CHill: Villa Anemos in Paxos
If you're itching for
a decent dose of pre-summer sun it's time to go abroad.
For short flight times
and a vast range of resorts, the Mediterranean is the perfect choice.
Here's our pick of
self-catering stays.
1.
PAXOS A week from
£248pp (flights extra)
1. Dip: The pool at Villa Anemos
Villa Anemos on the east coast of this Greek island is perched above Gaios town with great views of its harbour and the sea. Paxos is one of the less built up Greek islands but has many tavernas, bars and a popular port. The villa has a traditional feel, with wooden beams and exposed stone walls, and there is a private pool off a spacious terrace. There are two tavernas a short walk away and you’ll be well-placed for trips to splendid beaches, from Mongonissi in the south to Lakka in the north.
THE DEAL: Seven nights from May 4 for up to four people in two en-suite rooms starts at £995 with Vintage Travel. Car hire and flights are extra but can be arranged by Vintage Travel.
Villa Anemos on the east coast of this Greek island is perched above Gaios town with great views of its harbour and the sea. Paxos is one of the less built up Greek islands but has many tavernas, bars and a popular port. The villa has a traditional feel, with wooden beams and exposed stone walls, and there is a private pool off a spacious terrace. There are two tavernas a short walk away and you’ll be well-placed for trips to splendid beaches, from Mongonissi in the south to Lakka in the north.
THE DEAL: Seven nights from May 4 for up to four people in two en-suite rooms starts at £995 with Vintage Travel. Car hire and flights are extra but can be arranged by Vintage Travel.
2.
TURKEY A week from
£132pp (flights extra)
1. High spot: Bahce Villa in Antalya, Turkey
High above Kalkan bay in the foothills of the Taurus Mountains in Antalya, Villa Bahce is a little pocket of calm. Its elevated position makes it ideal for sun worshippers as it has sun throughout the day but with a cooling breeze from the sea below. The villa is spacious, light and airy and has been furnished with a mix of English and Turkish styles with eye-catching antique mosaic floors. If you’re looking for a banging nightlife this probably isn’t for you as it’s in a very quiet location. But it’s perfect for peaceful evenings by the floodlit pool and al fresco dining. Kalkan, a former fishing village, is less than a mile away.
THE DEAL: Seven nights for up to six people in three bedrooms from £795 with Holiday Lettings (Ref: 11892). Flights extra.
High above Kalkan bay in the foothills of the Taurus Mountains in Antalya, Villa Bahce is a little pocket of calm. Its elevated position makes it ideal for sun worshippers as it has sun throughout the day but with a cooling breeze from the sea below. The villa is spacious, light and airy and has been furnished with a mix of English and Turkish styles with eye-catching antique mosaic floors. If you’re looking for a banging nightlife this probably isn’t for you as it’s in a very quiet location. But it’s perfect for peaceful evenings by the floodlit pool and al fresco dining. Kalkan, a former fishing village, is less than a mile away.
THE DEAL: Seven nights for up to six people in three bedrooms from £795 with Holiday Lettings (Ref: 11892). Flights extra.
2. CYPRUS A week from
£509pp
With its southern location, Cyprus is a great bet for early Med sun. Villa Olive Groves is a traditional stone villa with a large swimming pool on the west coast. It is ideal for three couples travelling together but families are welcome too. The villa is a 10-minute walk from Polis Beach with plenty of tavernas nearby. Latchi Harbour and Akamas Peninsula National Park are short drives away.
THE DEAL: Seven nights in May including flights from Gatwick and the use of a people carrier costs from £509pp with Olympic Holidays based on six adults sharing three bedrooms.
With its southern location, Cyprus is a great bet for early Med sun. Villa Olive Groves is a traditional stone villa with a large swimming pool on the west coast. It is ideal for three couples travelling together but families are welcome too. The villa is a 10-minute walk from Polis Beach with plenty of tavernas nearby. Latchi Harbour and Akamas Peninsula National Park are short drives away.
