LE MAG by AMARANTE LVA

Thira, colloquially-called Santorini, a contraction of Santa Irini (Saint Irene) whose cathedral is located in the village of Perissa, is a Greek group of islands in the Aegean sea situated circa 200 km from the mainland. It includes Thira, Thirassia, Aspronissi, Palea and Nea Kameni. The island complex is an active volcano and all the islands actually were born only thanks to the volcanic activity that has defined their romantic nature.

Santorini island, Greece

Satorini island, Greece

When planning a trip to Santorini, most travellers ask themselves where to go: Fira or Oia?
Here are some tips for this choice to be easier.

Fira, Santorini, Greece

Both Fira and Oia are perched over the sea and caldera and offer fantastic views from different angles. They tend to say Oia is a more romantic option though all Santorini is known to be the place to be for couples for its stunning sunsets. The towns are pretty much the same in terms of architecture and general facilities.

Fira, Santorini, Greece

Both villages have some options for eating out but Fira as the capital has more easy places suitable for any wallet. Both Oia and Fira have grocery stores and small markets.

Oia, Santorini, Greece

Fira, again being the capital, offers easier car-renting and more options for public transportation having a bus station. The trip from the airport and the port is slightly shorter to Fira rather than to Oia, though the difference is only about 10 minutes. As a matter of fact, there are plenty of hiking tours from Fira to Oia.

Oia, Santorini, Greece

For luxury villas on Santorini, both Fira and Oia offer you wonderful places, you just have to be fast and not to wait for too long. There are more travellers wishing to visit Santorini than it can get!

Vienna is one of the most beautiful European cities. Known as the city of music, Vienna has a brilliant music past featuring Ludwig Ban Beethoven, Johann Strauss, Joseph Haydn, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, Ferdinand Ries, Franz Schubert, Johannes Brahms and other renowned genii. Vienna was also nicknamed the city of dreams for having been home to the first psychoanalyst Sigmund Freud. Been a centre of the cultural development for several centuries, Vienna houses a lot of world-wide known museums, galleries and exposition centres. In 2001, it was named a UNESCO Wolrd Heritage Site and in 2005 it got the title of the most liveable city in the world.
With its characteristical balls, impeccable theaters and operas, picturesque parks and gardens, wonderful architecture, Michelin-starred restaurants  and luxury holiday apartments in Vienna, this German-speaking city will become a great solution for a family or friends´travel.
Check out our new addition to the Vienna collection and start to plan your trip with our experts.

Vienna Luxury Apartment

Vienna Luxury Apartment

Vienna Luxury Apartment

Vienna Luxury Apartment

Vienna Luxury Apartment

Vienna Luxury Apartment

Vienna Luxury Apartment

Vienna Luxury Apartment

Vienna Luxury Apartment

For those looking for a special place for their vacation, Spain might become the right place. If you are still planning holidays in July or August, do not miss our luxury villas on Costa Brava perfect both for families with children and friends, elderly guests and younger travellers.

A new addition to our collection, Begur Sea Villa is located on the rocks right above the sea. Benefiting from stunning views and a direct access to the beach, the villa is set within a short distance from the centre of Begur with its bustling summer life, bars and restaurants.

Begur Sea Villa - Pool Area Begur Sea Villa - View from the Garden

Begur Sea Villa - Living Room

Begur Sea Villa - Bedroom

Begur Sea Villa - Bedroom

Begur Sea Villa - Guest House

Begur Sea Villa - Al-fresco Lounge

Planning your trip to Barcelona you must have faced the choice of the area where to stay. Barcelona is not a big city and has only 1,600 million people, but its neighborhoods are very different in terms of safety and features. So when picking up a luxury apartment in Barcelona depending on your trip preferences, you might chose one area over another one.


Number 3. Diagonal Mar
If you are planning a beach holiday, Barcelona is a great place for that. Located right in the city line, Barcelona enjoys several sandy beaches including Barceloneta, Bogatell, Mar Bella and Nova Mar Bella. All easily reachable by public transport or by taxi, these family-friendly beaches with cafes and restaurants are beloved both by the tourists and Barcelona residents. If you are a lover of fresh design and condominiums with a pool, a gym, a tennis and other facilities, your area is Diagonal Mar, home to Mar Bella and Nova Mar Bella beaches and a big shopping mall, located just within 10 minutes drive from the hustle and bustle of the city.

Spectacular Seaview Penthouse, Barcelona

Diagonal Mar Park, Barcelona

Diagonal Mar Park, Barcelona

Luxury Duplex Penthouse Mar, Barcelona

Number 2. Ciutat Vella: el Born
Those looking for the most authentic experience shall pay attention to the Old City, or Ciutat Vella in Catalan. Comprising of four neighborhoods, La Barceloneta, el Raval, el Gotic and Sant Pere, Santa Caterina i la Ribera and home to the famous Las Ramblas, this area is located in the city centre. With plenty of new elegant cafes, designer & handcraft shops, cocktail bars and workshops, the place is being living a rebirth these days. Barcelona´s big secrets keeper, Ciutat Vella boasts typical gothic architecture, narrow streets and fortified walls going back to the Roman Empire history. El Born and el Gotico are considered to be the most cosmopolitan, chicest and boheme neighborhoods of the area.

