The Algarve - The Perfect Family Holiday Destination?

Taking a holiday in the Algarve, Portugal during the winter season is a wonderful way to escape the cold and rainy weather and enjoy the warmth of this stunning area. The space and flexibility you can enjoy if you spend your holiday in one of the many Algarve villas that are available for rent will make it that much more special.

This part of Portugal is in the southern most region of the country and has a wonderfully mild climate all year round. The coastline also happens to be one of the most beautiful in Europe. Portugal is a wonderful, safe place for the whole family to stay, and at a price that will not break the bank.

With mile upon mile of uncrowded, sandy beaches, the Algarve has a superb year-round climate. Pretty coastal towns and villages boast old churches and bustling markets, pavement cafes serving excellent snacks, and fishing boats on the beach. The Algarve in Portugal boasts an average 320 days of sunshine a year, gentle breezes coming off the Atlantic, and a laid-back lifestyle that you thought had vanished.

While you are staying in the Algarve, you will be able to enjoy some of the fine attractions that the area has to offer. For the golf lover there are some world-class golf courses. There are clubs and bars if you are looking for some nightlife. You can also enjoy many outdoor activities like tennis and horseback riding. In fact, there is a little something for everyone.

The best way to enjoy a holiday in this special part of Portugal is to rent your own villa. Villa operators offer great value rental properties in the Algarve, each with a private pool. These villas are located all over the area, with easy access to un-spoilt coastal beaches and the small villages and mountain regions in the interior. But you are never far from major towns, where there's plenty of shopping, fine dining and exuberant nightlife should you need to see crowds again.

But the greatest form of relaxation will be to simply mix with the locals at the tavern in a nearby village! And be sure to head inland from the coastal plain and take a drive up to the mountains through forests of eucalypts and umbrella pine trees to the unspoilt village of Monchique. Here the locals brew 'Medronho', one of the tastiest beverages in the Algarve and Portugal, and a drop which you must try.

Staying in a rental villa rather than a hotel will give you a much more personal space and flexibility and allow you to have a completely unique experience. There are numerous holiday villas for rent in the Algarve region but the more spectacular properties, and those closest to the beaches, tend to get booked quickly. So you need to move fast to ensure you get the ideal property for your holiday.

There are dozens of websites and portals that offer self-catering properties for rent in the Algarve so you will not be short of choice. Most holiday villas in the Algarve feature private swimming pools and all of the things you will need for that perfect holiday. However, it is wise to check the details of your chosen property before you book to avoid disappointment on your holiday.