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Showing posts with label Sightseeings. Show all posts

Monday, December 12, 2011

Verana Hotel

Verana Hotel is an intimate boutique hotel on Mexico‘s Pacific coast, tucked in a remote hillside jungle just thirty miles south of Puerto Vallarta and accessible only by boat. Verana boasts indulgently private accommodations, a blend of old-world and modern designs and a philosophy of simple luxuries—all set against a backdrop of stunning water and mountain views. The whole experience begin when you disembark onto the hotel’s small, private pier. A few stone steps lead to the full-service jungle spa, which offers aqua-therapy, scrubs, massages and the like, many of which incorporate locally grown plants.

Just next to the spa center, is the one of the two hotel’s restaurant, provding lunchtime service overlooking the bay, a perfect spot to enjoy the sights, while enjoying a stellar chef’s menu, updated daily. A weekday menu might include fresh-baked bread with roasted smoked eggplant puree, guajillo chile-encrusted octopus, and caramelized pineapple with fresh strawberries and yogurt citrus sorbet.

To get to the hotel’s rooms, guests will be guided through a 15-minute jungle route up, winding stone steps to the hotel proper. Along the way, guests pass by a dramatic, eight-foot-tall urn, as well as rustic busts made in the likeness of Verana’s owners. To be more specific there are no rooms, just beautifully simple, individually-designed villas dotting the hillside combine the traditional architecture with modern design.

The hotel’s lush natural surroundings inspired the overall color palette, and its decor (all of which had to be brought uphill by man or mule) mixes streamlined, contemporary pieces with artisan-made furniture and Mexican handicrafts, carefully selected by owners, former movie set builder Heinz Legler and set decorator Veronique Lievre. Visitors can choose from open villas with traditional thatched roofs, few to zero walls and rock floors, or more modern, enclosed villas with dramatic walls of steel-framed windows overlooking the bay. The hotel’s second restaurant and spa location blend in up here as well, where guests meet nightly for a casual cocktail hour at the outdoor bar, enjoying contemporary designs and stellar service, followed by impeccable dinners—yes, once again, overlooking the bay.

If you get tired of laying down on the pool or observing the sky and ocean downhilll, or have had enough of all those pesky, relaxing spa treatments, Verana also offers private and group yoga classes, kayaking, whale and bird watching excursions, an outdoor couples starlit bath. The nearby town of Yelapa is just a twenty minute hike away, with a long, lovely beach and a local celebrity of sorts—”the cake lady” who walks up and down the beach carrying delicious cakes and pies on her head for sale. Plan accordingly though, the trail between Yelapa and Verana is impassible when the tide is in. Verana is open to the public 1 November-31 July each year, rack rates start at $380 a night.

Museum aan de Stroom

The MAS is an impressive building with a museum, among other things. Because it is also the visible storage, the museum square with Luc Tuymans’ mosaic, the boulevard, the rooftop panorama, etc. The MAS is a total experience. Nowdays, Antwerp has its own iconic piece of museum architecture and it’s poised to make the medieval Flemish town a global destination. The Museum aan de Stroom opened last weekend to an estimated 100,000 visitors, including the Belgian royal family.

The MAS brings together the collections from the former Etnografisch Museum, the Nationaal Scheepvaartmuseum and the Volkskundemuseum. They are given a new home in the MAS along with part of the Vleeshuis Museum collection and the Paul and Dora Janssen-Arts collection. The collections are spread over four floors and are not displayed side by side. The pieces are connected through a dynamic scenography on the different floors. They don’t just impart information. They tell stories, they endure, they are actors in an ever-changing play.

Once Antwerp was a harbor village with a massive port more than seven times the size of its commercial center. In the 1600s, the city was the seat of the Dutch superpower, establishing the nation’s merchant status for centuries to come. Today, Antwerp belongs to Belgium and it’s still a city defined by its watery borders. And it’s there, just off the River Scheldt between the historic city center and the up-and-coming industrial neighborhood het Eilandje, that the MAS Museum steps into its starring role.

With this museum, Antwerp got a a striking ten-story monolith of stacked boxes in alternating red Indian limestone and undulating glass. The architects, Neutelings Riedijk from Rotterdam, rotated each level 90 degrees, allowing the escalators to ascend around the perimeter of the museum. The effect is a moving viewing platform affording wraparound views of the city, from the Gothic Cathedral of Our Lady to the domed Centraal Station to the grittier docklands and warehouses in the immediate vicinity of MAS.

