lake is free of charge. Situated in the centre of Benalmadena Paloma Park provides a relaxing day out for the entire family. It is packed with restaurants and picnic quarters and at the centre you'll find a lake. Other free destinations include the traditional white village of Casares, a day trip to Gibraltar just 25 minutes away and a visit to Puerto de la Dequesa, the best kept secret of the Costa del Sol.

With the Holiday Letting Shop your holiday accommodation is taken care of. We have accommodation  at three Macdonald resorts in the Costa del Sol area including Dona Lola, Leila Playa and Villacana and at the Alanda Club in Marbella. All the resorts offer superb self catering apartments with balconies or terraces, a wide range of leisure facilties and great on-site service to make your holidays pass without a hitch.

This week's Special Deal from the Holiday Letting Shop is great for those who are either holidaying with friends or who are looking for a little more space in their holiday accommodation.  From both 11th and 18th September, we have a two bedroom, two bathroom apartment at Macdonald Dona Lola that sleeps six people and has great views for just £550 per week. For further information on Macdonald Dona Lola and to check availablility click here.