With the reality of being ‘shut in’ hitting home, many of us are dreaming of the luxury of overseas travel. It will come, and when it does, we can support the beleaguered travel industry. For now that starts with dreaming and planning for future adventures. Luxury travel concierge, Voyager Club, has curated it’s favourite Italian hidden gems to feed your inspiration.

From properties that ooze laid back luxe and effortless chic to quintessential Sicilian charm and countryside escapes, here are seven luxury hotel and villa options recommended by Sophie Caulcutt, co-founder of Voyager Club…

HOTELS

Mezzatorre- Ischia - Effortless Chic

Mezzatorre is a jewel of a hidden gem hotel set between the sky and sea of Ischia, with a private bay and beach, located just 18 miles from Naples and a short boat ride from Capri. The hotel and thermal spa is seriously stylish with 57 rooms and suites located within the 16th Century watch tower and in private cottages scattered across the 7 hectare estate.

Palazzo Avino - Ravello - La Dolce Vita

The Pink Palace, Palazzo Avino is a little 5-star jewel on Italy’s famed Amalfi Coast with just 43 rooms and its own private beach club – Clubhouse by the Sea. Built in what was once a 12th-century private villa belonging to an Italian noble family and opened as a hotel in 1997, Palazzo Avino has been rated as one of the world's finest hotels and offers two restaurants including one-star Michelin dining. It is a family-run hotel with spellbinding service.

Dimora Delle Balze- Sicily - Laid Back Luxe

Dimora delle Balze is a 19th-century estate, fully restored and renovated to create a stunning Sicilian boutique hotel. The walls, the floors and the ceilings tell fascinating stories and the property is filled with an exceptional Mediterranean spirit. The Dimora is composed of 11 rooms of different sizes, from deluxe rooms to junior suites and family rooms with mezzanine areas and interconnecting rooms. Each room has been restored with different colours and designs, each with its own concept and a story to tell. The names chosen for the rooms refer to Sicilian works and artists, from cinema to art, from poetry to opera.

VILLAS

Casa Olivetta - Puglia - Masseria Meets Design

Casa Olivetta is one main private villa with a large rooftop area, a separate guest villa, two gazebos and an outdoor pizza oven. All buildings are in pale limestone brick, with traditional masseria (farmhouse) stone courtyards and reclaimed antico terracotta tiles for inside floors, finished with lime-washed white walls and contrasting timber. The villa sits on an olive-producing farm in Puglia with gated entry. It includes four bedrooms (all with AC), four bathrooms, a large chef’s kitchen and indoor and shaded outdoor dining areas. There’s also a furnished rooftop lounging area and a large pool with day beds and a gazebo.

Villa Como- Lake Como - Aman Meets Como

Overlooking Lake Como and occupying the site of a former medieval watchtower, the villa commands one of the finest views in Europe. The liberty style villa, built in 1909, has been fully restored to exceptional standards, offering 1,231 sqm of living space. This includes: 8 double bedrooms (6 ensuite); drawing room; living room; dining room; kitchen; study; media room, bar; 2 roof terraces, yoga/wellness room; pool house and entertainment area. The villa sits in lush gardens of 4.5 acres offering the peace and tranquillity that is so difficult to find on Lake Como.

Villa Aranjaya - Sicily - Sicilian Charm

This beautiful Sicilian Manor House has 8 bedrooms of which 3 are doubles (including a suite with a large sofa bed) and 5 twin bedrooms (transformable into double bedrooms on request) and is suitable for 16-20 guests. All its rooms are furnished with extraordinary antiques and vintage crafts and provided with private balconies or direct access to the gardens surrounding the villa. Feel the fresh appeal in the privacy, independence and characterful experience when sleeping in a grand-family's well-appointed home. The villa is rented fully-staffed, with its Main House, the Orangery and the entire park, pool, sauna and tennis court for one week minimum.

Villa Piantaverna - Tuscany - Countryside Escape

This villa is located on a very private estate and nature reserve of some 2,700 acres on the borders of Umbria and Tuscany. Scattered amongst the olive groves, vineyards and extensive Mediterranean oak and chestnut woods, Piantaverna has been restored and designed to the highest standards. Integral to the estate, is a unique combination of world-class service and high level of privacy and security.