Whether you're looking for a romantic escape, a family holiday or somewhere for a celebration with a bunch of close friends, a sunny, summery villa stays ticks pretty much every box. Words by James Litston
This article was taken from the April 2025 issue of Food and Travel. To subscribe today, click here.
Why we love it As the administrative heart of the Cyclades, Syros stands apart with its year-round vibrancy. Unlike its more transient neighbours, the island boasts a robust local community, ensuring that shops, tavernas and cultural venues remain lively throughout all seasons. This sense of permanence is deeply rooted in Syros’s rich history; the Venetians, among other past powers, have left an indelible mark, evident in the island’sdistinctive neoclassical architecture and medieval influences. Strolling through the Vaporia district of Ermoupoli, the capital, with its pastel-coloured mansions overlooking the Aegean Sea, one can’t help but feel transported to another era. Perched majestically near Finikas, Syros IK villa offers a sanctuary that truly feels like you’re on top of the world. With panoramic sea views, the property’s design seamlessly blends traditional Cycladic elements with contemporary aesthetics, creating an ambience that has been celebrated in numerous international interior design publications.
Comprising a main house and a guesthouse, the villa provides five spacious bedrooms in total. The emphasis on al fresco living is evident, with an outdoor kitchen, abundant seating areas bathed in sunlight or offering cool shade and a pool running right alongside the villa. Additional amenities include an outdoor cinema for starlit movie nights, a hot tub for ultimate relaxation and a rooftop terrace perfect for savouring evening cocktails while overlooking the tranquil landscape. For those seeking an authentic culinary experience, the housekeeper is available to prepare traditional local dishes, ensuring a stay that is both indulgent and immersive.
Best for those who consider leaving the villa optional; all that’s needed is a stack of novels, the inclination to unwind and a mobile phone switched to silent.
Local flavours A three-minute drive will take you to Finikas for
its bakeries and tavernas; or it’s 15 minutes to Ermoupoli for excellent-value restaurants lining the backstreets and waterfront. Look out for shops selling sweet snacks such as loukoumi (the Greek version of Turkish delight) and halvadopita (nougat pie).
The detail
Sleeps 8-12, from £9,415 a week. fivestargreece.com
Why we love it Hvar may have a reputation for spirited summertime partying, but you wouldn’t know it once you’re safely ensconced in sleepy La Villa Bleue. Located on Medvidina Bay, between the inland villages of Gdinj and Zastražišće, this Croatian beachfront bolthole sits alone at the end of a gravel road. The house itself embodies traditional Dalmatian architecture, but the interiors are modern and quirky, with Scandi-style furnishings balanced by a scattering of vintage pieces. Sea-blue shutters and window frames reflect the Adriatic, whose wavelets wash the pebble beach directly below the house. Although Hvar Town and Stari Grad’s bars and restaurants are easily reached should you so choose, Medvidina Bay’s hidden shores remain uncrowded.
Best for mixed-aged groups seeking a tranquil retreat with easy access to Hvar’s vibrant nightlife for those inclined.
Local flavours Sample olive oil in Seca farm’s tasting room. Fish Restaurant Veprinova (in a neighbouring bay) is the go-to eatery.
The detail Sleeps 9, from £2,590 a week. hvaraway.com
Why we love it This breathtaking Provençal property – set in
the scenic Alpilles hills – is built directly into a limestone cliff for one-of-a-kind drama. Spread across three buildings, it has eight suites, some of which abut the natural rock, making them feel like troglodyte dwellings. The chic interiors move beyond the Stone Age, with bold pops of colour and striking contemporary ‘cave paintings’ adorning the walls. Surrounded by pencil-thin cypress trees and that bare, sheer limestone, it’s magical. A children’s playhouse, pétanque court and open-air cinema provide further distractions. As an added delight, one of France’s most charming villages, Les Baux-de-Provence, is right on the doorstep.
Best for architecture enthusiasts and those planning landmark celebrations in a memorable setting.
Local flavours Book a table at three-Michelin-starred L’Oustau de Baumanière; and stock up on goats’ cheese and other local fare at the farmers’ market in Saint-Rémy-de-Provence (every Wednesday).
