First villa holiday with 19 month old?

[WineSpider]

Planning ahead here - DD currently 6 months and we are planning uk based holidays this year, but would like to go abroad for some sun in 2015.

It will be me, DP, DD who will be 18,19 or 20 months depending on whether we go in April, May or June - plus possibly a set of GPs.

Flight needs to be 2 hours or so (not brave enough to do longer!)

Ideally a villa, or at least self catering as the idea of being holed up in a hotel room doesn't appeal and we want flexibility with eating.

Sun and a pool are a must with the beach, restaurants, places to wander within walking distance would be ideal.

We would be happy to hire a car if needed.

Somewhere nice but not crazy expensive!

DD is my first baby so I can't imagine what she will be like, doing or into then but I am hoping this will make a good first holiday for her.

Any ideas?!

Would be grateful for any suggestions or experiences!

My ideal holiday and a place I've been to many times (but not with DC yet) is Corfu. Agni Travel are a fab little independent company and we've always gone with them. They have loads of villas and can help with flights, car hire and outing suggestions. I would say go in May/early June if you can to avoid the height of the summer sun.

I should add, depending on where you go on the island you wouldn't necessarily need a car. My own ideal holiday comprises of a beach (and a pool but that's not totally necessary for me), a couple of tavernas, a shop for basics and simple home cooking (ie bread to tear and cheese to put on it!!) and some nice coastal walks. We've never hired a car out there, but if you did you could explore a bit further afield I suppose

We took Both DC's to menorca, DS 1 was just 3 and DS 2 was 5 months.
It was great. The flight was short, the island isn't massive so you can get about easily with a hire car or bus-but car is obviously easier.
We booked flights separately and looked on owners direct for a villa. Hired a villa off an English lady so we could ask all about baby facilities etc easily.

Do villas with private pools have that area fenced of? I remember my DC were real dashers at that age.

If you only want to fly for 2 hours then Spain is perfect but don't go before June if you want to take your toddler in an outside pool, the water will be too cold.

Ooh, thank you for those tips - first DC so it is all new and I've got no idea what having a toddler will be like till I get there!

Does anyone have any further recommendations for good places they've stayed and enjoyed?

Thank you for those given so far