For luxury and privacy think Italy

Luxury Explorer, the online ‘World Atlas of Luxury Travel’ known for its cherry-picked collection of outstanding 5 star hotels and resorts around the world, announces its first collection of privately-owned luxury villas, palazzos and castles - Luxury Explorer’s Villa Collection, Italy.

This collection initially comprises 12 of the finest privately-owned villas in Italy; in Tuscany, besides Lake Como and atop the Amalfi Coast. The Collection will grow gradually as Luxury Explorer discovers other unique properties that meet its exacting standards.

The Collection already includes unique properties, like: Villa Cima a lakeside villa, built in 1848 by Catherine of Brunswick, later Princess of Wales and (for just 3 weeks) Queen of England, in the grounds of world-renown Villa d’Este on Lake Como; to Florentine marvels such as Villa Fiorentina near Sienna; to Torre di Clavel, an iconic 15th century clifftop castle known to anyone who has pondered the view across the pretty port of Positano on the Amalfi Coast.

Peter Matthews, Luxury Explorer’s founder and chairman said “Our love affair with Italy is no secret, but it now extends beyond the finest 5 star hotels in this romantic, stylish, culturally fascinating, aesthetically delightful and genuinely open-hearted country.

“With an unparalleled reputation for welcoming families and adoring bambinos (I know from first hand experience with our 6, not all perfect, children), Italy has become an ideal destination to holiday 'en-famille', with friends... or even both. In gatherings such as these a private villa can provide the ultimate environment by offering space along with privacy, plus the luxury of a five star service and all the cosseting trimmings.”

Luxury Explorer offers its villas fully staffed; in the case of Villa Cima with hotel-like service provide by Villa d’Este and for others the services are provided in conjunction with Homebase Abroad, a US-based Italian villa specialist.

Prices range from €7,500 - €50,000 per week.

See the LE Villa Collection, Italy at: Luxuryexplorer.com/VillasInItaly