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 dell’Aquila Porto Rafael

We could not be more thrilled to offer you this totally original and stunning villa for a super summer holiday. Perched on the top of granite rocks with the sea spreading out around you, all the rooms and terraces have amazing view in all directions. This is the place to stock up the kitchen and then just sit back and watch the everchanging marine world evolve around you from breakfast to dinner time – we honestly do not think that Casa dell’Aquila can be matched for its breath-taking position.

Accessed through a private gates where you may park then take a few steps which lead up to the front door. The house is circular in shape, very simply furnished and perfect for summer living. The spacious lounge is home to comfy armchairs and seating, a rustic fireplace and a selection of books for your perusal should you get tired of the view (unlikely) and the french windows open on to the main terrace from where you can watch the wind and kite surfers at Porto Pollo.

The open plan dining area sits at the back of the lounge with a separate and very well equipped kitchen (full oven, gas hob, fridge/freezer, dishwasher) which also has a door out onto a smaller terrace which overlooks the most beautiful rock pool where you may take a morning dip to start the day. Leading off the lounge there is also a breakfast room with picture windows and, once again, that unforgettable view, which is just the place to enjoy an early morning Italian coffee in the cool of the villa.

Three simply furnished double bedrooms, all with ensuite bathrooms (all with bath/shower), complete the property though we imagine that you may well be rather late to bed as the sunset followed by some eserious star gazing late into the night should not be missed.

Externally, the granite terraces all overlook the sea and there is path that leads down steps to the rocks from where you can bathe. There is also a tiny beach at the rock pool next to the villa which makes entry into the glittering sea a little easier.

As the villa is so high up there is rarely a problem with the heat in August and a cool wind blows through at all times – occasionally this can get a little tiring so the owner has added, this year, a great wooden deck, snuggled between rocks which is completely sheltered from the wind – here you may sunbathe, dine, or just snooze to your hearts content. For the complete 360° view, then take the steps up to the whitewashed roof terrace where you can see the best part of the northern part of the island along with the impressive cliffs of Bonifacio in Corsica – don’t forget to pack your binoculars as they will be well used.

Please note the villa will not be rented to families with children under the age of 12 years due to its open position on the rocks.

New in Puglia for 2012

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

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