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A different place in the sun every year keeps boredom at bay

So a group of you are going on holiday together? Perhaps it's a celebration for a milestone birthday or anniversary, or just an excuse to spend time with friends or family in in the sun. Whatever your reason for travelling abroad in a group, it's very likely to have occurred to you that it might make more sense for you to rent a villa rather than stay at a hotel.

Whether you’re a group of four or 14, renting a villa is often preferable to staying at a luxury five-star resort. For one thing, it offers more privacy and just as much, if not more, security than a hotel. Many villa complexes now have 24 hour security and minimal internal traffic, allowing you to relax and enjoy your holiday unobserved. Villas are often less expensive than luxury hotels, when the cost is shared by everyone in the group. The bigger the group the more economical it becomes.

Staying in a luxury villa also means you can entertain guests in the privacy of your own home, or at least in your ‘home from home’. Whether you want to invite a private chef to cook for your guests or throw an exclusive pool party, your options for entertaining are far greater and your guests will feel more at ease.

Villas also provide a more cost-efficient alternative to owning a second home. If in 2012 you rented a villa in Greece, you have the option of a completely different location for 2013, such as Spain, Turkey, Portugal or Italy. 

Spain remains one of the most popular spots for British holidaymakers. Whether in search of recreation or relaxation, Spain and its islands - the Balearics and Canaries - cannot fail to charm and captivate. The stunning golden beaches and turquoise Mediterranean waters lure thousands of sun-worshippers back again and again. Spain also guarantees world-class golf courses set amidst breath-taking landscapes, as well as a charming contrast between lively resorts and quaint fishing villages.

Given Spain’s popularity as a destination, it's no surprise to hear that there are plenty of villas to rent in Spain, whether in Mallorca, Tenerife, Ibiza, Gran Canaria or on the Costas Brava, Blanca or del Sol. Away from the main tourist stretches, Andalucia, home to vibrant fiestas, colourful flamencos and ancient folklore, is a destination that should be explored. Andalucia’s charm rests in the perfect whitewashed villages and extravagant Moorish palaces that dot its landscape and influence the architecture of its historic cities of Seville, Cordoba and Granada. Although popular with tourists, vast, unspoilt areas of natural beauty remain, alongside its passion for the traditional Spanish way of life.

For those of you who prefer a more dynamic environment, the lively nightlife scene at Albufeira, across the border in Portugal, is the place to be. One of the biggest and best-loved resorts in the Algarve, Albufeira has something for everyone. The old town is a series of winding cobbled streets centred around a bustling market, while a nearby marina gives the town a cosmopolitan edge. Shunning hotels is the thing to do here, because villas in Albufeira are renowned for their individual charm and comfort.