The Top Quirky Villas in Europe

Sometimes, buildings will stand the test of time and continue to be used as they were originally intended right up until the present day. Sometimes they get destroyed through demolition or neglect and sometimes they’re reinvented and get a new lease of life – with some becoming the kind of place you can have an unforgettable luxury villa holiday.

As such, there are a lot of places to stay that are a bit more esoteric than your average hillside villa in Tuscany or one of those adorable little French gîtes. If you’ve ever wanted the kind of holiday where the accommodation is the real star of the show (and let’s face it, the bragging rights alone are worth it) then why not check out one of these remarkable rentals?

Lantern Lighthouse, Croatia (pictured above)

Found on a beautifully serene and unspoiled stretch of coastline on the Croation island of Vir, Lantern Lighthouse comes with a Poldark-esque splash of romance and some seriously breathtaking views. Perfect if you’re looking to leave the rest of the world behind and want to relax in total seclusion, you’re right next to the beach and have the property’s small (but perfectly formed) gym and wellness center to keep you toned and entertained.



The Anemómylos Windmill, Mykonos

Ever fancied staying in a bonafide cultural landmark? If you’ve done a bit of island-hopping in and around Greece you might have already seen the windmills that dot the coast of Mykonos – and why not make the Mediterranean experience complete by staying in one? The Anemómylos Windmill boasts chic design throughout and an absolute wealth of things to do in vibrant Mykonos Town, which is only a stone’s throw away.



The Napoleonic Fortress, Slap Bang in the Middle of the Solent

It’s not ideal if you’re prone to seasickness, but if luxury on a scale fit for an emperor (or at least to fend one off) is your cup of tea then the Napoleonic Fortress might the perfect place for your wedding, big event or just for a totally unforgettable holiday! You might be a little cut off if you fancy popping out for a packet of crisps, but water taxis mean the delights of Portsmouth aren’t far away, and the bar, games rooms and hot tub found on site means there’s already plenty to keep guests occupied.



Villa Trullo, Puglia

Trulli are agricultural buildings unique to Puglia, characterized by their round shape and conical roofs. For a while they were just an abandoned part of the landscape until a local farmer had the genius idea of transforming them into accommodation. Some are pretty basic and little more than a room, but then you have full-on luxury conversion like Villa Trullo, which makes the most of having several trulli together to form a large and luxuriant living space complete with orchard, swimming pool, and wine cellar.



Chateau De Baloigne, Rhône-Alpes

You’ll find many holiday homes throughout Europe that make a virtue of being a castle, especially if you’re looking for a fairytale destination wedding venue. Chateau de Baloigne, however, goes one step further by making a feature of being the ruins of one! If you’ve suddenly got visions of collapsed masonry and crumbling towers, you’re not completely wrong. Both of those make an appearance but only in an aesthetic sense, while the renovated living quarters provide every mod con and the highest levels of comfort – all in the middle of an atmospheric and unforgettable historical relic.

Contact Oliver’s Travels to book any of the above properties or call one of their concierge team members for more quirky holiday ideas on +44 203 637 0999.