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Tuesday, December 25, 2012

Dubai Villas Are The Really Luxurious Buildings

While it is true that smaller apartments offer the best rental yields, it has also been true that capital gains on villas have been far higher in recent years. This trend is set to continue this autumn with villas in shorter supply than ever, and hordes of villa-dwelling bankers moving into Dubai.

Property buyers in Dubai have thus far tended to prefer the prospect of greater capital gains on villas than a better rental return on their capital. A new report from Bahrain-based investment bank SICO notes that villas have appreciated in value by twice as much as apartments since 2002, while rental yields presently stand at around 5% for villas and 8% to 8.5% for studios and one-bedroom apartments. This is a reflection of the preference for expatriate families to live in a villa rather than an apartment, with a garden, parking and independent access.

Then there is the simple fact that about ten times more apartments have been built than villas since 2002, so villas have both a scarcity value as well as being perceived as the better lifestyle choice.


This is not about to change anytime soon. The legions of bankers, stock brokers, lawyers and other financial professionals moving into Dubai are exactly the kind of person who wants to live in a villa, preferably in an upmarket community.

Over the summer one independent study concluded that Dubai was the number one target for expansion by global financial services for the next few years. That is an awful lot of high-earning staff who are by nature villa dwellers.

Moreover, the supply of villas coming on to the market over the next few years is relatively small, and by contrast the number of luxury apartments is going to be fairly big, so the scarcity of villas is going to increase and not decrease. Dubai Villas also offer a crucial extra feature. You actually own a piece of land rather than multiple occupancy rights. And in most countries of the world independent houses command higher prices than apartments, especially in the best locations.

In addition, investors point to the defensive qualities of villas in a possible downturn. People actually want to live in apartments more than villas so they are unlikely to ever be short of a tenant. In addition, villas in the best locations are more likely to keep their value, or at least suffer the smallest falls in value.

Finally villa owners are more able to determine their own maintenance bills. Apartments face annual hassles over the amount of their service charges; community charges for villas are generally far lower and maintenance is at the owner's discretion.

So it would be surprising if the Dubai love affair with its villas ended anytime soon and indeed with the red hot local economy this autumn putting further upward pressure on local house prices, villas will come out on top again for capital gains. Whether that will match the stellar house price increases of last year remains to be seen.

Monday, December 10, 2012

The Information About The Famous Villa Naga

About 1 hour from the international airport and 5 km north of Ubud is the compound of Villa Naga. "Naga" means dragon, an auspicious sign of the Chinese zodiac. The house is designed by Dutch architect, Joost van Grieken using traditional Balinese and Javanese building materials in a very modern minimalist style. The house has been written up in a number of books and architectural magazines as part of the new Bali school of architecture. The long stretched piece of land gives far views over the Wos River – valley, is mainly facing the east, the direction of the sun and moonrise.

The modern designed pavilions were completed in spring 2001 and consist the following. From the entrance pavilion a walkway leads through a lush garden to the central courtyard. Here is the access to main pavilion from where you can experience your first stunning views over the valley.


In this long-house style pavilion the open dining space is accommodated, together with 2 spacious bedrooms. In between the entrance from the gallery to the bedrooms is a private comfortable sitting area located.

Via the dining area, walking over stepping-stones of the main focus fishpond, one reaches the large living pavilion, where the kitchen and the staff quarters are housed. While traditional Balinese and Javanese materials are used throughout, the pavilions with the thatched roofs appear to be modern, so is most of the furniture.


Lombok grasses form the thatch of the roof, but bengkerai wood is used in the roof framework, as well as for all the door and window fittings, and the octagonal load bearing columns; the latter are supported by resilient Javanese white stone. All decorative and art works have been collected by the owner during trips all over Asia. The lighting in the pavilions and gardens create another serene atmosphere during the evenings.

In addition, custom made ivory and polished cement tiles make elegant statements in all pavilions, while the walls are either finished in cream-color sandstone or plastered and painted in Canton green or Tuscan terracotta. Each bedroom has a king size bed, a separate dressing area, a bathroom with an attached open outdoor patio with a freestanding bathtub and shower. Ceiling fans cool the 2 double bedrooms.

