Archive for August, 2008
Canadian Snowboarding and Skiing Holidays at Marble Mountain
People hoping to book their winter skiing holidays this year would be well advised to consider Canada’s eastern seaboard and Newfoundland in particular.
Situated in Newfoundland Canada, Marble Mountain is part of the Appalachian Mountain Range. At its summit it is over 1,700 feet above sea level, rising above the Humber River as makes its way through Humber Valley. The slopes of Marble Mountain are regarding as having some of the best skiing and snow boarding east of the Rockies. With average snowfall of over 16.5 feet, (5m) this is hardly surprising, particularly if compared to Mont Tremblants 12 feet (3.65m), and certainly when compared against European resorts. Average daytime temperatures in winter are -5° Celsius. The mountain was also a venue for the Canadian Winter Games in 1999.
The mountain boasts 35 different runs, to suit all levels of experience, and has excellent access through a variety of lifts and platters. It also has the only detachable high speed quad lift in Atlantic Canada, the Governor’s Express. One of the best things about Marble Mountain is the smaller crowds and short queues allowing you to spend more time on the mountain than on the lift. There is 175 acres of skiable terrain and the longest run is circa 4.5km.
The highest point of Marble Mountain is Mount Musgrave, which was named after Sir Anthony Musgrave, a Newfoundland colonial governor.
Getting There:
The region has direct flights from the UK to Deer Lake Airport with Monarch this winter, approximately 20 minutes from Humber Valley Resort, as well as connecting flights via Halifax, St Johns and the main Canadian airports.
Staying There:
Select Resorts have fantastic chalet accommodation in the fantastic Humber Valley Resort, nestled at the foot of Marble Mountain, offering excellent access to the slopes, as well as activities such as cross country skiing, snow shoeing, huskies, skidoos. Once you have had your fun on the slopes you can relax in the Aveda Spa or chill in your own chalet hot tub. Humber Valley is truly a winter wonderland.
Add comment August 21, 2008
How To Maximise Income And Benefits From Your Holiday Villa.
You have made a considerable investment by buying your holiday villa which you enjoy visiting several times a year, but the running costs can be excessive and even if you are renting it out, it can still be very expensive to keep!
Here are some tips on how you can maximise income and benefits from your investment or make less expensive to keep, as follows;
- Increase rental income;
You may still have some vacant weeks that you want to fill before the end of the season. In addition to the usual channels such as contacting earlier enquiries, joining rental websites etc. it is worth letting your agent know that the property is available and the discount you are prepare to accept for last minute booking.
- Extend your rental season;
If your villa has a pool, you can extend the rental season from 6 to 8 weeks either side of the main holiday season by installing a heat pump. Generally pools in the Mediterranean region are not warm enough in May/June and September/October for a pleasant swim, especially if they are not covered at night. By installing a heat pump and a pool cover you can extend the season and you could cover the expense of the equipment in just one season. Also you can charge extra for pool heating so the running costs are covered.
- Save Water;
Water is a precious and scarce resource especially in the Mediterranean region. If you have a garden with grass, you should consider replacing the grass with attractive colourful gravel over a porous membrane which lets rainwater seep trough but the weeds cannot grow through it. Also it is best to plant your garden with tropical plants which do not require a lot of water.
- Solar Water Heater and Solar Panels;
Installing a solar water heater can produce a good amount of hot water during the summer months which will reduce your water heating bills. These can be screened with trellis so they cannot be seen. Cell Solar panels producing electricity are a more expensive option and take longer to recover the original investment, but remember that some countries enjoy more then 300 days of sunshine per year, the panels can produce electricity even when you or your guests are not there and in some countries you can sell your surplus electricity back the national grid and get paid for it so it’s worth checking with the local authority and do the sums.
- Join a Villa Exchange programme;
By using the rental value of your holiday home, you can visit other destinations without having to pay rent. Every property is rated, like hotels so you know the standard of other properties. You may wish to do this for a change of scenery or for visiting a warmer country in the winter or even a skiing property. Select Exchange is a specialist exchange site focussed on holiday and villa homes. Visit www.selectexchange.co.uk for more details.
Add comment August 20, 2008
Visit Europe’s best water park in Tenerife
The Irish Independent newspaper has selected Siam Park in Tenerife as Europe’s Best Water Park. The resort finished ahead of Disney Land Paris. The park contains the largest man made waves in the world where you can even learn to surf!
