Curated Selections

Idyllic Countryside Retreats: Where to Experience Autumn in Europe

From royal retreats at Sandringham to charming Tuscan vineyard villas, these private havens are our trip designers' top picks for experiencing the golden foliage, slow living, and timeless autumnal beauty of Europe

A Royal Retreat at Sandringham Estate | England

Haven No. 1005950 | Hidden in the heart of the Sandringham Estate's private woodland, this three-bedroom residence blends royal history with quiet grandeur. Originally built as a place where ladies retired for tea, the turreted gem has been transformed into a luxurious retreat, with a wrap-around balcony, treetop outlooks, and a turret room opening onto panoramic estate views. Three double bedrooms sleep six, and the house comes with a private gated garden, an outdoor dining set and barbecue for bright autumn afternoons, and a wood burner in the sitting room for the evenings that follow. Beyond the door the whole estate is yours to wander, with meandering trails, formal gardens, and open meadows; Sandringham House is minutes away (open seasonally from late March to early October), and Norfolk's villages and wild beaches are within easy reach.

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Rustic Refinement in the Hills of Umbria | Italy

Haven No. 546768 | Crisp morning mists, golden-hued forests, and rustic refinement await at this private estate in the postcard-perfect Umbrian hills. Set among oak forests and olive groves on the Reschio estate, the fortress-like villa gathers around a formal courtyard, with the estate's tennis courts, stables, and osteria all within walking distance. Six bedrooms sleep twelve, the sixth an independent cottage with its own private terrace, while a central dining room flanked by terraces on both sides brings the outdoors in. An 18 metre pool and custom spa bath sit a few steps down in the gardens, and a gazebo viewing platform serves up 360-degree views of two castles across the valley. Expect just-picked flowers in the bedrooms, Ortigia products in the bathrooms, and a pantry stocked with local fruit, cheese, prosciutto, pasta, and homemade torta di cioccolato.

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Slow Living in the Heart of Puglia | Italy

Haven No. 995059 | Autumn is an enchanting time in the Valle d'Itria, and this tranquil haven on the slopes of Monte Abele is built for slow living. Four en suite bedrooms sleep eight beneath sweeping views over the Itria Valley and out to the Adriatic, while a fully equipped spa with sauna, steam bath, and indoor jacuzzi waits for cooler evenings. Days run from the heated pool and its poolside bar to long outdoor meals from the barbecue and pizza oven, with three living rooms and a working fireplace for when the light goes. There is a Pinot Noir vineyard on the grounds and a private wine cellar available on request, plus a botanic garden, an outdoor gym, daily housekeeping, and an Apulian welcome basket waiting on arrival.

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An Elegant Wine Country Escape in Tuscany | Italy

Haven No. 927866 | This elegant villa sits within walking distance of Radda in Chianti, a village known for world-class wines, scenic cycling routes, and vibrant local festivals. Originally a noble residence and strategic watchtower, the 17th century estate was meticulously renovated over five years and still keeps its ancient architectural centerpiece, a historic tower with panoramic sunset views across the Chianti hills. Five en suite suites sleep ten, each individually styled in blue, pink, green, yellow, or taupe. Two kitchens anchor the cooking, one with an Italian Travertine island opening to the garden and a second with a Carrara marble table seating ten, and fireplaces warm both the living and dining rooms. Outside there is a pool, a covered veranda, terraces for dining, manicured gardens with a vegetable patch, and a traditional Tuscan barbecue stove.

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Château Charm in the Dordogne Countryside | France

Haven No. 896429 | Autumn transforms the Dordogne in southwest France into a real-life painting, and this beautifully restored medieval château is the place to watch it happen. Eleven bedrooms sleep up to twenty-two across two buildings and a tower, with grand stone façades, high ceilings, antique furnishings, and original architectural details throughout. The grounds are expansive: a heated pool (heating included from May to the end of September, and available on request outside those months), a private padel court, a pétanque court, several al fresco dining areas, shaded terraces, and garden-facing lounges, with a billiards room indoors for the evenings. Breakfast is delivered daily with the ingredients included, which is exactly the right way to start a slow morning here.

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A Provençal Dream Near Avignon | France

Haven No. 895923 | Like something out of a storybook, this beautifully renovated 18th century bastide transports guests into a French countryside dream. Set on one hectare of private gardens with its own olive grove in the heart of the Parc des Alpilles, it is a short drive from Les Baux-de-Provence and Saint-Rémy. Five en suite bedrooms sleep ten, and an expansive 70 square metre living and dining room with original beams and large glass arches opens straight onto the pool terrace. Outside there is a large heated infinity pool, a pétanque court, a shaded barbecue area with a table for twelve, and panoramic views across the Alpilles. Breakfast is included daily, and an ever-changing collection of work by local artists hangs throughout the house.

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