Latest Travel News & Updates

New property - Bacchus Pension, Peloponnese

Mar 08, 2017

Located 3km from the archaeological site of ancient Olympia is Bacchus Pension. The owners are welcoming and produce the best Greek home cooking using locally sourced produce - no wonder it is a firm favourite with our fly-drive clients! Find out more here.

New property - Playa Cativo Lodge, Costa Rica

Mar 08, 2017

This elegant lodge which can only be accessed by boat is situated on the shores of the Piedras Blancas National Park in Costa Rica. Ideal for both families (with older children) and honeymooners. Find out more here

Five tonnes of refugee aid flown to Greece by Sunvil

Oct 20, 2015

Thank you from everyone at Sunvil.

On 23 September we launched an appeal for donations of refugee aid which we would transport to Greece on our last flight of the season. Our aim was to collect three tonnes of essential items - tents, sleeping bags, clothing - to support the work of the Red Cross and local refugee support groups on the island of Samos. The appeal was led by our local representative Nina who has been working with the charities and has been very much involved in the efficient and unobtrusive handling of the refugee flow.

We were overwhelmed by the donations that we received and on the 1st October we flew 3.5 tonnes of aid (259 boxes and bags) to Samos. A further 1.5 tonnes of our aid was flown to the island a few days later. The aid has now been distributed to the Red Cross and local support groups and is making a difference to refugees arriving on the island with nothing.

Our Justgiving page which is raising funds to support the work of the Red Cross with refugees in Greece has raised over £3300.

So, 'thank you' from all of us at Sunvil in the UK and from our team overseas.

The appeal is now closed.

Sunvil to fly supplies to refugees in Greece

Sep 24, 2015

At Sunvil we are urgently seeking donations which will be flown to Samos free of charge on our last charter flight of the season with Germania Airlines

We will carry up to three tonnes of aid to Samos, where it will be distributed in areas that have been affected by the crisis. We have been in consultation with the Red Cross and local refugee support groups regarding the sort of donations that are most urgently needed.

We are specifically appealing for tents, sleeping bags, gym mats or similar, warm jackets in all sizes and pac-a-macs. Other items, such as formula milk (pre-mixed boxes), nappies, blankets, soap, toothpaste and brushes, will not be turned away, but the aforementioned items are the most important.

Donations should be sent to our office in Old Isleworth West London. Address to send items (by 29 September): Samos donations, Sunvil House, Upper Square, Old Isleworth, Middlesex, TW7 7BJ.

Monetary donations, which will be used to buy water and food locally, can also be made at our crowdfunding page.

VAT increase in Greece

Jul 20, 2015

As a result of the recent changes announced by the Greek government, VAT rises for certain products and services came into effect today.

Food and drink in restaurants, certain items in supermarkets and public transport will all be affected by the increase from 13% to 23%. (The increase may be a little less on certain islands where discounted VAT rates still apply)
 
Reports in from our representatives this morning confirm that the majority of tavernas are not expecting to increase their prices as a result of the changes, as they will try to absorb the extra VAT where possible. Of course this may differ from one establishment to another and one resort to the next.

We have received some reports of ferry and bus prices (including excursions) increasing, but the increases are minimal and are not affecting all services. Where buses and ferries are provided as part of an inclusive package with Sunvil Holidays and GIC - The Villa Collection, the increase in VAT will not be passed onto our clients.

Of course with the Sterling/Euro exchange rate at the best it's been for many years, prices in Greece are still remarkable value for money for British holidaymakers, and this will more than compensate for any VAT increases.

Banks have reopened again this morning. With cash withdrawal restrictions still in place for holders of Greek bank accounts, we expect cash to still be widely available in ATMs in our resort areas as it has been since the start of the recent bank closures. There are no restrictions on cash withdrawals for holders of UK bank cards, other than the normal daily limit specified by your bank. However our advice remains to take a good supply of Euros with you when you go in case of any local or temporary shortages.

As always, our reps on the ground are keeping us up to date with the local situation and should things change then we will update guests accordingly.

Church Street Party

Jun 24, 2014

The Sunvil team were pleased to attend the Church Street Party community event on Saturday 7th June.  The event was held near to our head office in Old Isleworth, and our raffle prize of two return flights to Corfu helped raise over £900 for local charities. The day was a great success, with over 1,800 local people attending.

Join us and support Make Holidays Greener Month

Jun 24, 2013

In July Sunvil Holidays will be supporting the third annual Make Holidays Greener Month; a campaign which raises awareness of the things that we can do, as visitors, to ensure that our holidays benefit the people who live in our destinations.

Cyprus Economy

Mar 19, 2013

Over the past few days, Cyprus has featured heavily in news bulletins following a decision by the Cypriot Government to implement measures to protect its banking sector.  We are in regular contact with our local office in Cyprus and can confirm that holidays are not being affected and all hotels, shops and tavernas are operating is usual.  The foreign office advise that banks are due to remain closed until Thursday 21 March* and, as such, suggest those travelling to Cyprus take different forms of payment (such as pounds, euros, credit/debit cards)  to ensure access to adequate funds.  Credit cards are widely accepted throughout Cyprus and so most items can be purchased using cards.  We are in contact with customers due to travel in the next few days and will advise accordingly should the situation change.

