All accommodation
we feature is known to at least one member of staff.
We have been established for 33 years,
and our aim has always been to offer our customers maximum
flexibility and to provide precisely the holiday they
seek.
We can rightly claim to have been ahead
of our time now that the unpackaged holiday - always
our specialty - is so much in fashion.
For us, however, unpackaging does not mean penny-pinching
by ceasing to offer our customers a meal during their flight
or cutting corners by asking them to pay extra for a transfer
to their resort on arrival. Our customers - 70% of whom give
us their business repeatedly or who have been recommended
to contact us by their friends - tell us that they like the
way we organise their holidays, and we plan to continue to
offer precisely what our regular customers enjoy; the best
all-round service possible.
Should you have a problem with any part of our arrangements,
our 24-hour duty manager and our directors will do their utmost
to assist. If our suppliers are in anyway at fault, you can
look to us in our Middlesex offices for a solution - we will
not pass the buck.
How should we describe our holidays if you are a Sunvil newcomer?
Probably along the lines of a safe adventure, because our
holidays are for the independently-minded person. We research
our destinations in great detail, we get to know our host
destinations well so that our staff can describe our holidays
to you in more depth should you so wish and many of our holidays
are slightly off the beaten track because those are the types
of holiday that we. personally, are passionate about. We care
about the destinations we sell to our customers, and try to
act always in a responsible manner as far as the local people
and the local environment are concerned.
Please don't think that, because our price panels indicate
7 or 14 night durations, there's nothing else available. Far
from it! Many of our clients take one or two week holidays
but those prices are there for guidance as much as anything
- we can usually arrange a holiday of absolutely any duration
that you wish.
In these times of do-it-yourself holidays, we believe that
we offer a valuable service. We save you time, we save you
the inconvenience of contacting many different people to arrange
your holiday and, most importantly of all, you can rest assured
(unlike when you make DIY arrangements on the web) that your
money is 100% safe, guaranteed by our bond with the Civil
Aviation Authority (ATOL 808), by our bond with AITO Trust
and via our membership of both AITO and ABTA.
The westernmost country of Europe is
a beautiful land of marked contrasts whose bold, sea-faring
people pushed forward the frontiers of the ancient world.
Evidence of that glorious heritage can be seen everywhere:
in fascinating cities, extraordinarily lovely scenery
and warm, unaffected people who keep alive their age-old
traditions and ceremonies.
This country, with its unexpected contrasts,
is a most stimulating and rewarding one to tour.
The white holiday beaches of the Algarve
give way to the green Monchique hills, to the cork tree-covered
plains of the Alentejo stretching to Lisbon, among the
loveliest of all European cities, and beyond to wooded
and vine-covered hills encompassing vibrant towns and
reaching to the Spanish border.
Portugal is ideally suited to the touring holiday. Distances
are not great, roads winding but in good repair and very comfortable
accommodation in character hotels, historic manor houses and
Pousadas readily available.
We also feature the Algarve area, but not the standard hotels
or apartments now common in the overcrowded resorts. The holidays
presented here, as you will see from the following pages,
are rather different. Try one - you will discover a side of
Portugal you least expected, and you will not be disappointed.
We are specialists in the truest sense
of the word. We concentrate on areas we know and love,
are still of a size to provide genuine flexibility,
and strive to offer a personal service. We actively
enjoy passing on our in-depth local knowledge to help
you with one of the year's more difficult decisions
- where to go on holiday!
The year 2003 sees Sunvil's 33rd year,
and our management team still includes those who founded
the company in 1970. Over the decades our programme
has grown slowly but surely, as we like to add a new
island or area when we think the time is right.
For this summer we have added the island
of Amorgos, one of the most remote (and beautiful) of
the Cyclades. Our programme here is designed to give
a rare insight into the industry, culture and life-style
of a really traditional Greek island and offers a range
of themed courses.
In addition we have expanded our programmes to Kefalonia,
Samos, Corfu, Parga, Sivota and the Pelion (amongst others)
all-in-all there are some sixty new properties to choose from.
And clients living in the north will, we hope, again be pleased
to see that we are offering more Manchester departures. With
the addition of flights to Preveza, Kalamata and Skiathos,
over 80% of our programme is now accessible from Manchester.
Elsewhere in this brochure you will find a very wide selection
of tried and tested favourites, as well as a variety of pre-
bookable activities such as water sports, small boat hire,
walking excursions and sailing.
