General Information

Important information about your holiday booking

VILLAS
We use the generic term “villas” to describe all our self-catering properties, regardless of the type of accommodation, which is described as fully as possible in each individual description.

PROPERTY DESCRIPTIONS
We have tried very hard to give faithful descriptions of all the properties featured in these web pages, and we do hope that you will be pleasantly surprised with the property and find that our description did not do it justice. However, please note that standards in Spain can be different to those normally accepted in your home. As in other countries, different regions command different prices for no apparent reason. Property in the Costa del Sol is more expensive than the Costa Blanca and this is reflected in the rental prices. As a general rule, within a given region, higher prices mean more space, a larger property and better facilities. Before booking your holiday villa, please discuss your requirements with our reservations experts to ensure you choose the right property, for the right reasons. We have compiled the information on this website as carefully as possible, and it has been checked and double-checked. However, it is possible that certain facilities in the resort or villa you have booked may be temporarily out of service due to breakdown, maintenance, government legislation or local licensing laws, unsuitable weather conditions or other local conditions. In low season it is possible that some local restaurants and bars may not be fully operational. Aspects of Spain Limited cannot be held responsible for any such problems that are outside a tour operator’s control. All such facilities are subject to availability. All our villas are carefully inspected at the beginning of each season, are equipped with sufficient crockery, cutlery, iron and ironing board and have refrigerators and adequate cooking facilities. Villas with private pool all have either a portable or built-in barbecue, and a radio and CD/cassette player.

VEHICLE ACCESS TO VILLAS
All our properties are accessible by motor car, and we do not consider a four wheel drive vehicle a necessity to reach any of them. At least one member of our staff has driven to each and every one of our villas in a hired vehicle. In the Costa Blanca all roads are surfaced to the villas. In Nerja and Frigiliana access roads to villas tend to be narrow and are often unsurfaced, sometimes resulting in potholes and ruts making driving more difficult. Except on some main roads there are no protective barriers at the sides of roads, and there may be steep drops. In our Nerja and Frigiliana villa descriptions we have tried to give as accurate as possible an assessment of the access road to the property and described how much is surfaced and how much not. This was correct at October 2006. If you are in any doubt about the access to your chosen property, please call our reservations department. One of our staff will have actually driven to the villa.

PRIVACY
By “private pool” we mean that the swimming pool is for the exclusive use of those staying at the property where the pool is situated, and it is not a “communal pool” which is one that is shared by a number of villas. Complete privacy is quite different. If by “completely private” or “complete privacy” your understanding is “not overlooked at all, completely fenced, hedged or walled, and gated” then we have very few properties that will meet your requirements. Indeed, there are very few such properties in the areas we feature. At villas where we consider there to be a large degree of privacy we state as much in the villa description. However, this does not necessarily mean that no area of the property (garden, pool, terraces, or the villa itself) is overlooked. It does mean that there are areas of complete privacy. If you are in any doubt about the degree of privacy offered you must discuss it with our reservations staff.

BUILDING WORKS
Very Important Just as at home, while you are on holiday life goes on as normal all around you. Building or road works may be in progress nearby, a neighbour may start building a swimming pool or wall, or the local water board may decide to drill for water in the vicinity. Spain is ‘enjoying’ a building boom never seen before and new building work starting after publication of individual villa descriptions may in some way distort our description of the property we have considered peaceful or quiet. This work may start early in the morning as is local practice and can start at any time in the year. As it is not always possible to gauge the extent of such works we regret we cannot advise you of the constantly changing conditions. If within 56 days of the start of your holiday we become aware of such works taking place on a plot immediately adjacent to your property (that is, an adjoining plot - not across the road or merely nearby) that in our opinion could materially spoil your enjoyment of your holiday we will advise you. You may then either a) cancel and receive a full refund for accommodation and car hire if the latter is booked with Aspects of Spain Ltd (insurance is not refundable and flight tickets are not usually refundable), or b) change your booking to another available villa for the same period either paying the difference if it is more expensive or receiving a refund if it is cheaper, or c) change your booking to another available villa for a different period either paying the difference if it is more expensive or receiving a refund if it is cheaper (flight tickets are not usually changeable), or d) leave your reservation as it is and hope that there is not too much noise or dust to spoil your holiday. If you choose option d, to stay with the reservation, it is extremely unlikely that after arrival we will be able to move you to any alternative accommodation if you suffer any inconvenience as described above, nor will any claim for compensation be accepted for any loss of enjoyment due to building or any other associated works within the vicinity of your holiday villa. You should note that we are not responsible for such work, are not able to stop such work taking place nor control the noise level. Nor can we be responsible for any building works that start during a holiday and under no circumstances will we pay any compensation at all in such cases.

