Page 9 – Elite Destination Homes

A Travel Guide to Dominical, Costa Rica

We’re approaching Costa Rica’s “green season,” which is the ideal time of the year to explore this beautiful country’s lush countryside, pristine beaches, and diverse rainforests. Traveling to a foreign country requires a lot of research and planning, which is why created this handy travel guide for all future guests. And luckily for you, Casa Big Sur, one of our luxurious ocean-view homes in Costa Rica, is minutes away from the area’s best attractions, beaches, and restaurants. Keep reading to learn about Dominical’s many family-friendly activities! Top Things to Do in Dominical, Costa Rica There’s a whole new world to discover in Dominical for those who haven’t had the pleasure of leaping off a rushing waterfall, exploring a pristine rainforest, and meeting adorable jungle animals in their natural habitat. When you’re not soaking in your lavish, ocean-view infinity pool, enjoying a glass of wine on your private balcony, and cooking an authentic Costa Rican meal in your gourmet kitchen, we recommend embarking on a short journey to these fantastic attractions: Alturas Wildlife Sanctuary Corcovado National Park Finca 6 Marino Ballena National Park Nauyaca Waterfalls Parque Reptilandia Sierpe Mangrove Outdoor Activities Whether you’re a self-proclaimed outdoor enthusiast or just looking for [...]

Best Family Reunion Locations in the U.S.

With winter officially in the rearview mirror, there’s no better time than right now to start planning your next summertime family reunion. Perhaps this is the year that the family gathers at a luxurious, faraway location to celebrate a special life event in the family, such as an anniversary, wedding, or birthday. With seemingly hundreds of top-ranked family reunion locations scattered throughout the country, it can be challenging to choose one that perfectly fits your family’s size, style, and budget. Luckily for you, Elite Destination Homes has hand-selected three of the best family reunion locations in the U.S. Lions Gate Estate - Marietta, GA Let’s start the list with a gorgeous European-inspired residence in the city of Marietta, located in-between the North Georgia mountains and lively Atlanta. Lions Gate Estate is the perfect combination of old-world charm, sophisticated luxury, and secluded natural scenery. The estate is a short drive from the Gone With the Wind Museum, Six Flags White Water, and SunTrust Park, home of the Atlanta Braves. This 18,000-square-foot home sleeps up to 20 guests and features an outdoor swimming pool, eight fireplaces, a billiards room, and so much more! Each beautifully appointed room is layered in 19th-century charm, [...]

The Best Adventure Vacations in the US

Spring is just around the corner, signifying it’s finally time to start planning your next adventure vacation to one of North America’s best outdoor playgrounds. It’s not easy to find the best adventure vacations in the US, mainly because there are thousands of possibilities! In an effort to help our guests stay fit and healthy this year, Elite Destination Homes has compiled five unique adventure-based destinations located throughout this diverse country, ranging from Hawaii’s Kohala Coast to New York City’s Central Park.

A Few Hidden Gems in Paris

There’s an entire universe of culturally-magnificent attractions in Paris, France, “The City of Lights.” What allures most families to Paris is its unique old-world elegance, charm, and extravagance. Take a well-deserved step back in time this spring with an escape to Paris. Start and finish each day inside one of our luxurious Paris vacation rentals. Elite Destination Homes has three genuinely stunning luxury apartments: Rue du Four, Rue Saints Peres, and Le Triomphe. Huitrerie Régis A trip to Paris is incomplete without a traditional meal inside a trendy oyster bar. Just down the street from our lavish, comfortable 6th arrondissement Paris vacation rentals, you’ll discover arguably the most underrated restaurant in the city: Huitrerie Régis. Indulge in the best locally-sourced oysters in Paris, perfectly paired with a hand-selected regional wine. This tiny, hip oyster bar is gaining a following among locals, but tourists haven’t discovered the allure yet. La Derniere Goutte (The Last Drop) If you’re staying in one of our Left Bank homes, check out this simple yet rewarding gem, La Derniere Goutte, the area’s best liquor store. Browse through hundreds of award-winning bottles of French vino. Then enjoy your purchase inside a historic yet chic vacation rental as [...]

Eating Healthy in Turks and Caicos

With a New Year quickly approaching, it’s time to start thinking about your next resolution. The three most common New Year’s resolutions are eating healthier, getting into shape, and losing weight. While all three go hand-in-hand, the first step should always be eating healthier. Once your body starts receiving proper nutrients, you’ll have more energy and a desire to work out, which will eventually lead to losing weight. Eating healthy is easier said than done with a week-long vacation scheduled on the most beautiful island chain in the world: Turks and Caicos. Tropical vacations usually lead to over-indulgence of rare snacks, sugary beverages, and hearty home-cooking. That’s why Elite Destination Homes is here to help with your New Year’s resolution of eating healthier. One of the easiest ways to eat healthy in Turks and Caicos is to cook your own meals in one of our luxury Caribbean villas overlooking the stunning Atlantic Ocean. Healthy Turks and Caicos Restaurants The easiest way to eat well in the Caribbean is to research the best health-conscious Turks and Caicos restaurants. Nearly every restaurant in Turks and Caicos has a healthy option or two, but most cannot match the menus at these three mainstays. [...]

