What to do in January?
1. Learn a new language where it’s spoken
The new year has turned, and you’re feeling all kinds of hopeful. Added learning a new language to your resolutions? Start in Portugal. Their buzzing café culture is the perfect setting to practice your “obrigada” and “obrigado”. Or take a long lunch, work on your pronunciation of “pastel de nata”, and reap the delicious reward.
Where to stay: Sol Salema Townhouse, Salema | Casa Deluxe Funchal, Funchal | Marvila Loft, Lisbon
2. Hike volcano trails and reset in the winter sun
Feeling the cold already? Strap in, you’re in for a long winter. Unless…
Swap the sleet for the short-haul sun of the beautiful Canaries. Lunar landscapes, warm days, and that year-round glow make winter feel like a distant memory. Tackle volcanic hikes, then spend afternoons beachside. After all, who said January had to be cold?
Where to stay: Tenerife Playita Lux, Tenerife | Villa Sal Marina Premium, Fuerteventura | Lanzarote Element, Puerto Del Carmen
What to do in February?
3. Ski the Alps at peak snow
Where to stay: Chalet Sanglier, Val d’Isere | Apartment Baigneres, St Martin de Belleville | Chalet Giboshi, Chatel
4. Do a winter fell walk with a pub stop
Where to stay: Langdale House, Lake District | Windermere Gothic Mansion, Lake District | Cartmel Mansion, Lake District
What to do in March?
5. See spring rise early in Andalucia
Where to stay: Cortijo Don Cristobal, Malaga | Villa Bougainvillea, Andalucia | La Cimada de Ronda, Ronda
6. Walk a wild, windy UK coastal trail
Where to stay: Combe Martin House, Devon | St Ives Cottage, Cornwall | Inglethorpe Folly, Norfolk
What to do in April?
7. Take your first swim of the year in the Cyclades
Where to stay: Villa Emara, Paros | Villa Katia, Chania | Villa Omorfia, Naxos | Villa Katia, Chania
8. Spend Easter in Tuscany
Where to stay: San Colombano, Lucca & Pisa | Casa Chieto, Montepulciano | Villa I Gigli, Arezzo
What to do in May?
9. Head to the Amalfi Coast before the crowds
Where to stay: Villa Cantarina, Amalfi Coast | Villa Arpino, Sorrento | Villa Caprese, Capri Island
10. Explore the villages of Provence
Where to stay: Villa Romane, Saint Remy de Provence | Villa Les Fortunes, Luberon | Villa Grand Gordes, Luberon
What to do in June?
11. Do a Pintxos crawl in San Sebastián
Where to stay: Apartment Miraconcha | Apartment Urumea | Villa Maitztegi
12. Tour vineyards in the Douro Valley
Where to stay: The Grape Escape | Douro Escape House | Serra & Court Retrea
13. Drive the Serra de Tramuntana in Mallorca
Where to stay: Deluxe Alaro, Mallorca | Ca Na Vincent, Deia | Villa de Madera, Pollensa
What to do in July?
14. Live the Greek island life
Where to stay: Villa Spetses, Spetses | Villa Parga, Parga | Theodore Estate, North-East Coast
15. Soak in the old glamour of Côte d’Azur
Where to stay: Villa La Garde, Saint Tropez | Bastide Des Remparts, French Riviera | Villas Jolie and Zen, Grasse
What to do in August?
16. Explore Ibiza beyond the clubs
Where to stay: Villa Trudis, Santa Gertrudis | Can Rafelito, Cala Tarida | Villa Willow, Cala Vadella | Oliver’s Travels
17. Island hop around Croatia
Where to stay: Villa Luxana, Korcula | Villa Seabreeze, Brac | Villa Myah, Hvar
What to do in September?
18. Soak up Santorini without the crowds
Where to stay: Villa Calpina, Oia and the Caldera | Villa Triton, Oia and the Caldera | Villa Sophia, Megalochori
19. Join in harvest season in Umbria
Where to stay: Villa Toppello, Umbria | Casa Bolini, Umbria | Castelli Di Napoleone, Umbria
20. Snorkel quiet coves in Sardinia
Where to stay: La Manna, Sardinia | Villa Morisia, Sardinia | Villa Menduledda, Sardinia
What to do in October?
21. Do Morocco city to coast
Where to stay: Villa Foukani, Marrakech | Villa Ibach, Essaouira | Villa Aouiss, Marrakech
22. Explore the Algarve in slow season
Where to stay: Casa River Tavira, Algarve | Villa Gale Hibiscus, Algarve | Villa Mingo, Quinta do Lago
What to do in November?
23. Hike levadas in Madeira
Where to stay: Villa Prometheus, Madeira | Villa Ocinac, Funchal | Madeira Azul, Calheta
24. Take a road trip across Sicily
Where to stay: Casa Mare Blu | Dimora Ronzini | Villa La Luna
What to do in December?
25. Go full winter wonderland in Lapland
Where to stay: Glass Igloo Suite, Rovaniemi | Villa Kaarina, Levi | Pine Lodge, Finnish Lapland
26. Get in the festive spirit at Europe’s best Christmas markets
Where to stay: Royal George Townhouse, Bath | Apartment Donatello, Milan | Maison Porthos, Paris Region
These activities to do in 2026 offer an incredible array of opportunities for personal growth, adventure, and memorable experiences. So, step outside of your comfort zone and make the most of the upcoming year. Plan where to go at Villas Holidays 2026 and view our beautiful homes around the globe on Oliver’s Travels. When you’ve picked your favourite, contact our friendly concierge team to help book any extra experiences during your stay.
