Country Vacations & Resorts

I’m not much on apartments or apartment living. However, if I wanted a nice pad from which to launch more European travel adventures, I could do a lot worse than this stunning apartment near Bellagio, Italy.

This former ancient convent of friars was initially built in 1600 – with dedicated and authentic restoration completed in 2009. This one bedroom, one bath, two story apartment is one of only 7 – granting you some level of seclusion and privacy.

~Walls made of local stone
~Views of Lake Como
~Apartments are newly renovated
~Near historic and picturesque Bellagio
~Grocery stores, cafes, and restaurants within walking distance
~Private parking
~Fully air conditioned
~Gated and secure

With a price of only 160,000 € ($204,000 US), think of the savings ownership of this apartment will bring versus high-priced hotels.

Contact the owner direct for more information.

The beautiful Château du Jardin truly earns the title of “Dream Property.”

Château du Jardin

Located just 50 minutes from Brussels near the French border, the Château du Jardin on its 12 acre park setting is also eco-friendly. Try finding another 1780-built chateau that can boast this capability along with traditional architectural elements!

The chateau’s electricity is produced by solar panels that sit atop the woodshed. With a supply containing 5-years worth of hardwood for burning, heating is provided by a state-of-the-art wood-fed furnace with all wood grown on the château grounds.

The Château du Jardin offers both French and English gardens along with nut trees including walnut, chestnut and hazel. There are other exotic species such as American Sequoia, Burgundy Oak and a variety of rare Dutch elms. Adding further to the ambience of the chateau – bike and horse trails abound in the area and the Dendre canal with its walking and biking trails, is nearby. Surrounded by neighborhood farms that practice organic and sustainable farming, locally-produced vegetables, fruit, breads, cheese and meats are readily available.

This marvelous 3-story chateau boasts 12 bedrooms and 3 baths and can easily accommodate 20 persons. Traditionally restored in recent years, the chateau’s modern technology is fully integrated and includes ADSL, cable TV, and phone lines in each room, top-quality appliances (Miele, Bosch, etc.), a billiard room, a Jacuzzi, a ‘Temple’ shower, modern bathrooms and kitchen, and a state-of-the-art alarm system.

Contact the owner for further details.

Listed price: $1.7 million Euros/$2.24 million US

How about a stone house on 30 acres of land in Citta Di Castello, Perugia Italy?

Private and serene landscape

This 4 bedroom, 4 bath farmhouse sits on 3 fenced acres of pines, cyprus, lavender and laurel. Your hilltop location provides a stunning view (over your huge outdoor swimming pool), of the Preappinines.

Pool area

Features include:
- Exposed beams
- Antique Tile and wooden floors
- 5 stone fireplaces
- central heating
- electric gate
- parking
- garage
- swimming pool (49ft X 18ft)

The property also has terraces and verandas, several sitting rooms, a fully-equipped kitchen, the all-important broadband and satellite TV, and is conveniently located only 5 km (just over 3 miles), from the International Airport, Perugia.

Contact the owner for further details about this gorgeous property.

How about a beautiful luxury apartment in downtown Delft, Holland with a fractional ownership option?

Exterior – your apartment

The 807 square foot apartment on the 3rd floor of the historic 1870 building has a main floor, bedroom loft, kitchen, bathroom, shower, and laundry room. Pick a view from one of your 12 windows to enjoy fantastic views of the heart of the city of Delft – with a direct view of the central square ‘The Markt’ and of the Niewe Kerk (New Church), the Oude Kerk (Old Church) and view of the canals.

Other features:
- Well designed with ample storage
- High, vaulted ceilings with windows and plenty of light
- Floor heating throughout the loft
- Fully furnished with modern yet classical furniture, fixtures and appliances
- Complete flatware and cookware
- Washing machine & dryer
- Surround sound system

Find out more about full or fractional ownership of this beautiful and historic property.

Fractional ownership is actually a legal structure that allows individuals to buy properties in 1/4th, 1/6th or 1/8th shares. Real time this means you own and control the property for 3 months, 2 months, or 1 and one-half months per year. This dramatically reduces prospective buyer’s initial purchase cost and shares with others the ongoing holding and maintenance costs.

Unlike timeshares, which allocate usage time, fractional ownership gives real estate title to the purchasers via a holding company owned by the individual purchasers. This gives the fractional purchasers all the benefits of owning a property abroad, fantastic holidays for them and their family, capital appreciation and rental incomes, but insulates them against many of the downsides such as prohibitive purchase prices and high maintenance costs. Fractional ownership also removes the concern that the property is not earning money when empty. Because of this type of ownership, the property will never sit vacant while costs mount.

