With vineyards and orchards of olive trees patterning the hillsides, a historic castle is poised to open as a boutique hotel. Originally owned by the Bargagli family, an ancient and noble family of Siena, the Castello (castle) and surrounding estate dates back to 1680 and provides a vision of events that influenced the economy and culture of farm life in Tuscany. Today, Castello di Casole is a luxuriously appointed five-star resort and residence club featuring fractional and wholeownership opportunities in artfully restored and reconstructed Casali farmhouses.

The history of the Castello di Casole estate is deeply rooted in the Tuscan agricultural system of centuries past. At the time the castle was built, around 1700, dramatic changes in the social and agrarian landscape were underway. The rural houses throughout Tuscany began shifting to the sharecropping agreements, helping to dispel the centuries-old oppressive tradition of feudal serfdom. Here, for the first time in history, peasants became a party in a legal agreement – at the same level as the owner. Crop rotation needs and the tending of livestock created a yearround need for workers, and the job offered peasants far more favorable conditions than any other at the time.

The view that welcomes today’s visitors along the road from Casole d’Elsa towards the Castello, as well as from Monteriggioni, is an intimate reflection of its original 18th Century Tuscan landscape. It remains every bit as pastoral and pristine as it was over 200 years ago.

Owners at Castello di Casole enjoy a lifestyle as rich and diverse as Tuscany itself. Situated on many acres of land, the Casali range from 4,000 to 7,000 square feet. Each farmhouse features deep traditional Tuscan style with a complete range of modern amenities including a private infinity-edge pool and guesthouses. Additionally, each Casale is separately named after one of the original farms on the estate with its own custom style, layout and color scheme.

The rest of this content is for registered users only.
Login now or Register Free Here for full access to all articles, reader offers, competitions, groups and forums.

The David Lloyd Resorts Investment Fund – made up of 5 and 7 year closed funds operated and administered by Blue Gate Capital – will capitalise on the tremendous opportunities in the global property market and will enable investors to purchase equity within a diverse range of assets selected and managed in line with David Lloyd Resorts’ proven business model.

The rest of this content is for registered users only.
Login now or Register Free Here for full access to all articles, reader offers, competitions, groups and forums.

With a family of five resorts and over 40 years history in Aruba, Divi Resorts is the largest and most well known resort developer and operator on the island. Divi now spotlights 2 new luxury all-suite developments completed in 2009: unique golf suites and condominiums at the Divi Village Golf & Beach Resort, and striking modern towers at the Divi Aruba Phoenix Beach Resort.

The Divi Village Golf & Beach Resort completed construction of the final phase of golf villas- luxury studio, one, and two bedroom suites nestled within the lush greens of the Links at Divi Aruba golf course and just steps from the beach. The new golf villa suites surround the lively spot at Divi Village: a grand free form pool complete with swim-up bar, islands, and waterslide. The resort features fine and casual dining at the Links Clubhouse – home to open-air Mulligans and romantic Windows on Aruba restaurant. The resort is easily connected via a golf-cart shuttle service to its three sister hotels and the Alhambra Casino, and offers guests an optional all-inclusive program that includes golf and the use of restaurants and amenities at four Divi resorts.

For those seeking a luxury vacation home that affords the best of Caribbean living for an incredible value, Babitbay Beach Development announces the launch of Dawn Beach Club, the newest and most spacious four-star shared ownership option located on Dutch St. Maarten’s famed Dawn Beach, adjacent to the Westin Dawn Beach Resort & Spa, St. Maarten.

Just minutes from Philipsburg as well as French St. Martin’s Grand Case and Marigot, Dawn Beach Club, formerly the Westin St. Maarten Residences, provides an exclusive location offering the comfort of an upscale residential retreat, amenities of a four-star resort and flexibility of shared ownership vacation real estate for a value that is greater than the sum of its parts. Set on one of the island’s finest beaches with soft, pillow-like sand, 21 units at Dawn Beach Club are now available for purchase and use starting in 2010. Prices in Phase 1 range from $17,000 to $55,000 per week purchased based on time of year and view category. Phase 1 includes island and stunning ocean view condos.

The rest of this content is for registered users only.
Login now or Register Free Here for full access to all articles, reader offers, competitions, groups and forums.

The Élan Collection, a distinctive network of ultra luxury shared interest vacation home ownership properties, is commencing priority sales reservations for its deeded, shared interest ownership opportunities in a private beachfront estate on the Turks and Caicos Islands in British West Indies. Priority sales reservation pricing starts at $1.25 million per deeded interest, but only on a limited basis.

Situated on one acre in Grace Bay Beach (voted among the top 10 beaches in the world by Condé Nast Traveler Magazine), The Coral House estate spans approximately 12,000 square feet and includes five bedrooms, a library, office, two living rooms, breakfast room, family room with a large flat screen TV, and formal dining room. Exceptional details, materials and furnishings can be found throughout the home, including coral render flooring with glass tile inlay; beautiful Brazilian hardwood doors; antique wrought-iron gates imported from France, Egypt and Saudi Arabia; and a unique blend of antique furniture and one-of-a-kind designer pieces. Created for true island entertaining, the residence features an outdoor covered breakfast nook, outdoor beachfront dining pergola and an expansive outdoor beach area for a table setting of 30.

The rest of this content is for registered users only.
Login now or Register Free Here for full access to all articles, reader offers, competitions, groups and forums.

Developed by RDM (the real estate division of Florence-based Fingen Group), and Kitebrook Partners of Washington DC, Palazzo Tornabuoni co-owner and co-developer Byrne Murphy has announced plans to release a select number of apartments onto the market, with immediate effect. The move, which comes as Palazzo Tornabuoni enters its second phase, is due to the success Tornabuoni has achieved to date in selling out its first phase, and the significant interest it has received in the whole ownership of apartments.

The rest of this content is for registered users only.
Login now or Register Free Here for full access to all articles, reader offers, competitions, groups and forums.