Art de Vivre are proud to be at The London Boat Show 2016

Here at Art de Vivre we are busy preparing for this year’s London Boat Show, from 8th to 17th January 2016. Located at the ExCeL Centre in London’s Docklands we will be beside Sunseeker’s large and impressive stand volunteering with the PAH charity raffle. When the Princess Alexandra Hospital breast-cancer trials charity needed a grand prize for their raffle this year, we were proud to offer a 7 night stay at one of our top luxury Seychelles properties Li-Al-Do Maison as the Golden Raffle Prize.

Li-Al-Do Maison is a stunning oceanfront 4 bedroom property in Takamaka, Mahé, Seychelles. Our founder Julie Gauthier has been working with its Italian owner for over 10 years and has had many repeat clients coming back year after year. Ideal for families and groups of friends Li-Al-Do Maison’s staff and its location are its highlights. 

We have always found the London Boat Show to be an exciting event and are proud to see so many British maritime businesses present together. When we heard from The Luxury Network partner Sunseeker London that we could be involved in this huge event and make a positive contribution to the PAH charity we jumped at the chance of getting involved.

For those of you attending The London Boat Show 2016, we really look forward to seeing you at our dedicated PAH stand next to Sunseeker and invite you to enter the charity raffle to have a chance of winning one of the fantastic prizes that have been donated to PAH.

If you have any more questions for us, feel free to comment below or drop us an email. We look forward to seeing you there.

James Bond's Top International Villas

James Bond knows a thing or two about the high life. With box office smash Spectre seeing Bond travelling the globe once again, we take a look at the villas that would most please the silver screen’s most stylish secret agent.

SPECTRE
CASA TRES SOLES, MEXICO

One of the most talked about scenes in Spectre is the action-packed opening sequence set at the Dia de los Muertos celebrations in Mexico City. Bond has a hard time in the film, barely getting a chance to soak up the scenery. But if he did, we are sure he’d feel right at home at Casa Tres Soles. Situated just an hour and a half’s flight from the capital by private jet, Casa Tres Soles is the kind of beautiful, secluded villa that meets all the needs of the original international man of mystery. There are endless coves nearby to explore by boat, and a wraparound pool for soaking up the sun with martini in hand. When Dia de los Muertos comes around, make sure you have a mask ready.

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DIAMONDS ARE FOREVER
LEOBO OBSERVATORY VILLA, SOUTH AFRICA

Sean Connery’s final official appearance as 007 saw him jetting off to South Africa to stop Ernst Stavro Blofeld building a giant laser out of diamonds. If you want to follow in Connery’s footsteps, Leobo Observatory Villa might be the place for you. Built into the bush, Leobo Observatory is full of genius design that would make even Q proud. On top of the research-quality observatory for midnight stargazing, Leobo Reserve offers countless Bond-style activities to engage in. Sky diving, helicopter flying, rock climbing and quad bike safari are all readily available for those who want to live fast and die another day.

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GOLDENEYE
VILLA C-VIEW, COTE D’AZUR

In GoldenEye, Pierce Brosnan can be seen spending time in the luxury casinos of Monte-Carlo, and surveying the port of Monaco after dark. If you would like to pull up in this port and try your hand at baccarat, Villa C-View is the perfect place for you to retreat to. With minimalist modern decor and unrivalled views of the Riviera, this villa is a contemporary spin on the traditional James Bond glamour.

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THE MAN WITH THE GOLDEN GUN
INIALA BEACH HOUSE RESIDENCE, THAILAND

The Man with the Golden Gun saw Roger Moore facing off with Christopher Lee in several Asian locations. The film takes place primarily in Thailand, which is also the location of the wonderful Iniala Beach House Residence. This complex is a collection of three villas and one utterly unique penthouse. Designed by people almost as well-travelled as Bond himself, the complex features a gourmet restaurant, a fantastic bar/games room and, of course, brilliant views of the Thai coast. It is right on the beach, after all.

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ON HER MAJESTY’S SECRET SERVICE
CHALET ZERMATT PEAK, SWITZERLAND

George Lazenby only played James Bond once, but he still managed to appear in one of the most iconic scenes in the entire franchise: the Alpine ski chase in On Her Majesty’s Secret Service. The ski chase has since become a staple of the Bond film, with several subsequent entries in the series (including this year’s Spectre) seeing 007 get into various ski-related scrapes. For those who want to create their own ski chase, Chalet Zermatt Peak in Switzerland is the perfect place to stay. Built into the side of a mountain with private tunnel access, walk-in wine cellar and luxurious wellness spa, Chalet Zermatt Peak has everything you need after an edge-of-your-seat ski scenario.