Financing a vacation or second-home property can be a bit tricky. If rental income is to be applied as stated revenue to help you qualify, it has to have a solid history and be well-documented. A mortgage of no more than 70% of the property’s value is fairly standard. Fractional property ownership could mean that 30% down amount is actually all you pay for your piece of this property pie. This shift in thinking from full ownership to fractional may also mean that instead of a 1 bedroom condo in France, you can purchase and become part-owner of a 4 bedroom villa instead.

Most if not all fractional properties come fully furnished and with a management company in place. This management will include the cleaning, maintenance, inventory and where applicable, rental of any weeks either you or friends and family are not using. Considering the sometimes high Homeowner Association (HOA) Fees – specifically on property you own overseas, management and maintenance costs for a fractional property will likely be lower – and will still be shared with those owning the other “fractions” of the property.

Calendars used for defining and selecting fractional ownership are often based mainly on the type and location of the property. Ski and beach locations have a specific “season” as do properties known for special interest or, traditional holiday venues.

Fractions Abroad has a very comprehensive web site and a very handy Buyer’s Guide. Since this is relatively new to me, I’m off to do more research and to check out some very interesting properties listed there. More soon…and maybe a fractional ownership “Dream Property of the Day.”

The exclamation “Wow” is certainly overused, but it really applies to this vacation rental property, Villa Ares, in Santorini, Cyclades, Greece.

Your pool awaits…

This former winery has been completely transformed while keeping its unique view overlooking the volcano. The architect-designed “Villa Ares” is a beautiful retreat that respects the local architecture and fits with the beautiful medieval village of Pyrgos.

Beautiful cool interiors…

This two-level, 4 bedroom, 4 bath estate is a perfect fusion of indoor and outdoor living. White stucco walls, woven rugs, and cool, air-conditioned interiors make this elegant home a perfect vacation destination. Accommodations for up to 9, fully furnished, and also equipped with plasma TV, high speed internet, and Bose stereo system – for those few moments you are actually able to stay inside at this magnificent and scenic location.

Villa Ares – bedroom

You can rent this luxurious property for 330 € – 440 € per night ($395 – 527US).

Take a virtual visit first and see these 360 videos of Santorini and the surrounding areas.

Contact the owner directly for availability and further details.

Luxury Villa For Sale in St. Moritz, Graubunden, Switzerland.

View from the street

How about a private Swiss Alps chalet located in the exclusive ski resort St. Moritz?

This unique property is at the forest and lake’s edge where no further development is allowed. You’ll never lose your scenic views, and this villa is also the last on a a dead end street with only the forest behind you.

Aerial View of the Property

This 2 story, 5 bedroom, 2 and one-half bath villa boasts 1850 of living space including a lower level with a fireplace and wine cellar. There is also room on the property to expand indoor living space if desired. There is an enclosed patio with fireplace at the back of the property.

Property entrance

This villa comes with appliances, has cable TV, lake views, and mountain views in an exclusive location. Built in 1960, this villa is a prime candidate for equity gain with renovation and updating.

Offers are currently being accepted for this outstanding property in St. Moritz. Contact the owner for more details.

Your pool

How about this 6 bedroom, 7 bath luxury villa located on one acre on the south west coast of Antigua? This property, for sale or available for vacation rentals, offers a quiet location for your perfect vacation, high on a hillside to catch the trade winds, with scenic views of the harbor.

Not sure where Antigua is located in the scheme of things? Have a look here.

Perfect for family vacations, retreats, or small intimate weddings, this 2007-built, 6400 square foot villa can accommodate up to 12.

Beautiful Bamboo

Five bedrooms surround an open patio on the main upper level, each with Italian-designed en-suite bathrooms, and boast hardwood floors and ceiling fans. Take a few steps down to the spacious living room with 3 sofas and flat-screen TV with DVD player.

The fully equipped kitchen opens to the terrace with its long teak table that seats 12, with peaceful and scenic views over Falmouth and English marinas.

The lower level of this luxury villa has an inviting pool with two gazebos, and a built-in BBQ area perfect for displaying your culinary and grilling skills to friends and guests. Have your meal while you relax, watching boats drift in and out of the harbor below.

Steps just below the terrace and the pool area lead to a studio unit with its own kitchen, bathroom, and private entrance.

Other amenities of this fantastic vacation villa:

- Fully furnished with all appliances
- Pet Friendly
- Maid’s Quarters
- Guest Suite
- Laundry Room
- Pool
- Balcony, Terrace and Patio
- Cable TV
- Ocean and Harbor Views
- Wireless Internet Access
- DVD Player With Library
- Automatic Generator

This villa is for sale:
($2,500,00EU/3.17 million US)
or available for vacation rental
(S3-10,000EU/3700.-12,300.US) per week.

Contact the owner, Alberta: 1(268) 773-6168 or visit Viviun International Property Listings for additional details.