Portofino, Italy — £20.5 million
There are Talented Mr Ripley vibes to spare at this six-bedroom villa, formerly the private residence of a prominent Genoese family, with breathtaking views from its perch on the slopes of Portofino Mountain, down to the beautiful harbour and across the Mediterranean.
This six-bedroom villa was painstakingly renovated in 2010, with furniture commissioned specifically to fit each room.
As elegant as the interiors are, the outside space is arguably even more of a draw, with terraces, lawns, a rose garden, small orchard and a kitchen garden, while the pool is build on an overhang to give a giddy sensation that you're floating above Portofino itself.
For sale via Knight Frank — see more pictures and details.
West Palm Beach, Florida — £17 million
An apartment of over 7,000sq ft that gives the impression that you're not just living on the water in West Palm Beach, but actually flying over the harbour.
There are five bedrooms and five bathrooms in the 7,166sq ft home, and while the light and space is great, the design really edges things up a notch — as the pictures here show perfectly. Everything here has been custom-designed and made for the owner — an interior designer — with Italian marble bloors, leather-lined closets and a bathroom that really just has to be seen.
The building itself is called The Bristol, which has a fitness centre, swimming pool and spa, alongside many other amenities.
For sale via Sotheby's International Realty — see more pictures and details.
Aix-En-Provence, France — £15.4 million
A 60-acre estate set in an olive grove, with beautifully-landscaped grounds and an almost absurdly perfect Provençal feel.
Inside the main house — called the Bastide — you'll find a series of huge, traditional rooms with high ceilings, stone floors and traditional furnishings. There are several other houses included on the estate.
Also within the grounds are the olive grove, gardens, two swimming pools and a covered terrace.
For sale via Savills — see more pictures and details.
Manhattan, New York — £21.25 million
A townhouse on East 73rd Street in Manhattan that feels more like a royal palace than a city residence, from the magnificently grand hallway and staircase to a dining room of regal opulence.
For sale via Sotheby's International Realty — see more pictures and details.
In Beauchamp on the east side of the island of Mauritius, this four-bedroom villa overlooks the world-famous Ile au Cerfs golf club.
There's a large living room, slate swimming pool and plenty of space, and the golf course has a five-star hotel attached, brining with it a full range of spa facilities, tennis courts, restaurants and more practically on the doorstep.
For sale via Park Lane Properties — see more details.
Palm Beach, Florida — £23.85 million
'Bring your boat, build your dream,' say the agents of this grand home at the end of Everglades Island in Palm Beach.
The house is beautifully laid out and well-kept, with a swimming pool and garden on a plot of almost half an acre.
For sale via Sotheby's International Realty — see more pictures and details.
-
From one Earl and his dog to the resurrection of one of Scotland's great buildings: The remarkable tale of Glamis CastleJohn Goodall explores the development of the medieval Glamis Castle in Angus — seat of the Earl of Strathmore and Kinghorne — and its spectacular transformation into one of the landmark buildings of Scottish architecture. Photography by Paul Highnam.
-
Athena: In the eyes of Government, will the Arts always be last?After a year of Labour rule, life doesn't seem to be getting any better for Britain's cultural institutions.
-
A castle that's 'a masterpiece of the baronial revival' with 17 bedrooms, breathtaking gardens and its own miniature railwayMajestic, imposing, graceful, romantic... Ayton Castle is the very picture of
-
'One of the finest houses in Cheshire' blends Georgian architecture, modern exoticism and space to park your helicopterPenny Churchill looks inside Stretton Hall, an exceptional house for sale
-
Splendid isolation at four gorgeous properties for sale around the worldFor those craving a home that offers a true escape from the world, some wonderful properties are on the market right now. Here's our pick of some of the finest — ideal for nature lovers, those in search of tranquility and Bond villains alike.
-
The market for super-prime houses in England's biggest millionaire's playground is booming — and this £10m example is one of the bestWhirley Hall is a 17th century building that's a perfect example of how 21st century updates can transform an old home almost beyond recognition.
-
If I had to spend the rest of my life living underground, I would do it in this four-bedroom house for sale in the Peak DistrictThe aptly named Underhill is a 'a work of inhabitable art' that was built in the 1970s. And there's a swimming pool in the middle of it.
-
A micro estate for sale in west Wales shows that the best things come in small packages. In this case, three of themBrithdir is a remarkable collection of properties centred around a lake and just five miles from the sea.
-
This blissful converted mill has sweeping views, a breathtaking library and gardens by a Chelsea gold medallistPenny Churchill takes a look at Stanbridge Mill, one of the finest properties for sale today in the west country.
-
Portmore has it all: A 3,459-acre Scottish estate for sale, with a signature Baronial sandstone mansion at its heartFor sale for the first time in 40 years, Portmore Estate is everything you could ever want in Scotland.
