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SHEPHERDS DEL SOL
Petra Shepherd joined Travel
Channel for its launch back in 1994. She looks after our research
and works on all original productions. Petra's one of the most
recognisable faces in the travel industry and when she's not
on the canapé circuit promoting the channel, she spends every
free moment travelling. She's visited over 70 countries and
prefers back packing to 5 * luxury, unless of course it's in
the name of research!
This month she shares with
us her recent experiences of planning a holiday for three generations
of the Shepherd family.
For most people spending a couple of days
with the family over Christmas is just about bearable but who
in their right mind would want to go away on holiday with the
whole kit and caboodle under the same roof?! The problem I had
was a family get-together was called for and inevitably everyone
had an idea of what that should entail; not so much a list of
"requests", more like "demands". There were eleven of us. The
Shepherd and Maxwell families consisting of two parents over
70, a married sister with three children under 10, the "rock
'n' roll" sister with boyfriend-in-tow, and a sister over from
Australia.
 My
first problem was to find a villa that could sleep so many (not
an easy task), while our other "requirements" included a downstairs
bedroom (Father can't do stairs), a large pool and garden, and
a housekeeper-cum-cook. We didn't want any of the inevitable
arguments over cooking and clearing up. When it comes to friends,
you tend to be polite and get on with it. Families on the other
hand call "a spade a spade" and woe betide anyone who hasn't
done their "turn" or pulled their weight. We may all be over
30 but when it comes to who hasn't done the washing up, it's
amazing how quickly we resort to behaving like teenagers. Not
what you need on holiday.
We also wanted peace and quiet but didn't
want to be totally out in the Styx. The boys were keen to play
golf, we girls wanted to ride, and none of us wanted to travel
too far to find somehwere to eat. Oh, and we were looking for
somewhere that little bit special, no plastic tables and chairs,
and mismatched furniture. We were all tied into travel over
the October half term and our goal was somewhere within easy
flying distance of London but still warm and sunny. The latter
was a key consideration.
Other problems involved trying to please
dramatically different tastes as well as day-to-day logistics.
We'd be hiring two cars but who should be the named drivers?
Who'd agree to have his or her fun curtailed on evenings out
when everybody else was drinking? And most importantly, where
should we start looking? Some were fans of France, others of
Italy and some of Spain. The decision however was taken out
of our hands somewhat.
Travel Channel expert and travel journalist
Jill Crawshaw has often warned of that cloud that comes over
the Mediterranean mid October and normally always strikes during
the half term week. Avoiding this cloud and guaranteeing the
sunshine was my number one priority, and as the unfortunate
sibling who'd been landed with organising this family affair,
I put my foot down and chose the Costa Del Sol. Over 300 days
of sunshine a year the tourist board claims. I've lost count
of the number of places around the world that claim similar
records. Is it just me who always seems to visit on one of the
65 no sunshine days? Anyway, I reckoned Spain's Andalucia would
have the best weather and after much debate an agreement was
finally made on the Casa Del Rio villa near Benahavis on the
Costa Del Sol.
 "Our
most sought after house in Spain in exquisite surroundings.
For those wanting the best, Casa Del Rio is the ultimate answer
and a cook completes the picture to ensure an effortless stay".
Let me say that an effortless stay doesn't come cheap but when
it comes to villa holidays tour operator CV Travel is one of
the best. Well, fingers crossed!
When booking a villa holiday for a large
number of people, always make sure the pool is a decent size.
I've stayed at villas in the past where by the time you, the
children, and the obligatory inflatables are all in the pool,
it's standing room only.
Check the measurements in the brochure,
and if they're not available, ask. Our heated pool was 12 m
x 7 m, so a good size. Also, ask how sunny the villa is.
Again, we went during the October half
term and if there was one fault with Casa
Del Rio it was access to sunlight. Although
the villa was idyllically situated in a valley, the sun only
materialised over the top of the mountains around 11 am. Our
three youngsters were up hours before then but the pool just
wasn't warm enough.
