Enjoy country & city life with a short break

A recent survey of site visitors to Holiday-Rentals.co.uk* has revealed that as well as city breaks, rural retreats are also now a popular option for short breaks, with a third of respondents planning a short trip to the countryside this summer or autumn. While owning a place in the city and country was once the preserve of the rich, Brits now use their holiday time to enjoy the same lifestyle.

Our very own green and pleasant land was the preferred destination for around a third of respondents planning a short rural retreat. France was the next most popular choice, followed by Italy, Scotland, and Spain.

Whether it’s a cosy cottage, farmhouse, country villa or chateau, a picture-perfect place in the country is just a few clicks away on Holiday-Rentals.co.uk. Or alternatively, for a break from the norm, why not choose a unique holiday home, such as a cave house in Spain or an Italian mill for a truly memorable experience.

Among the 23,000 properties on site, Holiday-Rentals.co.uk lists;

- over 300 country homes in England
- almost 3,000 properties in rural France, including hundreds of chateaux
- around 1,300 Italian rural retreats
- over 1,000 country properties in Spain
- 37 rural holiday homes in Scotland
- Thousands of unique and unusual holiday homes

You don’t need to own a holiday home to reap all the benefits - just rent someone else’s! Booking a private property direct with the owner provides huge savings on travel agent prices; more space and privacy than a hotel; plus the flexibility to eat in, or out, which is particularly great for those with young kids. Staying in a holiday home also meets today’s traveller’s desire for an authentic holiday experience.

Here’s a taster of the rural retreats on offer:

ENGLAND

Property 68006 (Holiday-rentals.co.uk/68006) – Chapel conversion in Bideford, Devon.

‘The Old School House’ is a stunning, converted chapel, with many lovely original features, including large arched chapel windows, open galleried lounge/dining room, brick walls, stained glass windows and doors, log burning stove for those chilly nights, and even a bell tower! 4 bedrooms, sleeps 8. Available most of June, the last 5 days of August, and throughout the rest of the year.

PRICE: from £100 per night, or £650 per week

Property 19645 (Holiday-rentals.co.uk/19645) – Norfolk cottage with indoor pool & hot-tub.

‘Squirrel Cottage’ is a charming detached cottage in the picturesque village of Old Costessey, close to the Cathedral city of Norwich. Renovated to a very comfortable standard, it has its own private garden and terrace, as well as an indoor pool (which can become open air in nice weather) and 7 person hot-tub. Beyond the garden is a small wood, and then you come to the famous Taverham fishing lakes. Available throughout June, 2 weeks in August and September and throughout the rest of the year.

PRICE: from £100 per night, or £520 to £650 per week

Property 65456 (Holiday-rentals.co.uk/65456) – Charming oast house in Sussex High Weald.

This lovely 2 bedroom oast house has been converted to a very high standard, providing a luxurious haven in the countryside between the villages of Waldron and Cross in Hand in the High Weald Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. The perfect place to get away from it all, or for a romantic break. Many beautiful walks, excellent bird watching and cosy country pubs are within easy reach. Select dates still available in June and July, good availability in August and throughout the rest of the year.

PRICE: from £61 per night, or £425 per week

FRANCE

Property 75250 (www.holiday-rentals.co.uk/75250) – Gourmet clay-pigeon shooting weekend at a Normandy chateau (31 Aug – 7 Sep 2007).

Chateau Bellenau, which offers 12 ensuite bedrooms and 4 spacious self-catering suites, is hosting a gourmet, clay-pigeon shooting weekend from 31st August to 2nd September 2007. Set in magnificent gardens that were created between 1830 and 1890, the chateau is steeped in history and offers top-class facilities including spa, sauna and tennis courts. Guests on the shooting weekend will enjoy a shooting competition, 2 breakfasts, a venison BBQ lunch, a ‘taste of Normandy’ banquet of local produce to include wild boar, lobster and oysters from nearby Utah Beach. Book now to avoid disappointment!

PRICE: €300 (c. £204) per person

ITALY

Property 66249 (Holiday-rentals.co.uk/66249) – Traditional white-coned Puglian ‘trulli’ with pizza oven!

