Holiday-Rentals 2009 press cuttings

This travel article in easyJet's inflight magazine, Traveller, urges readers to join Milan's fashionistas this summer in Puglia's trendy cave bars and on its pristine beaches by booking an exquisitely renovated 15-th century monastery in Galantina via Holiday-Rentals. It sleeps six and has a roof terrace with film projector for private film screenings. See property 407601 for more details and pictures.

Responding to a reader's question on a romantic and cheap alternative to hotels in France, the magazine recommends renting one of the swish but reasonably priced Holiday-Rentals apartments in Paris or St Tropez.

Another piece based on the Holiday-Rentals research in to holidays with parents by Jeremy Gates, who writes about the increasing number of 20-somethings going away with their parents to save money during the recession.

Easier.com features a press release by Holiday-Rentals on why now is a fantastic time to visit Pembrokeshire. Following hot on the heels of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, Russell Crowe's new Robin Hood epic Nottingham starts filming at Freshwater West in the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park on 15 June, and fans have until the end of the month to catch a glimpse of the Oscar-winning actor. The release features a selection of lovely properties in the region which still have availability in June.

To read the article in full click here.

This article in Woman's Own travel pages suggests trying out the Balkans by the sea, including Montenegro, Albania and Bulgaria, for a great value summer holiday. Holiday-Rentals is recommended for bargain accommodation in Bulgaria, where you can expect to pay around £300 for a one-bedroom apartment in Nessebar.

Sebastian Lander writes another article on DailyMail.co.uk about the rise of the HOMADs - kids who 'Holiday On Mum and Dad'.

Click here to read the article.

This article discusses the results of a new report by Holiday-Rentals which shows that Britain's 20-somethings are increasingly turning back the clock and holidaying with their parents once again to save money in the credit crunch. More than half - 52% - say that they are considering a trip away with their parents this year, with 14% saying they already have something booked.

And it's not just the younger generation who are going away with parents. More than half of Brits - 55% - are considering holidaying with extended family and 19% already do this.

To read the article click here.

The research findings have also been mentioned on E-tid.com, TheMoveChannel.com and TravelDailyNews.com.

Easier.com features a press release by Holiday-Rentals on holidaying in Bulgaria, which has claimed the top spot in this year's Holiday Costs Barometer from Post Office Travel Services, overtaking last year's top three Thailand, South Africa and Egypt. The survey highlighted Bulgaria's Sunny Beach resort as fantastic value, and the press release provides a selection of properties on the resort.

To read the article online click here.

The article features Holiday-Rentals' research findings about how Brits are spending less on holidays this year, due to the recession. According to the research, in 2009 Brits are spending almost £300 less on their holidays this year, with the biggest cut-back on travel. Holiday-Rentals found that rather than not go away at all, 67 of Brits are doing everything they can to cut the cost of their holiday, with staying in the UK the most popular way of saving cash. To cut the cost of accommodation, almost a quarter are staying in cheap hotels and a fifth are planning to go self-catering or rent a holiday home.

Click here to read the article in full.

In a regular feature where local residents are interviewed, company car driver Ray Smith of RSP Safety Services talks of how he always goes self-catering and rents out his accommodation from UK owners via Holiday-Rentals and Owners Direct, and always pays for this in Sterling.

The sub-tropical Atlantic island of Madeira is highlighted as a fantastic summer destination - "a fresh, breezy alternative to the overcrowded Med". In the "How to build your own trip" section, Holiday-Rentals is recommended for villas and the writer highlights how there are 226 in Madeira available on the site.

Donald Strachan gives tips on finding a holiday bargain. For those hunting a cheap villa, he suggests bookmarking HolidayCrunch.com which is used by Holiday-Rentals to promote discounts of up to 50% being run by owners on the website.

To read the article online click here.

The article talks focuses on Holiday-Rentals' research findings about Brits spending less on holidays this year, due to the recession. The research found that we will spend almost £300 less on our holidays this year, with staying in the UK the most popular way to save cash.

To read the press release detailing the findings in full click here.

The article gives recommendations on how to find a perfect home-from-home in the UK this summer. In the "Ways to save" section, booking direct with cottage owners and negotiating prices is advised. Holiday-Rentals is recommended as a "website to hunt".