The park features sub tropical vegetation and consist of 14 major water attractions and 5 bars and restaurants beneath the Tenerife sun. The rides include the Tower of Power, The Dragon and The Giant.
Fortunately although the rides are massive the prices aren’t with adults from €26 and children (three to 11) from €17. Visit Sian Park as part of your Tenerife holiday. Select Resorts offer a wide variety of Hotel and Villa Accommodation in Tenerife.
3 comments August 19, 2008
Humber Valley voted in Top 25 Courses in Canada
Fantastic News from Newfoundland – Humber Valley Resort’s River Course was ranked 25th in ScoreGolf Magazine’s Top 100 list of golf courses in Canada (The River Course actually ranked one spot above Muskoka Bay Club golf course which had beaten the course in Golf Digest’s Best New Canadian Course in 2007). The course received a 7.8 rating. the review said the course offers “gently rolling terrain, wide fairways and undulating greens which serve as a challenge to experienced golfers, while offering an enjoyable round for those new to the game. Breathtaking views can be enjoyed from the riverside holes rising 400 feet up to the clubhouse. “
The full list is online at http://scoregolf.com/rankings/top100/top-100-golf-courses-in-canada-2008.cfm; it appeared on ScoreGolf TV’s Top 100 Special on Sunday August 17th on TSN (The Sports Network)
Click for more on Humber Valley Golf holidays.
Add comment August 18, 2008
Luxury – Spanish Style
La Manga Club
The resort it self is built around a series of communities or villages. These villages comprise villas of similar design which usually have a mix of private pools and a community pool.
Add comment August 14, 2008
Avoiding Potential Pitfalls When Purchasing Overseas.
Here we outline three broad rules of thumb which could help property investors avoid potential pitfalls when purchasing overseas.
When buying a property at home, the general rule of thumb is “location, location, location.”
However the same maxim does not apply when buying abroad, as each country has different laws and the process can differ considerably from your home country. The maxim I would apply when buying overseas is, location, agent, lawyer.
Add comment August 13, 2008
Renting your Villa? – read our Top Tips for Villa Owners
It’s that time of year again when our TV screens will be filled with summer holiday horror stories. You can help avoid being one of them with this fantastic selection of top tips for making renting your villa as hassle free and profitable as possible.
- Ensure the property is adequately furnished – for example a master bedroom should have where possible a bed, two bedside tables, drawers mirrors etc. Also ensure there is enough seating (internally and externally for the number of people your property can sleep)
- Leave plenty of clothes hangers in the bedrooms – there is nothing worse than not being able to hang up your nice holiday clothes!
- Keep your kitchen well stocked of kitchen utensils – as a minimum make sure you have enough cutlery, glasses, crockery etc for the number of people the villa sleeps. However it is recommended that you have extra as you guest may have visitors and of course day to day breakages can occur. As a rule of thumb having twice the amount needed. Also leave salt, pepper etc in the kitchen – it may not be appreciated but it will definitely be mentioned if it is not there.
- Leave clear instructions for your gadgets and machines – Again it will prevent unnecessary complaints and phone calls and will also help reduce the risk of damage.
- If you have a Private Pool – get a pool cover
- Replace sun cushions which have become worn and stained – they don’t have to be expensive but they should not be dirty.
- Supply Useful Telephone Numbers – restaurants, taxis, local information and include your own recommendations as people appreciate the personal touch.
- Get a property management company you can trust. – They are your representative on site as well as your eyes and ears, therefore they can make things so much better or so much worse – ask around when choosing who to use.
- Use a professional Lettings Agency – A good lettings agency will manage the process of renting your villa, reduce your workload, and in the event of a complaint can mange it without you having to get involved.
Add comment August 8, 2008
Select Resorts New Barbados Villas
Barbados Villa
Select Resorts are pleased to announce that we have updated our selection of fantastic Barbados Villas and Apartments.
There are a great selection of private villas, townhouses and apartments for rental in different resorts or private estates on the island of Barbados, including exclusive properties on the Royal Westmoreland resort and in Sandy Cove. Not all our villas are currently online but if you don’t see what you want please feel free to contact us. Click here for more information on booking your Barbados Villa.
Add comment August 7, 2008
