Villa Gallura

Picture a white pyramid roof poking up through the trees on a granite headland. Below it, a bay of bright turquoise water and a long sandy beach that curves off toward the hills. That's Villa Gallura, and you can spot it easily from a boat.

Most of the time, you'll be outdoors. Cobbled paths wander under old olive and juniper trees, past lawns and big granite boulders. Pools sit tucked among the rocks. One is round and close to the house, and the other is on a timber deck lined with loungers. When it's time to eat, there's a table under an umbrella that's made for long lunches. As a luxury villa rental in Sardinia, it pairs bold design with one of the best views on the coast.

The house is angular and full of light, and its walls of glass face the sea. A white grand piano stands in the living room next to white sofas. The glass dining table looks right over the bay, and the kitchen is long and sleek with a steel island and stools.

Villa Gallura has three bedrooms. They're white with dark floors, and some open through glass doors to the water. The bathrooms feel almost sculptural, with mosaic tiles and a freestanding basin, and there's a sauna next to one of the showers. This rocky stretch of coastline is among the most striking in Italy. Couples, small families and architecture lovers will feel right at home.