Nick Trend argues that in spite of Turkey grabbing all the attention this summer, there are still plenty of bargains in mainstream destinations on the Continent if you know where to look. He argues that the sharp increase in the popularity of Turkey this summer has led to a rise in prices there, while destinations like Spain are dropping prices.

Nick asked Holiday-Rentals to compare the cost of a week's rental of 3-bedroom properties region by region and found that, even though on average Turkey was significantly cheaper than Spain, region by region analysis showed that properties in several of the mainland Costas were below the average price of those in the popular southern Turkey, while it was only the very cheap accommodation on the Aegean coast that brought Turkey's average down. A similar picture can be seen in Portugal, France, Italy and Greece, where careful choice of regions can still mean prices which are lower than those outside the Eurozone.

To read the article online click here.

The article has also been reproduced on SanFranciscoSentinel.com.

The article features results from a survey run last year by Holiday-Rentals which found that more and more families are using holidays as a way of getting everyone together. The study revealed that nearly 80% of British families have been on holiday with extended family at some point.

Wayne Williams suggests the easiest and cheapest ways to arrange your holiday online, including clicking the Special Offers link at the top-right of the Holiday-Rentals homepage for great deals.

The article features recent research by Holiday-Rentals which found that Brits are spending almost £300 less on their holidays this year, as well as Managing Director Courtney Wylie's tips on cutting the cost of a holiday.

To read the article online click here.

Fred Mawer argues that with sunshine predicted this summer, UK cottages are going fast, but you can still land a deal. He recommends browsing on Holiday-Rentals for many great options.

To read the article online click here.

The article quotes recent research by Holiday-Rentals which found that Brits are spending almost £300 less on their holidays this year, with the biggest cutback being on how they travel to their destination. It points out how at present, price is a major factor in why people choose to fly rather than take a train or drive. Environmental campaigners are alarmed at moves by budget airlines to add extra domestic routes to meet consumer demand and encourage the government to make low-carbon travel options cheaper, easier and more appealing.

To read the article online click here.

The Times travel team round up the best places to stay in city-break destinations for under £50per person, including property 405123 in the centre of Paris.

To read the article online click here.

Easier.com features a press release by Holiday-Rentals with a selection of properties in sunny European destinations like Spain, Italy, France, Portugal and Cyprus, suitable for those who are dreading spending another bank holiday holed up at home watching the weekend telly.

To read the article online click here.

Money saving expert Jasmine Birtles suggests travelling in a large group to cut the costs of a holiday. She recommends using Holiday-Rentals for booking directly with the owner rather than through an agent, which is often much cheaper.

To read the article online click here.

In response to a reader's query about finding a villa in France for a party of 20, Holiday-Rentals is recommended as having a good selection of larger properties.

Cherry Maslen argues that despite recent tax changes, buying a holiday rental in Britain can be a smart move. She points out the case of Sara and Juan Naveda, owners of property 415955 on Holiday-Rentals, who have purchased a cottage last year and are seeing a good return on their investment.

To read the article online click here.

In the run-up to the Cannes Film Festival, Jasmine Birtles of Moneymagpie.com recommends Holiday-Rentals for swanky apartments in Cannes at bargain prices, as well as a selection of expensive luxurious villas.

Holiday-Rentals property 85803 in north Lanzarote, which is offering a 20% discount throughout June, is recommended for a great value, eco-friendly spring break.

Easier.com features Holiday-Rentals' research findings showing that, as a result of the recession, Brits are spending almost £300 less on their holidays this year. 2009 will see people spend just £2,092 on their family holiday, £259 less than in 2007.

But for those who are unwilling to cut back, Courtney Wylie, MD for Holiday-Rentals, suggests saving by booking travel and accommodation independently online, going self-catering and renting a holiday home.

To view the article online click here.

The findings have also been mentioned on Travelbite, La Manga Spain, Scotsman.com, Travel Daily News, e-tid and AAP, Essential Travel, Cheapflights and World First.

Simone Kane picks out stylish, affordable getaways in some covetable destinations in and outside the Eurozone, including property 83922 - a two-bedroom apartment in the heart of Lisbon.

Click here to read the article online.

Liz Rowlinson examines how to make your holiday property stand out in the times when second homes increasingly become income-generating assets and the bar is being raised in the holiday rentals market. She highlights the importance of marketing your property through the best websites and recommends Holiday-Rentals, which brings you the best visibility by sharing content with its US, German and French sister sites.

