Top Tips for Booking Large Group Holidays in the Algarve
You may be well used to booking your family holidays, but how do you go about booking a large group holiday? Here are SandyBlue’s top tips on booking a group holiday in the Algarve.
The Algarve is a fabulous destination not only for family holidays and romantic breaks. It’s also one of the best destinations for bespoke holidays and large group holidays . There is an excellent choice of large villas that are perfect for wedding groups and family celebrations. Golfers love the Algarve golf courses, and the great range of larger properties that can accommodate large golfing groups in comfort. If sport is your thing, get your fellow runners, cyclists and tennis players to join in and enjoy an active group holiday in the Golden Triangle, where there are outstanding sports facilities as well as great villas.
1. Book a year in advance!
SandyBlue has some excellent large villas to suit groups and families, but the supply here in the Algarve is limited, so be sure to book as early as you can. By doing so, you get the choice of properties and the choice of dates. If you delay, chances are the dates that suit your group will be gone when you finally decide to book. Booking as early as the previous summer can be a real time-saver!
2. Choose the type of accommodation you want
Depending on the size and type of your group, you may all want to stay together or stay close but in separate accommodation. When making your enquiry, make sure to specify your preferred option to the travel agent.
3. Nominate an organiser
To make everything easier and avoid confusion, nominate one person in your group to deal with the booking, to be the conduit of information between your group and the travel agent. This person should be able to provide information such as the arrival time of your group to the property, be in charge of payments and providing documentation details, ex. passport numbers. Set up a group on Facebook or Whats App to keep everyone up to date on the holiday plans.
4. Order your shopping ahead of arrival
Whether your group all travels together on one flight or arrives in stages, you do not want to arrive tired, hungry and thirsty to an empty villa. To avoid having to traipse off to the supermarket on your first day, why not do the shopping online and arrange to have it delivered to your property when you arrive. Apolonia in Almancil offers an online store in English and will deliver to your property when you arrive.
5. Plan your stay
You won’t want to plan every minute of your stay but it is always wise to book fun activities and days out as well as favourite restaurants in advance, particularly for large groups. For family groups, a day out at a waterpark is a must. Boat trips are perfect for celebrating special occasions and need to be booked in advance, particularly if you want to charter a boat just for your group. If you are planning a running, biking or tennis holiday, then get in touch so we can help with routes, equipment hire and creating a package for you.
6. Let SandyBlue help
SandyBlue has all the local expertise and contacts to not only provide you with fabulous villas and apartments, we can reccommend the best activities, golf courses, car hire or airport transfers company for your group, advise you on the best restaurants or even arrange a private chef for in villa catering. You have the fun, we do the work!
