Holiday Information

This is intended to provide information to help you enjoy your holiday. It is by no means exhaustive and we will be happy to personally answer any other questions you may have or provide advice on a wide range of topics.

Your Holiday Rental Includes

Accommodation as specified up to the maximum number of beds/persons
All bed linen and towels (but not beach towels)
Mid-fortnight change of bed linen & towels
Reasonable use of gas, water & electricity
All taxes including VAT

Your Holiday Rental Excludes

Returnable Breakage deposit
Charges for additional services eg air conditioning, welcome pack etc

Season dates

Our Properties are normally available for letting from April until October, although some properties particularly those with heating are available throughout the year. The winter season should not be ignored as periods of good weather, quiet roads and resorts can result in a very relaxed and peaceful short break or holiday. Shorter term lets are available outside the main seasons usually on properties with adequate heating. Please contact us for details. Swimming pools are generally open from April to October.

The season dates together with their relevant price banding are shown below. Low season rates particularly in winter are negotiable on some properties. Please ask for details.

01 Jan 08 - 13 Mar 08 LOW	14 Mar 08 - 23 Mar 08 MID	24 Mar 08 - 15 May 08 LOW
16 May 08 - 19 Jun 08 MID	20 Jun 08 - 03 Jul 08 HIGH	04 Jul 08 - 21 Aug 08 PEAK
22 Aug 08 - 04 Sep 08 HIGH	05 Sep 08 - 18 Sep 08 MID	19 Sep 08 - 31 Dec 08 LOW

Dates and prices for the 2009 season will be available later in the year but we would be happy to deal with any enquiries for next year at any time.

Occupying & Vacating Your Property

To allow for cleaning and preparation villa occupancy cannot start until after 16.00 hours on the day of arrival (local office is open 16.00 to 20.00) and end at 10.00 hours on the day of departure. Whilst we will always try to be flexible, this is often not possible, so we recommend that you try to arrange your flights in line with these times. Any early arrival or late departure must be pre-arranged by the local management company who will endeavour to meet your wishes where possible. A system for late arrivals is available but please try to arrive before the hours of darkness.
Changeover day for villas is Fridays and for apartments is Saturdays

Breakage & Damage Deposit

To cover the cost of any property damage or replacement due to breakages you are required to leave a credit card number with the local management company. Failure to do this will result in your being refused entry to the property. It would be appreciated if you would immediately report any damage or breakages to the local management company to allow them to deal with any problem promptly.

Property Occupancy

The maximum number of persons/beds for each property is shown in the descriptions and must be adhered to. If additional persons are found above the maximum permitted they will be asked to leave. However, sometimes additional accommodation can be provided so please ask when making the initial enquiry.

Local Assistance

Mediterranean Places provides accommodation for the independent traveller and generally our clients do not expect a visiting representative service. The local management company provides a point of contact to assist with any accommodation issues or other problems that may arise. If unresolved these should be reported immediately. They are also happy to provide general advice and information about a wide range of subjects - just ask! In addition you can contact Mediterranean Places (out of hours leave a message) It is imperative that any complaints are reported and addressed locally, since if you fail to do so, we are unable to entertain claims after your return home.
We therefore advise all our clients to take a mobile phone (make sure it is unlocked for foreign use) with them in case they need to contact any of the above as payphones can be hard to find.

Cancellations

Cancellation by you - This refers to the accommodation only, since all other components are subject to the terms and conditions of the relevant supplier, ie. flights, car hire etc. which at this time we are unable to supply. Any cancellation of villa accommodation must be advised in writing and sent by recorded delivery. The following cancellation charges will apply.

More than 45 days before rental period - Deposit (30%) only
45 - 30 days before rental period - 50% of full amount
30 days or less before rental period - 100% of full amount

Alterations by us - In the unlikely event of us having to alter your accommodation booking for reasons beyond our control, we reserve the right to do so. We will automatically endeavour to resolve the situation by offering alternative accommodation, but cannot always guarantee this. In any event Mediterranean Places will only ever be obliged to refund all monies paid if alternative accommodation cannot be found. Mediterranean Places will not be responsible for any further liability, including cost of travel etc.