All decorative and art works have been collected by the owner during trips all over Asia. The lighting in the pavilions and gardens create another serene atmosphere during the evenings.

Monday, November 26, 2012

There Are The Five Most Popular And Luxury Italian Villas

There are the five most popular and luxury Italian villas.


1) Tuscany: Crammed with sleepy hill towns, abandoned medieval castles, natural hot springs, where many of the original Roman baths are still intact, as well as beautiful Mediterranean beaches, Tuscany is a feast of natural wonders. And speaking of feasts, the Tuscan food, from the white truffles to the peci and riboletta-not to mention the famous Brunello and Barolo wines are considered among the best in the world.

Then there are the bustling medieval yet modern towns of Florence, Siena, Arezzo, Lucca and Pisa where the shopping is sublime and the art and architectural treasures simply take your breath away. If ever there were a place with something for everyone it has to be bella Tuscany.

2) Amalfi Coast: Who doesn't long for the drama of the Amalfi Coast with mountains sheering down to the bluest waters of the Tyrrhenian sea and the most picturesque pink, perched villages improbably located along these sheer cliffs; it's no wonder all fall under the intoxicating spell of the Amalfi Coast.

From Positano to Amalfi and Ravello there is endless enchantment, views, and wonderful experiences from dining on the catch of the sea to a glass of local Campania Falaghina wine sipped at sunset.

The island of Capri has been a magnet for the international jet set for many years. With its bright azure blue water, craggy cliffs, ancient ruins and grottoes, this beautiful and romantic island offers visitors a wide range of activities. Numerous good restaurants and very chic stores surround Capri’s charming and bustling piazzetta and below are the beaches in Marina Piccola, where everyone goes to swim – and be seen.


3) Lake Como: Lake Como has long been lauded by artists and writers as one of the most romantic and beautiful places on earth.

The drama of the mountain backdrop, sheering down and reflected in the clear blue water of the lake is breathtaking.

The stately splendor of the villas along the shore adds to the rich beauty of the landscape, as if the majesty of the surrounding mountains reflected off the clear blue lake, was not enough to mesmerize even the most jaded traveler.

4) Umbria: A poet once called Umbria the green heart of Italy. One of the smallest of all the Italian provinces (only 8,500 square kilometers) what Umbria lacks in size it more than makes up for in spectacularly dramatic landscapes, art and architecture.
It is the only province in Italy not bordered by the sea and it has a distinctly different feeling from its close neighbor Tuscany. How? It is wilder, more rugged, less manicured, covered with lush green forests, rolling hills, sleepy little hill towns and peaceful valleys.

Among Umbria's most interesting towns are Perugia with its cobblestone streets and aqueduct turned walkway; Deruta just south of Perugia, considered by many to be the ceramics capital of Italy; Spoleto where for two weeks every June artists musicians and dancers come from all over the world for an internationally famous arts festival.

Also there is Todi, a beautiful medieval town now very popular with the Americans and British; Orvieto with its Etruscan Necropolises and magnificent cathedral; Assisi still as peaceful as when St. Francis lived there and Gubbio, the beautifully preserved hill town that pre-dates the Etruscans.

5) Sicily: Sicily is a land of extremes and contrasts, a magnification of all things Italian. It is also an island of enormous intensity, a concentrated distillation of history\, architecture and gastronomic delights, where incandescent volcanoes light up the night skies, mountain ranges jostle for supremacy, and where the sea has sculpted a coastline of stunning variety and beauty.

With its wonderful climate, Sicily is eminently visitable all the year round and each season has its own distinctive charm. There is always something to do, whether it be lounging on golden beaches, hiking in the mountains, visiting ancient archaeological sites, skiing on Mount Etna or shopping in Palermo's fashionable boutiques.

