Holiday rentals

So how was everyone's summer? Mine was ok, got some beach time with family, got some sun, didnt really relax cos life with young children is never relaxing but at least we had a bit of a change of scenery. So now I want to ask how everyone's holiday rentals went, did you find it quiet, busy or as expected? Are you still having bookings, cos my view was as September came everyone disappeared, august was super busy but then everyone seems to disappear overnight. There are a few people around but otherwise it looks like the algarve is going to sleep for the winter. But times are tough, umemployment never stops rising month on month, algarve being one of the hardest hit places as many workers are seasonal. Now the budget is just about to be announced, looking like more austerity measures are coming, times are going to get tougher. But in these tough times, who suffers most, everyone suffers, of course but to my mind those who suffer most are those on low incomes and already struggling cos they cannot afford to lose anymore. Those on higher, more comfy incomes will feel a squeeze but nothing like what the others feel.

Stay well, be wise and strong

WWW.TOTSTOTRAVEL.CO.UK
WWW.HOLIDAYHOMERENTALSITE.COM

Tots to Travel

I have just started working with Tots to Travel, they are an award winning family friendly holiday company who specialise in offering self-catering accommodation to young families. All properties on their site have been vetted and inspected by a mum for its family-friendliness so ensure it is safe and has all the equipment you need,thus giving you a relaxing holiday.

They are currently looking for properties in the Algarve, if you know of anyone who may be looking to enter this niche market or just want some advice on how to market their property more effectively have a look at

www.totstotravel.co.uk or
www.holidayhomerentalsite.com

Thanks,and good luck

Autumn is here

Hi All,

It's been a while but Im back -not sure where I was but time has just flown by. But now summer is over once again. What was surprising was how suddenly it seemed the season changed. August was super busy but come September the streets were quiet again, where did everyone go. It seemed overnight everyone disappeared but september is considered as high season, so I dont know people did this summer in terms of rentals?

The days are still warm but the nights are chilly, time to put the duvet back on the bed, put your socks and pyjamas back on and get cosy.

Survival

So after two years of living here in portugal, I have come to the conclusion that there are three ways that the majority of ex-pats survive here. Either you speak portuguese and work for a portuguese company, you start your own company which makes enough to live on or you make ends meet by doing things here and there. Or for some you are lucky enough to find work for an english speaking company. It is not so easy to come here and start a new life as some may think, things are not easier here, especially in these troubled times of recession, there is much less support from the government, especially for families.

Now some come here and are happy to do this and that and get by. My situation is a bit different, my husband is portuguese and came here after being offered a management job which paid more than his job in England and my plan was to learn portuguese and start working, but not immediately as his job could support us and we had our young daughter to look after. Now things have not worked out according to plan and we are not on the path we expected or ever imagined but one thing remains, I can not be happy just to do anything and get by. My kids are still young but I am at the point where I need more than to be a mother, I want to work again but not just anything, something that challenges me and makes me think.

Today!!

Hi

So today was my baby's first birthday, I cannot believe how fast it has gone, so much faster than my oldest daughter Sophie. A year ago I was pushing her out and she was a tiny baby.

And also I got some good news, the job I really wanted with Totstotravel.co.uk to be a marketing agent in the algarve, Im really happy. JUst need everything else to work out.

I have my in-laws and sisters in law here on holidays, which is nice.

Heat!

Hi

I am writing this as I sit here sweating, it is so hot at the moment and unfortunately we do not have air conditioning and live in a 3 storey house, so our bedroom is like a sauna. Think I will sleep outside if I wouldnt get eaten by the mosquitos.

So hopefully life is turning the corner, things have been unbelievably difficult and I know that at some point we will turn the corner, it just depends how far we have to fall and how much we have to lose before we get to that point. I feel a little hopeful.

Tough times

Hello All,

So here we are half way through 2010, and we didnt think it could be any worse that 2009 but we were wrong. Now I dont want to be miserable, but things are not good!

Times is running, money is running out and so are options. Why is life so hard? There must be other people in the algarve suffering. I just dont know where to go.

And to add to the sadness, I have been let down by someone who I thought no matter what would always be there for me, a true betrayal from someone close to me.

Where do we go next?

Work

I am currently looking for work and it is not easy. Not easy because the rate of umemployment is rising and unfortunately I live in an area of particularly high unemployment due to the seasonal work in the area. This is then impacted because I have young children and also I dont speak fluent portuguese. So what to do? What do others do? Many are retired, some start there own small businesses, mainly dealing with british customers or else they speak portuguese and work in portuguese companies, but jobs seem to be hard to find.

So if anyone knows of anything, let me know.

My body is a temple,
Holding this precious gift safe and sound
Like a priceless treasure
Never to be lost, never to be found

(Anonymous)