NOISE
Spain is a noisy country and Spaniards are by nature a relatively noisy people. A meal in any typically Spanish restaurant or bar will prove this point. While we have tried to select properties away from particularly noisy areas such as motorways, discotheques etc, you may find local noise levels higher than you are used to at home. Very few properties have double glazing, and with windows open in the hot months you will often hear dogs barking, cocks crowing, birds in general creating a noisy “dawn chorus” in the early hours, the roar of motor bikes and scooters as workers set off for work, and even trucks driving past making early deliveries, or collecting rubbish in the “wee small hours”. All this contributes to what is the modern Spain of today. If complete peace and quiet is what you are looking for on your holiday you must discuss this with our reservations staff. Very few of our properties offer this very special commodity as most are situated in established holiday resorts where life goes on day and night.

ANIMAL LIFE
Ants are constant visitors to most villas in Spain, particularly as most of our properties are surrounded by gardens. Locally bought ant powders are a good repellent, but it also helps to keep crumbs to a minimum. As most of our villas are surrounded by gardens field mice and fruit rats are also common. These can be kept out of the house by keeping food out of temptation’s way. Mosquitoes should be kept at bay by a good repellent (available in UK chemists and supermarkets and chemists in Spain) - please don’t splatter them against the wall.

DOGS, CATS and other animals
We do not accept ANY animals at any of our properties at any time. There are no exceptions. Please do not feed any stray animals at your holiday villa. BEDS
Divan type beds with interior sprung bases are virtually unheard of in Spain. Our villas are equipped with single or double beds usually with either wooden slatted, or flat wire bases, and an interior sprung mattress. Beds are often shorter (1,80m -1,90m) than you may be used to at home. One pillow per person is supplied.

EXTRA PERSONS
At some villas, where we consider the facilities allow, an extra person can be accommodated. You must ask which properties are suitable. An additional charge of £50 per week will be added to your invoice for any extra person occupying the property, and an extra (folding) bed, with linen and towels supplied. Please note that ‘extra persons’ includes children of any age, including infants. The maximum number of persons permitted at any villa is clearly stated in the brochure description. At some villas the number of beds/bedrooms may indicate that more people can sleep at that villa, however it is the stated ‘Maximum number of people’ that counts, not the number of beds.

COTS and HIGH CHAIRS
Cots and high chairs are available for infants under two years old at the end of their holiday. If you require a cot or high chair, please request it at the time of booking in order that we can ensure it is at the villa on your arrival. A supplementary charge of £25 per cot per week and £15 per high chair per week will be added to your invoice. An amendment fee of £20 will be charged in addition to the cost of the cot or high chair if this is booked later. Cots and high chairs are purchased locally and may be different to those you are used to at home. Cots are supplied without sheets, mattress protectors, blankets or pillows, which you should take with you. When a cot is required for an extra person there will be a £50 extra person charge (see Extra persons, above) and a cot supplied instead of an extra (folding) bed.

PORTABLE FANS
In some resorts portable fans are available for hire at £5 per fan per week, payable on booking your holiday. Pre-paid fans will be delivered to your villa prior to your arrival.

BED LINEN and TOWELS
In self-catering accommodation sufficient beds will be made up for the number of persons on the booking form. At most of our villas we supply one bath sheet and a smaller bath towel for each adult on the booking form and a bath towel and hand towel for each child. No towels are supplied for infants under two years. However, in a few cases towels may be smaller than those you are used to at home, large towels may be no bigger than 120cm by 80cm, and small towels about 80cm x 40cm. Two or three tea towels are supplied per villa On stays of longer than ten days, bed linen and towels will be changed weekly. Most villas are equipped with a washing machine to enable guests to do their own washing. We kindly ask all guests not to use the towels supplied at the villa for the beach or around the pool. Swimming towels are not supplied but these can be either bought or hired locally. If you wish to hire swimming towels you should request them at the time of booking your villa. Beach towels are hired and changed on a weekly basis and cost £3 per towel per week including laundering.

