Why you should choose a villa for your next family holiday

A-Z OF DESTINATIONS

From the Algarve to Zante, our Villas Collection has properties in all corners of Europe. Take in the sights of Sicily’s mountains from your very own private terrace, or flop on your sofa after a day of walking around Cyprus’ ruins. Europe’s a real no-brainer for a family holiday, too. If you’re travelling with little ones, the reasonably short flight times won’t fill you with dread, as you desperately try to calculate how many bottles, nappies and teddies you can stuff into your hand luggage to keep your baby quiet. The longest you’re likely to be in the air is around five hours, so load up the tablet with episodes of In the Night Garden and you’ll be there in no time. Read our article on how to fly with a baby for more handy tips and tricks.

We’ve recently added Fuerteventura to the collection, step forward the Mirador de Lobos villas. This stylish collection of properties snakes its way around the greens of the resident golf course, and is only a 10-minute drive from the beaches of Corralejo.

Did you know we also do villas in Florida? We’ve got a number of smart properties in peaceful residential areas, like Kissimmee, all within easy reach of Orlando’s top attractions.

ALL VILLAS GREAT AND SMALL

The phrase ‘one-size-fits-all’ gives us the chills, quite frankly. We think holidays should be tailored to you. That’s why the villas in our collection come in a range of sizes, from one-bedroom hillside hideaways, to sprawling six-bedroom affairs with enviable ocean views. Things can go from basic to bourgeois, too, depending on your budget, but all will come with the essentials like linen and towels. Some of our villas come with baby equipment, too, so you won’t have to lug a cot and high chair on holiday with you. If you can’t quite leave behind the home comforts, the St John’s Villas complex in Zante has a restaurant and bar, as well as a gym and spa on site. But, for an off-the-grid escape head out to Spain’s Andalucía region to the secluded Villa Le Paradis. These six cottages share a pool, tennis courts, and spectacular mountain views.

CAR HIRE INCLUDED

Getting off the beaten track is great, but when you find yourself having to pay a small fortune in taxis, things don’t start to look so peachy. We’re one step ahead of you there, as all of our villas come with car hire included. Days out become a doddle with unlimited mileage and 24/7 breakdown service. You’ll pick your car up from the airport, too, so you’re in control from day one. Need inspiration on things to do? Check out our article on world heritage sites, as you might just be able to tick some of these off your list. Or, learn more about why Italy is a world-beater for sightseeing here.

CANNONBALLING IS MOST DEFINITELY ALLOWED

Forget crowded pools, where you have to get up at the crack of dawn to bag a sunbed. The majority of our villas come with private pools, so you and your family can splash, jump and dive to your hearts’ content. And, that giant gimmick flamingo inflatable you bought last Christmas? That’ll have pride of place in the water, without anyone tutting at you for taking up all the room. Some of our villas share a pool between them, if they’re based in a cosy complex, but you’re unlikely to be sharing with more than a few other families. And, who knows, you could make lifelong friends with your neighbours. Just remember, if you’re planning a late-night dip, or an impromptu pool party, you’ll be unlikely to have a lifeguard at your property. So, if you’ve got little ones, don’t leave them unattended.

FEAR NOT, FUSSY EATERS

Have you got a child who refuses to eat their greens, or can’t have things touching on the same plate? We’ve all got our weird and wonderful eating habits, but this can be off-putting for parents when faced with dining in restaurants abroad, not to mention if someone in your party suffers with an allergy or intolerance. But, when you have a family holiday in a villa, you’re the chef. So, there’s no pressure to try new dishes or get out of your comfort zone if you don’t want to. Some of our villas come with barbecues – and we all know how much us Brits love a good barbie. Cooking together can be a great way to relax, and dining together makes mealtimes more memorable. If you’re keen to try your hand at making some traditional grub, why not have a look at our video on making classic Spanish paella, in our article, what’s the food like in Spain? Or, learn more about the Italian aperitivo – this summer’s hottest trend here.

Find your perfect villa here, or visit our main deals pages to search for a different kind of holiday.

And, if you’ve managed to escape the kids for a few days, and fancy a villa break for two, read our article where to book a Love Island style villa for inspiration.

Author: Sarah Clayton