So I was all ready to write my reviews for our holiday stays (a villa rental in Ile de Ré and beautiful luxury hotel Domaine de la Baume in Provence) but I got a cry for help from a reader.

How could I resist answering her holiday challenge and helping her to get that great holiday that all of us deserves ! After all, this is the purpose of this blog, to help you find stylish holidays stress-free !

The challenge

Pippa is looking for a holiday for her partner and their  rather active 15 month boy. They’d like to go somewhere warm where there’s a lovely pool and it’s close to the beach. Preferably self catering (but if someone else does breakfast she’s not complaining!). They’re not  into big family resorts and don’t want to compromise just because they have a young boy. Their budget is £ 1000 – 1500.

Mediterranean locations have their preferences so below are a selection of self-catering  and B&B places in France, Greece, Italy  and Spain.

 Greece – Avlemonas seaview house, Cythere

• Sleeps 4
• Rates on request but in the 1000 to 1500 euros range
• Website

This one is a winner. An old house which has been recently renovated and has a wonderful sea view. It seems that you can walk down from the house to the sea.  Lovely simpe living room, and the ability to add the cot bed.

Greece – Aroniadika, Cythere

• Sleeps 4
• Rates on request but in the 1000 to 1500 euros range
• Website

Time to re-read the Odyssey, people and to remember what happened on Cythere ;-).  The website that advertises this villa has several other nice places but the two I selected are the ones in Pippa’s price range. I like their simple style that remains stylish and allows to enjoy the beauty of the Greek coast or countryside.  No pool but an easy travel to the beach and heat is guaranteed.

Spain – Casa Luca, Andalucia

• £950 a week in September
• Sleeps 6
• Website

A big open space in a simple house in the middle of the Las Alpujarras national park. Nearest beach is 50 min away. Looks very tranquille and serene and you can go explore Andalucia all around.

France – Chateau les Carasses, Languedoc

• 28 suites, apartments or villas
• From 167 euros (based on 7 nights in Sept)
• Website

We stayed there on their opening year (this was the view from our apartment) and it clearly had lots of potential. A series of self-catering apartments or houses with hotel services and a kids’club. Great pool, a restaurant on site but you can also do your own cooking in your kitchen. Mediterranean beaches are about 45 minutes away, especially in September when you won’t have traffic.

France – Mas de la Galegière, Camargue

• 5 apartments and 4 bedrooms
• From 1350 Euros a week
• Website

A beautiful estate in Camargue, which is a very picturesque region of France. Animals, a lake, a pool, a “terrain de boules” (bowl game) and 5 self-catering apartments or 4 bedrooms to rent. The nearest beach is Sainte Marie de la Mer at 43 minutes.

Italy – Tenuta Potenti, Puglia

• 4 rooms
• Prices on request
• Website

Pippa had mentioned agriturismo in her request hence why I selected this one in Puglia, Italy. The rates are not listed on their site and they seem to be more of a B&B than a self-catering place but it’s close to the sea (8km), has a pool, a lovely setting, the possibility to participate to the farm life so really an agriturismo !

Hope you’ll like these Pippa. Do tell us in the comments !