Monday, November 5, 2012

There Are Top Five Sites For Your Perfect Villa Holiday

When it comes to choosing a holiday that suits your budget and offers the flexibility to do things exactly the way you want to, renting a villa is a hard option to beat.
The ability to call a top of the range dwelling your home for the entire period of your getaway means that you are fully in control of your own environment – something which is particularly important if you are travelling with a large family or holidaying with friends.

Today there is virtually no limit to the list of destinations you can choose from when renting a villa through reputable companies such as Villas4You. An island holiday always seems to have that little extra appeal – so here are our top five sites for the perfect villa holiday:


Lanzarote

Cheap holidays to the Canary Islands are a great option at any time of the year. Gran Canaria and Tenerife are always popular choices but renting villas in Lanzarote is a fantastic way to see the truly unique landscapes that the volcanic islands offer.
Situated in the Atlantic Ocean, off the coast of Africa, the island has been a magnet for sun-seekers for nearly half a century with the influence of traditional Spanish culture making for a relaxed and laid back getaway.

Majorca

Another chain of Spanish run islands that are famous their climate and hospitality are the Balearics in the Mediterranean. The largest is Majorca (Mallorca in Spanish spelling) and it is renowned for a relaxed Catalan way of life based around enjoying the very best beaches and lively nightlife. Many thousands flock to the island at high season but villas in Majorca are a perfect choice all year round.

Cyprus

Slightly further afield in the Med, although not a great deal longer in air travel time, a Cyprus villa holiday means that you will enjoy a year round warm climate and beaches which are acclaimed as some of the highest quality you will find. The rural aspects of many parts of inland Cyprus mean that there is a fantastic range of villas to choose from.

Rhodes

The Greek Island holiday experience is within the reach of every budget due to the choice of villas that are spread across the many popular islands in the region. Cheap holidays to Rhodes are extremely popular as it has the best sunshine record of all the Greek islands and it is also rightly known for the quality and cleanliness of the beaches.

Hvar

The islands on the Dalmation coast of Croatia have surged in popularity as great quality, cost-effective destinations in recent years – reflecting how the tourist industry in Europe is looking east for new inspiration.

Hvar is an hour's journey from Split, a popular Mediterranean city, and has been building a reputation as a glamorous destination along the lines of a modern Cote D'Azur.

Tuesday, October 30, 2012

Dream Holidays at Villas in Bali

Planning a dream holiday? Bali with its white-sand beaches, world class surf, coral reefs spas is certainly the dream destination for you. Bali could easily be considered as the most popular destinations known throughout the world with its story book setting of pristine beaches, rustic villages, lush greenery and sculptured rice fields.
A trip to Bali would be incomplete without appreciating its rich and unique culture symbolized by colorful temples festivals which are often accompanied by spiritual music and dance. The best way to enjoy Bali is to book a villa and allow them to pamper you with their endless choices and help you experience the holiday of a lifetime. You can hire the finest luxury villas on rent and enjoy the comforts offered by them. These villas help you arrange your holiday according to your requirements and to fit your budget. You can either go trekking where the villa staff will arrange a tour guide for you or you may go white water rafting.
There are many villas in and around Bali for example at Seminyak, Ubud, Nusa Lembongan, Lovina. Each one is unique in its character. If you wish to go on a shopping spree, Seminyak is just the place to be. Seminyak is a bustling town known for its night life. There are villas that are just at a walking distance from the best shopping malls, music clubs and chic lounges. The villa staff even arrange for a visit to any of these places. If rustic villages, lush green rice fields are your choice, then go for villas in Ubud which is synonymous with breath taking beauty. This place is also popular for its temples which are centuries old. There is a township for painters, which is known to have been visited by international stars and royalty. There are many villas in Ubud who offer to take in and around the quaint villages and give you a glimpse of Balinese culture. This is the best place for those who enjoy cooler temperatures because this area is situated at a slightly higher plane than the others.
Lovina which is located on the north coast is famous for its dolphins. It is a must see for the ultimate water lover. You can spend your entire day watching untainted beauty with the dolphins swimming around Nusa Lembongan is the most developed area for tourism. Incidentally, this place is free from pollution as there are no cars or motor cycles. There are many villas in and around Nusa Lembongan which offer Villas for exciting rates. The amenities that are offered are endless. These villas offer a host of services including housekeeping services, daily complimentary laundry etc. Some even offer Balinese cooking classes.

