This is Where We Always Book Our Villas in Southern Europe
When it comes to planning our holidays in Southern Europe, there’s one site we always turn to: Vrbo. We’ve used it at least 10 times now in places like Mallorca, Malaga, Northern Italy, Southern Italy, and especially on our trips to Southern France. Every time, it has worked brilliantly, and we can’t recommend it enough.
Planning the Trip
Our holidays usually last two weeks — partly because getting there takes a bit of time, and partly because we like to relax and not rush. If you can manage two weeks, we highly recommend it.
I usually spend quite a bit of time searching for the right property, but it’s really simple. Just:
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Enter the dates you want to travel
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Add the number of guests
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Indicate if you have pets (we took our dog to France once, and it was super easy)
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Choose your search area — this can be very specific or a huge region
Once you hit search, you can view results either as a list or on the map, which is a brilliant way to explore properties in a region. Often, dragging the map changes the results, so you can see what’s available in exactly the area you want.
See which villas are available here – browse properties across Southern Europe and find something perfect for your trip
Using the Advanced Search
The advanced search is great for refining what you want:
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Apartment or house?
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Pool or air conditioning?
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Number of bedrooms or bathrooms?
Once I start narrowing down options, a few things are key for us:
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Read the description carefully. If a property seems too cheap, there’s usually a reason — perhaps the pool is shared, or the owners live on site.
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For us, it’s always been important to have the entire property to ourselves. VRBO usually states clearly if the whole villa is for your group.
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Contact the owner if you’re unsure, and always check cancellation policies. Many properties can be cancelled up to a few weeks before the holiday with no fee.
Reviews Are Everything
Almost the most important part for us: reviews.
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What previous guests have written can tell you more than the property description.
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Guests often share tips on nearby bakeries, restaurants, and small conveniences.
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And, most importantly, they indicate whether the property lived up to expectations.
Once you’ve checked all of this, I’m never afraid to book. It might sound like a long process, but in reality, you can find a villa and reserve it quite quickly.
Check availability and rates for villas here – filter by pool, air conditioning, pets, and more
Contact Before Arrival
About a week before arrival, the owner usually contacts you to check arrival times so someone can be there to show you around.
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Check if cleaning is included — it’s nice not to worry about it on arrival
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WhatsApp is widely used in Southern Europe and is an easy way to coordinate arrival times, especially if your flight is delayed
Why We Love Villas in the South of Europe
We’ve had so many great experiences with villas in the south:
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Kids love having their own pool
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We enjoy peace and privacy, no fighting over sunbeds
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Often we shop for breakfast and lunch, and sometimes eat out for dinner, or pick up pizza or tapas-style dishes from supermarket delicatessens — which are often incredible and easy to heat
All in all, VRBO has made our trips stress-free and enjoyable, and we highly recommend it.
Find your ideal villa here – read reviews, see photos, and book securely online
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