LE TORRI DI BAGNARA, LUXURY CASTLES COLLECTION: “LA DOLCE VILLA” & PALATIAL EVENTS VENUE UNDER THE UMBRIAN SUN

ASSISI, Italy (03/2014) Le Torri di Bagnara (LTDB) is a world-class collection of exquisitely restored medieval castles set within the “Tenuta di Bagnara,” a superb, 1500-acre historic estate and nature reserve in Umbria, offering one of its five castles as a luxury villa and another as an exclusive venue for weddings and special events. The seven-bedroomed Pieve SAN QUIRICO Castle Villa (PCV), is available on a weekly basis to private groups, multi-generational families, groups of friends and those seeking privacy. Il Castello di Bagnara (CDB), the private residence of the Counts Giunta Tremi, is available as a palatial events space, offered without accommodations.

The Pieve Castle Villa (11^TH century historic residence), designed as a luxurious private home, but with the services of a hotel, comprises seven bedrooms (15 beds); nine bathrooms, a professional kitchen, a Renaissance-styled courtyard, and a saltwater pool. On the grounds is a large, 18^th century consecrated church. PCV is available from April through October and over the Christmas-New Year’s holiday – December 20 to January 10. Rates for the Pieve Villa start at Euro 7350 per week and include a maid, breakfast service, full gardening and pool cleaning services (Sunday excluded), with other services obtainable on an ad hoc basis. Groups needing additional accommodations can make use of the Bagnara Tower (11^th century historic residence)-- four apartments sleeping a total of 15.

The Castello di Bagnara (11^th- 15^th century historic residence) is an exquisite venue for weddings and special occasions. The fanciful castle is a complex of buildings: a dwelling space; a crenelated tower adjoined by a small, three-story palazzo with vaulted ceilings between ground and first floors; a stone mill containing an antiques-filled dining room and living room; a small, 17^th century consecrated chapel and an Orangery. The Castello features an immense park with an Italianate garden, a pool, covered dining veranda and an outdoor fireplace.

Since 1901, this exceptional estate, located near Assisi, has been owned by the Counts Giunta Tremi, a noble family descended from Napoleon Bonaparte via his oldest brother, Joseph (King of Naples, Spain and the Indies), and through a younger brother, Lucien (Prince of Canino and Musignano). Today, beautiful Zenaide Giunta, named for her great-great grandmother, owns and operates LTDB.  Commenting on the Pieve Castle Villa, she said, “This is not a simple house rental, but a life experience that speaks to all the senses and that guests take away with them.” She added, “We are pleased to extend our hospitality to those wishing to immerse themselves in the “Tenuta’s” enriching lifestyle – the beauty of this pastoral setting, the pleasures of our food and wine, the privacy of a heritage estate and the age-old culture of Umbria.”

The estate’s working livestock farm breeds hare, roe-deer and white Chianina beef cattle, and cultivates honey, herbs and vegetables, tasty provisions for the table. Among the structures on the estate are several to-be-restored medieval castles, including Castello di Pegliola, once the site of a casino or private club frequented by aristocrats. The scenery is a painter’s or a poet’s dream, a serene countryside of hills, plains, sylvan forests, flower-embroidered meadows, formal gardens and green pastures, all interlaced with small lakes, water features and crenelated castles.

A plethora of services and activities is available: in-house cooking (professional Chef); cooking lessons; massage; Wi-Fi; biking; hiking; golf (an 18-hole, Robert Trent Jones, Jr.-designed course is 10 minutes away); yoga, picnics; truffle hunts; wine tours; seasonal festivals (Spoleto in June; Umbria Jazz in July; Euro-chocolate in October) and visits to Assisi, Perugia and Todi or over the border to Tuscany or even to Rome.

For more information or bookings: info@letorridibagnara.it

NORMAN CARR SAFARIS' FIRST "WILDLY LUXURIOUS LODGE IN LUANGWA VALLEY REPRESENTS NEXT GENERATION OF SUSTAINABLE BUSH CAMPS

Christina Carr, Director of Norman Carr Safaris (NCS), today revealed details of the first “wildly luxurious,” sustainable bush camp in Zambia’s game-rich Luangwa, valley of the leopard.  Called Chinzombo, the camp is being designed by acclaimed South African architects Silvio Rech and Lesley Carstens, the visionaries behind North Island Resort, the gold standard of luxury in the Seychelles, and Vumbura Plains, an eco-chic lodge in Botswana’s Okavango Delta.  The architects’ signature style is low-impact eco design using local craftspeople.

Chinzombo represents another step in the evolution of the Rech and Carsten luxury bush camp design philosophy.  For the first time, modernist architectural forms are being combined with the organic geometry and regional materials of indigenous Zambian building methods to create a new, groundbreaking type of bush camp. 

