DISCOVER THE AUTHENTIC HEART OF ITALY THROUGH NATURE, ART AND CULTURE

There’s something quite extraordinary about Italy’s approach to life. While the Brits often dream of escaping their rushed routines, we Italians have perfectly mastered what they desperately seek: the art of slow living. And there’s no better way to embrace this lifestyle than through a villa holiday, where every moment can be savoured with those who matter most.

Slow living in a villa isn’t merely about having a lovely place to stay but it’s a perfect marriage of relaxation, nature, and culture. It’s about trading the hurried daily routines for something rather more civilised: a chance to experience Italy at its own unhurried pace. From breath-taking landscapes to centuries-old traditions, Italy offers endless possibilities for those keen to discover its natural and cultural treasures… without feeling the need to tick off a frantically packed itinerary.

Emma Villas has a brilliantly curated and exclusive collection of properties that can transform this dream into reality, allowing you to truly slow down and experience an authentic Italian holiday.

The Villa: A Time-Honoured Haven

Here’s a fascinating bit of history for you: Italian villas have been synonymous with slow living since Roman times. It must be said, the Romans—they understood that a villa wasn’t just a holiday home, but a sanctuary where one could escape the city’s chaos to find serenity and inspiration. Fast forward to today, and this concept resonates more than ever, with a growing number of savvy travellers choosing to immerse themselves in nature to reconnect with both themselves and their loved ones.

Slow Living in a Villa: The Art of Savouring Time

Slow living in a villa is far more than the latest travel trend—it’s rather a philosophy, a celebration of living in the present moment.

Picture this: your morning begins with coffee in the garden, enveloped by nothing but peace and pristine nature, and ends with a family dinner under a star-studded Italian sky. The magic of a villa lies not just in its lovely amenities, but in those precious moments of connection with your loved ones, creating experiences that simply couldn’t happen anywhere else.

Living the slow villa life means crafting authentic experiences, turning ordinary moments into truly special memories. But what sorts of activities do people actually get up to when embracing this lifestyle?

According to an interesting study by Travel Market Trends 2024, 72% of families are actively seeking holidays that strengthen emotional bonds, with a particular fondness for food and wine experiences and shared relaxation time.

Here are some splendid ways to embrace villa life:

• Host Themed Suppers: Arrange an evening showcasing regional specialities. Rather than just eating, make an event of it—discover local recipes and cook together, or better yet, invite a local chef for a private cooking class in your villa kitchen.

• Embrace Local Life: Whether it’s joining the grape harvest in Tuscany (quite remarkable fun, actually), collecting olives in Umbria, or exploring ancient salt pans in Sicily. These hands-on experiences, according to Destination Insights 2023, make holidays feel more authentic for 68% of visitors.

• Wellness Your Way: Many villas offer the possibility of private yoga sessions, massages, or meditation. Perfect for those moments when you fancy a bit of personal rejuvenation.

Tips for Perfecting the Art of the Slow Living

1. Master the Art of Slowing Down: Rather than rushing about, dedicate time to life’s simple pleasures—perhaps a good book in the garden or watching the sun paint the sky at sunset.

2. Consider a Digital Detox: Whilst it’s tempting to share every moment on social media, try limiting those electronic devices. You’ll find the experience more immersive without them.

3. Get the Little Ones Involved: Transform your villa into a proper adventure playground for children with treasure hunts or creative workshops. Magical I must say, for making family memories.

Tuscany: A Landscape of Timeless Stories

One doesn’t simply observe Tuscany—one must decode it. Just like a brilliant novel, it reveals its secrets only to those who take the time to look beyond the obvious. Behind those famously rolling hills lie the most fascinating details: quiet villages and lesser-known countryside paths, each hiding stories waiting to be discovered.

This is Tuscany

You’ll find ancient sundials carved into villa facades—rather clever bits of engineering that once governed daily life—and tucked-away private chapels in gardens where you can still sense the whispered prayers of past generations. There are forgotten family crests, centuries-old wine cellars where vintages still mature in traditional chestnut barrels… all quite remarkable, really.

This is the Tuscany that rewards the patient explorer—intimate, elusive, and utterly captivating. A villa stay here isn’t just about surrounding yourself with stunning landscapes and art; it’s about discovering fragments of history and culture that most visitors entirely miss, creating a genuine slow living experience.

We’re rather proud to recommend two particularly special Emma Villas properties:

Villa Canto alla Moraia is an absolute gem, nestled in extensive parkland amidst vineyards and woods. What was once a watchtower has been brilliantly transformed into an elegant farmhouse that perfectly balances historical charm with modern comforts. The interiors are rather special—think terracotta floors, exposed beams, and carefully chosen period furniture. With its exclusive pool and organic estate producing proper Italian wine, grappa, and the most excellent olive oil, it’s ideal for both relaxing holidays and special celebrations.

Down in Punta Ala, just a stone’s throw from the sea, Villa Le Mandrie offers a different sort of slow living experience. The design is really clever—premium materials like travertine, mosaic, and local stone create sophisticated yet wonderfully comfortable spaces. The living area opens onto a terraced garden with an infinity pool that’s absolutely perfect for whiling away sunny afternoons. They’ve added a proper wellness area too, with a hydromassage tub and Turkish bath. Pair that with nearby beaches and charming inland villages, and you’ve got everything needed for the perfect slow-paced escape.

