I recently spent two weeks in Tuscany and it cost me $700. OK, that was just the housing – don’t ask about the wine bill. And it was a gorgeous, private home in the heart of Brunello vineyards, with a short walk into picturesque Montalcino.
Welcome to the world of villa renting, the best little secret to lavish vacations for little coin. The six of us who called Villa Spuntone home for two weeks enjoyed our own olive grove, outside dining area and a two-story house with bathrooms and bedrooms – enough space for everyone. We lived like locals, walking onto town for groceries, cooking with fresh produce from the market and picking lemons and rosemary from the yard to make sauces and dressings. (Added recommendation: Bring your own fabulous cook to really get the most of the experience.)
I’ve rented villas on the Amalfi Coast, up and down the coast of Croatia and even here in the US. They are best when traveling with a group as they offer more space and more amenities than a hotel room and the cost gets nicely divided. You also tend to take advantage of the eating cost savings if you have your own entertainment. Even if you just buy fresh bread and cheese or cereal and fruit for snacks, breakfast and/or a sunset drink on a deck or balcony, you are doing good things for your overall travel budget. I think I paid for a pair of custom sandals in Positano with the money I saved by eating Rice Krispies a few mornings.
- Not every villa I’ve ever rented has been as perfect as our home in Tuscany. It does take homework and advanced planning. Some guidelines I’d consider:
- Don’t rush a villa reservation. If you haven’t really vetted the place by reading reviews and comparison shopping, then you may well be disappointed
- Don’t book at the last minute as you will have less selection and will do less homework
- Don’t bother with a villa a stay of one-two nights. The payoff comes over an extended stay and you will be too busy exploring a new place to want to spend time eating or hanging out at “home.” Besides, who doesn’t love the decadence of a night or two in a hotel?
- Villa’s work better either countryside or the seaside. A city holds too much allure to be out and about and, also, the cost of real estate probably means the home is not as lavish. You want the family beach house or a loved vacation home more than the urban apartment experience.
