A Note From Eva Ramirez

A gorgeous villa, sprawling private gardens, a secluded pool with uninterrupted views, enough distance from your neighbours for children to run wild… Private holiday rentals offer a particular kind of luxury that no hotel, however polished, can replicate. But what I find most intriguing is the imaginary life they allow you to inhabit. Whether it’s a Parisian apartment or a sprawling Portuguese residence, I've always loved the strange sense of belonging that comes from inhabiting someone else’s home. For a week or two, I can step into the owners’ shoes, bathe in their tub, buy peaches and pastries from their local market… It’s like trying on someone else’s life for fun.

La Réserve Cap Ferret, France

Summers in Cap Ferret revolve around oyster shacks, bicycle rides through pine forests, late dinners, and salty Atlantic air. Set within a restored fisherman’s house overlooking the Bassin d’Arcachon, La Réserve Cap Ferret is a four-bedroom home that balances traditional local architecture with quietly contemporary interiors. Every detail seems designed to make the most of the endlessly blue views. Days are best spent cycling between villages, browsing the local market, swimming in the basin or taking a boat across to the Dune du Pilat to see the tallest sand dune in Europe.

Book via La Réserve Hotels

Le Galinier, Luberon, France

This 18th-century bastide sits in Lourmarin, officially recognised as one of France’s most beautiful villages. It perfectly captures the romance Provence is known for, with pretty shuttered windows and centuries-old stone and gravel paths lined with fragrant lavender. The bastide sleeps up to 32 people, with rooms spread across three charming houses. Interiors are crafted to look effortless and untouched, with terracotta tiles, cool linens and vintage furniture. A pétanque court provides a typically Provençal pastime, and there are local cafés and restaurants a short walk away with lively outdoor terraces. Le Galinier’s grounds are surprisingly expansive, considering how close to the village centre it is, boasting seven hectares of gardens and wilder pockets of nature that are perfect for doing very little at all.

Book via Beaumier Hotels

Villa Margherita, Ravello, Italy

Perched high above the Amalfi Coast, Villa Margherita feels dramatic in the best way possible. Part of Belmond’s Hotel Caruso, the villa pairs frescoed ceilings, exquisite Italian antiques and carefully sourced artwork with the sort of sweeping sea views that quickly fill up your camera roll. There’s a private chef to prepare local fare, a 24-hour butler service, and two spacious suites, each with its own living room. Ravello and the Amalfi Coast have long attracted swarms of tourists, but there remains something charming about spending summer at this exquisite spot, up between the mountains and the sea.

Book via Mr&Mrs Smith

Revekka, Patmos, Greece

When it comes to Greek islands, those without airports often feel the most rewarding to reach. The extra effort required usually means they’ve remained relatively authentic and unspoilt. Patmos is one of these – a small island in the Dodecanese, dotted with monasteries and shrines that reflect its rich spiritual history. Perched above the twin bays of Didimes beach, Villa Revekka is surrounded by bougainvillea, olive trees and cypress. The house is airy and gorgeous, with a design that allows the Aegean breeze to roll through. There’s space for 11 guests across 6 bedrooms and with its duck egg blue kitchen and cane-shaded terraces, Revekka is made for big, memorable meals and late night table talks with loved ones.

Book via The Thinking Traveller

Vermelho Villas, Alentejo, Portugal

One of the country’s least-developed regions, the Alentejo is a place for taking things slowly while enjoying excellent local olive oil and wine. Christian Louboutin’s two villas in Melides, along with his nearby hotel, have the same sensuous, slightly theatrical quality as his designs. First, there’s La Salvada, which sits amongst wildflower meadows with pink walls and a kasbah-like silhouette. Sleeping up to four guests, the rooms are filled with antiques, tapestries and of course, flashes of lacquer red. Then there’s La Maison des Bateaux, where the mood feels a little softer. It sleeps six and is inspired by traditional Alentejan boathouses, with rustic white walls and plenty of maritime details. Book via Vermelho Hotel

Villa Robert Graves, Deià, Mallorca

The Mallorcan village of Deià feels magnetic. It’s where artists, writers and musicians have long retreated in search of creative fuel and calm. Villa Robert Graves is part of Belmond’s La Residencia Hotel and encapsulates the bohemian spirit of its surroundings, with fresh interiors by Studio Ashby that celebrate art and craftsmanship. The best holiday rentals are those that leave you inspired to redecorate your own home, and this undoubtedly does. Sleeping up to six guests, it feels cosy, comfortable and wonderfully lived-in, with warm, unexpected colour combinations and thoughtfully collected pieces throughout. For the best of both worlds, guests also have access to La Residencia’s swimming pool, spa and tennis courts. The Tramuntana mountains are worth exploring on foot, while nearby Cala Deià is the perfect spot for a long lunch by the sea.

Book via Belmond Hotels