An autumn holiday in Italy, staying in an exclusive Emma Villas property, is the perfect escape for everyone: groups, families, couples, and friends.
I must admit, autumn is my favorite season: the mild climate, the stunning foliage, the less crowded cities and tourist areas, the comfortable temperatures, the colors…
- Why choose a villa holiday in autumn?
- Where to go in Italy?
- And why choose Emma Villas?
All these questions will find more than one answer. If you’re interested or thinking about planning your next villa holiday in Italy, keep reading. I’m sure that by the end of this article, you’ll already be dreaming of your Emma Villas home-from-home, which will become, for a few days or even a few weeks, your cherished retreat to share with your loved ones.
We already highlighted some great deals for September and October in a previous article. If you missed it, click here to read it!
Why Choose a Villa Holiday in Autumn?
Autumn, as mentioned, is a transitional season that offers a wealth of advantages.
First and foremost, its mild climate makes it possible to travel throughout the entire country away from the peak tourist season. The colors of this season shine with an authentic and unique light. The foliage deserves a chapter of its own, but we’ll get to that…
In autumn, you won’t find the typical exodus of travelers (both national and international) that you see in summer, especially in August. This allows us to fully experience the city, village, area, or region we’ve chosen for our holiday. We can savor the dolce vita, embrace slow living, or enjoy unique experiences at the villa (or outdoors) to enrich a “simple” stay.
In fact, on the emmavillas.com website, you can now add authentic experiences to your villa stay. These can be “indoor” activities like a cooking class, wine tasting, painting course, or a private concert at the villa; and “outdoor” adventures such as truffle hunting, an e-bike excursion, food and wine tours, guided visits, and much more… Find out more.
Added to this is the flexibility to choose the payment method that best suits you and your needs. For example, the Reduced Deposit Rate: pay a 10% deposit and settle the balance within 30 days of arrival; or the limited-time offer: pay 100% at the best possible price.
*Some of these rates are only available for 2026 bookings.
Where to Go for Your Autumn Villa Holiday in Italy?
I understand that choosing just one destination is difficult—if not impossible. Italy is a mosaic of art, culture, history, food, wine, and so much more. Choosing between cities or villages, popular spots or areas far from the classic tourist trails can be overwhelming. Not to scare you, but our Bel Paese has 20 regions, 107 provinces, around 8,000 municipalities, and between 5,000 and 6,000 historic villages (borghi).
For this reason, our team of Villa Specialists helped me select 4 villas (+1 special autumn gem you won’t want to miss a single word about) in Italy for your autumn villa holiday. We’ve chosen four key regions: Tuscany, Sicily, Puglia, and Marche.
Autumn in Tuscany at Villa Irma
Nestled in the Pisan hills of Tuscany, Villa Irma combines French Art Nouveau charm with contemporary comforts. The heatable pool, surrounded by a solarium, allows you to fully enjoy your stay even in the autumn season. Villa Irma is located in Casciana Terme, just a few kilometers from the famous thermal baths and a short distance from art cities like Pisa, Lucca, Florence, and Siena, as well as the beaches of the Etruscan Coast and Versilia.
The elegant and bright interiors are enhanced by herringbone parquet floors, Carrara marble bathrooms, and a refined kitchen design, while the top floor with its billiard table and lounge invites you to spend pleasant evenings with company. Outside, the Italian-style garden with a Baroque fountain, statues, and a romantic stone gazebo creates a charming atmosphere, perfect for your moments of relaxation.
Autumn in Sicily at Villa Il Melograno
Set in the splendid Val di Noto, Villa Il Melograno blends contemporary design with sustainable materials and solar energy, creating a bright and harmonious environment. Its location is strategic for discovering the Baroque heritage of southeastern Sicily: Ragusa Ibla, Modica, and Scicli—all UNESCO World Heritage Sites—are just a few minutes’ drive away, as are iconic attractions like Donnafugata Castle and the picturesque village of Donnalucata.
*The option to connect the villa to the adjacent Villa Carrubo offers flexibility for larger groups, without sacrificing privacy and independence.
Large French doors seamlessly connect the interiors with the outdoor spaces. Ideal for enjoying Sicily’s mild climate, the villa offers modern comforts designed for a rejuvenating stay, from the elegant living area to the sophisticated kitchen, and spaces designed for fun and relaxation with family or friends.
Outside, the garden of Villa Il Melograno is an oasis of tranquility, complete with terraces and relaxation areas, perfect for soaking up the Sicilian sun even in the cooler seasons. Its proximity to Marina di Ragusa allows you to combine the villa’s quiet setting with days at the beach, seaside strolls, or snorkeling in the crystal-clear waters, making every day unique and memorable.
Autumn in Puglia at Dimora Solaris
Surrounded by ancient olive groves in the Salento countryside, Dimora Solaris combines the charm of Mediterranean nature with modern, light-filled interiors. Its location is strategic for exploring the wonders of southern Salento: Gallipoli, Santa Maria di Leuca, and Otranto are easily reachable by car, as are the liveliest towns and typical restaurants. By combining relaxation in nature with easy access to beaches and historic cities, Dimora Solaris is an ideal base for immersing yourself completely in the culture, gastronomy, and sea of the Salento region. Live Puglia… like a local.
