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Live like a local with holidaylettings.co.uk Tue 10 August 2010
Swap the full English breakfast for local specialities and experience holiday life 'the local way' with holidaylettings.co.uk™. Holiday Lettings, the UK’s number one for holiday homes worldwide, offers self-catering adventures for all budgets, with villas and apartments nestled in the heart of magnificent cities all over the world.
Stroll the streets of Marrakech, Italy, Greece and Spain and soak up the customs and etiquette these distinctive countries have to offer. Avoid tourist traps by eating where you see the locals dining, away from the major tourist attractions. Explore the heart of the area by finding the friendliest delis with freshly brewed coffee and marketplaces exploding with fresh produce. Or if you would rather relax in the comfort of your self catering villa, why not pick up a cook book of local recipes and rustle up some of the mouth-watering national dishes yourself.
'When in Rome, do as the Romans do' and live like a local with holidaylettings.co.uk:
Top tip: Take time to pick up a few words of the mother tongue ahead of your trip and your efforts will be repaid by smiles of appreciation at your holiday destination.
 Chez DarMa Riad, Essaouria Region, Marrakech
Sleeps up to 10 (five bedrooms) from £220 to £1200 per week (£22 - £120 per person)
This beautifully renovated riad lies in the heart of the ancient walled Medina. Stay off the tourist track, while winding your way through bustling Marrakech. Barter for some local produce; pick up fresh saffron and people-watch as the locals go about their day to day business. With five en-suite bedrooms, large kitchen and breakfast room, living room with large fireplace and a spacious patio area with ample seating, this opulent riad is the ideal location for families and friends. The large terrace, filled with native plants, is fantastic for enjoying a drink while taking in the breath-taking scenery.
Essaouira is a UNESCO World Heritage city filled with historic sites and is famous for its Gnaoua Music Festival. Take a day trip to Had-Draa, home to a traditional Sunday market and the potteries of Safi where you can pick up your very own traditional Moroccan tagine dish. Round off the day by unwinding at the local hammam, a traditional Moroccan steam bath where you will walk away feeling relaxed and rejuvenated.
Ryanair, Easyjet and Thomson all operate a direct service to Marrakech
 The Red House, Central Venice, Italy
Sleeps up to six (two bedrooms) from £1063 to £1575 per week (£177 - £262.50 per week)
The Red House is an ultra modern apartment set within a traditional Venetian building. The property boasts a bright spacious living room, two bedrooms, fully equipped kitchen for cooking up some fresh Italian pasta and a spacious terrace, perfect for taking in the Venetian ambience. Thanks to Red House’s central location, holidaymakers have easy access to some of the city’s most impressive museums and art galleries, including Palazzo Grassi, Museo Correr, The Dodges Palace and San Marco's Cathedral.
The Red House is just a stone’s throw from the best of the city’s classic Italian restaurants, where you can delve into local delicacies such as panna cotta, and carpaccio. Boat trips around the Venetian lagoon and gondola rides along the canal are a must before you leave breathtaking Venice.
Ryanair, Easyjet, Alitalia and British Airways all operate a direct service to Venice
 Pelican’s House, Nidri, Ionian Islands, Greece
Sleeps up to six (three bedrooms) from £667 to £1667 per week (£111 - £278 per person)
Pelican House is a stunning new-build, nestled on the hillside above the famous seaside town of Nidri on the island of Lefkas. Make the most of the remarkable views of the other Ionian islands and lush mountains of Lefkas, with a glass of wine and traditional tzatziki and stuffed vine leaves.
The villa consists of a large kitchen and dining area, private balcony, terrace and BBQ facilities.
With a generous outside space, guests can indulge in sunbathing around the pool and BBQ lunches with friends and family. Beach lovers can take in the stunning beaches around the west coast of the island and there are plenty trails for those who enjoy walking or mountain biking. For the more adventurous, sailing, windsurfing and kite surfing trips can also be arranged on request. The villa is situated close to Paleokatouna and Nidri, which both have a wide variety of restaurants and bars serving local cuisines such as stuffed vine leaves, lamb kofta, feta cheese and the ever so popular Greek salad.
Charter Airlines operate a chartered service to Preveza, the local airport close to the villa
 Mother’s Garden Cottage, Priorat, Spain
Sleeps up to eight (three bedrooms) from £483 to £1148 per week (£60.50 - £143.50 per person)
Mother’s Garden Cottage is a charming three bedroom cottage nestled in the beautiful Priorat Mountains, surrounded by a farm full of vines, olives and almonds. With something for everyone, the property will appeal to food and wine enthusiasts, bird watchers, walkers or any holidaymaker seeking a taste of authentic Spain. Forests, wildlife and private gardens surround the house along with an impressive swimming pool – perfect for cooling off after exploring the area. The Costa Dorada offers festivals throughout the year, including a the Priorat wine fair in Falset, a colour artisan fair in Marçà, plus a host of summer fiestas, which take place in many of the surrounding villages. Marçà is just one kilometre away and is home to a handful of quaint shops, including a bakery, a chemist, two restaurants and a bar. The owners have contacts with some of the best local wine cellars which offer wine tours that can be organised on your behalf. During the winter months guests can also indulge in some olive and almond harvesting.
Ryanair operates direct flights to Reus, the closest location to the cottage
ends About Holiday Lettings:Holidaylettings.co.uk was established in 1999 by Ross Elder and Andy Firth. Part of the TripAdvisor Media group since June 2010, the business continues to thrive as an independent brand from its offices in Oxford. Jonathan Dees has been managing director since March 2011. Search 65,000+ privately owned holiday homes in 116 countries around the world. Choose from spacious villas, resort apartments, sprawling gites and farmhouses, cosy romantic retreats, cottages, barn and chapel conversions, city breaks, rural getaways or beach breaks - there's a home for every holiday. With 69 million unique monthly visitors* through the TripAdvisor Media Group, what are you waiting for... Contact the PR team:
Kate Stinchcombe-Gillies, head of communications
+44 (0)1865 312010
Click here to email the team *Through the TripAdvisor Media Group. Source: comScore Media Metrix for TripAdvisor Inc. and its subsidiaries, Worldwide, May 2012
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