Mas Des Retrouvailles

Mas des Retrouvailles is a lovely six bedroom villa located in the French village of Cereste.

The village of Céreste is situated high in the Luberon mountains at the heart of the Great Luberon National Park. The village is crossed by the Via Domitia, which was built by the Romans to link Rome to Spain.

The area offers much in the way of historical interest as well as activities including hiking, horse riding, cycling and rock climbing. The St. Michel Observatory is 15 kilometres away, from which there are magnificent views over Provence to Haute Provence, Mont Ventoux and the Verdon and Oppedette gorges.

Mas Angelo

This recently renovated villa is offering a pretty classically Provencal exterior façade, contrasting with an amazingly contemporary and funky French interiors.

On accessing the property through high wrought iron gates, off a quiet road, one enters a different and welcoming world. A lovely garden has a number of different seating areas and boasts an immaculately kept lawn, surrounded by flowers and exotic trees, as well as a large 12 x 6m pool. There is also a main shaded terrace, where one can enjoy a drink or three next to a whispering fountain.

All the rooms have been decorated and furnished in a very colourful and contemporary style, using a mix of unusual Indian articles of furniture and objets d’art, inspired by the 60′s. A wonderful sound system throughout the house and gardens enables one to listen to music, whether, having a swim in one of the pools, in the steam room or in the bath. There is even a rainbow shower in one of the en-suite bathrooms, which changes the colour of the water, dependant on your mood.

Villa Panorama

Villa Panorama a charming, 3 bedroom villa is located in a quiet residential area below Eze Village, Southeast France,Cote d’Azur one of the most beautiful locations on the French Riviera, between Nice and Monte Carlo.

The villa is situated in the hills above the sea, facing south with amazing view of the Mediterranean and surrounding costalcliffs, with only a three-minute walk to the beach. There is a one-way street that leads from the quiet beach to the property. With over 1,200 squared meters surrounded by tropical vegetation and fragrant orange and pine trees, the villa is an ideal, peaceful and relaxing vacation environment.

Le Grand Jas

With its south-facing terrace olooking to the infinity swimming pool, newly landscaped grounds and five spacious ensuite bedrooms, all of them air-conditioned, Le Grand Jas is perfect for a group of couples who desire a residence of great comfort and character from which to explore Provence and its many culinary and historic treasures.

Vue Sur La Baie De

A charming small, 3 bedroom villa situated on an exclusive estate high in the hills with superb views across the countryside to the Bay of Cannes,France.

The villa is very elegantly decorated in cool blues and whites with many works of art and wonderful antiques, making it unsuitable for young children.

First Floor One twin bedded room and one double room with king size bed, sharing a shower room.

Cannes Sea View

This 6th floor apartment is perfectly situated on the Croisette,Cannes,Nice .It is only a 5 minute walk from the Palais des Festivals and with amazing sea views.

It is ideal for a couple who want to relax in Cannes without having to use their car; for a corporate trip where colleagues need a central location in which to stay for a meeting; or for one of the many “Congres” held in Cannes. It is also perfect for hosting a cocktail or dinner party.

This apartment is very adaptable to sleep different groups of people so do not hesitate to ask and we will arrange it to suit your requirements.

Mas De L’Esperance

Mas de l’Esperance is a magnificent newly built vacation house in France,Avignon.It is made with a stone façade and pale blue shutters.

It is situated close to the very pretty villages of Le Paradou and Maussane-les-Alpilles in the heart of the Les Alpilles region. The historic hilltop village of Les Baux-de-Provence is also just a short drive away. With several pedestrian footpaths starting from the house, it is a perfect location for walkers, and also for golfers, being close to golf courses at Mouries and Les Baux.

Access is via a tree-lined driveway and an electronic security gate into the grounds of the property. The garden is filled with pine and olive trees, fruit trees, and rock gardens, as well as a 15 x 5m swimming pool, with step access. There is also a boules court and four bicycles.

Mas Du Puits

This lovely villa, is located in the picturesque village of Le Paradou,St Remy De ProvenceAlpilles, France a few minutes walk from the village amenities, yet off the main road in a quiet and private location.

