Area Description: Widely regarded as the ‘playground of France’ the Côte d’Azur offers spectacular scenery where long, sweeping stretches of near vertical cliffs are broken by some of the most famous beaches and resorts in the world.

Culture: Culture lovers will enjoy the wealth of opportunities that this region provides. This is a land that was colonised by Rome and many impressive ruins remain to this day. It is also an area that was loved by artists and you can visit the places made famous by Van Gogh, Cézanne, Matisse, Dufy and Picasso to name but a few.

Villa Locations: Our villa properties are located throughout the Var and Alpes Maritimes districts, mainly along the Côte d’Azur and in the Massif des Maures. This provides an excellent choice between sea and mountains, between sophisticated coastal resorts with a cosmopolitan feel and historic hilltop villages offering authentic local cuisine.

Activities: Shopping is a true delight in the Côte d’Azur; you can spend a fortune in fashionable shops, or a modest amount off the beaten track - the choice is yours. For those of you who enjoy sporting activities you can try yachting, water skiing, wind surfing, scuba diving, snorkelling, golf, tennis and horse riding.

Entertainment: Sparkling entertainment can be enjoyed by night: jazz festivals, classical concerts, elegant dinner dance venues or visit the opera houses in Nice and Monte Carlo. Discotheques can also be found flourishing in the coastal resorts.

Food and Drink: Dining out is a pleasure in the Côte d’Azur, whatever your taste. The southern french food is always so full of colour and flavour, they use fresh basic ingredients and you will find that bread accompanies every meal. Locally caught fish tends to be dish of the day in the coastal regions and always a favourite is the local rosé wine served chilled, appreciated by locals and visitors alike in the heat of the summer.

Area Description: A wild coastline and majestic beaches, interspersed with scenic harbours and seaside resorts, make Brittany a favourite choice for visitors to France. Brittany enjoys a temperate climate where the Atlantic is warmed by the Gulf Stream and offers good beaches and attractive resorts with a variety of water sports facilities. Inland, Brittany shows a very different landscape with valleys, forests, heathland and a network of rivers and canals.

Culture: Brittany is a region rich in legend. The Bretons, like many people living close to the sea, have developed a culture rich in myth, music and folk art, providing endless fascination through the many ancient monuments, museums and heritage sites as well as in the language and costume.

Villa Locations: Our villa properties are located near to the towns of St Brieuc and Quiberon. St Brieuc is a town full of history and beauty, a town wanting to be explored. Quiberon enjoys sweeping sandy bays on one side and a 'wild' rocky coastline on the other, picturesque and traditional but also fashionable - sometimes referred to as the 'Breton Cote d'Azur' during the height of the summer.

Activities: There are many activities awaiting to be enjoyed in Brittany from beach volleyball, squash, archery, sailing, fishing, golf, horse riding, rambling and mountain biking to visiting art galleries, fine art museums, nature reserves, parks, zoos and aquariums.

Entertainment: Festivals and fêtes can be enjoyed throughout the year, with strong emphasis on music and dancing.

Food and Drink: The region is famous for its seafood, sweet and savoury crêpes, flan (custard dessert), crisp white wines... and cider is a essential on every Breton's table.

Area Description: Well known for rolling green hills and curving lines of cypress trees, Tuscany and Umbria's idyllic landscapes remain remarkably untouched and still closely resemble those that have inspired many a masterpiece. You will certainly find this verdant & fascintaing region an enthralling backdrop for a relaxing holiday.

Culture: Tuscany was the birthplace of the Renaissance, and the influence of the great painters and architects, including Michaelangelo, is present in every major town. Its close neighbour Umbria is equally important culturally and historically, counting Perugia and Assisi among its treasures. There are countless hilltop towns to wander round, each with spectacular views over the surrounding unspoilt countryside.

Activities: Tuscany has miles of sandy coastline, and Lake Trasimeno on the border with Umbria offers an inland beach alternative. Browsing the many boutiques & artisanal shops across Tuscany and Umbria is a real joy, sampling local specialities and looking for crafts, souvenirs & gifts. Those looking for more energetic activities will find that the area is well provided for in terms of tennis & horse-riding, and there is ample opportunity for touring the region by foot, on cycle or by car.

Area Description: The attractions of Cyprus are many: beautiful beaches, authentic cuisine and markets, a deep sense of history, and not least its reliable sunny weather throughout much of the year. In general, you can expect temperatures round 33°C and over 12 hours of sunshine in July and August. Spring and autumn bring pleasant temperatures of approximately 27°C on average, and winters are very mild (average 17°C in January). And the warmth of the mediterranean climate is matched by the people, who are renowned for their hospitality.

Culture: Cyprus boasts many ancient sites which bear witness to the island’s previous historical importance, including Roman mosaics in Paphos, a 2nd century amphitheatre in Kourion and Nicosia's National Archaeological Museum. But it’s in the west of Cyprus where you will find the most beautiful scenery and the best beaches. The villas we hand-pick are located in this area.

Activities: Cyprus proves itself a joy for keen walkers, who can discover the picturesque hilltop villages in the Troödos Mountains for example, and watersports are well catered for all round the island. If you can, try to catch one of the various annual festivals: Procession of St Lazarus (Apr), Anthestiria (May), Festival of Ancient Greek Drama (Jul), Aphrodite Festival (Sep), Limassol Wine Festival (Sep), Reenactment of Christ's Birth (Dec).

Many people are unaware, however, that literally 10 minutes drive inland an equally attractive landscape of forested hillsides awaits exploration, and authentic dishes and local specialities can be sampled in more traditional village restaurants.

The countryside is greener and less built-up than that of Malta, and it is an ideal place to explore on foot, as it covers only 67 square kilometres. It is also a well-known destination for diving and snorkelling enthusiasts, with a wealth of marine landscapes to discover.

The local economy is based mainly around agriculture, fishing and tourism, so visitors are treated to fantastic fish dishes and fresh produce, as well as the opportunity to buy local crafts and goods.

If you're looking for an active break close to nature, or an “away from it all” holiday at a completely unhurried pace, this unique destination has much to offer.