Nick Trend highlights why Blighty is as good as any other holiday destination this summer. He recommends renting a holiday home direct from an owner for a more authentic stay too!

Owning a holiday home needn't be a burden thanks to sites like ours. Not only are thousands more second home owners realising the added value sitting dormant in their holiday property, holidaymakers are increasingly learning about the space, freedom and value for money aspects associated with renting a private holiday home, especially when compared to staying in a hotel.

Gordon Miller takes advice from Holiday Lettings on how to attract golfers to your apartment with its fairway views.

Chris Haslam and Stephen Bleach put together 50 top tips for cost-effective holidays and number 16 highlights how staying in a private holiday home can save you more than half compared to staying in a hotel. Their example is the gorgeous two bedroom apartment, La Versailles, in Cannes, compared to a 4* hotel on the same stretch of La Croisettes.

Fred Mawer discusses some of the highlights of a trip to North America in 2009. In the where to stay section he recommends finding accommodation through holidaylettings.co.uk.

Abigail Flanagan and Teresa Machan discover some of Europe's most idyllic rural holiday home escapes including Casa Heidi in Bran, Romania, just one mile from 'Dracula's Castle'! A week at this striking home in stunning landscapes costs from £910 per week, sleeping up to 10 guests.

Steve Keenan picks the best of the last minute skiing and snowboarding options including the four bedroom apartment Belle Vue in Morzine and the three bedroom Chalet Bouquetin in Alpe d'Huez.

Today's late deals in The Times include Ravenswood Cottage in Theale. Offering views across the Mendip Hills and the cottage is set amidst 11 acres of blissfully tranquil landscape. A safe place for the kids to roam freely or take advantage of the on-site children's play area. Available now until March 13, sleeping four, it is offering a week at £280.

Cherry Maslen gets the lowdown on the holiday lettings marketplace - enquiries are up year-on-year, supporting the increase in supply of available holiday homes, as more and more people realise the added value of their second homes, or find a need for that extra income. She also talks to Julia Johnston about their holiday home in Bournemouth and it's added value to them in tough times.

Chris Haslam asks for an insight into holidaymaker mood. The current feeling is that holidaymakers are sussing out whether discounts are available, but peak holiday periods are as in demand as ever and therefore no need to budge on price.

Page two of Saturday's Telegraph Property supplement led with key figures in the property marketplace. This included the estimated £27m earnt by holiday home advertisers on holidaylettings.co.uk in January 2009.

Ray Connolly discovers jazz and blues in medieval Cahors

Ginetta Vedrickas talks to Ross Elder, MD of holidaylettings.co.uk, about how more and more second home owners are reaping the benefits of letting out their holiday home to paying guests.

Booking an apartment for your summer break is not unusual, but for those seeking a more bargainous break this year it's the obvious answer - they can be 50 per cent cheaper than staying in a hotel. Why not try Fontana Condo in Miami, Art Nouveau apartments in Budapest, or one with a rooftop pool in Ibiza as recommended by The Guardian.

Rebecca O'Connor and Francesca Steele investigate the promise held in the French ski property market and discover that great conditions bring rental income for chalet owners.

Marc di Silva reports on how the self-catering marketplace is buzzing in 2009 - booking enquiries in January were up 20 per cent year on year! A result of this boom, is that an estimated £27m of bookings was generated for holiday homes owners via this site in January alone!

Kate Patrick seeks out great British breaks for under £50 per person and includes the four berth yacht Baboo in Brighton Marina.

A weekend in Budapest might be on the cards for someone this Valentine's, but for other ideas the News of the World recommend our Valentine's ideas page!

Nicola Iseard and Sarah Turner select the Porter's Office, part of a converted railway station, at as one of their top 50 UK accommodation options.

For a greener, more wallet-friendly holiday you could try Nanara Cottage in Croatia, Ararat Cottage in the Midi-Pyrenees or Moonraker House in Sussex.

Could it get more romantic than Il Ruscello? A converted watermill with space just for you and a loved one in Tuscany's remote ruralness.