This holiday competition 2012 can be entered on the Sudocrem Mousse facebook page, the prize is worth £2500. You just need to answer three moose related questions.

The luxury Spanish villa is from our extensive portfolio of luxury villas in Spain. If you are looking for a holiday competition 2012 with a great prize, go to the Sudocrem mousse facebook page.

Good luck everyone!

Write a short hotel review of 140 characters or less, ‘Tweet’ it on Twitter and you could win a two-night stay for yourself and a guest in a Hotel du Vin of your choice.

This UK writing competition will also help others with every entry…

Not only will you have the chance to spend two luxurious nights in one of Britain’s most glamorous, award-winning hotel groups, with stunning properties situated in the heart some of the UK’s most historical, culturally-rewarding and picturesque cities, including Edinburgh, York and Brighton, but for every entrance, 101 Holidays will donate £1 to the Family Holiday Association.

It is a sad but true fact that more than two million children living in the UK never go to the seaside, let alone on holiday, because their parents simply cannot afford to. The Family Association is dedicated to helping children experience the sheer joy and elation of visiting the seaside and hopes to send 2,000 families on holiday this year.

To help the charity achieve its goal, and to have the chance to win a superb relaxing break in first-rate British accommodation, email a short hotel review, no more than 140 characters (about 20 words), and post it on to Twitter (with the hashtag #101comp – you must include this and the name of the hotel in your Tweet).

If you don’t have a Twitter account, simply send the review to Catherine@101holidays.co.uk

All entries will be judged by Alison Rice, the award-winning travel writer, journalist and broadcaster and Vice-Chairman of the Family Holiday Association.

You’ll have to hurry though; all entries must be received no later than 3 May 2011.

For more information on 101 Holidays and the competition, click HERE….Good luck!

The Sunday Times also made the point that there are too many bogus holiday firms that are ready to take your money for non existent overseas properties.

ABTA / ATOL bonded tour operator Vintage Travel were named as a preferred solution by The Sunday Times in ensuring a safe holiday booking.

Here’s those 3 villa’s from the cool 50:

Cortijo Alcornucosa, Andalucia – Set in the Alcornocales National Park, this villa has the most amazing views.

Casa do Lagar,  Minho (Northern Portugal) – This former olive press has charm, impressive interior design and privacy.

Markandoni,  Kefalonia – One of the most impressive villas in Kefalonia, not least for the stunning views from the infinity pool.

Vintage Travel have more than just 3 cool villa’s! Have a look at the complete luxury villa portfolio, you will not be disappointed.

Villa Magnolia

Snuggled high on the hillside above the mighty yet magnificent lake, amongst the olive groves, woodlands and wildlife, lies the striking, spacious and sensually renovated Villa Magnolia.

This four bedroom villa provides a unique blend of fresh and contemporary living with a rural and tranquil location in the beautiful Umbrian countryside.

The villa’s high ceilings, original features, arched balconies, offering magnificent views of the valley and beyond, creates a romantic, idyllic and truly stunning place to stay to experience this unique part of the world. All amenities are nearby in the quant and charming villages of Paciano and Panicate, whilst the larger town of Castiglione del Lago is 14 kilometres away, offering a greater choice of shops and restaurants.

Typical of Tuscany local history can nearly always be investigated and guests of Villa Magnolia can vary their daily activities by taking an excursion to the Castello del Leone, a spectacular 13^th century fortress, which, at its pinnacle, provides a spectacular 360 degree panoramic view.

Click the link for further information on this breathtaking beautiful villa in Tuscany and for availability, prices and bookings.

From an immensely impressive Italian retreat, to equally as stunning accommodation in the south of France, Vintage Travel is thrilled to have added Lou Calvel to its portfolio.

Lou Calvel

In a small break amidst the densely forested landscape, brimming with a diverse mix of wildlife, flowers, orchids and plants, the imposing stone walls of the beautifully renovated Lou Carvel can be seen.

