Each week our holiday hero, Neil Simpson, delves into a great holiday theme and does all the legwork so you don’t have to. This week: car-free holiday villas.
There is a high demand for villas across Europe that families can enjoy without the need for a rental car, so they can avoid the huge price increases expected at airport rental banks this summer.
It’s certainly a trend that Stephen Ellison of villas with pool specialists Vintage Travel has noticed.
“Interest in our car not essential villas began to increase in January when What? Warned rental car prices will be higher than ever this summer,” he says. “Now we’ve expanded the collection because so many guests are realizing that it’s more relaxing to take a taxi to their villa and then walk or cycle to local shops, restaurants and beaches every day.”
The Spanish Balearic and Canary Islands, the Italian Islands and the Algarve in Portugal are, according to what? received the highest rental car costs due to a lack of vehicles. But there are also car-free villas in each.
No car needed! Villa Ses Cases Noves on the west coast of Mallorca, just a few minutes walk from the coastal town of Banyalbufar
One of the top picks in the Balearic Islands is the new-for-2023 villa Ses Cases Noves on Mallorca’s west coast, a £35 taxi ride from Palma Airport.
The country villa can accommodate eight people and has four large bedrooms spread over three floors. The building has been recently renovated and features old stone walls and French balconies, a modern fully equipped kitchen and contemporary furniture.
Fruit trees surround the pool and it is an easy stroll to the coastal town of Banyalbufar for groceries, meals and aperitifs at sunset by the sea. The village hosts open-air jazz concerts in the summer and a gourmet walking tour of local bars and restaurants. A week costs from £5,298 (vintagetravel.co.uk).
Admirers of mid-century modern architecture can enjoy a car-free holiday in Lanzarote at the elegant white villa Sibisse, close to the popular resort of Playa Blanca. It’s a 30 minute taxi ride, £50 from the airport. The recently completed villa has three en suite bedrooms, large open plan kitchen and living area, private terrace, garden and swimming pool. A bakery and supermarket are a ten minute walk away, as are the bars, restaurants and chic shops of Rubicon Marina. From £2,321 per week in midsummer (villaplus.com).
Park here: At the top is the pool at Villa Sibisse in Lanzarote, 10 minutes’ walk from the bars, restaurants and chic shops of Rubicon Marina
Villa Sibisse will appeal to lovers of mid-century modern architecture
Villa Sibisse is located near the popular resort of Playa Blanca (photo)
The Italian island of Capri is just as idyllic for a car-free holiday. After a sunny hour on the ferry from Naples, Villa Bougainvillea is perched on a cliff, just a ten-minute (£40) taxi ride from the pretty harbour. A top tip to make your arrival even more special is to book an open top taxi through the villa owner.
The three bedroom, two bathroom property enjoys sparkling sea and mountain views from the wrap-around terrace and gardens.
Get groceries at a general store five minutes away or walk 10 minutes to La Piazzetta, the fashionable, historic square in the heart of Capri town. Costs from £200 per night (travelstaytion.com).
Villa Bougainvillea is a 10-minute walk from La Piazzetta, the fashionable historic square in the heart of Capri.
Villa Bougainvillea offers sea and mountain views from its surrounding terrace and gardens
A top tip to make your arrival at Villa Bougainvillea even more special is to book an open top taxi through the villa owner
Villa Sibisse costs from £200 per night. One of three guest rooms is located on the top floor
Sporty parents and active teenagers are in the right place in the Portuguese Algarve.
A £30 taxi ride from Faro Airport takes guests to a series of white two-bedroom villas on the grounds of the Four Seasons Fairways Resort.
Each private villa has a kitchen, sun deck, jacuzzi or swimming pool. Guests can take advantage of the tennis courts, golf course, gym and yoga studio at the nearby hotel and resort.
A stylish food market offers freshly baked bread and local wines, cheeses, meats and vegetables, while in-villa massages can be booked as an additional treat.
Book a self-catering villa for up to four people from £1,950 per week (fourseasonsfairways.com).
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James is an author and travel journalist who writes for The Fashion Vibes. With a love for exploring new cultures and discovering unique destinations, James brings his readers on a journey with him through his articles.
