While the last few months indoors have seen many of us experimenting in the kitchen, there is nothing better than leaving the pleasures of the table to the professionals!
With the chilly season approaching for those of us in the northern hemisphere, sitting down to a well-set table for a tasty meal and a glass of two of delicious wine is far too tempting.
Here is our selection of the top villas offering the best culinary experiences.
Lothian Estate
Cape Town, South Africa
Up to 16 guests
A stay at Lothian Estate is an enriching experience for nature and wine lovers. Resting on the banks of the Palmiet River, the property offers plenty of outdoor activities, from fishing in the river or private lake, to jet skiing, hiking and wakeboarding. In the surrounding grounds flourishes an award-winning vineyard, which has been grown in a traditional, non-interventionist approach, respecting the land and the local climate. Totally secure, the accommodation is composed of eight suites in the main house, with spectacular views over the surrounding landscapes, and plenty of convivial indoor and outdoor spaces.
Explore villas in Cape Town
Beyond Villa
Bedrooms: 6, Guests: 12
From 33,900
to 69,600 USD
per week
Lothian Estate
Bedrooms: 8, Guests: 16
From 19,260 USD
per week,
to price on request
Perivoli Lagoon House
Bedrooms: 4, Guests: 8
From 17,200 USD
per week,
to price on request
Villa 008
Bedrooms: 7, Guests: 14
From 14,680
to 45,860 USD
per week
Villa Obsidian
Bedrooms: 5, Guests: 10
From 28,200
to 67,800 USD
per week
Villa Pentagon
Bedrooms: 5, Guests: 10
From 56,500
to 79,000 USD
per week
Villa Sea Lion
Bedrooms: 4, Guests: 8
From 39,500
to 56,500 USD
per week
Castello di Vicarello
Tuscan Coast, Italy
Up to 18 guests
Boasting 900 years of history, Castello di Vicarello offers nine comfortable suites decorated in traditional Tuscan style, along with two swimming pools, and amazing terraces with wonderful views over the Tuscan hills. Over 50 varieties of vegetables are grown in its organic garden, ready to grace the table following the traditional Tuscan recipes that the passionate owner has collected in a cookery book. The property also produces award-winning wines, to complement an excellent dining experience. Cooking classes and wine tasting experiences are highly recommended, inviting guests to take home a deeper knowledge of local flavours.
Explore villas in Tuscany
Argentaia Estate
Bedrooms: 9, Guests: 18
From 77,500 EUR
per week,
to price on request
Castello del Monsignore
Bedrooms: 10, Guests: 20
From 54,600
to 72,000 EUR
per week
Castello di Vicarello
Bedrooms: 12, Guests: 24
From 154,000
to 262,500 EUR
per week
Chianti Classico
Bedrooms: 9, Guests: 18
From 27,000
to 27,000 EUR
per week
Dimora Ghirlandaio
Bedrooms: 20, Guests: 37
From 70,000 EUR
per week,
to price on request
Fattoria dei Medici
Bedrooms: 8, Guests: 16
From 9,500
to 17,450 EUR
per week
Mulino dell'Abate
Bedrooms: 6, Guests: 14
From 23,530 EUR
per week,
to price on request
Podere Maiano
Bedrooms: 9, Guests: 18
From 11,000
to 15,000 EUR
per week
Podere Tesoro
Bedrooms: 10, Guests: 22
From 30,000
to 68,040 EUR
per week
Pola Loft Apartment
Bedrooms: 3, Guests: 6
From 27,300 EUR
per week,
to price on request
Tenuta Ceccatelli
Bedrooms: 7, Guests: 14
From 29,500
to 33,250 EUR
per week
Tenuta La Ripa
Bedrooms: 6, Guests: 12
From 13,000
to 15,000 EUR
per week
Villa Alba
Bedrooms: 3, Guests: 6
From 27,335 EUR
per week,
to price on request
Villa Ardore
Bedrooms: 9, Guests: 18
From 43,784
to 75,845 EUR
per week
Villa Benefizio
Bedrooms: 6, Guests: 12
From 16,464 EUR
per week,
to price on request
Villa Biondi
Bedrooms: 5, Guests: 10
From 44,275 EUR
per week,
to price on request
Villa Borghese
Bedrooms: 6, Guests: 12
From 23,900
to 25,850 EUR
per week
Villa Cala Moresca
Bedrooms: 9, Guests: 14
From 20,444 EUR
per week,
to price on request
Villa Case Crete
Bedrooms: 9, Guests: 18
