Latest Edition - Dial An Exchange

Autumn 2014
holidayaccess
THE MAGAZINE FOR DIAL AN EXCHANGE MEMBERS IN EUROPE
Save up to £111
with our Members offer
Win a weeks holiday
DAE Celebrating 15 years
Wales unwrapped
8
9
19
25
contents
A summary of the contents in this edition of
Holiday Access Magazine
Special
Offer
4
Exclusive Magazine Offer
5
Back to Basics – The Exchange Process
6
Love Holidays? Enjoy more of
them with DAE Bonus Weeks!
8
Making the most of DAE Bonus Weeks
9
CROESO I CYMRU = Welcome to Wales
11
Win a Spring stay at
St David’s Vacation Club
12
Extend your credit
12
DAE Gift Cards
13
DAE Resort Rentals
14
Upgrade fees explained
16
DAE Europe celebrates 15th anniversary
18
TATOC update
19
Travel Tips
21
Picture our Plaques and win!
21
We’re very Social at DAE
22
Go Mad for Madeira!
25
Time your Holiday to Perfection
n
Competitio
Prizes
to be
won
Welcome
Content Editors
Jonathan Bowdin
Beryl Foulds
Oliver Green
Wendy Holey
Paula Vickers
Derek Dunne
Publisher
Dial An Exchange Europe
Designed by
Brainstorm Graphics
www.brainstormgraphics.co.uk
Advertising Enquiries
Telephone +44(0)1756 747071 or
email [email protected]
Copyright 2014 Dial An Exchange
Europe. All Rights Reserved. No
part of this publication may be
reproduced without prior written
permission of the publisher, except
in the case of brief quotations for
critical articles or reviews.
Policy
The views expressed in Holiday
Access are those of the authors and
may not reflect official policy or
beliefs of Dial An Exchange Europe
and its owners. No endorsement
of those views should be inferred,
unless specifically identified as the
official policy of Dial An Exchange
Europe or clearly labelled as
recommended by Dial An Exchange.
Whilst we take reasonable
endeavours to check the credibility
of all advertisers, acceptance
of advertising in Holiday
Access does not constitute an
endorsement of products or
services, unless specifically
labelled ‘recommended by Dial
An Exchange’.
Holiday Access or Dial An
Exchange Ltd cannot assume
responsibility for claims made by
advertising companies.
Dial An Exchange Ltd
21 High Street
Gargrave, Skipton
United Kingdom
BD23 3RA
Telephone: +44(0)1756 749966
Fax: +44(0)1756 749928
Email: [email protected]
Company Registered in England
3756394
to the latest edition of
Holiday Access Magazine
Welcome to the Autumn 2014
edition of Holiday Access
Magazine, the magazine for
DAE members across Europe.
2014 has been a great year so far
for all of us who love to travel. With
the Pound continuing to grow in
strength against the Euro and other
currencies, there are plenty of bargains
to be had in sunshine destinations.
Meanwhile the best of British has been
showcased to the world, particularly
through sporting events such as the
Tour De France in Yorkshire and the
Commonwealth Games in Glasgow.
And 2014 has also been a year of
celebrations for DAE. This year is the
15th birthday of our European office
and during those 15 years we have
sent hundreds of thousands of happy
holidaymakers on their travels. Why
not join in the party and help celebrate,
as on page 6 we are offering a special
birthday gift of £15 off your next Bonus
Week holiday.
As always, the magazine is packed
full of exciting news and features to
help you plan your next holiday, from
destination highlights in Madeira
and Wales, through to competitions
and special offers exclusive for our
members. So read on to find out
much more.
I hope you enjoy the magazine!
Oliver Green
Managing Director
Exclusive Magazine Offer
save up
to £111
Offers are only available in order. i.e. to be eligible for 30% off your Exchange you must first deposit your week, then take the Bonus Week offer.
Deposited week must be within Europe. All offers must be used before 31/12/15. Visit www.dialanexchange.com/203040 for full terms and conditions
Call us now to deposit your week on 01756 749966
or visit www.dialanexchange.com/bank-and-save.aspx
Deposit your week before 11.59pm on 30 Dec 2014 to enjoy:
-- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
20% off
Any available Bonus Week
Find your Bonus Week at
www.dialanexchange.com
and enter BW20OFF in the
blue discount voucher box
4 | AUTUMN 2014 holiday access
30% off
Any available Exchange
Find your Exchange at
www.dialanexchange.com
and enter EX30OFF in the
blue discount voucher box
40% off
A year’s Gold Advantage
Upgrade to Gold Advantage or
add another year now at
www.dialanexchange.com
and enter GA40OFF in the
blue promotion code box
Back to Basics
– The Exchange Process
Whilst many readers will
be seasoned exchangers, to
newer members the process
can appear daunting. But
follow the simple guide below
and you will have all you need
to know about how to make a
holiday exchange.
you will receive a holiday credit (valid
for three years) which you can use
to book an exchange immediately or
save it to use with your next credit
for a longer holiday next year! Your
holiday credit allows you to book
any available week in our exchange
pool and you only make a payment on
completing the booking.
1. Depositing your own week
3. Finding your perfect exchange
The first step in the process is known
as ‘banking’. Once you have decided
that you would like to exchange
rather than visit your home resort
or property it is the perfect time to
bank. It’s easy to deposit your week
for exchange – either do it on our
website or give our team a ring if you
would like any assistance. The earlier
you bank, the sooner you can start
looking for your exchange.
