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Although Italy is known for its inimitable style, delicious food, and incredible wines, it's also known for its boisterous spirit. Italians are warm, talkative, and expressive. They live with gusto! From the Dolomiti Mountains to Agrigento, and from bustling, cosmopolitan Rome to the canals of Venice, you will find an enthusiastic welcome, a treasure trove of artistic riches, and incomparable beauty. History buffs will delight in Italy's diverse ethnic background, shaped by Etruscan, Greek, and Roman colonization. Wherever you may travel and in whatever season, Italy will enchant you with its gastronomic delicacies, art and music, and incredible landscapes and architecture. The best way to experience the tremendous beauty and culture of Italy is to rent your own Italian villa or apartment for your family or friends. You'll have a home base from which to explore the surrounding area, while such amenties as a swimming pool, enchanting views, and storied pasts will make your stays at your Italian villa as memorable as the many new places you discover.

Tuscany Villas  -  [ Matches:  386 Villas and Houses For Rent]

A hilly region rich in agriculture, Tuscany was the home of the Etruscan civilization, and later the birthplace of the Renaissance. It's known for charming, historic towns like Siena, Arezzo, Cortona, Lucca, San Gimignano, and Volterra. A destination for gourmands, the wine of Tuscany's Chianti region is famous around the globe. Extra virgin Tuscan olive oil, a staple in regional cuisine, is also highly prized. Tuscany's capital, Florence is a great art center whose centro storico remains closely linked to its medieval past, in spite of tourist crowds. The region's Tyrrhenian coast is famous for its white sand beaches and pine forests. Come August, Florentines depart en masse for spots such as Viareggio, Forte dei Marmi, and the island of Elba. A Tuscany villa rental is the ideal way to experience the region as it provides a comfortable base from which to explore while also providing the perfect place to rejoice and share after a day of adventures.

Amalfi Coast Villas  -  [ Matches:  108 Villas and Houses For Rent]

Part of the Campania region, the Amalfi Coast stretches from Salerno to Sorrento. The seaside towns of Positano, Amalfi, and Ravello lie nestled in its craggy coastal landscape. Capri and Ischia, legendary island playgrounds of the rich and famous, offer no end of glittering bays and white sand beaches. While the sun and sea of places like the Villa Capri are sure to captivate, the Amalfi Coast also offers interesting antiquity to those who wish to venture inland, such as the Roman ruins of Herculaneum and Pompeii at the base of Vesuvius, and further south, the Greek temples of Paestum. During your stay in one of our luxury Italian villa rentals you'll discover the cuisine of the Amalfi Coast which highlights all types of seafood and locally grown produce such as lemons, tomatoes, and peppers. While enjoying our private villas in the coastal towns of Positano and Amalfi you'll always find insalata caprese, a delicious salad of sliced tomatoes, fresh mozzarella, basil, and olive oil. Campania's other specialty is limoncello, a delicate, lemon-infused digestivo that is served ice cold. Throughout the region you'll find an impressive number of excellent eateries, from casual, down-home trattorie to upscale restaurants.

Campania Villas  -  [ Matches:  108 Villas and Houses For Rent]

This southern region includes the densely populated capital of Napoli, the gorgeous stretch of the Sorrento and Amalfi Coasts, and the islands of Ischia and Capri. It also includes Mount Vesuvius and the ruins of Pompeii and Herculaneum. Caserta, home of the splendid Bourbon palace Reggia di Caserta (or Palazzo Reale), lies northwest of Napoli. During your stay in one of our Italian vacation villas you'll enjoy the cuisine of Campania which highlights all types of seafood and locally grown produce such as lemons, tomatoes, and peppers. In the summer, you'll almost always find insalata caprese, a delicious salad of sliced tomatoes, fresh mozzarella, basil, and olive oil. Campania's other specialty is limoncello, a delicate, lemon-infused digestivo that is served ice cold. Throughout the region you'll find an impressive number of excellent eateries, from casual, down-home trattorie to upscale restaurants.

