Villas in Italy
Italy, of course, is the country of romance, iconic wine and even more iconic food, it is picture-postcard landscapes of rolling vineyards, cypress trees and passionate sunsets. It is the same country that has brought us Gelato and Leonardo da Vinci. From soil rich with ancient history and noble grapes to awe-inspiring masterpieces of art and architecture, there is much to adore about Italy and we are here to help you curate your unique relationship with the country.
Whether you are captivated by the romance of Venice and Verona, the dramatic coastline of Portofino and the Italian Riviera, the timeless landscapes of Tuscany and Umbria with sprawling vineyards, cypress groves and Renaissance masterpieces, or the capital of la dolce vita itself, Rome, the ‘Eternal City’, we’re here to help you find your dream holiday destination.
From lovingly restored, rustic farmhouses, sleek, modern and solar-powered villas to noble, historic estates, our luxury holiday rentals in Italy sleep from 2 to 46 people. So, whether you are planning a romantic retreat, a grand family reunion or even a destination wedding, we can accommodate all your needs and interests; just see our tailored villa collections. Almost all of our luxury villas have air-conditioned bedrooms as well and many others have air-conditioning throughout the communal spaces, which is a welcome relief during the hot Italian summer.
At Tuscany Now & More we take pride in our service. We have 30 years of experience, matching every guest to the right villa. Someone from our small team visits or stays in every Italian villa we list and knows the area. This is why we keep our portfolio small — and probably why the world’s leading luxury travel magazine says we’re one of Italy’s top five villa rental companies.
Every Tuscany Now & More villa has a private swimming pool, free use of our concierge service, for pre-trip arrangements and an emergency number available 24/7 while you are in destination. Your concierge can arrange a private chef, daily maid service, or shopping delivered to your villa, and memorable experiences like Italian cookery classes in your holiday rental’s kitchen.
To see what real travellers think of our service, and the experience of staying in a Tuscany Now & More luxury villa, read our verified reviews.
About Italy
It may seem hard to believe that Italy has only existed as a unified country for around 150 years 一 yes, Italy, the iconic boot-shaped peninsula that has seen ancient empires rise and fall… first the Etruscans, then the Romans. Until the mid-to-late 19th century Italy was made up of multiple independent city-states or republics 一 think of the far-flung Venetian Empire, Renaissance powerhouses like Florence, Siena, Pisa and Mantua, the Duchy of Milan 一 each with their remarkable histories and traditions, unique cuisine and dialect. This may partly explain why regional identities are so passionately upheld throughout Italy and why your experience of Tuscany won’t be the same as that of Lazio, Veneto or even neighbouring Umbria.
What to do in Italy
Where do we even begin in a country that does have it all?
From the iconic domes of the Basilica di San Marco in Venice to those of Saint Peter’s in Rome with Florence’s Duomo somewhere in between, our luxury villas across Italy are ideally situated for exploring the abundance of art and historical landmarks the country has to offer.
Visit Palladian villas in Veneto and Medici villas in Tuscany, enjoy coastal walks in Portofino and beach days near Pisa. From outdoor arias at the Verona Arena to saxophone solos at Umbria Jazz Festival; each region in Italy has an endless itinerary of cultural experiences for you to discover. We can even arrange personalised experiences like truffle hunting in the Tuscan hills, private gondola rides along the river Arno, walking tours in Venice or Siena.
Tuscany and northern Lazio are great bases for those who love ancient history, both areas are rich with Etruscan and Roman ruins. Umbria, Italy’s ‘Green Heart’ is ideal for outdoor lovers with an outstanding rural landscape to rival that of Tuscany. Head to Portofino, Italy’s answer to the Cote d'Azur, for dramatic sea views, superyachts and quaint Romanesque churches. As a rule, if art is what you are after, Florence is always a good idea.
For more ideas on what to do in Italy and where to stay, read our historic city guides and discover our favourite towns and villages.
Food & Drink in Italy
Italy has such a unique love language with food, much of the country’s culture and way of life is rooted in the culinary arts. On a national level, Italy is the birthplace of classic dishes like Carbonara, Bistecca alla Fiorentina and Tiramisu, but many traditional recipes are also a source of immense regional pride. In Northern Italian cities like Venice and Verona, staples like risotto and polenta outshine the kinds of hearty hand-made pasta dishes that are abundant in central Italy. Where you’ll happily enjoy rich game dishes of wild boar and rabbit in Florence, you’re more likely to enjoy seafood and fragrant pesto dishes on the Ligurian coast.
Nevertheless, there are certain Italian traditions you just won’t be able to shake, no matter which part of the country you visit; gelato on a hot summer day, the simple genius of antipasto and the social rituals of an evening aperitivo once the sun begins to set. Italy is also the birthplace of the slow food movement, placing central importance on 0km, local, seasonal produce and high-quality ingredients. Why not stay in one of our villas that champion farm-to-table produce; where you can see from your private pool what you’ll be eating on your private terrace that evening, where the wine you drink comes from the vineyards on your doorstep.
At our fully staffed villas with chefs you can have a local cook or professional chef prepare delicious classic Italian dishes for you in your villa kitchen or even teach you recipes in a hands-on cooking class. True gastronomes can also enjoy an all-inclusive cooking vacation and spend a week learning the secrets behind some of Italy’s best recipes.
A vacation in Italy would not be complete without good wine either; from seductive reds like Valpolicella, Brunello di Montalcino and Chianti Classico to crisp white and sparkling wines like Prosecco, Gavi di Gavi, Soave and Pinot Grigio. From our luxury villas in Italy, you can explore the very regions where these wines are produced, enjoy private sommelier-led wine tastings in your villa kitchen and tour prestigious wineries. We are also the only villa rental service to offer an all-inclusive wine vacation, keeping your villa wine cellar topped up with your favourite labels for the duration of your stay.
Shopping
Italy is a country with an incredibly versatile shopping scene; whether you are a true fashionista with an eye for designer brands, love to hunt out vintage and antique treasures or are purely in it for the food and wine.
Italy is the birthplace of fashion powerhouses like Prada, Valentino, Bulgari, Fendi and Gucci… we could go on. If haute couture is more your style, Italy is home to not one but two fashion capitals, Rome and Milan. The latter makes for a great day trip from our villas near Venice and Verona. Of course, some of the biggest names in luxury fashion can be found in Venice as well, just head for Salita S. Moise and Calle Larga XXII Marzo near Piazza San Marco.
Florence is another great city for shopping, whether you are looking for high street styles or vintage gems. For designer brands without eye-watering price tags, be sure to see our guide to designer outlets near Florence. The Oltrarno district is also a great starting place to find unique artisan momento, like Italian leather and paper. Tuscany and Umbria are also large producers of Italian ceramics, which you’ll find in plenty of the smaller hill-towns like San Gimignano, Montelupo Fiorentino and Cortona.
A trip to Italy would not be complete without paying a visit to one or two farmers markets either. Read our guide to farmer’s markets in Tuscany and Umbria for everything from organic honey and extra-virgin olive oil to the best places to find antiques. If you are staying in one of our villas near Venice or Verona, Padua is the city to visit. Markets are held daily in the Piazza delle Erbe and Piazza della Frutta, and every Saturday in the Prato della Valle, selling flowers, seasonal fruits and vegetables, as well as herbs and spices.