Its huge pool surrounded by vast lawns, gently rippling under the southern French sun, beckons guests to take a dip, whilst the shaded terraces provide refreshing shade from the sun.

Internally, Lou Calvel possesses an equal ‘wow factor’ to its grounds and location. Heavy wooden doors swing open, inviting guests to excitedly muse over the property’s many charms, including an original fireplace, beamed ceilings, an open-tread staircase and a stone basin set into the wall.

The interior justly encapsulates the very essence of the villa’s traditional, rural and tranquil atmosphere and setting.

When guests eventually prize themselves away from Lou Calvel, they will discover the many treats and delights of the local area.

The village of Cazals, with its fine restaurants, bars and shops, is just five kilometres away, whilst the larger town of Cahors, renowned for its fabulous, full-bodied red wines, is 30 kilometres away. The region is a true rapture for cyclists, walkers, wildlife enthusiasts and photographers, eager to explore the limestone gorges, majestic chateaux and infinitive amount of natural delights the area is blessed with.

Click on the link for availability, prices and to make a reservation for Lou Calvel, A stunning south of France Villa.

Vintage Travel’s ‘Discover’ brochures 2011

To provide you with an even greater understanding of the location you have chosen to take your holiday, the accommodation you will be staying in and the many treasures you are likely to uncover, Vintage Travel has composed three glossy, glamorous and ‘brimming with information’ brochures, new to 2011.

Aptly titled ‘Discover’, the brochures have been designed to deepen our clients’ comprehension of the journey they will soon be embarking on. Or to help indecisive travellers make their final destination choice, Vintage Travel’s “Discover”, will act as a definitive decision-maker.

The three brochures cover the vast and diverse European locations our extensive profile of villas are located in – One being dedicated to Spain, Lanzarote, Balearics and Portugal, another to France, Italy, Gozo and Croatia, and the third covering Greece and Turkey.

As all our properties are personally visited by our team of travel experts, descriptions of the locations and properties are a personal and honest account, accompanied with the most stunning and visually transparent of photographs.

These carbon neutral publications provide a comprehensive overview of each of the countries and islands featured by Vintage Travel, which includes answers to the vital questions travellers often have prior to their trip. First-hand experiences about climate, local cuisine and local festivals are featured frequently in these highly informative yet entertaining magazines.  Important travel information is also included, such as information about sea crossings, flights, train travel, car hire, travel insurance and other information considered essential to the modern traveller.

Comprehensive details about each individual property are provided in our brochures, including testimonies by previous visitors, prices, availability and a booking form.

Staying in private accommodation gives you the freedom, privacy and the ‘own space’ you deserve on holiday. Vintage Travel supplies only the very best this unique freedom offers. Our highly readable, riveting and photographically stunning ‘Discover’ brochures, enables our clients to leisurely muse over which of our extended quality properties especially catches their eye.

Click here to view ‘Discover’ online or to order a hard copy by post.

To provide you with an even greater understanding of the location have chosen to take your holiday, the accommodation you will be staying in and the many treasures you are likely to uncover, Vintage Travel has composed three glossy, glamorous and ‘brimming with information’ brochures, new to 2011.

Aptly titled ‘Discover’, the brochures have been designed to deepen our clients’ comprehension of the journey they will soon be embarking on. Or to help indecisive travellers make their final destination choice, Vintage Travel’s “Discover”, will act as a definitive decision-maker.

The three brochures cover the vast and diverse European locations our extensive profile of villas are located in – One being dedicated to Spain, Lanzarote, Balearics and Portugal, another to France, Italy, Gozo and Croatia, and the third covering Greece and Turkey.

As all our properties are personally visited by our team of travel experts, descriptions of the locations and properties are a personal and honest account, accompanied with the most stunning and visually transparent of photographs.

