Sardinia has been an overlooked Mediterranean island, as it lies between Italian Sicily and French Corsica. But it is an amazing holiday destination, great for kids, which is packed full of amazing sights and activities, with a great climate. Whether you've chosen to visit Sardinia to check out Phoenician or Roman ruins, or just to soak up some sun and enjoy some excellent Sardinian wines, the best way to experience Sardinia's laid back Mediterranean lifestyle and seafood cuisine is to rent a family friendly villa, and give the children a chance to let off steam in the private pool while you relax on the balmy evenings. Alternatively, if you're after a bit more bustle, you can explore rented apartments in the islands towns, like the capital Cagliari, or Sassari. In general these are even better value, and should come with Internet and air-conditioning virtually as standard.

As a relatively large autonomous island, Sardinia presents a huge range of activities for a family holiday. From the sunbathing perfection of its Mediterranean beaches to the exploration of sites such as Su Nuraxi di Barumini - a building structure dating from the Megalithic period - there is something to interest everybody. About a quarter of the island is designated as either a National Park or other protected reserve territory, so much of the environment is unspoiled and the naturalists in your family can have a great time spotting incredibly rare creatures such as the Sardinian Fox or the Mediterranean Monk Seal. It's definitely a destination for fans of the great outdoors, but with such a diverse amount of wildlife on display, no one can fail to be captivated by the Sardinian landscape.

By choosing a holiday rental property, whether it's a villa out in the countryside or an apartment in Cagliari, you can be confident that you're saving money on the cost of hotel rooms for a full holiday, while also providing plenty of space for your family to let off steam and relax. It's also a great opportunity to get a real insight into how the Sardinians live, by encouraging you to go out and buy groceries from local shops rather than relying on hotels to supply all your meals. You'll also be tempted to visit authentic Sardinian restaurants more often if you don't have a hotel's half-board deal chaining you to their own kitchen! Sardinia is a beautiful island, but you need to get to know the people and culture as well as the geography and wildlife, and a villa or an apartment will help you do that.