Renting a holiday home or a villa direct from an owner is often more economical for families or large groups of friends. It can even allow friends or family members on a tighter budget to join you on holiday. Say one group takes the master bedroom, and the other has the guest room, you can work out between you how to split the costs accordingly.

When you rent a villa from an owner abroad it also gives you more flexibility and freedom. When you choose to rent from owners direct, you get to choose what to eat, and when to eat it. You’re not tied down to set hotel menus and set meal times, and you won’t feel like you’re missing out on what you paid for if you decide to eat at a restaurant one night instead of cooking.

There’s also the added privacy of your own private villa or holiday home. No fighting for the best spot by the pool, because it’s already yours!

You don’t need to pack so much, as many of the modern day conveniences you’d expect to find at home will be right at hand. A quick laundry run will dry out in the sunshine in no time. You’ll have a fridge and a freezer to keep your cocktails as cool as you like.

When you rent holiday accommodation through owners direct, you deal directly with the owner. They will be able to advise you on what amenities are available in their property, and you can plan your trip accordingly.

We hope you find your dream holiday here at owners direct, and please do remember to leave a review and let others know about your experience!

22nd April 2010 – Almost 100% of flights across Europe will return to normal and leave to schedule today following the chaos caused by the volcano erruption and volcanic ash from Iceland.

Air restrictions have been lifted, and travellers are now making their way home after up to six days of being stranded.

For the stranded: we hope our advice helped you make the most of your extended holidays, and that you have a safe journey back. Why not browse our brochure of holiday properties and get planning your next break? After that kind of holiday, you need a holiday!

Reports of a new ash cloud heading into British airspace have led to scaling back of plans to re-open British airspace. British Airways has cancelled all short-haul flights today (20th April 2010),

Countries currently operating normal flight schedule (as of 10am 20th April 2010): Austria, Bosnia, Bulgaria, Czech Republic, Italy, Lithuania, Montenegro, The Netherlands, Romania, Serbia, Switzerland and Russia, who are currently operating flight to the US via the North Pole – or are we the only ones who find this information exciting?

Spain has 17 of its airports open, and the main airports in the Ukraine, Norway, Sweden and Turkey are operating flights.

If you watch live air-traffic (for free on this website) – you will notice some trans-Atlantic flights are flying through British airspace. Airlines are calling for a lifting of the restrictions in the UK, but what happens is very much in the hands of the government.

In happier news, the rumours that swept the internet yesterday about the eruption of a second volcano, Hekla, turned out to be false. Someone had just swiveled a webcam that usually pointed to Hekla round so it pointed at Eyjafjallajokul. Gotta say, we wish we’d thought of that.

Air travel across much of Europe has been paralysed for a fourth day running today, leaving thousands of people stranded. Volcanic ash from the Iceland eruption has continued to hang over the continent, posing a threat to aircraft.

When will it end?
The forecast isn’t so good. It is feared that the Ejyafjallajökull eruption may continue for months, or even longer. The last time it blew up, in 1821, it went on for more than a year. And for the doom-mongers amongst you, take this into consideration: Ever since the Vikings first arrived in Iceland in the ninth century, every time Ejyafjallajökull errupted, Katla has swiftly followed. Katla is five times bigger, and the resulting chaos can only be imagined.

What can we do?
If our articles on travel alternatives haven’t inspired you – we’ve talked about getting there without air, and holiday breaks in the UK, then we’re running short on ideas, too!

Instead today, we’ll share a few inspiring words on…

Making the most of being stranded

The key to actually enjoying being stranded is to stop worrying. You’re stranded. Unless you’re willing to get a coach, go by train, or take a ferry – you’re not getting home. No one can blame you for this: your boss, your family, the jury duty people, the local signing on office. For once, and for maybe the only time in your life, you are in complete control of what you choose to do – guilt free.

Get out of the airport!
The second most important thing to realise is this. There is no point hanging around in the airport complaining. There’s not even much point in hanging around in the airport. Until you hear on the news that the restrictions have been lifted, nothing is going to happen.

You may be tempted to hang out at least close to the airport, but why? Ask yourself again what is it that you’re rushing back for. If it’s your job, just tell your boss that you couldn’t get on the first flight out of there. Because believe it or not, there’ll be hundreds of others who can’t get on that very first flight out of there – there’ll still be hundreds of others who can’t get back on the first day that flights resume.