Converted from the original stone house, it has been extended and restored to the highest of standards with enormous taste and flair. Unusually for a village house, there is a wonderful feeling of space, both inside and out.

There is a parking area outside the property, and the entrance is down a gravel pathway, through the lawned garden with cypress trees and an old well. To one side of the garden, a stone wall protects the swimming pool terrace on two sides. The pool is 11 x 3m and has an electric cover. At the front of the house and overlooking the garden and pool is a lovely terrace, furnished with seating areas and an outdoor dining area with teak table and chairs.

Un Charme A Goult

This very welcoming four bedroom villa in France is situated in the hilltop village of Goult, which is situated in the Luberon hills.

The hilltop village of Goult is situated in the Luberon hills, equidistant between the picturesque villages of Gordes and Bonnieux. It is a wonderful area for walks and cycling, as well as driving tours to explore the many attractions of this diverse area. Situated on a hillside, the villa is surrounded by woodland and has wonderful views over the valley.

The house is accessed by a driveway up past its terraced garden, planted with lavender and shrubs. On the same level as the house is the 11 x 6m swimming pool, with a surrounding terrace furnished with wrought-iron sunloungers. A pretty covered terrace just outside the house is perfect for dining outdoors.
The rooms have been decorated and furnished exquisitely in true Provençal style. Soft muted colours, traditional beamed ceilings and stone tiled floors form a backdrop for the country antique furniture, beautiful antique lights and mirrors and pretty curtains and bed linen. Everything is immaculate, yet very tasteful and welcoming.

Mas De Van Gogh

Mas de Van Gogh is an amazing villa, with views of vineyards and the famous monastery of Saint-Paul-de-Mausole and located on the outskirts of St Remy, France next to the remains of the Roman town of Glanum.

The secluded garden, surrounded by pine trees is large, boasting a profusion of mature trees, plants and flowers. There is an alarmed 12 x 7m swimming pool to the right of the house on a lower lawned terrace. Whilst there are two terraces to the front and side of the property that are ideal for outside dining or relaxing in the sun or shade, depending on the time of day. One of the terraces is covered with table and chairs and Weber BBQ.

The front door of the 250 sq m property enters into a pretty Provencal dining room with a large old stone fireplace, through which there is a fully equipped modern kitchen, with cooker, fridge/freezer, and electrical appliances. To the rear of the kitchen there is a pantry with washing machine and dryer.

Maison De Fontvieille

The beautiful small town of Fontvieille in France is placed approximately ten kilometres to the west of Maussane-les-Alpilles.It is reknown for its windmill, immortalized by Alphonse Daudet in his collection of short stories, ‘Lettres de mon Moulin’.

The very pretty property is situated just on the outskirts of the town centre and a short walk from the local shops and restaurants. It is particularly well placed for visiting the many attractions of the area, including Arles, Les Baux–de- Provence, St. Rémy-de-Provence and the Camargue.

The accommodation is all on one level and the interiors have been furnished with flair and taste by the interior designer Owner. Stone tiled floors, original exposed ceiling beams and white painted walls serve as a backdrop to the antique doors, country antique pine furniture, wrought-iron lamps and Provençal fabrics. The living/dining room has a large open fireplace is comfortably furnished with cream upholstered sofa and chairs. Large glass doors open to a terrace with pergola, furnished for dining outdoors

Maidon De La Treille

This lovely property is located in the small village of Maubec in the Luberon,France close to the many beautifull hill villages and activities which this area provide.

There is a small food shop in Maubec, and more in nearby Coustellet. The villages of Oppède-le-Vieux, Gordes, Ménerbes and Bonnieux are all within a 15 minute drive.

Although a village house, it is hidden from view behind a stone wall, and accessed by electric security gates. Within the walled garden is a 9 x 5m covered swimming pool, which can heated on request, with pool house, and beyond this a lovely covered terrace from which the views to the Luberon mountain range can be enjoyed.
The building is divided into two parts; the main part comprising the living area, tastefully decorated with antique furniture, and equipped with satellite TV, and two bedrooms. The second part, houses the other three bedrooms and a typical provençal living room, opening to a covered terrace. There is air-conditioning in the bedrooms, and the property also has internet access.