*Updated 20/03/2013 at 13:42
We have been advised that banks are due to remain closed until Tuesday 26 March

Denied Boarding Regulation

Dec 03, 2012

(EU 261/2004)

Recent legislation has confirmed that the above regulation, EU261/2004 may be applied retrospectively and the obligation to pay any relevant compensation applies to the operating air carrier, i.e. the airline concerned. It does not apply to the tour operator.

Therefore, any claim for compensation should be made direct to the airline with which you travelled.

Please note, however, that there is no automatic right to compensation under the Denied Boarding Regulation and, as such, there is no guarantee that the airline will pay you any compensation. The airline’s liability to you under the Denied Boarding Regulation is dependant on a number of factors, which will be considered by the airline when making any decision about compensation. If you are not happy with any decision made by the airline in this regard, you will need to raise this with the airline direct.

We trust that the above explanation clarifies the situation. Further information on this matter may be found at www.caa.co.uk/passengerrights.

July - Make Holidays Greener Month Round-Up

Jul 27, 2012

Throughout July Sunvil Holidays has been supporting Make Holidays Greener Month, a consumer awareness campaign, led by the Travel Foundation, which aimed to increase the local benefits of our holidays - find out how we contributed

Jubilee Bank Holiday Weekend Opening Hours

Jun 01, 2012

Sunvil Holidays will be open for Greece and Cyprus reservations this bank holiday weekend:

• Saturday 9.00 - 16.30
• Sunday  11.00 - 15.00
• Monday  11.00 - 14.00
• Tuesday 11.00 - 15.00

Please call our Greece team on 020 8758 4758

For any other enquiries please contact us and we will reply as soon as possible:  Enquiry Form  

Admire Azorean horticulture at Hampton Court Palace

May 30, 2012

Sunvil Discovery and Azores Tourism join forces to host The Azorean Garden at this summer’s RHS Hampton Court Palace Flower Show

This year, Azores Tourism will host a garden at the RHS Hampton Court Palace Flower Show (3-8 July) in association with specialist tour operator Sunvil Discovery. The Azorean Garden will be located in the new World of Gardens area, within which four destinations from across the globe will be represented – the Azores, Jordan, St Petersburg and Switzerland. Of all these destinations, the Azores is perhaps the least well-known, and the RHS show will provide the perfect opportunity for keen horticulturists and travellers alike to find out more about this unique archipelago.

Greek Air Traffic Control strike action

Sep 13, 2011

Updated 13 September: Thursday 15 September, Saturday 17 and Sunday 18 September 2011. We have been advised of potential industrial action called by members of the Greek Air Traffic Controllers union on Thursday 15 September from 14:00 until 18:00 local time, and from 03:00 local time on Saturday 17 September until 03:00 local time on Monday 19 September.

There is no clear certainty on the expected strength of the strike action and we are hopeful that it will be called off before Thursday.

However if the action goes ahead it will cause significant disruption to our flying programme and as such we advise customers to check back on the website for regular updates.

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Updated 14 September: We have been advised that the proposed strike action on Thursday (15) has been cancelled and await news on the other proposed dates.

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Updated 16 September: All proposed strike action has been cancelled

Scandinavia Show 2011

Aug 31, 2011

Come along to the Scandinavia Show and meet the Sunvil Discovery team to discuss holidays in Sweden, Norway or Faroe Islands - 8-9 October at London's Earls Court.Email discovery@sunvil.co.uk if you'd like to arrange an appointment to discuss your holiday plans with our destination specialists.

Read more about the Scandinavia Show

AITO Travel Expo, 12 October 2011

Aug 31, 2011

Sunvil and sister company GIC The Villa Collection will be exhibiting at the AITO Travel Expo on 12 October.This is an opportunity to meet us for one-to-one advice and ideas on our tailor made holidays.The Expo starts at 6pm - 8.30pm at the Science Museum, London, with free entry, a glass of wine on arrival and prizes to be won throughout the evening.

Find out how to Register

Travelling to Gatwick Delays

Aug 01, 2011

Due to a burst water main and subsequent landslide between East Croydon and Gatwick there are no train services between the two. Current predictions are that it is a 3 hour train journey between central London and Gatwick.

For up to date information regarding the trains please see the National Rail website.

There are also knock on effects and heavy congestion on other train routes and the surrounding road network.

We advise that clients leave plenty of time to travel.

There is no indication as to how long these disruptions will last.

UK Trade Union Strike 30/06/11

Jun 16, 2011

We are aware of the situation and are monitoring its impact on the airports & immigration etc. We do not expect major disruption to services and will keep passengers & the website updated

Volcanic Ash Cloud Update

May 25, 2011

As of 06:00 this morning, Wednesday 25 May, the area of high concentration ash had cleared UK airspace and all airports are operating as normal.  We are monitoring the situation closely and will post regular updates via the website as the met office and CAA update their information to airlines.  The situation remains very fluid and as such it is impossible to predict very far in advance which airports will be affected and when.  If you are travelling within the next few days, we will contact you if we expect to have to make any changes to your travel arrangements as a result of the ash cloud.  

Newest addition to the Sunvil Group

Jul 07, 2010

Genevieve, a unique, historic, 40- foot launch restored by Sunvil. Enjoy classic cruises along the most picturesque and best-loved banks of the River Thames, for your party, wedding celebration, corporate or business function, and we'll help you make it your own very special event.

Read more about The Genevieve and trips on the River Thames