From 10,824 EUR
per week,
to price on request
Villa Casetta
Bedrooms: 4, Guests: 8
From 19,600 EUR
per week,
to price on request
Villa Castello
Bedrooms: 3, Guests: 6
From 27,335 EUR
per week,
to price on request
Villa Castelnuovo Tancredi
Bedrooms: 8, Guests: 16
From 28,000
to 33,000 EUR
per week
Villa Cetinale
Bedrooms: 13, Guests: 25
From 25,000
to 62,000 EUR
per week
Villa Chiusa
Bedrooms: 4, Guests: 8
From 37,730 EUR
per week,
to price on request
Villa Conti
Bedrooms: 7, Guests: 14
From 10,070 EUR
per week,
to price on request
Villa del Fiume
Bedrooms: 4, Guests: 8
From 37,730 EUR
per week,
to price on request
Villa Fe'
Bedrooms: 5, Guests: 10
From 9,059 EUR
per week,
to price on request
Villa Gauggiole
Bedrooms: 4, Guests: 8
From 37,730 EUR
per week,
to price on request
Villa Gelso
Bedrooms: 10, Guests: 20
From 31,500
to 42,000 EUR
per week
Villa Grifone
Bedrooms: 4, Guests: 8
From 8,500
to 11,000 EUR
per week
Villa I Busini
Bedrooms: 7, Guests: 14
From 52,000 EUR
per week,
to price on request
Villa Il Borro
Bedrooms: 10, Guests: 20
From 70,000 EUR
per week,
to price on request
Villa Il Cellese
Bedrooms: 10, Guests: 19
From 56,000
to 56,000 EUR
per week
Villa Il Poderone
Bedrooms: 7, Guests: 14
From 18,781
to 21,189 EUR
per week
Villa Il Santo
Bedrooms: 8, Guests: 16
From 17,500
to 31,500 EUR
per week
Villa Il Serratone
Bedrooms: 9, Guests: 18
From 16,380
to 25,200 EUR
per week
Villa il Sogno - Tuscany
Bedrooms: 5, Guests: 10
From 8,750 USD
per week,
to price on request
Villa La Encina
Bedrooms: 5, Guests: 10
From 20,000
to 32,500 EUR
per week
Villa La Foce
Bedrooms: 12, Guests: 24
From 40,000 EUR
per week,
to price on request
Villa La Vigna
Bedrooms: 7, Guests: 14
From 11,760
to 18,620 EUR
per week
Villa Machiavelli
Bedrooms: 10, Guests: 22
From 80,500
to 112,000 EUR
per week
Villa Marie
Bedrooms: 6, Guests: 12
From 17,500 EUR
per week,
to price on request
Villa Monte Mario
Bedrooms: 7, Guests: 14
From 16,250
to 21,250 EUR
per week
Villa Mugnello
Bedrooms: 10, Guests: 20
From 14,000
to 21,000 EUR
per week
Villa Oddi
Bedrooms: 6, Guests: 12
From 50,820 EUR
per week,
to price on request
Villa Oliviera
Bedrooms: 3, Guests: 6
From 27,335 EUR
per week,
to price on request
Villa Orizzonte
Bedrooms: 7, Guests: 14
From 8,000
to 20,000 EUR
per week
Villa Podere Capannelle
Bedrooms: 7, Guests: 14
From 22,500
to 25,000 EUR
per week
Villa Poggio Fibbia
Bedrooms: 5, Guests: 10
From 10,500
to 12,600 EUR
per week
Villa Principe
Bedrooms: 7, Guests: 14
From 15,000
to 25,000 EUR
per week
Villa San Gerolamo
Bedrooms: 5, Guests: 10
From 13,500
to 28,500 EUR
per week
Villa Sant'Anna
Bedrooms: 5, Guests: 9
From 44,275 EUR
per week,
to price on request
Villa Sofia
Bedrooms: 5, Guests: 10
From 14,000 EUR
per week,
to price on request
Villa Stabbi
Bedrooms: 5, Guests: 9
From 45,626 EUR
per week,
to price on request
Villa Viesca
Bedrooms: 9, Guests: 18
From 32,200
to 43,400 EUR
per week
Villa Zen
Bedrooms: 5, Guests: 10
From 16,875
to 19,375 EUR
per week
Vitigliano Relais & Spa
Bedrooms: 9, Guests: 18
From 34,300
to 48,300 EUR
per week
Villa Mas Mateu & Guest Houses
Costa Brava, Spain
Up to 36 guests
This large estate in Costa Brava – 16 bedrooms between the main building and the guest houses – is a unique example of Catalonian hospitality. The highlight of a stay at Villa Mas Mateu is the cuisine; the chef, pâtissier, sommelier and butler all have backgrounds in Michelin star restaurants, and they take pride in offering guests exceptional dining experiences, which are complemented by an exceptional cellar. With 12 Michelin star restaurants nearby, the area is a gastronomes’ delight!
The property also offers its guests an unparalleled plethora of exciting activities such as horse riding lessons, quad biking excursions, hot air balloon rides and even light aircraft experiences, for a collection of unforgettable adventures both on and off the dining table.