The open-space living area, with its kitchen and dining room, opens directly onto large windows overlooking the pool and terraces, creating an airy and relaxing atmosphere.
The large, fenced plot of about 5,000 sqm ensures privacy and tranquility, with olive trees and Mediterranean plants enriching the villa’s sensory experience.
Autumn in Le Marche at I Lauri
I Lauri, a historic early 20th-century farmhouse nestled in the greenery of the private Montefiore dell’Aso Golf Club, combines the charm of stone walls and exposed wooden beams with modern comforts and bright, spacious rooms. The villa is also an ideal starting point for exploring the cultural and gastronomic heritage of southern Le Marche: the villages of Montefiore dell’Aso, Campofilone, and Ripatransone offer authentic experiences with wine, artisan pasta, and local traditions. The combination of rolling hills, sea access, and woodland surroundings makes this villa a perfect choice for a holiday dedicated to relaxation, culture, and natural beauty.
Arranged over three floors, I Lauri is ideal for enjoying the mild climate of Le Marche.
The fenced garden, featuring olive trees, fruit trees, and a centuries-old oak, guarantees privacy and tranquility. The various seating areas and the outdoor dining space are perfect for lunches, dinners, or simply relaxing moments surrounded by nature. The villa’s location allows you to combine the farmhouse’s peaceful setting with beach days at the nearby resorts of Marina di Massignano and Cupra Marittima, making the most of autumn for outdoor activities.
To discover the queen of autumn villas, keep reading to the end!
Why Choose Emma Villas?
Emma Villas is a leading Italian incoming tour operator, specializing in the vacation rental sector of exclusive villas with pools in Italy. But you can read that anywhere… Here are the 5 main reasons (because, yes, there are many more) why you should choose Emma Villas for your next villa holiday in Italy.
- A Rich Selection of Villas for Every Need
Emma Villas offers a wide and varied portfolio of over 600 properties: you can choose a villa in the countryside, near art cities or historic villages, or find one immersed in nature or right by the sea. The choice is vast, I know, but it’s impossible not to find the perfect villa for you and your group! Furthermore, every villa undergoes a check-up by one of our technical managers, ensuring the property matches its description (amenities, their working condition, etc.).
- A Team of Villa Specialists Available 7/7
When does a villa holiday begin? Not on check-in day, but at the very moment you select and choose your property. Whether you decide to book online yourself or prefer assistance from our Villa Specialists, the Emma Villas Booking Department is available 7 days a week.
The booking process is just as important as the stay itself, and at Emma Villas, we want everything to be seamless. That’s why you can always count on our qualified team to not only help you choose the perfect villa but also to clarify any doubts or resolve any issues that may arise.
- Authentic Experiences
As mentioned earlier, you can now book authentic experiences directly online at emmavillas.com or get personalized advice from our Experience Specialists to enrich your stay. From cooking classes to food and wine tours, from a private chef at the villa to e-bike excursions, from painting courses to private concerts…
- Customer Service 7/7
After booking, the preparation for arrival, receiving all necessary documents, and the check-in are crucial moments for ensuring a holiday is refreshing, not stressful. Our Customer Service team is active 7/7 to answer all your questions and assist you from check-in to check-out.
- Cancellation Insurance Included (ZeroDep by Emma Villas)
This guarantee protects you and allows you to enjoy your holiday with peace of mind. With this formula, you won’t have to pay a security deposit on arrival and will still be covered for any accidental damage to the property, up to a maximum of €1,500. This avoids disputes over liability and the assessment of damages, allowing you to experience your villa holiday in total serenity.
Remember that villa I hadn’t revealed yet? Here it is!
The Queen of Autumn Villas: Where to See Foliage in Lombardy?
An autumn villa holiday is ideal for foliage lovers, and also for those discovering it for the first time. What is foliage? Foliage is the natural phenomenon of leaves changing color in autumn, taking on shades of red, orange, and gold, creating spectacular landscapes and a magical seasonal atmosphere.
Why am I suggesting you see it in Lombardy? Lombardy offers forests, parks, and lakes that are painted with intense colors in autumn, with easily accessible scenic routes and a perfect balance of nature, historic villages, and outdoor activities.
And that’s precisely why I chose to select this “autumn queen” in Lombardy and reveal it only at the end. The magic of the landscape and this villa will make your holiday unique, authentic, and truly unforgettable.
We are in Ispra (Varese), on the shores of Lake Maggiore.
Villa Eden, overlooking the lake, combines the historical charm of 19th-century kilns with refined, modern interiors, featuring octagonal spaces adorned with frescoed ceilings. Ideal for enjoying the season, the villa offers a manicured garden with ancient trees, two panoramic terraces, and a pool with a lake view, perfect for outdoor lunches, dinners, or relaxation. Villa Eden’s prime location allows you to easily explore the center of Ispra, the scenic “Anello delle Fornaci” trail, and attractions like the Hermitage of Santa Caterina del Sasso and the Borromean Islands, blending nature, history, and stunning landscapes.
Nearby, foliage enthusiasts can admire the autumn colors along the Lake Monate trail, in the Campo dei Fiori Regional Park, and in the woods surrounding the Sacro Monte di Varese, all easily reachable by car from the villa.
