Beautiful villas on one of Europe’s best beaches that cost £39 each a night

TWO strips of pristine white sand flank both sides of the sheltered coastal inlet, with waters so blue and clear that you can see the scales of silver fish shimmer in the sunlight.

I’m at Cala Mondrago on the southern coast of Majorca in Spain, which is frequently noted as one of Europe’s best beaches.

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It’s no surprise to me that this stunning coastal patch has received such praise.

Set in a pine-scented national park in an area of outstanding natural beauty, it’s an absolute jewel.

When you’re not paddling in the tranquil waters, there’s a bliss beach bar, Sa Font de N’Alis.

My family and I tucked into reasonably-priced seafood, snacks and local wines here, before venturing on to wacky helter-skelter pedalos which are for hire on the shore.

Our home for the week was just a 20-minute drive away, Villa Cas Verros in the pretty resort town of Portocolom.

The stunning villa had every luxury and comfort a family could desire — spectacular views in acres of sun-drenched grounds, a private pool, an outdoor dining area with a huge barbecue and even a playground for the kids.

But the most appealing feature of this dream hideaway, a five-minute drive from the beach, was its cost.

The villa sleeps eight, meaning that two families of four can enjoy seven serene nights at Villa Cas Verros for just £275pp in September this year — when the temperature still reaches a glorious 27C.

And just think, no racing to get towels on sunbeds or queues at the buffet — just a beautifully presented Spanish haven.

We felt so at home when we first arrived that we didn’t leave the property for three days.

The kids loved having their own swings and slide to play on as well as a spacious pool for splashing around in, while us adults enjoyed idyllic evenings dining under the stars to the sound of crickets in the garden’s lemon grove.

When we eventually tore ourselves away, we found the villa’s location perfect for exploring the south eastern corner of the holiday isle.

Santanyi is Majorca’s historic “golden city”, hewn from iconic gleaming standstone and famed for its charming, cobbled backstreets, arty markets and a majestic church.

Agriculture was the mainstay of the town until tourism arrived in the 1950s and we spent a morning wandering among the colourful shops and stalls of local artists and potters.

Cala d’Or — or the Golden Bay — nearby was another must-see resort ringed with an array of wonderful beaches perfect for families, couples and boating enthusiasts.

The whole area is characterised by numerous small scenic coves including Cala Gran, Cala Petita and Cala Ferrera, to name a few.

But Cala d’Or, which boasts a marina and yacht club, was our favourite place for a sophisticated sundowner, with quays lined with restaurants and bars.

If you’re on a budget, though, you can save on dosh like we did by having breakfast and at least one home-cooked meal a day prepared in the villa’s well-equipped kitchen.

The local Eroski supermarket has everything to whip up a feast, including fine meats and cheese from the deli that are about a third cheaper than our local store back home.

A decent Majorcan wine cost as little as £4 a bottle too.

On days when we dined out, we found a host of impressive restaurants occupying a smart strip along the yacht-lined seafront at Portocolom or less than the price of London pub grub.

Portocolom retains much of its fishing village charm from years gone by, with trawlers’ nets piled on the quayside.

The restaurants sit among boathouses on a shoreline that is littered with local fishing boats and pleasure crafts (available for hire), all bobbing in the shadow of a lighthouse.

The best spot we found for great world-beating fish and chips was the seafront Bocoi restaurant where our most extravagant slap-up lunch for four with great wine was £100.

You can’t go wrong with prices like that.

Now, back to the villa for a night cap.

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