The one

“We are a family of four living between New York and London, with children aged nine and 12. We are looking for a holiday home in the sun and may relocate permanently. We are very active – our oldest is tennis-obsessed – and we love the outdoors.”

1 ALGARVE

JAMIE ROBINSON, SALES DIRECTOR, QP SAVILLS
jamie@qp.pt +35 1 926 699 200

“Portugal is a wonderfully relaxed, laid-back country, so it’s perfect for families, especially those looking to switch off from city life and enjoy year-round sun. It’s easy to live well here – food and wine have always been a selling point.” 

FACT FILE 

Just outside Faro is the Golden Triangle, known as the Beverly Hills of the Algarve. The resorts of Quinta do Lago and Vale do Lobo offer solid returns on investment. Faro has great dining and transport networks, and schooling has come on in leaps and bounds, with global education “brands” such as NOBEL (part of the Globeducate Group) here. Tennis is hugely popular – amenities include the prestigious Vale do Lobo Tennis Academy – and the Algarve is home to more than 30 golf courses. Those who enjoy watersports are in luck: there’s scope for kayaking, stand-up paddleboarding and surfing. In high season, there are 20 flights to Faro from London daily, while connections from New York can be made in Madrid, Lisbon or Paris.

Pictures from top: the beach at Vale do Lobo (Alamy); a five-bedroom modern villa in Quinta Das Raposeiras; a four-bedroom beachfront penthouse on Praia dos Aveiros, Albufeira 

2 MALLORCA

IRIS GRÜNEWALD, MANAGING DIRECTOR, BALEARIC PROPERTIES (SAVILLS ASSOCIATES MALLORCA)
gruenewald@balearic-properties.com +34 971 53 29 84

“In Mallorca you have a great quality of life and get a lot for your money. There are wonderful mountain ranges and fantastic beaches, while the balance of the traditional and the upmarket is perfect for family life. There really is a community feel: expats have always been welcome.” 

FACT FILE 

From Palma, you can drive almost anywhere on the island within an hour. The Old Town is full of lively restaurants and high-end boutiques, but most of the island retains a wonderful authenticity. There are excellent international schools around Palma, while inland you’ll find the Mallorca International School in Pollença and the American International School of Mallorca in the grounds of the Rafa Nadal Academy. The academy offers tennis camps and many of its alumni earn scholarships at top US universities. Cycling is popular, as is sailing – Palma’s port is the largest in the Balearics. Flights from London leave on average 34 times each day and there are four direct flights a week from New York.

Pictures from top: the view from Cap de Formentor on Mallorca (istock); a four-bedroom townhouse in Pollença; a hilltop villa in Bonaire, Palma

3 FRENCH RIVIERA

ALEX BALKIN, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, SAVILLS FRENCH RIVIERA abalkin@savills.com +33 (0) 4 93 87 41 15

“The French Riviera has a great climate all year round. It’s a sociable, glamorous part of the world, but you can find peace and quiet, especially in the hills, with stunning landscapes. The architecture is a major draw, from historic villas to modern beachfront properties.” 

FACT FILE 

The French Riviera has superb infrastructure – roads, railway lines, boats and helicopters connect St Tropez, Cannes, Nice, Monaco and further afield. The International School of Monaco is highly rated and the International School of Nice offers the International Baccalaureate. Tennis is incredibly popular: the Mouratoglou Tennis Academy is one of the world’s foremost summer camps. There are several national parks in the area, offering opportunities for hiking, cycling and climbing. Kitesurfing and paddleboarding are popular, given the miles of glorious coastline, and the ski resort of Auron isn’t far away. On average there are 39 flights between London and Nice Côte d’Azur airport every day, as well as regular flights to New York’s JFK.

Pictures from top: the Riviera coastline (istock); a contemporary villa in Mougins; a five-bedroom villa in Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat