Villa Preciosa 5, Formentera
Escape to the quietest of the Balearic islands and hole up at this secluded private villa with views across the sea to Ibiza. The style is minimalist chic, with floor-to-ceiling glass windows that let in oceans of light. There are five bedrooms (sleeping ten) and six bathrooms, as well as an outdoor swimming pool and a barbecue on the terrace.
Details £2,380 a night for ten (00 33 173 03 02 02, lecollectionist.com). Fly to Ibiza
Villa Bougainvillea, Gaucin, Andalusia
Days here are all about sipping cocktails in the Moorish-style internal courtyard and taking dips in the pool. The villa is set on a mountaintop in the heart of Andalusia, with the pretty pueblo blanco (white town) of Gaucin a five-minute drive away. The four en suite bedrooms each has a double bed, one with an extra pull-out bed that sleeps two.
Details From £2,885 to £5,313 a week for ten (0800 1337999, oliverstravels.com). Fly to Malaga or Jerez
Villa Moritos, Trujillo, Extremadura
This former conquistador’s mansion overlooking the town of Trujillo has panoramic views towards Portugal and the Sierra de Gredos. All four bedrooms are on the ground floor and there’s a swimming pool as well as a shaded dining terrace with a gas barbecue.
Details From £2,750 to £2,950 a week for eight (trujillovillasespana.com). Fly to Madrid
Cal Pescador, Tamariu, Costa Brava
This cosy fisherman’s cottage has retained its original beamed ceilings and terracotta-tiled floors. There are five comfortable bedrooms (one is a single, another has a sofa bed) and the terrace has lovely views of the Costa Brava. The new swimming pool is just across a footpath and the village of Tamariu, with its sandy beach, is about a mile away.
Details From £3,798 to £4,498 a week for eight (01954 261431, vintagetravel.co.uk). Fly to Girona
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Villa Ander, Costa Brava
You can step straight out to the infinity pool from the kitchen at this lovely villa overlooking Aiguablava Bay. There’s an alfresco dining area and a separate apartment and kitchenette on the ground floor for those who want to escape the group. It’s a short walk to the nearest restaurant, bar and beach.
Details From £4,061 to £8,288 a week for seven (0800 1337999, oliverstravels.com). Fly to Girona
Casa Cusau, La Molina, Asturias
Retreat to the sleepy mountain hamlet of La Molina in Asturias, where you will see more cattle than people. There are dramatic views from every window, as well as from the balcony. The two double bedrooms are downstairs and share a bathroom, leaving the living space to command the first floor.
Details From £931 to £993 a week for four (coolstays.com). Fly to Santander or Asturias
La Casa de Oia, Baiona, Galicia
You’ll spend most of your time by the garden pool at this chic Galician villa. There’s also a barbecue and, inside, a spectacular kitchen with an open fire. The main bedroom is en suite and has a sitting area and balcony, while two single rooms are ideal for children. The beach is just over two miles away.
Details From £798 to £1,990 a week for five (01954 261431, vintagetravel.co.uk). Fly to Vigo
African View, near Tarifa, Cadiz
Head down a country track to this wifi-free three-bedroom villa. It’s only a four-minute stroll from the beach and windswept Tarifa, with some of Europe’s best windsurfing, is nine miles away. The main house has a double room and a twin sharing a family bathroom, while the annexe has a twin with an en suite bathroom and a kitchenette.
Details From £1,332 to £2,425 a week for six (coolstays.com). Fly to Jerez
Villa Rocio, Alcudia, Mallorca
This pretty two-bedroom villa is within easy walking distance of Alcudia’s shops and restaurants and has a large pool surrounded by mature gardens. The covered terrace has a dining area and barbecue and inside there’s a cosy beamed lounge and sleek kitchen. There are two bedrooms (one double, one twin), which share a shower room. There are mountain trails near by, as well as a golf course and water park.
Details From £779 to £2,406 a week for four (0800 1337999, oliverstravels.com). Fly to Palma
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Villa Seniola, Javea, Alicante
It’s all about being outside at this three-bedroom villa, lounging on the lawns by the pool and dining beneath the pergola. The main living and dining area is lined with huge patio doors that open on to the gardens. There’s also a snug with a fireplace, a separate kitchen and a laundry room. The seaside resort of Javea is less than a mile away.
Details From £791 to £2,396 a week for six (villaplus.com). Fly to Valencia
For our ultimate guide to holidaying in Spain in 2019 see thetimes.co.uk/spain