The detail Sleeps up to 15, from £19,663 a week. cvvillas.com
Why we love it Türkiye’s Aegean coastline is a place of unmatched beauty. With pine-swathed hills plunging down to the sea, the area around Kalkan is particularly special – all on view spectacularly from the floor-to-ceiling windows of Villa Ying. Inside, the villa greets you with a calm, minimalist aesthetic, creating a serene retreat. Outside, tiered gardens and two swimming pools offer ample space for relaxation and recreation.Best of all, this villa is affiliated with Hotel Villa Mahal next door, so guests have access to Mahal Beach Club and other hotel amenities, plus the use of daytime water taxis across to lively Kalkan. For history lovers, the nearby ancient city of Xanthos – Unesco-listed and once the capital of Lycia – is a must-see.
Best for affordable stays offering all the privacy of a villa combined with access to extensive hotel facilities.
Local flavours In Kalkan, find Merkez among the Old Town’s scores of cafés and restaurants for morning tea and a simit (bagel).
The detail Sleeps 6, from £2,750 a week. iliostravel.com
Why we love it Named for the rich, red soils of this Balearic isle, Villa Sa Terra Rotja sits in the hills above the west- coast village of Banyalbufar. Its elevated position gives it Mediterranean views; but the surrounding Serra de Tramuntana scenery is equally alluring. These limestone mountains are a Unesco World Heritage Site due to their dry-stone walls and fertile terraces dating back to the Moorish occupation. The landscape supported vast fincas (estates) with grand manor houses that this villa perfectly emulates. The four-bed, four-bath,stone-built property has flagstone floors and high, beamed ceilings, plus pretty terraces leading down to a private, heated pool. A choice of dining spaces, a tennis court and a secret, citrus-planted walled garden lend themselves to super-relaxing escapes. Here, traditional Mallorcan style blends with modern luxury to create a truly memorable experience.
Best for groups who appreciate A-list luxury and estate-like grandeur, with plenty of space for quiet ‘me-time’.
Local flavours Banyalbufar’s Ca’n Paco restaurant is a favourite of Sir Richard Branson (who owns nearby Son Bunyola Hotel); try their grilled squid, seafood paella and cuttlefish. Or pick up some Tramuntana-made olive oil from Sonmo in Valledemossa.
The detail Sleeps up to 8, from £28,425 a week. lecollectionist.com
Why we love it The heel of Italy is famed for its fairytale trulli: round, stone-built houses with distinctively conical roofs. Trullo Didi is a fantastic example. It retains original features such as alcoves and stone-framed windows, but the real appeal lies in its cone, beneath which sits the only bedroom. This romantic space leads directly out to a private pool, which is surrounded by plantings of olive, almond, fig and prickly pear. When it’s time to explore, you’ll find the town of Ceglie Messapica within a five-minute drive; or whitewashed Ostuni some 15 minutes beyond. For a cultural fix, Ceglie Messapica has a museum of archaeology and contemporary art; for sun-seekers, the nearest beach is just over a half-hour drive away.
Best for a romantic getaway for two in a property packed with local character and plenty of outdoor space.
Local flavours Head into Ceglie Messapica and its central Piazza Plebiscito to find traditional trattorie serving home-made dishes plus pizza, pasta and gelato in seasonal flavours.
The detail Sleeps 2, from £565 a week. villaplus.com
Perched above the Douro’s rolling vineyards, this sleek hillside retreat blends modern design with nature. An infinity pool, stone terrace and world-class wine make it pure indulgence
Why we love it The River Douro flows westwards across Portugal’s wine-growing heartlands: a scene that opens up below from this stunning hillside villa. With its modern architecture contrasting with the natural setting, this is a retreat filled with undeniable cachet. The property’s lower level consists of an open-plan living and dining space, complete with fully-equipped kitchen and a games area. The upper level is given over to three generous bedrooms; but the pièce de resistance is outside, where you’ll find a river-facing infinity pool and stone-tiled terrace. It’s the perfect spot to sip the produce from the world’s oldest recognised wine region. Naturally, there are plenty
of wineries to visit nearby; or pop into Resende, the closest town, for its shops and excellent museum.
Best for oenophiles and lovers of avant-garde design.
Local flavours Be sure to try bacalhau (salted cod) and tripas à moda do Porto (a regional, slow-cooked stew). Find both at Restaurante Dona Maria, a ten-minute drive from the villa.
The detail Sleeps 6, from £2,605 a week. oliverstravels.com
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