 This
could be a good time for exploring. Benahavis, the nearest village,
is in an attractive setting just north of Marbella. It's 500
metres above sea level, 7 kilometres inland from the Guadalmina
Golf Course through the Rio Guadalmina gorge. Nearby, there's
Puerto Banus, just a short distance to the west of Marbella.
This is the playground of the rich and famous, where the international
jet set comes to shop, socialise and party. It's a tiny place,
backed by expensive apartments, boutiques, restaurants and nightclubs.
Our lot however preferred to head inland to Ronda.
 The
old town of Ronda is one of Andalucia's most spectacular, famous
for its breathtaking scenery, its fine Arab baths and palaces,
and the oldest bullring in Spain. Ronda features high on the
must-see list of many visitors to this part of Spain. Old and
new Ronda stand either side of the spectacular 100m deep El
Tajo gorge, just an hour inland from the Costa Del Sol but a
world away from the coastal hustle. The gorge is spanned by
an impressive arched bridge. Local legend has it that God, fed-up
with the constant squabbling of the people of Ronda (he had
obviously yet to create the Shepherd family!) sent a huge bolt
of lightning down to earth and split the city in two with the
women in one half and the men in the other. This arrangement
was so unpopular they built the bridge to reunite the community.
From the Casa Del Rio, Ronda was the perfect half-day trip.
Other recommended jaunts from the villa
included Gaucin 66km away, another spectacular mountain village
with sweeping views to Gibraltar and the Rif mountains in North
Africa, and Casares 48 km away. The latter is a steep hillside
village below the well-preserved remains of a Muslim
Castle. It also has wonderful views, and
the Sierra Crestellina to the northwest offer good walking opportunities.
 Surprisingly,
Benahavis has a staggering 25 + restaurants. It's called the
dining room of the Costa Del Sol, with the highest concentration
of high-class restaurants, and celebrates this fact on the road
signs that guide you there - Benahavis, the "gastronomic corner
of Andalucia". Roasted meats are one of the main local specialities
so be prepared for the likes of suckling pig, spring lamb, steak
and duck. Our favourite eating spot was the restaurant at the
Hotel Amanhavis, an elegant, rustic hotel and restaurant in
the centre of the village. If you plan to go for lunch, then
breakfast lightly. Foie Gras is the speciality of the house,
which they serve with a small glass of sweet wine. I also recommend
the handcrafted frozen mug of cava champagne with passionfruit
essence, and the Amanhavis giant tiger prawns with baked spinach
and almonds. The two course menu is 34.50€ while three
courses cost 37.50€.
One of the most successful aspects of
our trip was how well we all got on, and that was thanks to
our location. Casa Del Rio and the surrounding area catered
to all our different interests, and was large enough to give
us all a bit of space as well. The golfers in the group headed
off for rounds at nearby Atalaya Park and the swish Marbella
Club Hotel Golf Resort. Although the hotel (one of the Leading
Hotels of the World) is located in Marbella, the golf course
is just out of town, a stone's throw from the villa. It's also
where the girls spent a morning horse riding. This was perhaps
the only disappointment as much of the local landscape had been
burnt away in a recent fire.
The villa itself was a perfect holiday
base. We were quite excited to discover that the neighbouring
property (strictly out of bounds) was owned by the
Goldsmith family and there was a chance
of spotting Hugh and Jemima. The children as children the world
over of course, were happiest in the pool or just exploring
the garden and river which gives the house its name. Inside,
the Casa was big and furnished tastefully in a modern variation
on the rustic theme. The bathrooms were massive whilst outdoors
there were several terraces, including a Moroccan style lounger
for those who just wanted to relax and enjoy the seclusion and
lovely views.
So after all the planning it seems a multi-generational
holiday for the Shepherds is a possibility. At least, I didn't
come home desperately needing to book another holiday toute
seul. We're all still talking and plan on booking another villa
holiday this year. Let's hope we get it right a second time
round.
To find out more about CV Travel :
Tel: +44 (0)870 606 0802
www.cvtravel.co.uk
I'd also like to know what you think of
villa holidays. Do you have any advice on holidaying with extended
families? If you have any comments, please DROP
ME A LINE
August 2005 |