2. Using your holiday credit
Once you have banked your week
Exchange availability is ever-changing
and the best way to keep up to speed
is through our website
www.dialanexchange.com. Simply click
on the ‘search availability’ tab at the
top of the page to find thousands of
available exchange weeks across the
globe ready for instant booking.
4. Tell us where you would like
to travel to
If you can’t see the holiday that you
are looking for, don’t worry! Simply
list your holiday request either
over the phone or online and we
will work to find you the exchange
holiday that you want. It’s important
to note that less than half the
weeks we confirm as exchanges
appear on the website – the rest
go straight to matching requests,
so it’s important that you tell us
where you would like to go. Gold
Advantage might be useful at this
point if you are looking for popular
times of year or in demand locations.
(see p…. for more details).
5. Book and go!
Once we have been in touch to offer
you a week that matches your request,
or you have found an exchange
through our website, you can book
it there and then by paying the low
cost exchange fee (currently £84 for
European exchanges). We will send
you your exchange confirmation by
email or post and you are ready to
go! Happy exchanging!
holiday access AUTUMN 2014 | 5
Love Holidays? Enjoy more of
them with DAE Bonus Weeks!
Are you a member of DAE?
Yes? Then you can enjoy AS MANY Bonus
Week holidays as you wish at any time
from our current availability.
You don’t need to deposit a week and you don’t
need to have an exchange credit to be eligible.
In fact, you may no longer be a holiday property
owner. So as long as you’re a current member of
DAE there really is no catch (well, apart from having
to pay the extremely low price for the week!)
At unbeatable prices from just £129 per
apartment per week, Bonus Weeks are either
late breaks within six weeks of check-in, or
holidays in some of our members’ favourite
resorts out of peak season.
All DAE members are able to enjoy Bonus Week
getaways wherever and whenever you see availability
and there are no limits on booking numbers. You can
even book on behalf of your family or your friends. So
if you are looking for a little extra getaway this year,
look no further than DAE Bonus Weeks.
Start your Bonus Week adventure now by
clicking ‘search Bonus Week Availability’ on our
website or by giving us a ring on 01756 749966.
Gold Advantage customers also
receive a further £10 discount
off EVERY Bonus Week booked.
As it’s our 15th Birthday this year, we’d love you to
help us celebrate, so we’re giving each and every
member a further £15 discount on their 2014 Bonus
Week purchase. Start planning yours today!
6 | AUTUMN 2014 holiday access
These are just 6 of the many resorts where Bonus Weeks have been taken recently.
Alto Golf & Country Club –
Bonus Weeks from £159
Close to the village of Alvor, the
ancient capital of the Algarve, the
resort is set in a sub-tropical garden
with pools and waterfalls and is in an
ideal location overlooking the beach
with breath-taking views of the bay.
I have never repeated a holiday
destination since I started going abroad
in 1967 but this will be my fourth visit
to the resort in the last two years,
I think that speaks for itself.
Mr McClelland
Macdonald Dona Lola Club Bonus Weeks from £159
Occupying a fantastic beachfront
location and just a short stroll from
Calahonda with its shops, tapas bars,
restaurants and nightlife.
We had a great time. Kids really
enjoyed themselves. Thank you
DAE for all the help.
Henstridge family
Costa San Antonio – Bonus
Weeks from £129
La Quinta at La Manga Club Bonus Weeks from £199
The apartment was excellent
and we thoroughly enjoyed our stay
here, we would recommend it to
anyone.
Mr Evans
We went to this resort as a
last min. break and it was perfect. A
wonderful home from home with a
perfect location and resort.
Mr & Mrs Cranston
The holiday apartments in this newly
refurbished resort are a mix of modern
luxury and traditional Mediterranean
charm and are situated on the palm
fringed seafront of St Paul’s Bay in Malta.
Sutton Hall Club - Bonus
Weeks from £199
The Hall is an 18th Century Manor
House which has been beautifully
and sympathetically adapted to
provide eight elegant apartments
with an indoor swimming pool. Six
adjacent cottages provide further
accommodation in the same style.
Just returned from lovely week,
very clean, tidy and spacious enough
for the 5 of us. Ideal base for exploring
the area.
Mrs Weaver
Set within the prestigious La Manga
Club on the Costa Calida, La Quinta
Club is a superb, private club built in
the style of an Andalusian hill village.
The Loch Rannoch
Highland Club - Bonus Weeks
from £159
Set deep in the heart of the Highlands,
the lodges and apartments nestle
in 250 wooded acres, overlooking
the startlingly clear waters of Loch
Rannoch and the towering peak of
Schiehallion beyond.
We have had quite a few
Timeshare Holidays but this one was
the best we have ever been to.
Mr Ward
holiday access AUTUMN 2014 | 7
Making the most of
DAE Bonus Weeks
We explained previously
how ALL members of DAE
are eligible to book a Bonus
Week but here let a member
show you just how important
Bonus Weeks are to their
membership.
Most people like to enjoy at least one
or two weeks away per year but since
joining in 2002, DAE members Mr and
Mrs Nall have gone on to enjoy 70
holidays with us - that’s nearly six
weeks per year! They have done this by
primarily using Bonus Weeks.
Like the majority of our members,
Mr and Mrs Nall have one week of
timeshare ownership and they use
this to book exchanges as regularly as
they can. But of course one week of
timeshare ownership allows you just
one exchange per year. While Graham
and Rosemary have utilised their Gold
Advantage priority status to the full to
enjoying exchange holidays to some
of the most beautiful resorts in the UK
and beyond, one holiday per year is
never enough!