DISABLED VISITORS and TODDLERS
Regrettably, none of the villas featured in this brochure are specifically adapted for disabled visitors, those who rely on the use of a wheelchair or those with special needs. Additionally, some properties with many steps are less suitable for toddlers, elderly guests, or those with walking or breathing difficulties. Under the ‘disabled’ section of our descriptions we have tried to give as clear a picture as possible as to the suitability of the property for disabled visitors. If any member of your party is confined to a wheelchair or is in any way disabled, please tell us so that we can suggest suitable accommodation and thus avoid any disappointment when you arrive. Bathroom doors are not wide enough for a wheelchair. Where descriptions say "No wheelchair access" this does mean that the villa is not suitable for a wheelchair.
If we consider a villa unsuitable for families with toddlers this will be stated in the villa description. Parents of toddlers should also read the "Disabled" description as this will also give an indication of the number of steps at the villa.

TELEVISIONS
A number of our villas are equipped with televisions, with either standard Spanish aerials, thus receiving a number of Spanish terrestrial stations, or parabolic dishes receiving satellite transmissions. In our villa descriptions we have tried to be as accurate as possible in describing what programmes can be received at a villa. However, visitors should note that satellite transmissions are not the same as those received in other countries and there are usually very few, if any, transmissions in English. Where required, cards are supplied for digital receivers. Neither digital receivers nor cards are available for hire in Spain. It is not possible to advise you which programmes are available at a villa, and we cannot be held responsible if you cannot receive the particular programmes you were hoping for. Digital satellite reception from the UK is intermittent. Major football matches are shown in many bars in the areas we feature.

MOBILE PHONES
Many mobile phones will work when you are in Spain. However it is very important that you check with your phone supplier in your home country before you leave in order to ensure that this feature will be operational during your holiday. When a mobile phone is used in another country the subscriber pays not only for making calls but also for receiving them (for example to receive a call in Spain you will pay for the part of the call from the UK to Spain, and the caller will pay only for the call within the UK). For this reason our staff and agents overseas are instructed not to phone visitors on non-Spanish mobile phone numbers as this could result in your receiving very high phone bills on your return, or running out of credit during your stay in Spain.

DAMAGE TO PROPERTY
A non-refundable charge of £3 per person travelling will be added to your invoice. This is to cover accidental damage up to a value of £200 per holiday to a maximum of £100 per item. You will be asked to reimburse us for the full cost of any breakages, loss or damage caused to the property during your stay over the value of £100 per item. Please note that wilful and negligent behaviour is not covered by this charge, and you will be asked to reimburse us in full for any such damage. In the unfortunate event that you do incur any minor breakages we do please ask you to report them to our agent or representative in order that such items can be quickly replaced. An inventory of all our villas is taken at the beginning of the letting season to ensure that there is sufficient equipment for the number of people occupying the villa. It is simply not possible to do this between each let, so it is important you advise us so that we may replace broken or damaged items. This way the visitors following you will not be disappointed with the equipment in the villa.

GARDENS
Gardens have to be maintained on a regular basis and it is simply not possible for this maintenance to be carried out on ‘changeover’ days. Gardeners will try to be as discreet as possible, but should you find they are spending an excessive time at the villa you should report the matter to your local representative.

GARDEN FURNITURE
At our self-catering villas with private swimming pools there are adequate sunbeds for the number of people on the booking form (to the maximum number of people stated in the villa description). Sunbeds vary from villa to villa, and are usually supplied without cushions, as these would soon become stained and thus difficult to maintain in good condition. Sunbeds cannot be supplied for extra persons. At properties where there is a shared pool, there are rarely any sunbeds supplied. Sun umbrellas are not standard equipment, although at villas with private pools one will be supplied if there is no shade near the pool. These should not be taken to the beach. Cheap parasols are readily available in most supermarkets. Plastic chairs are flimsy and the legs will break easily when leaning on the back legs of the chairs, or when scraping the legs back to get up from the chairs.

