Why Stay in a Private Villa?

Travelers often stay in hotels because that’s all they know, but a private villa is far more exclusive and fun than a hotel—for approximately the same price. Whether you’re looking for a romantic getaway or a great place to invite your new friends, a villa is the perfect setting.

Private villas are vacation homes that cater to the traveler. Your desires will dictate where you rent your villa, as amenities and locations vary. Do your research before renting a villa so that your choice will give you all the extras you expect.  

Here are just a few advantages of a private villa:

• All the comforts of home. Villas are nicely appointed, with gourmet kitchens, spacious dining rooms, inviting living rooms, and opulent bedrooms and baths. If desired, you can rent exercise or office equipment. You’ll feel right at home among the luxury.
• Romantic outdoor touches. Breezy gazebos, lush grounds, fragrant gardens, and refreshing swimming pools add to the elegant romance of a private villa.
• Space. Even the most luxurious suite can’t compare to the sheer indulgence of a villa.
• Privacy and freedom. Cook and eat anything at any time, or have your meals delivered. Do as you please when you please. Be quiet, or be loud—it’s up to you. You won’t have the intrusion of hotel staff or other guests. It’s just you and your party.
• Personal staff to look after every need. Chefs, butlers, drivers, and maids cater to every whim. If you’re looking for spa treatments or massages, professionals come to you, and trainers and exercise instructors are available upon request. Certified babysitters or nannies take care of the younger ones while you play or relax.
• Extra services. Villa managers and staff can arrange entertainment and activities for their guests. Be sure to ask about local tours and events as well as any unusual excursions or off-the-beaten-path areas you’d like to explore. Villa managers are happy to recommend restaurants, shopping, and charters.

Private villas are an excellent choice for those looking for a fuller, richer vacation experience, or those seeking a private, relaxing trip. A villa is the ideal combination of the comforts of home and the luxury of the finest five-star hotel. Renting a private villa is the first step to creating a customized vacation that truly nourishes your heart and soul.  

All images courtesy of Villas of Distinction

Rome’s Most Fascinating Architectural Masterpieces

Italian architecture is some of the most brilliant and beautiful in the world. From the Greeks and Etruscans through Neoclassicism to the modern day, the architecture of Italy is diverse, captivating, and full of masterpieces. In this installment of our series on Italian architecture, we explore two of the most popular tourist sites: the breathtaking Sistine Chapel and the imposing Colosseum.

Sistine Chapel

The Sistine Chapel is the main chapel of the Apostolic Palace, the Pope’s residence in Vatican City. When a pope dies, the College of Cardinals meets here to determine the new pope. In addition to its architecture, the Chapel is revered for the artwork on its walls and ceiling, painted by some of the greatest artists of the Renaissance including Michelangelo and Botticelli.

Pope Sixtus IV commissioned the Chapel in the 15^th Century, hence its name. It was completed centuries later, and its architecture is a combination of Medieval and Renaissance. Like other churches built during the same era, the exterior of the rectangular brick Sistine Chapel lacks decoration or ornate architecture. It has no exterior doorways, as its entrance is inside the palace.

The Chapel shares the same measurements as the Temple of Solomon in the Old Testament: 134 feet long by 44 feet wide. The vaulted ceiling is 68 feet high, and the side walls have six centered, arched windows in addition to two windows at either end. Around each window are frescoes, and above the ceiling is a third story with accommodations for guards.

As in other churches of the time, the ceiling vault is not angular as we’re used to in our homes; travertine crossribs flatten and divide it into separate gridlike areas. In the center, Michelangelo painted scenes from the Book of Genesis, such as the Creation of Adam and The Great Flood. The ceiling is a fascinating blend of Michelangelo’s Genesis paintings and depictions of Ignudi, prophets, and ancestors of Christ, as well as circular shields and medallions and stone rams’ heads.

Coliseum

Located in the center of Rome, the Coliseum, or Colosseum, was originally the Flavian Amphitheater. Built between 70 and 80 AD, it was the largest coliseum built during the Roman Empire. Used for contests between gladiators, executions, animal hunts, and theatrical plays, the Coliseum was a gathering place for residents of ancient Rome and is still one of the city’s most popular tourist attractions. Ravaged by fire and earthquakes, the Coliseum stands today in a partially damaged state.

The Coliseum’s elliptical shape is similar to two Roman theaters back to back and is 615 feet long and 510 feet wide, with an outer wall of 157 feet in height. The outer wall has sustained extensive damage from earthquakes, but the intact area of the wall has three stories of travertine stone archways with a fourth-story attic. Each lower floor’s architectural style is different: the first floor is Doric, the second is Ionic, and the third is Corinthian.

