VACATIONS ELEVATED

BY SARAH TRELEAVEN

More travellers turn to villa rentals to give them all the comforts of home in destinations worldwide.

When you're planning your next trip to Europe, settle in and stay a while to get thte most out of your vacation. These days, savvy travellers are looking for villa and apartment rentals to elevate their experience. They offer groups, all the amenities of home and more with the promise of enchantment just beyond their doorstep in locations worldwide.

Pour a coffee and soak up the sun on your deck, take a dip in a pool without anyone around, prepare dinner with market-fresh ingredients in a gorgeous kitchen. It’s a bit of heaven away from home. Check out these incredible properties for a few highlights of what you can expect at some popular holiday spots.

ROME: BELLA VITA IN THE ETERNAL CITY

For those enamoured by the light chaos of Rome – busy streets, uneven cobblestones, food demanding to be eaten every two feet – it’s important to find a sanctuary where calm can be restored, sleep comes easy, and spritzes can be consumed at leisure. This villa, located just off the elegant Piazza del Popolo on a quiet tree-lined street near the Tiber River, offers the perfect respite.

This roomy apartment, Bella Roma, has two bedrooms and two bathrooms and sleeps up to four people, making it ideal for a small family. The elegant interiors are both homey and special, decorated with an impressive collection of antiques and contemporary art. Drenched in daytime light, the dining area seats up to six, ideal for leisurely dinners. But the biggest draw might be the generous terrace, which is lined with small trees and trellises with climbing flora, and offers plenty of room to bask in the sun, snack and sip.

AMALFI COAST: ON TOP OF THE WORLD

If you and your partner are looking for a breath of fresh air, consider this waterfront spot. Villa Roxy sits alongside one of the most scenic stretches of coastline in the world. The hillsides are dotted with brightly coloured homes, domed cathedrals and rocky shorelines kissed by azure waves.

Nestled between Positano and Amalfi in Praiano, this open-concept villa combines the intimacy of a cozy, well-loved family home with the jaw-dropping splendour of terraced landscape and water views. The space, with beautiful tile detail throughout, sleeps four people in two bedrooms, and there are two bathrooms, a living room with a working fireplace and a spacious kitchen.

The swimming pool, set in a spacious landscaped deck overlooking the Tyrrhenian Sea, is a rare gem. You could easily spend most of your vacation right here lying on a sunchair with a glass of freshly squeezed orange juice in hand, preparing meals al fresco in the outdoor kitchen, and exhaling audibly in supreme relaxation while counting the yachts slowly making their way across your sightline.

MYKONOS: BLUES & WHITES IN GRECIAN PARADISE

With its classic white and airy design, this cliffside villa reflects the bright blue Mykonos water and sky – the iconic Greek island atmosphere. Cool stone walls give way to long white drapes that rustle gently in the warm breeze while providing a screen from the high midday sun. Sun lovers can take a plunge in the infinity pool or Jacuzzi, or wait until the sun sets, when the lights of Mykonos dot the small, picturesque island.

This two-bedroom oasis, Cassiopea, sleeps four people. The villa comes fully equipped and includes both housekeeping and concierge services. Access to a shared tennis court and helipad is also available.

The centre of Mykonos is just a few kilometres away. So, while it might seem impossible that you’ll ever tire of staring at the Aegean Sea from your palm-lined private terrace, you can also stroll into town to wander in the open-air markets, dine on grilled freshcaught fish and raise a glass of wine to living the good life.

BARCELONA: BRIGHT LIGHTS, BIG CITY

Consider magical Barcelona and this impeccable urban retreat a cure for whatever ails you. Or perhaps the perfect spot for that family reunion you’re finally able to book? Victoria Diagonal Mar is an apartment located just outside the city centre in an area with gleaming new buildings, shops and restaurants, transit connections and one of the largest parks in Barcelona.

The apartment sleeps up to eight people in four bedrooms, has a modern kitchen and comfortable, overstuffed furniture as well as two terraces. Large windows reveal panoramic views of the city and the villa is furnished with updated amenities.

Wake up every morning with the city at your feet. Imagine finally getting the chance to stroll down Barcelona’s narrow streets, stopping to eat cured fish atop freshly baked bread, sip a glass of sweet vermouth, and sit on the sandy beach. As the sea winds blow through your hair, that sense of living fully feels restored.

CROATIA: MODERN SPLENDOUR ON THE OTHER RIVIERA

Split is a wonderful place to luxuriate in the majestical history of Croatia, but Golden Rays offers a dynamic juxtaposition for you and your partner or your chosen family. The villa features a highly modern, geometric, glass and steel design with contemporary fittings and furnishings, creating a kind of glamour that wouldn’t look out of place in the Hollywood Hills.

This ultra-luxurious villa, part of an impressive seven-villa complex opened in summer 2013, can host up to six guests in three bedrooms. Perched on the shores of the Adriatic coast, guests will share private beach access and can employ the services of a personal cook, butler, maid, private event caterer, chauffeur, babysitter and even a snorkelling instructor. Swim in your own pool just steps from the sea and enjoy additional amenities, like a sauna and stationary bike.

If you can persuade yourself to leave, nearby Split offers beautiful architecture, including iconic terracotta rooftops and Roman ruins, as well as beachside bars, restaurants serving fresh seafood and local wine, and walking trails through old-growth forests.

FLORENCE: REFINEMENT IN THE HEART OF TUSCANY

In the heart of Tuscany, this spacious apartment is the height of refinement. Draw the curtains in the open-concept living room to reveal one of the most dramatic and romantic views of Florence, including the Ponte Vecchio and Uffizi Gallery. Open the windows, take it all in and then try pinching yourself to make sure you’re not dreaming.

Turan is an apartment with wonderful details, including blonde wood parquet floors, coffered ceilings, marble bathrooms and the elegant objets of a tasteful collector. In addition to a gourmet kitchen and beautifully appointed bedrooms, it includes housekeeping services, and the option of a cook service, welcome buffet dinner (including wine), and, if you really want to crank up the romance, babysitting services.

Situated in Oltrarno, just across the Arno River from central Florence, this neighbourhood offers a version of the city away from the crowds. Enjoy engaging with locals in their artisan shops, use your five senses to explore the fresh produce, meats and cheeses at the nearby markets, and take in 15th-century frescos.

JET SET: GET THERE IN STYLE WITH A PRIVATE PLANE

Now that you’ve picked the perfect villa, it’s time to think logistics. Private jets are trending in a serious way, especially for groups who can split the cost. One option is Vitesse Worldwide. Over 30 years, it has built an impressive array of options for charter aircraft and ground transportation to accommodate any size of party throughout Europe and to destinations worldwide.

While concerns about health and safety have driven increased interest in more boutique services, Shawn Abaspor, president and CEO, Vitesse Worldwide, says that once people try flying private and luxury car service, it’s very hard to go back. “In addition to avoiding busy airports and big airplanes, we pick guests up and take them right to the airplane,” he explains. “Within 15 minutes of their arrival, the doors are closed.” And then there’s the amenities – complimentary Wi-Fi, seats that turn into beds, delicious snacks and food, games for the kids and all the other little details. “Once you try it,” says Abaspor, “you see that you get your money’s worth.”