Villas

Choosing a villa isn't always easy. As the majority of our villas are privately owned they are furnished to the owner's individual taste. We endeavour to give an accurate description of each villa with interior and exterior photographs. Please note that the furnishings may vary from those in the photographs without prior notice to allow for repair, cleaning and replacement of broken items. There should always be adequate dining, seating, beds cutlery etc. for the standard occupancy in the villa. All properties conform to the individual country's standards, however the safety standards and regulations overseas may not always be the same as we enjoy in the UK. If you have specific requirements please call us so we can ensure you are choosing the right villa for your holiday.
Most Villas are designed for hot, dry weather experienced through the summer and may not be so well suited to wet or cold spells as your home in the UK. Humidity can be a problem where temperatures are high. In very wet periods villas may give the appearance of being damp. This will quickly disappear once the weather returns to normal and the villa is aired.

Under-occupancy Rentals

On occasions we are able to reduce the weekly rental price during the low & mid seasons, for couples or smaller groups. On such bookings it is normal that not all bedrooms will be prepared or made available. Please enquire whether this is possible on the villa you are interested in. In addition there may be special offers at other times.

Pools, Garden & General maintenance

Swimming pools are normally checked and cleaned twice a week during peak season and once a week at all other times, this is usually done before you arrive but will sometimes be done mid-week. Gardens are maintained on a regular basis. It is impossible for all work to be carried out on 'change over' days alone. We ask for your cooperation, as it is imperative to keep the properties well maintained for all our client's enjoyment throughout the year. Clients are expressly asked not to interfere with any swimming pool machinery. We ask that children are supervised at ALL times in the pool and around the property.

Kitchens

Kitchens include hob, fridge-freezer, basic cooking utensils, cutlery and crockery. Many properties have additional facilities such as washing machines, dishwashers or microwave ovens. These are shown in the villa description where available. Irons and ironing boards are usually provided but please check with us.

Villa services

Water electric and gas consumption is included within the villa rental cost. Unfortunately it is the case that on rare occasions there are water or electricity shortages and supplies can be cut off with no notice for varying periods of time. We ask for your patience and cooperation in such instances, as you will appreciate these situations are out of our control. Please remember that the electricity supply is not the same as the UK and as such you will be limited to the amount of electrical items that can be run at the same time and that this is the usual cause of any power shortages. In many properties power failure will also lead to water failure as unlike the UK, the water is pumped using an electrical pump. If you have any difficulties you should be able to find the location and directions to reset the fuse box in your villa information pack, or call the local representative/property management company.

Insects/Vermin and Animals

Pets are normally not allowed in the properties. However this is not always the case so please check with us as permission may be possible from the local management company who must be informed if a pet is to accompany its owners. Mosquitoes, ants, cockroaches and other insects are endemic in warmer climates, particularly in rural areas. Properties are treated at the start of the season with an ant repellent; however it is not 100% effective. The only way to keep ants at bay is to have a zero tolerance approach to food crumbs. Mosquitoes can be kept at bay by a good repellent purchased either in the UK or the local chemists/supermarkets. All these types of problems, together with late night noise (which is extremely rare in this area) are unfortunately unavoidable and out of our control, we therefore ask for your understanding when they occur. Please note this is a very quiet area with virtually no late night bars or discotheques except in the larger resorts.

Building work

Building work and noise is unavoidable as the demand for property increases. However there is a moratorium on building work in July and August and there are no large scale projects in the area. Most of our properties are situated in residential areas and work may begin on a neighbouring property over which we have no control nor are given any prior notice. If we are aware that such works are likely to occur during your holiday and may, in our opinion, significantly affect your enjoyment we will advise you. We will endeavour to offer suitable alternative accommodation (with you paying or receiving a refund in respect of any price difference). If we are unable to offer an alternative, you may elect to cancel your holiday. If you have not been made aware of active building work prior to travel but do find that your holiday is being affected significantly because of local construction/building/maintenance, we would ask you to contact the local management company and ourselves immediately.

Maid service

Standard Maid service provided with all properties will include pre-rental clean and preparation of the villa or apartment and an end clean. If you are staying for 2 weeks you can have a linen and towel change approximately half way through your holiday. Additional cleaning/maid service can usually be arranged at an additional cost, please contact us for details. Beach towels and cleaning equipment (apart from a very basic cloth pack) such as washing up liquid and dish cloths are not supplied in any of our properties. If your property has a barbeque, please ensure you leave it in a clean condition as no maid service is included in the up keep of this facility.

Satellite TV & Video/DVD

A large number of our properties are equipped with standard television, which will only receive local foreign language channels. Some do have satellite TV but English channels are not guaranteed. If important please check with us. In addition many also have CD/DVD/Video facilities. Again please check if required.

