What? You want to come too?!
Well even though I can’t actually fit you into my suitcase (trust me, it’s already full), I can tell you all about it! I’ll blog regularly while we are away so you can stay up-to-date on the latest villa travel scoop.

Stay tuned – there will be much more to come!

If you answered no to either of the above questions, then you definitely need to read our latest  Amalfi Coast, Italy Travel Journal! This travel journal is a first hand account from one of our own villa agents. She vividly describes traveling to the Amalfi Coast and provides detailed info on each of the different Amalfi Coast HOT SPOTS, including:

• Sorrento
• Capri
• Positano
• Praiano
• Ravello

Here is just a little clip of the journal to give you an idea:

The Amalfi Coast is a very sophisticated and exclusive place to be in the summer months…
The Amalfi coastline begins with Sorrento and ends in Salerno. Beginning from the eastern coast, Sorrento is the largest town and has the largest port for ferry service to the island of Capri, and to Capri’s sister island, Ischia. Sorrento is a beautiful town offering plenty of shopping and a diverse collection of restaurants, as well as a quick train ride to the entrance of historic Pompeii. While Sorrento has no beach to speak of, it does have sunbathing clubs that are located out on the water that make it easy to dive in for a refreshing swim.

 After reading and reviewing the journal, I can definitely tell you that I cannot wait to get to the Amalfi Coast. I’m heading to Italy this spring, so I’m really hoping I’ll be able to squeeze it into the itinerary!

Let me know your thoughts on the Amalfi Coast – If you’ve been before, do you have any great memories you’d like to share? Or perhaps you even have a review of villa you stayed in… Let me know, I’d love to hear from you!

An introduction is in order today – I am Maggie Pristera, the new Marketing Manager for Villas of Distinction. I am just thrilled to be here and so happy to be able to share with you my villa experiences and expertise. 

Here’s how it’ll work:  As I travel to the different villa destinations around the globe (we have villas in 30 destinations, by the way!) I’ll be exploring the areas, culture, and overall villa experience. I’ll then share this information with you from right here on this blog. The idea is to gather as much knowledge as I can about all of our villas so that I can help you villa in the best way possible. Because let’s face it – you are my top priority and I want all of you to be the best informed villa renters! You should always know exactly what to expect while on your villa vacations, whether you intend to relax, dine, shop, or play!

If at any point you want more information about a particular destination, please feel free to reach out to me. I’m more than happy to get you the information you desire, or to connect you with the best person to answer all of your villa questions.

So stay tuned and make sure you’re subscribed – I’ve got the inside skinny on the best villa specials, the hottest getaways, and the newest availability.

-Maggie

After arriving in St. Martin on a comfortable Jet Blue flight from New York, it was easy to stop by the WinAir desk just before Customs and get right back into the flight terminal to catch our small plane for the very short flight to St. Barts (also known by it’s French name of St. Barth or St. Barthelemy). Unlike the major airports back home, we boarded our plane and were taxiing and taking off within minutes of our scheduled departure, and within 15 minutes of takeoff we were landing in beautiful St Barts. In my mind, the flight certainly beats a 45-minute standard ferry ride from the neighboring isle of St. Martin. The ferry is always an affordable alternative for those who prefer sea over air.

Upon arrival we picked up our rental car, a 4-wheel drive Daihatsu Terios, and followed our villa escort caravan style to Villa Arte, a brand-new hillside 4-bedroom villa in the conveniently located Flamands area. (Side note: Small 4-wheel drive vehicles are highly recommended for the hilly terrain and winding roads of the isle.) After settling into our villa for the night, we ventured out to Gustavia for a casual dinner. Gustavia is the major port town on the island and certainly tailor-made for the tourist trade. After strolling the harbor-front streets of Quai de la République and Rue de Bord de Mer, we ended up right back where we started at the welcoming Le Repaire restaurant.

The food at Le Repaire was refreshing and delicious, from my staple Caprese salad, to the mushroom risotto with truffle oil, to the catch of the day – it was all good. To top it all off, we were treated with the restaurant’s handcrafted flavored rums. This is definitely a spot I’d recommend for lunch or dinner while in Gustavia!

