Guests love swimming in the warm water of the swimming pool in Villa Rosa. http://annamaria.com/

February is a great month for fishing off the rocks or harvesting mussels in the next cove. Perfect with a garlic and white wine sauce. http://www.torquay.uk.com/

Roasted a home grown pheasant for lunch with some sage grown here on the estate - delicious. http://www.walesholidaycottages.com/

Weather on Anna Maria Island is warming up nicely. I love this time of year - walking the beach and enjoying an al fresco lunch at one of the island's restaurants. http://annamaria.com/

At the bottom of the garden in West Wing Cottage last week we saw either a seal bobbing about in the water just a few yards from the edge of the sea. http://www.torquay.uk.com/

A large goss hawk was just sitting in the ancient oak tree behind the cottage. What an amazing sight - he has a white ruff of feathers around his neck. http://www.walesholidaycottages.com/

Can't decide whether to have some local caught fish for lunch or to pick up a couple of those great all american steaks and just sling them on the barbecue grill. Either way we are in for a delicious lunch outside in the sunshine. http://annamaria.com/ is the website to visit to find a great vacation property here on Anna Maria Island.

On the Bwlch Tre Banau Estate in Carmarthenshire new laid eggs for breakfast and for lunch, roast Welsh lamb reared locally is the favourite dish of the day, served with crispy roast potatoes and vegetables from the kitchen garden. http://www.walesholidaycottages.com/

Staying at West Wing Cottage in Torquay? Pop over to Brixham Harbour for the freshest caught local fish and then call into nearby Paignton to pick up some watercross or french beans to serve it with. http://www.torquay.uk.com/

New from Anna Maria Island

Guests who recently stayed at Villa Tuscany emailed to say they loved the new look - we recently had it professionally decorated and the the result is a perfect island beach house http://annamaria.com/

Over in the UK, the West Wing Cottage in Torquay is booking up fast, so if you are looking for one of the West Country's prettiest coastal cottages go straight to the website and make a reservation.

http://www.torquay.uk.com/

Up in the Carmarthenshire hills, overlooking the Black Mountain, the cottages on The Bwlch Tre Banau private sporting estate in Carmarthenshire have just undergone a complete spring clean ready for the new season. Emailed inquiries are starting to arrive for reservations in 2011 http://www.walesholidaycottages.com/ My favourite is Wheatsheaf Cottage, Closely followed by Meadow Barn and Barley Cottage.

Walk along Anna Maria Island white sand beaches to the nearest restaurant for lunch, cycle to the grocery store, visit the Myakka State Park on the mainland or just chill out and relax in Florida's best kept secret. Local people have for years headed out to the island to picnic on our peaceful sands. We invite you to join them, staying in a perfectly beautiful vacation rental on the island. http://annamaria.com/

West Wing Cottage was originally part of the historic Cockington Manor estate. Reminiscent of days gone by, set in landscaped gardens right on the edge of the waters of Torbay in Devon, the cottage is perfect for a romantic getaway or small family of up to 4. Picnic in the garden, relax in the sunroom or sit in the shade under the pergola. Either way the sea views are simply amazing. http://www.torquay.uk.com/

In another few weeks there will be lambs in the meadows, daffodils lining the driveway down to Barley Cottage, Wheatsheaf Cottage and Meadow Barn on the Bwlch Tre Banau Estate in rural Carmarthenshire. History, divine views and some of the prettiest countryside in the UK combine to give you the perfect holiday getaway destination. http://www.walesholidaycottages.com/

Anna Maria Island is a superb place to spend some time enjoying the warmer climate away from the snow and rain. Visitors can relax in beautiful houses with own private swimming pools or reserve a beachfront condo overlooking the water

Visitors to South Devon's gorgeous coastline have been busy booking up West Wing Cottage for 2011, so if you would like to spend some time in this gem overlooking the sparkling waters of Torbay then check out the website at http://www.torquay.uk.com/

Recent visitors from Australia and California enjoyed stepping into a vacation property with history going back over the centuries combined with the ultimate in five star beds and bathrooms. Yes, once again our Wheatsheaf Cottage, Meadow Barn and Barley Cottage have been awarded 5 Stars. Guests in the cottages enjoyed a traditional Christmas & New Year with roaring log fires and a picture postcard snowscene - perfect.

http://www.walesholidaycottages.com/

Anna Maria Island is a tranquil oasis of calm in the fall. Enjoy gentle walks along the beaches with the sea lapping your toes, watch the pelicans swoop and dive over the Gulf and the sandpipers running in and out of the shallows. Down on leffis key there are boardwalks for birdwatching and exploring a small section of wetlands adjoining the southern tip of the island close to the bridge that leads down to Longboat, Lido and the beautiful city of Sarasota.

Over in the UK, the Bwlch Tre Banau Estate is experiencing the most beautiful September in memory. The pale morning sunlight illuminates gorgeous views down over to the valley and the mountains in the far distance. The cottages nestled into the hillside are an oasis of luxury with fluffy white towels in the bathrooms and 400 Egytian cotton sateen linens. Renters have endless hot water for showers & the Victorian style bath tubs, fireplaces with a free supply of logs for crackling fires, elegant furnishings and antiques. Country walks, visits to local restaurants to sample the best cuisine Carmarthenshire has to offer. http://www.walesholidaycottages.com/
If you are thinking of traveling to Europe, make a point of staying at Wheatsheaf Cottage, Barley cottage or Meadow Barn. Another great stop off on the famous English Riviera on the south coast is to be found at Torquay http://www.torquay.uk.com/