SWIMMING POOLS
Swimming pools have to be maintained on a regular basis and as with garden maintenance, this cannot always be done on ‘changeover’ days. Pools at villas are normally checked once a week, and cleaned once a week, and whilst this is often done very early in the morning, maintenance personnel may arrive while you are using the pool. In these cases you will be asked to vacate the pool for about 1 hour. Filtration is automatically controlled by a time clock. Underwater lighting is not available (at some villas there may be a light in the pool which will have been disconnected). At some properties with shared pools the pool may only be available between June and September. Neither pool maintenance personnel nor gardeners have fixed hours, so it is not possible for us to advise you of the exact day or time of their visit.

CAR HIRE
A car is essential for the enjoyment of your holiday. Very few of our villas with private pool are close enough to the beach and shops to enable you to survive a holiday without a car. Buses are virtually non-existent; taxis are available, but far more expensive than car hire for the duration of a holiday; there are few pavements and very little street lighting on the access roads to our villas. We have negotiated very competitive car hire rates, including full insurance with no hidden extras or excesses, for our clients. Book your car at the same time as you book your villa. Cars are delivered to you at your airport of arrival and returned there by you at the end of your holiday. Cars cannot be delivered to your villa. Rental is on a 24 hour basis. If, for example, you arrive in the morning and depart in the evening you will automatically be invoiced for an extra day. For your own safety and convenience we suggest you book a larger rather than smaller car for your holiday. Group A cars all have airconditioning, but with the airconditioning running, a fully loaded vehicle with a small engine will rapidly lose power. Children and infants count as ‘passengers’ for insurance purposes and overloading your car will result in the insurance becoming null and void. Roof bars cannot be supplied. Baby seats are available at a cost of £15 per week and will be added to your invoice. It is the responsibility of an adult travelling with the baby to install the baby seat. This will not be done by the car hire company, for safety reasons. Child booster seats are required by law for children under 12 and you should bring these with you. Please remember that a baby seat takes the space of (and counts as) one person. We cannot accept any booking without your assurance that you have made arrangements to hire a car, or are driving to the villa.

FLIGHTS
Finding flights at the right time from the right airport at the right price can be confusing, time consuming and expensive. Let our experienced staff do the work for you. As agents for ATOL holders we can give you all the information you need about charter flights from all UK airports to your chosen destination. If you choose to book your flights independently it is a condition of booking that you advise Aspects of Spain Ltd of your departure/arrival airports, flight numbers, and flight departure/arrival times no later than 28 days prior to your arrival in Spain, and of any changes within 28 days of arrival.

CHANGEOVER DAYS
Changeover days for self-catering properties are clearly stated in our price list. However, in the early spring and autumn it is sometimes possible to arrange for changeovers on other days. This is not possible during summer months. Apartments in Nerja are available from any day, for a minimum of three nights. Some villas are available for "short breaks" (except in July and August). Minimum nights for short breaks at villas are four nights.

ARRIVAL and DEPARTURE
You may take occupation of your villa at any time between 1700hrs and 2000hrs on your day of arrival. In order to prepare for the next visitors we must ask you to vacate the villa by 1000hrs on your day of departure. When making your travel arrangements please first consult with our reservations staff who will be able to advise you of suitable flight timings in order to avoid you having to spend unnecessary hours either waiting to enter your villa at 5 in the afternoon, or after leaving at 10 in the morning. If you are making your own travel arrangements please carefully note the above arrival and departure times when you plan your journey. Remember to take a torch in case your flight is delayed, or you are scheduled to arrive at night.

2 O'CLOCK CHECK-IN
Check-in at 1400hrs can be arranged for a fee of just £35 per villa. This MUST be requested and paid for at the time of booking, and cannot be arranged for bookings made within 21 days of arrival. If for any reason (other than force majeure) the villa is not ready for you at check-in time we will refund you, on the spot, with £50 per £35 paid. Please note that if 2 p.m. check-in is requested after issue of confirmation/invoice an amendment of fee £20 will also apply. The 2 p.m. check-in fee will not be charged if you arrange your flights and car hire through Aspects of Spain. Complimentary 2 p.m. check-in is only available on full brochure price bookings made more than 21 days before departure.

