Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Here's a list of the most Frequently Asked Questions about renting a Cyprus villa through us. Take a quick look - you should find your question here. If not, please send us an enquiry and we'll have an answer for you as soon as possible.

Q: Who is GetawayVillas.com?
A: GetawayVillas.com is a website owned and operated by Safe Ventures Ltd. We are a British (registered) Company, a family business based in Leeds with strong roots and connections in Cyprus, specialising as a Booking Agent for quality villas in Cyprus, through the internet. All of our villas and services are illustrated on this Internet website. We do not own the villas shown here. All of the properties that customers can book through our sites are provided by the respective owners. In other words, we do not provide the accommodation. Instead, we act as a booking and marketing agent for our property owners and provide a booking service to our customers. When you book a villa you enter into a contract with the property owner (already accepted by the Owner).
We aim to provide you a unique, knowledgeable and personal service and a cost effective way to book directly and stay in quality, individual villas, at lower prices than if you were booking through a travel agent or tour operator. Please see more about our service here

Q: How do I book a villa?
A: Our booking process is online and fast, and our preferred method of correspondence is via email.

1. Feel free to browse our website and or use the search facility ("Quick Search" box -top menu) to look for villas that match your requirements and are available for your dates.....remember you can always ring us or send us an enquiry with some details and we will suggest a couple of villas for you.
2. When you find a villa that you like click on the red button,Price & Availability , and follow the on-screen prompts(enter your start and end dates and the number of guests). This will give the full cost of your villa and payment details (when and how much)
3. If you are interested press the "Reserve/Book" button and this will take you to a short "Booking Request" form. Please fill in the details read and accept the "terms and conditions" and press "Send".
4. Your requested dates will automatically be blocked off on our calendars. You will be asked NOT to make any payments or book any flights until we have confirmed back to you that you are booking has been accepted by the owners.
5. We will contact the owner and make sure that they have not taken a booking at the same time as us and for the same dates and put the villa on hold with them. (please note that our availability calendars are up to date 99% of the time. We will confirm back to you (usually within a couple of hours) that the villa is on hold for you and you can go ahead and book your flights. We will hold the villa usually for 48 hrs while you sort out your travel arrangements, with no obligation to proceed on your part.
6. Make a payment (and inform us that you have made payment) of the deposit (from 10% of the booking cost) or of the full amount if your booking is within or near to 70 days from the start of your stay.
7. We will email you with an invoice and financial statement showing paid amounts and balances remaining.
8. On payment of the full amount (usually at 70 days or more before the start date of your stay) we will email you with an information document containing

You don't have to remember the above process! - our systems will guide you through effortlessly.

Q: How is payment made?
A: Again details are given elsewhere (on the booking form) but in brief, payments can be made by bank transfer and online card payment.

Q: Are the rates per person or for the entire villa?
A: Our rental prices are for the entire villa irrespective of the number of people (as long as the capacity of the villa is not exceeded).

Q: Are the prices in Sterling or Euro?
A: All prices quoted are in British Pounds Sterling (GBP).

Q: Are you ABTA or ATOL members?
A: No. We are an accommodation-only booking agent and as such we don't come under the travel package regulations and the only protection that you would get if we were ABTA bonded would be only in the circumstances that our company failed financially. ATOL is for flights and we don't supply flights directly.  If your booking through us is paid by Credit Card you may get a full refund if the Company fails or if there is a breach of contract. Our strong recommendation is to put in place good travel insurance - which includes travel disruption cover, from the moment your booking is confirmed (don't wait until before your flight!).  Booking your villa and flights separately results in massive savings for you and you should protect your investment with a good travel insurance policy.

Q: On which days do villa bookings usually commence?

A: Most villas have flexible changeover days, only being subject to availability, however, some villas may stipulate a particular day, and this is shown on the villa information.

Q: What is the required length of stay?
A: Normally a 7-night stay or more is expected. Some villas may accept shorter stays (3 or 4 nights), especially if it is close to your departure date or during the low season. In peak season, a premium may be required.

Q: Aren't villas more expensive than a hotel?
A: As you explore the Cyprus villas we represent you'll see that many villas are often much cheaper than prices of hotels of the same quality standard. Villa rentals offer more privacy, more comfort, and more freedom than hotel rooms. Your villa also comes with a fully equipped kitchen, making a Cyprus vacation rental an economical choice. When two or more people are travelling, a rental is usually considerably less expensive than staying in hotel rooms and eating all of your meals out. When you factor in all the benefits and amenities of a private villa, you'll quickly realize that villas offer superb value. (Remember to compare rates per room/ per night).

Q: Do mobile phones work in Cyprus?
A: Generally most GSM network mobile phones do work in Cyprus although at times reception can be erratic and some locations are unsuitable for mobile telephones (mountains), so we advise that you check with your airtime provider.

