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Forget Hotels, Renting Whole Villages Is This Summer's Vacation Trend
Castelnau des Fieumarcons by isasouri
American travelers are fueling an unprecedented surge in demand for one of Europe's most exclusive vacation experiences: renting an entire village for a private getaway.
New data by group accommodation provider, found that Americans now account for one-third of all visitors to its 'rent a village' pages.
Ed Maughan, the company's Managing Director, shares that U.S. interest in village rentals has increased by 20% year-on-year when comparing the last 12 months to the previous year - an even more telling statistic.
Maughan explains: 'We're seeing a profound shift in how Americans approach luxury rentals when traveling. It's not as simple as just finding opulent accommodation, there is an increasing desire to have a completely new experience they can't have at home, like renting an entire historic village.
'While it might seem like just a bit of a novelty, it also offers unparalleled exclusivity, which looks like it's proving too difficult to resist for some American travelers seeking one-of-a-kind travel experiences!'
This rising interest aligns with broader industry data, showcasing a significant shift towards travelers wanting truly unique experiences.
According to a 'Luxury Hospitality in 2025' report, 70% of Millennials and Gen Z travelers in the States are actively seeking experiences that their friends and family haven't had.
Not only this, but additional reports highlight that exclusivity and seclusion, like private villas, are now a top priority for luxury travelers.
Here are the exclusive village rentals in Europe that American travelers have taken a particular interest in, including an Italian medieval village with its own castle and Baroque theatre, and a French hamlet with an open-air church and a Michelin-starred chef.
Castelnau des Fieumarcon is a 12th-century stronghold hidden in the hilltops of Gascony in Southwestern France.
Guests are the only residents in these village walls, which host up to 84 people across 14 beautifully renovated rustic homes, decorated with antiques and original features.
The historic village has its very own open-air château church, which can comfortably host 120 guests, making Castelnau des Fieumarcon the perfect venue for idyllic weddings.
The historic village has its very own open-air château church
Views of the bucolic Gascon countryside are visible from the huge terrace beside the 17th-century stable block, offering the perfect place for groups of guests to gather and dine alfresco.
For any occasions hosted in the village, whether birthdays, anniversaries, or weddings, guests can hire a Michelin-starred chef as a caterer, serving up a gourmet menu of local produce.
Stays at Castelnau des Fieumarcon cost from $11,961 per night, with a minimum three-night stay required.
Petritoli is a small medieval commune in the blissfully under the radar region of Le Marche in the east of Central Italy. Located at the foothills of a mountain range in Tuscany, the local area is known for its white-capped mountains and rolling green hills.
Petritoli Village, Italy - Castle Pool
This rural Italian village can host between 50 to 200 guests. Many stay in the castle, Palazzo Mannocchi, which is positioned 300m above sea level with fantastic panoramic views of the Tuscany countryside. It has its own pool and gardens. Further accommodations are dotted throughout the village in self-catering apartments and boutique lodgings.
And for intimate gatherings, Petritoli has pretty squares and gardens, its own Baroque Iride theatre with red velvet interiors, and a Roman period cellar, with tapestries adorning its walls and vaulted ceilings.
Prices for stays in Petritoli are available upon request.
In the heart of the Etruscan historical centre of Volterra, groups of between 4 and 179 guests can stay in a Tuscany Monastery estate. Volterra has become famous as the suggestive set for several major films, including Twilight Saga: New Moon.
Tuscany, Volterra town skyline, church and trees on sunset. Maremma, Italy, Europe
Blending contemporary luxury with rustic Tuscan charm, the property features landscaped gardens, swimming pools with lazy river-flow current systems, tennis courts, and an on-site restaurant serving authentic Italian cuisine with fresh local ingredients.
The estate is only minutes from the centre of medieval Volterra, and is within easy reach of Siena, Pisa, and Florence for day-trips, too.
Stays at the Tuscan Monastery cost from €9,081 per day for exclusive use, or from $159 per person per night, including breakfast.