KEY COLLECTION
Visitors to villas will be given detailed information with their travel documents regarding relevant directions and key collection even if you are arriving ‘out of hours’. We cannot fax, e-mail or post directions to villas in advance of your arrival. If a friend or family member other than those named on the booking form will be collecting the keys and directions on your behalf we will require your prior written authority for our agents to hand over the keys.

EATING AT HOME
Shopping for food can be fun on holiday, and you will find a wonderful selection of meat, fresh fish, fruit and vegetables. Most towns have a daily indoor market, and weekly market for everything from fruit and veg to leather jackets and shoes. The less adventurous will also find supermarkets stocked with many familiar British products. Local produce is generally cheaper than its UK equivalent, and imported goods slightly more expensive.

EATING OUT
In the areas we feature in this brochure there are literally hundreds of places to eat out. From the cheapest ‘menu del dia’ (menu of the day) for as little as 7€ per head, to Michelin starred restaurants at over 50€, there is something for every taste. Many restaurants take credit cards, although you should check first. In your villa information book you will find a selection of restaurants either tried by our representatives or recommended by previous clients.

SPORT and LEISURE
Water sports abound in coastal resorts, where you will find jet skis, pedalos, windsurfers, scuba diving and fishing to name but a few. Riding, tennis, golf and green bowls are also available, and there are wonderful walks, with many marked trails, in and around all the areas we feature. More information will be available in your villa book, or from our local representative. Golfers will require a current handicap card to play on courses in Spain.

NIGHTLIFE
In the areas we feature nightlife tends to centre round barbecues at home or eating out, followed by a nightcap (or two!). These are not ‘wild’ resorts. Along the beaches there are a number of music bars where teenagers can meet. Drinking and driving laws are similar to Britain with the alcohol limit lower. On-the-spot fines of around 500€ in cash are imposed if you are ‘over the limit’ and the car may be impounded.

FIESTAS
All the world loves a fiesta, and these are numerous in the resorts we feature. Some are religious fiestas, and others purely an excuse for the locals to have a good time. You will find more information about fiestas in the information book at your villa. The dates of some of these fiestas change from year to year and our reservations staff can advise you whether there will be fiestas on during your holiday.

MONEY MATTERS
We strongly advise you to take only a small amount of cash with the balance in Euro travellers cheques. Credit cards are accepted in some bars, restaurants, supermarkets and shops, but not everywhere, so please don’t rely on being able to use them always. Some banks do have cash points. We strongly recommend that you change money (currency and/or travellers cheques) at a bank, NOT at an exchange bureau.

PASSPORTS and VISAS
British visitors to Spain require a full 10 year British Passport valid to at least six months after their return date, but do not need a visa. Nationals of other EU member states also require a full passport valid to at least six months after their return date, but do not need a visa. Holders of other passports are strongly advised to check with the Spanish Consulate before travelling to Spain to ensure that their documentation is valid, as regulations do change from time to time. We cannot accept liability for clients who have incorrect or insufficient documentation. Further information can be obtained from:
Spanish Consulate
20 Draycott Place
London SW3 2RZ
Visas: 020 7589 8989
Spanish National Tourist Office
79 New Cavendish Street
London W1W 6XB
Enquiries: Tel 0207 486 8077 (Monday to Friday 09:15 to 16:15)
Fax: 020 7486 8034
Brochure requests: 09063 64 06 30 (Calls cost 60p per minute)
E-mail: info@tourspain.es
Web site: www.tourspain.es

Launched in 2001, ‘Know Before You Go’ is an ongoing travel safety campaign run by the Foreign & Commonwealth Office (FCO). It encourages British nationals to be better prepared for their overseas trips with a view to avoiding common travelling traumas, risks and dangers. Please click on the FCO logo above for full details.

You can also find up-to-date FCO information specifically about travel to Spain by clicking here