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It is a cold wet January day and like most of you my thoughts are turning to thoughts of sun and sand and sea (anything other than rain and cold and darkness actually) and naturally fall to where we might go on holiday.  I am a dreamer when it comes to holidays and I can lose hours to Instagram and travel websites looking at pictures of beaches and swimming pools, and imagining myself lying on a beach with a cocktail and a good book.

Clearly now I’m a Mother that isn’t exactly how holidays pan out, holidays have changed and you need to adjust expectations, but they can still be amazing, you just need to make sure you book the right place.

We love a villa holiday here at Mini Travellers for lots of reasons. Here are my Top Five Reasons:

Firstly – Own Pool

You can choose to have your own pool. I have been lusting after this Villa, Villa La Perle, Rustrel in Provence.  Here there would be no rushing to save sun loungers. No concerns over the kids splashing too much in the pool.  Just room for the five of us.  Have a look at the photos, the inside is fab too!

Secondly – Space Inside to Play

You have plenty of space.  Depending on the hotel, sometimes the kids can feel a little restrained in a hotel, but with a villa they have space to spread out, play hide and seek, put on performances, run about.  They can play like they would normally do at home.  Whilst I was losing hours to searching for photos, I did fall totally in love with the idea of staying at this villa, Villa Le Manoir, Les Adrets De L’Esterel in Cote d’Azur you will see why if you have a look at all the photos!

Thirdly – Space Outside to Play

Large outdoor space.  We spend loads of time in the pool on holiday but I also look for an area they can play in outside, in or out of the sun. This could be a playground area, some grass, or just a large outside patio.  One of the best villas we ever stayed in had a small slide, a playhouse and a set of swings, it was all separate from the pool and the kids could run up and down happily just outside the villa perfectly safe with a sense of freedom. I love the space outside this villa, Villa Les Grands Chenes, Montauroux in Provence

 

Fourthly – Eating Outside

The ability to make basic food for the kids that you know they will eat.  To sit outside in the evening when they have gone to bed and drink wine in peace.  I love to eat outside on holiday, it is one of the things that makes me feel like we are away.  I like to stay sitting outside until I climb into bed later in the evening.  So a villa with a fantastic view to look at, a secluded area that makes you feel as though you are all alone in the world, somewhere to people watch, or a patio with comfy lounging chairs.  I love the look of this villa, Villa Casa S’Markinhas, Folgosa, Peso da Regua in Douro Valley just look at that view!!!

Fifthly – Combining the Two

More and more companies are now renting villas on a resort. This combines all the benefits of a villa with the benefits of a resort such as a restaurant, a bigger pool, friends for the kids to play with or a kids club.  We’ve been on a few holidays like this over the last few years and they really really work and tick all the familes boxes.  I really like the look of this villa, Villa Los Lagos 4, Salobre Golf Resort in Gran Canaria

If you agree with my reasons and think you’d like to book a Villa holiday for this year, take a look at James Villas 2016 offers.  They have FREE Car Hire, FREE Airport Parking and a FREE Welcome Pack if you book soon!!

This post was created in association with James Villas.

 

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