El Born, Barcelona

Barrio Gotico, Barcelona

Gothic Quarter Deluxe Studio, Barcelona

Gothic Quarter Deluxe Studio building entrance, Barcelona

Number 1. Eixample
If you are coming for a lot of sightseeing, fine dining and walking around, your area is Eixample. Situated right in the city centre and comprising two main neighborhood, Eixample Esquerra and Eixample Dreta, this area hosts the many of the main sightseeing points of the city including La Pedrera and Casa Batllo by Antoni Gaudi, the main half-pedestrian street of Barcelona, Rambla de Catalunya, and the emblematic Passeig de Gracia. Within a short walk from Sagrada Familia and full of restaurants, cafes, bars and luxury shops, Eixample has converted into a must-live for any Barcelona tourist.

Casa Batllo on Passeig de Gracia, Barcelona

Golden Collection Apartment, Eixample

Golden Collection Apartment, Eixample

Rambla Luxury Residence, Barcelona

Luxury Spa Palace Apartment, Barcelona

We want the holidays to be perfect. They just must be perfect. We are waiting for this period all the year and do not want to fail or even jeopardize them. So when planning a trip we want to plan everything to a dot. The time, the things to do, the accommodation, the transport, the food, the guides, the clothes, absolutely everything.
One thing that might look a bit unimportant, but is actually the keystone of the travel is the moment of the year to visit the place in question. It depends on various factors such as the situation of the place, climate, events to be held, the party you are travelling with, public holidays, flights frequency and what kind of holiday you are up to. It is quite clear that going to the mountains in winter and in summer are two absolutely different trips. As well as going to the mountains with your friends in the mid-thirties and with three children under three.
So what is the best time to visit Barcelona?
Let´s start with the climate. If you are coming for a beach holiday and your main desire is to tan and relax, then July and August are your months. Be prepared, Barcelona and its beaches will be quite packed, so if you are looking for some hot weather and seclusion, a luxury apartment with a private pool in Barcelona might be a better solution for you rather than a hotel. The swimming season varies from ano year to another and normally starts in mid-June though you will see some people sunbathing at the beginning of May; it finishes at the end of September.

Barceloneta Beach, Barcelona

Barceloneta Beach, Barcelona

Luxury Pool Penthouse, Barcelona

Though walking around looking at the sightseeing points of the city with the sun beating down, +29 C and quite high level of humidity is not the best solution. If you come primarily to enjoy the works of Gaudi, museums, beautiful parks, try the delicious local food and do some cultural tourism, then the best period would be mid-Apil through June and September, October. Barcelona doesn´t have a lot of rainy days throughout the year, and the infrequent rains normally tend to fall in September, October and November. Find out what to do in Barcelona on a rainy day here.

If you are a big foodie and come for shopping, you shall know that some places remain closed in August for the early leave, so if you want to try it all, avoid August.

Bar Mut, Barcelona

Cerveseria Catalana, Barcelona

If you live in a Northern country, the winter in Barcelona with its +8-9C will seem very mild to you, so coming for Christmas will bring you a lot of nice moments. Just bear in mind that the cold seems colder with high humidity.

This traditional masia dated XVI century has been completely rehabilitated. Benefiting from vast lands and wonderful views around, the house for rent offers you a quiet and relaxing vacation. The property is situated right by a small Costa-Brava town within a walking distance form a grocery store and a restaurant. 

Deluxe Masia Costa Brava

Deluxe Masia Costa Brava Deluxe Masia Costa Brava

Cellar

It sleeps up to 12 people. The ground floor comprises a reception area, a living room a dining room, a kitchen, an al fresco lounge area with a dining and access to the BBQ, a service room, a cellar and a guest toilet. 

Living area

Living area

Dining room

Kitchen

Upstairs you will find the sleeping area. There is a landing, a small sitting roo, six bedrooms and five bathrooms. The master suite enjoys a king-size bed, a sitting area and a wardrobe. It has a private bathrooms with a bathtub with a faucet and a shower. The second bedroom also has a king-size bed and benefits from a TV are, a private terrace and a bathroom. The bedroom is accessed through a small sitting room with a fireplace. The bathroom has a bathtub with a faucet and a shower. The third bedroom is fitted with a queen-size bed, it shares a bathroom equipped with a bathtub with a faucet and a shower with the following bedroom outfitted with two single beds. The fifth and sixth bedrooms are also laid out with two single beds and has a bathroom with a shower. 

A double bedroom

A double bedroom

A bathroom

Master bedroom

Master bedroom

Outside, there is an annex occupied by the guard of the house, stables with a lounge area enjoying a billiard, a fireplace and a sitting area, a tennis and a pool with a greenery-covered chill-out.

Stables and lounge

Check out this villa and other luxury villas Costa Brava on our web.