Do you want to know why south Devon's English Riviera, on which Torquay sits so prettily, draws comparisons with its French counterpart? There are a number of reasons, such as the houses and restaurants that mask the gentle cliffs, the rustling green fronds of palm trees that contrast so beautifully with the azure waters, the sunshine that graces the sky and kisses the skin, and the bracing seaside walks that will cheer any glum soul. It was the Victorians that first drew comparisons of this part of England with places such as Nice, St Tropez and Cannes - and the influx of visitors hasn't really slowed since the Victorian boom times. While it might not have the bronzed bodies, designer boutiques and more-certain sunshine of the Cote d'Azur in France, this part of Devon is a guaranteed hit with holidaymakers of all ages. 

Be sure to tick off the highlights of holidays in the south west: an afternoon cream tea; fish and chips by the water's edge; and a dip in the waves (even if it's just your toes). And then find out what makes Torquay unique, such as the walking trail that explores the life of the town's famous writer daughter, Agatha Christie, the gorgeous Royal Terrace Gardens and August's Torbay Royal Regatta. 

The best beaches within Torquay include Torre Abbey Sands, Meadfoot Beach, and Beacon Cove.

Collecting your hire car in Torquay is easy. You can make savings when you book in advance and arrange pick-up at one of the convenient locations in and around downtown Torquay. Find a great deal today using the search tool on TravelSupermarket. 

You're at the heart of Torbay, the English Riviera, so your base in Torquay becomes a springboard for diving into the towns, beaches and cliff-framed coves that make up this stunning slice of England. With a hire car, it's easy to travel the short distances to the other main hubs of activity on the Riviera - Brixham, Paignton and Babbacombe. Brixham is the furthest spot, at 25 minutes by road from Torquay. A small and traditional fishing village, Brixham offers an alternative look at life in Devon. If your visit coincides with May's Pirate Festival, your little swashbucklers will love the antics that take place during this popular annual event. In Paignton, visit the zoo and hop aboard the Dartmouth Steam Railway. For a slightly slower pace than that of Torquay, journey to Babbacombe Bay, less than a 10-minute drive away.

The wild and rugged beauty of Dartmoor National Park can be viewed within around a half-hour drive from Torquay. One of Britain's 15 National Parks, Dartmoor is where people get active, cycling or walking to devour the scenery, and where visitors discover the incredible movie backdrops for hit-film 'War Horse'. 

Cities don't exactly come big and bustling in this sedate part of Britain, though there's plenty to see and do in Exeter (40 minutes by road to the north of Torquay) and Plymouth (around an hour west). You're almost in Cornwall if you are taking the road towards Plymouth, so why not hop over the border and see England's most westerly and most southerly county?

In the opposite direction, you could be tapping into ancient history when you travel towards the Jurassic Coast. It begins in east Devon, around an hour's drive from Torquay, and extends into Dorset.