European Villas & Apartments

Villas, Farmhouses, Chateaux and Apartments in Europe!

Why not rent a villa for your next stay in Europe? It can be a magically relaxing experience to use a villa as your home base while you explore a region. There is a wide selection of charming and authentic properties. Most are privately owned and range in size from farmhouses, cottages, and converted mills, to villas, manor houses and chateaux.

Why Rent a Villa?

Renting is an excellent way to experience European living. You settle into your home away from home and adapt your daily life to the pace of the countryside. Trips to local markets become the highlight of your day. Interacting with the same locals everyday will become some of the most memorable parts of your trip.

Many people love the opportunity to cook in their home using local produce from the market. But if you don't, many villages have shops with freshly cooked chicken or meats prepared in the local style and ready to purchase and bring home. Add a local salad, regional fresh cheeses and wine from a local cave, and you've got an incredible meal at home - one of the wonderful experiences of European living.

Renting offers more spacious surroundings than a hotel. For larger parties or families it the best way to socialize. Rather than being cramped in hotel rooms, you have an entire house and grounds at your disposal.

For families with children, renting offers flexibility. Children can be left to sleep late in the morning while parents enjoy café au lait on their terrace. You can also provide simpler meals more familiar to your children.

If you are traveling in a party of 4 or more, or planning an extended vacation, the cost of a rental is usually less expensive than staying in a hotel. In addition, you will save a lot of money by eating the occasional meal at home.

Frequently Asked Questions

What's the shortest time I can rent? Typically rentals are by the week. Some owners, in particularly sought after locations, require a two-week minimum.

Can I pick the start date? Usually rentals start on a Saturday. You arrive in the late afternoon and the villa is yours until the following Saturday morning.

How are prices given? Prices are by the week and vary according to the season. Some properties offer a discount for your second or third week.

How much do villa rentals cost? The cost varies by size, location and time of year. The range is from as low as $500 to as high as $15,000 per week.

What's included in the rental price? The price covers the entire rental for a week. Sometimes there is a final cleaning fee. Heating is almost always extra. Some properties have a charge for household linens.

Do I need to leave a security deposit? Yes, a security deposit is required. Typically, this is fully refunded. However, you are fully responsible for any damage done to the property.

What's different about a European rental than my American home? Lots of things. Usually, European homes have no window screens and no air-conditioning. Utilities are very expensive in Europe and owners carefully control the use of electricity and water. If available, washing machines work much slower than American units. Dryers usually don't exist, people use clothes lines. Beds may also be different, generally softer. Queen-sized beds are rare, more common are actual single or double beds.

Are there disadvantages to renting? You are definitely more on your own than in a hotel. You do not have regular staff to take care of the house and answer any questions you may have about being in a foreign country. You prepare your own meals. Because you're renting a converted old house, there are certainly idiosyncrasies to manage in the house. Houses are renovated to the local taste and not to American needs. You also can't count on the people around you to speak English.

Do the houses have telephones or internet access? Many country houses do NOT have telephone, fax or internet access. We can arrange for a cell phone rental in the event that the property you select does not have a phone.