For those who seek to truly learn a desirable locale’s history and culture, there’s no method more pleasurable than sampling its food and wine. The land that has generously provided its bounty for generations; the nuances that add distinct flavors and notes not found elsewhere; the climate and terrain that build the foundation for culinary mastery — together, they sing a region’s story in a sensuous fashion that tours or texts could only superficially summarize.
Pairing sumptuous meals with bottles of wine is one the most intimate expressions of community there is, and is a big part of the reason that renting a luxurious property in some of the world’s most beautiful destinations is surging in popularity. Here, we look at four.
Renowned Abundance of Southern Italy
Italy Sotheby’s International Realty
Southern Italy is virtually synonymous with fine cuisine, with ideal conditions for growing the vegetables that would enrich any pasta dish — such as fava beans, bell peppers, and eggplants. These gastronomic delights are nurtured by the warm climate, fertile soil, and temperate breeze from the Mediterranean to moderate vineyard temperatures. The Puglia region produces almost half of Italy’s olive oil and, along with Sicily, is one of the two most productive wine regions in the country.
Italy Sotheby’s International Realty
It’s a delicious cornucopia to be explored by renting this six-bedroom, white-stone farmhouse, where one can bask amongst the nearly 12.5 acres of olive groves and 500-year-old trees while staring out to the sea. Though located less than two miles from Ostuni, with its thousands of years of rich history and whitewashed buildings, visitors would be loath to leave the estate — private gardens, a large swimming pool, and ample opportunities for contented contemplation between meals make Masseria Moroseta a beguiling world of its own.
Journeying Through Provencal Piquancy
Aix-en-Provence Sotheby’s International Realty
Located near some of France’s most renowned vineyards — including the Côtes du Rhône, Châteauneuf-du-Pape, and the Southern Rhône Valle — Eygalières is a wine-lover’s dream realized. The tiny commune is shielded by the Alpilles, a low limestone-mountain range, and is surrounded by olive trees and lavender-laden green valleys, and features a plethora of wine-related experiences to bring a flush to the cheek of the most particular of connoisseurs.
Aix-en-Provence Sotheby’s International Realty
Imagine sampling some of Provence’s wares — simple, seasonal dishes consisting of fresh tomatoes, garlic, saffron, peppers, anchovies, olives, olive oil, and wild herbs — at this nearly 3,700-square-foot property. Exuding charm and comfort, and recently renovated to blend authenticity with modernity, it offers an idyllic setting for relaxation and leisure. The well-equipped kitchen invites savoring Provencal flavors — and personalized services like concierge assistance and daily housekeeping means visitors can focus on the bevy of wine tastings, cultural excursions, and outdoor activities nearby.
Distinctive Delights in Greece
Greece Sotheby’s International Realty
The Greek island of Antiparos may not enjoy the culinary renown of southern France or Italy, but food and wine lovers would be remiss to overlook its less-celebrated charms. Its cuisine highlights the best of traditional Greek cooking, with a focus on fresh seafood like fish, octopus, and shellfish, complemented by local cheeses such as feta and kopanisti. Indigenous grape varieties such as Assyrtiko, Malagouzia, and Monemvasia give the local wine a personality as distinct as the charming area that produces it, all enhanced by picturesque outdoor settings overlooking the Aegean Sea.
Greece Sotheby’s International Realty
Overlooking a serene valley, Cyrae provides guests with a front-row seat to Antiparos’s virtually untouched splendor. It offers breathtaking sunset vistas amidst almond trees and caters to convivial gatherings or Dionysian celebrations with six bedrooms and an outdoor dining area. Featuring a cook and a cook’s assistant, visitors can indulge in farm-to-table cuisine starring local organic produce, complemented by the region’s distinctive wines. Blending modern comfort with classic flourishes, these Mediterranean flavors can even be savored while enjoying a pool bar ambiance and outdoor movie screenings.
A Refined Reclassification in Spain
Ibiza Sotheby’s International Realty
As one of the world’s foremost party destinations, Ibiza doesn’t immediately leap to mind when conjuring images of a relaxing food-and-wine-focused sojourn. But underneath the boisterous atmosphere lies a thriving, though understated, wine producer. The region’s Mediterranean climate, rugged terrain, and limestone-rich soils instill distinctive flavors and characteristics in its wines, making them natural companions to traditional Spanish dishes like paella, tapas, and seafood.
Ibiza Sotheby’s International Realty
This 300-year-old Ibiza country estate offers a tranquil respite from Ibiza’s vibrancy with nine spacious suites, expansive outdoor areas, and eclectic interiors with local artisanal touches. Meals can be enjoyed at a pine dining table that seats 18, with the option of a daily breakfast and a choice of lunch or dinner featuring local ingredients. And with access to a saltwater pool, wellness areas, and a soundproof party cave, guests can recoup from — or prepare for — late nights on the island.
Immersion in a region’s food and wine grants a deeper understanding of a foreign locale’s culture not to be found in the snapshot-friendly tourism hotspots many travelers default to. It’s why renting luxury accommodations abroad is so enticing, as it seamlessly blends home-style comfort with world-expanding adventure.