Lombardy Villas  -  [ Matches:  57 Villas and Houses For Rent]

Located at the foot of the Swiss Alps, Lake Como and Lake Maggiore are the jewels of Lombardy. Surrounded by quaint towns such as Como, Varenna, Tremezzo, and Bellagio and lined with patrician villas, the lakes offer countless opportunities for exploration. While a trip by steamboat is an ideal way to take in the views, there are many hiking trails that afford even more panoramic vistas. In the unlikely event that you tire of blue sky and blue water, the noisy commercial center of Milan is nearby, as are Mantova, Brescia, and Cremona. Lombardy is known for its incredible cheese: bel paese, gorgonzola, mascarpone, and taleggio are but a sampling of the region's delights. Other wonderful specialties include bresaola, minestrone, polenta, and risotto.

Lake Como Villas  -  [ Matches:  55 Villas and Houses For Rent]

Nestled at the base of the Alps, Lake Como is an ideal destination for both relaxation and active pursuits. The surrounding hills offer good hiking and there are frequent ferries that tour the picturesque shoreline. The town of Como is elegant and charming. Here, the Villa Carlotta, an 18th century summer house, and the 14th century duomo should rate high on your intinerary. Popular resorts on Lake Como include Menaggio, Cernobbio, Bellaggio, Onno, Varenna, and Colico. Thanks to easy, enjoyable ferry access, the resorts make excellent day trips from our luxury Italian villas in the region. If you are searching for an italy villa or an italy apartment for your family vacation, or a villa with swimming pool for your romantic honeymoon, view our Italy villas in Como.

Umbria Villas  -  [ Matches:  31 Villas and Houses For Rent]

Known as the Green Heart of Italy, Umbria is best characterized by verdant rolling hills, fields of yellow sunflowers, the smoky flavor of truffles, and the tang of sheep's milk cheese. It is both refined and wild. A land of Etruscan and medieval origins, Umbria is steeped in spirituality: the hill town of Assisi, birthplace of St. Francis, is considered the center of the Franciscan monastic movement. Perugia, Umbria's capital, hosts a world famous jazz festival, while Gubbio puts on its very own annual pagan celebration. Spoleto, Orvieto, and Urbino are also gems of the region. Perugia's Buitoni produces thirteen percent of Italy's pasta. It's no surprise, then, that the pasta in this region is delectable, especially the umbricelli, a specialty of Northern Umbria. Perugia's other delicacies include bruschetta, farro soup, pork dishes, wild pigeon, and squab. As for truffles, dogs or pigs sniff out these precious mushrooms in the area around Norcia and Spoleto. The cuisine of Southern Umbria highlights the subtle combination of truffles, olive oil, cheese, and homemade pasta. The white wine of Orvieto is the region's most famous.

Florence City Villas  -  [ Matches:  27 Villas and Houses For Rent]

A city of many layers, Florence is at once an over-run tourist magnet and a living, breathing medieval city that is home to proud Florentines. Stomping ground of Michelangelo, Leonardo da Vinci, Dante, and Machiavelli, its cultural importance can't be overstated. It is home to three of the world's most renowned museums: the Uffizi, L'Accademia, and the Bargello, and boasts an incredible number of important churches, which house equally important master works. Sights such as the Ponte Vecchio, the Boboli Gardens, the Pitti Palace, and Giotto's duomo are but a few of the city's many offerings. A walker's city, the center of Florence is a compact labyrinth of alleys and piazze. Comfortable shoes are a must! Rent your own Florence apartment in the historic center to explore the myriad shops, museums and charming restaurants. You will return from your busy day to the quiet and calm of your own apartment where a refreshing glass of wine will help you relive the adventures of your day.

Sicily Villas  -  [ Matches:  27 Villas and Houses For Rent]

Mild and sunny all year long, the island of Sicily has a long and complex history of invasion and conquer. Pre-unification, it was alternately under Greek, Roman, Byzantine, Arab, Norman, Aragonese, Austrian, and Spanish rule. It's precisely this colorful past that makes Sicily so fascinating: the Greek temples of Agrigento and Selinunte are some of the best preserved in the world. The Sicilian cuisine remains heavily influenced by Arab culinary traditions. The ideal destination for sun worshipers and archaeology buffs alike, Sicily offers clear, blue water, incredible ruins, and a taste of Italy that is perhaps warmer, friendlier, and spicier than what you find in the north. Taormina, Cefalu', and Piazza Armerina are some of the island's best spots. Gelato lovers take note: The ice cream in Sicily is widely regarded as the best in Italy.

