Greece
Aqualiving
Aqualiving specializes in Mykonos and its sister islands of Antiparos
and Paros. Its on-island headquarters means you’ll get easy access to the local staff. The 80 listings also cover Santorini, Tínos, and Kea.
Best For: Local staff; regional expertise
What We Love: The company’s own catering service, Aquafusion (mykonoschefs.com), ensures a stellar roster of private chefs for its villas.
Properties From: $5,687 a week
Standout Rental: The five-bedroom, Cycladic-style Magic Garden, in Mykonos, whose entire second floor is dedicated to the master bedroom and its terrace ($17,717 a week). 44-20/7060-6244; mykonosvillas.com.
White Key Villas
The Athens-based owners focus only on properties they believe are in prime destinations, from the golden beaches of Halkidiki to cosmopolitan Santorini. All 112 retreats are beachfront or have sea views.
Best For: Superb locations;
local staff
What We Love: A concierge
is always available, and on-site requests (a fully stocked fridge; personal-training sessions; private security detail—you name it) are encouraged.
Properties From: $10,000 a week
Standout Rental: Villa Jade, a minimalist villa with five bedrooms on its own small bay in Kardamili ($23,100
a week). 30-210/721-5530; whitekeyvillas.com.
Spain
Spain Select
This Madrid-based company’s 80 villas and 200 apartments are located all over the country, from Catalonia to the Balearics.
Best For: User-friendly website
What We Love: Searching online is easy with the aid of categories.
Properties From: $1,203 a week
Standout Rental: An eight-bedroom house on the Cap de Creus peninsula, near the Costa Brava; it has views of Salvador Dalí’s house ($23,650 a week). 34/91-523-7451; spain-select.com.
Croatia
Croatian Villas
This nine-year-old company’s 350 villas represent
the lion’s share of the growing market in Croatia; it also has listings in Bosnia, Montenegro, and Slovenia.
Best For: Flexible minimum stays; emerging destinations
What We Love: The staff can arrange local transportation and guides.
Properties From: $780 a week
Standout Rental: A one-bedroom apartment in Korčula’s Old Town with an ancient Roman column
that was uncovered during a recent renovation
($780 a week). 44-20/8888-6655; croatianvillas.com.
Pricing: Weekly rate listings are for high season; prices often drop significantly in low season.
