What to expect

Our Values, and why we do what we do

Our mission and our values

Our mission at The Thinking Traveller is simple: to hear our clients say “That was the best holiday we’ve ever had… we’ll be back”.

Our aim is also simple: to be the first port of call for anyone wishing to book a quality villa holiday.

To achieve this, we provide our clients with exclusive access to:

our exceptional villas
our unrivalled local knowledge
our personal, extra-mile service

These three fundamental tenets of our business are supported by our values, which inform the thoughtful, considerate, honest, proactive and enthusiastic way we behave with our clients, each other, and all those we work with.

Exclusive access to the most exceptional villas

Expect the finest properties: The Thinking Traveller is the point of reference both for the owners of the finest villas in the regions in which we work and for those seeking the unique experience of staying in such properties. There are hundreds of villas available for rent in our destinations through a myriad of locally and foreign-owned companies. We reject far more properties than we accept, are obsessive about the quality of the details and foster exclusive and enduring relationships with our owners. That’s how we are able to guarantee that The Thinking Traveller's exacting standards are met.

Expect luxury and authenticity: our properties range in style from no-holds-barred pampering luxury and gems of contemporary design to delightfully chic Trulli and dreamy beachfront homes. Traditional “star ratings” are not easy to apply to such properties. The villas in our Think Exquisite range offer the service and comfort of a five-star hotel, but with the added advantage of being them being yours and yours alone. Others are in the Thinking Traveller's collections because of their unique qualities and original charm. These differences in character make it very important that you tell us what is important to you and allow us to advise you.

Expect cooks, maids and in-villa services: experiencing the local cuisine is an important part of any trip, and having a local cook for you at home is a great way of doing it. Being able to put your feet up and let someone else get on with the housework is also a high priority for many people. Some of The Thinking Traveller's villas come with both cook and maid service included in the price. At virtually all others we will be happy to organise a cook or maid for you.

Expect built-in sustainability: much is written about sustainability and carbon footprints, and we think that The Thinking Traveller scores excellently on both fronts. Find out more about our passion for ecotourism and how a stay at one of our villas is a greener, more ecological option.

Informed advice, local expertise, flexibility and financial security

Expect us to listen to you: understanding your requirements is the first and most vital stage in our relationship with you. Please tell us as much as possible about what you like. Tell us about your past holiday experiences, what you enjoyed and what you didn’t. Tell us about yourself and the people travelling with you. And although email is a great tool, please talk to us. Our phone lines are open for business, and we are longing to talk to you about your holiday.

Expect local expertise: most “specialist” operators spread themselves too broadly to give genuinely specialist advice. We have incomparable local knowledge. Our London team visits our regions regularly, so you’ll always be able to speak to someone who has spent time at the villa you will stay in, seen the areas you will visit, and done the things you’d like to do. Rossella, Huw and the Local Specialists spend their time on the road meeting people, visiting properties and cultivating a large and growing network to provide you with access to your destination that the casual tourist or less focused operator simply won’t find.

Expect honesty, accuracy and straight-talking: we know how precious your holiday is and want to make sure you go to the place that suits you best. We will work with you, and apply all our extensive knowledge, training and experience to find the best combination for you. We will never try to fit you into something we don’t think you will enjoy.

Expect exceptional value for money: it is reassuring to know that with The Thinking Traveller you can book luxury holiday accommodation at very reasonable rates. In terms of pricing per person per night, The Thinking Traveller's villas offer exceptional value for money compared to hotels.

Expect guaranteed prices: the prices on our website are guaranteed and the prices you see are what you will pay. Indeed, unlike many tour operators, The Thinking Traveller's unique pricing structure means that you will never be asked to pay currency surcharges if the exchange rate changes.

Support and peace of mind while on holiday

Expect support whilst you’re away: our network of villa owners and caretakers is supported by our expert team of Local Specialists, based in Sicily, Puglia, Greece and Corsica. They are available 24/7 to ensure that your holiday runs smoothly. We're very proud to have been voted the World’s Best Villa Rental Company 9 times (2011 and every year between 2016-2023) at Condé Nast Traveller's Readers’ Choice Awards. We have also received special commendations for the superb on-the-ground support provided by our team of Local Specialists.

Expect comprehensive information: The Thinking Traveller's support starts even before you leave! In fact, several weeks before departure, you will be able to download a House Guide app, complete with detailed directions to your villa, useful tips about how to get the most from the property, and information about the surrounding area, including local restaurants, beaches, shops and leisure activities

Expect a safe and enjoyable holiday: all reasonable steps have been taken to ensure you have an enjoyable and safe holiday with The Thinking Traveller. Safety standards and regulations vary from country to country. The Thinking Traveller has its own set of standards, and safety levels in all our properties are assessed in accordance with these. We also work very closely with our suppliers to ensure that safety levels are maintained. Please see our dedicated Health and Safety page for more information.

Personal, extra-mile service

The Thinking Traveller’s joined-up team of passionate specialists work hand-in-hand to ensure your holiday is a complete success. Here’s a little summary of who you will be in contact with and when:

Villa Specialists

Your first contact with The Thinking Traveller’s team will most likely be with one of our Villa Specialists. Their aim is to help you identify the perfect villa(s) and destination for you and your group. They have personal, first-hand knowledge of our properties, which they visit and stay at regularly. They will have the answer to all your questions and will offer transparent, tailored advice in a proactive, thoughtful way. If you book online without speaking to us, one of our Villa Specialists will be in touch just to check that you haven’t missed any important details about your chosen property. Our Villa Specialists are also on hand with detailed information about planning experiences that can transform a fabulous holiday into a life-enhancing one.

Local Specialists

Before you travel - Once you've booked, and around three months before your departure date, you'll be contacted by one of our Local Specialists. They'll have been briefed about all elements of your holiday, and their primary aim leading up to your stay is to make your holiday both a logistical breeze and the experience of a lifetime. They’ll do the paddling while you glide across calm waters, assisting you with practical details (check-in times, rooming arrangements, transfers, car hire, maid service, pre-arrival hampers and in-villa wine deliveries), and organising any holiday-enhancing activities – our Experiences - that might have caught your eye. These range from cultural and culinary activities (special interest guided tours, cookery lessons, in-villa dinners, wine-tastings, etc.) to thrilling adventures (helicopter rides, yacht and boat charters, 4x4 excursions on Mount Etna and much more besides).

During your stay - Part specialists, part trouble-shooters, our Local Specialists will be on hand for the entire duration of your stay, always at the end of the phone and always ready to meet you at your villa. Whether you need a good restaurant recommendation, a ticket for the opera, help planning excursions, help retrieving lost luggage, or assistance with some aspect of your villa, they’ll always come up with a winning solution.