French Riviera, Côte d Azur. Cannes, St Tropez area. Palais Hermes, With 10 bedrooms and baths, sleeps up to 19, is a luxurious beautiful estate property, just footsteps from the sea, with 2 spacious terraces, a large swimming pool which can be heated (60m2) and pool/patio area, bbq, spacious, well equipped pool house. Distance to sea less than 100 m. Private: swimming pool (50 m2, 01.06.-30.09.). Interior: Large villa, 400 m2, on 3 levels. On the Ground floor: There is an Entrance Hall, Living, dining room, (has Sat. TV, video with films, hifi with CDs, games) with high ceilings and grand windows, opening onto a terrace, Fully equipped kitchen with oven, microwave, dishwasher, freezer, 5 air-conditioned bedrooms, all with ensuite bathrooms, each with 2 single beds that can be joined to make double beds, 1 large double bedroom with sea view. Upstairs: 1 air conditioned bedroom with bathroom with wonderful sea views and private terrace, and 1 double bedroom with bathroom, private terrace. In the Tower level, There is a large Jacuzzi room with window to the sea, and 1 double bedroom with air conditioning, and bathroom. and a large terrace with splendid view of the sea, 1 small single bedroom with separate access and 1 bathroom. Lush well tended gardens leading down to the seafront. Pool house is a large covered dining area and summer kitchen by the pool, and with 2 WC. Villa Hermes is set slightly back from the seafront with beautifully manicured lawns leading gently down to the sea. The estate has 2 villas, The 5 bedroom Palais Kouros and 10 bedroom Palais Hermes set in beautifully manicured gardens of over an acre. Palais Hermes is set within its own private grounds, but an access gate can be opened between the two villas when both are rented together. Shared private port and boat house for both villas on the grounds. Caretaker on premises in separate part of villa. Walk to restaurants and the nearby village. Shop 2 km. Sandy beach 100 m. By Car, St Raphael is 5 minute drive. St Tropez and Cannes 30 minute drive.  Extra Charges: Security deposit and final cleaning fee. The pool can be heated at extra cost. Sailing, water-skiing, scuba-diving, canoeing, kayaking, boats and yachts are all available for rent nearby. Additional services at extra cost available: maid, cook. Inquire for rates for the festival de Cannes and le Grand Prix. Luxury category.

Provence, France, Salernes. Charming and spacious (450m2) historic old stone Provencal house built in 1820 and fully renovated in 2008 set on large fenced private parklands of 8000 m2 with private swimming pool. INTERIOR: Spacious classic Provencal home of 4 m2 with comfortable furnishings, lounge/living room w/ fireplace downstairs as well as a second living room lounge upstairs, dining room, fully fitted kitchens and 8 bedrooms and 8 bathrooms, mostly ensuite. EXTERIOR: Large terrace ideal for lounging outdoors and private swimming pool, w/ outside shower and bathroom as well.  Downstairs are four bedrooms (3 w/ 3 beds each, one w/ two beds) and upstairs are 4 more bedrooms, two w/ two beds and one w/ 3 beds. EXTERIOR:  Large terrace, Terrace furniture, deck chairs, private swimming pool, washing machine, reserved parking (fenced).  outside shower and WC next to the swimming pool.  LOCATION:  House/Residence: Aups 8 km from Salernes: t. Private: park 8'000 m2 (fenced), swimming pool (12 x 6 m, depth 110 - 200 cm, 01.05.-30.09.), garden furniture, barbecue. Linen change weekly. Room cleaning weekly. Grocers, restaurant 200 m.  Salernes:  Cotignac village, approx. 10 kms away, in the valley "Vallee de la Bresque", at the confluence of the rivers Pelicourt and Grave famous, historical village with 3'330 inhabitants, 20 km from Le Verdon, 23 km from Draguignan, 33 km from Brignolles. All shops, restaurants etc. in the resort. Concerts, museum, cinema, attractions. Access: railway station "Les Arcs/Argens" 22 km. St Barthélémy 25 km. Villecrose 5 km. Nice 100 km, Toulon-Hyères 80 km, Marseille 110 km. Country market. Sights to see: St Barthelemy chapel, ceramic museum, old village centre, castle ruins.   sandy beach, 55 km from the resort. Walking path. Mountain bike tracks. Small bay "Crique de la Mule". Hiking routes. Le Verdon gorges, 26 km. St Croix lake, 31 km.