Main entrance arches were located on the four sides of the building, and the remaining arches were numbered, much like a sports stadium today. The number of arches also made it possible to quickly fill and evacuate the 87,000 seats. Seats were tiered, as was Roman society at the time. Like our arenas, box seats at the north and south ends provided the best views and were reserved for the emperor. Seats at the same level and directly above and below were for senators, nobles, and the wealthy, respectively. The uppermost seats were for the poor.

The Coliseum also featured a complex underground tunnel and cage area known as the hypogeum. This area held animals, gladiators, and prisoners in preparation for the day’s entertainment and raised them to the surface with some form of hydraulic lift.  

As you stand in the Sistine Chapel or among the ruins of the Coliseum, you feel the magic of Michelangelo and the brutality and beauty of the Roman Empire. No matter which you choose to visit, you’ll walk away with vivid memories and the feeling that you’ve been part of history, even for just a moment.

Who is ready for a Roman Holiday?

Three Sporting Events to Put on Your Travel List: The Kentucky Derby, the Masters Tournament, and Wimbledon

Some sporting events are in a class by themselves, and are once-in-a-lifetime vacation destinations. Three of those events, full of tradition and history, are the Kentucky Derby, the Masters Tournament of golf, and the renowned tennis tournament Wimbledon. Any of these events is an unforgettable trip that belongs on your bucket list.

The Kentucky Derby

Courtesy of horizon-co.com

Known as “The Greatest Two Minutes in Sports,” the Kentucky Derby is the opening race in the United States Triple Crown of Thoroughbred Racing, and takes place May 7, 2011 at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Kentucky. The other two jewels in the Triple Crown are the Preakness Stakes in Baltimore, Maryland, on May 21, 2011, and the Belmont Stakes in Elmont, New York, on June 11, 2011.

The Kentucky Derby is also called “The Run for the Roses” because the winning horse is covered with a blanket of 564 roses, which fans can watch being made on Derby Eve. Since 1875, the Derby has thrilled audiences with not only the athleticism of the horses and jockeys, but also with its rich traditions. From the fancy hats the women wear to the mint julep, the traditional drink of the Derby, to the playing of “My Old Kentucky Home” when the horses step onto the track, the 136-year-old history of the Derby is evident throughout the weekend.

For a heaping helping of southern charm, go to the Churchill Downs infield and join tens of thousands of spectators connecting with new friends and hoping to see a horse or jockey. Some have compared it to the streets of New Orleans during Mardi Gras. Keep an eye out for celebrities, who love a good horse race and party as much as the next person.

For special Derby accommodations, contact me as soon as possible.

The Masters Tournament

Courtesy of horizon-co.com

The first of the four major golf championships played each year, the Masters takes place April 4–10, 2011 at the exclusive Augusta National Golf Club in Augusta, Georgia. Golf aficionados will love the opportunity to watch the best of the best tee off and pit their talents against their peers. The atmosphere is one of tense excitement, and the city of Augusta comes alive during Masters Week.

Like the Kentucky Derby, the Masters is steeped in tradition. Besides the well-known green jacket and gold medal awarded to the winner, traditions include giving crystal ware to players who achieve daily lowest scores, holes-in-one, or eagles. Masters champions automatically receive invitations to play in the other three major tournaments for five years, as well as a lifetime invitation to the Masters.

As tickets for the Masters can be difficult to find, you need to apply for practice round tickets approximately a year in advance. I can help you with applications and accommodations for 2012, including lodging with local residents in their homes. 

Wimbledon

Courtesy of horizon-co.com

The most prestigious tennis tournament in the world, Wimbledon presents a perfect opportunity to take a trip to London. Held in late June through early July, Wimbledon is the only one of the four Grand Slam tournaments played on grass, tennis’ original surface.

Wimbledon is located in the London borough of Merton, and the tournament takes place at the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club. The exciting events include gentlemen’s and ladies’ singles and doubles, plus a mixed doubles competition. The winners and runners-up receive silver trophies and plates, beautiful art in themselves. 

The traditions of Wimbledon include snacks of strawberries and cream, a dress code for competitors (all white), and ball boys and ball girls from local schools who keep games running smoothly. At one time, players were required to bow or curtsy to any member of the Royal Family seated in the Royal Box, but now deference is required only for the Queen or Prince of Wales.

If you want to travel to Wimbledon, you need to get your tickets and book your trip now. You’ll want to visit the Wimbledon Lawn Tennis Museum, with over 15,000 pieces of lawn tennis history, and take a guided tour of the grounds.

No matter which sport you enjoy, these eminent tournaments are thrilling and fascinating events you’ll never forget. Which one will you travel to first and why?