Sicily: Where Myths Meet Mediterranean Life

Sicily’s rather special—it’s a land that lives in the details, those little touches that most people miss at first glance. It’s the island where traditions are passed down in whispers, like the intricate tombolo lace-making that’s been handed down through generations, or those fascinating private salt reserves in remote salt pans where the landscape looks like a watercolour come to life.

It’s in the cool shadows of internal courtyards and the glittering reflections of hidden mosaics that you’ll discover the true essence of Sicily: an elegance that’s wonderfully understated, authentic to its core, and deeply rooted in tradition.

Each villa here isn’t merely an accommodation—it’s a gateway to this rare balance, where every stone, every view, and every architectural detail tells its own fascinating story.

For those keen to embrace the rhythm of slow living, we recommend two special properties:

Villa Passo degli Aironi sits quietly between Noto and the Vendicari Nature Reserve—perfect for slow living enthusiasts. The outdoor spaces are really wonderful, with a splendid pool and a panoramic terrace complete with relaxation areas, dining space, and a proper barbecue setup. It’s brilliant for larger groups, and its proximity to Villa Majoli makes it ideal for extended family gatherings or celebrations with friends.

Villa Ingrid offers something quite different—perched on the slopes of Mount Etna in Santa Venerina, it’s a former wine estate that’s been cleverly transformed into an elegant modern residence. The wellness area is particularly impressive, featuring a heated pool, Jacuzzi, sauna, massage room, and gym. The extensive grounds, complete with pool and solarium, provide the perfect setting for those long, lazy days that define proper slow living.

Umbria: Slow Living Amidst Sacred Art and History

Umbria’s rather special in that it doesn’t shout about its charms—it whispers them. While its neighbour Tuscany might grab the headlines, Umbria reveals its beauty gradually to those patient enough to discover it. You’ll find the most fascinating bits in unexpected places: perhaps an ancient olive mill carved into the bedrock centuries ago, or a perfectly preserved fresco tucked away in a quiet chapel.

Why choose Umbrian villas?

Every villa here, settled into this wonderfully unspoiled landscape, offers a perfect vantage point from which to appreciate Umbria’s true character: an understated elegance built on history and tradition, where time seems to move at a more civilised pace.

A villa stay here allows one to embrace proper slow living, where nature, art, and culture come together rather beautifully. It’s all about living each day in splendid tranquility, far from the usual tourist hustle and bustle.

We’re delighted to showcase two absolutely splendid properties:

Al Belvedere is, quite simply, a masterclass in slow living. Nestled in the heart of Umbria, it’s where tranquility and natural beauty meet historic charm in the most delightful way. The setting is rather spectacular—surrounded by olive groves and vineyards, overlooking a twenty-hectare private park. The main house is exactly what you’d hope for, with those lovely chestnut beams and proper stone walls maintaining its rustic character. They’ve been quite clever with the contemporary annex by the pool, creating an interesting contrast with its minimal design. It’s all been recently restored with great care, making it perfect for those who fancy exploring Umbria’s culture, history, and excellent food scene away from the usual tourist trails. The Sibillini Mountains National Park is on your doorstep, and there’s something special about having a deconsecrated Romanesque church as your neighbour—adds a bit of character to one’s sundowners, wouldn’t you say?

Podere Fabbrica is another absolute gem, tucked away in the hills between San Casciano dei Bagni and Chiusi. It’s the sort of place that makes you understand why people fall in love with Italy. The restored stone villa is really beautiful, with premium materials like terracotta and chestnut beams throughout. The garden’s particularly lovely—the infinity pool and pergola create the perfect spot for watching the sun set over the hills with a glass of something local.

Veneto: Palladian Grandeur Meets Slow Living

The Veneto region’s got layers of history that reveal themselves only to those who know where to look. Rather fascinating place, really—take the submerged village of San Martino, which only appears when Lake Vico’s water levels drop, or those ancient waterways in the Euganean Hills where boats once transported marble for magnificent Palladian villas.

Each villa in the Veneto serves as a privileged window into these forgotten tales and offers a chance to experience the region as it should be experienced—authentically and without rush.

For your consideration, here are two perfectly splendid properties:

Ca’ Cantoni is perfectly positioned on a hillside just minutes from the village of Garda. View over Lake Garda is absolutely spectacular—the sort that make you want to spend hours just gazing out with a good book and a glass of local wine. The garden and olive grove are particularly lovely, and while they’ve recently renovated the place, they’ve managed to maintain that peaceful, secluded atmosphere that makes villa holidays so special. The approach is via an unpaved road, which adds to its charm.

Villa Gasco offers something quite different—nestled in the peaceful countryside around Lazise, you’ll find yourself surrounded by vineyards producing excellent Bardolino wine. It’s brilliantly located for those who fancy combining relaxation with a bit of exploration—Lake Garda’s nearby, and the Villa dei Cedri thermal park is worth a visit.

A Final Word

There’s something rather wonderful about giving yourself the gift of time, and whether it’s mastering the art of proper Italian cooking, discovering hidden historical gems, or simply watching the world go by from your private pool, a villa holiday offers the chance to experience Italy as it should be experienced—slowly, thoughtfully, and with great pleasure.

Discover slow living in a villa with Emma Villas and experience Italy at a pace that allows you to appreciate every moment.

Why not book your exclusive villa today? After all, la dolce vita awaits.