The luxurious homes we want to escape to after lockdown
The post-quarantine properties of our dreams

Private New England island, Branford, USA: £2.4 million ($3m)

If you're seeking remoteness and isolation, you can't go wrong with a private island. Cue this compact beauty in New England. Nicknamed the Queen of the Thimble Islands, dinky Wheelers Island is located off the Connecticut coast and comes with a charming eight-bedroom, four-and-a-half-bathroom house.
Private New England island, Branford, USA: £2.4 million ($3m)

Set over three storeys (four if you include the rooftop tower), the cedar-shakes family home was built in the early 2000s for Christine Svenningsen, the widow of John Svenningsen, who headed up Amscan Holdings, one of the world's leading suppliers of party goods. Mrs Svenningsen clearly has a penchant for bright colour and brave colour combos judging by the décor.
Private New England island, Branford, USA: £2.4 million ($3m)

Private New England island, Branford, USA: £2.4 million ($3m)

Outside, there's a tiny sandy beach, manicured garden and jetty – the island is only accessible via boat after all. Intriguingly, local legend has it that pirates' treasure is buried in the vicinity and the island is said to be haunted – it is also known as Ghost Island. The property is on the market with Sotheby's International Realty for £2.4 million ($3m).
Bavarian manor, Passau, Germany: £4.8 million ($6.1m)

Reach for the lederhosen or dirndl, Quintessentially Estates is marketing this picture-perfect manor and surrounding estate in rural Bavaria for £4.8 million ($6.1m). Dating from the 16th century, the bucolic 300-acre property near Passau is situated atop a hill and offers beguiling views of the Bavarian Forest and Alps.
Bavarian manor, Passau, Germany: £4.8 million ($6.1m)

Though the manor is steeped in history, it recently underwent a two-year renovation and benefits from all mod cons. Best of all, the property is wonderfully eco-friendly with solar power systems and other environmentally sound features. The house has a total of seven bedrooms, three bathrooms and several delightful reception rooms.
Bavarian manor, Passau, Germany: £4.8 million ($6.1m)

Bavarian manor, Passau, Germany: £4.8 million ($6.1m)

While remote, the property is located moments away from a population centre – the picturesque city of Passau in this case – making it ideal for the buyer who wants the option of both rural calm and urban excitement.
Serra da Mantiqueira eco compound, São Francisco Xavier, Brazil: £9.4 million ($11.5m)

Camouflaged in 42 acres of meadow within the lush forest that covers Brazil's Mantiqueira Mountains, the indoor-outdoor Grid House is a remarkable eco retreat that was constructed in 2007 by São Paulo architectural firm FGMF Arquitetos.
Serra da Mantiqueira eco compound, São Francisco Xavier, Brazil: £9.4 million ($11.5m)

Listed with Christie's International Real Estate for £9.4 million ($11.5m), the unique eight-bedroom home, which consists of several modular pavilions, is ingeniously embedded in the surrounding landscape, suspended above a valley and jutting into the hillside. The main structure houses several living spaces including a master suite and guest bedroom.
Serra da Mantiqueira eco compound, São Francisco Xavier, Brazil: £9.4 million ($11.5m)

Serra da Mantiqueira eco compound, São Francisco Xavier, Brazil: £9.4 million ($11.5m)

Standout features include a sauna, hot tub, games room, tennis court and outdoor kitchen. Yet like many of the properties in our round-up, the top draw is undoubtedly the ravishing gardens that surround the home.
Otago lakeside refuge, Queenstown, New Zealand: £9.5 million ($12m)

A minimalist masterpiece, this modern five-bedroom, six-bathroom mansion is located in the heart of the prestigious Jack's Point Preserve on the edge of Lake Wakatipu. Designed by award-winning architectural firm Mason & Wales, the slick out-of-the-way property offers amazing 360-degree views of the lake and surrounding mountains.
Otago lakeside refuge, Queenstown, New Zealand: £9.5 million ($12m)

Otago lakeside refuge, Queenstown, New Zealand: £9.5 million ($12m)

The living spaces are open-concept and can be configured to suit the taste and needs of the buyer, no doubt a tech billionaire seeking out a Doomsday retreat. Be that as it may, the property already features a home theatre, wine cellar and supersized hot tub.
Otago lakeside refuge, Queenstown, New Zealand: £9.5 million ($12m)

Amenities and interior details aside, the property's major selling point is those dramatic vistas – this place really is all about the views, as well as the peace, seclusion and buffer from the outside world that it provides. The lakeside refuge is available via Sotheby's International Realty for £9.5 million ($12m).
Chianti hilltop hideaway, Gaiole, Italy: £12.5 million ($16m)

