House swap: five villas worth leaving home for
From sun-drenched coastlines to the secluded African wilderness, these are the villas redefining the meaning of ‘home’ for the summer
- Words: Sophia Baccanello
When in search of a summer escape, our minds often turn to the five-star hotel, where everything is effortlessly taken care of without lifting a finger. But in the pursuit of such ease, the true luxury of privacy can be lost. Yet what if you could have the best of both worlds? Enter the idea of the summer villa, but not as you know it. We present five of the most picturesque and welcoming private homes – each offering enough charm, comfort and seclusion to tempt you away from both the familiarity of home and the formality of the hotel stay.
Villa Octopussy - Paxos, Greece
With a name like that, you might expect a lair carved into a cascading mountainside, something more villain than villa. But Villa Octopussy is pure Bond: design-led, architecturally glamorous, and perched above one of Paxos’s most stunning beaches. For those in search of effortless style and seclusion, this more than delivers. It offers paradise without pressure, with direct access to Kipiadi Beach on Paxos’s quieter eastern coast, an invitation for a slower morning.
Octopussy is pure Bond: design-led, architecturally glamorous, and perched above one of Paxos’s most stunning beache
Sleeping eight across four bedrooms, with multiple entry points leading to the sea-facing terrace, it blurs the line between indoors and out. Beside the pool, your beach club awaits. The outdoor kitchen revives the ritual of the long lunch, before easing you towards an afternoon at the bar.
Chongwe House - Lower Zambezi, Zambia
Nothing quite compares to a stay in your own safari house along the Chongwe River, nestled within mountainous terrain. The four-bedroom, Gaudí-esque Chongwe House celebrates its environment, bringing the outside in through open-air bathtubs and showers. You can even lounge in a sculpted swimming pool as elephants wade through the adjacent river.
The four-bedroom, Gaudí-esque Chongwe House celebrates its environment, bringing the outside in
The Time + Tide team are at your disposal to arrange private game drives, canoe safaris, boat cruises and fishing. Gone are the crowds and queues of vehicles, replaced by a deeper immersion in a world where respect for the surroundings is paramount. It is a trip made for lasting memories, rooted in a genuine connection to the wild. If you are going to do it, you may as well do it properly.
Rocca delle Tre Contrade - Santa Venerina, Sicily, Italy
Let us introduce Rocca delle Tre Contrade, a Sicilian estate set on the island’s east coast, where your gaze drifts from sweeping views of the Ionian Sea to the looming presence of Mount Etna. Once an aristocratic residence, it offers the perfect postcard setting surrounded by lemon groves, orchards and vegetable gardens. Yet its restoration brings every comfort, from a spa and gym to a tennis court and a kitchen with a resident chef.
Rocca delle Tre Contrade is a Sicilian estate where your gaze drifts from sweeping views of the Ionian Sea to the loom of Mount Etna
There’s no one to block your sun as you lounge beside the 25m heated infinity pool, nor anyone to come between you and a glass of Nero d’Avola in the wine cellar. You may venture to nearby Catania or Taormina, but you’ll return to privacy, perhaps with a local nonna preparing a private pasta feast and a freshly made spritz as a tasty welcome home.
Villa del Mar - Andalusia, Spain
The Marbella Club Resort offers access to an exclusive stretch of Mediterranean shoreline and an atmosphere of understated luxury. At its heart lies Villa del Mar, the resort’s most exceptional beachfront residence.
As your eyes adjust to the sunlight, flashes of blue draw you into a traditional Andalusian patio, where ceramics, lush greenery and trickling fountains create a setting both elegant and rooted in heritage. Beyond, a grand hallway unfolds beneath a series of arches. Outside, a private infinity pool stretches towards uninterrupted sea views, framed by mature botanical gardens before a short walk leads you to the beach below. A genuine home-from-home.
Son Veri - Valldemossa, Mallorca
To experience Mallorca’s wonders without sunburnt tourists or the debauchery of Magaluf, try the Serra de Tramuntana. You’ll find Son Veri, a newly restored 19th-century, six-bedroom estate set within 100 hectares of private land in a UNESCO-listed landscape. Despite its proximity to lively Palma, the farmstead feels like a remote hideaway. Restored terraces, olive groves and shaded walkways tie the house to its surroundings.
When respite from the heat calls, guests can retreat to the cinema, gym or wine cellar. As the sun softens, indulge yourself in the pool, enjoy a game of tennis on the court, or settle in for al fresco dining courtesy of your private chef. It’s balances two worlds, offering a Mallorcan experience rooted in privacy, respect for the land and pure escapism.