After dinner it was back to our villa for an evening of relaxation after a  day of travel. Here are some of the villas that stood out to me:

Villa Arte, Flamands
A very well appointed 4-bedroom villa with great integration of indoor/outdoor space and a lovely pool and jacuzzi area. I loved the built-in Miele espresso machine that got me ready for a very busy day of villa site inspections. The house is well laid out with three rooms offering full hillside view over to the bay of Flamands, and one garden view suite. Fully-equipped kitchen, US satellite TV in living room and master, flat screens and DVD players in each bedroom. A great house for couples, or families with teens or older children.

Mer et Soleil, Governeur
This is a fabulous villa with sweeping views of the Caribbean Sea. The open air great room leading on to the deck with a large pool and the gorgeous views behind allow for great entertaining. The construction is new and the villa decor is tasteful and flows perfectly throughout the house. While the lot is private, Mer et Soleil’s location in Governeur allows for easy back and forth trips between the villa and Gustavia’s shopping and nightlife.

Piment, Anse de Cayes
This is just the place where I would love to spend a romantic getaway with my husband! Absolutely perfect for a couple looking to hole up and enjoy each other, Piment is pleasant, charming and fully equipped with all you could ask for on a villa vacation for two: one master suite, a pool, hot tub, sitting area, gourmet kitchen, and more. The hillside location in Anse de Cayes provides a stunning view from all points of this picturesque property. Lovebirds will not be disappointed!

Recommended Restaurants
& Night Life

The Wall House Restaurant is another fabulous, yet inexpensive, St. Barts restaurant located in Gustavia harbor near the City Hall and Museum. The staff is attentive and the French food does not disappoint. This is a great spot for lunch and dinner alike. They offer a gourmet prix fixe dinner menu each evening, which is always something delightful.
http://www.wallhouserestaurant.com/
Tel : 590 27 71 83

Le Select, also known as Cheeseburgers in Paradise, Le Select is a stop not to be missed on your St. Barts itinerary. The restaurant is said to be Jimmy Buffet’s inspiration for his ‘Cheeseburger in Paradise’ song. Although inexpensive, the burgers really are quite tasty. If you’re looking to get in and out for lunch, Le Select is a good option. Live music is often played in the evenings at Le Select. Who knows, maybe Jimmy himself will make an appearance while you’re there. Located in Gustavia.

La Crêperie is a great place for breakfast, lunch, or dessert! Enjoy a crepe or omelette meal, reminiscent of your favorite streetside creperie in France. The fresh squeezed orange juice is truly refreshing and the chocolate crepes with fruit are a definite treat! Located in Gustavia. Tel: 05 90 27 84 07.

If you’re up for a late night dancing on the town, Casa Nikki by Nikki Beach in Gustavia Harbour is your spot. The two bars and the DJ will keep you going until the early morning light.

Although the Caribbean is a year round playground, offering abundant sunshine, turquoise blue waters, and miles of sandy beaches, it’s truly appreciated during the winter months when the thermometer starts falling and the ground turns white with snow. Jamaica, one of the most popular villa vacation areas, is a great destination for everyone. While many venture to Jamaica to tan and relax on the breathtaking beaches, there is also a plethora of activities to keep busy. Avid snorkelers and scuba divers will enjoy the beautiful coral reefs and exotic marine life that can be observed in the turquoise blue waters of the Caribbean Sea. Coffee lovers will take pleasure in the delicious home-grown coffee from the famous Jamaican Blue Mountains. This is one of the greenest and largest parks, ideal for hiking and horse-back riding. Sightseers will want to climb the world-famous 600-foot-high Dunn’s River Falls, and although some think this is purely a tourist attraction, I believe it is “a not to be missed” activity, especially if you have kids. Those who want to see beautiful sunsets should partake in the Jamaican tradition and head over to the famous, Rick’s Café, in Negril, where you will not only be mesmerized by the views, but you can enjoy cliff-jumping or diving into the crystalline water. For those who golf, there are incredible championship golf courses on the island. Try the White Witch or the Tryall Club (considered to be one of the finest courses in the Caribbean). No matter what golf course you choose, you will be impressed by the quality, and I assure you, the knowledgeable and friendly caddies will treat you like a pro. A villa vacation in Jamaica is truly memorable and the friendly staff will treat you with their “No problem, mon” service, where everything you desire is just a request away. It starts when you arrive at the doorstep of your private villa. Whether it’s your 1st or 15th time visiting, there is a smile greeting you when you first arrive and it continues until the moment you leave.

