As one of the most magical holiday destinations on the planet, choosing to spend your vacations in Italy is always a great idea. After all, the allure of Italy never fails to delight us, offering ever more wonders to discover, palaces to visit, dishes to taste and landscapes to marvel at, not to mention sublime wine to enjoy. And staying in one of the amazing luxury villas for rent in Italy will make your holiday even more special.
From the southern charms of Sicily to the lakes of the north, from Sardinia to Umbria, and of course, the ageless Tuscan countryside — Italy has it all.
Villanovo’s diverse portfolio of Italian villas offers an unmatched way to explore Italy’s famed regions. With ample space, privacy, and first-class amenities, your Italian villa elevates the experience, offering a more memorable holiday for everyone. Also, many of Villanovo’s Italian villa rentals feature private chef, butlers, gardeners, and more who will take your dream vacation in Italy to another level.
Now, it only remains for you to decide the most preferred destination for your Italian holiday — Tuscany, Chianti, Lake Como, the Amalfi Coast, Puglia and more.
Sicily – beautiful and perfectly located in the heart of the Mediterranean
Sicily is one of the most scenic islands in the Mediterranean. The rich heritage and culture of the island are unique and the landscapes are diverse, making Italy one of the most sought-after holiday destinations in Europe. Holidaymakers are attracted to the island’s miraculous natural beauty, good climate, historic towns, architectural splendour and a range of activities that make it a year-round holiday destination, including pristine beaches, skiing on Mount Etna and stunning golf courses. Sicily boasts five golf courses alongside some of the most beautiful scenery in Europe, creating the perfect golfing destination.
Sicily’s scenery has a natural and varied beauty that is truly breathtaking. The Sicilian hinterland is spectacularly beautiful, from the mountains and forests of the north to the dreamy olive groves of the south. The island has a stunning indented coastline, with sweeping bays and blood-red volcanic rocks plunging into the deep blue sea, with snow-capped Mount Etna providing a magnificent backdrop.
Sicily is also rapidly becoming one of Italy’s top food and wine destinations. The mild climate almost all year round, the proximity to the sea, and the presence of volcanoes make the soil wonderfully fertile and, together with cooking skills handed down from generation to generation, Sicily is unquestionably an unmissable destination for wine and food enthusiasts. Add its friendly and welcoming inhabitants, and it is hard not to fall under the spell of Sicily.
Sardinia – one of the most overlooked holiday destinations in Europe
Whether you are after history or natural beauty, Sardinia is a gem. It is one of Italy’s most diverse destinations, from medieval Genovese and Aragonese towns spread out on the sea or the hills in the northwest to the most luxurious Mediterranean resorts of Costa Smeralda in the northeast to the archaeological sites of Southern Sardinia that are real open-air museum. From the sleepy, quaint villages and wildlife of the mountains to the pristine beaches and uninhabited islands, Sardinia continues to enchant with its varied richness and beauty.
The second largest island in the Mediterranean after Sicily, Sardinia has been long regarded as one of the top beach holiday destinations, famous for its turquoise waters and soft powdery sands. From the famous Costa Smeralda in the north to the Costa Rei in the southeast, Sardinia boasts a priceless number of white sandy beaches and rocky coves, all lapped by the crystal-clear waters of the Mediterranean Sea.
Of course, Sardinia offers so much more than just its stunning beaches — brimming with famous archaeological marvels to explore, rich culture and history, and not forgetting the incredible local cuisine, there is so much to love about this large Italian isle. The real Sardinia is its rugged inland, where you will discover the deep roots of the Sardinian people, between history, tradition, gastronomy and natural splendour. For the perfect island getaway, every corner of the beautiful Italian island of Sardinia has something to offer everyone.
Tuscany – stunning countryside and amazing historic cities
Sought after and with a perennial allure, the glorious region of Tuscany is a picture-postcard destination in the heart of Italy. It is easy to see why luxury Tuscany holidays continue to be a top choice for celebrities and global travellers. It is a fine tapestry of wonders, blessed with unparalleled artistic masterpieces and an extraordinary range of natural splendour. The region as a whole is a sublime mix of breathtaking, unspoilt landscapes dotted with hilltop fortresses, undulating vineyards and sculptural stands of cypress trees, plus the impressing magnificence of the legendary cities of Florence, Siena and Pisa.
In Tuscany, there are iconic art cities (Florence, Siena and Pisa), dazzling coastal towns (Castiglione della Pescaia and Porto Ercole), imposing mountains (you can even ski in the Abetone mountains, Mount Amiata and the chains in Garfagnana and Lunigiana), charming hill towns (San Gimignano, San Miniato, Monteriggioni, Siena, Vinci, Montecatini Alto, Montecarlo), some of the most famous vineyards in the world (Chianti, Montepulciano, Brunello di Montalcino or Morellino di Scansano), extensive plains (Valdarno, Versilia) and more.
Undoubtedly the most quintessential of Italian regions, Tuscany epitomises everything that is beautiful about Italy. Luxury holidays in Tuscany are a celebration of life’s joys. Taking the idea of la dolce vita and bringing it to a whole new level, luxury vacation rentals in Tuscany present a unique opportunity to enjoy the ultimate dream holiday.
Umbria – lush valleys, pristine environments and superb food
As one of Italy’s most loved regions, Umbria is the perfect destination for soaking up the quintessential Italian experience. The attractions of luxury holidays in Umbria are numerous: a convenient location between Rome and Florence, abundant natural beauty and Old World charm, rural simplicity, rich history, art and culture.
