Archive for July, 2022

When in Greece…. The Top Activities To Do

Sunday, July 31st, 2022

Sun, sea and kebabs… there’s more to Greece than meets the eye. From the mainland to the islands, there’s everything from world class luxury villas, through to hiking trails, yacht clubs and vineyards to spend a well-earned day.

Sightseeing
Whether you’re in the mainland of Greece, or one of its many glorious islands, you’ll never be too far from a mega tourist attraction. Amongst these, the Acropolis and Parthenon are a must for history buffs in the Greek capital of Athens.
There’s no end of UNESCO world heritage sites to gawp at – 18 in Greece in total. So well preserved is the Medieval City of Rhodes, that it joined the list in 1988. It’s the perfect city to walk around and marvel at the 2.5 mile walls that define its skyline. Another popular UNESCO site can be found on the island of Delos. Take a day trip from your Mykonos rental and discover why it was once the religious center and major commercial port in Archaic and Classical periods.

Dining out
Greece’s bustling dining scene is a fusion of traditional classics and middle-eastern twists. Street food has really come into its own in recent years, and Athens does it better than anywhere else. Grab a gyro and a super strong Greek coffee and watch the world go by from any of its squares or cobbled streets. Failing that, ‘Funky Gourmet’ in Athens is a two-star Michelin restaurant, perfect for impressing.
In keeping with the hip vibe, Mykonos has its fair share of five-star eateries for its many discerning guests, often hailing from a luxury Mykonos villa. The trendy spot of Kiki’s brings all the taverna vibes, whilst Nobu is always a winner with the A-list crowd. Over in Santorini, Aktaion is an 80-year old taverna which never fails to disappoint, book a table for sunset and you’ll enjoy the best view in the house.

Outdoor sports
With its great weather and heavenly beaches, Greece is a haven for water sports and outdoor activities. Many luxury villas are equipped with their own spas, gyms and infinity pools. However, with miles of unspoilt beaches, Paxos is a popular island for enjoying water sports. The waters are crystal clear, making it idea for snorkelling and diving its many shipwrecks. Speaking of which, the stunning island of Zante is famous for its world-class beaches, including ‘Shipwreck Beach’ accessible only by boat.

Hiking and biking
Nature seekers are spoilt for choice in Greece. Whether it’s high in the Peloponnese, or sheltered in the windy roads of Santorini, there’s never ending terrains to discover. Naxos is known for its mountain villages, making it a serene spot for a quiet hike. For the ‘well travelled’ hiker, the gorge of Samaria is Europe’s largest and deserves to be visited
Finally for the serious hikers amongst you, The Menalon Trail is for the hardy only, stretching between two villages in Arcadia found in the breathtaking Peloponnese peninsula in mainland Greece.

Gastronomy
The local produce of Greece is one of its greatest exports. From artisan cheese to honey and olives, some of our favorite staples originate here. When in Crete, the Lyrarakis Winery is a must for wine lovers. Housed in its 14 hectares of grounds is one of the most famous vineyards in the region – be sure to sample the olive oil too. Over in Santorini, the native volcanic soil is the perfect soil for wine-making, Argyos is one of several worthy of a visit.
Back to the island of Mykonos, and a little known fact is that cheese making does a roaring trade here. Take a guided tour or perhaps a cheesemaking class – it’s a popular pursuit.

Luxury Yachts
With its rich history and surrounding Aegean waters, the luxury yacht scene makes Greece a popular hangout for the rich and famous. Athens marina is the most famous of all locations for pulling up in your mega yacht, however many of the Greek Islands have their fair share of impressive ports too. Port Zakynthos is close to the blue caves and luxury Zante villas of the island, making it a hot spot for the yachting community. Meanwhile Sani Marina in Halkidiki remains a bustling port, with an on-site first-class facilities.

Formula 1 Comes to Miami – Here’s What You Need To Know

Wednesday, July 20th, 2022


Calling all petrol heads, Formula 1® racing is finally coming to Miami, and we’re already gearing up for an epic time!

Promising to be a spectacle, the Miami Grand Prix enjoys its inaugural race in the city on 8 May 2022, taking place at the Hard Rock Stadium. The highly anticipated event is expected to draw in the crowds – well placed for the wealthy jet-set elite it attracts. Tickets are now available to see world-class teams including Red Bull Racing, McLaren and Renault go head-to-head.

But more importantly than that, we’ve got a host of luxury Miami villas, top clubs and places to soak up the action on your visit.