Welcome packs

Basic food/welcome packs in different sizes can be provided for an additional charge. If you anticipate arriving when shops may be closed you should consider ordering one. Please be aware that the cost of a food pack also includes the cost of delivery and time spent to shop for the items.

Cots & Highchairs

If you require a cot or highchair please request it at the time of booking. The additional charge will be added to your invoice. Cots are provided locally at 3 euros per day and will differ to those you may use at home. Highchairs are free. For hygiene reasons cot linen is not usually supplied.

Air-conditioning & central heating

An increasing number of villas are equipped with air-conditioning. A charge will be payable locally when stated. Please note that the many of our properties are not equipped with any form of central heating facilities although a large number do have a wood burning stove and independent heaters. Portable heaters and fans may be available on request locally.

Car hire

Through our local management company we can arrange for local hire cars to be collected from the airport on arrival and returned there at the end of your holiday or from our local management office in Tamariu. National car hire companies also provide a service and details are in our Travel Information section. Check carefully that your rental period coincides with your requirements and the flight timings. Please ensure that all clients intending to drive abroad take a valid driving licence and will need to be present at the car collection desk. Some car hire companies impose a charge locally for any additional drivers. The majority of car hire companies now provide you with a full tank of fuel and will charge you on collection for this fuel and then tell you to bring it back empty; this is now the standard practice. You will need a major credit card available when collecting the car.
Baby seats can be fitted to the majority of hire cars. These must be requested at the time of booking and are payable locally.
Vehicles are supplied by Group and not by specific make or model. If a specific car type is not available an alternative vehicle of the same group or higher will be provided.

Transfers

Transfers are not included with the property price, but are available to book through our local management company. In all cases, transfers are by private taxi car/minibus (not shared with another party) and direct to the property, an appropriate size vehicle will be ordered, however where this is not available a larger vehicle may be used. You will need to collect your keys on the way, please let your driver know. Child seats are a legal requirement for all children under 12; however it is the passenger's responsibility to provide this, not the drivers. Most of our transfer companies will provide child seats free of charge or for a small fee; these must be requested in advance. Please contact us for details.

Holiday Extras

Our local management company can offer the opportunity to hire a range of products such as portable air conditioning, baby equipment and wheelchairs. This is a service to our clients and the items will be provided by a local hire company and made available on or shortly after arrival. Please note that any compensation in relation to the hire of these items is limited to the hire cost itself. Cost includes delivery and collection to the villa as well as maintenance and running costs (where applicable). No refund will be available for items that are not used.

Website Accuracy

Every effort has been made to ensure that the information contained on our website is accurate however some of the advertised facilities may alter or be temporarily withdrawn by the suppliers without giving us prior notice. Pool sizes and distances are given only as a rough guide. Errors and omissions can occur and prices may alter due to circumstances beyond our control.

Travel insurance

It is essential that you have travel insurance, both to protect you against liability in the event of cancellation, third party damage to the holiday property, and also to cover medical expenses and other losses whilst on holiday. In addition, all UK residents should carry the new European Health Insurance Card (EHIC), which replaces the E111. This enables you to get free or reduced cost medical treatment if you fall ill or have an accident on holiday

Your health

Within Europe there are not normally any public health problems, however, we would urge clients to check on any specific health concerns with their GP before booking a holiday.

Passport and visa requirements

If you are a British citizen and hold a valid UK passport, you do not generally require a visa to travel to any EU country. However, your own particular circumstances (which will not be evident to us from your booking form) may mean that a visa is required for you or another member of your party. We would strongly urge you therefore to contact the Consulate of the country that you will be visiting to obtain the most up-to-date information before making your booking through us.
It should be noted that if you are travelling with children and they are not on your passport, they will need their own.

Travel advice

For information on the area in which you are spending your holiday which may affect your stay please refer to new updates on Ceefax page 470 or visit www.fco.gov.uk.

Accommodation Documentation

We will forward a confirmation invoice within three workings days of receiving your booking form. Your full accommodation documentation and information, will be sent approximately 14 days prior to your departure. Please let us know if details are required prior to this.

Disabled and Less Mobile Passengers

Many of our properties are set on hillsides or in small apartment blocks without lifts and are not suitable for disabled and less mobile clients however please contact us to discuss specific requirements as we can advise on which properties may be suitable(eg. Some properties have lifts)