Lazio Villas  -  [ Matches:  17 Villas and Houses For Rent]

The heart of the Roman Empire, Lazio, or Latium, is a region of volcanic lakes, mountains, vineyards, and olive orchards. Rome is its cultural center, boasting more antiquity than arguably any other city in the world---not to mention inimitable style and verve. As an alternative to the region's famously crowded beach resorts, the countryside lakes of Bolsena, Albano, and Bracciano offer peaceful respite from the hustle bustle of Rome. For archaeology aficionados, Lazio has plenty to offer: excavations such as Cerveteri and Tarquinia provide a window into ancient Roman civilization. While in Lazio, sample the venerable spaghetti alla carbonara, a regional dish. A stateside plate of spaghetti with meat sauce will never look, or taste, the same again.

Puglia  -  [ Matches:  15 Villas and Houses For Rent]

The point of departure for the Crusaders when they sailed to the Holy Land, Puglia is a truly ancient territory. Invaded and conquered through the years, the region's bustling port towns still resonate with Ottoman and North African influences. Puglia lies in the topographical "heel of the boot", the southwestern point on Italy's peninsula. The region's trulli, small, conical stone dwellings, are perhaps its most enduring image. Bari, the region's capital, and Brindisi both offer beautiful beaches, while Otranto, with its original Byzantine church, and Lecce, a Baroque city of yellow sandstone, boast historical architecture. With its acres of protected woodland, Puglia is also a nature lover's paradise. Hundreds of animal species, including many exotic birds, call the region home. A relatively flat region, Puglia is the perfect place to explore by bicycle while staying in a luxury vacation rental villa. Olives and almonds are central to Pugliese cuisine and agriculture. About one-third of the olive oil produced in Italy comes from Puglia. The warm summer sun produces beautiful fruits and vegetables. Along the coast, the seafood is fresh and plentiful.

Rome City Villas  -  [ Matches:  13 Villas and Houses For Rent]

Rome is not for the faint-at-heart: It's a boisterous city of 2,900,000 that overflows with more history, art, and culture than arguably any other city in the world. Coexisting seamlessly with the modern beat of daily Roman life are classical, early Christian, Baroque, Romanesque, Renaissance, Rococo, and post-Unification relics. Each of the city's neighborhoods, from Trastevere to E.U.R., has it's own distinct flavor and rhythm. While enjoying a Rome apartment rental, you will discover Rome's dizzying array of sights, which includes such historic heavyweights as the Colosseum, the Pantheon, and the Roman Forum, are enough to occupy even the most zealous traveler for months.

Veneto Villas  -  [ Matches:  11 Villas and Houses For Rent]

The Veneto truly caters to all travelers' tastes. There are mountains (the Dolomites), lakes (Lake Garda), beaches (the Adriatic), and monumental cultural centers (Venice, Verona, Vicenza, and Padova.) The region offers an extraordinary range of scenery and remains one of the richest in Italy. Although the canals of Venice steal the show, the nightly summertime operas in Verona's Roman forum are beyond compare. To the northeast lies the Friuli region---home of some of the world's finest white wines, and historic towns such as Udine and Trieste.

Marche  -  [ Matches:  8 Villas and Houses For Rent]

Situated between the Appenine Mountains and the Adriatic Sea, Le Marche remains relatively undiscovered. From our private villas here you can still find deserted beaches and peaceful hill towns---even in summer. Ancona, the region's largest port city, is a convenient point of departure for Greece, Turkey, or the former Yugoslavia. While neither Ancona nor Pesaro are worth a touristic stop, nearby Urbino should be your first destination in the region. It is the jewel of Le Marche, and one of Italy's most beautiful walled hill towns. The Palazzo Ducale, completed in 1482, is particularly stunning. The town of Macerata is also not to be missed. It, too, is a lovely hill town that remains off the beaten tourist track. Hikers staying in our private villa rentals should be sure to visit the Monti Sibbilini, a particularly breathtaking range in the Appenines; Amandola is a good base for mountain exploration. Rimini, both resort and Renaissance town, is worth a mini detour if you can ignore the throngs of teenagers. It's best to avoid this coastal hotspot in high season, particularly August.