For the Mr and Mrs Nall these exchange
holidays are just the tip of the iceberg
as they have made their membership
of DAE work to the maximum by also
booking a grand total 60 Bonus Weeks
for themselves and for their family. By
having the flexibility to make use of
Bonus Weeks in this way, they have
managed to visit just about every part
of Britain and Europe. Here they explain
why they love being members of DAE,
and why Bonus Weeks are an essential
part of this membership:
Dear DAE
Firstly we send our congratulations
to Dial An Exchange on your
15th Anniversary and our very
best wishes to the management
and staff. We would like to take
this opportunity to thank you all for
the help and assistance we have
received over the time we have been
members of DAE.
We first contacted DAE from
recommendations collected
from fellow owners at our resort,
Barnsdale Hall and Country Club.
Your team did a first class job
and went to a great deal of
trouble to organise an exchange
in Cape Town where we were
accommodated at a super
apartment at Gordons Bay facing
Table Mountain which was a
huge success. We do not usually
recommend friends unless we are
very satisfied, but over the years we
have recommended many friends
to DAE.
We have taken many Bonus
Weeks which we have enjoyed
immensely for the freedom they
have given us to do as much or
as little as we like and to eat in
a restaurant or self-cater. We
particularly love Bonus Weeks and
the flexibility they offer allowing us
to take extra holidays whenever the
mood takes us. As they’re excellent
value and available in areas that the
rental market don’t usually offer,
we’re often booking them on our
families behalf so they can enjoy
them too.
Warmest greetings
Graham and Rosemary Nall
8 | AUTUMN 2014 holiday access
CROESO I CYMRU =
Welcome to Wales
A majestic country, Wales
is a mountainous land full
of beautiful scenery, rugged
coastlines, magnificent
beaches and miles and miles
of spectacular countryside just
waiting to be explored.
Wales is perfect for those interested in
history, having over 600 castles (more
per square mile than anywhere else
in the world!) and is equally enjoyable
for those with adventure in their veins
with nearly 400 lakes, 3 National Parks
and 5 areas of Outstanding Natural
Beauty making it a prime location for
outdoor pursuits.
Joins us as we explore what each region
of this beautiful country has to offer
Carmarthenshire
Wales is home to the world’s first
uninterrupted walking route around
a country’s entire coastline and
Carmarthenshire is home to large
parts of it. The Wales Coastal Path
encompasses beaches, estuaries, cliffs
and woodlands and altogether there
are 870 spectacular miles to explore.
If you would like to walk part of the
Coastal Path, Seasons at Laugharne
Park is a great base as the nearby
route takes you past the Boat House
once owned by Dylan Thomas, before
looping around the Taf Estuary with its
spectacular views. If you’re a fan of
Thomas, the nearby Laugharne Castle
was the inspiration for his poetry, and
he was often seen wandering amongst
the ruins seeking new ideas.
Another delight of Carmarthenshire,
known as the Garden of Wales, is the
number of beautiful parks and open
gardens it has to offer. The National
Botanical Garden of Wales, for example
has over 8000 plant species spread
over 560 acres of countryside and can
be viewed all year round. A great base
for this area’s exploration is the nearby
Pantglas Hall Owners Club.
Pembrokeshire
Lying on the River Alun on the most
westerly peninsula in Wales is St
Davids, the smallest city in Britain
both in regards to size and population.
Staying at St Davids Vacation Club
gives you the opportunity to explore
the many delights this city has to offer
including the 12th century Cathedral
and Bishop’s Palace, along with
some of the most spectacular coastal
scenery where magnificent beaches
dominate the Pembrokeshire Coast.
The beaches of Newgale and
Whitesands are ideal for surfing,
coasteering, kayaking and canoeing
for those more adventurous amongst
you. Less adventurous can opt for
the more sedate water-based activity
of a boat trip out to Skomer Island
and the reward of seeing Atlantic
puffins, gannets, porpoises, dolphins
and whales. There are estimated
to be 16,000 puffins and 300,000
Manx shearwaters on Skomer and
Skokholm Islands!
holiday access AUTUMN 2014 | 9
Another delight of Pembrokeshire is
Little Haven which is situated at the
south end of St. Bride’s Bay. At low
tide you can walk around to the equally
stunning Broad Haven. Haven Court
in Little Haven is ideally based for
exploring the coastline either along the
beaches or over the coastal paths.
Mid Wales
Wildlife is abundant in Mid Wales and
there are many wildlife sanctuaries and
bird reserves around the area to visit.
One of the more popular ones is Cors
Dyfi, Machynlleth which supports a
plethora of animals and plants including
the magnificent osprey, bred on the
reserve for the first time in 2011. You
may also spot an otter or dormouse.
Water buffalo can also be seen grazing
at this reserve.
The nearby resort of Macdonald
Plas Talgarth in Pennal has lots of
surrounding areas of natural beauty to
visit, including secluded lakes, picnic
areas and waterfalls like the famous
Swallow Falls, and is also perfectly
situated for a visit to Cors Dyfi sanctuary.
If you and your family enjoy cycling,
Mid-Wales also boasts 3 new Cycle
Break Centres in Brecon, Rhayder and
Knighton/Presteigne and each offers
5 superb circular day rides. Situated
nearby in rural Mid Wales, Cwm
Chwefru Country Cottages is an
ideal place to get away from the hustle
and bustle of everyday life, but is still
close to the many historic and natural
attractions of the area.
