Leading villa vacation destinations for 2018 revealed
Contributors are not employed, compensated or governed by TDM, opinions and statements are from the contributor directly
Who doesn’t fancy a perfect, personalised getaway full of sun & fun? Turn this fantasy into reality thanks to insights gathered by Villas of Distinction, a full-service booking agency with almost 30 years of planning and tailoring vacation experiences to any client’s desire.
The premier luxury villa provider recently announced its annual ‘Top Five Trending Villa Vacation Destinations’ list for 2018. According to Steve Lassman, Villas of Distinction vice president of villa product & agency relations, all locations were determined entirely through 2017 booking trends.
The boot-shaped Mediterranean gem (and my personal favourite country), Italy, keeps its lead as the most preferred villa vacation destination. ‘This destination continues to be our strongest in terms of bookings,’ shared Lassman. ‘Italy’s culture, the food & wine and its historical beauty continue to be magical and captivating for consumers.’
The next desired vacation locale is also, in some ways, no stranger to the list – Orlando, capital of Florida. This time around, the city shines because its attractions and amenities cross families, groups, generations, and price points. Lassman said, ‘One of the growing trends we are seeing in Orlando is ‘Girlfriend Getaways,’ as they combine the excitement of a day at the parks with dining, shopping and the relaxation of a villa.’ Now that’s the kind of holiday my friends & I would enjoy, what with our common love for theme parks, food, & shopping as forms of recreation.
Off the coast from nearby Miami, the British Overseas Territory of Turks and Caicos has become one of the most sought-after villa vacation destinations. Composed of more than 40 islands, only eight of which are liveable, its most popular vacation spots are its capital Grand Turk, and Providenciales or ‘Provo’ – home to Grace Bay Beach, which has been voted the best beach in the world (although I will contest this because of Boracay). ‘Villa bookings to this area are growing rapidly as guests are looking for islands with white sand beaches, staffed villas and award-winning restaurants,” stated Lassman. ‘You now have many cities within the U.S. & Canada offering non-stop air service, so it’s easier than ever to get there.’
A returning ‘champion’ when it comes to villa vacations is Jamaica. Providing the best value of any Caribbean vacation experience, the island has much to offer in the way of activities, including snorkelling, scuba diving, golfing, hiking, zip lining, horseback riding, climbing the world-famous Dunn’s River Falls, and enjoying its 27 native species at the Rocklands Feeding Station. What makes it even better is that most Jamaican villas incorporate the cost of having staff – including a chef, butler, housekeeper, & laundress – cater to your every need.
Last but not least, the state of Hawaii remains popular with both bucket list travellers & villa vacation connoisseurs. ‘Vacationers who have already experienced the other sun & fun destinations we offer are looking for an alternative warm-weather locale with breath-taking views and a selection of outdoor activities,’ Lassman shared. ‘Villas of Distinction continues to see substantial growth in Hawaii, in particular, the Big Island and Maui.’
Want to experience living in a privately-owned villa with your own private pool, butler, maid and chef? Check out Villas of Distinction’s extensive portfolio of getaway options — spanning thousands of properties in more than 50 destinations including the Caribbean, Mexico, Europe, Central America, the U. S., and numerous private islands — at VillasofDistinction.com.
