More about Portugal

Make a holiday rental, home, or villa in Portugal your home away from home.

Accommodations in Portugal

Portugal experiences pleasant climates around the year, making it one of the most popular holiday destinations in Europe. Properties range from resorts along striking beaches in dynamic cities to villas in traditional towns amidst olive groves, vineyards and wheat fields. The diverse geography reflects the diversity of Portuguese culture. As a country historically known as a cultural meeting place— you will find Portuguese, Brazilian and African food, music, and people. Additionally rentals, apartments, and villas in Portugal’s major cities, Lisbon, the Algarve, and Porto are known to have one of the most relaxed and attractive atmospheres in Europe, while also remaining affordable. This makes it an ideal place for a last minute holiday.

Places to holiday in Portugal

The Algarve – With its sunshine, warm seas, and dramatic landscape, the Algarve should be on the top of anyone’s list when looking for a holiday rental in Portugal. Consisting of five main regions, Sagres, Lagos, Faro, Tavira and Silves with rentals varying along beautiful beaches, such as the Praia do Peneco and Praia da Gale to lush golf courses, such as Parque da Floresta in Budens and the Oceanfront Course at Vale de Lobo. The Algarve rentals are satisfying for any type of holiday seeker.

Faro - As the Algarve's capital and a major commercial center, Faro is also a gorgeous holiday spot with medieval and renaissance style villas and a large number of monuments including the Nossa Senhora da Assuncão Convent and São Francisco Church in the old town. Several flights to Portugal arrive directly to the Faro Airport, which has made the city an easy haven for holiday renters. Faro rentals, apartments, and villas are also on site of some of the most beautiful beaches, including the Ria Famosa, where flamingos can be seen taking to the air.

Lisbon - The capital of Portugal is positioned on low hills beside a river making it one of the most stunning holiday sites. Famous for its abundance of eateries, the Rua de São Jose is the restaurant street. Lisbon's sweets are also particularly famous, especially the pastéis de Belém, a small crème tart. Additionally, downtown Lisbon rentals are surrounded by romance and rich in architecture, with tree-lined avenues, mosaic pavements, and old church towers including the Church of São Roque, Jerónimos Monastery, Belém Tower, Padrão dos Descobrimentos, and Carmo Convent. Lisbon apartments are also located near a fabulous art collection with the proximity of the Gulbenkian Museum, the National Museum of Ancient Art, the Archeological Museum, and the Museum of Contemporary Art.

Porto - Portugal's second-biggest city above the Rio Douro was once a medieval waterfront. Today it is scattered with old port-wine boats and beautiful architecture. Along the coast, Porto rentals line the beach, like the cosmopolitan beach of Espinho and busy ports, like Matosinhos, with splendid seafood, or traditional fishing towns like Póvoa de Varzim. Right next to Porto you can stay at Vila Nova de Gaia villas, where Port wine is blended and aged and take a river cruise along the Douro.

Things to do in Portugal

Portugal is notorious for its traditional folk festivals. These festivals are celebrated throughout the year in various parts of the country, so visitors can catch a festival even when planning a last minute holiday. Festivals are ideal for those looking to indulge in some deliciously fresh food, noisy but jovial music, and markets overflowing with creative, one of a kind works. Carnaval is one of the biggest events of the year, featuring colorful parades and outrageous partying about six weeks before Easter. Similarly there are vast celebrations during the Easter Holiday Week. Moreover, Portugal is also home to amazing music festivals encompassing a wide variety of genres, including fado, an urban music associated with the Portuguese guitar. The most famous festivals are in the summer like Festival do Sudoeste in Zambujeira do Mar, Festival de Paredes de Coura in Paredes de Coura, and Rock in Rio Lisboa in Lisbon.

Weather in Portugal

High season in Portugal is June to September. However the climate is temperate, so just about everywhere the weather is pleasant for the beaches, golf courses, or just walking around the cities, from April to October and year-round in the Algarve. The ski season is from January to March.