The point is – no one will ever know how hard you tried (or how little you tried) to get back on the first day flights resume.

Buy yourself some time
Work out how much money you have. If you’re one of the stranded who happens to get paid in the middle of the month, then you’ll have cash now that you weren’t planning on spending until you get back. If you’re flat broke, that totally sucks – just try to find a way to get together as much money as you can.

Can you and your travelling companions afford to stay for an extra few days? An extra week? An extra fortnight? Maybe even an extra month? Then take yourself off on an adventure!

Explore the neighbourhood

Most European countries have extensive rail networks – unsurprisingly, most of these networks have stops at the airport.

Also, unlike England, many of the larger railway stations have large lockers or baggage drops where you can leave unwanted luggage that you’re carrying with you.

Decide if you want to go on a day trip, or maybe even a sleeper train, then see where you can visit. Use our search engine below, or visit the Rail Europe website for country route maps.

Treat yourself to some luxury

Airport hotels are notoriously basic. If you’re stranded, you’re having a tough time, so pamper yourself. Take yourself back into town and indulge in some luxury. Search below for some great hotel ideas.

Start walking! (or driving!)

Ever wondered how long it would take to walk from Coventry to Stockholm, if you didn’t stop to sleep or eat? No? (It’s 6 days and 3 hours…).

Although walking all the way probably isn’t a great option for most people – particularly with a lot of luggage – check your route on Google Maps and see if it’s feasible to hire a car and make the journey at your own pace.

Hire a car from Hertz

Thousands of holiday makers across Europe have found themselves flightless after a volcano eruption in Iceland. UK airspace has been closed since Wednesday 14 April, and plane delays, cancelled flights and general disruption is predicted to continue indefinitely as the activity from the volcano has now intensified.

Is my flight cancelled?
Our handy list of links to the right includes most major airlines, they will have information regarding your particular flight on their own websites.

So what can I do if I’m affected?

Although many airlines will try to cater for passengers, and European regulations state that when flights are cancelled all passengers must be offered a choice between a full refund and an alternative flight, they will still have people who pre-booked who will take priority. If your insurance covers it, or if you have the money to spare seeing as you already have the time off, why not consider some of the alternatives below?

Go by coach or train, then return by air

There’s a vast rail network covering Europe. Indeed, here at Owners Direct, we’re secret Eurorail boffins – between us, we have travelled the length and breadth of Europe by train! Check out Rail Europe for a list of the most popular destinations (or use one of our search forms on the area pages if your destination isn’t listed below).

Travelling by rail is a rewarding experience, particularly for solo travellers, and those without children. Although sometimes flying is cheaper in today’s economy, travelling by rail allows you to set your own pace, and explore areas you may otherwise have missed.

National Express Eurolines runs coaches to many European destinations, from as little as £20. If you’re a smoker, buy an e-cigarette for the journey!. Hopefully, by the time your holiday is over, the flights will be operational again.

Drive to the nearest ferry port

P&O ferries sail to many destintions. Travel from Dover to Calais from £30 each way, or take advantage of the many Spring offers still available.

Stena Line ferries also run a number of routes from the UK to Ireland and Holland.

Get ready to rebook

If the long journeys don’t appeal to you, get ready to rebook as soon as possible. European regulations state that when flights are cancelled all passengers must be offered a choice between a full refund and an alternative flight – but keep in mind the alternative flight you want to book may already be fully booked. If your insurance covers it, rebook your flight without waiting for your airline to sort it out for you – use one of the comparison engines linked to from this page to find the best flight, or go to the airline direct. Then wait for your refund to arrive!

Mad about Strictly Come Dancing? Born to be a dancer? If you’ve always fancied yourself as a Fred Astaire or a Ginger Rogers (or maybe a Chris Hollins, or an Ola Jordan…), now is your chance to make your mark on the ballroom, so put on those dancing shoes and party with the stars.

Warner Leisure Hotels are currently promoting Strictly Come Dancing Breaks! Exclusive to Warner Leisure Hotels, you won’t find anything like this anywhere else. Guests can meet the stars of the hit BBC1 show and learn how to dance, before entering into their very own Strictly Come Dancing competition.

