We choose properties with individual character, often difficult to categorise, but we have used British criteria to indicate the comfort of the interiors and terrace. National custom often prevails in the detail and may not be what you are used to. In our simpler properties pride of place may be given to a dining table, and comfortable indoor chairs are not a priority in line with a Mediterranean outdoor lifestyle. Floors are usually not carpeted.

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Standard Facilities:

Our properties are self-contained and they all have a sink, fridge, crockery & cutlery, glassware and cooking equipment, bath or shower room and WC. All properties now have kettles but cultural differences can show in the absence of items such as teapots or eggcups. We only offer properties with somewhere to sit and eat outside-terrace, balcony or garden area or all three (see below: descriptions).

S (Simple):

Smaller properties furnished with an emphasis on a holiday spent outdoors. They meet our general standards but will have restricted soft furniture and limited personal touches. Some have traditional furniture, others are furnished in a more modern style.

C (Comfortable):

Larger and/or more comfortable, generally with soft furniture in the living room, more personal touches and/or better-fitted kitchens. Washing machines and/or dishwashers are frequent.

VC (Very Comfortable):

Furnished as permanent or second homes, with many personal touches throughout. Most have full living room furniture, a fully equipped kitchen, well-furnished terrace(s) and garden.

Numbers in Properties:

The 'up to' figure is the maximum number of people who will be allowed in a particular property. We do indicate where a property can accommodate one or more extra children, (up to the age of 16) with plus (+) places; these children are usually accommodated on a sofa bed or bunk bed. For insurance purposes only those named on the booking form are permitted to stay in the property.

Room Descriptions:

LIVING ROOM - a room with well defined sitting and dining areas, unless the latter is elsewhere.

LIVING-DINING ROOM - a room with a sitting area but with pride of place given to the dining table.

KITCHEN-DINING ROOM - a room with a kitchen and dining area, but with little or no sitting area.

KITCHEN CORNER, AREA, ALCOVE - the kitchen facilities are open-plan to the living and dining areas.

STUDIO - accommodation with only one main living/bedroom, although the kitchen area may be separate.

FULL KITCHEN - Kitchen with full oven and fridge as minimum. Where there is a microwave in addition to the oven we will say: full kitchen (+microwave).

BATHROOM or SHOWER ROOM - A bathroom will usually have a bath and a shower room will usually only have a shower. Bathrooms with baths will usually have a shower also, fully fitted or hand-held. Both will usually include a W.C unless we state otherwise. We aim to be 100% accurate in our descriptions; however when the owner has made unforeseen alterations to the property it can be difficult. If it is important for you to have either a bath or a shower, please help us by making your needs clear to us at the time of booking.

TERRACE or BALCONY - All properties have somewhere to sit and relax outside with dining furniture. Their comfort varies according to the house.

BEDS - A standard French double bed is a minimum of 140cms (4ft 6") across, though in many houses there are wider doubles. In Sardinia, we may describe as 'double' those beds which have twin mattresses but double bedding and a double frame-this is common practice throughout Italy. Singles and twins are shown. 'Sofa beds' may be divans used as sofas by day, or convertible sofas. Sliding beds are pairs of divans, one sliding under the other. Please ask at the time of booking for precise information.

Linen:

Bed linen and kitchen and bath towels are provided. Please take your own towels for the beach or pool. A weekly change of linen is provided by your proprietor. In most properties you can expect beds to be made up on arrival, but not absolutely everywhere.

Toddlers:

We will do our best to suggest the most suitable properties for holidays with small children, and advise you against those with obvious dangers. However, no holiday property is likely to offer the same degree of security as your own home. Where we suggest a property as suitable for toddlers, either in the brochure or in a conversation, we do not imply that children can or should be left unsupervised.

Cots:

These are available free of charge at all accommodation in Sardinia subject to availability. If you need a cot, please discuss this with us when you book. You should always take your own cot linen with you. Cots may not be as sturdy as is usual in Britain.

High-chairs:

Are not as commonly used on the continent as here. We will do our best to provide them but there may be a charge.

Telephones:

Few of our properties have telephones. Please confirm this when you book, and also if usage is restricted-usually to outgoing local and emergency calls-or if your damage deposit will also cover a telephone deposit. If you intend to use your mobile phone abroad, please ensure that it is registered for international use.

For more information about telephoning in Sardinia please click here »

TV:

Where TV's are available, even if satellite, they are not likely to provide programmes in English.

Cleaning:

All our properties are thoroughly checked and cleaned before you arrive to ensure that all is ready. On your departure day, to ease the burden on the cleaners, we would kindly ask that you:

Strip beds; clear all perishable food from the fridge and cupboards and throw it away; dispose of all rubbish away from the property; leave all kitchen crockery and cutlery thoroughly washed up and put away; wipe down all surfaces and cookers; leave furniture and equipment in your accommodation arranged as found.

Failure to carry out these basic tasks will mean additional hours for the cleaners, for which you will be charged. Because it is sometimes very difficult to get hold of cleaners at the last minute this charge can be as high as £20 per hour.