Italy, Tuscany. Chianti Classico. 11 bedrooms, sleeps 22, 5 kms from Montevarchi. Lovely, large stone house, and 2 annexes, 410 m2 total, great for large groups. Interior: on the ground floor, antique and tasteful furnishings: entrance hall. Upper floor: lounge with open fireplace and satellite-TV. 1 double bedroom. 1 double bedroom with open fireplace. 2 double bedrooms, each room with shower/bidet/WC. 1 room with 2 beds. Kitchen (4 hotplates, oven, dishwasher, micro wave, deep freezer) with dining table. 2 showers/bidet/WC. Panoramic view of the countryside. Facilities: washing machine, modem connection. On the ground floor there is access to a large room (32 m2) whre an arch separates the billiard room from the living room. From one of the bedroom there is access (1.2 m in height) to a loft room with rattan lounge. The first annex, 100 m2, on 2 floors consists of a double bedroom and a dining/kitchen on the ground floor with access to a covered patio (50 m2 with outdoor furniture). Shower/bidet/WC. 1st floor: 1 double bedroom. 1 twin bedroom. Shower/bidet/WC. the second annex, 100 m2, consists of large, sunny living room, kitchen, 1 double bedroom and 1 shower/bidet/WC on the ground floor. 1 double and 1 twin bedroom, shower/bidet/WC on the 1st floor. Both kitchens are adequate for self-catering. Gazebo with furniture next to the swimming pool. Lovely stone house from end of 18th century, situated in a wonderful setting, 350 m above sea level, surrounded by olive groves, vineyards and forests, nice panoramic position. It is ideally positioned to visit the most important towns like Cortona, Pienza, Montalcino, San Gimignano and the Chianti area. The main house (sleeps 10) and the 2 annexes opposite it (each sleeps 6) are rented together (sleeps 22), in total 410 m2. Wood burning oven, organic fruits and vegetables. It is possible to buy local olive oil and wine on site. 45 km from the centre of Siena, 50 km from the centre of Firenze, 30 km from the centre of Arezzo. Private: grounds 5000 m2 (fenced), garden 2000 m2 (fenced), swimming pool (6 x 12 m, 07.05.-01.10.), table tennis, garden furniture, barbecue, fireplace. In the house: billiards table, washing machine. Parking by the house. Shop 5 km, grocers 3 km, bus stop 800 m. Tennis 5 km, golf course 50 km, riding stables 3 km. Area; in the eastern part of Chianti, on the slopes leading down to the Arno valley, surrounded by olive groves, woods and vineyards. Historical village, in the eastern part of the region, on top of a hill, on a slope, 40 km from Arezzo, Siena, 50 km south-east from Firenze. All shops, restaurants etc. in Cavriglia 4 km. Gaiole in Chianti 13 km. For arrivals by plane: airport Florence 70 km.

Lucca Country Estate 30,  Tuscany
Luxury Tuscan Estate,  pool and tennis court, Sleeps 22 to 30.
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Italy, Tuscany. Beautiful historical estate with staff and private chef set on 50 acres of pine forests and olive groves ideal for made up of a luxurious frescoed main villa restored to a very high level with modern amenities has 11 bedrooms and bathrooms and 5 reception rooms with extensive entertaining areas, a casina with 1 bedroom and bathroom, and a coach house with 3 bedrooms and bathrooms. The villa accommodates 22 people in style and comfort, with chef and staff and for parties of 24 the casina can be rented and for 28 to 30 the coach house is also available . Ideal for family gatherings or weddings. Nestled in 50 acres of olive groves and pine forests the villa lies in the picturesque village of Vorno approximately 8 kilometres south of Lucca and has extensive gardens, a floodlit tennis court, a large swimming pool and several different al fresco dining areas. Hence the surroundings are completely rural and tranquil yet guests have the convenience of the village bar, shop and restaurant all being only five minutes walk away. There are wonderful views of the surrounding hills, forests, olive groves and the Alpe Apuane, sometimes snowcapped in the winter. The chef is a master of the culinary art.  View of olive groves and hills. LOCATION: Situated 25 minutes drive from Pisa airport, 35 minutes from Forte dei Marmi and the Versilian coast, and 50 minutes from Florence airport, the villa offers a unique combination of easy international access, country atmosphere and proximity to the historical and cultural delights of Tuscany. The lovely historical town of Lucca is only 10 minutes drive north of the estate on the old Pisa road. Lucca is the nearest railway stations, giving easy access to La Spezia and the delights of the Cinque Terre. HISTORY: The original building dates back to the 15th century, but through the years there have been many changes and the actual aspect of the villa is that of the early 1800’s when it was purchased by the Nottolini family. The main façade is the one facing north, which has a large door with architrave and stone frames. There is also a similar entrance on the south side of the building where there is the flower garden, a pond, flowerbeds, rose gardens, paths and pergolas. The estate also includes other buildings such as the Limonaia, the building where the lemon trees were traditional stored each winter, now a beautifully decorated full service kitchen often utilized for cooking school demonstrations, the Stables where wine cellar and wine tasting room is located, and the Chapel, now consecrated for Anglican wedding ceremonies. Luxury Category: Very Expensive.

