Adams Butler : Siobhan Byrne-Learat’s team of 10 manages a private portfolio of 150 castles and hous

London Perfect : Most of Sarah Conway's 32 apartments and houses are exclusive, and they're discount european river cruises located in some of the city's best neighborhoods (Kensington, Notting Hill, Chelsea, and Mayfair, among others). The company's regularly updated blog shares the team's latest finds. Standout: The sleek, white-and-beige Hornton House is situated on a bustling Kensington street discount european river cruises (three bedrooms; $3,692 a week). 888/520-2087.
Loyd Townsend Rose : All 62 Victorian manses, castles, and cozy cottages in England, Scotland, and Ireland are fully staffed. Agents are more than happy to help you arrange, say, a private tour of Althorp, the childhood home of Princess Diana. Standout: Just 15 minutes north of Perth, the Scottish Tower of Lethendy, which dates back to 1570, is surrounded by 50 acres of gardens. The price includes all meals and a full bar for up to 16 people discount european river cruises (eight bedrooms; $39,967 a week). 44-1835/824-642.
Suzanne B. Cohen Associates : The founder has personally discount european river cruises inspected each of the company's 342 manor houses, cottages, and apartments, which are scattered throughout the British countryside. The company also has a strong portfolio in Italy. Standout: In England's Cotswolds, the 17th-century, three-story Broadwell Farm sits on 280 working acres (five bedrooms; $2,779 a week). 207/622-0743.
Adams Butler : Siobhan Byrne-Learat's team of 10 manages a private portfolio of 150 castles and houses owned by aristocracy throughout Ireland and has a knack for arranging excursions based on themes discount european river cruises such as gardens or antiques. The company discount european river cruises also has listings in Scotland, England, and Kenya. Standout: The 1780 Shanagarry House has a large kitchen and is located discount european river cruises next to the famed Ballymaloe Cookery School, in County Cork (six bedrooms; $4,550 a week). 800/894-5712.
El Sol Villas discount european river cruises : Andalusia, Catalonia, the Basque Country, the Costa Brava, and Ibiza—Mary Vaira has scoured each destination to handpick this collection of haciendas, apartments, and castles discount european river cruises (she also has several Italy listings). Coming soon: Butler at the Door, a service that will fully staff your villa upon request. Standout: Masía Antonio manor, just a half-hour from Barcelona in Sitges, dates back 250 years and has a 1,700-square-foot swimming discount european river cruises pool flanked discount european river cruises by wooden lounge chairs (10 bedrooms; $9,000 a week). 800/474-5765.
Spain Select : More than 300 properties—chic apartments in Madrid; Mediterranean-facing villas in Ibiza—are hidden away in the country's most beautiful corners. Airport transfers and pre-arrival grocery shopping are standard, and each villa is attended by a property manager who lives nearby. Standout: The classic Andalusian-style Carmen de los Moriscos, in Granada, looks directly on the Alhambra palace (three bedrooms; $2,520 a week).
Hosted Villas : Each of the 45 villas in Provence, Aquitaine, the Loire Valley, and Burgundy has a local host who will offer you insider tips on, say, the best places to eat or the ideal time to visit the local market. Agents are candid about what's not shown in photos, such as nearby church bells that chime on the hour. Standout: In a Provençal hilltop village, discount european river cruises the four-story stone Bastide de Ventoux has wraparound terraces and an elevator (six bedrooms; $18,300 a week). 800/374-6637.
Guest Apartment Services Paris : This collection's 60 stylish properties (many of them affordable studios) are located in historic neighborhoods, primarily Île St.-Louis; most face courtyard gardens or shop-lined streets. Standout: The balcony of the classically decorated Acacia overlooks the Seine with views of Notre Dame (studio; $2,457 a week). 33-1/44-07-06-20.
Ville et Village : The majority of Carolyn Grote's 150 apartments, farmhouses, and châteaux are located in Paris, the Loire Valley, Provence, and the Riviera; she also has listings in Italy (Tuscany, discount european river cruises Umbria, discount european river cruises Lazio, the Veneto) and in Barcelona. Standout: A farmhouse in St.-Rémy, France, has its own garden and is within walking distance of a charming market (four bedrooms; $3,814 a week).
Unique Properties Events : Most of the 83 ultra-stylish properties from this London-based firm are exclusives. The portfolio concentrates on countryside estates and high-design beach villas in France, Spain, Italy, and Portugal. Special experiences—such as a visit to Empress Sissi's apartment in the Royal Palace of Venice—are the norm. Standout: Villa Gesomino, set above Marina Piccola on Capri, has a heated pool lined with Murano-glass tiles (five bedrooms; $34,876 a week). 44-20/7788-7815.
The Best in Italy : Countess Simonetta Brandolini discount european river cruises d'Adda has more than 80 Italian villas on offer—many owned by her friends and relatives. She'll also open up her little black book to guests for private experiences, such as behind-the-scenes access to the Palio di Siena horse race or a private tour of the Vatican. Standout: The recently restored Casa Querceto, in Chianti between Florence and Siena, discount european river cruises is surrounded by olive groves and five acres of hiking trails (four bedrooms; $14,000 a week).
