European villa, effortlessly

Renting a Tuscan villa seems the perfect way for a family to sample the dolce vita—until the family starts seeking said villa. The choice is both bewildering and oddly limited; it's almost impossible to find out exactly what you're getting in advance and even harder to rectify any shortcomings in situ. Toronto-based Homes Away removes all such headaches. A spin-off of super-high-end tour specialists Butterfield & Robinson, Homes Away deals only in delightful, deluxe, art-directed homes (in France, Italy, Spain, and Croatia—plus a castle in Scotland). The best part, though, is the local host. Each household is tended professionally and lovingly by a true local who lives nearby and prestocks the kitchen with regional specialties, meets and greets, arranges, guides, and nurtures. Though their domains are ideal for adults-only house parties, they really come into their own when hosting families. Children's activities that rise far above the norm are a specialty: Private pizza-making class? Ballooning over vineyards? Soccer with the neighborhood ragazzi? Piece of cake—hosts have a "Wow Fund" for such impromptu outings. Thanks to them, whether in château or mas, you're living like a local—but better.

Homes Away
Tel: 800 374 6637 (toll-free) or 416 920 1873
From $8,000 per week for a three-bedroom villa