To read the article online click here.

In the "Local knowledge" section of this travel article in foodie publication Olive, beautiful holiday apartment 'Da Vinci' (property 95480) is recommended as a bargain apartment in Tuscany.

For those looking for inspiration for a gastro break in Italy or elsewhere, Holiday-Rentals teamed up with holiday home owners worldwide to produce a FREE to download Travel Cookbook, containing over 90 recipes from 14 countries and links to beautiful holiday homes to rent. Click here to download the book now.

Holiday-Rentals teams up with Candis magazine to offer one lucky winner a week's stay for up to eight people in property 410612 - a luxury Devonshire cottage, plus £800 spending money. The competition was featured over a whole page and included photos, details of the property and of Holiday-Rentals.

If you are interested in offering a stay in your property in exchange for extra publicity in similar promotions, please email the PR team for further information.

A variety of websites feature quotes by Sarah Chambers of Holiday-Rentals on the increasing popularity of "authentic" Spain and inland properties in hilltop villages and towns, in contrast to the Costas. Moreover, Sarah points out that Spain is still a budget-friendly destination - with cheap rentals and plenty of low cost flights - and therefore shouldn't be discounted as a getaway choice this year.

See Axia Fx, Develop a Dream, Jet2, Property Showrooms and Swift Cover Insurance.

Easier.com features a press release by Holiday-Rentals on experiencing the glitz and glamour of the French Riviera in May, when it plays host to the Cannes film festival and the Grand Prix, with a selection of properties in the area.

To read the article click here.

Reader Vanessa Wilson recommends Holiday-Rentals as the best website for a family break after she found a perfect four-bed seaside bungalow in Cornwall on the website, complete with a trampoline, for her upcoming big family holiday.

Following the Travolution Summit, where CEO & Founder of HomeAway Brian Sharples gave a presentation, Ginny McGrath summarizes the latest hot trends in the travel industry. She writes how, according to HomeAway, one is that there are empty villas all over Europe: holiday homes are used by their owners for 30 days a year on average, with two- and three-bedroom properties the most popular. Secondly, travel websites are getting simpler, and executives at Holiday-Rentals and HomeAway, as well as a number of other companies, agree that flashy tools don't beat a simple design with an efficient search facility.

To read the article online click here.

Kate Watson-Smyth reports on the increasing importance of making a holiday rental stand out from the crowd and giving it a competitive edge. She interviews Ana Davies, the owner of property 402633 on Holiday-Rentals, who emphasises the importance of a quirky interior and a local touch, as well as investing in good-quality beds, a leather sofa which is easy to clean, pictures on walls for a more homely feel, a few throws dotted about, shelves for books left behind by guests, DVDs, phrase books and local maps.

Following Holiday-Rentals' property cost comparison published in the Sunday Telegraph, the research findings have been mentioned on Quest Bulgaria, Balkan Travellers, Property Showrooms and Jet2.

In response to a reader's question about renting a villa in a sunny location, Joan Scales recommends Holiday-Rentals properties 65848 in the Costa del Sol, 25350 in Nice and 37505 in Majorca.

During British Travel Week, the first week of April, Sarah Chambers from Holiday-Rentals was interviewed by 28 radio stations nationwide about the most popular UK destinations, the benefits of a holiday at home, the accommodation options available, and the huge variety of holiday rental properties on offer.

The weekly reach of all the stations combined totalled over 30 million listeners, with a good spread across the country. Major stations the interviews were broadcast on included BBC West Midlands, Smooth Radio (East Midlands) and BBC Radio Kent, as well as IRN - a radio news network that provides stories to stations nationwide.

» CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD & LISTEN TO THE INTERVIEW ON BBC WEST MIDLANDS (15.7 MB, mp3)

In her regular 'Expert Travel Advice' column, Sophie Butler writes how Turkey and Bulgaria are cost-effective alternatives for villa rentals, including comments and statistics from Holiday-Rentals.

To read the article online click here.

The article has also been mentioned on Quest Bulgaria.

Scotland on Sunday recommends Holiday-Rentals for renting gingerbread-style holiday homes in the picturesque German region of Bavaria, which has become even more accessible now that Ryanair has launched seven new low-cost flight routes there.

