JG Communications

Specialist travel and leisure PR consultancy.

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Are these the ‘Hottest New Rentals in Europe’? They are according to Conde Nast Traveller, the inspirational travel magazine that has us all drooling over destinations near and far. Most heartening is the fact that there really is something for everyone, from a ‘château’ near Paris to an ‘hacienda’ in Cadiz and from villas for two in Santorini to a Gatsby-style villa for 40 near San Antonio.

The gallery also features several of client soloSicily’s newest rental properties, including a family villa in the Palermitan suburb of Mondello and two incredibly stylish apartments overlooking the tiny island of Isola Bella in Taormina.

Summer school holidays – for couples

Holidaying in summer school holidays without kids? If it can’t be avoided, the chances are you’ll want to find somewhere that’s not overrun by families and young children.

Client ExpertoItaly’s 9-bedroom Residenza La Corallina, right on the seafront in the Cilento town of Castellabate, is one of the 10 quiet and relaxing holidays suggested by the Guardian for anyone who wants to get away in peak season without kids in tow.

If self-catering’s more your thing, take a look at the selection offered by High50.com which includes a stay at soloSicily’s minimalist Tanguera villa, close to Palermo, and with the ultimate in indulgence, an outdoor sunken bath.

No peace for the wicked

Our relentless quest to entertain and amuse our kids really rises to the fore when it comes to holiday decisions and never more so than when planning a holiday with restless teens. After all, under-10’s (and hopefully toddlers!) are generally happy to potter around, swim and just ‘be’, and later, as they hit adulthood, there are few who fail to recognise the merits of a free holiday. It’s the intervening years that cause problems.

So, some welcome ideas in the recent Times’ round-up of best breaks for active kids including jungle adventures, paddle boarding, Turkish mountain biking and sea kayaking on the Amalfi Coast.

Click here to see some of the summer holiday ideas.

Spectacular views from ExpertoItaly's La Riva on the Amalfi coast

Decisions decisions …

Rural or beachside? Apartment or villa? Chic contemporary interior or outdoor kitchen? For anyone completely overwhelmed by the sheer amount of choice when it comes to booking a self-catering holiday, AOL Travel comes to the rescue this Spring with a gallery of images of gorgeous villas and apartments with views to die for. From Cornwall to Croatia, and Sicily to the Amalfi coast, you just need to decide whether you want a rural or sea-view ….

Click here to see the complete article.

Get your vitamin D boost here

Can’t wait for summer? The coldest March for 50 years has left most of us desperate for the heat of the sun – the easiest way to top up your vitamin D and even better when it comes to boosting flagging spirits. Check out some of Beverley Fearis’ recommendations for a quick dash to warmer climes in the Observer magazine. Click here to read full Observer article.

Chocs away in Europe

Grab a quick European break this Easter and do your own research into local ‘choco’ traditions.

Spice up your life in Sicily: Famous for its extraordinary spicy chocolate and its colourful Easter processions, Modica produces amazing chocolate made using a 16th century Mexican technique. Visit the Antica Dolceria Bonajuto chocolate shop, in situ since 1880, to sample it at its best. Villa specialist soloSicily has several properties nearby that are perfect for exploring the heart of baroque Sicily.

Top 10 Easter breaks

From bed to beach in less than three minutes … soloSicily’s Amaltea is a little cottage with a great big garden that leads straight on to a secluded beach – perfect for a Montalbano-style early morning swim followed by cappuccino and pastry in the shade of the garden’s towering palm trees.

Close to the baroque town of Modica which is famous for its extraordinary spicy chocolate and colourful Easter processions, and in one of Sicily’s southernmost areas, this is a great base for an Easter break.

See information on Amaltea and other ideas for Easter sunshine in the Sunday Mirror’s Top 10 Easter Breaks feature.

Picture postcard breakfasts

Some of Europe’s best budget hotels were included in the first part of a round-up in The Times’ travel section last weekend. Part two to follow next week.

Amongst our favourites were the Palazzo Failla Hotel in Modica and client ExpertoItaly’s Hotel Marulivo, an eleven-room converted 13^th century convent, clinging to the cliff edge in the medieval historic centre of Pisciotta in southern Italy’s Cilento Park. Top marks for the hotel’s breakfast of fresh pastries and a cappuccino on the roof-top terrace (pictured).

Family breaks

If your thoughts are turning to holiday plans but you’re restricted by school term dates, now is definitely the time to set those plans in concrete. Significant special offers and discounts during peak periods don’t tend to happen unless you’re prepared to be very flexible in terms of dates and where you go. If you have to stick to specific dates and have a good idea of what you want to do, book now to get the best choice of accommodation and the cheapest flights.

Saturday’s Times newspaper may help kick start the process with their own ‘School’s Out’ suggestions, including a soloSicily holiday in a large country estate, with accommodation for up to 17, on the slopes of Mount Etna. Click here to read the The Times article.

Top city breaks for street food

Sampling local food can be one of the best bits of any city break and grabbing a quick bite from a stall can be even more tempting (and certainly cheaper) than de-camping to a restaurant. These are some of our top tips for authentic street food.

Istanbul … given the city’s geographical position, straddling two continents, it isn’t surprising that Istanbul ranks high when it comes to street food. Start your day with ‘simit’, a ring-shaped bread topped with toasted sesame seeds, before progressing to a roasted corn on a cob and then munching your way through a fresh fish sandwich near the Galata Bridge in the Eminonu area. Colourful arrangements of spices and Turkish delight invariably attract tourists to the Spice Market but wander slightly off the beaten track and you’ll stumble upon market stalls displaying freshly-caught fish and supersized local vegetables.