--- title: "Quiet Luxury Travel: More Experience, Less Display" description: "What quiet luxury means for a villa holiday: homes chosen for character and privacy, discreet service and four destinations suited to a slower week." image: https://magazine.lecollectionist.com/hubfs/hd-quiet-luxury-travel-casa-branca-pool-pines.jpeg --- [![Le Collectionist](https://magazine.lecollectionist.com/hubfs/logotype_stories-01.svg "Le Collectionist")](https://magazine.lecollectionist.com/) [![Discover our holiday homes](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/5524673/c201153e-599f-45ae-afb2-42030f16b9c2.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/5524673/c201153e-599f-45ae-afb2-42030f16b9c2) [![Le Collectionist](https://magazine.lecollectionist.com/hubfs/logotype_stories-01.svg "Le Collectionist")](https://magazine.lecollectionist.com/) ![Le Collectionist](https://magazine.lecollectionist.com/hubfs/raw_assets/public/Lecollectionist_Blog_July2020/images/search.svg) - [Destinations](https://magazine.lecollectionist.com/en/tag/destinations) - [Homes](https://magazine.lecollectionist.com/en/tag/where-to-stay) - [Holiday Inspiration](https://magazine.lecollectionist.com/en/tag/inspiration) - [Concierge Services](https://magazine.lecollectionist.com/luxury-concierge-services) - [Destination Guides](https://magazine.lecollectionist.com/guides) - [Catalogues](https://magazine.lecollectionist.com/our-catalogues) - [About Le Collectionist](https://www.lecollectionist.com/en/our-added-value) - [Beautiful Destinations](https://magazine.lecollectionist.com/en/tag/destinations) - [Holiday Intel](https://magazine.lecollectionist.com/en/tag/inspiration) - [Exploring Our Homes](https://magazine.lecollectionist.com/en/tag/where-to-stay) - [Our City Guides](https://magazine.lecollectionist.com/guides) - [Our Catalogues](https://magazine.lecollectionist.com/our-catalogues) - [About Le Collectionist](https://www.lecollectionist.com/en/our-added-value) - [Contact Us](https://magazine.lecollectionist.com/lp/contact-us) - [| FR](https://magazine.lecollectionist.com/fr) [![](https://magazine.lecollectionist.com/hubfs/raw_assets/public/Lecollectionist_Blog_July2020/images/language.svg) | FR](https://magazine.lecollectionist.com/fr) ![Le Collectionist](https://magazine.lecollectionist.com/hubfs/raw_assets/public/Lecollectionist_Blog_July2020/images/search.svg) [![Le Collectionist](https://magazine.lecollectionist.com/hubfs/raw_assets/public/Lecollectionist_Blog_July2020/images/mail-v2.svg)](https://magazine.lecollectionist.com/contact-us) 03 November 26 [Inspiration](https://magazine.lecollectionist.com/en/tag/inspiration), [Where to stay](https://magazine.lecollectionist.com/en/tag/where-to-stay), [Beautiful homes](https://magazine.lecollectionist.com/en/tag/beautiful-homes) # Quiet Luxury Travel: More Experience, Less Display What quiet luxury means for a villa holiday: homes chosen for character and privacy, discreet service and four destinations suited to a slower week. ![Quiet Luxury Travel: More Experience, Less Display](https://magazine.lecollectionist.com/hubfs/hd-quiet-luxury-travel-casa-branca-pool-pines.jpeg) In a world of curated feeds and carefully staged moments, a simpler approach to travel is emerging: quiet luxury. At its heart, it means choosing a holiday for how it feels rather than how it looks. The emphasis is on quality, on craft, and on an experience that feels timeless rather than fashionable. When planning a holiday with quiet luxury in mind, the search gravitates towards homes with genuine character over easily recognisable hotels, weeks shaped around your own rhythm rather than a fixed programme, and service that works quietly in the background. In this guide, Le Collectionist explores the heart of quiet luxury travel, and brings together four distinct destinations that are particularly well suited to it. **In this article** - [From Design Principle to Holiday Choice](https://magazine.lecollectionist.com/en/quiet-luxury-travel#design-principle) - [Le Collectionist’s selection, discretion at home](https://magazine.lecollectionist.com/en/quiet-luxury-travel#selection) - [Service That Fits Your Routine](https://magazine.lecollectionist.com/en/quiet-luxury-travel#service) - [Four settings for this kind of holiday](https://magazine.lecollectionist.com/en/quiet-luxury-travel#four-settings) - [Time together, rather than a display of ownership](https://magazine.lecollectionist.com/en/quiet-luxury-travel#time-together) - [FAQ](https://magazine.lecollectionist.com/en/quiet-luxury-travel#faq) ## From Design Principle to Holiday Choice The concept of quiet luxury was born from the fashion industry, a rejection of logos and visible branding in favour of quality craftsmanship, simplicity and