Archive for November, 2012

Opening Day in Aspen is Almost Here! Do You Have Your Luxury Villa Rental Booked?

Sunday, November 18th, 2012
Events in Aspen in 2012-2013 and a Great Gadget for Your Ski Trip
Time flies when you’re having fun, or so the old saying goes. With winter in North America fast approaching we can’t help but realize how true the adage is. Now that Thanksgiving is behind us and Christmas is looming large that can only mean one thing: winter and all that it brings will be here in the blink of an eye. If you’re planning a luxury villa rental vacation in Aspen this winter then the time to book is now, especially with the opening day on Aspen Mountain and Snowmass (November 22) so close at hand. That’s right, we’re down to only days until the launch of the winter ski season in amazing Aspen and, with so many wonderful events to look forward to in 2012 and 2013, we don’t know about you, but we can’t wait to hit the slopes!

 

Villazzo’s VillaHotel Chantal in Aspen

Whether you’re looking for an invigorating break on the slopes, a romantic getaway, or a family friendly vacation in the snow, an Aspen luxury villa rental is really an ideal choice. Spending Christmas, Hanukkah, or New Year’s–or any holiday for that matter!–in a perfectly appointed, private villa with all the amenities and services of a five-star hotel will really make for a holiday to remember. Of course, Aspen is just as wonderful for those not celebrating a holiday and are instead looking to enjoy the great skiing and quaint beauty of this world class town.

Perfectly Appointed: The Open Concept Interior of VillaHotel Pamela

One wonderful event that always draws those in the know to Aspen is Wintersköl, a “toast to winter,” which this year celebrating its 65th Anniversary. This winter carnival, which was started by Jack DePagter as a way to bring bodies into town during the three week post-Christmas lull, offers a ton to see and do. If you happen to be enjoying a stay in a luxury villa rental during Wintersköl you’ll be treated to many wonderful activities perfect for adults and family alike. The festival kicks off on January 10, 2013 with events like a snow sculpture competition and a celebratory luncheon. Currently scheduled events over the next few days, which are subject to change, include a crash course in Aspen history held at the Wheeler Opera House, special Art Museum events, a Mad Hatter Ball, an Apres Ski Party on the Friday, a Soup Cook Off, Skating Exhibition, and Ullr Nights, a winter wonderland night ski event. You can be wowed by fireworks and, for those with canine friends, participate in Skijoring (a mix of Nordic skiing and dog sledding), as well as a canine fashion show.

For those who enjoy extremes on the slopes, the weeks that follow Winterskol will be a great time to be in Aspen too. The X Games Aspen are being held on January 24 to 27, 2013. Of course, you can also enjoy an Aspen vacation that consists of everything from skiing and shopping, snowboarding and gourmet dinners, to just enjoying the view from your luxury villa rental while relaxing by the fire (that vista above is from VillaHotel Chantal). Your luxury vacation in Aspen is really what you make it–and the limit is your imagination. If you are planning on skiing, one cool new gadget you may want to consider for the slopes are the AirWave Snow Goggles from Oakley. Stacked with GPS, sensors, and Bluetooth, these goggles can do a lot more than just protect your eyes from the elements!

 

Enjoy the Heat in Miami! Fab Outdoor Kitchen at the VillaHotel Jasmine

Villazzo is proud to offer six luxury villa rentals in Aspen, which will put you close to the action but far enough away to allow privacy. The prime locations of these villas will also enable you to host family and friends, entertain, and escape the hustle and bustle of high season if you so choose. From the sprawling rustic refinement of the VillaHotel Elisa–which overlooks the Red Mountain, Hunter Creek valley and Indepence Pass–to VillaHotel Tara, a luxurious ski lodge framed by a dramatic backdrop of soaring mountains, the choices are really endless. Of course, if you’re looking for a little bit of sun and sand this winter we also offer a great selection of luxury villa rentals in Miami–ideal for a getaway or for those planning on attending events like Art Basel.

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Three New Miami Spots with Buzz Plus “Guerrilla” Dining

Monday, November 5th, 2012
A few places to consider spending your evenings during your luxury villa rental vacation
Planning a visit to Miami this fall or winter, perhaps to enjoy the sun or experience Art Basel? Whether you’ve decided to stay in a luxury villa rental or not, there are a few new spots on the Miami restaurant and bar landscape that you may want to add to your “must visit” list before your trip. Here are just three of the most buzzed about new additions to the Miami scene:
Cooper Avenue: Billing itself as a “restaurant, bakery, market and lounge that is open early, open late,” this new Miami Beach addition has fashioned itself as a one-stop shopping kind of place. The brainchild of restaurateurs Amir Ben-Zion (Gigi, Bardot) and Shai Ben-Ami, Cooper Avenue was inspired by the markets of New York, something not often seen in Miami. The restaurant at Cooper Avenue serves largely American fair and at the moment is open until 1am if you would like to pop in for a late night cocktail at the  bar. cooperavenue.com
Drumbar Miami: Chicago whiskey lovers are likely quite familiar with the Drumbar in their city, which offers patrons a large selection of single malts and more. The Miami outpost of Drumbar is set to open at the Gale South Beach in December and promises to be a great watering hole for whisky connoisseurs in Miami. The bar is also Miami’s Exclusive Scotch Malt Whisky Society Spot.
Paladar Latin Kitchen and Rum Bar: If you prefer rum to whiskey then Paladar is likely the place for you, offering up more than 50 varieties to choose from. The kitchen serves rum-friendly comfort food inspired by the cuisines of the Caribbean, South and Central America, and Cuba by way of Ohio. “Paladar isn’t a traditional Latin restaurant,” co-president Andy Himmel recently told Miami.com. “It’s a new experience.” The restaurant is set to open in the Village of Gulfstream Park in November.
If you’ll be enjoying the beauty and luxury of Miami you may also want to consider a more out of the ordinary dining experience, like the “guerrilla” dining provided by Shelley-belly’s Underground. The concept of this intimate home based supper club is rather simple and, according to Shelley, “details of the event are a closely guarded secret, two days before the event, once your booking has been confirmed you will receive an email with the location details and password – no one gets in without a password.” The suggested “donation” is $65 per head and you’re tasked with bringing your own wine to enjoy the several courses of fresh, local food. shelley-belly.com
Seafood lovers who will be visiting Miami soon–whether staying in a luxury villa rental or a hotel–keep in mind that Florida stone crab season starts the week of October 15. If you’re looking for some great spots to enjoy some fresh fish try Joe’s Stone Crab or My Cerviche.
Photos: Ocean Drive, Miami.com, shelley-belly.com

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Posted in Miami, Miami Beach Luxury Travel, Restaurants | 456 Comments »