To read the item online click here.

Easier.com features a press release by Holiday-Rentals on why spring is the best time to visit Amsterdam, including a selection of lovely properties in the canal-filled city, from a luxury designer penthouse to charming houseboats.

To read the article click here.

Sophie Butler picks 50 of the best budget family breaks, including property 9050, a cute and unique converted railway station in East Anglia.

To read the article online click here.

Jetsettersblog features Holiday-Rentals' press release about the increasing popularity of mid-haul destinations like Turkey, Egypt, Morocco and Dubai. Lower prices, guaranteed warmth and exotic cultures make these countries increasingly attractive, and low-cost airlines have responded by launching new routes. A selection of Holiday-Rentals properties in these destinations is also included.

Click here to read the article in full.

Wanadoo recommends Holiday-Rentals for apartments in Florida, which is ideal for a transatlantic, sun-filled Easter getaway.

It notes, "All come with excellent facilities, and many are either within easy reach of the sea or have their own swimming pool."

To read the article online click here.

Poorna Shetty suggests travelling together with friends this summer and going slightly off the beaten track to find great holiday bargains. She recommends properties 27200 in Finland, 411827 in France and 45802 in Latvia.

To view the article online click here.

The article has also been picked up on Triphaze.com.

Irish travel-with-kids website, Sticky Fingers Travel, recommend Holiday Rentals' Mums' Holiday Guide for helping mums cope with the stress of packing and the journey to and from a destination - which, according to research conducted by Holiday-Rentals, are the most stressful parts of a family holiday. The top five tips for de-stressing the journey are given, plus a link to download the guide.

To read the article in full click here.

The article was also reproduced on Sticky Fingers Travel forum.

To download the full Mums' Holiday Guide click here.

Jamie Liddell writes of an increasing trend to rent rather than buy a holiday home abroad in these volatile times. Advice from Greg Grant of Holiday-Rentals is included, highlighting four key considerations for renters: price, size, location and view, as well as facilities like washing machines, well-equipped kitchens and parking spaces. Grant also stresses the importance of research when choosing the right holiday home, for example shopping around and comparing rates with other similar properties in the area.

UK Parents Lounge features a press release by Holiday-Rentals about the 'Best of British holiday homes', including seaside boltholes, luxury cottages, a fabulous farm, chic city pads, a converted chapel and houseboats.

To view the article in full click here.

Ed Perkins talks about how a holiday rental is the most economical way to stay in your destination and recommends Holiday-Rentals for renting a property in Europe, as well as parent company HomeAway and sister site VRBO.com for rentals in the US and Canada.

To read the article in full click here.

In its 4-page travel section, this week focussing on credit-crunching holidays, Grazia recommends cutting out the middle man and booking directly with the owner on Holiday-Rentals or sister site Owners Direct to avoid paying unnecessary fees, in a side-bar entitled "10 crunchy holiday tips".

In response to a reader question from a lady travelling to New York in September with her husband and baby and inquiring about affordable accommodation options in Brooklyn, Holiday-Rentals is suggested. One property is also recommended; one in Park Slope, which has one bedroom plus a cot and costs £569 per week in September.

On the second page of a double-page-spread travel feature, Woman's Own suggests saving the pennies with self-catering, which it says is "big news this year". To avoid fraudulent listings they recommend going to Holiday-Rentals, a reputable company, and also highlight that booking a private property can save people on average 20% to 50% off travel agents' prices for similar accommodation.

Properties 82107 in the Lake District, 12999 in Spain and 52061 in Italy are highlighted as particularly good deals.

Sixtyplusurfers features a Holiday-Rentals press release which suggests holiday homes offering courses, enabling guests to learn something new or simply refresh their mind, body and spirit in total privacy and the comfort of a home from home. Courses on offer include languages, painting, sculpting, creative writing, photography, dancing, cooking, fishing, yoga and fitness classes.

» Click here to read the press release

Essentials recommends downloading Holiday-Rentals Travel Cookbook for delicious recipes submitted by holiday home owners worldwide, and trying Wisconsin Pot Roast followed by South African Malva Pudding.

The Holiday-Rentals Travel Cookbook is free to download and includes over 90 dishes from 14 countries, submitted by holiday home owners throughout the world. It includes their tips, advice and recipes for the best local dishes, plus details of all their wonderful holiday homes available to rent, providing plenty of inspiration for a gastro-break.