restraint. In travel, the focus shifts away from visiting the most recognisable hotel or instagrammable view, and rather towards quality, character and a location selected entirely on its own merits. [![The wooden pergola and wild garden of Villa Carragueira in Comporta](https://magazine.lecollectionist.com/hubfs/hd-quiet-luxury-travel-villa-carragueira-pergola.jpeg)](https://www.lecollectionist.com/en/luxury-rental/villa-carragueira-comporta-melides) When you apply this to a villa holiday, the search gravitates towards homes chosen for their character rather than resorts with name recognition. Many of the properties that best fit this approach are [architect-designed homes](https://magazine.lecollectionist.com/en/most-beautiful-architect-designed-homes), each one artfully curated and designed to tell a story. Le Collectionist’s [architecture and design collection](https://www.lecollectionist.com/en/luxury-villas-rentals/architecture-design) brings together homes chosen for precisely this quality. Browse through [our most beautiful home interiors](https://magazine.lecollectionist.com/en/a-glimpse-into-our-most-beautiful-home-interiors) to get a sense of the spaces Le Collectionist selects. Design is only one factor. Privacy is part of the proposition too, with a property that belongs entirely to you, breakfast served in a private garden, grounds to wander uninterrupted and a pool that is yours alone to enjoy. [![A family having breakfast beneath the arched doorway of a stone house in Provence](https://magazine.lecollectionist.com/hubfs/hd-quiet-luxury-travel-family-breakfast-provence.jpeg)](https://www.lecollectionist.com/en/luxury-villas-rentals/alpilles) The table below gives each principle a practical shape, something to look for and something to ask as you begin exploring with Le Collectionist. | Principle | In practice | What to ask Le Collectionist | | --- | --- | --- | | Simplicity | Understated interiors, natural materials, no unnecessary detail | Does the space feel refined? | | Privacy | Secluded setting, private outdoor space | How close are the nearest neighbours? | | Personal rhythm | Flexible arrival, adaptable mealtimes | What can be arranged before we arrive? | | Quality without display | Original architecture, craftsmanship, heritage | Is this home known for its character or its design story? | ## Le Collectionist’s selection, discretion at home The three properties below were chosen because each one embodies a different facet of the quiet luxury approach. One was chosen for the privacy of its surroundings, one for the story behind its design and the history of the building itself, and one for the ease it brings to a week with family. Three destinations, three distinct characters, one shared sensibility. Browse [Le Collectionist’s collections](https://www.lecollectionist.com/en/our-collections) to explore further, or take a look at the magazine’s edit of [the most beautiful country houses in the world](https://magazine.lecollectionist.com/en/the-most-beautiful-country-houses-in-the-world-according-to-le-collectionist) for more inspiration. ### Villa Airone Province of Lucca, Tuscany | Up to 24 guests | 12 bedrooms | Outdoor pool · Private chef included · Tennis court [Villa Airone](https://www.lecollectionist.com/en/luxury-rental/villa-airone-province-of-lucca) is an 18th-century Lucchese villa, meticulously restored and set in open countryside ten minutes from Lucca, sleeping up to 24 guests across 12 frescoed bedrooms, each with its own timeless character. The grounds are expansive and entirely private, set well apart from any neighbouring properties, with a pool, a tennis court, a football field and a volleyball court within the estate. A private chef is included as standard, with half-board service that adapts to the rhythm of your group rather than the other way around. For a large family or group of friends seeking accommodation that is exceptional in every sense, Villa Airone delivers that completely. [![Garden tables and a long dining table beside the ochre façade of Villa Airone near Lucca](https://magazine.lecollectionist.com/hubfs/hd-quiet-luxury-travel-villa-airone-facade-terrace.jpeg)](https://www.lecollectionist.com/en/luxury-rental/villa-airone-province-of-lucca) ### Mas Boulbon Saint-Rémy-de-Provence, Alpilles, France | Up to 8 guests | 4 bedrooms | Outdoor pool · Nature view · Fireplace Nestled in the hills of the Alpilles, just on the edge of the village of Boulbon which gives the property its name, [Mas Boulbon](https://www.lecollectionist.com/en/luxury-rental/mas-boulbon-saint-remy-de-provence-surroundings) sits in open countryside with complete privacy. The architecture is authentically Provençal and understated, stone-built and rooted in the landscape, updated