Travel to Portugal

Most flights to Portugal arrive at Lisbon, which has the main airport of the county but several airlines fly into Porto and Faro. Portugal’s national airline, TAP Air Portugal, operates direct flights to Lisbon, Faro, and Porto from a number of countries. Portugalia Airlines operates flights from within Europe. The best prices on airline travel can be found on Easy Jet and Ryan Air. By rail, the quickest way is to travel by Eurostar. By bus, Eurolines operates an extensive network of coach services to many destinations throughout Europe, including Lisbon, Faro, Porto, and Lagos. Buses and trains also run to Spain from all major cities.

More about France

Make a holiday villa, home, or rental in France, your home away from home

France is probably the most visited country in the world and dubbed by many as the most incomparably beautiful country in the world. A French holiday can be characterised in so many ways: city life, pretty beaches, historical monuments, tranquil nature, mountain scenery, good food, great wines, and more! This is the country that gave the world champagne, casseroles and Camembert, but France is not only famous for its foods - holidaymakers take short breaks in France for its architecture, lifestyle, and fashion, among others. The last minute holiday to France often proves very refreshing.

Places to Holiday in France

Holiday accommodation in France is abundant – from villas in France to holiday cottages in France. Property in France, such as France villas, are luxurious and can be as Mediterranean or medieval as you like, depending on the region you visit. And these don’t have to be expensive – cheap holidays in France are easy to sign up for – with the many tour operators offering trips to France.

The list of places to visit would roll off the page; but here are a few of our favourites:

Aquitaine - Aquitaine’s vast stretch of south of France coastline is made up of Dordogne, Gironde, Landes, Lot-et-Garonne and Pyrenees-Atlantiques. This region is famous for its Bordeaux wines, the Basque country and the Landes regional park. The rivers in the region are all reasonably safe for seniors and novices to try a range of water based sports under proper professional supervision.

Cote d'Azur, Riviera - The Riviera stretches from Menton on the Italian border to St Raphaël but the boundaries are now blurred. This is a classic holiday destination - if your holiday or travel preferences are for beaches, glamour, Roman and Greek history, quiet villages, nature reserves, skiing, water activities, or touring through the peaceful countryside, this Riviera is the place to be.

Cote d'Azur, Provence - Guests of Provence holiday rentals will find the picturesque countryside filled with olive groves, vineyards, lavender fields, Roman ruins, and quaint towns; Arles contains some impressive Roman ruins and Avignon features a walled medieval town center and the Papal Palace. In the lovely city of Aix-en-Provence, guests of Provence holiday rentals can follow in the footsteps of native son Cezanne. Along the sunny Mediterranean Cote d'Azur are a number of chic beach resort towns, including St. Tropez, which has been a favourite destination for the rich and famous since the 1950s. The French Riviera, features sunny beaches, fine dining, lively nightlife, chic resorts, and many artistic hotspots – Nice, France, particularly holds an impressive number of art collections. Hop over to Cannes in May for the Cannes Film Festival or Grasse is home for a free perfumerie tour. The resort town of Antibes boasts beautiful beaches and cobbled streets with flower-filled squares. Finally, try your luck at the Montecarlo Casino in Monaco.

Languedoc-Roussillon - Languedoc was once independent of France speaking a separate language – the langue d’oc, while Roussillon was Spanish until the mid 17th century, and the Catalan heritage is still evident. This makes for a very interesting mix of medieval fantasies.The Languedoc-Roussillion region in southern France is made up of the Aude, Gard, Herault, Lozere and Pyrenees-Orientales areas. Visit Montpellier, the “Oxford of France”; Carcassonne for a medieval experience; Pont du Gard for the spectacular 2000-year-old Roman aqueduct; Pyrenees-Orientales to ski on the Cerdagne; Collioure for that sunny excursion.

Paris, France - Paris, the city of light, is one of the world's most beautiful and romantic cities. It brims with historic landmarks, elegant shops, and superb dining. Climb up the Eiffel Tower, view spectacular art at the Louvre, people-watch from sidewalk cafes, take a cruise down the Seine River, and visit the Notre-Dame Cathedral. There is just too much information on Paris, and yet reading about Paris never quite does justice to the city. You have to see it to believe it.

Poitou-Charentes – This region is made up of Charente, Charente-Maritime, Deux-Sevres, and Vienne. This historically rich region is a mixture of Mediterranean and Atlantic characteristics. Resorts that dot this area are homely and endearing. To the north, the Marais Poitevin is a dream world of emerald-coloured river boulevards. It is nicknamed the “Green Venice”. This region formed an important part of the pilgrims' route across Europe to north west Spain, and therefore has some of the finest romanesque churches in France.