North Wales
North Wales is perhaps best known for
the mighty Snowdonia National Park,
home of the highest peak in Wales and
the most summited mountain in the
world. Mount Snowdon rises to 3,560 ft
above sea level and can either be scaled
on foot by the adventurous or by train
if you wish to take the more sedate
route. Dyserth Falls Resort lies on the
doorstep of this National Park, and is
also nearby to many other attractions
that the area can offer including zoos,
farm parks, beaches and golf courses.
Wherever in Wales you fancy
visiting, you can exchange
your way there with DAE.
Give us a ring on 01756 749966
or visit the website now to
start planning you next
Welsh getaway.
10 | AUTUMN 2014 holiday access
Win a Spring stay at
St Davids Vacation Club
n
Competitio
St Davids Vacation Club is located in St Davids, Pembrokeshire, Wales and its lovely
holiday apartments are clustered around a secluded courtyard within the ancient
city. Noted for being the smallest city in the UK, St Davids is actually no bigger than
an average village but offers many interesting opportunities for the visitor.
At the most westerly point in, St
Davids is situated on the tip of the
Pembrokeshire peninsula and the
compact nature of the city means that
the cathedral, shops, restaurants and
pubs are all within walking distance of
the resort.
St Davids Vacation Club has very kindly donated a week in their resort in a 3
bedroom apartment which will comfortably sleep 8 people for 30th May 2015.
To have a chance of winning this week please answer the following question:
Question
Name the river that St Davids lies upon.
The cathedral and the ruins of the
Old Bishop’s Palace are enjoyable to
explore and offer music opportunities
during Festival weeks and if you wish
to try your hand at the local adventure
opportunities the town has booking
offices for boat trips and outdoor
activities. There are also many attractive
walks from the accommodation.
The Pembrokeshire coast is
characterised by tiny hidden sea ports,
beautiful scenery, historical places
and cliff top walking, including the
Pembrokeshire Coastal path, inviting
exploration and adventure for all ages.
With a car you can fully explore this
lovely part of south west Wales as
nearby there are blue flag beaches
including Whitesands and Newgayle
which are ideal for surfing.
Why not enjoy one of our
Bonus Weeks at St Davids
Vacation Club which are
available now for November
and December from just £159,
or try your luck by entering
our competition:
Rules
Send your answer and contact details on an email with a subject line:
‘St Davids Competition’ to [email protected] by the 30th
November 2014. The winner will be notified soon after the closing date.
All entries will be passed to St Davids Vacation Club ONLY as part of their email
marketing database. If you’d rather not hear from St Davids Vacation Club about
potential offers please include the word NO on subject line.
holiday access AUTUMN 2014 | 11
Credit life almost expired?
You can now extend it by six months
Although DAE holiday credits are valid for 3 years,
we know that sometimes, before you know it, your
credit life has only days left and you’re on the verge
of losing a credit that in essence is worth hundreds of
pounds in maintenance fees.
So, rather than losing the credit altogether you have two options
1. U
se the credit before it expires by booking an available exchange
holiday. Remember you just have to have booked the holiday
before it expires, not necessarily been on it.
2. Extend your credit for a further 6 months with a one-off,
low cost fee of just £49, giving you plenty of time to find and
book the perfect holiday for you.
Gold Advantage customers receive a 50% discount, meaning the price drops
to just £24. Plus, Gold Advantage gives you priority access to newly deposited
weeks, meaning you have the very best opportunity to use your credit.
Don’t miss out on your holidays – call us now on
01756 749966 to arrange a credit extension.
DAE Gift Cards
Christmas is getting closer and its time to start
that annual task of buying gifts for friends and
family. It could be the usual Christmas jumper,
socks, or smellies? Or what about the gift of
a holiday?
Our very popular Holiday Gift Cards mean that you can solve
several Christmas headaches in one go – they are very
easy to purchase and allow the lucky recipient to book
absolutely any Bonus Week in our availability.
Holiday Gift Cards cost just £129, and Gold
Advantage customers receive a further £30
discount, meaning a DAE Holiday Gift Card
is a generous but affordable present.
And there is no need to save this treat just for
Christmas gifts – what about those special
birthdays and anniversaries throughout the
year? Go on, make someone’s day – give
them a DAE Gift Card!
Phone us on 01756 749966
or visit the website for more
details and to purchase.
12 | AUTUMN 2014 holiday access
DAE Resort Rentals
As dedicated travellers, we realise that many members like to have their holidays planned well
in advance when looking for the perfect location for their getaway. So in areas of high demand
where exchange availability is scarce, we have introduced DAE Resort Rentals – the perfect
way to secure a holiday at a popular resort up to a year in advance without needing to use your
exchange credit so you can then save this for another holiday.
DAE has teamed up with a number of carefully selected participating rental resorts (we never rent out owners deposited
weeks) in some of the most in-demand locations across UK, Europe and beyond and you will receive discounts of up to
40% off the price compared with booking direct with the resort. Best of all, all DAE members can book as many of our
excellent value rentals as they wish, without any catches.
New for 2014/15
Take a look at the latest additions to our rental portfolio
La Quinta at La Manga, Cartagena , Spain
La Quinta Club is a superb, private club built in the style of
an Andalusian hill village. Within the beautiful 1100 acre La
Manga estate has a host of sporting facilities including two
18 hole championship golf courses favoured by celebrities
and professional sportspeople. Nearby are the historic
towns of Cartagena and Murcia.
Seven nights in a 2 bedroom villa for 6 people
from €462
Vacances Vaugrenier, Provence-Alpes, Côte
d’Azur, France
Vacances Vaugrenier is ideally located on the French Riviera
with its lovely climate, magnificent scenery and excellent
beaches. The resort is nestled in the midst of this wonderful
area, halfway between Nice and Cannes with the beach
and the pulsating heart of the Côte d’Azur coast only a few
minutes away.