The Sunday Times feature Holiday-Rentals in two categories of their travel guide.

Firstly, in the "Something different?" section, property 62077 in Dubrovnik, Croatia, a "high-pomp former villa of a Ukrainian oligarch", with its "swags and tails, marble ensuites and reams of trailing brocade", is recommended for a luxury party holiday.

Secondly, in the "Family reunion" section, Sarah Chambers of Holiday-Rentals is quoted saying that 80% of Brits have holidayed with extended family.

In a new property section in Coast magazine, writer Graham Norwood includes tips from Holiday-Rentals MD Greg Grant on how to successfully rent out your coastal cottage. The tips cover the importance of being slick with marketing, taking a professional, business-like approach, and being flexible.

In its regular column in the travel section, Cycle Sport recommends Guillestre apartments on Holiday-Rentals as a fabulous self-catering option in Guillestre in the Haute-Alpes region of France.

In response to a reader's request for information on cheap self-catering accommodation in California, Gill Charlton recommends looking at Holiday-Rentals which lists almost 4,000 houses and apartments there, with rates starting at £750 a week for somewhere in Santa Barbara. She also suggests contacting owners direct to ask about discounts.

In his regular column, 'The Savvy Traveller', Nick Trend writes about holidaying in the UK this summer and suggests opting for a private rental to save money.

He comments, "Britain looks good value again, especially if you book a cottage, a lodge, or an apartment and self-cater." He goes on to recommend Holiday-Rentals for booking direct with owners.

Cathy Hawker speaks to owners who found solutions to keep their second homes abroad in the economic crisis. She advises those who would like to rent out their properties to consider using Holiday-Rentals.

Bella dedicates its travel section to France's sun-soaked Cote d'Azur, which it says is ideal for trying out the millionaire lifestyle. Opting for a private rental is suggested as one of the ways to experience the high life:

"Don't have a friend with a ritzy villa? Then rent one. You'll save money with self-catering and have all the seclusion afforded by the fussiest film star."

Villa Oleander (property 84693), near Mougins, is highly recommended for its beautiful décor and breathtaking views over the medieval village and towards the sea.

The Lady recommends property 92311, a luxury garden apartment in Andalusia in Southern Spain.

That's Holiday, a "news channel dedicated to bringing you holiday and travel news from around the world", features Holiday-Rentals' press release on getting more for your money by opting for a private rental, with examples of properties around the world.

To read the post click here.

Mark Bridge and Lauren Thompson point out how research and a flexible approach can help you reduce the costs of your holiday. They argue that renting a privately-owned villa could work out cheaper than a hotel, plus it allows you to go self-catering, meaning you do not have to spend money eating out every night. Holiday-Rentals is recommended as a website that "lists thousands of houses, villas and city apartments across the world and allows you to liaise directly with the property's owner. Do not be afraid to haggle on price - especially if you are not booking during the school holidays."

To read the article in full click here.

Cherry Maslen writes about how to hold on to your second home in the recession by letting it out to holidaymakers. She emphasises that short-term rentals are booming at the moment and mentions Holiday-Rentals as a company that offers traditional short-term lets.

To read the article online click here.

Gill Charlton selects the best accommodation options in Portugal in the paper's yearly destination guide and recommends Holiday-Rentals - "a portal for private owners to advertise" with "good rates for longer lets".

To read the guide in full online click here.

US financial advise site WalletPop advises Americans that it's 'time to head to Europe', as major airlines slash fares from Newark to Europe. It points out that there's no better time to travel in a recession, highlighting the current low value of the British pound.

The article then points out that tourists can save hundreds of dollars by renting an apartment instead of booking a hotel, and lists some 'highly recommended' sites, including Holiday-Rentals.

To read the article in full click here.

Following its exclusive coverage of HomeAway's acquisition of Homelidays, leading travel trade website Travolution includes a blog post on how HomeAway is the most interesting company in online travel.

Click here to read the post in full.

UK Parents Lounge feautures Holiday-Rentals' press release on how, by opting for a private rental instead of a hotel, it is possible to get luxury and exclusivity without a hefty price tag. Examples of properties in St Tropez, South Africa, Barbados, Paris, New York, Tuscany and Morocco are given.