Things to do in France

There are so many things to do in France. There are festivals, markets and French restaurants to explore. Shopping in France brings only the best fashions. Camping in France can be done in a variety of landscapes. Cycling in France is so much more significant in this home of the Tour de France. Ski resorts in France are all over the mountains and there is plenty of golf in France. The one thing NOT to do in France is to go on a diet! French food is a pleasure and is unrivalled in the amount of precise subtlety taken to prepare the dishes, as well as to consume them!

Weather in France

Spring offers the best weather to visitors – beach temperatures start in May, autumns are generally mild (although it can get cold, even in Cote d’Azur), and winters are white with snow. Mid-July through to the end of August, and February and March, most city dwellers take their annual five weeks' vacation to the coasts and mountains, and thus the half-desolate cities tend to shut down a bit accordingly.

Travel to France

France is easily accessible from any part of the world, whether you are on a shoestring budget or living in the lap of luxury. Flights to France can be on France’s main airline is Air France. France can also be accessed through London, and other parts of Europe by rail, bus and car hire. Cycling in France or walking in France is always a good way to get around.

More about Spain

Make a villa rental or holiday rental in Spain your home away from home

Spain is located in Southern Europe, and has two small territories in North Africa (both bordering Morocco). Spain shares land borders with Portugal, France, Andorra, Gibraltar and Morocco. Spain was once the most powerful country in Europe. Holidays in Spain are known for their fascinating historical sights, distinctive Moorish heritage, magnificent churches, gorgeous Mediterranean coastline, and tasty Tapas.

Places to Holiday in Spain

A holiday in a Spanish villa or an apartment in Spain is the way to go. Spanish siestas just aren't authentic in hotels in Spain. Rent a property in Spain and you'll get to explore the orange trees and rolling hills to your heart's content.

Alicante, Spain - Alicante is the second largest city of Valencian Community, dominated by the Moorish castle Castillo de Santa Barabara. One of the most famous Spanish coasts, it has magnificent sand beaches. Among the important cities are Denia, Calpe, and Benidorm.

Andalucia (Andalusia) - Andalucia has varied landscapes, mild climate and the friendly character. It gets 3000 hours of sun per year, has kilometers of golden sand beaches and beautiful natural ports. Live the magic of Flamenco and bullfighting in their most authentic style here. This region holds Seville, Granada, Cordoba, Malaga, Costa del Sol, Costa de Almeria, and Jerez de la Frontera.

Catalonia - This is the region that holds Barcelona, Costa Brava, Tarragona, and Montserrat. Catalonia has a distinct culture, most evidently of Mediterranean tradition, and is different from other Spanish regions in many aspects, on of which is its own Catalonian language. This is one of the most cosmopolitan places in Spain. Catalonia's delicious gastronomy is characterized by seafood, rice dishes, wines of great international reputation and traditional desserts.

Alternatively, the Costa Calida has over 200km of magnificent beaches on either the Mediterranean or Monor Seas, where facility rich resorts neighbour beautifully unspoilt Spanish fishing villages and lush countryside.

Things to do on Holiday in Spain

Spain's restaurants are renowned for good food and wine. Entertainment is abundant on a holiday in Spain, with plenty of siestas and late night dancing. For those looking for a golf holiday in Spain, Spain boasts world class golf courses. The weather is great for camping in Spain and the beaches are endless with waters for diving in Spain.

Spain Weather

In the summer, the Mediterranean region receives around 12 hours of sunshine and temperatures can reach upwards of 30ºC. The Atlantic coast also sees high temperatures during the summer, whereas Northern Spain tends to be wetter and cloudier, with an average of 8 hours of sunshine a day. Temperatures in the south average between 20-25 ºC during the spring and autumn months. During the winter months, many escape to Spain for its mild climate, boasting warm sunny days.

Travel to and in Spain

Cheap flights to Spain are easy to find as budget airlines and large airlines fly there frequently. During travel in Spain, walk through the narrow streets. You can also bike or opt for car hire in Spain if you're planning to travel across different cities and towns. Car rental in Spain is easily available.