Essential Italy

We know car choice is important for the enjoyment of your holiday, our supplier – Maggiore Car Rental – will guarantee the following:

• highly competitive prices
• no major tour operator is working with them, therefore we are quite sure that queuing will be kept to a minimum, even in high season
• all cars have air conditioning
• a full and comprehensive back-up system

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We do not book flights, we leave it to you to choose the best departure point and flight times to suit your party. We have compiled a list of airlines flying to those regions in which we offer accommodation.

Flights are from the UK, if you are travelling from elsewhere, please don’t hesitate to contact us, we will recommend an airline flying from your departure point. If you are unsure which airport in Italy is closest to your accommodation, please call us on 01223 460100 or email

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Casa Rafael Porto Rafael

Casa Rafael boasts a spectacular position in Porto Rafael as it is hidden away between the rocks and almost on the beach You really could not find a better location for a family holiday. This spacious and beautiful holiday home is part of a group of original whitewashed villas that sit on the coastline and is most comfortably furnished intrue Italian style.

The property is accessed by granite steps that lead down from the private parking area and onto the superb terrace. The main entrance takes you into the sitting room which looks out to sea with an abundance of white cushions and sofas to lounge on and just enjoy. A small but perfectly equipped kitchen (hob, oven, fridge/freezer, dishwasher) is found to the right of the lounge with a door that leads out onto the terrace. Leading off the back of the lounge you will find a double bedroom with en suite shower room (please note that there is only a low wall dividing this from the lounge area) and leading off the double bedroom there is a further twin bedroom with its own shower room. A small corridor takes you to the third bedroom with 2 bunk beds and en-suite shower room. The interesting shape of the building makes the layout of Villa Rafael
completely unique - all three bedrooms have french windows that lead out to various terraces so the guests may enter and leave the house independently if they like.

The real icing on the cake at Casa Rafael is its fantastic terraces - the main one runs down the side of the property and in front of the sitting room and is home to a sumptuous sitting area, a covered eating area and a fabulous built-in barbeque just calling out for some spare ribs or fresh fish to be thrown on to it regularly. Another smaller terrace sits right at the front of the house overlooking the beach and the sea and is home to some very comfortable sun loungers and deckchairs.

The quality of this house is great and we can only suggest that you put it to the test so that you may find out for yourselves Note: There are 40 granite steps that lead down to the accommodation and there is another dwelling above the house.

New in Puglia for 2012

Helen & Sarah have just returned from a very fruitful trip to Puglia...

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