THE DEAL: Seven nights in May including flights from Gatwick and the use of a people carrier costs from £509pp with Olympic Holidays based on six adults sharing three bedrooms.
3. CROATIA A week from
£158pp (flights extra)
Sleek Villa Mermaid is in the coastal village Podstrana close to Split, which easyJet has announced as a new destination from Newcastle. It’s a great place to stay if you want to get fit: the swimming pool has a current to swim against and there is a gym with a boxing area. You’ll also fall for the beautiful coastline and history-rich Split with its Roman remains and great restaurants.
THE DEAL: A week from April starts at £1,421 for up to nine people in four bedrooms with Holiday Lettings (Ref: 4871338). Flights not included.
Sleek Villa Mermaid is in the coastal village Podstrana close to Split, which easyJet has announced as a new destination from Newcastle. It’s a great place to stay if you want to get fit: the swimming pool has a current to swim against and there is a gym with a boxing area. You’ll also fall for the beautiful coastline and history-rich Split with its Roman remains and great restaurants.
THE DEAL: A week from April starts at £1,421 for up to nine people in four bedrooms with Holiday Lettings (Ref: 4871338). Flights not included.
4. PORTUGAL Seven nights
from £148pp (flights extra)
The Algarve is renowned for its stunning climate, beautiful beaches and golf. Jardim da Meia Praia has a cluster of holiday townhouses that are handy for all three. The communal gardens and pool are great if you have kids and want to socialise with other families. Historic Lagos is a five-minute drive away for bars, restaurants, shops and markets. And there’s a long beach at Meia Praia with watersports plus three large golf courses nearby.
THE DEAL: Seven nights in May for a family of four in two bedrooms costs from £590 with James Villas. Flights not included.
The Algarve is renowned for its stunning climate, beautiful beaches and golf. Jardim da Meia Praia has a cluster of holiday townhouses that are handy for all three. The communal gardens and pool are great if you have kids and want to socialise with other families. Historic Lagos is a five-minute drive away for bars, restaurants, shops and markets. And there’s a long beach at Meia Praia with watersports plus three large golf courses nearby.
THE DEAL: Seven nights in May for a family of four in two bedrooms costs from £590 with James Villas. Flights not included.
5.
KEFALONIA Seven nights
from £809pp
1. Roomy: Alexander's House in Kefalonia
Alexander’s House just outside Fiskardo on the Greek island has room for a big group of friends or family. It has its own pool and spectacular views of the sea and hills. There’s a one-bedroom annexe with a kitchen for anyone who wants their own space. Parts of the charming town of Fiskardo might look familiar – it was used to film scenes for the hit movie Captain Corelli’s Mandolin.
THE DEAL: Seven nights from £809pp (under-16s £728) for up to eight in four bedrooms with Ionian & Aegean Island Holidays. Includes flights from various airports on May 23, transfers and car hire.
Alexander’s House just outside Fiskardo on the Greek island has room for a big group of friends or family. It has its own pool and spectacular views of the sea and hills. There’s a one-bedroom annexe with a kitchen for anyone who wants their own space. Parts of the charming town of Fiskardo might look familiar – it was used to film scenes for the hit movie Captain Corelli’s Mandolin.
THE DEAL: Seven nights from £809pp (under-16s £728) for up to eight in four bedrooms with Ionian & Aegean Island Holidays. Includes flights from various airports on May 23, transfers and car hire.
2.
SPAIN A week from £159pp
1. Zen: Salobrena, Spain
For a deeply relaxing retreat, how about a villa with a Zen garden and an infinity pool with views of the sea and mountains? This rental is in the town of Salobreña on the unspoilt Costa Tropical in Granada, known for its pretty coves and inlets. Guests at the newly-renovated villa get free access to communal pools, a tennis court, a playground and a football pitch. Salobreña has steep cobbled streets, whitewashed houses and a Moorish castle.
