When it gets around to a certain time of year, most people start thinking about booking a holiday as something to look forward to. It can often be quite a stressful task, deciding where to go, whether you want to rent a place or stay in a hotel and what activities you're interested in doing. We normally decide to rent a holiday home as it gives us more freedom when it comes to when to get up and eating arrangements. To make the process of somewhere to stay easier, we always book with Welcome Holiday Cottages.

They offer an extensive range of cottages and villas with properties in the UK, Ireland, France, Spain, Italy and Croatia. Each of the properties is rated according to their easy-to-use grading system so finding your ideal place to stay is made simple:

Comfortable properties are practical, robust and reliable. The furniture may not be the most up to date, but there is ample room to relax and rest.

Good quality properties are well appointed and well furnished, providing all the facilities and amenities needed for an easy-going holiday.

Lovely properties provide a true home from home, decorated in a harmonious and tasteful manner.

Beautiful properties are elegant and sophisticated, beautifully decorated and furnished to create a truly unique atmosphere.

Using the brochure, you can search for your ideal property according to location, maximum occupancy, number of bedrooms, number of pets welcome, price band and property grading.

# Web site #

The web site is somewhat cluttered, with numerous deals littering the main page. Don't let this put you off though as the search function is very easy to navigate. On the main page, you can search for properties according to country, region and number of people staying. You will then be able to search through hundreds of properties that match your requirements. When you click on a particular cottage, you are able to check availability, make a booking, see additional information, take a 360º virtual tour, view additional photographs and look at customer comments for that property. Other functions of the site include:

Request a brochure - just enter your details and receive the latest edition of their holiday brochure.

Pay balance - you are taken to a secure site to pay the remainder of your balance using either a credit or debit card.

Letting your property - advice on every aspect of renting your cottage to the holiday market.

Property ref. search - If you already know the property you want to rent, just enter the ref3erence number into the search box to view details on it.

# Holidays #

So far, we have taken holidays in Scotland, Devon and Northumbria with Welcome Cottages and have been completely satisfied with the standard of location and the actual properties. All of the places we've stayed in have been very clean and furnished tastefully and near to local shops and amenities so cooking wasn't ever a problem. The properties always live up to their grading and photographs featured in the brochure. Everywhere we've stayed has had a welcome book that includes places of interest, days out for all the family, places to eat and other useful info such as where the nearest doctors surgery is. Another useful feature of the properties is the guestbook. This lets you get a good idea of other people's experiences with the company and lets you find out about local attractions so you shouldn't be lost for something to do. The owners always seem to be in contact during the holiday and are pleased to help with any local-knowledge queries you may have.

# Booking #

There are two ways of booking your holiday with Welcome Cottages, either online or by telephone:

Online
All you need to do is use the online search facility to find your ideal property and check the availability for the week you require. Using a debit or credit card, follow the instructions and complete the online form of your details. You should then receive email comfirmation within 48 hours of completing your details.

By phone
Shortlist your favourite properties using the brochure, in case your first choice is already booked. Call the number on the front of the brochure to speak to one of the advisors and use a credit or debit card to make a deposit. They are open 9am - 9pm Sundays to Fridays and 9am - 7pm Saturdays. The staff are always friendly and happy to help with any special requirements you may have.

When booking, you are asked to make a deposit according to the table in the brochure, which is generally about a third of the total cost of the holiday. If you are booking within 8 weeks of the start of the holiday, you are required to make a full payment at the time of booking.

In addition to a deposit, a small booking fee is added to the price of the holiday.

# Booking confirmation #

Once your deposit payment has been received, they will send your booking confirmation and any insurance documents within 28 days. The confirmation will include the name and telephone number of your holiday contact and when you must pay the remaining cost. When you have paid the full amount, you will receive travel directions to your holiday property.

# Prices #

Prices are very reasonable with this company as there are many offers on throughout the year, not just quieter times. Prices are based per property, not per person. They have a range of flexible breaks including:

Short breaks - These are run throughout the year and include 3 nights starting on a Friday or 4 nights starting on a Monday, both for 70% of the price for one week.

Holidays to suit you - Allow you to combine a weeks holiday with a short break, giving you the option of a 10 or 11 day holiday for your convenience.

Two week holiday prices are calculated by adding the price of the first week to the price of the second week - it couldn't be simpler!

There are lots of deals running at any one time, so it's probably best to keep checking the web site.

# Overall #

I would highly recommend Welcome Cottages when booking a holiday as they help you at every stage of your booking, making it a very enjoyable process. They offer a wide range of properties in interesting locations, never too far away from the real world. The properties offer excellent value for money and even let pets stay for free, which is an advantage for animal lovers who cant bear to leave their pets at home. Their holidays provide a great opportunity to explore the countryside and cater for couples, families and pet owners, just about everyone really!

www.welcomecottages.com

To order a brochure, call 0845 604 3910