Villa Lolita

I want to share with you some of my thoughts on a few of our villas. My first recommendation is the villa Lolita. Located in Tryall, this magnificent villa, which received the “Villa of the Year” award for 2009, is everything you would expect from a luxury home. Upon entering this modern marvel, you are immediately greeted with a grand view of the ocean. The entrance way leads to an open air living room and indoor dining room, which is tastefully decorated with a stunning white section couch and a full marble bar. There is an expansive media room next to the living room, and since all of the public areas of this home are wired for sound, just plug in your iPod, and your musical tastes will surround you throughout your stay. And for those that want to stay connected via Internet access, the entire house is wireless. The 5 bedrooms of this home are all tastefully designed with a careful eye dedicated toward comfort. The master bedroom has its own private plunge pool, for an early or late evening dip. As with most Jamaican homes, it will be hard to spend any time indoors. With a large infinity pool overlooking the water, a freshly stocked bar, and high-end patio furnishing, the outdoor area will be where you spend most of your time. You will be completely pampered with a dedicated staff serving you cocktails and an incredible chef making you mouthwatering meals. You will not want to leave this little oasis in the sun. However, if you want to venture to the beach, or play a round of golf, Lolita has a membership at the Tryall Club, and all the amenities are available to you. This includes the Tryall Kids Club, if you are traveling with young children. Also, if you want to stay in shape while you are on vacation, this home has a full gym equipped with a steam room. I highly recommend villa Lolita for anyone looking for a beautiful modern home with all the staff and amenities one would want from a Caribbean vacation.

Greatview

Another great villa recommendation is the Greatview, located in the Spring Farm development in Rose Hall. This is directly across from the Half Moon Resort and a short drive to the new Palmyra Resort & Spa. This magnificent 6 bedroom home was the site of an Architectural Digest photo shoot. It is a stunning villa and certainly gets its name from the view. As you walk through the front entrance, you are greeted by an unobstructed view of the Caribbean Sea. And as you enter into the wonderful designs of a formal dining and living room, elegance and comfort combine to offer a warm and enticing welcome. All of the bedrooms and bathrooms are beautifully furnished. You will be impressed by not only the interior, but exterior of this home. The professionally landscaped property will take your breath away. It is truly gorgeous. There is a heated swimming pool and lots of outdoor dining and sitting areas. This house is spectacular – perfect for couples, friends or a family looking for a Jamaican paradise.

If you are looking for a villa that is located on a beautiful white sand beach, then I suggest one of our amazing homes in Discovery Bay, which is approximately 1 hour from Montego Bay airport. All of these homes are privately gated, and you will be awed by any of the following; Keela Wee (6 bedrooms), Makana (6 bedrooms), Fortlands Point (7 bedrooms) and my personal favorite, Whispering Waters (7 bedrooms). Each of these homes has beautifully landscaped grounds with magnificent outdoor dinning areas, high-end outdoor furnishings, infinity pools, and its own private beach. Each villa also has its own staff that is just waiting to tend to your every need. The living space in each home is comfortable and elegant and is equipped with many amenities including fitness equipment and complimentary sea kayaks and other water toys. The bedrooms of each of these homes have beautiful wood flooring throughout and are tastefully decorated. I assure you, if you are looking for a beachfront location, you can not go wrong with this selection of homes along the magnificent Discovery Bay.

One last thing I wanted to share with you – if you love jerk chicken or pork, you will love “Scotchies” in Montego Bay. It may not be much to look at, but this casual outdoor restaurant has some of the best meat around. Also, try the sweet yams and the breadfruit, all with a Red Stripe of course.