Articles by Leon Eley

Rising above the cobalt waters of the Ionian Sea, Michaela is a glamorous Lefkada retreat for sophisticated groups of friends and couples looking to celebrate somewhere truly special. Sleeping up to 16 guests across eight bedrooms and 10 bathrooms, the contemporary villa combines crisp architecture with subtle colonial influences, spectacular sea views and a distinctly chic atmosphere. The accommodation is arranged between the main house and two independent guest apartments, giving everyone a degree of privacy while bringing the group together around the villa’s extraordinary outdoor spaces. With a 22m heated infinity pool, private sea access and a highly attentive team, Michaela is particularly well suited to milestone birthdays, anniversaries, reunions and stylish celebrations with friends.

At the top of one of Spetses’ most coveted hills, Cleonice is an impressive private estate made for bringing family and friends together. A long, cypress-lined driveway leads through 5.5 acres of gardens to a collection of beautifully designed buildings, with panoramic views across the island and sea. Sleeping up to 14 guests in seven en-suite bedrooms, it is an especially appealing setting for milestone birthdays, anniversaries and multi-generational celebrations. Just a 20-minute walk from Spetses Town, it offers the rare combination of a secluded estate and easy access to the island’s restaurants, beaches and harbour.

Set among the olive groves of Salento, a few kilometres from Puglia’s Ionian coast, Masseria Palaci is a beautifully restored former agricultural stronghold with the character, space and service to bring a large group together. Sleeping up to 18 guests in nine double bedrooms, all en suite, its accommodation is thoughtfully spread between the main house, an independent guest wing and the original two-storey tower, creating the feel of a private estate rather than a single villa. Original tuff stone, barrel-vaulted ceilings and pale limewashed walls sit alongside refined contemporary interiors, giving the property a distinctly stylish yet welcoming character. There is also a strong connection to the land. Fruit trees, orchards, herbs, vegetables and free-range hens provide produce for the kitchen, while the property's own beehives supply honey. Combined with the exceptional ingredients of Salento, this gives meals at Palaci a wonderfully local, seasonal quality.

Set above Kalo Livadi on the southeastern coast of Mykonos, Villa Theros offers a sophisticated take on the island’s unmistakable style. Sleeping up to 16 guests in eight bedrooms, the villa is arranged across a main house, a separate master suite and three independently accessed guest bedrooms, creating a sense of space and privacy that works particularly well for families and multigenerational groups. There is a distinctly bohemian spirit to Theros, but one that feels considered rather than clichéd. Rich fabrics, natural materials, contemporary art and carefully chosen furnishings give the interiors a warm, highly individual character.

Perched above Sicily’s Ionian coast, Rocca delle Tre Contrade is an exceptional setting for bringing everyone together. A former aristocratic estate, the villa has been thoughtfully restored to combine its historic character with contemporary comfort, while its panoramic position looks across the sea towards Taormina and Mount Etna. Sleeping up to 24 guests in 12 bedrooms, all with en-suite bathrooms, Rocca has hosted innumerable celebrations over the years, from milestone birthdays and anniversaries to large family gatherings and special events. Its combination of space, privacy and exceptional hospitality means that no two celebrations need ever be the same.

Twice a year, the fashion world turns its attention to the runways of New York, London, Milan and Paris. Yet long before a collection reaches the catwalk, inspiration often begins elsewhere. Time and again, designers, photographers and creative directors return to the Mediterranean, drawn by its extraordinary light, centuries-old craftsmanship, dramatic landscapes and architectural beauty. From Sicily's gilded palazzi to the sculptural whitewashed villages of Greece, these destinations have shaped everything from haute couture collections to global advertising campaigns. As Fashion Month arrives once again, we explore the places that continue to inspire the world's most celebrated fashion houses—and the villas that allow you to experience them for yourself.

We pride ourselves on knowing our destinations inside out. Our villas are not just places to stay; they are gateways to a slower, more thoughtful way of travelling. From Sicily’s sun-drenched coastlines to the understated elegance of the Greek islands, our team spends time in every destination we offer. Somewhere between the early morning market visits and long, languid dinners, we’ve picked up an idea or two about how to pack well for a truly memorable villa holiday. Packing, as it turns out, is less about what you bring and more about how you prepare to experience a place. Here, we reveal our expert’s packing tips for stress-free villa travel: thoughtful, practical, and shaped by years of exploring the Mediterranean.

There’s something about a villa that invites romance. Perhaps it’s the privacy, the sense of having the world, or at least a very beautiful corner of it, entirely to yourselves. Or maybe it’s the way time seems to slow when there’s no shared corridors, no schedules beyond your own, and no rush for the pool loungers. This Valentine’s Day, we’re celebrating the love stories that have unfolded across our villas: proposals and vow renewals, milestone anniversaries and quiet moments shared over long dinners under the stars. These are stories shaped by place but defined by people, and by the magic that happens when everything feels just right.

There are certain places in the world that feel cinematic the moment you arrive. Light dances differently. Colours seem richer. Landscapes unfold with a quiet sense of drama. Across Italy, Greece and Corsica, the Mediterranean has provided the setting for some of the most iconic films and television series ever made, and it continues to captivate directors, actors and travellers alike. From the rolling hills of Tuscany to the turquoise waters of Skopelos, from Sicily’s Baroque towns to the rugged coastline of Corsica, these are destinations that belong on the big screen. Yet they are far more than film sets. They are living, breathing places of extraordinary beauty, ideal for a picture-perfect Mediterranean holiday. Below, explore the most famous Mediterranean filming locations and discover how you can step into the scene yourself.

Sardinia is a land of layered identities: wild granite mountains, ancient nuraghi (unique Bronze Age megalithic stone towers) rising quietly from the landscape, and luminous coastlines that shift from emerald to deep cobalt. In 2026, spring, summer and early autumn reveal an island alive with ritual, music, and celebration. From sacred processions and horseback spectacles to open-air concerts and coastal festivals, Sardinia’s event calendar offers a deeper way to experience the island, one shaped by tradition, community, and a profound sense of place.

The Mediterranean is a place of light, colour and centuries-old traditions, where every town and village has its own story to tell. From lively local festivals and religious celebrations to seasonal feasts, music events and time-honoured rituals, the cultural calendar here is rich and varied — reflecting the deep histories, seasonal rhythms and diverse influences of the region. Whether it’s stepping into a sun-soaked Greek panigyri, witnessing an extraordinary feast day in Sicily or joining a local celebration along the Italian coast, Mediterranean cultural events offer authentic, unforgettable experiences that bring communities together and invite travellers to share in their spirit and joy. Below you’ll find guides to the main events across different parts of the Mediterranean — from mainland Greece and the Cyclades to Corsica, Sicily, Puglia and Tuscany — so you can discover the celebrations that bring each destination to life.

With its rolling hills, glorious coastline, and timeless, art-filled cities and towns, Tuscany is an irresistible destination in so many ways. To experience the region at its most soulful, we recommend joining in with the locals as they celebrate their traditions, their folklore and their music. There are so many events and festivals going on throughout the year that you’ll always be able to experience what really make Tuscans tick. This 2026 Tuscany events calendar gives an idea of the wealth of magical moments that can transform a great holiday into one that will linger long in the memory.