Avoiding Villa Remorse
Don’t rent any villa until you read this
How we protect you from “This is Not What I Expected”
“The single largest complaint we get every single day is,
‘This is not what I expected.’”
It’s one thing when a $300 weekend cabin doesn’t match its photos. It’s entirely another when you’ve spent months planning a $40,000 family reunion in Sicily, only to arrive and find…
- Bedrooms smaller than advertised
- A “short walk to town” that’s actually a 45-minute hike
- A pool that’s more pond than paradise
- A villa that looks nothing like those carefully angled website photos
Your Peace of Mind Starts Here
With 25 years of experience arranging villa stays across five continents, we know just how to find that special place that will delight every generation – whether you’re planning a reunion, a milestone anniversary or birthday, a family heritage or roots trip, or a multi-generational holiday.
Every villa in our collection has been meticulously vetted 60 different ways, and we’ll match you with the perfect one for your special event. We personally inspect every detail, from bedroom sizes to walking distances, so you can be confident everything is exactly as described.
And should any issues arise during your stay, your dedicated concierge handles everything immediately. No chasing down property owners, no scrambling to find an English-speaking plumber on a Sunday, no precious family time lost to logistics. Instead, you get to focus on what matters most – creating those once-in-a-lifetime memories together.
Beyond the Villa
Yes, you’ll say “wow” when you first see your villa. But that’s just the beginning of your story.
The most memorable moments come from experiences that touch your heart and bring people together – whether that’s your teens learning to make pasta from a local Nonna, or your parents discovering their ancestral village.
That’s why we pair every villa with a dedicated concierge – your local expert who crafts experiences perfectly matched to your group’s interests, ages, and the occasion you’re celebrating.
Think of your concierge as that well-connected friend who knows all the special spots – like that family-run restaurant serving Valencia’s best paella, or those hidden beaches that tourists don’t know about.
No AI-generated guide can match having a friend on the ground who opens doors to authentic, immersive experiences – the kind that turn your special event into stories you’ll share for years to come.
WARNING: Our villas have no hormetic stressors
(Viewer discretion advised)
Have you noticed the latest wellness craze?
There’s a strange new trend taking root.
Apparently, our lives have gotten too comfortable. So now people are intentionally making themselves uncomfortable and doing hard things as part of their daily routines.
“Hormetic stressors” I believe is what the cool kids call it.
Fasting is an example – refusing to eat for large chunks of the day.
Also known as starving
Cold plunges, too, are all the rage. Jumping into 35-degree waters to trigger endorphins, oxytocin, and blood curdling screams.
For some, strolling into the sea in January is not extreme enough. A woman in Finland posts TikTok videos of herself cutting a hole in the ice to find her favorite swim spots.
Then there’s the world of exercise.
High intensity interval training.
Extreme Yoga in 105-degree locked rooms.
Marathons. Triathlons. Ultramarathons.
A runner from Colorado ran 200 ultramarathons in 200 days.
I’m worried this masochistic zeitgeist will infiltrate the world of travel.
I hear some airlines are considering a new service level where passengers sit in frigid or sweltering conditions without food or adequate bathroom access. (Oh, check that. That’s already here. It’s called economy.)
But here's the thing:
While some people are choosing to embrace discomfort, we believe special-occasion vacations should still be, well… vacation-y. A time to relax, recharge, and remember what comfort feels like.
Our hand-picked villas don’t fit the hormetic stressors trend.
They’re very cushy.
Comfy beds.
Gorgeous gardens.
Spectacular views.
Fully equipped kitchens.
In-home cinemas and game rooms.
You may have to tolerate lounging by a nice private pool, or sipping Prosecco in a jacuzzi.
Just full disclosure.
I want to set proper expectations.
Of course, if you’re truly committed to the hormetic lifestyle, you can always:
- Do burpees in your private gym
- Meditate at sunrise on the balcony
- Fast while everyone else enjoys the chef’s spectacular meals
- Walk to town instead of calling a car
But we won’t judge you for choosing pure, unadulterated luxury instead.
And if you absolutely must have your cold plunge? Your dedicated concierge can always pull cubes from the ice machine and draw you a bath. Though personally, we recommend using the ice for cocktails instead.
Ready to embrace the "anti-hormetic" lifestyle?
Browse our collection of luxuriously stress-free villas and start planning your next multi-generational adventure or special occasion trip. We promise the only thing you’ll have to endure is quality time with your loved ones.