Villa holidays are a great idea for families of all ages – book the right villa, and you can enjoy a wonderful time with your family or friends, enjoying each other’s company in a beautiful, private, setting. There are no rules, so you can enjoy lunches and dinners at times to suit you and by sharing with family and friends, not only do your children have entertainment on tap, but so do the parents. And of course, the cost of the holiday is shared.
Junior caught up with Victoria Hooberman, founder of Scott Williams to get the inside track on planning the perfect holiday. With five children, and now grandchildren too, Victoria is not only the UK’s best villa expert, but she’s extremely adept at holidaying with extended family and kids of all ages. Here are her top five tips to enjoy the best family villa holiday ever:
Agnos House in Corfu, Greece (sleeps 16-18)
- Book as early as you can – Villas fill up incredibly fast, so if you see something you love, book it! There is only one of each villa, so as soon as a week has been booked, you’ll need to choose another date if that’s the house you want. Most of our clients book their next holiday, as they return, so booking a year in advance isn’t uncommon.
Speak to someone who has been there – Photos can look incredible but details such as whether the pool is fenced off, whether there are any steep drops which could cause issues for crawling toddlers, or if the terrace faces the sunset, can make family holidays, and sundowners, much more enjoyable.
> The playroom at Tesoro in Umbria, Italy (sleep 12 including 4 children)
Oasis is a villa with its own basketball court in Paxos, Greece (sleeps 10)
Consider everyone in the family – A good villa operator will know the best locations, and houses, for all ages of families. If you’re taking grandparents, perhaps they’ll like a property where there’s a separate cottage or studio, for an occasional peaceful retreat? Or for those with teens, a house with table tennis, a gym, a cinema room, or even its own basketball court (yes really!) could entertain on restless afternoons. As your family grows, so their needs will change – a friendly nearby bar to offer young adults their first taste of independence could make their holiday, and relieve parents of taxi duty!
Understand a villa’s exact location – Can you walk to a beach, and where is the nearest great restaurant? Villas in walking distance of both are the first to sell out, and for very good reason! Walking down to a beach for a pre-breakfast swim while the kids are still asleep, is a wonderful luxury I treasure.
Hidden Cove in Corfu, Greece (sleeps 10)
Ask about extra services – Can a cook be arranged, or babysitting? If you love yoga, or would like a day at sea on your own boat, can these be arranged? Which are the best restaurants near your villa, and can reservations be made in advance? Having recommended bookings in place before your trip is wonderful to have treats to look forward to during your stay, or choosing a villa which comes complete with a great cook can give everyone a wonderful break.
> Dar Arbala in Ourika Valley, Morocco (sleep 10 and comes complete with a brilliant staff team)
Scott Williams is one of the UK’s leading villa companies, founded by Victoria Hooberman in 2007 from her home in Somerset, born from a bulging black book of contacts, a passion for beautiful houses, and years of experience in both the luxury and travel worlds. Today the company is based in the fashionable Somerset town of Bruton, with Victoria’s daughter Flo working alongside her.
> Victoria and her team at Scott Williams are always happy to chat and suggest ideas to suit any family dynamic, so call on 01749 812721 or browse their villa collection at Scott Williams
