The Pebble Shore

The Pebble Shore: Balearic Islands

You can pad barefoot down to the sea right from this villa’s terrace. A swimming pier with a ladder into the crystal-clear Mediterranean awaits just beyond the home’s boundary. If you fancy sampling some of the local cuisine and nightlife, head into the buzzing beach town of Alcudia, a 2km walk along the waterfront.

This place has been designed with days outside in mind, with several terraces and balconies to choose from. Catch the sun on a lounger on the first-floor balcony, or indulge in a long lunch on the lower terrace with a view of the sea (there’s a rustic-style barrel barbecue at the side of the villa). We love the twisting old olive trees, palms and cacti that fill the garden.

Inside, the living room is, quite simply, massive. The tiled floor and crisp white walls keep things cool in the heat of the day, while sunlight streams in through big windows and glass doors. The chef of the group can enjoy plenty of prep space in the modern kitchen, thanks to a central island.

Home truths:
*The nearest beach is a pebble beach, 250 metres away, but there is a swimming pier just in front of the house
*Your host can provide a cot and high chair for infants, just ask
*All of the bedrooms are upstairs so this place may not be suitable for those with limited mobility
*Private parking is available on the driveway and there is additional public parking on the street
*This place does no accept booking of groups of young people
*You'll have your own private entrance here
*Though there isn't a dedicated desk here, the dining table doubles up as a laptop-friendly workspace