Sunday, October 7, 2012

There Are Top Five Beautiful And Famous Italian Villas

Villas are always called the most beautiful and luxurious buildings on the earth, and there are also a lot of famous Villas all over the world, there are five most beautiful and famous Italian Villas you need to know:


1. Villa Rufolo, Ravello, Campaniafolo, Ravello, Campania

Villa Rufolo is located in the historic center of Ravello. Built in the 13th century by the wealthy Rufolo family, a member of which was cited by Boccaccio in the Decameron, the villa was also the residence of several popes as well as of Charles of Anjou. It offers a stunning panorama over the Amalfi coast and the Gulf of Salerno.

The German opera composer Richard Wagner was so moved by the beauty of the location that he imagined the setting as Klingsor's enchanted garden in the second act of Parsifal. As a tribute to this inspiration, every year the lower garden of Villa Rufolo hosts a Wagnerian concert. Wagner said he would never have been able to complete his ultimate masterpiece had he not been inspired by its gripping beauty.

2. Villa San Michele, Capri

Villa San Michele was built at the end of the 19C by the Swedish psychiatrist and writer Axel Munthe on the ruins of the Roman Emperor Tiberius‘s villa. It is located between Capri and Anacapri, at the top of the Phoenician steps, which connect the center of Capri with that of Anacapri. The gardens offer panoramic views over Capri town and its marina and the Sorrentine peninsula.

The idyllic atmosphere of the villa as well as its story are recorded in Dr. Munthe's memoirs The Story of San Michele, published in 1929. His interweaving of the villa's story with Italian history, mythology, and culture is beautifully reminiscent of 18th- and 19th-century travelogs.

3. Villa d'Este, Tivoli, Lazio

Villa d'Este was built for the son of Lucrezia Borgia, Cardinal Ippolito II d'Este, in 1550. Its refined architecture and decoration testify of the spendors of Tivoli in the 16 and 17C. It is one of the most remarkable illustrations of Renaissance culture. The garden, with it fountains, ornamental bassins and other decorative elements, is one of the first giardini delle meraviglie, which had a profound influence on the development of garden design throughout Europe.

The plan of the villa is innovative and irregular in design because the architect was obliged to respect the lay-out of the previous monastic building, a Benedictine convent, on which the villa was built. The design is traditionally attributed to the Neapolitan architect Pirro Ligorio (1500-83), while the works were realized by court architect Alberto Galvani.

Lack of maintenance in the following centuries led to the decay of the complex, but between 1867 and 1882 the Villa once again became a cultural point of reference. The musician Franz Liszt (1811 – 1886) composed Giochi d'acqua a Villa d'Este for piano while a guest here, and gave one of his final concerts in the Villa in 1879.

4. Villa del Balbianello, Lake Como

Villa del Balbianello is one of the most harmonious examples of a villa with garden, where the beauty lies in the overall effect rather than in each individual detail. Situated on one of the few promontories of Lake Como the villa was built for the Milanese cardinal Angelo M. Durini who wanted an isolated site where he could receive his frivolous invitees, but also philosophers and writers. The garden is unique in its lay-out, not following any standards of that time, because it had to be adapted to the natural setting. The villa was used as a setting in the James Bond movie Casino Royale.

5. Villa Carlotta, Lake Como

Villa Carlotta occupies an admirable site facing the Grigne Massif. It was built in the late 17th century following the canons of late Lombard Baroque. In the 19th century the residence was converted into a Neo-Classical villa.

It houses numerous statues, including a copy by Tadolini of the famous group of Cupid and Psyche by Canova, as well as paintings by Hayez and furniture by Magggiolini. The botanical garden contains over 800 different species and varieties.