Places to Stay in Sayulita, Mexico: Casa Brava
We don't know what the weather's like where you are, but we're freezing over here! While we wait for winter to melt into spring, we're warming ourselves up by planning a summer getaway. This year, we'll be heading down to Sayulita, Mexico, a village located about 25 miles north of Puerto Vallarta. A longtime favorite for surfers (they've been catching waves there since the 1960s,) Sayulita has plenty to offer the casual tourist. To name a few: a tented Sunday market with wares made by local and traveling craftsmen, an amazing selection of street food in the bustling town square, art galleries, and excellent restaurants. Plus Sayulita has one of the lowest crime rates in Mexico and world-famous tacos, too.
Need a stylish spot for your Sayulita getaway? Casa Brava, a stunning house located on one of the area's highest hills, fits the bill perfectly. Comprised of a main house, a guest house, and private studio, Casa Brava was designed by one of Mexico's leading architects and features handcrafted fixtures, onyx walls, polished granite counters, and custom-made furniture. Wake up to the sound of tropical birdsong and spend the day lounging in one of the many hammocks on the property. There's plenty of outdoor space to enjoy 360 degree ocean and jungle views, and if you can drag yourself away from the 12'x124' infinity pool, it's only a 10 minute walk to the beach.
Casa Brava offers a sliding rates scale based on season, number of guests, and which part of the the property is rented. You can also rent nightly and weekly. Full details below.
Luxury Travel in Italy: Pescallo Lake Como, Bellagio
Imagine waking up in the morning and gazing across the pristine blue waters of Lake Como to the eastern shore, as the tiny boats ferry tourists and locals alike from picturesque Bellagio to the many gorgeous locales along the lake. This is the view from Pescallo Lake Como, a new addition to the Boutique-Homes.com collection of modern vacation rentals.
Chic Nomads will find a lot to love about Pescallo Lake Como, a historic waterfront building that's been renovated to contain two stylish apartments. The interiors have been decorated with a clean mix of rustic and modern design. Owner Pietro Castagna, architect and furniture maker, is a favorite with guests for his friendly manner and helpfulness in arranging for daily excursions, boat rental (delivered directly to the Pescallo pier house), catering, cooking classes, and more. All the luxury of a small hotel with the privacy of a vacation rental. Accomodates 4-6 per apartment, rates start at $450 per night.
Traditional Japanese Townhouses
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When you think of traveling in Japan, you probably imagine densely packed high-tech cities, bustling shopping districts lit 24 hours a day by neon lights, and bullet trains packed with business people zooming around the island. Similarly, when you think of a typical Japanese hotel, the image your head is probably one of a super-modernized luxurious mega-hotel, much like the one seen in Sofia Coppola's classic "Lost in Translation".
However we've made an exciting discovery: traditional Japanese townhouses for rent in Kyoto, Tokyo, and beyond. All of these townhouses – or machiya, as they are called in Japanese – embody the elegant elements of traditional Japanese design and the philosophy of "Wabi Sabi". Some are purely Japanese in style, while others mix Western amenities with traditional touches.
The Boutique-Homes.com collection now offers over 14 distinctly Japanese, totally traditional townhouses for rent. Discover this special collection at Boutique-Homes.com and find your very own "Wabi Sabi Inspiration." MT
Topanga House
Los Angeles is a city of canyons, and one of the most famous is Topanga Canyon. Named after a Native American word that means “a place above,” Topanga Canyon is technically part of the City of Los Angeles, though when you’re surrounded by 11,000 acres of natural land, it’s easy to forget that a major metropolis is just a few miles down the coast.
Topanga House is a spacious and airy mid-century modern design in a park-like setting with amazing views of the mountains. Quiet, private, and totally Topanga, make this beautiful house your base for exploring the area and the city beyond the canyon.
Places to Go: Corsica (for less)
The French call Corsica L’Île de Beauté for its lush, green hillsides and sweeping plains that lead down to a crystal blue ocean. The island is never more beautiful than in the summer, when the hills are green, the sun stays up until 11pm and the balmy warmth of the Mediterranean envelopes the coastline, which is also why Corsica can be prohibitively expensive to visit during the high season.
But here’s a hot tip: Aregno Windmill, the latest addition to the Boutique Homes collection of modern vacation rentals and small hotels is currently renting for the incredible price of 790 euro per week. Trust us, you will not find a better deal – or a more charming, romantic lodging – anywhere in Corsica.
Vacation Spot: Joshua Tree
Cool in the desert? You better believe it. Joshua Tree has always held a special appeal for individuals drawn to the spiritual power and natural splendor of the Mojave Desert. Nowadays it's also popular with the chic nomad set, who travel to the high desert to refresh their creative juices and get inspiration from the rough beauty of the landscape. Mojave Sands is the best of both worlds: a simple, eco-friendly 5-room hotel located minutes from the National Park. Made out of local materials and insulated with recycled denim, this is one small hotel that'll bring out the bohemian in anyone. And did we mention the steam shower and in-room record player?
Places to Go in Mexico: San Miguel de Allende
The central Mexican city of San Miguel de Allende has been drawing travelers to its charming colonial streets since the 1950s, when it became a hot spot for artists who "discovered" the city's wide array of authentic, well-preserved Baroque and Neo-Classical buildings, and tourists who fell in love with the perfect climate and beautiful vistas of the area. The city was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2008. Today San Miguel is just as inspiring, especially when you stay in a modern vacation rental that reflects all the color and culture of Mexico.
V is for Vacation
And V is also for Verana. If you’ve ever been to the much-acclaimed boutique hotel in Yelapa, Mexico, you may have seen the extraordinary V House. It’s on the Verana property, but is rented as a separate unit. The house has a kitchen and bathroom with three individual outlook rooms that let you peer out across the jungle and over the ocean. Sublime.
Luxury Travel in Tasmania
It’s hard to miss this amazing home. Perched on the top of a cliff along Tasmania’s rugged coastline, the Winged House is an architectural masterpiece. Designed by Richard Goodwin, it’s visually spectacular, with it’s distinctive cantilevered roof. Imagine whipping up a meal in the gourmet kitchen overlooking the ocean, or relaxing in the gorgeous Japanese bathroom. You can – it’s available for bookings.
Places to Stay: Cottages in Nova Scotia
If you’ve ever wanted to explore Nova Scotia, here’s a great place to start. The striking modern Shobac Cottages are located on the unspoiled Back Shore of the Canadian province and offer stunning views of the Atlantic. They’re surrounded by a variety of trails to explore, and the ruins of a 400-year-old village. Tired of walking? Kayaks are included.
