Secret Season: how to master the art of off-peak holidaying
Escape the crowds, soak up warm weather, and enjoy unbeatable value by travelling in ‘secret season.’ From Portugal’s golden coastlines to Italy’s charming villages and Greece’s sun-soaked shores, here’s where to book for your next villa holiday
Villa holidays guarantee freedom, flexibility and incredible value for money, and booking early means you can secure your ideal villa chosen from a wider range of properties. Not sure where to start? Villa specialists CV Villas feature a hand-picked portfolio of sensational villas across the world – you may choose to scour the website and choose one you love, or alternatively the team are on hand to help you find the perfect stay, taking in the wishlists of everyone you’re travelling with and giving a personalised recommendation for your trip.
If you’re keen to get even more for your money – plus fewer crowds – then consider holidaying in ‘secret season’, the months just before and after the main holiday periods. You’ll revel in the same warm weather, but have more of your chosen holiday spot to yourself. Here are the top picks for Secret Season 2025…
Algarve, Portugal
If the 300 days of guaranteed sunshine a year aren’t enough to tempt you to the Algarve in the south of Portugal, then the staggering coastline may well be. We’re talking turquoise tumbling waves, long swathes of golden sand and cliffs the colour of butterscotch. It’s a spot for surfers, sunbathers, cyclists and golfers, thanks to the smooth roads and lush fairways. Choose from villas set beside golf courses and tennis courts to properties with direct beach access, and more.
Mallorca, Spain
It’s one of the most beautiful islands in the Balearics and really does have it all, from the cosmopolitan city of Palma, with its cathedral and cafes, to secret coves, long swathes of powder-soft sand sand and hilltop towns. Visit before or after the weather really heats up for balmy meals out and long lazy days by the pool. You may choose a villa that’s a short stroll from local towns and villages, or this villa for six, with its pool set amongst olive groves and orange trees, with postcard-worthy beaches nearby.
Amalfi Coast, Italy
It’s one of the most popular spots in Italy, and rightly so – the combination of glittering sea and colourful clifftop homes makes Amalfi one of the most beautiful coastlines in the world. Head out of season to beat the crowds, and secure your perfect villa – before anyone else. In pretty Positano, every single CV Villa comes with unforgettable sea views (some have roof terraces and jacuzzis too), while in glamorous Sorrento you may choose to spend the entire day by the infinity pool, before strolling to a restaurant in the evening.
Umbria, Italy
Umbria is a brilliant alternative to Tuscany – the same bucolic scenery, with vineyards and hilltop towns, but a more affordable price point. Those in the know head here in May, June and September, when the weather is warm and streets a little quieter. You could base yourself deep in the countryside, soaking up the tranquility and privacy in a rural setting or choose a villa for 16, set within a winery with a private chef on hand for lavish Italian breakfasts, lunches and dinners.
Puglia, Italy
Delicious rustic Italian cuisine, pretty villages and some of the best beaches in the country combine in Puglia, in Italy’s south. This is a place for laid-back living, where you can enjoy long, lazy suppers on your villa terrace and make the most of incredible value in secret season, where villas come in at just £340 per person for a week…
Crete, Greece
It’s one of the warmest Greek islands year round, so travelling earlier or later in the season to Crete means there’ll be no compromising on the weather. It does mean that you’ll get more for your money though, with additional savings of up to 30% for those who book earlier. So, what’ll be? A family villa overlooking the Aegean Sea in the east, or a boho-chic villa for six, close to the quaint Venetian harbour of Chania in the west?
Croatia
From the enchanting architecture of Dubrovnik to the beaches and bays around Hvar and Split, Croatia is a country of beguiling beauty, and offers great value – especially out of the main summer holidays. Take your pick from luxurious contemporary villas chiselled into the cliff face, or a family-friendly villa, and make the most of CV Villas Destination Experts who are on hand to book sailing excursions, guided hikes and gourmet meals whipped up by private chefs.
Get inspired by checking out the full portfolio of CV Villas