Sognare Estate, Tuscany
16 to 18 bedroom luxury estate, private pool, tennis court, full staff with Butler
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Italy, Tuscany. Sognare Estate, owned for centuries by an Italian aristocratic family, is a true gem in the heart of Tuscany. An expansive, luxury, fully-staffed estate dating from the 15th century, one of the finest estates available for rent in Tuscany. The Estate is made up of a main villa, 16,700 sq.ft. in size and a guest house, 4,850 sq.ft. in size, located 15 meters from the main villa. The entire property was painstakingly restored and renovated during the 1990`s with detailed attention given to every room and feature. The owners themselves have decorated the property with an elegant and refined style. The results are truly magnificent, the entire villa and guest house are exquisitely furnished and fully air-conditioned. Beautiful floor tapestries are found throughout the rooms covering the terra-cotta and wood floors, an extensive collection of oil, prints and engravings adorn the walls, stylishly rich fabrics, upholstery, and drapery have been chosen to compliment original features of each room, and refurbished antiques abound. The villa is encircled by spectacular gardens, offering breathtaking views of the surrounding countryside with its rolling verdant hills, olive groves, and vineyards from every vantage point. There is a beautiful swimming pool (16 x 8 meters in size) with an adjacent large covered outdoor seating area with couches and tables, an annex with changing rooms, bathrooms, and sauna, a Jacuzzi for 6 people, and a pergola which provides shade by the pool. The tennis court is located below the pool. Next to the villa there is a large patio with a retractable awning where al fresco meals can be served for up to 36 people. Guests can relax in these luxurious surroundings and savor `la dolce far niente` or take advantage of the many excursions possible from the estate.  INTERIOR: MAIN VILLA: Grd floor: Large living room with several sitting areas with CD player and floor windows overlooking the cantina below. Three separate yet adjoining dining rooms, accommodating 31 people at round tables set under the vaulted stone ceilings, fill the adjacent rooms with each room opening through arched glass double doors to the south patio. Main fully-equipped professional kitchen. LOCATION: Sognare Estate is located in the Chianti region of Tuscany, 20 minutes from San Gimignano and Siena, 40 minutes from Florence,  and under 3 hours from Rome. STAFF. Luxury Category: Very Expensive.

ITALY  LAZIO:

Villa Ar Zilla
10 bedroom 10 bath villa, private pool, sleeps up to 23,  near medieval hamlet of Vitorchiano
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Brandolini
6 bedrooms, 6 bathrooms, 15th &16th century restored property, private pool, in a charming village in the Dolomites, Staffed with maid, cook, sleeps 12,
with 2 extra bedrooms on request, sleeps 16.
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Veneto. An imposing large 15th/16th century, restored historical property, with 6 bedrooms, 6 bathrooms, sleeps 12, with maid and cook, located in Cison di Valmarino, a charming village in the foothills of the Dolomites. (famous for its food and wine) and where Vivaldi and Titian grew up. About an hour drive from Venice and not far from the renowned resort of Cortina d`Ampezzo and Val Badia. The location is ideal for resting in tranquil, beautiful surroundings, and exploring the area which has many interesting places, including the many Palladian villas and small towns in the near vicinity. The interiors have recently been completely restored to a very high standard, offering the experience of a Renaissance home furnished with both luxurious antiques belonging to the family for centuries and modern high quality design. The 2 acre garden features a 18-meter swimming pool and a secluded seating area under a large chestnut tree. INTERIORS: MAIN 16th CENTURY HOUSE (8 PEOPLE) Huge high ceiling entrance hall and sitting room; second sitting room; dining room; large open space kitchen with view on rose garden and fireplace; 2 master bedrooms with bathroom en-suite (bath and separate shower); queen bedroom with en-suite bathroom (bath and separate shower); queen bedroom; bathroom (bath and separate shower) Tv room. 15th CENTURY WING (4 PEOPLE) Entrance hall; 2 sitting rooms; 2 queen bedrooms with en-suite bathroom. Maid service and meal preparation (breakfast and one other meal) is included 6 days a week, 8 hours a day. Laundry for the guests available. Bank and shops in the village of Cison di Valmarino. Venice airport 60 kms. Venice 65 kms. Treviso airport 35 kms. Congegliano 18 kms. Cortina d`Ampezzo 90 kms. ****Two extra bedrooms on request at extra cost.

Villa San Roque, Sotogrande
8 bedroom  8 bathroom lovely villa, Costa del Sol, sleeps 14, private pool, near the beach, sea views, short drive to marina and close to Spain's best golf courses   
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