There’s a marked trend for people to take far longer holidays than ever before, according to exclusive villa holiday specialist, CV Travel, who organise holidays to individual villas and houses throughout Europe.

The company’s Italy specialist Rachel Agnel said, “We’re receiving more and more requests for three and four week holidays, with many people inviting friends and family members for short breaks or to join them for part of the holiday. This in turn makes our largest properties really popular and a lot of clients are choosing to book a cook service to combine private dining with hotel style service".

In terms of destination she continued, "In Italy, Tuscany and Umbria are still great favourites for 2007. But clients looking for new ideas are choosing Puglia and Le Marche, where we have new properties for 2007, including a stunning new trulli house, Parco del Vaglio”.

CV Travel also features Riads, 5* hotels and a palatial house for up to 15 guests in Morocco, and generously proportioned houses in France, Spain, Portugal and the Greek Islands.

A classic Italian property for a family is Casa Daniela near Siena in Chianti £2290 - £3625 accommodating up to 8 people, a rural house with a separate annexe for 2, and 6 sleeping in the main building.

One of the most individual ideas is the opportunity to take over an entire village. The Borgo san Biagio, a tiny hilltop hamlet in Umbria, can be rented for up to five groups to share, with private accommodation for up to 20 in a walled setting, from the medieval Torre for two, to the former Bakery House and the Priest’s house, all clustered amid cobbled streets around a central pool area.