Launched this morning, Villas & Cottages by Headwater is a unique collection of hand-picked properties where core Headwater benefits - such as complimentary bikes and meticulously researched walking and cycling routes - have been extended to include perfectly placed self-catering accommodations in France, Spain and Italy. Unlike a traditional Headwater hotel-to-hotel touring trip, these holidays give complete freedom and total flexibility for families, or friends of mixed abilities, to be as active or not as they wish each day.

So, what makes Headwater so different?

1. We provide detailed walking maps and route notes: every property in our brand new Villas & Cottages programme comes with our detailed maps and meticulously researched walking route notes ranging from short, gentle rambles to more challenging day hikes, and giving you maximum flexibility to "mix and match" levels depending on how you feel on the day. You set off when you're ready, stop as often as you fancy - for coffees, photos, people-watching etc - and plan your time as you wish. And, as Headwater routes are all regularly checked and updated by our on-the-ground staff, you never need worry about finding your way or getting lost!
2. We also provide complimentary, super-comfy, gel-saddled bikes for all party members: our representatives will deliver your  bikes to your property on your first morning and they will go through all aspects of the bike with you - sizing, gears, what to do if you get a puncture (hopefully not!) etc. All bikes will be fully kitted out with panniers and easy-to-use map holders and, at selected properties, we are also able to offer special children's mountain bikes and, if requested at the time of booking, electric bikes too. For children under 4yrs, we have special seats that attach to adult bikes. As with walking notes, we also provide a comprehensive set of suggestions for circular, interest-packed cycling  routes, taking you off the beaten-track, through pretty towns and villages, pedalling along quiet, unspoilt lanes and stopping off in sun-baked squares for long, leisurely lunches!
3. NEW, and exclusive for our Villas & Cottages customers, we have launched our Active Family Programme - comprising short, flat walks and cycle rides specially geared towards more junior family members. In general, routes will be on smooth paths or pancake-flat trails with both distances and ups-and-downs kept to a minimum. And, for the days when you want to be even less active, our reps will put together a full sightseeing programme for you taking in the regions main attractions and places of interest.
4. We offer flexible rental durations: whilst most villa operators insist on fixed 7 or 14 night holidays, our personal relationships with our property owners mean we can often tailor-make bookings to suit shorter or longer diaries, especially if you are travelling outside of peak holiday season.
5. We've  hand-picked each and every property: all the villas and cottages in our programme are special - often in their own individual, sometimes quirky, ways! - and each has been carefully chosen to reflect the personality of the region, and to showcase the very essence of what makes a place "tick". So, we have fishermens' cottages in Brittany, coastal villas in Catalunya and a beautifully converted agriturismo in Chianti, perfectly located for visiting Italy's great art cities of Florence, Siena and Pisa. Most offer private swimming pools, state-of-the-kitchens, quality furnishings (including those all-important comfy beds!), panoramic views and well-tended outdoor areas where you can simply relax and soak up your surrounds.
6. We understand the importance of great food and wine: as self-confessed foodies, we want you to eat well on holiday, sampling fresh local produce and enjoying authentic local cuisine. As well as providing detailed information on local shops and markets, we've also made sure the properties we've chosen are nearly all within walking distance of good, local restaurants - so no-one needs worry about driving! And, if you really want to splash out, we can even arrange for a private chef to come to your property and take all the cooking hassle (including the washing up!) from you!
7. We recognise the importance of tailor-made travel:  flights can be booked from local airports (including low cost carriers if preferred) or we can book ferries, rail or Eurotunnel. If a route exists, we can work with it!
8. We offer 24-hour support and back up: although, thankfully, this service is rarely used, we offer a fully manned 24/7 emergency support service to all our guests both in the UK and overseas.
9. We reward loyalty: our loyalty schemes include discounts for repeat customers, awards for recommending us to your friends, special deals with our partner suppliers (such as leading outdoor clothing specialist, Cotswold Outdoors) and extends to include bookings made with our sister company, Exodus.
10. We care about sustainable tourism and the impact of travel on the environment: when choosing which properties to feature, we prioritise smaller, family-run accommodations, especially those where owners have installed things such as solar panels, water conservation systems, etc.; we seek out restaurants employing local staff with menus based around locally sourced produce; we look for reps with intimate local knowledge and experience of the local culture, customs and heritage, and we provide eco-friendly vehicles wherever we can. We also encourage customers to offset carbon emissions through our partnership with the World Land Trust.