THE DEAL: A week in April or May costs from £954 for up to six in three bedrooms with Spain-holiday.com. Car hire from £146. Flights not included.
For a deeply relaxing retreat, how about a villa with a Zen garden and an infinity pool with views of the sea and mountains? This rental is in the town of Salobreña on the unspoilt Costa Tropical in Granada, known for its pretty coves and inlets. Guests at the newly-renovated villa get free access to communal pools, a tennis court, a playground and a football pitch. Salobreña has steep cobbled streets, whitewashed houses and a Moorish castle.
THE DEAL: A week in April or May costs from £954 for up to six in three bedrooms with Spain-holiday.com. Car hire from £146. Flights not included.
2.
MAJORCA A week from
£74pp (flights extra)
1. Take it easy: Villa Virrei farmhouse in
Mallorca
The Balearics aren’t all about nightclubs and beach parties. Take it easy at Villa Virrei, a restored farmhouse in Pollensa with air conditioning and a large pool. Relax in the sun, explore the cobbled streets of the pretty Roman town, shop for crafts and buy local produce at the Sunday farmers’ market.
THE DEAL: Seven nights in April from £589 for up to eight in four bedrooms with James Villa Holidays. Flights not included.
The Balearics aren’t all about nightclubs and beach parties. Take it easy at Villa Virrei, a restored farmhouse in Pollensa with air conditioning and a large pool. Relax in the sun, explore the cobbled streets of the pretty Roman town, shop for crafts and buy local produce at the Sunday farmers’ market.
THE DEAL: Seven nights in April from £589 for up to eight in four bedrooms with James Villa Holidays. Flights not included.
2. ITHAKA A week from
£467pp
A one-bedroom villa on a Greek island is ideal for a romantic break but it’s hard to find one with a pool. Villa Aretusa near Dexia Bay could be the answer. It has a large lounge with a fireplace and a spiral staircase to the magnificent double gallery bedroom. With sunloungers on the terrace and a pebbly cove nearby, you might never want to venture into town. But if you do fancy a night out, the centre of Vathi is 10 minutes away.
THE DEAL: Seven nights from £467pp including flights departing on May 2, resort transfers and car hire with Ionian & Aegean Island Holidays.
A one-bedroom villa on a Greek island is ideal for a romantic break but it’s hard to find one with a pool. Villa Aretusa near Dexia Bay could be the answer. It has a large lounge with a fireplace and a spiral staircase to the magnificent double gallery bedroom. With sunloungers on the terrace and a pebbly cove nearby, you might never want to venture into town. But if you do fancy a night out, the centre of Vathi is 10 minutes away.
THE DEAL: Seven nights from £467pp including flights departing on May 2, resort transfers and car hire with Ionian & Aegean Island Holidays.
3.
MOROCCO Three nights
from £55pp (flights extra)
Many villas only offer week-long pricing so if a shorter break is what you’re after, this property in Morocco is great value. Dar Qawi is a seaside riad in Essaouira with a maid service and breakfast included in the price. All three bedrooms are en suite bathrooms and there is also a small nursery. There’s a beach a short walk away where you can try kite-surfing, quad-biking and camel riding, or relax on the roof terrace. The 8th century medina at Essaouira, a UNESCO world heritage site, and Skala du Port are popular attractions.
THE DEAL: From £110 per night (minimum three nights) for up to six adults and one small child with Holiday Lettings (Ref: 137670). Flights
Many villas only offer week-long pricing so if a shorter break is what you’re after, this property in Morocco is great value. Dar Qawi is a seaside riad in Essaouira with a maid service and breakfast included in the price. All three bedrooms are en suite bathrooms and there is also a small nursery. There’s a beach a short walk away where you can try kite-surfing, quad-biking and camel riding, or relax on the roof terrace. The 8th century medina at Essaouira, a UNESCO world heritage site, and Skala du Port are popular attractions.
THE DEAL: From £110 per night (minimum three nights) for up to six adults and one small child with Holiday Lettings (Ref: 137670). Flights
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