Rent luxury vacation homes around the world

Cisternino, a historic town in the Apulia region of southern Italy that is filled with historical landmarks such as churches and baroque buildings with several hundred years behind them.

The town of Cisternino is located on top of a hill, in the middle of the beautiful Murge plateau. The streets here lie almost 400 meters above sea level and are lined with old churches, historic buildings and whitewashed houses. Visit old palaces and churches, explore the countryside around the city and try dishes prepared on butchers’ grills.

Here, BoutiqueHomes has found two historic homes. An art historian, Mariana, and her father invested in a couple of small houses. Built at the end of the 17th century, then owned by the church and originally built to be donated to single mothers.
They started renovating them, which took more than two years, unfortunately Mariana’s father died just as the renovation was finished.

– Fortunately, he had time to see the project completed before he passed away, says Mariana.
She named the houses after both of their first names: V & M.

Thanks to Miriana’s professional training and her father’s passion, the homes have been restored to keep as much as possible and according to all the rules that exist for old houses. As she explains, they embraced the structure’s imperfections and rustic features, adding handcrafted furniture and original objects to preserve their historic feel.

The houses are located on a small street, which is closed to traffic and away from the tourists in the historic city center, giving them a wonderfully intimate setting.

These cute little homes make a good base for visitors who want to experience the atmosphere of Cisternino.

With the church of San Severino above, this apartment is a little further down the slope, bordering Spello on one side and the green fields of Umbria on the other.

This compact apartment is a lovely holiday accommodation in Spello, and has one bedroom and one bathroom, making it an ideal house for up to three adults or a family of four.

On the ground floor you will find a large and open living room, beautifully and stylishly designed with cheerful citrus colors, a textured thyme colored wall and woven lamps and rugs. (Owner Andrea has a few other properties in the area that have been featured in design magazines, including Barbanera Villa, part of the BoutiqueHomes collection.)

The living room connects to a smart and simple kitchen unit with open shelving and dishwasher, fridge and stove, and there is a large panoramic window overlooking the rolling Umbrian hills. The open dining room leads to the bedroom, which also has a lovely view of the green Italian expanse, and has a staircase leading to the basement level where there is a shower room with a terrace.

Outside your door you are a stone’s throw from the central square of charming Spello. Come and see the medieval town turn peach in the sunset as the light reflects off the stone buildings, built from the pink marble of the mountain.

And if you are traveling with a larger group, please note that this apartment is in close proximity to the owner’s other houses and apartments. They can therefore be rented out together.

An atmospheric Croatian castle from the 16th century on the Adriatic Sea
Watercastle House, Split, Croatia

A must for all Game of Thrones lovers! This rental property is a restored 16th century Croatian castle that served as the set for the city of Braavos in the beloved HBO fantasy series Game of Thrones.

Dragons may not roam the premises, but this mighty fortress is a sight to behold. Standing imposingly along the Adriatic Sea with picturesque views of nearby Split and the Bay of Kastel, the ancient structure exudes a quiet strength and fairytale charm.

The castle’s stone facade reflects majestically from the surrounding water and shines with a strong history. Its original stone structure has stood the test of time with the authentic arched windows and limestone walls preserved, while the interior has undergone a thoughtful restoration.

Contemporary furniture, decor and amenities fill the cozy yet spacious rooms with a fresh charm. Its white, brown stone and warm wood color palette is playfully punctuated by light blue accents in the form of velvet cushions and decorative vases.

A lovely terrace with potted plants and a shady Tamaris tree just outside the castle’s front door. Guests will be eager to sip their morning coffee from the wicker sofas overlooking the harbor, where charming boats and buoys bob calmly in the sunshine.

Watercastle House is both quaint and wonderful. Its modern makeover manages to honor its past while providing 21st century luxury.

Built in the first half of the 16th century by Benedictine nuns for protection against the Turks who raided the region, this villa for rent in Croatia is right on the water, with the Adriatic Sea beyond.

Donated to the nuns back in 1078 by King Zvonimir, there is still an old church and monastery that share the small island with a perfect view of Kastel Bay and the city.

A fortress of impressive limestone, the exterior has the patina and romance of history, while the interior is warm and welcoming with arched windows, wooden floors and a bright, modern style. The living room has a fireplace and an all-in-one dining area and fully equipped kitchen.

Up a charming staircase are the two double rooms that can accommodate up to four guests, one of which is a mezzanine floor loft.

The blossoming terrace at the water’s edge invites you to enjoy hearty dinners or simply enjoy the atmospheric charm of this historic home.

The villa for rent in Crete belies its simple, elegant interior, but there’s nothing subtle about the huge infinity pool that overlooks Rethymno and the coastal beaches.

This beautiful neoclassical villa sits on top of a hill above Rethymno, on the Greek island of Crete, overlooking the vast beaches and Almirou Bay beyond.

It is an excellent property for large groups, accommodating up to 14 guests in two autonomous units under one roof.

The interiors have been carefully designed by the home’s owner in earth tones, with clean lines, colorful accents and simple wooden furniture.

The garden is a lovely space, with a large infinity pool making the most of the view, and a 100-year-old fig tree sheltering a patio and a fully functional kitchen with a wood-burning oven, grill, gas ovens, a concrete sink, plus all the basic appliances. This, the owners say, is the true heart of the home, made for spending hours creating food and then enjoying the end results under the twinkling stars and overlooking one of the best views on the island.

Other fantastic garden features blend beautifully into the home’s natural surroundings. These include an old wine press that has been converted into an outdoor shower, the stone remains of an olive press on the far side of the pool, plus a 100-year-old tree trunk at the entrance.

This villa for rent in Crete is a great place for families and large groups traveling together.

Set on a 1.1 hectare site, the villa contains two self-contained units within its imposing structure – both of equal size, one on the raised ground floor and the other on the first floor. There are seven bedrooms (and six bathrooms) in total, including one with twin beds that is perfect for children. In addition, there are two fully equipped kitchens and two living rooms.

The outdoor area includes a 100 square meter infinity pool with panoramic sea views, an outdoor lounge with cushioned sunbeds, deck chairs, white umbrellas and a gazebo, as well as a well-equipped outdoor kitchen.