Where to stay
For an event as prestigious as Formula 1®, you’ll want to stay in stylish surroundings. There is no shortage of Miami villas for rent, however, here are the top three locations for your visit.

Miami Beach
If you want to be central to the action, including all the top bars, clubs, restaurants and of course South Beach itself – then there’s only one place for it. This bustling area is well located to all fun, ensuring you never have to miss out. Staying in this vibrant spot, you can still find Miami villas that offer tranquillity and privacy, for getting away from it all.

The Venetian Islands
There is nowhere better, or more sought after in Miami, than the archipelago of dotted islands that connect Miami Beach to Downtown. Otherwise known as the Venetian Islands, this delightful location is surrounded by nothing but sunshine and sea. Luxury rentals Miami are in high demand here – be sure to book in advance.

North Miami Beach
If you’re here for the Formula 1®, and want to be in parking distance to the Hard Rock Stadium, then north of Miami Beach is a good place to base yourself. There’s also plenty of shops and golden stretches of beach in the area to enjoy during a visit.

Where to watch the race
You don’t need to have tickets to the Grand Prix to enjoy the action. Miami has a host of sports bars if you plan to visit the city to soak up the fun and atmosphere at this time.

Grails in Miami Beach is a typical pub with wall-to-wall sports anytime you visit. For something a little more slick, Black Market in Miami Bayside serves up mouth-watering burgers with HD action shown on its many large screens. Finally, ESPN will be streaming the race, so you can kick back from the comfort of your Miami villa rental and watch it in peace.

After parties
One of the many reasons Miami was chosen to host the Grand Prix, is owing to its cosmopolitan crowd and vibrant culture. As such, you can expect lots of fun, even after the race is over.

The F1 Race Weekend Miami Celebration kicks off May 4 on a new giant podium outside the Hard Rock stadium with DJ Kygo on the decks. This is just one of several events taking place as part of ‘Racing Fan Fest’ – a free four-day event of daily entertainment with family-friendly attractions to enjoy.

As part of this, the Major Food Group is hosting a four-night supper club on Carbone Beach with American Express and Resy as co-sponsors. Guests can enjoy a smorgasbord of treats from Chef Carbone himself, and naturally, surprise guests. While, bringing all the party spirit, Red Bull promises to keep revellers energized at the Faena Hotel, Miami Beach – before, during and after the race. This includes DJ sets, athlete performances and much more.

However, there’s only one after-party you want to be on the VIP guest list for, and that’s the Amber Lounge. This is the official Grand Prix party that follows Formula 1® around the world. This slick, seductive affair includes live performance from a line-up of talent, and a smattering of A-list stars.

For all your next trip to Miami, be sure to visit Villazzo for the best villa rentals Miami.

Why the Miami Property Rental Market is Booming in 2022

Sunday, July 10th, 2022

When it comes to the property market, everyone wants to know what the next big trend is. But just look under your nose and you might realize why the Miami property management market is booming.

Sun, sea, beaches and five-star entertainment; there are some destinations that have it all, like say Miami.

So it’s no surprise that Miami continues to buck the market trend, as one of the key destinations for inward investment in 2022. Testament to this, the city celebrated its highest January sales this year according to the Miami Association of Realtors, from both domestic and international homebuyers.

Whether you’re thinking about getting into Miami property management, or renting out your property to maximize income, here’s some insight into why Miami real estate is booming right now.

Florida’s low taxes
One of the big draws to Miami is its low tax rate, which is currently set at 5.5%. According to a recent report, Florida boasts the “sixth-lowest tax burden in the U.S. and ranked 44th in individual income tax burden and 45th in overall tax burden.” It’s easy to see why it’s an attractive destination to live or invest in.

Finally and rather importantly Florida is a “no state income tax” state — only one of seven in the U.S. Need we say more!

Remote working
One of the big changes, thanks to the global pandemic, is the way we work. Remote working has become the new norm for many professionals, and is very much here to stay. A report published in Forbes shows that today a quarter of all professionals now work remotely. With this comes greater flexibility around lifestyle choices, such as where to live and base yourself from. With its stunning climate, great international connections and affordable real estate, Miami has become somewhat of a magnet to investors and Miami property management companies.

Low mortgage rates
Over the past two years, real estate in Miami has continued to break records, in no small part due to low mortgage rates. At the start of the pandemic mortgage rates were the lowest they had been in ten years. This favorable financing has continued to pull in buyers, and attract Miami property managers to the area.