Homebase Abroad : The company's inventory of more than 65 countryside properties across Italy ranges from seaside estates to farmhouses. The concierge offers experiences such as a private dinner with Michelangelo's David at the Accademia di Belle Arti museum. Standout: A secluded retreat on the Tuscan coast, discount european river cruises Villa Bianca has enormous bedrooms and a staff of five, including an on-site chef (eight bedrooms; $32,500 a week). 781/639-4040.
Italy Perfect Vacation Rentals : The Byrne sisters have stayed in each of their collection's 130 villas and apartments in Rome, Florence, Venice, and along the Amalfi Coast; most are set in historic districts or buildings. Standout: The Rome Flaminio discount european river cruises apartment, located discount european river cruises an easy walk from the Spanish Steps, has a terrace discount european river cruises (two bedrooms; $3,335 a week). 888/308-6123.
Think Sicily : The London-based company's entire portfolio of more than 120 properties in Sicily and Puglia—set along the sea, in the countryside, and in town—is privately contracted. On-the-ground concierges and managers are available around the clock. The company recently expanded discount european river cruises to the Ionian Islands, where it has 17 properties. Standout: Baia dei Turchi, situated just north of Siracusa, has a Turkish bath and is a two-minute walk from the beach (seven bedrooms; $9,170 a week). 800/490-1107.
IC Bellagio : Andrea Grisdale has intimate knowledge of each of her 86 listings, and works closely with owners to maintain quality control. More than 40 staff members are at the ready to arrange activities such as an aperitivo crawl through Venice in the company of a Venetian countess. Standout: Villa dei Sogni, near the town of Bellagio, is on a lush promontory; the furnished terrace overlooks Lake Como (four bedrooms; $12,025 a week). 39-031/952-059.
Croatian Villas : U.K.-based discount european river cruises Croatian Villas has more than 350 beautiful discount european river cruises houses set along the water and on hilltops all over the country, from Dubrovnik to the Istrian peninsula, which many travelers call the less-touristed (and more affordable) Tuscany. It also has listings in Slovenia, Montenegro, Bosnia, and Oman. Standout: An apartment in the Old Town of Korčula with an ancient Roman column (one bedroom; $780 a week).
Simpson Travel : Founder Graham Simpson's mission is to deliver an authentic Turkish experience, whether that means eating fresh fish in Akyaka or sailing off the small seaside village of Çirali. discount european river cruises Of the company's 35 villas in Turkey, 90 percent are exclusive. Villas are also on offer in Greece, Corsica, Majorca, and Mauritius. Standout: On the outskirts of Islamlar, the whitewashed Firefly sits on secluded Patara beach (four bedrooms; $6,720 a week). discount european river cruises 44-20/8392-5858.
Elysian Holidays : Outstanding personal service is the hallmark of owner Maxine Harrison, who has been in the field for nearly 25 years. Meals are often waiting for clients upon arrival, and activities might include scuba diving off the Greek island of Sérifos, or a cooking lesson discount european river cruises led by chef Pierluigi Gentilini of Il Mulino di San Michele, in Emilia Romagna. Standout: In the Cyclades archipelago, the whitewashed Tzia Summer House has sea-facing balconies and an infinity pool (four bedrooms; $12,770 a week). 44-1580/766-599.
Five Star Greece discount european river cruises : With more than 100 houses and estates around the country, Five Star Greece prides itself on authentic discount european river cruises experiences, whether you want Mykonos glamour or barefoot beach luxury. Standout: On Corfu's northeast coast, Corfu Estate House bridges the privacy of a villa (with its own jetty) and the services of a hotel (seven bedrooms; $55,613 a week).
White Key Villas : All 130 properties—most of which are scattered throughout the Cyclades, Peloponnese, and Ionian islands—are on the beach or have views of the sea. Up next: the agency is expanding to less-visited corners of the country (Patmos, Sífnos, Attica, and the Saronic Gulf). Standout: On Corfu, Villa Aethra has two infinity pools and outdoor showers. Daily housekeeping and a private chef are included (seven bedrooms; $26,400 discount european river cruises a week). 30-210/721-5530.
Abercrombie Kent Villas : This veteran tour operator has villas in Italy, France, discount european river cruises the U.K., Greece, Portugal, discount european river cruises and Spain, plus ski chalets in Switzerland, France, and Austria. Tapping into its extensive on-the-ground network, AKVillas organizes a range of activities—the most popular of which are in-villa cooking classes with notable chefs or local nonnas. Standout: Casa Abelha, with its spacious, discount european river cruises farmhouse-style kitchen, is set in Portugal's Algarve and is a short drive from the market town of Loule (four bedrooms; $3,947 discount european river cruises a week). 800/652-8413.
Carpe Diem Luxury Travel : Marina Gratsos lists villas throughout Europe, including Croatia, the Czech Republic, discount european river cruises Switzerland, and Austria; most interesting are the 25 properties in her private collection. Standout: Designed by Bulgarian architect Krastan Zapryanov, the modern Villa Gella—a retreat in the Rhodope mountains of Bulgaria—has its own spa (six bedrooms; discount european river cruises $11,500 a week). 4-7780/700-754.
Dream Charme : With more than 500 listin