Seven nights from just €240
Sutton Hall, Thirsk , North Yorkshire
Located in one of the most historic and picturesque areas of
England on the fringes of the North York Moors, Sutton Hall
is set amidst glorious countryside and lies four miles east of
James Herriot’s market town of Thirsk.
Seven nights for four people from £350
DAE Resort Rentals are available across the
UK, Europe and beyond. For more information
and to make a booking call us on 01756 749966
or visit www.dialanexhange.com
Don’t forget, members with Gold
Advantage receive a further 10% discount
on the already reduced rental prices.
holiday access AUTUMN 2014 | 13
Upgrade fees explained
At DAE, we believe that booking a holiday
exchange should be as easy, enjoyable
and straight-forward as possible.
After all, making holiday plans is a
pleasurable experience! That’s why we are
proud to offer a week-for-a-week exchange,
where members are able to deposit
one week of holiday accommodation,
and exchange into absolutely any other
available week in return. And this Spring
we implemented a few changes so that we
can ensure that this exchange system runs
even more smoothly for the benefit of all
our members.
Spain
Las Medulas -
Over recent years we have seen a changing
demand for accommodation within DAE. The
majority of our members are looking for family-sized accommodation, increasingly in the
UK in peak season. Our demand for these weeks exceeds supply, while the opposite is
true for smaller units and in off-peak times of year.
So in order to ensure that all of our members have access to the best possible range of
exchanges, a couple of changes have been made to encourage owners to take a look
at all the great exchange possibilities that are available to them across the seasons and
unit sizes.
Changes for
Studio Owners
Loch Rannoch
Highland Resort
– Scotland
14 | AUTUMN 2014 holiday access
If you own a studio (a one room
apartment without separate bedroom),
you can use your holiday credit to
exchange into absolutely any property in
the DAE availability. If you pick a studio
to exchange into, the standard low cost
exchange fee of £84 applies, and if you
choose a larger unit, there is simply a
small upgrade fee to pay of £25 for a 1 bed
apartment, or £50 for a two bed apartment
or larger.
Changes for Low
Season Owners
For new deposits in Malta,
Mainland Spain or certain resorts
in Scotland with a check-in between
November 1st and March 14th inclusive,
you can use your exchange credit to book
into any other available week anywhere in
Europe during this timeframe for the standard low-cost exchange fee of £84. If you
would like to exchange into a week outside of this timeframe, there is a small upgrade
fee of £40 per exchange.
Eilean Donan
- Scotland
More details about applicable locations and useful information on upgrade fees can be
found at www.dialanexchange.com/products.aspx
Why this is beneficial for all DAE members
Just over twenty percent of our membership falls into these categories, but we believe
that these changes will be beneficial to our members because we will be able to
make our customers aware of many more great exchange opportunities which may fall
outside of the traditional peak holiday times or in-demand apartment sizes.
We are confident that this will lead to a better range of available weeks
for all of our members. And if a member does choose to upgrade, we have
an active policy of renting weeks in high demand areas to supplement
exchange supply, so members can be safe in
the knowledge that revenue collected from
upgrade fees will help to expand exchange
availability further still.
If you have any further questions about how
this new upgrade policy might affect you,
please don’t hesitate to speak to one of
our award winning customer service team
members here at DAE on +44 (0)1756 749966.
Happy Holidays
Managing Director
Dial An Exchange Europe
s - Malta
Saint Julian
holiday access AUTUMN 2014 | 15
DAE Europe celebrates
15th anniversary
2014 marks the 15th anniversary since DAE Europe began offering great value, straight forward
holiday exchanges for our members. In that time we have grown from strength to strength and
15 years down the line we talked to some of our very first members about their experiences with
us since those early days
16 | AUTUMN 2014 holiday access
Mr and Mrs Richmond
was a nice sounding, down-to-earth
gentleman by the name of Philip.
(Philip Green, founder and Chairman
of DAE Europe) It transpired he had
just returned from the very same
cottage we were enquiring about
and was very enthusiastic about
his stay there. When he informed
me that he was speaking from a
new timeshare exchange company I
knew we were onto a winner as we
also owned a timeshare.
We first came across Dial An
Exchange in 1999 whilst looking
for accommodation. On the phone
We packed our bags and off we went
to.....well I have only ever referred to
it since as our own ‘bit of heaven’ Melfort Village. Everything there was
just as perfect as Philip had described.
Members since 3 October 1999
Holidays enjoyed with DAE: 26
19 members of our family and friends
have joined us over the fifteen years
that we have been members of the
DAE family and we have fully enjoyed
our 26 holidays, either by exchanging
or using Bonus Weeks.
I call it the DAE family because we are
all friends and are treated as such - no
answer machines or waiting in a queue.
Congratulations DAE for many happy
times and many wonderful memories, as
well as for your friendship and expertise
in what you do. Here’s for continued
success for the next 15 years. At least!
Kind regards, Mr & Mrs Richmond
Mr & Mrs Stonehouse
Members since 13 December 1999
Holidays enjoyed with DAE: 31
We heard about Dial An Exchange through a
couple we met on holiday, who explained that they were
different from other exchange companies as there were
no membership fees and you only needed to bank your
weeks when they could offer an exchange. We rang up and
joined there and then!
We had always wanted to go to Australia and within
a short time DAE found us five consecutive weeks for
us in five different resorts from just south of Brisbane
down towards Sydney.