Extra cleaning, cooks and baby-sitters: may be available for certain properties. Please consult us at the time of booking.

Should you want cleaning mid-stay, or assistance at the end of your stay, please inform us at the time of booking; we will do all we can to provide it at reasonable rates, payable locally.

Smoking:

We feel it is now appropriate to ask you not to smoke at all inside any of our properties. If smokers then smoke in the garden or on the terrace please carefully collect all the remains and dispose of them tidily.

Access to Properties:

Access to most to properties is not normally until 4pm. Where this is problematic because of flights times in Sardinia, we will do our best to allow earlier access, but will not be in a position to confirm this until your arrival at the airport.

Breakage deposit

You may be asked for a security deposit covering for any breakages, damage, losses or extra cleaning which you may have incurred during your holiday

Garden and Outdoor Areas:

These range from superb terraces and gardens to a simple terrace or balcony, with privacy varying, according to the property. Many of our properties have extremely beautiful gardens, which reflect the local landscape and climate; the word "garden" does not imply that the whole area is cultivated or lawned. We describe the gardens as seen, but high season temperatures can affect their outlook. Where proprietors are close by, the garden may be tended at irregular intervals; please make allowances for their occasional presence. In the Mediterranean climate, water is used sparingly and watering may be forbidden in high season.

Dining furniture is provided in all properties; further outdoor furniture reflects the standard of the house. If no barbeque is mentioned in your property description, and you would like one, please enquire, as our owners can often add this item. Please note, however, that due to strict fire regulations during the summer months, the use of barbeques in some parts of Sardinia is not permitted.

Swimming Pools:

Most of our properties in Sardinia have pools. In a tiny minority of cases, there are salt (not sea) water swimming pools, which are deemed more ecologically friendly and better for the health of your children. In all properties with pools, there will be a regular arrangement for professional maintenance, but please remember that you will effectively be in charge of a complicated piece of machinery. You may also need to exercise restraint over, for example, the use of sun creams to make sure that nothing goes wrong with the filter/machinery, and consider the safety aspect if you are taking young children. All measurements are given in good faith and should not be relied upon. All due care should be taken when swimming, and children should always be accompanied. Please note that shared pools, such as those on residences, may have a 'quiet time' during the afternoon siesta.

Water:

Please note that in most of the Mediterranean water is in short supply; please use it sparingly. In Sardinia, in particular, high demand in the peak summer months can mean water is sometimes temporarily cut off to conserve supplies. If water for showers comes from one tank, it may be necessary to leave time between showers.

We recommend that you follow the lead of the French and Italians, and drink bottled rather than tap water.

Electricity:

In Sardinia, the infrastructure is not as advanced as at home, and you may find supply to be less powerful and at times intermittent. The system is unlikely to be able to cope with several electrical appliances in operation at the same time and it is not unusual to experience power cuts although these usually only last for an hour or two.

Countryside and Animals:

A major attraction of many of our properties is the unspoilt countryside nearby. This means that country life will be on your doorstep and that you may occasionally be visited by small field animals and insects. In a few of our properties the owners' dogs or cats may also be part of the scene, or neighbours may have dogs. If you are concerned by any of these prospects please discuss this with us when you book.

'Local Colour':

Everyone dreams of the perfect holiday, and for our part we work extremely hard to make sure that it comes as near to this as possible. But we must remind you that while you are on holiday the permanent residents at your destination are going about their normal pursuits for the time of year. The countryside location of many of our properties means that there may be farming activities going on nearby, and in autumn, the hunting season can mean the presence of hounds.

August is the national holiday month in France and Italy and many others will also be in search of paradise. Services in smaller villages and resorts may become strained and traffic and noise levels may rise. Conversely, many facilities may not be open out of season; please discuss this with us when booking.

The pace of life in the Mediterranean is undeniably different to that in the UK. You may find that, for example, shops and offices generally open early and then close for a long 'siesta' from around 1pm to 5pm Restaurants and bars open later and remain open later than in the UK. Please do not expect the locals to speak English; we recommend that you take a phrase book. The weather in all our destinations, as anywhere, can sometimes be unpredictable. And please recognise and understand any incursions of 'local colour', and enjoy your taste of the lifestyle that lies behind them.

Building work:

Building work is an unfortunate fact of life in and around developing tourist resorts. We aim to work with properties which will not be affected by this, but we are unable to predict where new building work may occur. We fully appreciate the inconvenience such work may cause and will do our best to improve matters wherever possible. Please note however that, particularly in high season, it is not always possible to arrange alternative accommodation.

Roads and Driving:

Main roads are generally very good. However many country roads, especially mountain roads, are likely to be narrow and winding; in Sardinia some can be unsurfaced. Some areas are better than others for ease of local driving-consult us if this will affect your choice of area or the enjoyment of your holiday.

For more information about travelling around Sardinia click here »

Euro Currency:

In 2002 the Euro became the official currency in Italy and France. The exchange rate for Sterling (£) to the Euro (?) is not fixed and will fluctuate. Cash withdrawals are widely available from ATMs which accept credit cards and Switch (Cirrus).