with a modern aesthetic that keeps the interiors feeling fresh without erasing any of the original character. Vaulted ceilings run through the main living spaces, and an outdoor dining area makes the most of the long Provençal evenings. An outdoor pool, a fireplace for cooler evenings and underfloor heating throughout make it a house that works across the seasons. Saint-Rémy-de-Provence and Avignon are both situated about twenty minutes away, offering the best of the region whenever you choose to venture out. [![The pool and stone façade of Mas Boulbon in the Provençal countryside](https://magazine.lecollectionist.com/hubfs/hd-quiet-luxury-travel-mas-boulbon-pool.jpeg)](https://www.lecollectionist.com/en/luxury-rental/mas-boulbon-saint-remy-de-provence-surroundings) ### Casa Branca, Comporta Comporta & Melides, Portugal | Up to 12 guests | 6 bedrooms | Heated saltwater pool · Wooded garden · Nature reserve · Air conditioning · Barbecue Set within [the Sado Estuary Nature Reserve](https://www.visitportugal.com/en/node/156092), one of Portugal’s most protected natural landscapes, [Casa Branca](https://www.lecollectionist.com/en/luxury-rental/casa-branca-comporta-melides) draws its atmosphere from the landscape that holds it, a wooded garden where the calm of the reserve becomes the calm of the house itself. The interiors are refined and bohemian, thatched walls, terracotta roof, vaulted ceilings and an ivy-covered pergola that shades the outdoor living space through the warmest part of the day. A heated saltwater pool, a pétanque court and a barbecue complete a setting designed entirely around slow days and easy evenings. The nearest beach is five minutes away by car. For a sense of what draws people to Comporta, the story of [Casa Donoma](https://magazine.lecollectionist.com/en/casa-donoma-ambre-israels-contemplative-refuge-in-comporta) captures the mood of the region particularly well. [![A bedroom with a rattan headboard and whitewashed beams at Casa Branca in Comporta](https://magazine.lecollectionist.com/hubfs/hd-quiet-luxury-travel-casa-branca-bedroom.jpeg)](https://www.lecollectionist.com/en/luxury-rental/casa-branca-comporta-melides) ## Service That Fits Your Routine With Le Collectionist, the level of support available during your stay is shaped entirely around what you need, from light-touch arrangements before arrival to full service throughout the week. For some homes, a private chef is included as standard and for others, one can be arranged on request. The same applies to airport transfers, grocery shopping before arrival, childcare and private guides. [Our concierge service](https://www.lecollectionist.com/en/our-luxury-concierge-service) handles all of this before you leave home, so that the house is ready when you arrive and the week can begin without effort. [The art of the invisible](https://magazine.lecollectionist.com/en/the-art-of-the-invisible-or-how-our-luxury-concierges-make-your-vacation-unique) gives a sense of how that preparation unfolds, and the guide to [essential concierge services](https://magazine.lecollectionist.com/en/our-essential-concierge-services) covers the full picture of what can be arranged. [![A table laid for lunch on a shaded terrace overlooking the sea](https://magazine.lecollectionist.com/hubfs/hd-quiet-luxury-travel-table-set-terrace-sea.jpeg)](https://www.lecollectionist.com/en/our-luxury-concierge-service) ## Four settings for this kind of holiday ### Comporta, Portugal Comporta sits on the southwest coast of Portugal, where pine forests meet long Atlantic beaches. The landscape is largely undeveloped, and the villas here tend to sit within it rather than impose upon it. It is a destination that suits those who want to do very little, very well. The summer months see the destination at its busiest and the best properties go quickly, so planning ahead makes all the difference. Browse Le Collectionist’s [Comporta homes](https://www.lecollectionist.com/en/luxury-villas-rentals/comporta) or [Comporta guide](https://magazine.lecollectionist.com/en/comporta-guide-holidays-restaurants-experiences) to get a feel for the region. [![White beach parasols on a wide stretch of sand in Comporta, Portugal](https://magazine.lecollectionist.com/hubfs/hd-quiet-luxury-travel-comporta-beach.jpeg)](https://www.lecollectionist.com/en/luxury-villas-rentals/comporta) ### Cap Ferret, France A narrow peninsula on France’s Atlantic coast, Cap Ferret sits between the Arcachon Bay and the open ocean. The atmosphere is relaxed, with plenty on offer for those who want to stay active, sailing on the bay, cycling through the pines and long afternoons by the water. July and August draw the biggest crowds, with the most desirable properties along the bay in high