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THUNDERBALL
VILLA TAGOMAGO, PRIVATE ISLAND, THE BALEARICS

A lot of the action in Thunderball takes place on Paradise Island in the Bahamas. This island has its own appeal, but for a real island paradise of your own, Villa Tagomago is the place to go. Perhaps the most Bond-like villa in our collection, Tagomago is close to the glamour of Ibiza’s exclusive private bars, but entirely secluded at the same time. Reachable by its own private mooring, the island comes with access to two boats and two jetskis. Several more ‘toys’ are available, including the Mangusta 108 yacht that can reach 40 knots; and a Boston Whaler 320 with an electric grill.

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THE NEXT BOND FILM
VILLA AQUA, AUSTRALIA

Whether or not Daniel Craig reprises his role, we are promised in the end credits of Spectre that JAMES BOND WILL RETURN. But where will he go this time? Our suggestion is a country that, surprisingly, 007 has never visited: Australia. Specifically, he should go to the Great Barrier Reef, where no doubt he can find some nefarious underwater activity on a scuba diving expedition. If you want to beat Bond to it, you should consider staying in Villa Aqua. With its own helipad, library, cinema and private marina, this villa is truly fit for a globe-trotting super-spy.

If much like James Bond, you are all about the details, you can read further information on our Worldwide Villas, European Villas and Alpine Chalets. When it comes to experiencing James Bond-level glamour for your stay, nobody does it better than Art de Vivre.

Room for Everyone: Large Family Villas for Rental

Large Verbier Chalet, Summer Breakfast in the Alps

Private Designer Cinema in Large Phuket Villa

Bali Designer Villa, Family Dining

Horse riding with Family in Africa

Learning golf with your children, Mauritius

Cosy Bunkbeds in the Swiss Alps, Verbier

Dining in style surrounded by family, Alpine Chalet

Alfresco Dining with family in French Countryside, Cote d'Azur

Written by Julie Gauthier, Founder & Director, Art de Vivre

We are often approached by clients to find a villa for a large family get together. With grandchildren, son-in-laws and distant cousins, all needing enough space and activities, what seemed like a good idea initially can become a stressful task for the host. Sound familiar?

Pleasing everyone and finding the perfect balance of location and property is where our expertise is invaluable. Luckily many of our private properties are made for large gatherings with vast areas of space in the gardens and living areas, separate sleeping areas, as well as many different areas for dining around the property.

While some guests will prefer a quiet relaxing time around the villa, the little guests may like to be on the beach and the active ones, be they teenagers or aunts and uncles, may want water sports, cultural trips, golf, hiking, snow sports or cycling nearby. We take pride in getting to know the complete makeup of each of our guest parties, using our experience and imagination to ensure each guest's priorities and interests are fulfilled during their stay.

Our portfolio and contacts have large villas and chalets around the world located in Mediterranean, Majorca, Ibiza, Italy, Cote d'Azur, Dubrovnik, Bali, Thailand, Caribbean, South Africa, Indian Ocean, Central America, South America and the Alps.

Whether you are searching for a villa or chalet for a family celebration, wedding anniversary, milestone birthday, family get together, special occasion or group of friends staying together, send us a request with your family's unique requirements and we will be happy to aid you in finding the perfect property for rental.

“Rejoice with your family in the beautiful land of life.”

— Albert Einstein

Wildlife Fantasy: South Africa Nature Villa in Private Reserve

South Africa Villa 309,
Private Reserve, Architects Silvio Rech and Lesley Carstens
Research-grade Observatory Tower
12,000 acre private estate

Leobo is an award winning bush villa located on a completely private 20,000 acre estate in the Waterberg Mountains. One of the most stunning safari homes in Africa, not only from an architectural or style perspective as it is a truly private home great for families and small groups.

This Africa luxury villa for rental is a fantasy holiday home for nature and wildlife lovers as it is truly a nature villa surrounded by its own private reserve.

Designed by award winning architects Silvio Rech and Lesley Carstens (notable creations include North Island), the property is a state-of-the-art masterpiece with breath-taking views across the private reserve.

It can’t be compared to any other bush camp, as all the furniture pieces are bespoke and handmade specifically for the house, such as the 3D crochet cactus cushions and the wildebeest hide ceiling in a recessed lounge.

Art de Vivre loves the sheer size of the rooms and the incredible feeling of space. There is also ample space to eat both inside and out as well as a spectacular sunken fire pit. Best of all is the automated professional standard observatory.

 

Key facts

• South Africa luxury villa for rental

• Sleeps 6 adults plus children

• Malaria free zone

• Rented on an exclusive basis

• Abundance of activities for you to enjoy