To read the article click here.

Nicola Iseard and Liz Bird recommend property 413291 in Mallorca for a budget beach break in this article summarising their pick of 'affordable and child-friendly holidays in Britain and Europe'.

To view the article online click here.

Ginetta Vedrickas quotes Greg Grant of Holiday-Rentals in an advisory article on renting out your holiday home. She includes Grant's observations that "Bulgaria and Turkey are edging up the list, but there are more searches for Puerto Banus in Spain than Bulgaria's Sunny Beach". A case study of Daren and Danielle Wicks, owners of property 94316 in Puerto Banus is also included.

In a feature-length travel article about how to save money on holiday, property 210889 in New York is featured as one of writer Sean Dodson's 'pick of the best' in the section on booking an apartment. This property is a fabulous studio apartment in the up-and-coming SoHa district just one subway stop from Central Park and two stops from Times Square.

To view the article online click here.

Easier.com features a recent press release from Holiday-Rentals which talks about how to get a luxury holiday for less and includes details of exclusive private holiday homes available to rent on the site from as little as £500 per week.

To read the article in full click here.

This article on travel trade website, TravelDailyNews.com, announces HomeAway's acquisition of Paris-based Homelidays.

Click here to read the article.

In an article for eco-friendly lifestyle website, EcoSalon, travel writer and blogger Caitlin Fitzsimmons recommends renting your own holiday apartment on Holiday-Rentals as not only a cheaper but a greener option, as you can cook your own meals, do your own laundry and won't have a daily maid.

To read the article click here.

In a five-page travel feature on 'Party Paris', Gina Dyer describes her girly weekend and recommends renting property 52918, where she and her friends stayed. Holiday-Rentals lists over 900 apartments in Paris.

To view them all click here

In its regular column in the travel section, Cycle Sport recommends property 23305, an apparthotel in France as a great self-catering option.

Holiday-Rentals provides an article for the holiday lettings pages of PropertyProblemsSolved.co.uk, which details the various problems - and suggested solutions - that people may encounter when renting out their holiday home.

To read the article in full click here.

Easier.com features a recent press release from Holiday-Rentals detailing great accommodation for Valentine's Day getaways. The press release contained information on a variety of properties including a beach retreat in Barbados, a city love-nest in Rome, a room with a view in Montenegro, a Riad townhouse in Marrakech and a castle tower apartment in Normandy.

To read the article in full click here.

Fred Mawer recommends the best accommodation options in Greece in the paper's annual destination guide and writes that Holiday-Rentals is 'the best of the websites on which owners advertise for direct bookings' and 'lists more than 1,400 Greek properties, many reviewed by previous guests'. To view all Holiday-Rentals properties in Greece, click here.

To read the guide in full online click here.

In the Telegraph's annual destination guide to France, writer Fred Mawer recommends Holiday-Rentals for accommodation as it 'has far and away the most French properties (over 34,000) and for many you can read reviews by previous guests'. To view all Holiday-Rentals properties in France, click here.

To read the complete guide online click here.

Following a press trip set up by the Holiday-Rentals PR team, deputy editor of The Daily Star, Gareth Morgan writes about his wonderful holiday in the tiny Tuscan hill town of Bagni di Lucca and property 95375, the villa he stayed in. 'Villa Rossa di Campiglia' is a three-storey, 200 year-old farmhouse with pool that has been beautifully renovated by owners Joanna and Antonio Nobile.

To see the article online click here.

Claire Irwin recommends Holiday-Rentals and sister HomeAway site Owners Direct as good websites with a range of accommodation ideas, in the section 'Cut out the middleman' in this article about 'the sneakiest ways to save cash on your next holiday'.

In the Telegraph's yearly destination guide to Italy, writer Gill Charlton recommends booking direct with property owners as one of '20 ways to save' and lists Holiday-Rentals as an option, stating: 'Online booking services include www.holiday-rentals.co.uk, a portal for more than 8,000 properties'. Gill also writes how Telegraph readers voted Italy 'Best European Country' in its annual Travel Awards.

To read the article online click here.

With its classical heritage, breathtaking landscapes and world-famous cuisine, Italy has become a destination 'di moda' with discerning travellers, with a major component of any holiday there being the discovery of its many gastronomic treats. For inspiration for gastro breaks in Italy, check out www.holiday-rentals.co.uk/travelcookbook.

