Summertime Villa in Bardez is the latest villa to be offered for holiday rentals, and is a great example of the breed. Close enough to access the buzz of Calangute but far enough away to be cut off from the noise, this villa perches on a hill, taking in the views of paddy fields from her huge windows. The villa is cocooned within a two-acre garden, filled with fruit trees – you share this private garden only with a dozen species of birds.

Built by nature lovers, this villa also offers a large infinity swimming pool, a lounging pool where you cool off on seats half-submerged in the water, a pond for koi carp, and a little waterfall. You’re not expected to do very much – select a tree to sit under and read, take a dip, or honour Goan tradition by taking a siesta in one of the huge rooms. That’s another advantage of villa rentals: without the need for numbers, the rooms can be spacious, the bathrooms breathtakingly so. And, of course, you get your own private staff for the duration of your stay – not polished in a hospitality institute, but home staff, who love and know the house. You get your own, private slice of Goa. A holiday where you’re ten minutes from the beach and restaurants, but with the option of cutting away to your own private paradise.

Just like you wanted.

courtesy ‘The Voice of Malabar Hills’ Vol 2 Issue 10