4 Dream Destinations to Stay in Idyllic Italian Villas

Italy is a fantasy that lingers in the corner of many people's reality. The picturesque scenery, the famous ruins, the beautiful culture and the amazing food seems like a dream come true – but in reality it's just a plane ticket away!

When picking a place to base yourself in Italy, it can be easy to be overwhelmed, as there are so many options to choose from. But doing a little research into the many idyllic options for Italian villas to rent can make your dreams an even more remarkable reality.

Glorious Tuscany

The enduring image of Tuscany is of romantic fields, sunlit olive plantations, Florentine grandeur and historic luxury. The Italian villas here make a prime vantage from which to survey the famous region from the point of view of the die-hard romantic soul. Whether you are witnessing the stunning architecture of the Florence duomo, wandering through the testament to high culture that is the Uffizi museum, marvelling at the tower in Pisa, or sipping Chianti in a rural winery, selecting Tuscany as your base means discovering a unique kind of relaxation.

Scintillating Amalfi

Imagine standing on a cliff face overlooking the waters of the Mediterranean and out to the shining gem of the island of Capri. The dramatic cliffs and imposing scenery of the spectacular Amalfi coast brings such a fantasy to life. Italian villas situated around this stunning region situate you on a unique coastline that opens the doors to the glorious waters of the Gulf of Salerno. Once the maritime republic known as the Duchy of Amalfi, and long the playground of the rich and royal, there is good reason that this coastline has been adored over the centuries. Its flower-strewn landscape and precariously beautiful towns perched on the edge of cliffs make you feel like you've entered another world - and indeed you have.

Spectacular Sicily

Italy is one thing, but Sicily is uniquely Sicilian. From the slopes of Mount Etna to the rolling fields of almond trees, and from the lush olive groves to the sparkling Mediterranean beaches, this wonderful island has long drawn varied peoples over the long course of its history and retains a very special charm. The culture here is specifically Sicilian, and the accent, food, dress and history are unique to this famously laid back island. There is so much to absorb from the mood of its music, art and architecture that you must experience it yourself to truly understand it.

Lavish Lake Como

The third largest lake in Italy, Lake Como has been a lure for the social elite since the time of the Roman aristocracy. Italian villas here will place you in the heartland of the rich and famous, and the classic beauty of the buildings, the sumptuous views, and the sheer magic of the lake itself explain why. Few can resist the breathtaking serenity that pervades its shores.

Jonathan Magoni is Senior Manager of Cottages to Castles, a family owned company specialising in high quality holiday villas, apartments and cottages in Italy. For spectacular Italian villas in Tuscany, Sicily, the Italian lakes, ski resorts or city centres, we offer only the very best. Discover Italy at your own pace and without time restrictions in our hand picked villas and cottages.

Writer and Online Marketing Manager in London.