Q: Is Travel Insurance Required?
A: Yes, it is strongly recommended that you arrange comprehensive travel insurance to include accommodation cancellation. If you require assistance in this respect, please refer to our "Insurance" page.

Q: Are Visas Required?
A: Visas are not required for EC passport holders although a full passport valid for at least 3 months from your date of return is required. For UK passport holders you can travel to Cyprus for up to 90 days in any 180-day period without a visa. This applies if you travel as a tourist, to visit family or friends, to attend business meetings, cultural or sports events, or for short-term studies or training - Please see up-to-date information here. If you do not hold an EC Passport, or require any further Visa information, we recommend that you contact the Cyprus High Commission (Tel: 0207 499 8272), before you book your villa, to check whether a visa is required in your case.

Q: Are Vaccinations Required?
A: No inoculations or vaccinations are compulsory for UK residents, but the DHSS does recommend certain health precautions for travellers - see their leaflets SA40 and SA41 for details (obtainable from your local Dept. of Health office) or ask your doctor. Should you be taking any form of medication, take adequate supplies with you and carry them, as well as items like contact lenses, in your hand luggage only.

Q: Are there any currency restrictions?
A: There is no limit on how much currency you take out of the UK. The Cyprus Government may have a limit on how much you are allowed to take in or take out up in local currency without declaring. We recommend you take most of your spending money in the form of traveller's cheques (Sterling), although in the major tourist centres the banks should cash cheques written in conjunction with a Eurocheque card, and credit cards are widely accepted. You can also withdraw money from cash machines.

Q: Are the Safety Standards and Regulations the same as in the UK?
A: The safety standards and regulations in operation in Cyprus may not reach the same level as those we enjoy in the U.K. The monitoring, enforcement and compliance with these local regulations is a matter for the authorities of that country and the foreign supplier of the services concerned. The general standards of safety and hygiene, fire precautions etc, will generally be lower than in the U.K. Liability insurance requirements vary considerably from country to country, as does the responsibility placed on an organisation by local law. Please, therefore, take all precautions to protect yourself and your family whilst on holiday.

Q: What about insects and pests?
A: The villas and village houses are often located in rural areas. Indeed, for many people, this is one of their great attractions. However, having open countryside nearby or a location within a working village, 'friendly locals' can include more than the village priest. Ants, lizards, wasps, spiders, field mice, snakes, field rats etc. are not uncommon in Cyprus (after all, they were there first!) although no more numerous than anywhere else in the Mediterranean. So, if you or any of your party are likely to be squeamish about a possible visit from local wildlife, we recommend you check with us as to the suitability and location of your chosen accommodation before you book. Mosquitoes can be an annoyance and so we recommend that you bring a suitable lotion and/or plug-in repellent.

Q: Is there any other travel advice I should be aware of?
A: To get up-to-date comprehensive travel advice for any destination including Cyprus, the Foreign & Commonwealth Office (FCO) advice (available here) covers vital issues about travelling abroad, including passports, visas, health, safety and security and more.

Q: What are the check-in and check-out times?
A: Access to villas and village houses will be after 4pm to allow for cleaning and have to be vacated by 11am on the day of departure unless otherwise agreed by us.

Q: Do the villas with satellite TV, have English channels?
A: Most satellite systems in Cyprus have over 100 channels however these are mainly a mixture of Greek and European channels. Usually, there are just a few English channel like CNN News, Euro News, BBC World and sometimes a film is shown in the evenings in English. It is only those villas with a Sky satellite system that will have proper English channels. If this is of importance to you, please check with us before making a booking.

Q: Is a car required?
A: We strongly recommend that guests reserve a car, as often villas can be far to walk to conveniences and in some locations public transport is limited. Full car hire details can be found on our site at Car Hire.

Q: Do the villas have telephones or internet access?
A: None of our villas have the use of a telephone for telephone calls (unless otherwise stated in the villa info pages). To make telephone calls you can either use local phone boxes, use your own mobile phone (see above) or purchase a pay-as-you-go, card or mobile telephone from your local Cytanet Office. Most of our villas have Wifi internet access allowing you to stay in touch with friends/ family, check emails, use social media and conduct any business. Please ask us for further details.

Q: Are towels and linen provided?
A: Bed linen and bathroom towels are provided at all of our properties. We advise that you bring your own towels for pool/beach use as these are not provided. The villas towels are only for use inside the property and are not to be used outdoors, on the sun beds, or at the beach. Towels and linen are usually changed at the end of 7 days unless otherwise stated.

Q: What is the electricity voltage?
A: The voltage is the same as in the UK - 240 volts, with 3-pin plug sockets.

Q: How often is the villa cleaned?
A: Unless otherwise stated, all of our properties are cleaned prior to arrival and then as stated on the villa details page.