The Amalfi Coast is one of the most beautiful stretches of coastline that Italy has to offer, stretching from Sorrento on the Bay of Naples down to Salerno. The coast alternates between picturesque towns and slopes full of lemon trees, many of which find their way into the local speciality liqueur, limoncello. It is an incredibly popular holiday destination with international tourists, so it can be very expensive, but renting accommodation for the duration of a visit can be a great money saving way of enjoying a fantastic part of the Mediterranean.

The Amalfi Coast provides a host of activities - from simply exploring the coastal roads (it's recommended you take a tour bus for this, the roads are notoriously narrow and dangerous) walking in the mountains around Positano, and exploring towns such as Positano, Ravello, Salerno and Amalfi itself. The area is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and all the towns are beautiful, stuffed with historic churches and old buildings. There are plenty of pebbled beaches on which the family can relax, although these can get exceptionally crowded during the peak tourist season, particularly in Amalfi. You can also take excursions further afield, to Sorrento and the Bay of Naples - with Vesuvius, and the ruined Roman towns of Pompeii and Herculaneum which were both destroyed and preserved by the eruption of Vesuvius in 79AD. A short boat trip will also take you to the stunning island of Capri, where you can visit the remains of a villa belonging to the Roman emperor Tiberius, and guidebooks mark the exact spot high up on the cliffs from where his 'unsatisfactory lovers' were thrown to their deaths!

Villas for a family of four on the Amalfi Coast start from around £450, significantly cheaper than the region's hotels. Solariums and private pools are included in many rental properties, not to mention many stunning sea views. With extra space to run around and let off steam, the properties are also great for kids, as you don't have to worry about them disturbing other guests, and you can enjoy some of the Amalfi Coast's more expensive restaurants by taking the money saving option of preparing some evening meals and packed lunches in the self-catered accommodation which a villa provides.