Sneak PEEK
Discover why the beauty and rustic delight of a Villa Plus holiday in Spain is this summer’s ultimate getaway
BEST FOR: big groups and special celebrations: Menorca
MENORCA’S unspoiled nature and picturesque villages make it the perfect place for relaxing and exploring. Villa Sea View in Sa Caleta is the ideal base for groups or families heading to the island looking for fun-filled days with space to retreat for some me-time, too. With amazing views, this contemporary villa features air con, Wi-Fi, five bedrooms, a big outdoor garden and L-shaped pool, there are also table tennis, pool tables, a brick barbecue and a spacious outdoor eating area.
Local mini-markets are a must; look out for locally cured sausage and take time to visit the famous Xoriguer gin distillery and sample its produce.
Nearby Santandria is a 20-minute walk away and is home to some lovely restaurants overlooking the water, but for a special dinner out, it’s worth the ten-minute drive to Mon Restaurant in Ciutadella, where you can choose from a three-course à la carte menu or a seven-course tasting menu and enjoy local delicacies, such as sardines, calamari and prawns.
BEST FOR: sprawling hillside views: Majorca
PEOPLE come to Majorca, largest of the Balearic islands, to relax amid its beautiful white-sand beaches and pretty hilltop villages. Villa Mas in the Roman town of Pollensa is the perfect luxury hideaway for those in search of sun, seclusion and stunning views.
If you do one thing while in Majorca make sure you take a day trip to Deía, the small but magical coastal village that, over the last few decades has been inspiration to creative talents such as Andrew Lloyd Webber, the Beatles and David Bowie. After you’ve taken a dip in the crystal-clear water, head to Son Mico, a farmhouse-style eatery on top of a nearby hill, for homemade cakes and freshly squeezed juice.
Back in Pollensa you mustn’t leave without a visit to Bar Nou, which serves mouthwatering authentic homemade paella and fresh fish.
BEST FOR: beaches and picture-perfect sea views: Costa del Sol
FAMED for it’s microclimate (the e region gets about 320 days of sun n a year) as well as its nightlife, the e Costa del Sol is the perfect destination for those in search of guaranteed sunshine by the sea.
At the foot of the gardens that surround the stunning Villa Pedrosol osol is a gate that opens up directly on to Playa Real de Zaragoza, one of Marbella’s best beaches.
There are plenty of low-key places es to eat and drink right on the beach h by the villa, but if you can find the time me to head to the charming and surprisingly non-touristy Old Town, n, you won’t be disappointed.
You’re spoiled for choice for restaurants, but French bistro Casanis, anis, which grows all its own vegetables, is a local favourite. Enjoy your meal on a little wooden table outdoors amid the he bright pink bougainvillaea.
BEST FOR: exploring local villages: Andalucia
UNTOUCHED by redevelopment, signature-white Andalucian hillside villages look down on to a stretch of over seven miles of beach in the town of Nerja, making it the the perfect destination for absolute escapism. In a tranquil setting surrounded by greenery, Villa Agua is a stylish property with an impressive pool, outdoor dining area, barbecue and TV. It’s a 15-minute drive from the beaches and the old, winding streets of Nerja, too, and the impressive Balcon de Europa, from which you can enjoy panoramic views stretching from the coast to the mountains. The manicured sands and hilly backdrop at Burriana Beach have earned it its reputation as the prettiest in the area; head to Ayos for fresh and super-cheap paella.
If you fancy a day trip further afield, head further into the Andalucian wilderness to the spectacularly beautiful village of Frigiliana, which sits high on a ridge in the Tejeda Mountains.