Explore villas in Ionian Islands
Ionian Stone Estate
Bedrooms: 8, Guests: 16
From 9,100
to 23,800 EUR
per week
Villa Aegis
Bedrooms: 5, Guests: 10
From 8,708
to 20,020 EUR
per week
Villa Daniela
Bedrooms: 7, Guests: 14
From 8,000
to 29,000 EUR
per week
Villa Escape View
Bedrooms: 6, Guests: 12
From 12,600
to 25,200 EUR
per week
Villa Feroula
Bedrooms: 5, Guests: 10
From 15,750
to 31,500 EUR
per week
Villa Ionica
Bedrooms: 4, Guests: 8
From 8,400
to 18,550 EUR
per week
Villa Piedra
Bedrooms: 3, Guests: 7
From 8,400
to 10,150 EUR
per week
Villa RocknRolla
Bedrooms: 5, Guests: 10
From 15,750
to 31,500 EUR
per week
Villa Serenus
Bedrooms: 6, Guests: 12
From 12,600
to 42,000 EUR
per week
Villa Skyline
Bedrooms: 4, Guests: 8
From 8,400
to 16,100 EUR
per week
Villa Ultima Corfu
Bedrooms: 6, Guests: 12
Price on request
Villa Viva La Diva
Bedrooms: 7, Guests: 14
From 17,850 EUR
per week,
to price on request
Masseria Antonio Augusto
Apulia, Italy
Up to 18 guests
Bathed in sunny Mediterranean weather, the nine-bedroom Masseria Antonio Augusto is the perfect destination not only for summer holidays but for breaks all throughout the year. With an oversized swimming pool, a spa and sauna, an indoor pool and a Turkish bath, this oasis of relaxation offers a healthy menu too. Guests can in fact employ the services of a private chef to create original dishes from locally-grown, seasonal produce. If all of this gets a little too healthy, the area is rich in wonderful wineries whose product is becoming increasingly popular.
Explore villas in Apulia
Casa Badra
Bedrooms: 5, Guests: 8
From 10,000
to 18,000 EUR
per week
Casale la Nota
Bedrooms: 6, Guests: 12
From 16,261
to 20,867 EUR
per week
Dimora Biancarancio
Bedrooms: 6, Guests: 12
From 14,000
to 25,000 EUR
per week
Masseria Antonio Augusto
Bedrooms: 9, Guests: 18
From 21,000
to 49,000 EUR
per week
Masseria Lamacoppa
Bedrooms: 6, Guests: 12
From 55,000 EUR
per week,
to price on request
Masseria Pezza
Bedrooms: 6, Guests: 12
From 7,000
to 10,500 EUR
per week
Pettolecchia La Piccola
Bedrooms: 3, Guests: 6
From 8,000
to 20,000 EUR
per week
Pettolecchia La Residenza
Bedrooms: 5, Guests: 10
From 15,000
to 45,000 EUR
per week
Tenuta Castione
Bedrooms: 6, Guests: 12
From 9,500
to 20,900 EUR
per week
Trullo dei Pumi
Bedrooms: 5, Guests: 10
From 13,500
to 30,240 EUR
per week
Trullo delle Dame
Bedrooms: 6, Guests: 12
From 16,500
to 31,360 EUR
per week
Villa Baraquiel
Bedrooms: 4, Guests: 8
From 8,750
to 15,250 EUR
per week
Villa Dusenszky Vitale
Bedrooms: 9, Guests: 18
From 16,800
to 30,100 EUR
per week
Villa Ludovica
Bedrooms: 6, Guests: 12
From 8,750
to 17,500 EUR
per week
Villa Ostuni Art
Bedrooms: 9, Guests: 18
From 14,000
to 30,800 EUR
per week
Villa Serra de Citris
Bedrooms: 5, Guests: 10
From 8,580
to 19,950 EUR
per week
Villa Tafuri
Bedrooms: 5, Guests: 10
From 9,375
to 14,375 EUR
per week
Chalet Aspen
Megève, France
Up to 13 guests
Born as a farmers’ market town, the village of Megève has built on its tradition of farming to become one of the best villages in the Alps for gastronomy lovers. Over 45 local farms supply the numerous restaurants, four of which have a Michelin star. This tradition of cuisine has inspired the service at Chalet Aspen, where guests can enjoy daily breakfast, afternoon tea and dinner. Skiers are perfectly catered for with the chalet only a few minutes from the nearest lift, whilst the property has wonderful facilities for everyone, including a heated swimming pool, a cinema room and even a grand piano.
Explore villas in Megève
Chalet Aspen
Bedrooms: 7, Guests: 13
From 100,000 EUR
per week,
to price on request
Chalet Izoard
Bedrooms: 7, Guests: 16
From 73,630
to 185,430 EUR
per week
Chalet Ultima Megeve
Bedrooms: 8, Guests: 18
Price on request
Le Chalet Privè
Bedrooms: 7, Guests: 15
From 31,500
to 133,000 EUR
per week
