Italy villa holidays

Kayte Williams
(Holidays Expert)

James Villas - From rustic farmhouses surrounded by cypress trees in rural Tuscany to tranquil villas near white-sand beaches on the island paradise of Sardinia, our range of more than 50 Italian properties has something to everyone's taste.

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Amalfi Coast villa holidays

This beautiful stretch of rocky coastline is one of Italy's major tourist attractions and renowned for the many picturesque towns and villages that are dotted along the cliffs.  Set in the region on Campania, south of Naples, villa prices are generally fairly high around here, but with the amazing food and breathtaking scenery it's an area definitely worth a visit.

Amalfi itself is the main town along the coast and an excellent place to rent a villa if you want to explore the rest of the region.  Other popular locations are Ravello, famous for its beautiful gardens and spectacular views and Positano, a traditional, classy resort with great restaurants and boutiques.  From Positano, boat trips are available to the tourist town of Sorrento or the exclusive island of Capri.

Dolomites villa holidays

With its jagged peaks and some of the most complex hiking trails in Europe, the Dolomite mountain range is Italy's most dramatic and stunning range of mountains.  A villa holiday here allows you to discover the amazing beauty of this area - with the help of cable-cars and chairlifts of course! This is a definite favourite for those looking for a walking or hiking holiday to remember!

Italian Lakes villa holidays

Since Roman times the Italian Lakes have been one of Italy's most popular holiday destinations with each lake having something different to offer.  Lake Como and Lake Garda are the most popular lakes attracting thousands of visitors each year.

The largest Italian lake is Lake Garda, who's shores are dotted with lakeside towns and holiday resorts - all connected by frequent boat services. Most holiday villas are located around the popular towns of Desenzano del Garda, Riva del Garda and Malcesine. 

Desenzano del Garda has plenty of shops, good restaurants and lively bars along with an interesting castle from which you can get spectacular views of the lake.  Riva del Garda, with its market, shops, gelaterie, cafes and restaurants is primarily a tourist destination.  It also houses the town's museum in one of Garda's fortresses, the Rocca.

Malcesine is a pretty town - charming, atmospheric and packed with tourists.  For amazing views, take the cable-car up to the summit of the Monte Baldo ridge.  If you're up to it, this is a great place to start a high-level hike!

Not far from Milan is Lake Como, surrounded by the popular towns of Como, Bellagio, Varenna and Menaggio.  The lively town of Como is filed with art galleries, shops and a beautiful cathedral, whilst Menaggio is an extremely popular tourist destination due to its lovely beach.  Bellagio is a hilly but pretty town whilst Varenna is a much more laidback resort and a perfect base for those looking for a relaxing villa holiday.  Most towns around the Lake Como area are popular with tourists, swimmers, cyclists and walkers alike.

Tuscany villa holidays

The region of Tuscany is surrounded by golden fields, pretty towns and villages and acres of vineyards, however away from the countryside, is Florence, the regional capital, famed for its architecture, museums, art and culture.  Relax in the hot thermal baths of Montecatini Terme, Saturnia or Bagno Vignoni, famed for their natural springs. Alternatively, take a trip to the Leaning Tower of Pisa or walk the ancient wall surrounding the village of Lucca.  No villa holiday in Tuscany is complete without a tour of the wineries throughout the Chianti Classico region or a visit to the towns of Montepulciano and Montalcino. Sample their famous red wines on location before you head off to the charming medieval towns of Siena and San Gimignano.  Whichever villa you choose in this region, all of these places are within easy reach of each other!

Umbria villa holidays

Umbria is Italy's smallest province. Located next to Tuscany, it's famous for the pretty hillside towns of Assisi and Spoleto as well as its locally produced famous black truffles!

Assisi is a beautiful town and the most visited in Umbria as its Basilica of St. Francis is popular destination for pilgrims. The hill town of Spoleto is encompassed by pretty countryside and is famous for its annual Festival dei Due Mondi.  Orvieto is also a popular tourist destination offering intriguing archaeological underground tours.

Don't miss Italy's fourth largest lake, Trasimeno, located to the west of Perugia! There are plenty of resorts around the lake, including nine beaches.  The area is also great for walkers.

Puglia villa holidays

Popular with Italians and yet to be discovered by many other tourists, Puglia is an ideal destination for a relaxing villa holiday in Italy.  Located in the sunny south of the country with golden sands, olive groves and a great family atmosphere, it won't be long before this area starts attracting more visitors!

Rome

Situated on the River Tiber, the Eternal City is one of the most enchanting cities in the world.  You can't fail to be impressed by its fantastic museums, monuments and historical buildings, its pretty piazzas or the amazing restaurants. Among many famous sights in this city are the Collosseum, the Vatican, the Spanish Steps and the Sistine chapel, to name a few!  It's a great place to visit whether you're looking for a romantic break or a family holiday!

Renting a villa on the Lazio region, away from the hustle and bustle of the city is a great alternative if you're looking for something more than a city break.  The region has unspoiled countryside and ancient towns steeped in history.  There aren't many tourists to be found in the smaller villages but this only adds to the charm of authentic Italy.  Split into five provinces of Viterbo, Rieti, Latina, Frosinone and obviously Rome, away from the city, each area has something different to offer.

Viterbo and Rieti have plenty of tourist attractions such as the medieval centre, the beautiful lakes Bolsena and Vico and the grand palace.  A trip here isn't complete without sampling the famous wine from the region - Montefiascone's 'Est Est Est'. Latina lies along the coast boasting long stretches of sandy beaches, perfect for taking the family for a day trip. Frosinone lies inland with thermal springs and a spa resort in its most popular tourist town of Fiuggi.

 

Venice

When you think of Venice, you think of romance.  Tourists flock from all over the world to experience the magic of a city that almost floats on water. Take a ride on a gondola for the best views of the pretty stone bridges and historical architecture or sip a coffee whilst people watching in St Mark's Square. With lively piazzas, narrow winding streets and great restaurants it's a lovely place to spend a weekend!

Away from the city, Venice also attracts beach lovers with the city's beach, the Venice Lido nearby.  To stay in this area can be expensive - it used to be one of the world's trendiest beach resorts - but it's great for a day trip.  As a cheaper beach resort option, try the resort of Lido de Jesolo over on the Italian mainland with it's long streches of golden sandy beaches. 

Sicily villa holidays

Lying to the south of Italy is the island of Sicily.  With its beautiful landscapes and beaches, it's a popular tourist destination.  One of the trendiest holiday resorts here is the seaside town of Taormina, but if you head inland, consider renting a villa near Enna, which is set in the hillside at the heart of the island.  One of Italy's largest cities is Palermo, which is always extremely busy. Despite this it's a great base for your Sicily villa holiday if you wish to visit the smouldering presence of Mount Etna.

Sardinia villa holidays

After Sicily, Sardina is the second largest island in the Mediterranean and if you're looking for a combination of culture, great scenery and some of the cleanest beaches in Italy, then this is the place for you.  The regions of Costa Smeralda and Baia de Sardinia are great if you're looking for a seaside based villa holiday. Alternatively, take a trip inland to the town of Alghero with it's tiny narrow streets and medieval walls.  A visit to the artisans town of Olina set beneath the mountains is also a must see!

Who do we recommend?

With so many companies to choose from, we have researched the market to find those with a wide range of options as well as some that are more specialist.  Browse our list below to find the right company for you, then click through to their web site for more information and how to book.  It couldn't be easier!

Further guides on villa holidays