Chianti hilltop hideaway, Gaiole, Italy: £12.5 million ($16m)

Chianti hilltop hideaway, Gaiole, Italy: £12.5 million ($16m)

Chianti hilltop hideaway, Gaiole, Italy: £12.5 million ($16m)

A gorgeous pool framed by cypress trees is situated in the garden, while the property's vineyards produce around 70,000 bottles of Chianti Classico and Supertuscan vino per year, a key selling point that is bound to attract connoisseurs of the grape. The property is up for sale via Sotheby's International Realty for £12.5 million ($16m).
Montana ranch, Lewistown, USA: £15.3 million ($19.5m)

Montana ranch, Lewistown, USA: £15.3 million ($19.5m)

Montana ranch, Lewistown, USA: £15.3 million ($19.5m)

Montana ranch, Lewistown, USA: £15.3 million ($19.5m)

While the ranch offers an escape from the hustle and bustle of modern life, historic Lewistown is just 15 minutes away, meaning the buyer can enjoy some socially distanced human contact when the need arises. The property is on the market with Christie's International Real Estate for £15.3 million ($19.5m).
Provençal estate, Les Adrets de l’Esterel, France: £34 million ($42.7m)

A ravishing haven of tranquillity in the sun-drenched hills of Provence, this magnificent 59-acre estate takes your breath away with an exceedingly lavish manor and two guesthouses that sit among luscious lawns, fragrant lavender fields, calming olive groves and an enchanting lake.
Provençal estate, Les Adrets de l’Esterel, France: £34 million ($42.7m)

No expense has been spared on the trio of houses, which together offer more than 22,000 square feet of luxe living space comprising a total of 17 upscale bedroom suites, a multitude of elegant reception rooms, top of the range kitchens, several staff accommodations and even a swish nightclub.
Provençal estate, Les Adrets de l’Esterel, France: £34 million ($42.7m)

Provençal estate, Les Adrets de l’Esterel, France: £34 million ($42.7m)

Despite its relative isolation, the secluded estate is located a mere 15 minutes from glamorous Cannes, ideal if the lucky buyer is in the mood to mingle with the jet set while following social distancing guidelines of course. The property is on the market right now with Sotheby's International Realty for £34 million ($42.7m).
Martha's Vineyard farm, Aquinnah, USA: £51 million ($65m)

On top of being absolutely idyllic, this oceanfront farm in Martha's Vineyard has a fascinating history, having been the summer home of Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis. The former First Lady snapped up the 390-acre parcel of land in 1979 for a million dollars and built the farmhouse not long after. Available through Christie's International Real Estate for £51 million ($65m), it was put on the market last year by her daughter Caroline.
Martha's Vineyard farm, Aquinnah, USA: £51 million ($65m)

Martha's Vineyard farm, Aquinnah, USA: £51 million ($65m)

Martha's Vineyard farm, Aquinnah, USA: £51 million ($65m)

The estate's pièce de résistance which could rival the White House however is its expansive grounds, which were designed by renowned horticulturist, art collector and socialite Bunny Mellon. They comprise landscaped gardens, vegetable and blueberry patches, two ponds and over a mile of Atlantic oceanfront. Other highlights include a pool, tennis court, fairy treehouse and various outhouses.
Rocky Mountain retreat, Colorado, USA: £61.2 million ($78m)

Spanning a jaw-dropping 439 acres of virgin Colorado wilderness, Casteel Creek Retreat is the ultimate Rocky Mountain refuge. At its core is a contemporary metal, stone and glass mansion with majestic mountain views. Accessed by a million-dollar bridge, which is an architectural wonder in itself, the eight-bedroom, 16-bathroom property has to be seen to be believed.
Rocky Mountain retreat, Colorado, USA: £61.2 million ($78m)

Crazy sums of money have been pumped into the 32,000-square-foot house, which rocks just about every high-end amenity imaginable. They include a home theatre, stunning indoor-outdoor pool, spa, gym and a chef's kitchen. Aside from the principal house, the property features three guesthouses, a rustic log cabin, caretaker's house and two standalone Wild West-themed guest suites; totally 13 extra bedrooms outside the main house.
Rocky Mountain retreat, Colorado, USA: £61.2 million ($78m)

Rocky Mountain retreat, Colorado, USA: £61.2 million ($78m)

Perfect for a mega-wealthy lover of the great outdoors, the estate has more than 12 miles of groomed paths for hiking, biking, cross-country skiing and snowmobile adventures, as well as a trout pond, shooting range and soccer field. Casteel Creek Retreat is up for sale via Sotheby's International Realty for £61.2 million ($78m).
Loved this? Ultimate isolation: spectacular homes hidden from the world
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