Q: Who is Getaway-Villas.co.uk?
A: Getaway-Villas.co.uk is a web-site owned and operated by Safe Ventures Ltd. We are a British (registered) Company, based in Leeds, specialising as a Booking Agent for quality villas in Cyprus, through the internet. All of our villas and services are illustrated on this Internet website. We do not own the villas shown here. When you book a villa you enter into a contract with the villa owner, which the owner has already accepted.
This site provides a cost effective way of allowing guests to book directly and stay in quality, individual villas, at lower prices than if they were booking through a travel agent or tour operator.
Q: How do I book a villa?
A: See our page entitled "Book it!"
Q: How is payment made?
A: Again details are given elsewhere (on the booking form) but in brief payments can be made by cheque or bank transfer or credit card.
Q: Are the rates per person or for the entire villa?
A: Our rates are for the entire villa on a weekly basis.
Q: Are the prices in Sterling or Cyprus pounds?
A: All prices quoted are in British Pounds Sterling.
Q: Are you ABTA or
ATOL members?
A: To be an ABTA member one needs
to be either a tour operator (principal) or a travel agent
(retail business) i.e. selling on behalf of the tour operators.
http://www.abta.com/joining.html
ATOL protection is advisable if you are buying flights
or an air holiday package (one that includes accommodation
AND flights in one package deal)
http://www.caa.co.uk/default.aspx?categoryid=27
We act as booking agents for the owners of villas in
cyprus. We do not sell tour-operator products, flights
or air holidays. We a simply promote and facilitate bookings
of individual accommodation properties. We are not required
to have, indeed we are not eligible for abta or atol membership
as we do not engage in business that needs it (i.e. flights
or package holidays)
You can book your flight through
an ATOL registered
company and this will provide you protection for your flights
and if you pay by credit card for your accommodation this
may provide some protection in that respect. Your travel
insurance may also provide you with some protection against
some aspects of your holiday.
Q: On which days to villa bookings usually commence?
A: Most villas have flexible changeover days, only being subject to availability, however some villas may stipulate a particular day, and this is shown on the villa information.
Q: What is the required length of stay?
A: Normally a 7-night stay or more is expected. Some villas may accept shorter stays (3 or 4 nights), especially if it is close to your departure date or during the low season. In peak season, a premium may be required.
Q: Aren't villas more expensive than a hotel?
A: As you explore the Cyprus villas we represent you'll see that many villas are often much cheaper than prices of hotels of the same quality standard. Villa rentals offer more privacy, more comfort, and more freedom than hotel rooms. Your villa also comes with a fully equipped kitchen, making a Cyprus vacation rental an economical choice. When two or more people are travelling, a rental is usually considerably less expensive than staying in hotel rooms and eating all of your meals out. When you factor in all the benefits and amenities of a private villa, you'll quickly realize that villas offer superb value. (Remember to compare rates per room/ per night).
Q: Do mobile phones work in Cyprus?
A: Generally most GSM network mobile phones do work in Cyprus although at times reception can be erratic and some locations are unsuitable for mobile telephones (mountains), so we advise that you check with your airtime provider.
Q: Is Travel Insurance Required?
A: Yes, it is strongly recommended that you arrange comprehensive travel insurance to include accommodation cancellation. If you require assistance in this respect, please refer to our "Insurance" page.
Q: Are Visas Required?
A: Visas are not required for EC passport holders although a full passport valid for at least 3 months from your date of return is required. If you do not hold an EC Passport, or require any further Visa information, we recommend that you contact the Cyprus High Commission (Tel: 0207 499 8272), before you book your villa, to check whether a visa is required in your case.
Q: Are Vaccinations Required?
A: No inoculations or vaccinations are compulsory for UK residents, but the DHSS does recommend certain health precautions for travellers - see their leaflets SA40 and SA41 for details (obtainable from your local Dept. of Health office) or ask your doctor. Should you be taking any form of medication, take adequate supplies with you and carry them, as well as items like contact lenses, in your hand luggage only.
Q: Are there any currency restrictions?
A: There is no limit on how much currency you take out of the UK. The Cyprus Government may have a limit on how much you are allowedto take in or take out up in local currency without declaring. We recommend you take most of your spending money in the form of traveller's cheques (Sterling), although in the major tourist centres the banks should cash cheques written in conjunction with a Eurocheque card, and credit cards are widely accepted. You can also withdraw money from cash machines.
Q: Are the Safety Standards and Regulations the same as in the UK?
A: The safety standards and regulations in operation in Cyprus may not reach the same level as those we enjoy in the U.K. The monitoring, enforcement and compliance with these local regulations is a matter for the authorities of that country and the foreign supplier of the services concerned. The general standards of safety and hygiene, fire precautions etc, will generally be lower than in the U.K. Liability insurance requirements vary considerably from country to country, as does the responsibility placed on an organisation by local law. Please therefore take all precautions to protect yourself and your family whilst on holiday.
Q: What about insects and pests?
A: The villas and village houses are often located in rural areas. Indeed, for many people, this is one of their great attractions. However, having open countryside nearby or a location within a working village, 'friendly locals' can include more than the village priest. Ants, lizards, wasps, spiders, field mice, snakes, field rats etc. are not uncommon in Cyprus (after all, they were there first!) although no more numerous than anywhere else in the Mediterranean. So, if you or any of your party are likely to be squeamish about a possible visit from local wildlife, we recommend you check with us as to the suitability and location of your chosen accommodation before you book. Mosquitoes can be an annoyance and so we recommend that you bring a suitable lotion and/or plug-in repellent.
Q: What are the check in and check out times?
A: Access to villas and village houses will be after 4pm to allow for cleaning and have to be vacated by 11am on day of departure unless otherwise agreed by us.
Q: Do the villas with satellite TV, have English channels?
A: Most satellite systems in Cyprus have over 100 channels however these are mainly a mixture of Greek and European channels. Usually there are just a few English channel like CNN News, Euro News, BBC World and sometimes a film is shown in the evenings in English. It is only those villas with a Sky satellite system that will have proper English channels. If this is of importance to you, please check with us before making a booking.
Q: Is a car required?
A: We strongly recommend that guests reserve a car, as often villas can be far to walk to conveniences and in some locations public transport is limited. Full car hire details can be found on our site at Car Hire.
Q: Do the villas have telephones or internet access?
A: None of our villas have the use of a telephone for telephone calls (unless otherwise stated in the villa info pages). To make telephone calls you can either use local phone boxes, use your own mobile phone (see above) or purchase a pay as-you-go, card or mobile telephone from your local Cytanet Office. A few of our villas have internet access using a standard dial-up connection. Please ask us for further details.
Q: Are towels and linen provided?
A: Bed linen and bathroom towels are provided at all of our properties. We advise that you bring your own towels for pool/beach use as these are not provided. The villas towels are only for use inside the property and are not to be used outdoors, on the sun beds, or at the beach. Towels and linen are usually changed at the end of 7 days unless otherwise stated.
Q: What is the electricity voltage?
A: The voltage is the same as in the UK - 240 volts, with 3-pin plug sockets.
Q: How often is the villa cleaned?
A: Unless otherwise stated, all of our properties are cleaned prior to arrival and then again after 7 days.
