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 Wasa Porto Rafael

Casa Wasa is perhaps the most characteristic of all the original villas overlooking the crystal blue sea and the tiny sandy bay at Porto Rafael. Unaltered with time, this wonderful villa is in the most perfect position, and makes a great holiday home offering space, wonderful terraces and complete privacy. Many good parties have been held here in the past, and we see no reason not to continue this great tradition!

A private drive leads down to the villa. The front door leads you into the large lounge with dining table (which we can almost guarantee will never be used), sitting area with comfy sofas and alcove with TV. A large separate kitchen leads off one end of the lounge and is equipped with fridge-freezer, hob, oven and dishwasher – leading off the kitchen you will find a great breakfast room with the most amazing views – almost worth encountering a cloudy day to make use of this lovely spot! At the far end of the lounge you will find 2 twin bedrooms with a shared shower room and a double bedroom with en-suite bathroom. A very small but usable single room with WC is situated by the front door.

The terrace that sits in front of the house is like a courtyard and protected by the villa thus ensuring privacy and sunshine – french-doors lead out onto this huge super outdoor area where you will undoubtedly while away the hours sunning yourselves, drinking in the view, drinking up the wine and enjoying long leisurely al fresco meals at the large, rustic dining table which is covered from the sun. Rocks surround the terrace and there is a barbeque that faces towards the sea which makes the job of grilling some local fish or spare ribs even more enjoyable. A pathway leads directly down to the sea-level square at Porto Rafael making easy access to the beach, bar and restaurant.

Adding to the above features, Casa Wasa has the honour of owning its own small jetty – a set of granite steps lead down to the water where you will find a natural tiny bay with jetty from where you may swim or just sit with your toes in the water and think that you have arrived in paradise. For the more adventurous of you, 2 canoes are included in the rental so you have the chance to explore the coastline from your own boats. Could you ask for any more?

Please note carefully that the furnishings and fittings in Casa Wasa are not modern – the villa has an old fashioned feel that really does not need to be up dated as it is part of its total charm – the only part of the house that has been brought up to date are the bathrooms which are brand new. We recommend the house for both families and friends alike but the steps down to the jetty are not gated from the terrace so you will need to keep a careful eye on any small children and/or toddlers.

New in Puglia for 2012

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

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