Nine years later we went back to Australia, this time to the
north of Brisbane for four weeks. DAE came up with two
weeks each at two resorts.
In the years between we have been to lots of resorts in
Europe and now that we can no longer go abroad, DAE
continues to come up with weeks at resorts in the U.K.
Thank you for all your help.
Best Regards Les.
Picture taken at The Australian Outback Spectacular
Show Brisbane.
Mr Broome
Member since 13 December 1999
Holidays enjoyed with DAE: 40
My family have been DAE members since 1999, and
we’re now in our “second generation” of membership.
Initially, it was my parents who began using Dial An
Exchange and the self-catering apartment format allowed us
to continue having family holidays when, as a late teenager,
I wouldn’t have even entertained the idea of holidaying with
my parents using shared hotel accommodation!
Now that I have a young family of my own and DAE has
enabled us to choose accommodation perfectly suited
to our changing needs.
Meanwhile, my father and his partner, continue to enjoy a
variety of Exchanges and Bonus Weeks. We all look forward
to many more happy holidays.
Best, Neil
holiday access AUTUMN 2014 | 17
TATOC update
What TATOC says
about DAE
Harry Taylor - TATOC
Executive Chairman & CEO
Harry has been working with DAE
since 2002 both in his role as a
director of TATOC, and also as a
customer enjoying exchanges.
He praises DAE for being open
and transparent, and says, ‘they
always go the extra mile for their
members. DAE is a professional
company with a family touch and
whilst they have evolved over the
years, nothing has been lost in
delivering the product and service.’
Harry continues ‘They have been
an excellent supporter of TATOC,
becoming one of the inaugural
Signatories of the TATOC Code
of Conduct. They have always
complied with our regulations and
practices, and so it was an obvious
choice for this to be awarded to
DAE alongside a select few other
long standing supporters.’
We are very pleased to
announce that Pat May,
DAE’s Business Development
Manager for the Canary
Islands, Spain and Portugal
has recently been appointed
one of TATOC’s founding
Ambassadors.
The Association of Timeshare Owners
and Committees, better known as
TATOC, is the only elected consumer
association representing the interests
of timeshare owners in Europe.
Formed in 1989, today they represent
thousands of timeshare owners across
the continent, and as strong advocates
for consumer rights within the
industry, they share many fundamental
principles with DAE.
TATOC has created the role of
Ambassador to promote and support
18 | AUTUMN 2014 holiday access
the organisation’s activities around
the world as it implements its Five
Year Plan, (full details available on their
website), to be the most accessible
and forthright voice on all aspects
relating to timeshare, as well as to
promote the many benefits of being a
timeshare owner.
Having worked within the shared
ownership industry in Tenerife for
over 20 years in roles with DAE, and
before this for Diamond Resorts and
RCI, Pat is very well acquainted with
the resorts in the Canary Islands and
beyond, and knows how important
customer service, quality and
integrity are in guaranteeing great
holiday experiences. With such a
depth of knowledge on both resort
management and holiday exchange,
Pat is the perfect choice as a TATOC
Ambassador, and will make a great
addition to the team.
For any consumer-based queries
pertaining to your timeshare
ownership, please contact TATOC
on their helpline 0845 230 2430 or
email: [email protected]
Travel Tips
Making the most of your holiday by maximising every minute
The great thing about holidays
is being on holiday; the not
so great thing about holidays
are the hours wasted either
getting there or standing in
queues when you are there.
So here are a few tips to save some
of that precious time away so you can
make the most of your well-earned
holiday time
Flights – Save 50
minutes each way
Before booking your flight,
check which airport is the
closest to your destination. Many people,
when flying to Barcelona with a budget
airline, would assume that Barcelona Girona
airport would be fine. However Barcelona
Airport is 50 minutes closer to the city,
saving you valuable time and transfer costs.
Check-in online –
Save 10 minutes
each way
Many of the budget airlines
actively encourage online check-in by
charging you a hefty fee if you don’t,
whilst the traditional airlines allow you
the choice. However, if you do check
in online (some airlines will allow you
to check in for both the outward and
inward flight) you’ll only need to drop
off your bags, saving you the queuing
time along with the worry about what
seats you’ll get.
Luggage carousels
– Save 30 minutes
Possibly the most
frustrating holiday aspect
is waiting for your luggage. If you can
avoid taking a case and just take hand
luggage then you could save yourself
valuable time. However, if you do have
a suitcase and there’s more than one
of you travelling, leaving one member
of the party getting the bags whilst the
other heads through customs to pick
up the car hire keys or find the transfer
point saves time.
Transfers – Save 30
minutes each way
Work out the quickest
routes to and from the
airport. A train maybe 30 minutes
quicker than sitting in rush hour traffic
or a taxi could be the better option if
the train is only hourly. For tips visit
www.tripadvisor.com to see what is
being advised.
Excursions – 50
minutes per day
Pre-book your travel
excursions in the comfort
of your own home before you leave.
Many tourist attractions have pre-
booking websites including the
option for VIP queue-jumping passes.
You maybe also be able to save
money by getting a multi-attraction
pass for your destination.
Meals – Save 30
minutes per day
Instead of spending time
each evening trying to find
that ‘perfect restaurant’, why not book
your restaurant meals as and when
you see the restaurant that inspires
you. Even if it’s minutes after you’ve
just eaten or first thing in the morning.
If you do find somewhere better later
in the day, you can always go back and
cancel your original booking.
Try to avoid peak
times – Save 60
minutes per day
If you plan to visit a touristy place or
attraction try to go early or late in the
day when the crowds are less, giving
you more time for seeing and doing
instead of standing and queuing.
