Villa Vacations . . .

            What does “Villa Vacation” mean?  Could this be the right vacation for you?

Many of our clients go to the Cottage at the lake, or a house on Cape Hatteras, or a condo on Marco Island for their family vacation.  They enjoy relaxing together, playing together, and exploring together.  Often times, they return year after year to the same place, at the same time.  But what happens when you start to yearn for something new, but deep down inside, you don’t want to loose the “Style” of your vacation?

            That’s where we come in.  The travel industry has all kinds of interesting “catch phrases”.  Villa Vacations in one of them.  Basically, it’s a home you can use for your vacation.  Imagine, instead of Hatteras this year, how about a Beach Front House in Barbados or Puerto Vallarta, or a home overlooking the Italian countryside in Tuscany.  Do you like to ski?  Try a home for the week in the mountains.  No matter where you would like to go, chances are there is a “Villa” waiting for you.                                                                       

Some experiences from our staff and clients:

·         Puerto Vallarta, Mexico.  Our family rented a 4 bedroom Villa, facing west, overlooking Puerto Vallarta bay.  The brochure advises: “The villa comes with a cook, maid and house man who will greet you with smiles as warm as the Mexican sunshine. You will be surrounded by sweeping views, sunshine, color and open spaces.”  Imagine a week with your own bartender and cook, floating in the infinity pool with freshly made chips, salsa, and adult beverages.  This Villa can accommodate up to 4 couples, each in their own master bedroom.

·         One of our agents, Jennifer, enjoyed a week in Barbados with 3 other couples.  Her villa had 4 bedrooms and a full staff.  “ There are four air-conditioned bedrooms and a swimming pool with poolside gazebo. Guests are well looked after by an efficient staff and this is the perfect holiday villa for families and friends who have comfort and relaxation as their top priority.” 

·         Just last month, one of our clients rented a 35-room villa in Tuscany.  It was a little larger than they wanted, but did it have Location.  They emailed us from the villa telling us how wonderful everything was.  This vacation was a 3-generation (8 people) trip the whole family will remember forever.  Exploring Italy, family style, will be cherished for years to come. The kids will think of grandma in a whole new light.   

Now, to dispel some of the misconceptions: 

1)       This Villa is just too big.  Just because a house has 5 bedrooms, it doesn’t mean you have to rent and pay for all five.  It may be possible to rent just the rooms you need, allowing you to rent that dream home located in just the right spot. 

2)      Renting a home (villa) costs too much.  Say you travel with 2 other couples.  To travel conventionally (Resort stay), you would need 3 rooms for the week.  It is not uncommon for a Villa Vacation to price out comparably to a resort vacation.  In fact, Jennifer’s group spent less money on their Barbados vacation than they did the previous year for a weeks stay at an All Inclusive vacation in Costa Rica.  And they had a cook who fixed all of their meals to order.

3)      I go on vacation to get out of the kitchen.  Just because a Villa has a kitchen, it doesn’t mean you have to go into it.  Depending upon the property, many come with full time staffs.  Cooks, maids, and groundkeepers are common amenities when on a Villa Vacation.  Get all the local experiences you want, without having to take care of it yourselves.

So, for your next vacation, why not make it a Villa Vacations?

Give us a call today and find out how easy it is.

Click here to find YOUR Villa.