Smart Travel: Villa vacations give unique perspective on Europe

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Consumers are inundated with travel offers, but many seasoned travelers are on the lookout for travel finds that are out of the ordinary. |ret||ret||tab|

One such possibility is a villa vacation. Individually owned rental properties abroad offer a very personal experience that differs from escorted groups or tours that travelers may have experienced. |ret||ret||tab|

A villa in Provence, France, or in Tuscany, Italy, may allow the traveler to delve more deeply into the local culture and to explore the surrounding countryside on their own, or with a group of family members or friends who share some special interest.|ret||ret||tab|

Vacationing in a private villa is an ideal way for a group of old college friends, or friends with a common interest in art, music, food or wine, to spend time together in an unstructured manner. |ret||ret||tab|

Since the villas often have two, three or more bedrooms, the expense can be shared among the group. |ret||ret||tab|

In the same way, extended families, often living far apart, can experience a week or two of togetherness in interesting surroundings.|ret||ret||tab|

While the largest number of rental properties are in France and Italy, there are also delightful villas available in Spain, Portugal, Greece and Great Britain, as well as Hawaii, Mexico and the Caribbean. |ret||ret||tab|

Many of these properties will have swimming pools, and maid service and meal service can be arranged. Occasionally, a car and driver will be available. A few of the larger properties can serve as sites for weddings or smaller business meetings. |ret||ret||tab|

Villa rentals will require a minimum stay of one week (usually from Saturday to Saturday) or longer in peak season. |ret||ret||tab|

Families and groups who have tried villa vacations frequently return to a particular area, and the same villa, on a yearly basis because their experiences there have been so agreeable, and because they have savored the real ambience of European life.|ret||ret||tab|

Travel agents have access to several companies that manage properties in Europe and other parts of the world and can help your agent plan such a vacation. These companies print lavish catalogs of their properties with pictures and descriptions of each to assist in the selection. |ret||ret||tab|

Your travel agent's services may include choosing and booking the villa, arranging for rental cars, airline or rail tickets and travel insurance. They can also help plan side excursions from the villa and suggest local and regional attractions of interest to your group.|ret||ret||tab|

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