Spend Christmas and New Year’s in Prague

The holidays are fast approaching, signifying it’s finally time to book that romantic or family getaway. Spending the holidays in Europe is growing into an affordable, feasible option, especially for those who live in the United States’ East Coast. According to U.S. News, Prague, Czech Republic’s capital city, is the “Best Affordable Vacation in Europe.” Unlike the touristy cities of Rome, London, Barcelona, and Amsterdam, Prague is never overcrowded, even during the holidays. Prague is known for its red-tiled roofs, breathtaking cathedrals, narrow streets, and lively Old Town Square. Spending Christmas and New Year’s in Prague has never been more appealing. Visiting Prague There are several essentials to remember when visiting Prague. Here’s a brief rundown of the basics to visiting Prague. 1. Locals speak Czech, a West Slavic language that isn’t spoken anywhere else in the world. Because Prague is a growing tourist destination, most people also speak English. 2. Remember to exchange currency for the Czech crown (koruna), not the euro. 3. The temperatures during the wintertime are usually in the 40s and sometimes the 50s, much like New York City or Boston. Dress accordingly. 4. The beer in Prague extremely inexpensive and delicious, so come thirsty. 5. [...]

Safety in Cabo During Spring Break

It’s never too early to start planning a Spring Break getaway to Cabos San Lucas as March and April's reservations typically fill extremely fast at this oceanside paradise. Cabo is widely known as the college Spring Break capital of the world. Not only does Cabo have some of Mexico’s best nightclubs, but it’s also a beautiful oceanside city worth exploring. Just like any popular Spring Break destination, there are some quintessential things to remember when traveling to a foreign country. Elite Destination Homes currently has an available world-class luxury vacation house, Casa Mar y Estrella, which overlooks the azure Pacific Ocean. We also have a few safety in Cabo tips for your week in paradise. Safety in Cabo Tips There are many things to consider before exploring Cabo San Lucas. For those who have visited Cabo, Spring Break is one of the most memorable getaways, but there are always those one-in-a-million occasions where someone gets hurt, robbed, or stranded. So, here are eight tips to having an incredible time at Cabo Spring Break. Bring a copy of your passport. Passports, much like cash, phones, and wallets, tend to go missing quite a bit during Spring Break. Always have a backup [...]

Traveling to Costa Rica During “Green Season”

Tourists from across the globe have been woefully ill-informed for decades about Costa Rica’s “green” or “rainy” season, lasting annually from May to mid-December. People have hung onto the misconception that this stunningly beautiful country is a wet, muddy washout during the green season (Costa Rica’s winter). Yes, it does rain significantly more in comparison to the “dry” summer season, but the green season is exponentially more affordable, uncrowded, and colorful. Thanks to intricate, documented weather patterns, rainstorm arrival times are easily predicted in Dominical Costa Rica. Tourists take full advantage of significant discounts every green season at some of Central America’s most luxurious retreats – that’s where we come in! Elite Destination Homes proudly presents Casa Big Sur, a 9,000 square foot paradise overlooking the vast Pacific Ocean and the breathtaking southern coast of Costa Rica, including the natural Whale Tail at Marino Ballena National Park. The Green Season As mentioned above, the green season lasts from May to mid-December. Rain totals in Dominical Costa Rica are significantly lower than other tropical regions with rain totals barely reaching into the teens (inches) during May, June, July, and November. The green season weather patterns are easily foreseeable: each sunny morning [...]

A Rejuvenating Escape to Taos, New Mexico

Escape to tranquil Taos, New Mexico this autumn for a once-in-a-lifetime luxury vacation far from your tiresome daily routine. High above the uniquely historic creative arts community of Taos rests the Zen House, a 4,600 square foot adobe-style sanctuary. Autumn is the best time of the year to visit New Mexico’s high desert because this longtime artist community comes to life with music and art festivals. Elite Destination Homes provides guests at the Adobe Zen House with complimentary concierge services to ensure that your stay is as relaxing and pleasant as possible. The Zen House: Unmatched Beauty and Serenity The well set Adobe Zen House rests in the heart of the Sangre de Cristo Mountain valley, overlooking the city of Taos. The scenic drive to town takes 10 minutes, yet it seems within arms reach from the estate. The property is encircled by emerald mountains and breathtaking unharmed desert wilderness. The interior of this massive adobe palace features hand-carved tables, cabinetry, and furniture with giant horizontal wooden beams on the tall ceilings. The Zen House was featured on Sweet Retreats, a television program centered on the best vacation homes in the United States. The highlight of the home is the [...]

Unplug at the Breathtaking Forge Lake Lodge

Reconnect with friends and family on a serene escape to North Carolina’s breathtaking Blue Ridge Mountains. Forge Lake Lodge combines luxurious old-warm charm and the beautiful natural surroundings of Lake Nantahala. The lodge is an experience all by itself: awe-inspiring mountain vistas, hand-carved 19th-century European cabinetry, and a massive moose antler chandelier. This lake-view paradise was forged into the mountainside, thus earning the namesake Forge Lake Lodge. As difficult as it may be to pry yourself from the vast property, the surrounding nature trails, picturesque waterfalls, and world-class whitewater rafting will allure guests for at least an afternoon of mountain adventure. All other North Carolina lake resorts pale in comparison to this secluded log palace. No Cell Service, No Problem Forge Lake Lodge is so spectacularly remote that there is entirely no cell service. Your family will no longer have the urge to check their smartphones by the time your week-long vacation in paradise is over. Whether you’re drinking a French roast coffee on a terrace overlooking the Blue Ridge Mountains, whitewater rafting up the Nantahala River, or fishing for a delicious walleye on Lake Nantahala, the last thing you’ll have on your mind is what your smartphone. World-Class Amenities [...]

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