TRAVEL + LEISURE / MARCH 2016
COURTESY OF VILLA HERMOSURAHomes You Want To Take Home
The best family-friendly villas get booked up months in advance. Our top picks have style, charm and enough facilities and
activities to keep the kids engaged and amused. And they’re still available for this summer. At least, for now.
FAMILY TRAVEL
FRANCE
Chateau Seiguier, Loire Valley
A 17th C chateau that combines historic charm
with modern comforts. The location is
brilliant: There are fi ve golf courses (including
two of Europe’s best) between 15 mins and an
hour’s drive away and some of Loire Valley’s
prestigious vineyards. Guests have access
to the village’s tennis courts and horseback
riding school. The chateau has a private pond
where you can fi sh, picnic, and swim. It also
has private access to a swimming pool set
amidst a lovley 2.5 acre garden. And did we
mention that one of the beds in the house was
owned by Sir Arthur Conan-Doyle?
Sleeps 12 and prices start at €1,651
per week.Chateau Gaillac, Midi-Pyrenees
A late Napoleonic, belle époque style chateau
with a Tuscan atmosphere near Toulouse.
Wake up to wild roe deer drinking from
the fountain outside your window; or be
serenaded by nightingales while you dine
al-fresco in the Chateau. In winters, apart
from central heating and open fi res, you
can smell the seasoned oak and cedar logs
from the cellar. In the evenings, sparkling
chandeliers bring alive the Chateau’ glorious
past and illustrious visitors. Guests can enjoy
a complimentary case of wine and selection
of local produce. There’s wi-fi , bicycles, cable
TV, private child-safe pool and more.
Sleeps 18 and prices start at £1,974 for
two nights.Rapunzel's Folie, Dordogne
Built in the 15th C in golden stone, and
fl anked by four towers, a tributary of the
Dordogne River and the Romanesque town
of Beaulieu-sur-Dordogne. The region is
known for wonderful oaks, chestnut, walnut
woods, fois gras, strawberries, walnuts,
truffl es and wine. Hot air ballooning, paper
making, exploring castles, there’s enough
to keep the kids engaged and enjoying.
Expect a lovely welcome hamper with local
delicacies, wine, fruits, fresh fl owers, BBQ
fuel and logs for an open fi re.
Sleeps 18 and £1,642 per weekVilla Shambhala, Dordogne
If you’re a family that loves the outdoors,
great food, wine, farmer’s markets and
medieval towns, this is the perfect spot to