Holiday-Rentals teams up with Candis magazine to offer one lucky family a holiday on the Costa del Sol in a private luxury villa - property 69103, plus £800 towards travel. The competition was featured over a whole page and included photos, details of the property and of Holiday-Rentals.

If you are interested in offering a stay in your property in exchange for extra publicity in similar promotions, please email the PR Team for further information.

Cathy Hawker advises on how and where to buy a home abroad this year. She quotes Holiday-Rentals MD Greg Grant who recommends buying in the tried and tested holiday favourites like Spain, France, America and Italy, with cities such as Nice, Paris, Rome and Barcelona particularly in demand. Grant comments that while purchase price in those destinations may be high, in the long-term properties there have good transport links and there is the opportunity for short- or longer-term lets.

Caroline Blight shows readers how to save a fortune on their holidays with her price-busting travel tips. One piece of advice she gives is to holiday in a villa, which can work out up to 50% cheaper than a similar standard hotel. She compares a villa in Turkey found on Holiday-Rentals and a flight booked independently with a similar hotel package found on Expedia and concludes that the independent booking is 24% cheaper.

Nick Trend, writer of the Daily Telegraph's regular 'Savvy traveller' column, provides a guide to saving money across the Channel. He recommends Holiday-Rentals as one of the websites that put customers directly in touch with villa and cottage owners who price their accommodation in pounds.

To read the article on Telegraph.co.uk click here.

Fred Mawer educates readers about the best Spanish holidays on offer this year. In his section on "20 ways to cut costs in Spain", he suggests booking self-catering accommodation direct with owners and recommends Holiday-Rentals, which advertises more than 11,000 Spanish properties. He also mentions Holiday-Rentals again in the section on "Villas and cottages", noting: "You'll find the biggest choice of villas and cottages to rent in Spain at www.holiday-rentals.co.uk, where owners advertise for direct bookings - many properties have reviews written by previous guests."

To view the online version of the article click here.

Suzanne Bearne reviews the redesigned Holiday-Rentals website, rating it 72/100. She comments, "HomeAway has redesigned its Holiday-Rentals site to make it quicker and easier to find a holiday home. And it comes at the right time, as the downturn makes people think more wisely about their holiday plans. The site isn't short of holiday homes, listing more than 122,000 properties in 118 countries. You can click on the home-page map for destination inspiration, as there's a wide array of holiday types to choose from, from a fabulous country estate in the Cotswolds to a villa in Bali."
To read the review in full click here.

Ursula Hirschkorn picks 12 of the best city breaks, including Barcelona where she recommends renting an apartment in the city centre via Holiday-Rentals. To read her article in full click here.

Kranjska Gora in Slovenia is featured as a friendly resort with good budget accommodation, and Holiday-Rentals is recommended for details of apartments there costing from under £50 per person per week.

In its regular one-page feature on overseas property, BBC Good Homes covers Atlanta, Georgia in the US. The feature has three sections; 'Live the life', 'Where to buy' and 'Where to live', and the writer has selected property 102134 on Holiday-Rentals for the 'Live the life' section. The article reads; "Located on a secluded spot on the shores of Lake Allatoona, this self catering house is the perfect holiday getaway. The property has a short walkway leading to a private deck boat and sun deck with views of the surrounding lake and woodland. Here you can sunbathe or use the rowing boat, which is supplied with the property rental".

Journalist Gina Dyer goes on a classy hen-party to Paris and writes about the bohemian Marais district, where she and her friends stayed in property 52918, a characterful apartment inside a 17th-century mansion - in Gina's words, "a cosy little bolthole in the centre of a very happening parade".

In this two-page feature article, the writer provides various tips for having a great holiday without blowing the budget. This includes a 'Where to stay' section, where they comment, "For those who want to go abroad, apartments can be the best bet, especially when booking for the whole family. You can book villas and self-catering apartments around the world with Holiday-Rentals.co.uk."

For the second year running, Holiday-Rentals and HomeAway sister company OwnersDirect.co.uk are voted among the top ten villa rental companies in the prestigious Conde Nast Traveller Readers' Awards. Holiday-Rentals was voted number 4, while OwnersDirect.co.uk came in at number 9. Click here to see the top 10 online.