demand during those weeks. Outside peak season, it offers a quieter version of itself that many find even more appealing. Explore Le Collectionist’s [Cap Ferret homes](https://www.lecollectionist.com/en/luxury-villas-rentals/cap-ferret) and read the [Cap Ferret guide](https://magazine.lecollectionist.com/le-collectionist-guide-to-cap-ferret). [![Pine forest running down to the Arcachon Bay at Cap Ferret](https://magazine.lecollectionist.com/hubfs/hd-quiet-luxury-travel-cap-ferret-bay.jpeg)](https://www.lecollectionist.com/en/luxury-villas-rentals/cap-ferret) ### The Alpilles, France The [Alpilles Regional Nature Park](https://provence-alpes-cotedazur.com/en/get-inspired/natural-areas/regional-natural-parks/alpilles/) is a small range of limestone hills in the heart of Provence, dotted with charming villages, ancient olive groves and some of the most quietly beautiful countryside in the south of France. The pace of life is slow with days filled with visits to the morning market, long relaxed lunches and afternoons spent lounging by the pool. In high summer the region draws visitors from across the world and the larger villages can see significant crowds, with the heat at its most intense. For those who prefer the region at its most peaceful and the temperatures at their most comfortable, spring and early autumn offer the Alpilles at its calmest. Begin your search with Le Collectionist’s [Alpilles homes](https://www.lecollectionist.com/en/luxury-villas-rentals/alpilles) or read the [Alpilles guide](https://magazine.lecollectionist.com/le-collectionist-guide-to-the-alpilles) to uncover what the region has to offer. [![A mother and child with a bicycle and sunflowers in a field in Provence](https://magazine.lecollectionist.com/hubfs/hd-quiet-luxury-travel-alpilles-bike-sunflowers.jpeg)](https://www.lecollectionist.com/en/luxury-villas-rentals/alpilles) ### Lucca, Italy Often overlooked in favour of more frequented cities like Siena and Florence, [Lucca](https://turismo.lucca.it/en/) is one of Tuscany’s most charming cities. Encircled by Renaissance walls wide enough to walk and cycle along, the city retains much of its historic character within. The surrounding countryside is green and lush, with villas set among vineyards and olive groves within easy reach of the coast. The peak of summer brings intense heat and the highest visitor numbers, while many local restaurants and shops close for their summer break in August. For those who wish to experience the essence of Tuscany without the crowds or heat, spring and early autumn offer the region at its very best. Begin your search with Le Collectionist’s [Lucca homes](https://www.lecollectionist.com/en/luxury-villas-rentals/lucca), or read the [Lucca guide](https://magazine.lecollectionist.com/le-collectionist-guide-to-lucca) to explore the region further. [![A mother and her daughters at the arched green doors of an ochre house in Lucca](https://magazine.lecollectionist.com/hubfs/hd-quiet-luxury-travel-lucca-doorway.jpeg)](https://www.lecollectionist.com/en/luxury-villas-rentals/lucca) ## Time together, rather than a display of ownership The best holidays are measured not in what they look like but in the memories they leave behind. The days that unfolded without a schedule, the evenings that stretched well past dinner, the week that brought everyone together without trying to. A private villa is one of the few settings that works as well for a group of friends as it does for a [multigenerational family holiday](https://magazine.lecollectionist.com/en/multigenerational-holidays), giving everyone the space to enjoy it in their own way. [![Three generations sharing a long lunch on a garden terrace](https://magazine.lecollectionist.com/hubfs/hd-quiet-luxury-travel-family-dinner-garden.jpeg)](https://www.lecollectionist.com/en/our-collections) ## FAQ What is quiet luxury in travel? Quiet luxury in travel is the choice to prioritise experience over impression. It means selecting a destination and a home for how they feel rather than how they look, with an emphasis on quality, privacy and an understated approach to every detail. Is it the same as a remote holiday? Not necessarily. Quiet luxury is about the quality of the experience rather than the remoteness of the location. You might be twenty minutes from a city, as with Lucca, or on the edge of a nature reserve, as in Comporta. What matters is that the setting feels right for the way you want to spend the week. What should you look for in a villa? Begin with what the house offers beyond the photographs, the privacy of its setting, the character of its interiors and how well the space works for your group. Consider the flow between indoor and outdoor spaces, the size of the garden and the proximity to the places you want to visit. Le Collectionist’s Travel Advisors can help you identify the right home from the start. How does concierge support fit this approach? [Le Collectionist’s concierge team](https://www.lecollectionist.com/en/our-luxury-concierge-service) handles the details before you arrive, from groceries stocked to your preferences to transfers and any services you want arranged in advance. During the week, support is available whenever you need it. The idea is that the holiday runs smoothly without you having to think about the details.   