A guide to planning villa holidays in...

Alice Barnes-Brown recommends destinations and villas to consider

Holidaying in a self-catered villa is an easy way to experience the glories of Greece, waking up to a simple breakfast of fresh Greek yoghurt and honey, the Aegean breeze drifting through the window and a choir of cicadas in the garden beyond.

If you pitch it right, a villa holiday in Greece can appeal to anyone. Families will love the space and creature comforts, couples will enjoy the privacy, while groups of travellers are a growing demographic, especially older adults travelling together.

Managing Director at CV Villas, Pete Brudenell, says: “It’s such good value, as you split everything between so many people.”

Some areas are welcoming a particularly exciting crop of new properties. Solmar Villa Holidays’ 18-villa Greek expansion this year focuses on the coasts around Thessaloniki; specifically, pristine Halkidiki and the lengthy shores at the foot of Mount Olympus.

The Ionian region – which includes Corfu, Kefalonia and Lefkada (Lefkas) – is also seeing an uptick in interest. Simpson Travel, for example, has introduced 26 glitzy villas in Greece this year, including a handful in the Lefkada area, within easy reach of Preveza airport.

Greek beachside villas Assos, Kefalonia

Hannah Naylor-Vane, Simpson Travel’s Head of Trade Sales, says: “Lefkada has become an increasingly popular destination due to the variety of accommodation within walking distance of the beaches and restaurants, which we know are popular with Simpson clients.”

Crete is Greece’s second-largest island and a perennially popular option, with its spectacular mountains, delectable cuisine, warm hospitality and world-class beaches.

Villa Select is adding Crete as a destination this year, with a collection of nine villas dotted along its northern coast, while CV Villas is reporting encouraging numbers.

CV Villas' Brudenell says: “Crete is our biggest growth area. It’s doing particularly well with the trade, up 120% this year.”

4 of the Best New Villas to Book

Rising Sun, Paxos: A boat hop from Corfu is petite Paxos and its picturesque, pine-covered landscapes. The newly renovated Rising Sun villa is at the heart of the island, so clients will be able to go for leisurely wanders in the forest whenever they choose – or simply admire it from the infinity pool. cvvillas.com

Paxos villa Rising Sun, Paxos

2. Joy of the Sea, Crete
Overlooking Crete’s dazzlingly blue Mirabello Bay and the islet of Spinalonga – setting of Victoria Hislop’s The Island – this new offering from Villa Select offers panoramic views of both from the comfort of the huge living room. villaselect.com

Villa Joy of the sea Crete

Bianco Boutique Villa Adam, Rhodes
A two-minute walk from the crystal waters of Pefki Beach is this sleek three-bedroom villa. Inside, it’s cool and modern, while outside is a large L-shaped pool and terrace – complete with stepping stones, outdoor barbecue and even a hammock – which makes for an Insta-friendly hangout. splvillas.com

Bianco Villa Rhodes

Villa Melite, Olympian Riviera
Next to a sandy beach and with views across the garden to the imposing Platamon Castle, this compact pink house is ideal for a family of four looking for an easy-breezy holiday. solmarvillas.com

Villa Melite