CV Travel's Italian World

Specialist Reports Holiday by Accommodation Self-Catering Self-Catering Italy CV Travel's Italian World 

	CV Travel's Italian World
43 Cadogan Street, Chelsea, London SW3 2PR			MAP
tel: (020) 7591 2811
email: cv.iw@dial.pipex.com

Where

Tuscany, Umbria, Lazio, Campania, Amalfi coast, Sicily, Sardinia and Ponza.

Style

The smart end of the market, some picturesquely battered, others rural, others faded grandeur, and still more genuinely luxury than most operators offer. All tend to be largish with one sleeping up to 24 - though early booking is recommended for large parties. Properties either have their own pool or are right by the sea. Some property owners do not accept children, usually for reasons of safety or because the d?cor is too delicate. Accommodation in hamlets is often booked by families who would otherwise seek inter-connecting rooms in a hotel or prefer the privacy rather than one large villa.

Season

Year-round at around a third of properties where suitable heating is available - for which there is an extra charge locally.

Facilities

Cots are available at around £20 per week and are unsuitable for children over two. In addition the operator reports that some may not conform to British Safety Standards so recommends clients bring their own travel cot. Only one cot is permitted per booking. Babysitting may be available on occasion, by untrained local girls who generally speak little English, but the service is not guaranteed.

Extras

All properties have maid service, hours depending on the size of the villa. At around a quarter of properties maids may do some personal laundry for an additional local charge. Extra hours may be possible by arrangement and payment on the spot. Cooks may be available on request, payable locally, though the operator points out that standards of cooking, hours and days of work, and duties vary greatly from villa to villa, usually cooking simply, traditional food. However, few of the maids who offer this speak English or stay to wash up. A full food hamper costing £100 plus £10 service fee is available on request.

Sample Price

A property with two bedrooms sleeping four in one of the hamlets might be £1,265 for the first week high season, £1,255 for subsequent weeks. Flights and car hire are extra.