For beach fans
Villa Sa Mandriola, Palau, Sardinia
Whitewashed beach house set in its own private garden with terrace and barbecue. Has four bedrooms; sleeps eight.
Where to book: Simply Travel (020-8541 2236, simplytravel.com). £530-£935 per person for a week, including flights and car hire.
Villa Paradiso, Positano
Fancy property with glorious views. Two of the bedrooms have private terraces and there's a deck leading down to the sea. Sleeps nine.
Where to book: International Chapters (020-7722 0722, villa-rentals.com). One week £7,315-£8,260, including maid service and cook.
Villa Laura, Positano
A more modest property built into the towering cliff. The two terraces and winning sea views are the big selling points. Sleeps up to seven.
Where to book: Italian Life (08704 292184, italianlife.co.uk). From £1,700 per week.
Villa Franca, Cala Liberotto, Sardinia
This three-bedroom dry-stone walled house with no-frills modern interior is right on a white sandy beach. Sleeps five.
Where to book: Freelance Holidays (01789 297705, freelance-holidays.co.uk). £740-£1,625 per week.
La Calcara, Amalfi coast
Modern villa with infinity pool and steps leading down to a private water-smoothed rock beach. Sleeps eight.
Where to book: Dolce Vita Villas (020-7436 0426, dolcevitavillas.com). 2,500-4,600 euros per week, including daily maid service.
For walkers
Le Refie, near Florence and Siena, Chianti
Villa turned upmarket ramblers' centre in an enviable hillside location, set in woodland. There are two apartments, plus restaurant and bar on site. Sleeps two to five.
Where to book: Italian Life (08704 292184, italianlife.co.uk). From £226 per week for first two people, other adults and children stay free.
Casa Mario, near Siena, Chianti
Charming old stone house where rustic living goes upmarket. Set in a medieval hamlet 15 minutes from Siena; walk along sandy, cypress-lined tracks or swim in the river. Sleeps six to eight.
Where to book: Invitation to Tuscany (01481 711332, invitationtotuscany.com). £559-£658 per week.
La Ginestra, Umbria
Set on an estate with four tennis courts, shared pool, stables with 15 horses, mountain bikes and mini-golf course. Walkers head for the Sibillini mountains. Sleeps four to six.
Where to book: Vacanze in Italia (08700 780186, indiv-travellers.com). £671-£983 per property, including car hire, or £168pp.
L'Abbazia, Umbria
An 11th-century abbey and house set in 50 acres of private woods, plus tennis courts, pool, billiard room, private six-hole golf course, not to mention maid service, cook, breakfasts and three-course dinner daily. Sleeps 10.
Where to book: Tuscany Now (020-7272 5469, tuscanynow.com). £7,130 per week in July and August.
San Bartolomeo, Sarteano, Tuscany
Classic old farmhouse. Amble through woods where Saint Francis of Assisi was tempted by the devil. Games room and swimming pool. Sleeps 10.
Where to book: Summer's Leases (01628 821133, summersleases.com). £1,775-£2,375 per week.
Casa Qandra, near San Pantaleo, Sardinia
Secluded cottage. The coast is a 10-minute drive away. Has two bedrooms.
Where to book: Simply Travel (020-8541 2236, simplytravel.com). £465-£610pp (based on four sharing), including flights and car hire.
Pieve a Castello, near Siena, Tuscany
An 8th-century convent and pilgrims' pit-stop renovated in the shape of a tasteful hotel. The property can also be booked exclusively by a group. Trips include walks and cultural visits.
Where to book: ATG Oxford (01865 315612, atg-oxford.co.uk). £1,595pp (based on two sharing).
For families
Santa Maria, near Todi, Umbria
A 15th-century priory restored by choreographer Lindsay Kemp. Set on its own hill top, it has a dance studio turned toy-filled playroom, swimming pool, paddling pool, little football pitch, giant barbecue, small kitchen.
Where to book: Summer's Leases (01628 821133, summersleases.com). £2,260-£2,775.
Villa Eleonora, Collazzone, Umbria
All mod cons plus gym, games room, indoor and outdoor pools and en suite bedrooms. Sleeps 22.
Where to book: Vintage Travel (01954 261431, vintagetravel.co.uk). £2,595-£5,495 per week.
Villa Il Lago, Chiusi, Tuscany
Large homely villa, nice garden, marble staircase, big dining room. Local restaurant 150m away. Sleeps 10.
Where to book: Citalia (020-8686 5533, citalia.com). £469-£635pp per week based on 10 sharing. Includes welcome hamper, flights and car hire.
Villa Verde, San Felice, Lake Garda
One of four villas, all of which share a pool and tennis courts. Modern design, lots of French windows.
Where to book: The Owners' Syndicate (020-7801 9807, ownerssyndicate.com). £2,175-£3,135 per week.
La Grillaia, Ponsacco, Chianti
Farmhouse with nanny annexe and large garden. Sleeps 10.