Wherever we go in Greece, even to the better known islands,
we look for areas more off the tourist-beaten track than on,
which have retained a genuinely Greek flavour. Our accommodation,
be it simple studio or deluxe hotel, is carefully selected
and our flights are nearly all by day. Quality of holiday
is something we true specialists have been practising for
years.
Our aim throughout this brochure is to offer an attractive
alternative to the larger mass-market holiday companies, backed
up by a friendly, efficient service and product knowledge
second-to-none. For nigh on three decades our philosophy has
been to offer 'real' holidays to the 'real' Greece. Welcome
again to 'Specialist Greece'.
Lemnos (Mondays from Gatwick)
You can fly direct to this large traditional island, which
has few tourists, excellent sandy beaches and an attractive
small port. Why read any further?
Samos and Ikaria (Thursdays from Gatwick
and Manchester)
Close to Turkey, Samos is a refreshing combination of pine
and olive, mountain and beach. It is large enough to offer
plenty of variety, and has a special appeal for walkers. Neighbouring
Ikaria is little-known and a perfect Greek escape from modern
day life.
Patmos (Thursdays from Gatwick and Manchester)
Dominated by the monastery of St. John, Patmos' fame belies
its size. Most visitors come for a few hours only. But if
you stay here, you will discover a gem of an island which
the cruise-boat set will never know.
Corfu (Mondays from Gatwick and Manchester)
Corfu remains one of the most beautiful islands in the Mediterranean.
The recent downturn in the mass-market numbers gives a perfect
opportunity to discover why Corfu has held generations of
visitors in thrall.
Paxos (Mondays from Gatwick and Manchester)
Silvery Paxos may be small but it is very pretty, wonderful
for walking and lapped by the clearest of seas, be prepared
to fall under the spell of a truly enchanting isle.
Lefkas (Sundays from Heathrow, Gatwick and
Manchester)
Lefkas, linked to the mainland by a bridge, combines a true
island atmosphere with access by car to the delights of Epirus.
Although only a short drive from Preveza airport, Lefkas remains
largely traditional and unspoilt.
Kefalonia and Ithaca (Saturdays from Gatwick
and Manchester)
Kefalonia boasts dramatic scenery, strong traditions and marvellous
beaches. It will reward exploration many times over. Legendary
Ithaca is little-visited and sleepy. Was this the home of
Odysseus? Judge for yourself . . .
Parga and Sivota (Sundays from Heathrow,
Gatwick and Manchester)
Two Epirot villages in glorious surrounding and with excellent
beaches. Parga, well known for its beauty with Greek and foreigner
alike. Sivota has fewer visitors, a very pretty waterfront
and a real village atmosphere.
The Peloponnese (Sundays from Heathrow,
Gatwick and Manchester)
The peloponnese has got a wealth of ancient sites, stunning
mountain scenery, traditional villages and miles of beaches.
Tolon, an organised resort in the north, is suitable for all
ages and a good base for excursions. The south is undeveloped
and ideal for a quiet, relaxed holiday.
The Pelion (Tuesdays from Gatwick)
Pelion is famous for its beauty. Here mountain, sea and forest
hide preserved villages and stunning beaches. Difficult to
get to in the past, a direct flight to Volos means you can
now discover it for yourself.
Skiathos, Skopelos and Alonissos (Mondays
from Gatwick and Manchester)
Three green and golden Sporadic Isles. Skiathos has almost
50 sandy beaches is lively and fashionable. Skopelos is larger
- the port is especially attractive with its chapels and narrow
lanes. Alonissos is a quiet retreat.
Cycladic Islands (Friday evenings from Heathrow)
Whitewashed houses, gaily painted fishing boats, laden donkeys.
. .the Greek Islands as you imagine. We favour Andros as it
is only a short ferry journey from Athens but without the
crowds of some of its neighbours.
Crete (Tuesdays from Gatwick and Manchester)
The largest island of them all, with a rugged, mountainous
landscape and a fascinating past. We feature mainly the west,
particularly the area in and around historic Chania, and the
remote south coast (including car-free Loutro which can only
be reached by boat).
Hidden Greece and Athens (Various flights
from Heathrow, Gatwick and Manchester)
Our mainland fly drives are as flexible as you wish to make
them and feature areas rarely found in a holiday brochure.
A very different face of Greece.
Sunvil have promoted this enchanting island
for thirty three years. In that time, we have built
up a knowledge and feeling for the country which is
second to none. We can truly say that we know Cyprus
inside out. Who better, then, to introduce you to this,
the third largest island in the Mediterranean, having
many of the attractions of Greece, yet spiced with a
dash of the Orient?