These carbon neutral publications provide a comprehensive overview of each of the countries and islands featured by Vintage Travel, which includes answers to the vital questions travellers often have prior to their trip. First-hand experiences about climate, local cuisine and local festivals are featured frequently in these highly informative yet entertaining magazines.  Important travel information is also included, such as information about sea crossings, flights, train travel, car hire, travel insurance and other information considered essential to the modern traveller.

Comprehensive details about each individual property are provided in our brochures, including testimonies by previous visitors, prices, availability and a booking form.

Staying in private accommodation gives you the freedom, privacy and the ‘own space’ you deserve on holiday. Vintage Travel supplies only the very best this unique freedom offers. Our highly readable, riveting and photographically stunning ‘Discover’ brochures, enables our clients to leisurely muse over which of our extended quality properties especially catches their eye.

To view ‘Discover’ online or order a hard copy by post click here.

If you’re wondering what to buy your travel-bugged loved one for Christmas this year, then look no further, as Tripit.com has launched a new online gift card designed to making life easier whilst travelling.

Tripit Pro Card, a great christmas gift for the traveller

In case you are wondering who tripit.com is, it is a mobile trip management company and mobile travel app, which assists people in planning their trips abroad anywhere in the world.

Travelling, whilst it is one of the most joyous and anticipated events in a person’s annual calendar, can be a stressful experience. From battling through the crowds at the airport, to dealing with delays, from finding your hotel, to locating a good restaurant, visiting unfamiliar locations can be daunting to say the least.

For those who possess a Tripit online gift card, they will be entitled to a year of Tripit Pro’s premium service. This unique service will literally act as a personal assistant to its holders, informing travellers of details of their flight, including cancellations, delays, flight refund tracking and even gate changes. In short the Tripit.com gift card gives holders access to more than $600 worth of VIP services from Regal Gold and Hertz 1 Club Gold – all for a mere $4 a month. Gregg Brockway, the president and co-founder of Tripit reiterates the sense behind owning a tripit.com gift card, commenting:

“Imagine a gift card that puts the weary traveller in your life at ease, keeps them organized, informed and makes future trips relaxing and hassle free. Making our customers travel one hundred percent worry free is our goal at Tripit, and the introduction of our online gift card is an added way of reducing stress during the hectic holiday season. It’s the perfect holiday gift for the person in your life who ‘has it all“.

The prospect of experiencing stress-free travelling most certainly sounds appealing and for any ardent travellers you may know, who thrive in unknown territory, but dread the prospect of getting there, the Tripit Pro gift card, could possibly be the perfect Christmas gift.

For further information on the Tripit Pro card or to purchase one visit: http://www.tripit.com/giftpro

Roast Shoulder of Saffron Lamb

If you are fed up with eating – or particularly cooking – turkey and all the trimmings on Christmas Day and then feeling obliged to eat turkey sandwiches, turkey curry and turkey soup until you are left with a meatless carcass well into the New Year, you may want to deviate from your accustomed Christmas and New Year cuisine this year and experiment with another nation’s culinary festive delights.

Spain, with its diverse and unique regions, boasts a huge variety of distinct Christmas specialities and with this amount of diversity provided in Spanish cooking during the festive season, choosing to prepare some Christmas recipes from the heart of sunny Spain is likely to satisfy the multitude of tastes demanded by modern families. To assist you in your quest to stray from turkey and stuffing this year and replace it with a more ‘adventurous’ Christmas menu, Vintage Travel have compiled a delicious typical Spanish Christmas menu.

‘La Nochebuena’ – Christmas Eve – is a real family affair in Spain, with families flocking together to enjoy a hearty Spanish meal. Typically ‘La Nochebuena’ meal is started with a salmon and cod appetizer.

Carpaccio of salmon and cod with citrus fruits

Simply squeeze the juice from one lemon, orange and lime into a food processor and mix the parsley, dill, raspberries, chives, olive oil and sugar. Pour the marinade over thinly sliced pieces of cod and salmon and cook for 2 hours. Serve with toasted bread or brioche.

