Places to Go: Costa Blanca, Spain
Experience the life of a Spanish landholder with groves of almond, olive, fruit trees and magnificent seaviews while staying in this classic finca on the Costa Blanca. The extremely private Benissa Villa sits at the end of a long driveway with a fully automatic gate on 1.5 acres of land set between the mountains and green valleys of the Costa Blanca region.
The small village of Benissa is less than 10 minutes away by car. The village is typically Spanish, with fiestas held on an almost monthly basis.Sights include a beautiful cathedral. You’ll discover Benissa to be more native than tourist which is rare amongst coastal towns. Benissa has several delightful beaches, but you will need to ask a local where to find them. Each Saturday morning there is a traditional market in the village, bustling and vibrant with a lush fruit and vegetable section, and the best olives and grilled chicken in the area. Benissa is a taste of the real Spain with friendly people and beautiful surroundings.
Dreaming of Santorini
Float above
the sparkling blue Aegean, a cliffside villa done in the traditional style is the perfect place to drink in the beauty of Santorini. The interiors are just as spectacular: curvy, bright and breezy, with bold splashes of local art along the smooth walls.
But really, it's all about the view: multiple terraces and large glass windows offer vistas spanning from the famous caldera cliffs to neighboring villages nearby small islands, all cloaked in the bright blue hues of the infinite sea and sky.
Simple Luxury in Mallorca
Can minimalism be luxurious? At Mallorca Villa, the answer is definitely yes. Designed by John Pawson and Claudio Silevstrin (responsible for designing stores for Calvin Klein and Armani, respectively), this peaceful holiday home elegantly combines clean geometric lines with natural materials for a totally harmonious integration with the surrounding environment.
The four-bedroom villa offers plenty of ways to unwind and relax in the Spanish sunshine. With an expansive inner courtyard, sunken tennis court, landscaped garden, and 30-meter infinity pool that culminates in a waterfall, Mallorca Villa offers plenty of ways to unwind and relax in the Spanish sunshine.
Places to Stay in Japan: Seaside House
Seaside
House is an architectural summer home in the calm town of Hamaya, one hour from Tokyo. The design of the house emphasizes the relation between man and
nature by using outdoor spaces to connect the two main buildings.The extensive use of folding doors and wide exterior decks further brings the outdoors inside and vice versa. The fully equipped kitchen features full-length folding doors for a seamless transition between interior and exterior dining. The atmosphere is one of calm tranquility that brings together the simplicity of Japanese design and the beauty of the Japanese seaside.
Modern Design in Portugal: Chromatic House
Enter a wonderland of color, detail, whimsy, and minimalism in a refurbished 19th century townhouse in Torres Vedras, 50km north of Lison, Portugal. Designed by architect Pedro Gandanho, Chromatic House uses a mix of bright and pastel colors to define space and highlight accents on period plaster moldings, staircases, and built-in cabinetry for a striking contrast between old and new. A sense of play is evident in the sculptural (yet functional) decor, such as a octagonal closet, luggage elevator, and bathroom disguised as a red-and-white pill.
With 1 suite and
3 bedrooms, Chromatic House is a true treat for lovers of design and color.
Vacation Spots in Washington: Glass Cabin
An hour's drive north from Seattle, Washington is the bountiful farmland of the Skagit Valley and picturesque town of LaConner. Your destination is Reef Point Bay on Fidalgo Island where this modern glass cabin awaits your arrival. A modern treehouse of sorts, the cabin seems to float on steel beams within a canopy of trees with the floor-to-ceiling windows giving amazing views of Hope Island, Whidbey Island, the Olympic Mountains, and beyond.
Stunningly modern, Glass Cabin has a large open living room with a wood-burning stove, dining area, and gourmet kitchen where guests can prepare meals from locally sourced ingredients. 2 bedrooms and a sleeping loft are located upstairs, while a generous outdoor patio and dining area encompasses a stone staircase that leads straight down to the beach. Chic, eco-friendly, and very
affordable at only $220 per night.
Green Travel in Uruguay: Eco Container Apartments
Uruguay's hot right now (check out our piece on Cabo Polonio!) and Punte Del Este is one of the prettiest beaches in the country. But what do you do if you're an eco-conscious traveler with an aversion to mega-resorts? You stay in the totally chic and super green Eco Container Apartments in José Ignacio.
The 2-story building was created out of shipping containers and uses eco-friendly technology for a totally green experience. The property is made up of 4
chic apartments, each one with a private deck and great views of either the sea or the forest. 1-2 guests can lodge comfortably and guilt-free in rooms that are
lit by low-energy LED lights and enjoy water warmed by a solar heater. Outside is a self-sustaining organic garden, jacuzzi, and firepit for outdoor cooking.
Places to Stay in Trancoso, Brazil
It's all about the details at Casa Lola, a truly chic vacation rental in one of the world's most coveted vacation spots: Trancoso, Brazil. The project of New York-based interior designer Jan Eleni Lemonedes and her husband, Casa Lola combines the elegance of minimalism with the
traditions of Bahia and filters them through the sharp eye of a designer. The result is a beautifully bohemian 3-story property that's a perfect mix of materials (wood, glass, and white washing) and a true reflection of Trancoso's raw-edged but laid back atmosphere. Casa Lola is made up of 2 houses (a main house and guest cottage) and can accommodate up to 6 guests total. Above you see the tranquil pool house where you can take an afternoon nap in the canopied bed before dipping your toes into a pool lined with Indonesian tiles. Pure luxury!
Simple Luxury in France: Maison Duras
A 12th century priory set against a glorious backdrop of rolling hills, plum orchards, and vineyards, Maison Duras offers both children and adults a place to chill out and enjoy the gorgeous scenery of the French countryside. The architecture is medieval (the building wraps around a cobbled courtyard) but the atmosphere is one of pure tranquility. Rustic touches like thick stone walls, huge glass windows, terracotta tiles, oak doors, and slate bathrooms are balanced with modern furnishings, huge glass windows, and an open-plan interior. With luxurious amenities like a slate-grey pool, fully
stocked kitchen, and a 5 acre garden, Maison Duras offers effortless natural elegance and laid back charm for miles.
Four bedrooms (one a
kid-friendly dormitory) accommodate up to 10 guests in comfort. The owner is offering a special launching rate for the months of July, August, and September. Get full details on Boutique-Homes.com.
Travel and Leisure in Costa Rica
Experience true tranquility in Costa Rica at the Beach Estates, a modern vacation rental located right on a gorgeous stretch of
white sand beach in Santa Teresa's tranquil North End. Choose from Beachwood, shown above, an eco-friendly home with a contemporary design or Sandy Lane, a two story home with floor to ceiling wooden shutters that open up to spectacular beach views. Kick back by the infinity pool while taking in the
sights and sounds of 3 acres of lush gardens or take advantage of private beach access to work on your tan. When the sun sets, the restaurants and shops of Santa Teresa are only a short walk away.