Built where Norman Carr stayed during Luangwa’s Emerald Season, Chinzombo comprises six spacious villas, one accommodating a family of at least five and all WiFi-equipped.  The villas, nestled within the shade of ancient trees on a ridge which follows a loop in the Luangwa River, appear to float over the landscape. The modern steel-framed structures contrast with the natural materials used in the décor and interiors. A winding foot path shaded by mahogany trees connects the villas and lounge/dining area.  Fitness lovers will find a yoga and exercise area and spa facilities; nature lovers will appreciate a place where both wildlife and natural vegetation flourish, unhindered by vast tracts of landscaping, game fences, roads or other man-made installations.

The villas contain large, cooled bedrooms, luxurious bathrooms and private plunge pools on shady decks overlooking the Luangwa River. Materials are natural:  locally-produced leather, reed-work and canvas. Floors are made of recycled composite timber.  There is no concrete or brick. Décor utilizes raw linen, timber, copper and hand-made crockery.

Chinzombo honors its history: conservationist Norman Carr promulgated experiencing the African bush while respecting both the natural landscape and local traditions. Today his philosophy is called “sustainable tourism.”   

CHINZOMBO FACTS:

6 Villas, one designed for families

Opening: March 1, 2013

Open year round

1-hour from Mfuwe Airport

Private access by boat from South Luangwa National Park

Wi-Fi in each villa

Cooled sleeping areas

Cutting-edge green power and waste technology

Only sustainably sourced or recycled and recyclable construction materials

Contact Christina Carr:  Kapani@normancarrsafaris.com

Visit:  www.normancarrsafaris.com

FULLY-STAFFED PRIVATE VILLA OFFERED IN FAVORED NEW DESTINATION, MALAWI GREAT GETAWAY FOR FAMILY OR GROUP OF FRIENDS

Kaya Mawa, an eco-luxe beach resort on Likoma Island in Lake Malawi, offers Ndomo Point House, a private villa for those travelers desirous of total seclusion and personal service, but who don’t want to relinquish the benefits of being at a lodge. A magical getaway for a family or a group of friends, Ndomo Point House comprises four en suite bedrooms, a sitting room, family kitchen, pool, courtyard, five terraces and decks all set on a private beach with uninterrupted views across Lake Malawi. The house is fully staffed with a nanny, a cook, a housekeeper, ground staff and watchmen.

Rates start at $460 per person per night with a three-night minimum and a minimum of four and maximum of eight adults.  Rate includes:  All meals, accommodations, transfer to and from Likoma Aerodrome to Kaya Mawa, mountain bikes, walks, kayaking, snorkeling and sailing.

The dream of owners James and Suzie Lightfoot, Ndomo Point House was originally planned as a two-bedroom beach “shack.”  Over three years the shack evolved into a character-filled villa containing elements derived from the couple’s journeys in Zambia, Zanzibar, Malawi and Lamu, Kenya’s oldest continually inhabited town and a World Heritage Site.

All the facilities of Kaya Mawa Lodge are just six-tenths of a mile away:  a PADI dive school, the Lake's only kite-boarding school, plus kayaks and quad bikes are there for the taking. Guests are invited to spend as much time as they like at the lodge, and even take their meals there, should they wish.  A boat and vehicles are just a radio call away.

Ndomo Point House is located on the Southwestern corner of Likoma Island with views across to the neighboring island, Chizimulu, and on to mainland Malawi. A year-round sunset is a secret surprise!

For more information, contact:  James@kayamawa.com

VILLA LIFE AT VAMIZI: PRIVATE VILLA COLLECTION IN MOZAMBIQUE DESIGNED FOR AFRICAN ISLAND LIFESTYLE

Vamizi Island, a singularly beautiful, eco-active African island in the Quirimbas Archipelago of Mozambique, has three villas available for rental, each sleeping up to 12 people.  Villas in Vamizi’s Private Collection are designed to serve as homes away from home for families, friends, business associates or any groups looking for the ultimate in privacy. 

Britain’s Tatler Magazine has compared Vamizi to “a mini-Mustique…a tiny, far-flung isle that’s all barefoot fabulousness and impossibly smart villas.”

Vamizi’s Private Villa Collection has been designed by award-winning South African architects, renowned for their commitment to creative design, sustainable development and responsible tourism, creating a unique style of architecture that draws on the multi-cultural influences of Mozambique.

The designs were chosen in order to integrate with the existing landscape, such as wrapping around the larger trees. Locally sourced, high-quality building materials have been used, and traditional construction methods adopted where possible.

Each villa is uniquely designed in its own elegant style with bespoke floor plans, and includes en-suite bedrooms, spectacular drawing and dining rooms, and peaceful lounging spaces around plunge pools or beach, where the options for eating, drinking or just relaxing are endless.

The private chef and personal hospitality team will ensure that all needs are met, from tailor-made menus to organizing fishing and diving trips, a range of holistic spa treatments and dhow sailing trips.

At seven-and-a-half miles long and a half-mile wide, Vamizi is a small island, but it is located in a felicitous spot – along an immense coral reef pulsing with life and seductive to myriad sea creatures, making it one of the great saltwater diving spots on the planet.  Beyond diving there is deep-sea fishing, kayaking, nature walks and yoga.

Rental rates start at $32,400 for a six-night package based on a minimum of eight people, with additional costs beyond eight.

For more information visit: www.vamizi.com