Beaches

CASTING ASIDE the demands of toddlers and teens allows you to widen your horizons and seek out that perfect beach experience. Get away from it all in Cantabria, or on the Costa de la Luz; rent a villa with friends on the spectacular north coast of Ibiza; or hide away on lazy Formentera, where a week can go by without very much happening at all.

Empty-nesters may also find they can afford a better hotel. The Costa del Sol, for instance, has limited appeal on a tight budget — but loosen the purse strings a little and you can choose between several eye-catching five-star hotels.

What’s more, Spain has seen a healthy growth in the number of villas that sleep two — perfect for that romantic getaway.

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Escape the packaged hordes in Tarifa, a groovy, grown-up little corner of Spain with dreamy white-sand beaches and a delightful seafront hotel, the Hurricane (00 34 956 684919). Set in subtropical gardens, it has doubles with breakfast from £88, and there is excellent walking, riding and rock-climbing nearby. Tarifa is a windsurfing mecca — and with a stiff breeze in your sail, you could almost make it to Morocco. Fly to Gibraltar or Jerez.

Now, imagine a little stone cottage, beautifully restored, with views of the sea and its own swimming pool. Within walking distance you have a selection of world-class beaches, plus atmospheric harbours where you can buy seafood to cook on your own barbecue. If you found somewhere like this on the Costa del Sol it would cost a king’s ransom, but on the unspoilt northwest coast of Galicia, you can get it for a song. This is Villa A Laxe in Sanxenxo, and it sleeps two (or two and a baby) for £645 with Vintage Travel Vintage Travel (0845 344 0420). Fly to Santiago de Compostela, an hour’s drive away.

Two-person villas with pools are like gold dust, particularly in Mallorca — so Finca Rodin is a nugget. Located just outside the attractive resort of Puerto Pollensa, on the island’s north coast, it is perfect for a romantic tryst, with beamed ceilings, a large sunny terrace and gardens. It costs £767, including car hire, with Individual Travellers Spain (0870 077 3773). Fly to Palma.

Alternatively, club together with a bunch of mates and rent a superb seafront villa in Ibiza. Far from the madding crowds of San Antonio, Villa Cybaura perches on rocks a few minutes from the quiet northeastern resort of Cala San Vincent. There is a pool, a chillout terrace, barbecue, hot tub, bar and gardens. Trendy Aguas Blancas beach and the hippie markets at San Carlos are nearby. The house sleeps 16 and costs £2,500 through www.holiday-rentals.com (ref: 16714). Fly to Ibiza.