Famed for its jewel-like medieval hilltop towns and alluringly magical landscapes, the region pulls off the incredible trick of being adored by seasoned travellers while remaining remarkably unspoilt. Life here offers an outstanding quality of life and an unbeatable opportunity to unwind.
Often referred to as the “Green Heart of Italy” and ”the next Tuscany”, the spellbinding charm of Umbria has been obvious for centuries. Setting the stage for the region are expansive views of sun-drenched rolling hills peppered with sunflowers, cypress trees, rows of olive trees and vineyards, woodlands and open fields.
Umbria also offers splendid lakes, nature reserves, glorious sunsets and impressive Italian architecture. Romanesque churches, Gothic cathedrals, basilicas and ancient palaces stand testament to the tremendous artistic production that gave Umbria its enduring masterpieces from the 12th to the 14th centuries. They include Orvieto’s show-stopping cathedral and Assisi’s world-famous basilica. There are exhibitions, concerts and festivals that enjoy international recognition, such as the Umbria Jazz Festival, Spoleto Festival dei Due Mondi and the National Gallery of Umbria.
Umbria is also known for its gastronomy, famed for its olive oil which is considered by many to be Italy’s finest, and the legendary wines of Orvieto. Outside of Piemonte, Umbria is the only region where truffles are found in abundance; five varieties grow wild in the woods.
Nestled between Tuscany and Le Marche, the Mediterranean is less than 90 minutes to the west of the region, while Rome and Florence are both within easy day-tripping distance, thanks to Umbria’s excellent road and rail connections.
Puglia – a pristine destination away from the crowds
Puglia, Italy’s most southeastern region, is magnificent and unspoiled. It is a land of extraordinary colours, from the rich red earth to the green of the olive trees and vineyards, contrasted by the gleaming white farmhouses and the blue sea.
With its marvellous weather, glorious beaches, fascinating cities steeped in history, seductively wild landscape, fabulous food and wine and ancient culture, the area has long been a magnet for Italians from the north. The architecture in Puglia is diverse in the extreme. There are Moorish-influenced buildings, Baroque churches, whitewashed Greek-like villages, and traditional northern Italian tenements with elegant brass doors and Romanesque arches.
With more than 800 kilometres of Adriatic and Ionian coastline, the longest of any Italian region, Puglia boasts some of the cleanest beaches in all of the Mediterranean.
The summers are long and hot, spring and autumn are gloriously warm, and the winters mild. The rainfall is the lowest in Italy. The microclimate produces some of Italy’s tastiest food, and the region yields more wine and olive oil than any other in Italy. The food is invariably organic, with plenty of locally produced pasta, vegetables, cheeses, meats and, of course, delicious seafood.
For culture lovers, there are plenty of places to visit. There is the ancient fishing port of Gallipoli, the stunning Baroque city of Lecce, and the UNESCO World Heritage Site at Alberobello, the most picturesque cluster of the area’s whitewashed, conical trulli houses.
Book villas for rent in Puglia from Villanovo
The Italian Lake District – crystal clear water, fresh mountain air and picturesque towns
Close to the bustling city of Milan, the economic and fashion capital of Italy, the timelessly elegant Italian Lakes have been beguiling travellers for centuries. With a perennial allure, it is a place of history, rich culture, classic architecture and incredible countryside. The Italian Lakes are as scenic as they are idyllic. Crystal-clear water flanked by stunning mountain scenery and vineyards, balmy climates, pretty towns, great food and fantastic shopping — these lakes are a dream European travel destination for many.
The Lake District is home to three of Italy’s most beautiful lakes: Lake Como, Lake Maggiore and Lake Garda.
Often referred to as an “unpretentious” version of the French Riviera, it is easy to see why Lake Como is such a desirable vacation spot. With sophistication and traditional charm, Lake Como has been a favoured destination for discriminating holidaymakers for centuries. The glamour, the beauty, the sense of intrigue that can only be found here is experienced through its unique lifestyle. Holidaymakers are beckoned by the awe-inspiring vistas glimpsed through parallel mountain chains and picturesque villages nestled along the shoreline and climbing up the hillsides.
The majestic Lake Maggiore boasts sophisticated lakeside villages along its picturesque, verbena-clad shores. This wonderful blend of truly awesome mountain scenery and the tranquillity of the crystal clear lakes in a montage of splendour enjoys a timeless allure. Understated and charmingly old-fashioned, Maggiore also offers the stunning Borromean Islands in its midst — studded with some of Italy’s most unforgettable villa gardens.
The largest and most family-friendly of the Italian Lake resorts, Lake Garda, is rich with natural splendour, making it a paradise for those who love wine, food, scenic wonder and more. Boasting some of Italy’s most dramatic and iconic scenery, Lake Garda’s charming character is inescapable by its medieval castles, quaint lakeside villages, epic mountains, pebble beaches and crystal blue waters. With its unique wines, beautiful vineyards, and breathtaking views, Garda is home to many wine appellations from Bardolino to Lugana.
Lake Garda is the perfect place for an active holiday and provides endless scope for outdoor and water sports lovers. Mountain biking, rock climbing, horseback riding, canyoning, sailing and golfing are only a few of the many activities that you can enjoy here. The area also has some of the most iconic cities in Italy right on its doorstep, with Milan, Verona and Venice just a day trip away.
