Banish the Winter Blues

Having spent my childhood in the Middle East under bright cloudless skies with the warmth of the sun a constant I tend to struggle through January, February and March in damp, grey England.

I lasted just ten days into January before indulging in my winter pastime – holiday villa hunting. Just looking at the photos of white sandy beaches, azure seas and eye-blinding sun fills me with happiness. I can immediately imagine my feet sinking into soft, hot sand or cool water against my sun-warmed skin.

As we generally rent a villa during the summer holidays I’ve learnt it’s best to book before the end of January to stand a chance of getting the villa you want in the area you want for the dates you want. It’s so disappointing to find your dream villa only to find out it’s already booked not to mention when you enquire about your 4th, 5th or 6th choice!

This year I want to go back to the South Of France, to Seillans or Fayence, about thirty minutes inland from Cannes. These beautiful hill-perched villages are absolutely stunning, calm, quiet and have spectacular views across Lac St. Cassien to the Cote D’azur. I could never tire of driving through fields of lavender and vineyards to get to the coast.

One of many long lunches at our villa last summer.

There is so much to see and do in the area, if someone said I could only holiday here for the rest of my life I wouldn’t be slightly bothered! From kayaking on the Lac or down the jaw-droppingly stunning Gorges du Verdon to ambling around the weekly markets, shopping in Cannes, discovering new coves along the endless stretch of coast you run out of days quicker than things to do. It’s also a quick and easy drive to Monaco or Italy which gives even more opportunities.

Cannes beach with the little 50s piers jutting out into the clear sea.

But as travel is a huge part of my husbands job he loves to relax and switch off just with his family so we always spend a lot of time at the villa swimming with the children, reading books or eating long, lazy lunches in the outdoor kitchen the French seem to have as standard. Therefore the villa has to be somewhere we want to spend time rather than just a base to come back to at the end of the day.

We have been very lucky with the villas we've rented and have rarely been disappointed although others haven't been so fortunate. One friend arrived to find she was staying in a glorified shed rather than the beautiful villa she thought she'd booked. Another friend arrived at the the very nice villa to find another family had booked the same week and she was left to find alternative accommodation with 3 tired children in tow. I generally use Owners Direct or their sister company HomeAway and email and phone to speak to the owners to check everything is legitimate and well organsied.

These are the contenders for this summer.

Charming country villa with pool in Tourrettes sur Loup, 30 minutes from Cannes.