Where to book: Simply Travel (020-8541 2236, simplytravel.com). £725-£1,035pp flights and car hire. A British nanny service (maximum three children) costs £350 for five days).
Cottage Mandorlo, Il Querceto
One of four 13th-century cottages with play area, table tennis, shared games room and mountain bikes to hire.
Where to book: Cottages to Castles (01622 775217, cottagestocastles.com). Sleeps six. £680-£1,300 per week.
For style gurus
Malavoglia, Acitrezza, Taormina, Sicily
Architect-designed modern seaside house. Sleeps up to 14 or can be divided into two apartments each sleeping six.
Where to book: Invitation to Tuscany (01481 711332, invitationtotuscany.com). £2,549 from May to end of August.
La Rocca di Rasina, Umbertide, Tuscany
Make a serious statement by hiring your own hill-top castle. It's got it all - interior courtyard, endless drive through 800 acres of private grounds, manicured terraces, walled park, pool, staff (including cook), and lots of antiques in the high-ceilinged, beamed rooms. Sleeps 20.
Where to book: Tuscany Now (020-7272 5469, tuscanynow.com). £6,648 to £8,759 (including three full-time staff).
La Tenuta del Duca, Florence, Tuscany
This recently restored villa in the hills east of Florence is owned by the Ferragamo fashion dynasty. Set in a 1,800-acre estate, the villa boasts elegant rooms and salons, indoor pool, outdoor pool, gym and billiard room with bar. Sleeps 18.
Where to book: The Owners' Syndicate (020-7801 9807, ownerssyndicate.com). £28,000 a week.
Monastero, Pantelleria, near Sicily
Sting, Eric Clapton and Michelle Pfeiffer have stayed on this island retreat off the coast of Sicily, where the property is divided into dammusi, or traditional houses. Everything is beautiful - the swimming pool, the Arabian gardens, the on-site massages. Sleeps two to 25.
Where to book: International Chapters (0845 0700 618, villarentals.com). £15,610-£24,080 per week for the whole property.
Villa Fontelunga, Val di Chiana, Tuscany
A 19th-century manor house turned luxury retreat. Divided into nine swanky suites. Includes daily breakfast.
Where to book: Abercrombie & Kent (0845 0700620, abercrombiekent.co.uk). From £16,500 per week.
Villa Caterina, Cortona
Traditional villa with big fireplace and long wooden dining table, pool and fish pond. Sleeps two to seven.
Where to book: Citalia (020-8686 5533, citalia.com). £549-£785pp for seven nights based on seven sharing, including welcome hamper, return flights and car hire.
For romantics
La Rotonda, Palazzo di Nerano, Nerano, Sorrento Peninsula
Apartment with steps down to a courtyard in an imposing 17th-century palazzo.
Where to book: The Owners' Syndicate (020-7801 9807, ownerssyndicate.com). £575-£845 per week.
Casa Piroli, Rome
Tucked away down a back street at the foot of the Celium Hill and 100m from the Colosseum, this small house was built over a gladiator's training ground. Sleeps two.
Where to book: Vacanze in Italia (08700 780186, indiv-travellers.com). £869-£1,030, including car hire.
L'Antico Mulino, Assisi, Umbria
A secluded old mill in a national park outside Assisi. Waterfall, rock pool and river for romance factor.
Where to book: Vintage Travel (01954 261431, vintagetravel.co.uk). £475-£1,145 per week.
For foodies
Il Forno, Calabria
A converted bakery set in the mountains of Calabria, with pool. The owner runs a small hotel nearby and specialises in Calabrian cooking. Sleeps four.
Where to book: Long Travel (01694 722367, long-travel.co.uk). £595-£695 per week, including car hire.
Cottage Strada, Panzano, Chianti
Jamie and Jules Oliver spent their honeymoon in this two-bedroomed cottage, though Jamie probably came for the local butcher - he hosts an open house party every Sunday. Fine setting, pool, barbeque and a covered pergola. Sleeps four.
Where to book: Cottages to Castles (01622 775217, cottagestocastles.com). £840-£1,360 per week.
Villa di Monte Solare, Colle San Paolo, Umbria
The villa offers a four-day Taste of Italian Cooking course at £220pp.
Where to book: Simply Travel (020-8541 2236, simplytravel.com). A seven-night stay, including return flights and car hire, costs from £710pp.
Casino Pisanelli, Puglia, Salentine peninsula
Learn to cook local specialities such as taiedda (a rice, mussels and potato dish) in a tasteful old hunting lodge, and wash it all down with local wines.
Where to book: Flavours Cookery Holidays (flavoursholidays.com). £1,099pp as part of a private group of five to eight, including cookery lessons and all meals.
La Foresteria Serego Alighieri, near Verona, Veneto
One of Dante's descendants owns this imposing property, now divided into apartments. Stylish aprons are required for the cookery lessons which are held in the professional kitchen. Venetian mussels stuffed with sausages is just one of the culinary challenges.
Where to book: Tasting Places (020-7460 0077, tastingplaces.com). £1,675pp (single supplement £200) for six days.
