Travel Notes Blog

With its Norman cathedral, honey-coloured old town and sweeping bay, Cefalù is easy to fall for. Yet some of the region's greatest rewards lie just beyond its medieval streets. Spend a few days here, and you'll discover a stretch of coastline shaped by mountain villages, archaeological treasures, contemporary art, age-old craftsmanship and landscapes that seem to shift character around every curve in the roads.

Western Sicily has a way of drawing you in gradually. Ancient temples stand alone among wheat-coloured hills, salt pans glow pink in the evening light, and vineyards run almost to the sea. Between them lie fishing harbours, hilltop towns, nature reserves and stretches of coastline that feel remarkably untouched by modern tourism.

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.

Mainland Greece rewards those who travel beyond the obvious. Ancient landscapes, living traditions and quietly beautiful coastlines define regions such as Evia, Corinth and Porto Heli, where days are shaped by the sea, village life and long meals under the sun. If you would like to begin your holiday with a short cultural stay in Athens, the capital’s spring and summer events offer a stimulating contrast, an ideal prelude before continuing your journey to the calmer pace of a Thinking Traveller villa.

Planning a villa holiday in the Ionian Islands? From Corfu’s Venetian elegance to the tranquil harbours of Paxos and Meganissi, these islands offer far more than beautiful beaches. Throughout the year, local festivals and events bring each destination to life with music, food, ritual and celebration. This guide highlights the best events in the Ionian Islands in 2026, focusing on Corfu, Kefalonia, Lefkada, Zakynthos, Paxos, Antipaxos, Meganissi and Kastos. These are the moments that reveal the region’s character and make an Ionian holiday truly memorable.

Across the Aegean, each island group has its own rhythm. The Dodecanese offers spirituality and serenity, the Saronic Islands combine elegance with artistic heritage, and the Sporades are defined by lush landscapes and a deep connection to the sea. This guide explores the most evocative cultural, gastronomic and seasonal events in 2026 across Patmos, Hydra, Spetses, Alonissos, Skiathos and Skopelos: moments that reveal the character of these islands and enrich a villa holiday with local tradition, atmosphere and a sense of place.

With its Norman cathedral, honey-coloured old town and sweeping bay, Cefalù is easy to fall for. Yet some of the region's greatest rewards lie just beyond its medieval streets. Spend a few days here, and you'll discover a stretch of coastline shaped by mountain villages, archaeological treasures, contemporary art, age-old craftsmanship and landscapes that seem to shift character around every curve in the roads.

Western Sicily has a way of drawing you in gradually. Ancient temples stand alone among wheat-coloured hills, salt pans glow pink in the evening light, and vineyards run almost to the sea. Between them lie fishing harbours, hilltop towns, nature reserves and stretches of coastline that feel remarkably untouched by modern tourism.

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.

Italy stands as the world's largest wine producer, crafting approximately 50.3 million hectolitres annually—nearly 20% of global wine production. With over 1.73 million acres under vine cultivation spread across all 20 administrative regions, Italy's viticultural landscape is as diverse as it is extraordinary. What truly distinguishes Italian wine, however, is the country's staggering genetic treasure: over 2,000 indigenous grape varieties, of which approximately 400 are in commercial production. This represents more native varieties than France, Spain, and Greece combined.

Europe is steeped in history, peppered with historic sites that date back centuries. Holidaying there offers the chance to experience this history for yourself — and there are few better or more picturesque places to see history than in a castle.

Sicily boasts multiple world heritage sites, immense coasts and an active volcano. See our top five wonders of Sicily and explore our exceptional Sicilian villas.

Learn more about the ways we are embracing a more sustainable future for luxury travel in Sicily, by supporting projects from the Sicily Environment Fund, as part of the Conservation Collective.

Discover Casa di Macine, a luxurious Corsican villa blending tradition and modernity. Owner Alain Antonelli, a Corsican native and Miami-based music producer, shares his journey of creating this serene retreat nestled in the mountains.

We're delighted to announce our B Corp status - here's how the certification works and why we have always taken a more thoughtful approach to luxury travel.

Find out how The Thinking Traveller’s eco initiatives promote wildlife conservation, eco friendly initiatives and ecotourism in this conservation review.

Explore the benefits of luxury villa rentals vs. hotel stays, focusing on privacy, space, and personalised touches for your next getaway.