It is an easy place to visit: the 4 hour
flight is reasonably short. Eighty years of British
rule has left its mark and you will find much to remind
you of home. Driving on the left, for example, and English
almost a second language, the police and judiciary trained
on our lines. Cypriots are among the world's most welcoming
people: 'Nobody comes to Cyprus once' is an island saying,
and when you return, even years after, you will be greeted
warmly because you are an old friend.
Where to go
Along the south coast are fine sandy beaches, first class
hotels and a lively nightlife. Inland you can discover an
entirely different style -the age-old peasant culture led
by the village priest and mukhtar (head man) where tales are
told and little has changed through generations. If however;
you are seeking a wild, unspoiled place, go north-west to
the Akamas Peninsula. There you can almost hear the flowers
growing it is so quiet, or the lapping of small waves far
below, and the sea is the colour of amethyst.
When to go
Apart from its long, luxurious summer; Cyprus off season
can be most attractive and peaceful. Skiing is available on
Mount Olympus, the countryside becomes green and fresh again
after the first rain and soon a profusion of flowers emerges.
Among the first are the delicate white narcissi in February
come the anemones, according to legend the spilled blood of
Adonis. ...wild orchids, freesias and irises appear and finally
fields of bright yellow chrysanthemums herald the new summer:
And remember; that Greek Easter (25th-28th April) in Cyprus
is something very special.
About the food
A unique blend drawn from sources all around the Eastern
Mediterranean, there is a variety not quite found elsewhere.
Cyprus salads and fruit are excellent, as are meat dishes
such as delicious kleftico (tender lamb). There are many vegetarian
dishes cooked with olive oil, tomato, local herbs and spices.
Hundreds of years of practice makes perfect. At some stage,
try a 'meze' -a feast of up to 30 small dishes of just about
everything in the kitchen.
About the wine
Cyprus has been exporting wine since the days of Homer, and
you will find a wide selection able to compare with the best
from the Eastern Mediterranean. Prices are reasonable, so
keep sampling until you find your favourite. The local brandy
is also very good; and brandy sour is a popular and refreshing
drink.
We hope you will find this programme rather
different. We continually re-visit the countries featured
in this programme in order to monitor standards, increase
our knowledge and develop new products and itineraries.
We pride ourselves on offering a highly personal service
and good value for money.
We first ventured into Costa Rica eight years ago and
have steadily increased our coverage of Central/South
America, adding Guatemala in 1996, Ecuador in 1998,
Argentina in 1999 and Peru in 2001. We are very excited
and pleased to announce that Chile and Brazil have been
added for 2003.
Unlike other programmes offering holidays
to these countries, we do not feature standard large
group tours which lack flexibility and imagination but
rather a selection of well researched small group tours
with itineraries unique to us.
We specialise in personally constructed fly-drive itineraries
which have been tried and tested by us and which can be tailored
to meet your individual requirements. Our holidays suit those
who seek independence, freedom and flexibility - those who
want to immerse themselves in the local culture rather than
just lie by a swimming pool. Accommodation has been selected
for character and comfort and has been personally visited
and chosen by us.
Upon discussing your requirements, we prepare a tailor-made
suggested itinerary with a costing (under no obligation).
If you decide to proceed, all the accommodation and services
are pre-booked by us and detailed maps and information pack
are provided before you depart.
Latin America as a whole has stabilised politically and economically
over the last six years. This has enabled us to feature holidays
to what were traditionally more exotic locations in much the
same way as we would feature holidays in our Discovery Europe
programme.
We are pleased to say that our clients report very high levels
of satisfaction with our service in Latin America. So, treat
yourself to something a little out of the ordinary, allowing
us to guide and advise you so that you can experience some
very special places with confidence, knowing that we have
been there before you and are there to assist when you need
us. We hope you enjoy sampling our Latin America programme
as much as we, at Sunvil, have enjoyed researching and discovering
the destinations!
Sunvil Discovery Africa
Namibia, Botswana, Zambia, Malawi, Zimbabwe, Mozambique,
South Africa's Cape.
Incredibly detailed local knowledge - the Sunvil team
writes travel guidebooks.
Totally flexible, tailor-made arrangements - fly-drive,
fly in and guided trips.
Top-quality and mid-market options.
Greek Islands Club
Gatwick and Manchester day flights.
Gatwick upgraded flight service.
Private villas and apartments away from resorts.
Properties furnished and equipped as family homes.
Caters for those prepared to pay extra to escape the crowds.
Windsor & Neate Travel, ABTA/IATA
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