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The Travel Doctor

Oct 18, 2025 Written by: Julia Brookes

Plan ahead! 17 swish European villas for your 2026 holiday

The most stylish pads across the Med and beyond are already selling out, and flight prices are increasing. Book now and you can look forward to a stay at one of these top spots

11 best destinations to travel in October

As inspiring as it is bucolic. The vast attractions of Chianti unfold among majestic castles, medieval villages, a horizon filled with vineyards, and the exceptional Chianti wine.

The stylish secret coastline the Italians keep to themselves

For British holidaymakers, a visit to Tuscany is about villas and Renaissance cities - but for Italians, it's all about Grosseto's beaches.

The best villas in Tuscany

A former medieval church reimagined as a minimalist design retreat in the Val d’Elsa hills. Created by two friends with a shared passion for lighting, this four-bedroom sanctuary blends monastic calm with Nordic and Japanese influences. Expect open spaces, contemporary art, a striking wine cellar, and luxury details throughout.

Scene Stealers: The Best New Villas To Rent In Tuscany And Umbria

A rebellious reinvention of a derelict medieval church in the Val d'Elsa hills, this is the cerebral-minimalist project of two friends brought together 15 years ago by their talent for lighting.

Castello di Punta Ala

Overlooking the Tyrrhenian Sea on Italy’s Tuscany coast, Castello di Punta Ala is a retreat set within a restored Medici fortress, which blends historic grandeur with modern comfort.