This traditional Christmas Eve Spanish meal is usually followed by a main course of roast shoulder of saffron lamb.

Roast Shoulder of Saffron Lamb

Mix half a chill, Worcestershire sauce, orange zest and juice, brown sugar, saffron water, garlic and thyme together and pour over the shoulders of lamb. Cover with aluminium foil and cook for approximately three hours. Add shallots after 2 ½ hours. After three hours pour the surplus juice from the tray and mix with 200ml of water to form gravy. Let the mixture simmer on a moderate heat so it reduces by half. Serve the lamb with gravy and vegetables, including roast squash to give a rich and vibrant contrast in colour.

Whenever you are in Spain, regardless of the time of year, Crèma Catalana is usually always on the deserts menu and ‘La Nochebuena’ meal is certainly no exception, but at this time of year incorporates some delicious prunes.

Prune Crema Catalana

Simmer a log of sugar, 150 ml of red wine and 50g of dried prunes for 15 – 20 minutes until the prunes are soft. Divide the mixture into two soufflé dishes. Mix 5g of sugar over boiling double cream, remove the boil and whisk in two egg yolks. Stir for three minutes on a gentle heat. Pour the cream over the prunes, leave to cool and then refrigerate for 30 minutes. Sprinkle some sugar over the soufflé dishes and caramelise the sugar with a blowtorch.

EXAMPLE - Casa Almendro, Roche Viejo (sleeps 2) - Andalucía. Was £695 - NOW £595 / week

From the Algarve to Andalucia, Tuscany to Turkey, Portugal to Peloponnese, many of our featured villas have slashed the price of their accommodation and are offering a swelteringly tempting late-summer deal.

EXAMPLE – Lagasse, Gavaudun (sleeps 10) – South West France. Was £1095 – NOW £995 / week

Save as much as £1300 in a villa that sleeps 20 in the Algarve, or almost £900 for a week’s stay in a villa in Tuscany, or £700 for a villa that sleeps eight in Mallorca. Other deals include seven villas in the picturesque northeast Spanish region of Catalonia offering discounts of £50 and £100 and eight villas at various spots in Turkey providing considerable reductions on their prices.

In the wake of the global economic collapse, times are hard and an air of financial uncertainty still looms over us, in nearly all walks of life. Because of such difficulties people are increasingly opting to stay at home and take their holiday in a location in Britain and holiday cancellations abroad are not an infrequent occurrence in accommodation booking agendas this year. Why not take advantage of some of the attractive offers individual villas are offering and enjoy, relax and soak up some of the late-summer sun you deserve.

For a comprehensive list and description of all the villas offering an ‘unmissable’ bargain price visit the Vintage Travel offer page.

This means that whatever time of day or night you arrive at the villa that you always have the essentials to start enjoying your holiday without the desperate need to go shopping immediately. The initial feedback to date has been fantastic and is now something we are trying to encourage across all properties.

The original French market basket full of local essentials including a delicious bottle of red wine!

A growing number of French villa owners are laying on essentials such as tea, coffee, water, milk, bread, preserves, pasta and sauce, plus a bottle of wine – bonus!

In fact some owners are very happy to do shopping (in addition to the welcome pack) on your behalf if need be. You simply tell us what you want and we send your shopping list through to get picked up and delivered before you arrive.

A great example of a villa doing this is La Maison Fleurie – a picturesque two bedroom stone cottage sleeping four situated in the South West region.

La Maison Fleurie - a fine french holiday villa

Two week’s notice prior to arrival is required by the owners and groceries are based on our standard shopping list (copy available if required).  At La Maison Fleurie, this service is free of charge.

At La Maison Fleurie you’ll have access to your own private pool, a summer kitchen, built in barbecue, table tennis and a pretty lawned garden.  A week’s rental leads in at £450.

La Maison Fleurie's very private swimming pool

Call or email us to get the full range of French holiday villas offering this unique service.