For an unusual holiday, why not stay in this delightful ‘trulli’ – a traditional dwelling unique to the region of Puglia in Southern Italy. This 2 bedroom trulli has been lovingly restored by the owners to a very high standard, employing traditional methods and materials to retain the magical character of the property. Surrounded by a garden with fig and olive trees and a south-facing courtyard with sun-loungers, tables and chairs, and a pizza oven for would-be chefs! Available from 7 July onwards, throughout the year.

PRICE: from £64 per night, or £450 per week

Property 16289 (Holiday-rentals.co.uk/16289) - 18th Century water mill next to a pretty waterfall.

Dimora la Cascata is situated in a lovely spot on the edge of a vibrant, old Italian village with a huge fairytale castle and medieval look-out tower. It has been the owners’ family home since 1996 and has been sympathetically restored, retaining historic features such as chestnut beams, terracotta floors and the original mill doors. Each of the 3 apartments (sleeping 3, 6, & 7) is spacious and fully self-contained and has a private terrace area with views of the stream and the medieval village of Verrucola di Fivizzano. The whole property can also be rented as one unit, providing accommodation for up to 16 people. Good availability throughout the year.

PRICE: from £36 per night for the one bedroom apartment (sleeps 3), or £235 per week

SCOTLAND

Property 60308 (Holiday-rentals.co.uk) – Country chalets & lodges in a tranquil glen, Scotland.

These one bedroom chalets, 2 bedroom lodges, the 4* Cruachan Cottage and Cologin Farmhouse are set in a tranquil glen less than 3 miles from Oban. They offer loch fishing, and the properties are kid-, pet- and wheelchair-friendly too. A superb country pub on site serving home cooked food and a selection of fine ales means you don't even have to self cater if you don't want to! Oban is Scotland's most popular west coast destination with the islands of Mull and Iona a short ferry ride away. Easily reached by road, rail or air this is the West Highlands at its best. Good availability throughout the year.

PRICE: from around £55 per night for a one bedroom lodge, or £265 per week


SPAIN

Property 54666 (Holiday-rentals.co.uk/54666) – Spanish ‘cave house’ in Baza, Andalucía.

Two thoughtfully restored cave houses in the village of Castillejar in the Baza region of Andalucía. One 2 bedroom and one 3 bedroom house is available. Both have been refurbished to contain all modern comforts, whilst retaining a rustic style and many unique features. The amazing natural insulation of cave houses means that they are cool in summer and warm in winter. The larger house has two bathrooms, and both properties have open fireplaces for cosy winter nights. Set in a peaceful location at the edge of the village, the houses have beautiful views across the valley which can be enjoyed from the terrace. Plenty of availability throughout the year.

PRICE: from £57 per night, or £400 per week

Property 55163 (Holiday-rentals.co.uk/55163) –Olive-presser’s cottage in El Burgo, Spain.

Casa Isabella is an old two-storey olive presser’s cottage, intrinsically Spanish and lovingly restored, with two wooden beamed bedrooms; a mezzanine lounge; a comfortable sitting room with log burning stove for those cosy winter evenings; a separate dining room; kitchen and bathroom. Sun blessed where once the mule was kept, is a courtyard sanctuary. Located on the outskirts of the village and leading straight into the countryside, within walking distance of all amenities including village pool set in its own gardens and many excellent (typically Spanish) restaurants and tapas bars, where you can experience the atmosphere of a truly Andalucían village. Plenty of availability throughout the year

PRICE: from £43 per night, or £300 per week (based on 2 sharing)

TOP 10 TIPS FOR BOOKING DIRECT WITH OWNERS

1. Speak to the owner before you confirm to sound them out about the property, location, what’s nearby and next door, and what is included in the price.

2. Ask for extra photos if not all rooms are shown.

3. Ask to see references from previous guests.

4. Make sure you clearly understand the owner’s policies on refunds, cancellations, deposits, payment schedules etc.

5. Get everything in writing and ensure you have a complete record of all communications.

6. Ask the owner the best way to get to the property, and if they can recommend any local transfer services or car hire.

7. Ensure you know what time you can check in and out. Ask if this is flexible.

8. Make sure you know who is going to hand over keys to you and get a mobile number for them.

9. Check who will be available to you in case of any problems once you are there. Ask the owner for contact details of maintenance staff and local emergency services.

10. Check if you need to clean the place before you leave, or if an end-of-stay clean is, or can be included in the rental rates.

* survey sample size: 1,250 site visitors.