In serene locations from California’s wine country to banks of the Pecos River, these rural retreats enjoy inspiring views, fresh air, interiors that are as enchanting as their surroundings, and plentiful peaceful privacy.

These modern wine rooms go beyond mere function, tackling temperature and proper storage while incorporating eye-catching materials—such as wood, stone, and glass—to create spaces that both practical and alluring.

From a striking equestrian compound to a palatial estate on Lake Ontario, these are this month’s four featured notable properties for sale over $20 million.

From an Italian-inspired compound in Woodside, California, to a beachfront villa in Dubai, these are this month’s four featured notable properties for sale over $26 million.

Those who love wine would undoubtedly feel at home in the South African Cape Winelands. Home to some of the most established wine regions outside of Europe—vines were planted over 350 years ago—South Africa’s terroir and climate allows the region to produce a wide range of world-renowned varieties.

As restrictions begin to lift all around the world, people are looking closely for investment opportunities. Placing their quality of life at the forefront of their decision making, some of these investments will inevitably mean relocation to a new home – and potentially even a new country. In this three-part series we’ll explore destinations around the world with benefits like residency and citizenship by investment programs, tax incentives, and more, as well as hear from local experts throughout the Sotheby’s International Realty® brand network along the way.

For the wine connoisseur, enjoying a glass is about more than just relaxation: it’s about transporting oneself to far away terroirs through taste, being moved by tradition and innovation, and, sometimes, finding inspiration in the way the light hits the wine. The vineyard doesn’t have to be the only place where the wine lends inspiration, either.

L.A.-based master architect William Hefner is known for his proficiency in both traditional and modernist styles and for his devotion to translating classic details for sophisticated contemporary living. His versatility and dedication are easily apparent in this new Beverly Hills home, where sleek, refined modern style is inflected with time-honored flair. Stately columns and wrought iron, arched windows, shutters, hardwood floors, and a grand sweeping staircase are among the elegant elements that bring touches of tradition to a residence that is decidedly au courant and state of the art. Chicly contrasting surfaces of black and white create a pleasingly minimalist air, yet the home feels far from spartan. Nearly every space boasts artful fixtures—from dramatic lighting to eye-catching hardware and faucets—and walls of glass afford dazzling, dynamic views.

For the home of a beloved thespian to provide space for performing and dancing seems only fitting, and this airy contemporary loft—Academy Award winner Susan Sarandon’s six-bedroom oasis—does just that. Occupying two floors of an exclusive co-op in Chelsea, the residence is anchored by a vast open living area with a mirrored wall and steps that can serve as impromptu seating—all perfectly suited for productions by performers of any age or stripe.

A round of bocce is the perfect way to pass the time during the glorious days and cool evenings of summer—even more so when it’s on a private court just steps from a home filled with luxurious spaces and amenities.

For the avid hiker, there are some trails that must be experienced firsthand. While travel may not be possible at the moment, experiencing the outdoors on a more local scale has never been more appealing. From leisurely, grassy paths to mountainous terrain to desert canyons, there are enchanting and challenging hikes to be found the world over. We’ve sourced six homes that all have one thing in common: their proximity to some of the world’s most notable hikes.

There are those who prefer trend-setting residences in cosmopolitan centers—and then there are those who seek out properties with sprawling fields, breathtaking vistas, and plenty of room to roam. For horse enthusiasts, the latter list describes the perfect home. These five North American properties fill all the requirements for an idyllic equestrian lifestyle for both horse and rider.

From a light-filled Parisian apartment to a historic Biltmore Forest home in North Carolina, these are this month’s four featured notable propertiesfor sale over $2 million.

South Florida Developments | Showcasing the height of new luxury construction in some of the world’s most sought after locations, let’s explore three exclusive new developments from our worldwide network.

Compound Interest: 5 Private Estates | Whether the goal is swimming or stargazing, each of these vast, stylish estates—from Florida to California wine country with the mountain town of Taos in between—is ideal for creating a private community.

From an incomparable estate in Cannes to a stunning cliffside Belvedere, California home, these are this month’s four featured notable properties for sale over $16 million.

Sea of Dreams offers luxurious Caribbean living for the savvy, discerning home buyer; the perfect balance of simplicity and first class living, privacy and connectivity, all within the world-class, tax neutral jurisdiction that is the Cayman Islands.

Circular homes make a striking statement.

These high-design residences are often one-of-a-kind, with interiors as novel as their curving facades. “When you’re buying luxury, you don’t want it to be a cookie-cutter home,” says Michael Pallier, the managing director of Sydney Sotheby’s International Realty. “You want something unique. A distinctive home means something to a buyer.”

Round residences certainly qualify. They are also somewhat rare, according to Pallier, giving them a rarified vibe. He is currently representing the Oculus, an “interstellar” Sydney, Australia, home that melds an expansive circular entertaining area with a more traditionally shaped wing that encompasses the kitchen and bedrooms. The six-bedroom, five-bathroom home was by architect Frank Fox in 1961. The circular entertaining area is at the center of Fox’s design.

On the walls of the New York loft of acclaimed design firm Søren Rose Studio are two photos: one of Steve McQueen—“understated and ever-cool”—and another of Keith Richards, the hard-partying, “rough and rugged gentleman.” These seeming opposites inspire the team to create original interiors that blend “Scandinavian poise” and “downtown grit.”

Beautiful residential gardens are the green equivalent of surround sound. They envelop, intensify, and enrich the very experience of being. It’s like an embrace from nature.

The opportunity to interact with the landscape provides homeowners with a sense of belonging. “The more personal, the more meaningful,” says Edward Furner, landscape designer and horticulturalist at Mariani Landscape in Lake Bluff, Ill. “Engaging in the landscape—that’s the ideal scenario where homeowners are reaping the biggest benefit.”