Recommendations

The southernmost part of Tuscany is known as the Maremma. It’s not on most visitors’ radars, but it brims with authenticity, inspiring landscapes, and historic towns. This South Tuscany itinerary spends a week working through that lower half of the region: its coastline, its islands, and the inland hills that many skip past entirely.

Northern Tuscany distils so much of what makes the region irresistible. Renaissance masterpieces and medieval hill towns sit within easy reach of a coastline that stretches for more than 100 miles, where elegant beach resorts, dune-backed sands and hidden corners of the Tyrrhenian Sea offer a different rhythm altogether.

Deciding where to stay in Paros will set the rhythm of your trip. This is an island of genuine contrasts: a whitewashed harbour town built for long, wine-soaked dinners and lantern-lit late walks; sheltered family beaches with barely a ripple, and a sun-bleached south coast that windsurfers cross oceans for.

Corfu moves at several different tempos at once: a fortified old town built for wandering, an interior of olive groves and forgotten villages, and a northeastern coast made up of quiet bays. This 7-day Corfu itinerary threads all three together, based from the island's north, with day trips out to the south and west along the way.

Maizie Farkas, our Head of Private Clients & Partnerships, recently travelled to the Greek island of Spetses for a family wedding. While there, she took the opportunity to visit some of our villas, spend time with our local specialists, and explore two of our other destinations nearby, Porto Heli and Hydra. Read her account of her travels below.

Southern Sardinia spans a dramatic breadth, from the eastern shores of Capo Ferrato and Costa Rei across to the island of San Pietro in the far west. This is a region where layers of history accumulate: Nuragic stone towers, Phoenician ports, Roman amphitheatres, all set against a backdrop of green hills that taper down to crystalline coves and expansive stretches of fine sand. While the Costa Smeralda to the north draws a glamorous crowd, the south of Sardinia appeals to those in search of something simpler, authentic and more grounded.

North Sardinia has an alluring sparkle that draws travellers from across the globe. Along its northeastern edge, charcoal rockfaces cascade into water of almost implausible clarity, maquis-rich slopes perfume the air, and a coastline of chalk-white and pink sand and translucent inlets unfold in near-unbroken succession.

Whitewashed villages, archaeological wonders and ethereal, sandy coves make this Cyclades island-hopping itinerary a stellar introduction to the Aegean. Structured across two weeks, it moves with a natural pace between well-known islands and quieter stops, delicately balancing time on the water with moments enjoying the wonders ashore.

Rare beauty, layered history and a coastline that shifts from granite coves to sweeping white sands make this Corsica itinerary an immersive introduction to the island’s south. Structured day by day, it follows a natural rhythm between coast, culture and inland landscapes, with space to slow down where it matters.

Nestled on Corfu's dramatic northwestern coast, Paleokastritsa Beach stands as one of the most breathtaking destinations in the Ionian Islands. With its emerald-turquoise waters, dramatic limestone cliffs, and scattered coves adorned with cypress trees, this coastal paradise has captivated visitors for centuries—even inspiring legends of Odysseus's mythical landing.

The coastline near Ostuni, Puglia's celebrated "White City," stretches for approximately 20 kilometres along the Adriatic Sea, offering an extraordinary collection of beaches that have earned the prestigious Blue Flag designation for their pristine waters and environmental excellence. Just 8 kilometres from Ostuni's historic hilltop centre, this coastal paradise known as Marina di Ostuni presents an enchanting blend of golden sandy beaches, dramatic rocky coves, towering coastal dunes, and protected nature reserves surrounded by lush Mediterranean scrub.

Sicily isn't just Italy's largest island, it's a continent in miniature. Stretching across 25,711 square kilometres, this Mediterranean gem rewards strategic planning when selecting accommodation. Whether you're drawn to ancient temples overlooking azure seas, volcanic landscapes dotted with vineyards, or pristine nature reserves where flamingos nest, your choice of where to stay fundamentally shapes your Sicilian experience.