Castle on the Coast

This is one of those villas at which the very best parts lie outside the four walls, which you have to admit makes an awful lot of sense in a part of the world that enjoys such a fruitful climate as the Algarve.

Here, long summer days can be passed frolicking about in the cooling waters of the swimming pool, cooking up hearty feasts on the barbecue or honing your serve on the private tennis court. You should also find it easy to find shady spots within the mature garden in which to retire with a good book in hand.

It's perhaps not surprising that the living quarters aren't as impressive as the exterior, but that's not to say that they're completely without charm. The shiny tiling throughout feels traditional in style, but there's a contemporary sheen to the minimalist kitchen and boxy master bathroom.

However, as we've said, you're unlikely to be spending too much time indoors – even more so when you consider the attractions that lie nearby. For starters, the local village of Manta Rota and its beach are three kilometres from the home, and there's a good variety of coastal towns and golf courses a little further afield that can be reached by car.

Home truths:
*The home is spread over two floors but all four of the bedrooms are on the upper level
*There's free parking available on the premises
*Though there isn't a dedicated desk here, the dining table doubles up as a laptop-friendly workspace
*While the home can sleep up to eleven people, the maximum occupancy is ten guests