For a group of family or friends, little is nicer than an Insider’s Italy hand-picked Italy villa.

We have a lovely collection of favorite houses in many regions of Italy, and these are but two of them.  One is in Campania, on the Amalfi Coast, and the other is sited in Tuscany’s Valle d’Orcia.

Both have availability in some of the most desirable travel periods of the year.  And both have fastidious owners who care for these houses deeply, have invested continuously in the gardens, in upkeep and in comfort.  For part of the year, they live in these villas, and their standard are very high. These are not simply rental holiday homes.

Both villas can provide experienced, passionate cooks who are delighted to prepare lunches or dinners whenever you wish. Menus are seasonal, local and delectable. Housekeeping is perfect.

Both villas have extensive garden and terrace space where guests can spread out, come together, swim, luxuriate in views, and simply enjoying being together.

Interiors are as inviting as are exteriors and lure you inside to enjoy good taste and true comfort.

And both offer exceptional value, all the more as they may be rented for as few as four days.

Even in peak summer months, both are getaways from the crowds.

The Amalfi Coast villa is within walking distance of our favorite restaurant on the coast. There is always a table there for you, though the chef is delighted to come to the villa any time you wish, and will cook for you.

Boat trips can be arranged everywhere – absolutely no need, under any circumstances, for a rental car.

Perfect days from the villa would include boat trips to beaches not accessible by road..

… and walking routes that tourism has not yet discovered.  We plan special guided adventures into the remarkable lemon grove and vineyard country that lies behind the coast.  Our friends — artisans, cooks, educators and farmers — are so pleased to open their doors to you.  Of course archaeological site visits (Pompeii, Paestum, Herculaneum, Oplontis) can be arranged too, but at the hours when crowds are slightest, and always in the company of experienced, passionate guides.

While the house has eight double bedrooms each with private bath, we love this house for 12-15 persons maximum.

With full daily housekeeping, the price is 3300 Euro per day for rentals that are for less than a week or 19000 Euro weekly.

Our Tuscany villa is large, but once you are in it, even if you are just two or four people, you are immediately at home.

Last week, its guests were Insider’s Italy honeymooners who wanted extra space, a garden with views and complete tranquility.

They found it. And the loved it intensely.

There are two bedrooms in the main villa with full bathrooms, two additional bedrooms that share a bathroom, and then in the pool house, one bedroom with bathroom : the villa sleeps ten.

The garden is a dream from March through November, and it is hard to know which corner will make you most happy.

With children especially, or for those who love to alternate meals out with meals at home, this is a quite ideal arrangement.

The cook loves it if you pull up aside him with a glass of wine and watch — he will explain everything that he is doing.  Our guests here have told us that they wish they had a month at this villa, though the owner is happy with stays of as few as three days.

One of the most glorious gardens in Italy is within walking distance, and exceptionally close by are Pienza, Montalcino, Montepulciano. Siena is an hour away.

And near endless are the opportunities for walks here, with majestic views that are very hard to forget.

For those who love good Italian wines, it is hard to imagine being happier than here.  Included is a delicious breakfast as well as chef service daily for dinner, and all you pay for is dinner ingredients.  The daily price is 2500 Euro.