If you want to make the most of your
holiday, make sure you plan ahead. The
time you can end up saving could make
the difference between a relaxing
holiday or a stressful break.
Total extra holiday relaxation time =
potentially 18 hours or more
holiday access AUTUMN 2014 | 19
advertising feature
*charges apply to all spa treatments and equipment hire where applicable
Barnsdale
Hall Hotel
COUNTRY
CLUB
20 | AUTUMN 2014 holiday access
Picture our Plaques and win!
It’s been a year now since we
launched our new logo and
branding, and we’re busy sending
plaques and stickers to our
partner resorts across the UK
and Europe.
Example Resort name
So the next time you go on exchange, keep a
look out for the DAE plaque proclaiming that
your chosen resort is a ‘valued member of the
DAE family’
When you spot either a plaque or sticker,
make sure you take a picture (get in with
it if you can), send it to us here and we’ll
give the 10 best a free Credit Card-style
USB flash drive containing our latest Resort
Directory, as well as featuring your picture on
all of our social media pages.
Send your pictures to marketing@dialan
exchange.com now for your chance to win!
We’re very Social at DAE
Do you share your status, tweet to your followers or pin on your board?
If you’re on Facebook, Twitter
or Pinterest you’ll know exactly
what the above mean, but what
you may not know is that DAE
now has pages with exciting
content on each of these social
media platforms.
Facebook.com/daeEurope
Twitter.com/daeEurope
Pinterest.com/daeEurope
As well as offering a great range of
Exchanges, Bonus Week and Rental
getaways, we also wanted to give our
members as many opportunities as
possible to discuss and share their holiday
experiences with us. We also wanted to
give you access to things that you may not
necessarily see on our website including
behind the scenes photos, fun quizzes, and
so much more including:
Exclusive Offers
As part of our growing presence on Social
Media sites, we’ll be releasing exclusive
time-limited offers to our followers that
you won’t find anywhere else. Ranging
from discounted exchanges to two-for-one
Bonus Weeks, you can grab yourself a great
deal. So make sure you are following us on
either Facebook, Twitter or Pinterest so that
you won’t miss out.
Not on Social Media? Don’t worry, you can
still visit the pages and see
our posts and offers; just
visit the addresses above,
but remember that offers
will only be valid for short
amounts of time.
holiday access AUTUMN 2014 | 21
Go Mad for Madeira!
Good things come in small
packages and the exquisite
island oasis of Madeira is no
exception. At just 740 square
km, Madeira is a little gem
cast adrift in the middle of
the Atlantic Ocean. Although
it may lack size, this
Portuguese island certainly
makes up for it in its wealth
of attractions.
One of the pleasures of an island
holiday is that the ocean is never
too far away and on Madeira you
can spend your days exploring the
coastline of majestic cliffs, pebbled
beaches and natural rock pools with
amazing rock formations from the
island’s volcanic origins. Like its
nearest neighbours the Canary
Islands, Madeira enjoys a yearround warm climate, making it
an ideal destination for outdoor
exploration at any time of year.
Off the coast, adventurous visitors
can enjoy swimming with dolphins or
scuba diving in the crystal clear waters
of Garajau Natural Reserve, while a
more sedate activity would be to take
in the warm weather and spectacular
coastline from the deck of a whale
watching cruise.
Inland, Madeira’s rugged hills and
mountains are covered with lush,
exotic vegetation, forming a fascinating
natural ecological reserve. Two
thirds of the island are designated
as conservation areas and there are
a myriad of walking trails for those
wanting to be rewarded with sightings
of breath-taking mountain views and
rare plant and animal species unique to
the island.
22 | AUTUMN 2014 holiday access
Or for those who prefer a gentle stroll,
meander through the numerous parks
and gardens which boast fascinating
subtropical plants and a spectacular
carpet of colour; the best of which can
be seen at the annual Flower Festival
in springtime.
The capital city of Funchal is a must
see for visitors to the island, with
a history that dates back over five
centuries. Nestled in a great natural
amphitheatre facing the blue Atlantic,
Funchal is located on the sunniest
south coast of Madeira amidst banana
plantations and wonderful gardens
where flowers bloom all year round in
the shelter of the verdant mountains.
Named after fennel (funcho) that grows
in abundance nearby, Funchal has a
relaxed feel and is one of the safest
and cleanest cities in Europe; in fact,
it’s Portugal’s leading re-cycler! The
perfectly cobbled streets with historical
and cultural attractions mixed with
modern shopping areas, cafes, bars,
restaurants make Funchal a city that is
both interesting and exciting.
The majority of the resorts in our
portfolio are in this south eastern
part of the island. This region enjoys
the most sunshine and offers the
best holiday experience, allowing
guests the opportunity to relax in their
immediate resort surroundings but still
benefit from direct access to coast,
countryside, and all that is on offer in
the vibrant capital city.
A small selection
of our resorts in
Madeira include:
Madeira Regency Palace
This resort is located on a peaceful cliff
top, overlooking the natural beach of Praia
Formosa. The majority of the rooms face the
Atlantic Ocean, some with a view of Europe’s
highest sea cliff Cabo Girao offering the most
spectacular sunsets. Close to the hotel you will
find typical small fish restaurants and friendly
local bars.
The Royal Orchid
Pestana Hotels
The range of Pestana
hotels in and around
Funchal all offer fantastic
accommodation with all
the luxuries you could
wish for and each one
has its own unique
charm that sets it apart.
