One of the main aims of Grown-up Travel Guide is to inspire you to do something different for your next holiday. We try to find new places we know you’ll also enjoy discovering but also original angles on familiar destinations; unusual attractions, ‘hidden’ restaurants and wonderful hotels that you may otherwise miss.
But it doesn’t stop there – rather than only focusing on the ‘where’, we want to give the ‘how’ a little love too.
In the third of this series of articles we’re going to be covering a different type of accommodation…
Stay in an historic holiday home and experience the real essence of Italy
Photo courtesy of www.qualityvillasitaly.co.uk
We love our hotels at Grown-up Travel Guide, but we are also keenly aware that they have their drawbacks.
First of all, there has to be one where you are going. This is not a problem in a city or major town, but if you really want to get away from it all your choices are more limited.
Secondly, if you are travelling with children or friends it can be difficult or expensive (if not both) to accommodate everyone in the same place without having to shell out for multiple rooms. And if you want to have a base where you can feel at home and part of the local environment a hotel isn’t going to cut it.
So what to do? Rent a villa. But not just any villa – why not make it something really stylish, authentic…and historic?
There are many companies offering villa rentals as any internet search will confirm, but when you have already decided to go down this route it makes sense to use an expert with plenty of experience. Let’s assume Italy takes your fancy – and why wouldn’t, after all?
Photo credit: Moche via photopin cc
The mere thought of waking up to a view like this every morning makes me want to book a villa right now – having a browse through the stunning properties on offer just exacerbate this, too…
One of the most memorable family holidays I have enjoyed was two weeks in the Tuscan countryside – we actually split the fortnight into 7 nights at two different properties and had an amazing time. For five people travelling together the cost was lower than it would have been for a hotel and we had the freedom to explore the surrounding area and feel part if the local community for a brief but enjoyable period.
Photo credit: MojoBaron via photopin cc
To stay in a historic villa only makes it even more special – and Italy has a wide range to choose from in some incredible locations. Accommodation for 6 in the Umbrian hills? Not a problem. A luxurious property on the shores of Lake Como sleeping 14 with air conditioning and a heated outdoor pool?Oh yes.
In fact in the case of the Lake Como property all you really need to add is the rental of an Aston Martin and a Tom Ford suit and you have all you need to live out that Daniel Craig-era James Bond fantasy for a week. Or is that just me?
Anyway the conclusion here is that a luxury villa is well within your reach and will turn a regular holiday into a unique experience – what are you waiting for? 🙂