Planning the right holiday starts with knowing what you want from it. Share your preferred setting, the pace you are looking for and what matters most to your group, and Le Collectionist’s team will find the home that fits. [Plan your stay](https://www.lecollectionist.com/en/our-approach) with Le Collectionist. [![New call-to-action](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/5524673/82e3830d-c838-4096-9442-6aaadb7b86e2.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/5524673/82e3830d-c838-4096-9442-6aaadb7b86e2) ## KEEP EXPLORING [![A hilltop village above olive groves in the Tuscan countryside](https://magazine.lecollectionist.com/hs-fs/hubfs/hd-maillage-tuscany-countryside-stays-with-family.jpeg?width=1000&height=1000&name=hd-maillage-tuscany-countryside-stays-with-family.jpeg)](https://magazine.lecollectionist.com/en/tuscany-countryside-stays-with-family) [The Tuscan countryside with family](https://magazine.lecollectionist.com/en/tuscany-countryside-stays-with-family) Beyond Lucca: Siena, Grosseto and Florence, with farmhouse stays, vineyards and agriturismos across the rolling hills of Tuscany. [![Architect António Costa Lima seated in the living room of Villa Carragueira](https://magazine.lecollectionist.com/hs-fs/hubfs/hd-maillage-villa-carragueira-antonio-costa-lima.jpeg?width=1000&height=1000&name=hd-maillage-villa-carragueira-antonio-costa-lima.jpeg)](https://magazine.lecollectionist.com/en/villa-carragueira-antonio-costa-lima) [Villa Carragueira, by its architect](https://magazine.lecollectionist.com/en/villa-carragueira-antonio-costa-lima) How António Costa Lima turned the fishermen’s cabanas of Comporta into a home that lets the wild landscape in. [![A gravel alley lined with olive trees leading to a white bastide in Provence](https://magazine.lecollectionist.com/hs-fs/hubfs/hd-maillage-week-in-provence.jpeg?width=1000&height=1000&name=hd-maillage-week-in-provence.jpeg)](https://magazine.lecollectionist.com/en/week-in-provence) [A week in Provence](https://magazine.lecollectionist.com/en/week-in-provence) One base in the Luberon, the Alpilles or around Aix, and a seven-day plan prepared with your concierge before you arrive. [![](https://magazine.lecollectionist.com/hubfs/the%20best%20places%20to%20stay%20in%20tuscan%20countryside.jpg)](https://magazine.lecollectionist.com/en/tuscany-countryside-stays-with-family) [17 February 26](https://magazine.lecollectionist.com/en/tuscany-countryside-stays-with-family) [Destinations](https://magazine.lecollectionist.com/en/tag/destinations), [Italy](https://magazine.lecollectionist.com/en/tag/italy), [Where to stay](https://magazine.lecollectionist.com/en/tag/where-to-stay) ## [The Best Places to Stay in The Tuscan Countryside with Family](https://magazine.lecollectionist.com/en/tuscany-countryside-stays-with-family) Follow our guide to the best places to stay in Tuscany for your next family holiday. Discover the Italian countryside and our top luxury villas! [![](https://magazine.lecollectionist.com/hubfs/beautiful-homes.jpeg)](https://magazine.lecollectionist.com/en/the-catalog-of-le-collectionists-most-beautiful-homes) [20 July 22](https://magazine.lecollectionist.com/en/the-catalog-of-le-collectionists-most-beautiful-homes) [Inspiration](https://magazine.lecollectionist.com/en/tag/inspiration), [Where to stay](https://magazine.lecollectionist.com/en/tag/where-to-stay), [Beautiful homes](https://magazine.lecollectionist.com/en/tag/beautiful-homes), ## [The catalogue: Le Collectionist's most beautiful homes](https://magazine.lecollectionist.com/en/the-catalog-of-le-collectionists-most-beautiful-homes) Since it's founding, Le Collectionist has never ceased in finding the most beautiful houses in the world to rent for your holidays. Explore them with us! #### ABOUT US We unite spectacular homes with bespoke services and experiences, creating unforgettable holidays. Visit our [main site](https://www.lecollectionist.com/en) to start planning your next trip. ### OUR NEWSLETTER #### Contact us Ready to get started? [Contact us](https://www.lecollectionist.com/en/contact)! #### Follow us - - © 2013–2026 All rights reserved. [Le Collectionist](https://www.lecollectionist.com/en)