Tech industry
A top trend that Miami property managers are seeing right now, is an influx of talent relocating to the city for work. Hand-in-hand with this, the city is enjoying an influx of investment from the tech industry, with brands such as Blockchain bringing their presence to the city. There’s even a suggestion that Miami could be the new ‘Silicon Valley’ which is no surprise with the first Bitcoin convention taking place this year in the city.

Lifestyle destination
But perhaps most compelling of all, given the past two years, the emphasis on living somewhere you love has never been more important.

Florida’s healthy lifestyle, glorious weather and five-star restaurants and bars make it a highly attractive place to live. That’s not all, the area has seen an impressive uptick in its facilities for families, be it shopping malls, schools and activities in the area, helping to expand its appeal beyond the youth and senior market. This has accounted for 2.7 million new residents to the city since 2010 alone.

Final thoughts
Miami has proven its credentials as a city to play and stay in. Attracting heavy hitters in the business world, and the subsequent talent it has brought to the city, has seen a surge in real estate demand, especially in the rental market. If there was ever the right time to invest in a buy-to-rent, the time is surely now.

Villazzo Realtor is one of the leading experts in local Miami property management. Get in touch today to find out how we can bring our knowledge to your property.

Six Standout Features Every Luxury Property Villa Rental Should Have

Sunday, July 3rd, 2022

The rental market may be having its time in the limelight, but with great opportunity comes great competition.

There was once a time where location and architecture defined what it was to be a luxury villa. Not anymore. As consumers become more tech-savvy and sustainability creeps up the agenda, luxury villa rentals need to step up their offering. Taking insight from our Miami property management team, here’s six must-have features to make sure your property stands out for all the right reasons.

Privacy and Security
A private and secure home is one of the top requests that Miami property managers receive. In terms of location, a luxury villa that has waterside access, uninterrupted views and no onlooking neighbors will have a great advantage – this especially includes properties positioned on islands or in highly desirable locations. That’s not all, homes should be will equipped with state-of-the-art security systems, better still if they can be activated through face recognition or an App remotely. Gated entry and private parking are also highly sought after features.

Remote Working facilities
With so many of us working remotely these days, especially when away on business, it’s important that luxury villa rentals reflect this trend. Miami property management companies have been inundated with requests for fully-equipped properties with home offices and excellent connectivity. This extends to boardrooms, and large screens for Zoom meetings, as well as properties with large space for entertaining clients and guests in style.

Keep in mind that today many people travel with their families in tow, even for work. As such, versatile properties that have multi-functional facilities will appeal to growing families.

Wellbeing
Travellers are increasingly looking to combine business with pleasure. This means that properties must be equipped with all the necessary equipment for more than a fleeting visit. Health and wellbeing is a high priority, so personal gyms and swimming pools are a pre-requisite. To take it up another notch, indoor steam rooms, luxurious saunas and yoga and meditation hangouts are growing in popularity.

As mentioned, keeping properties family friendly is a smart move. Grounds with
basketball courts, tennis courts and direct access are in high demand.

Sustainability
Conscious consumerism has arrived, and with it so has the need for eco-friendly properties. From solar energy to geothermal heat, properties today need to have considerate features to appease discerning clients.

One of the growing trends is towards electric vehicles, so ensuring your property is equipped with charging points will stand you in good stead.

Deluxe touches
Villazzo properties combine the best in privacy with five-star hotel like facilities. This is what makes us one of the leading Miami property management companies. We know what it takes to dazzle guests, and it goes beyond beautiful décor and sunset views.
Guests are looking for the ‘wow factor’ that gives them bragging rights. For instance, a James Bond style wine cellar, an infinity pool complete with cascading waterfall, a private dock for your superyacht, a rooftop terrace with surround-sound system, a deluxe private spa and your own bar complete with summer kitchen. These are just some of the most talked about features customers love.

Entertaining rooms
A lounge – no matter how divine, is no longer enough. A games room, a personal cinema/theater, library and outdoor summer kitchen are just some of the demands of the rich and fabulous these days. Entertainment has come full-circle, and thanks to the pandemic, more and more guests are looking for ways to host events or celebrations within the confines of their private grounds. Be it the Super Bowl, a birthday or 4th July celebrations, a well-thought out luxury home should have a side room for hosting and impressing guests.

If you’re looking to rent your home, Villazzo is one of the leading Miami property management companies. Get in touch today to find out more.