Villa Astor, Amalfi Coast

This neoclassical villa high on a bluff in Sorrento was built in the 19th century for William Waldorf Astor, then U.S. ambassador to Italy. Priced from about $80,000 per week, Villa Astor’s dramatic position on the sea affords spectacular views of Mount Vesuvius from virtually every room. Renovated in 2016 by the famed French interior designer Jacques Garcia, the estate pays homage to the 1800s with flourishes like marble columns and Roman statuary, but with the designer’s signature bold color choices and gilded accents. The garden—filled with ancient porphyry, friezes, and objets d’art—is considered one of the finest in Italy. Walking paths lead down to the Bay of Naples, where guests can enjoy a dip in a private green grotto. (Homebaseabroad.com)