The Royal Orchid is located on the south coast of the island of Madeira,
in the tourist area of Caniço de Baixo, located between the cities of
Funchal and Santa Cruz. Onsite are both heated indoor and outdoor
swimming pools, a solarium and direct sea views.
Roca Mar Sports and Country Club
Porto Mare Residence
The Residence at Porto Mare offers a
world of comfort and privacy in a truly
exclusive atmosphere.
Roca Mar Sports and Country Club has a truly spectacular location,
perched on a cliff overlooking the Atlantic Ocean. You can enjoy the
panoramic views from both the restaurant and the terrace.
Other resorts include: The Royal Savoy Vacation Club &
Madeira Regency Palace
If you would like to enjoy an exchange at any of these resorts, call us now on 01756 749966 or
log onto www.dialanexchange.com
holiday access AUTUMN 2014 | 23
advertising feature
24 | AUTUMN 2014 holiday access
Time your Holiday
to Perfection
When planning your next holiday, there are so many
choices to consider, not least of which is when to go!
Different holiday destinations experience different high and low seasons,
so at certain times of the year exchange demand is much higher than
at others. As an exchange company, our available holiday space is
made up of weeks deposited into our exchange pool by owners
(unlike a standard travel agents rental agreement) and our supply of
weeks remains fairly constant throughout the year.
What this means is that at certain times of year we have great availability
of holidays and at others we have excess demand. Using the following
charts, we aim to highlight when these time periods are so you can time
your holiday to perfection!
Example Graph
Understanding Our Graphs
Picking some of our most popular
destinations, we’ve plotted the
typical supply and demand over
a 12 month period across 4
different graphs.
Average Supply = This is to show
the average supply of weeks
DAE receives
Country line – Each country has
a different colour to show how
much exchange demand there is
during a specific month of the year.
If you are looking for a holiday in
a time of year above the line in
the yellow area, it is likely that
demand will exceed supply and
therefore having Gold Advantage
to satisfy your request is advised.
Any periods under the ‘supply
line’ means supply is greater than
demand and therefore we can
make many weeks available for
instant booking.
Top tips:
• For the best choice of resorts and
available weeks, consider holidaying
in months of the year where expected
demand falls below the supply curve.
• If you do want to go in peak months,
Gold Advantage is really worth
considering as it allows you priority
access to newly deposited weeks.
• Bonus Weeks may be offered at any
time of year but are much more readily
available outside of the peak months.
holiday access AUTUMN 2014 | 25
UK availability
• As demand for the whole of Britain is particularly high from Easter to October, Gold Advantage will be an essential tool for
you if you wish to holiday during these dates.
• For a relaxing Scottish winter break, you should find plenty of live availability for an instant booking.
• Bonus Week holidays are also much more likely to become available from October to April in the UK.
European Winter Sun Availability
• As the climate is warm year round, high and low seasons are less extreme and demand never far exceeds supply.
• This means availability is good across the year, although Gold Advantage would be useful if you are looking for a 2
bedroom or larger apartment.
• For the best availability in Europe during school summer holidays, choose the Canary Islands.
Gold Advantage
If you are looking to exchange into an in-demand location or at
peak season, Gold Advantage is an essential tool. It gives you
priority access to newly deposited weeks so simply tell us
what you are looking for and we will do our best to find it for
you! The majority of the weeks that we exchange never
appear on general availability as they are matched to
Gold Advantage customers’ requests first.
All this for just £44 per year or £120 for 3 years, call us on 01756
26 | AUTUMN 2014 holiday access
European Availability
• As demand for the Costa del Sol and Algarve is lower in winter, there are plenty of available exchanges and Bonus Weeks
and it’s the perfect time to enjoy a golfing break.
• Spring and Autumn in Malta are perfect for exploring the island’s rich history without the crowds.
• For summer holidays, Gold Advantage would be beneficial.
Winter Sports Availability
• Some of the best winter activities in the world can be found at Aviemore in the Scottish Highlands where winter
availability is strong. Why not consider it for your next winter sports break?
• Demand is high for traditional Alpine destinations so Gold Advantage would be useful.
• Bulgaria has some great ski resorts and good winter sport season availability.
Gold Advantage also gives you:
• Discounts off every Bonus Week and Rental holiday booked
• 50% off credit extensions
• Exclusive regional special offers, currently 40% off
exchanges to Asia.
• Discounts on holiday Gift Cards
• Award winning customer service
• And much more
749966 to find out more, or visit www.dialanexchange.com
holiday access AUTUMN 2014 | 27
The holiday
exchange club
with so much more!
FREE MEMBERSHIP
Member
benefits that
count
Absolutely no annual fees for our
Classic membership
WEEK FOR WEEK EXCHANGE
Welcome to
the Club
No complicated ‘trading power’. Deposit
a week and take absolutely any available
week out
LONG LIFE DEPOSITS
NO RESTRICTIONS
AWARD WINNING
CUSTOMER SERVICE
Visit the resort of your choice as many
times as you wish
LOW EXCHANGE FEES
£84 in Europe, £99 for long haul, and Bonus
Weeks starting from just £129. In certain
instances upgrade fees may apply
Deposit a week and you have up to three
years to book an exchange
Each and every member is important
to us – our customer service has been
recognised four times in a row as the
best in the industry
GIFT AN EXCHANGE
Give your exchange to family and friends at
no extra cost
Telephone: +44 (0)1756 749 966
E-Mail: [email protected]
Web: www.dialanexchange.com
Dial An Exchange Ltd, 21 High Street, Gargrave, Skipton, United Kingdom, BD23 3RA
Company Registered in England 3756394

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