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Eat, Sip, Stay: Enjoy a Culinary Villa Experience in Italy

Palazzo Santa Croce

Imagine starting your day with a rich espresso on a sun-drenched terrace, picturesque Italian hills rolling before you. Envision shopping for just-picked strawberries and fresh tomatoes, still warm from the sun. Picture a visit to the local butcher who recommends the best cuts, that your personal chef will then craft into an evening feast, accompanied by the best Italian wines. This is part of the villa rental experience, and Haute Retreats can make it all come true. Forget hotel buffets and crowded lobbies, and consider Italy villa rentals where you have your own personal space. With a villa rental, you set the pace. Cook what you crave, when you want it. Sleep in. Swim under the stars. Unpack once and settle in like a local. Renting a villa in Italy provides a change of rhythm. It’s a slower, deeper way to experience this incredible country.

Haute Retreats isn’t a booking site—it’s a curated gateway to Italy’s most exclusive private villas. Think handpicked estates, not algorithm-sorted listings. Each property is personally vetted for style, comfort, and authenticity. You won’t scroll through hundreds of options. You’ll get matched with a villa that fits you—your tastes, your plans, your dream of Italy. Desire daily housekeeping? Private wine tastings from Chianti Classico estates? Cooking classes with Michelin-level chefs? Farmers market tours with local guides?

Villa Alfresco

Haute Retreats can arrange any and all of these things, quietly and seamlessly. Haute Retreats builds experiences—from arranging airport transfers to stocking the kitchen with your favorite wines. The result? A stay that feels less like a rental and more like stepping into your own Italian home, with a discreet concierge behind the scenes. With an Haute Retreats villa, it’s not merely about where you stay. It’s about how you live once you arrive.

Consider these outstanding Haute Retreats villas:

Villa Pesa (Tuscany)This luxurious 10-bedroom estate nestled in the heart of Tuscany's Chianti region, near Tavarnelle Val di Pesa, is expansive. At 8,611-square-foot, it accommodates up to 20 guests, making it ideal for large families or groups seeking an authentic Tuscan experience. The property seamlessly blends rustic charm with modern amenities, featuring terracotta floors, beamed ceilings, and stone walls that exude traditional Italian elegance. Guests can unwind in the private wellness center, which includes a heated hydromassage pool, sauna, Shiatsu massage bed, and a fully equipped gym. The villa also boasts multiple lounges with fireplaces, a spacious dining area, and a fully equipped kitchen designed to cater to large gatherings. Outdoor amenities include a panoramic swimming pool, alfresco dining areas, and lush gardens overlooking the picturesque Tuscan countryside. With Haute Retreats' personalized concierge services, guests can enhance their stay with options like private chefs, wine tastings, and guided tours, ensuring a memorable and immersive Italian getaway.

Villa Pesa
Villa Pesa interior

Villa Alfresco (Amalfi): Wake to the scent of lemon blossoms as soft Tuscan breezes drift through open shutters. At Villa Alfresco, near Montecatini Alto, this six-bedroom estate offers panoramic views of rolling hills and the medieval village beyond, blending traditional charm with modern luxury. An expansive veranda and lush gardens invite leisurely breakfasts or sunset gatherings, while the heated pool provides a refreshing retreat. Inside, a professional kitchen stands ready for culinary adventures, perhaps enhanced by your Haute Retreats-arranged private chef. Beyond the villa's walls, enjoy bespoke itineraries like wine tastings in nearby vineyards, guided tours of historic towns, or spa treatments under the Tuscan sun.

Villa Alfresco

Palazzo Santa Croce (Amalfi): This 17th-century Baroque palace is perched above stunning Positano. Reach it either on foot via 190 steps, or via a public elevator. Begin your day with a leisurely continental breakfast on the panoramic terrace, overlooking the region’s vibrant hues. The villa's five opulent bedrooms, adorned with frescoed ceilings and antique furnishings, provide a serene retreat. Indulge in the private spa, featuring a heated indoor pool with massage jets, a Turkish bath, sauna, and a Jacuzzi nestled amidst citrus trees. The antique kitchen, equipped with modern amenities is perfect for both culinary and wine tasting adventures. And when you’re ready for a night on the town, the center of Positano is just a 15-minute walk away.

Palazzo Santa Croce

There’s something transformative about staying in an Haute Retreats Italian villa—something that lingers long after the bags are unpacked and the wine bottles emptied. These homes aren’t just places to sleep—each is an invitation to live beautifully.

Photos courtesy of Haute Retreats

Fran Endicott Miller

Fran Endicott Miller is a luxury focused freelance feature and travel writer. Prior to her journalism career she held positions in the fields of politics, television, and professional sports, and is proud to have established the Golden State Warriors’ first community relations department and programs. Principled and genuine, she is known for thoughtful and thorough coverage, and for the quality ...(Read More)