If you book a Strictly Come Dancing break in the next two weeks, you will be entered into a prize draw to get a full refund on their Break upon arrival. The Bee Gees said it best: “We should be dancing, yeah!”

Here are some of the other experiences on offer:

“Iceland… we said send CASH!” – guess they got it wrong! Flight disruptions in Europe have become even worse in the aftermath of the the volcanic eruption in Iceland, with the ban on flying being extended until 7am on Saturday 17th April 2010.

What do you do now?

If the idea of travelling by wheels and sea instead of by air (as we suggested yesterday) doesn’t appeal to you, why not swap your holiday abroad for something just as exciting, and a little bit different: an experience holiday in the UK?

Warner Leisure Hotels are currently promoting Strictly Come Dancing Breaks! Exclusive to Warner Leisure Hotels, you won’t find anything like this anywhere else. Guests can meet the stars of the hit BBC1 show and learn how to dance, before entering into their very own Strictly Come Dancing competition.

If you book a Strictly Come Dancing break in the next two weeks, you will be entered into a prize draw to get a full refund on their Break upon arrival.

Here are some of the other experiences on offer:

Thousands of holiday makers across Europe have found themselves flightless after a volcano eruption in Iceland. UK airspace has been closed since Wednesday 14 April, and plane delays, cancelled flights and general disruption is predicted to continue indefinitely as the activity from the volcano has now intensified.

Is my flight cancelled?
Our handy list of links to the right includes most major airlines, they will have information regarding your particular flight on their own websites.

So what can I do if I’m affected?

Although many airlines will try to cater for passengers, and European regulations state that when flights are cancelled all passengers must be offered a choice between a full refund and an alternative flight, they will still have people who pre-booked who will take priority. If your insurance covers it, or if you have the money to spare seeing as you already have the time off, why not consider some of the alternatives below?

Go by coach or train, then return by air

There’s a vast rail network covering Europe. Indeed, here at Owners Direct, we’re secret Eurorail boffins – between us, we have travelled the length and breadth of Europe by train! Check out Rail Europe for a list of the most popular destinations (or use one of our search forms on the area pages if your destination isn’t listed below).

Travelling by rail is a rewarding experience, particularly for solo travellers, and those without children. Although sometimes flying is cheaper in today’s economy, travelling by rail allows you to set your own pace, and explore areas you may otherwise have missed.

National Express Eurolines runs coaches to many European destinations, from as little as £20. If you’re a smoker, buy an e-cigarette for the journey!. Hopefully, by the time your holiday is over, the flights will be operational again.

Drive to the nearest ferry port

P&O ferries sail to many destintions. Travel from Dover to Calais from £30 each way, or take advantage of the many Spring offers still available.

Stena Line ferries also run a number of routes from the UK to Ireland and Holland.

Get ready to rebook

If the long journeys don’t appeal to you, get ready to rebook as soon as possible. European regulations state that when flights are cancelled all passengers must be offered a choice between a full refund and an alternative flight – but keep in mind the alternative flight you want to book may already be fully booked. If your insurance covers it, rebook your flight without waiting for your airline to sort it out for you – use one of the comparison engines linked to from this page to find the best flight, or go to the airline direct. Then wait for your refund to arrive!

Are your travel plans affected by the volcanic eruption? Read our post with ideas on what to do if you’re affected.

Flight cancellations and restrictions on UK airspace will continue until at least 1300 BST on Friday 16 April 2010, following the volcanic eruption in iceland, and the resulting volcanic ash.

There are fears that the ash could interfere with the operation of aircraft engines, and reduced visibility is another problem cited for the continued delays.

The Met Office explained this evening that the UK has the unusual situation of getting winds directly from Iceland at the moment, and that flight disruptions may continue whilst the volcano remains active. Many other European countries have also suspended their flights.

For the latest information holidaymakers are advised to check directly on their airline’s website. A list of these is available on the right of this page.

Owners direct are developing a new website called MySweden to provide information, tourist advice, hotels and holiday letting guides for holidaymakers wishing to go on holiday to Sweden.

Bookmark http://www.mysweden.co.uk now, and check back in August when the website will hopefully be in full swing!