Piemonte  -  [ Matches:  8 Villas and Houses For Rent]

As its name suggests, Piemonte is nestled at the foot of the Alps. Bordering France to the west and Switzerland to the north, it has long been a destination for skiers and mountaineers. Torino, home of FIAT, is the region's industrial capital. In the countryside, there are quaint mountain villages, rolling hills, and fertile farmland. Piedmont produces some of Italy's greatest wines. The region's wine districts include notable names such as Barbaresco, Barolo, Canelli, Cavour, Monferrato, Roero, and Acqui Terme. The historic center of Asti, with its medieval architecture and long history of invasion, is a fascinating destination for those enjoying our nearby private villa rentals. Acqui Terme is also not to be missed. Here, you can relax in hot springs and view historic architecture. The countryside that surrounds Asti is filled with interesting sites and opportunities for outdoor adventure, including the citadels of Visone and Cremolino and the Orba and Erro River valleys.

Sardinia  -  [ Matches:  8 Villas and Houses For Rent]

Boasting some of Europe's most spectacular coastline, Sardinia is the ultimate destination for sun seekers and those who prize the clear, blue waters of the Mediterranean. It's also a wild, exotic land that bears little resemblance to the rest of Italy. Perhaps its most famous (and beautiful) spot is the Costa Smeralda, a stretch of coastline that is dotted with chic towns such as Porto Cervo and Porto Rotondo. Looking for adventure in paradise? The island's mountainous interior offers incredible hiking opportunities; there are prehistoric rock villages, canyons, oak forests, and mountain sheep.

Liguria  -  [ Matches:  7 Villas and Houses For Rent]

For our purposes, this region encompasses the Riviera dei Fiori (San Remo), the Riviera Levante (Portofino, Rapallo, Santa Margherita, Genoa), and the southern Ligurian coast (Cinque Terre). Considered the Las Vegas of Italy, San Remo has absorbed some of nearby Monaco's casino flair. Nonetheless, it's worth a visit, particularly during January's Festival della Canzone Italiana, when professional musicians come to perform the latest in Italian music. It's a major televised event all over Italy. Genoa, the birthplace of Christopher Columbus, is a stop over destination and not the place to spend any time. Head, instead, to Portofino or Rapallo, small coastal towns west of Genoa. They're lovely, ritzy spots known for attracting the jet set. Santa Margherita is situated between Rapallo and Portofino; it's a convenient base from which to explore both areas. Cinque Terre is an isolated collection of five small fishing villages linked by rail and hiking trails. Boasting incredible natural beauty and a low-key vibe, it's a fantastic destination any time of the year.

Basilicata  -  [ Matches:  2 Villas and Houses For Rent]

Venice City  -  [ Matches:  2 Villas and Houses For Rent]

Inspired by the Greek and Arab cities of the early Middle Ages, Venice is built on 118 islands. It is a bewitching maze of alleys, bridges, canals, and piazze. Long a cultural center, the Venetian school bred high renaissance masters such as Titian and Tintoretto; the city's art collection is rivaled only by that of Florence. Piazza San Marco is perhaps one of the finest medieval squares in Europe. The dialect of Venice is without comparison and is virtually undecipherable to the uninitiated: for example, rio' means "canal", while rio' terra means "filled-in canal". Spring's renowned Carnevale is celebrated in distinctive masquerade and commemorated with theatrical spectacles. The Biennale, the world's most famous contemporary art show, draws an urbane, international crowd to Venice every other year.

Emilia Romagna  -  [ Matches:  1 Villas and Houses For Rent]

To the north of Tuscany, Emilia-Romagna offers all the romance and charm without the tourists! This area, close to Tuscany but less well-known, has some wonderful villas for rent. That means you can still explore small traditional Italian villages like Lutirano and Tredozio, which today remain largely as they have been for generations. Emilia-Romagna is also the source of many of the best Italian culinary innovations, including lasagna, tortellini, balsamic vinegar, and Parmesan cheese. The land itself, situated halfway between Florence and Venice, is dotted with Renaissance palaces. In Faenza you'll find a world-famous ceramics museum and production house, while the fortress at Brisighella is the location of an annual medieval festival. Ravenna is host to some of the world's finest mosaics. You'll also find Bologna, home of the earliest university in the world.