ROMAN VILLAS

Since its invention towards the end of the Roman Republic, the concept and function of a villa has changed a lot. Originally villas were Roman country house Sthat were made for the upper class. You can also look for a Calabria property or a Brazil property. There were a lot of of Imperial villas near the Bay of Naples, particularly near the Isle of Capri, at Monte Circeo on the coast and at Antium (Anzio).

The historian Pliny the Elder described two kinds of villas:
· the villa rustica, which was generally a farm house which was the permanent home of servants who were left in charge of the estate, which would center on the villa itself, perhaps only seasonally occupied.
· the villa urbana, the home proper, which was easily be reached from Rome (or another city). The journey would only take about a day.

WHY EVERYONE WANTED A VILLA (EVEN THEN!)

Rich Romans escaped the fiery summers in the hills round Rome.. Historians believe Cicero had as many as seven villas, the oldest (which he inherited) located at Arpinum.. Pliny the Younger had four, one the mbeing the one near Laurentium which he described often.

Roman writers loved to boast about the self-sufficiency of their villas, where they made their wine and olive oil, a sign of the Roman empire’s increasing economic fragmentation. When these independent villas were given to the Christian church, they evolved into the monasteries, such as the Monte Cassino.

THE STRUCTURE OF A VILLA

The typical villa had extended wings that were linked to a portico, which would be shaped in such a way that it would surround a courtyard. Others had a central aisle and a main hall like a basilica, suggesting the villa owner’s magisterial role. The villa’s independent buildings were often connected by their enclosed courtyards. It was common to see timbered structures with mortices and tenons and dowelled together. The important ceremonial rooms often had stone materials and were decorated with window glass and ironwork window grilles.

SPANISH VILLAS

Spanish villas are considered towns with a charter (fuero). They are not as large or as significant as cities or ciudades. of lesser importance than a ciudad (”city”). But the difference between villas and ciudades became purely honorific over time. The Ciudad Real was declared by the Spanish crown but the much larger Madrid is the Villa y Corte. Villa is part of many names of Spanish places, like Vila Real and Villadiego, but this means it was a country estate rather than a chartered town.

TODAY’S VILLAS

When you think of villas today, even Villas in Spain, they don’t have to be a ‘terrace’ of joined houses. Rather, it is a suburban house that was built on its own on a landscaped plot of ground. At the start of the twentieth century, the term ’semi-detached villas’ had evolved. It has come to mean the bungalow that was popular after World War I in post-colonial Britain, and by extension the term is used for suburban bungalows in both Australia and New Zealand. The villa concept has also become associated with statements about social position and lifestyle and lives on in Southern Europe and in Latin America.

Every year Spain gets more than 50 million visitors from around the world.
What do they come to see? Such a large number of tourists means Spain offers something that is worth the trip.

One of the things that comes to mind are its many beautiful beaches.. From Andalusia, the westernmost point of the region, to Catalonia, the Meditteranean paradise on its northeastern point, there so many gorgeous sandy beaches where everyone can enjoy the famous Spanish sunny weather. Tourists can also explore the Balearic and Canary Islands; both popular escapes for both honeymooners and families. The northern regions too have their own share of lovely coastal areas but are not as warm as the Mediterranean area, and so traditionally less frequented by sun worshippers.

Many people will only visit Spain for a short beach holiday but there are actually many reasons to see the country. For example, lovers of the outdoors will enjoy the mountains and the opportunities to ski and hike. One can visit the Pyrenees, found at the border between Spain and France. In the south waits the Sierra Morena and Sierra Nevada. These places offer a variety of activities including walking, climbing and skiing. In northern Spain one will be able to explore the Cantabrian Mountains and the Picos de Europa National Park..

The Kingdom of Spain has many sites of archeological importance, borne from its extremely fascinating history. All over Spain, but especially in the southern regions, there are great examples of Moorish architecture. This is one offshoot of the presence of the Arabs who conquered Spain between the 8th - 15th centuries. The best and most acclaimed Arabic artifacts can be seen in Granada (the Alhambra). But you can find some other good examples of Moorish architecture can be seen in Seville (the Giralda) and Cordoba (the Mezquita).

Spain’s legacy to the world of arts includes many of the most important names in art history. Some of the more famous contemporary artists are Pablo Picasso, Salvador Dali and Joan Miro. Their paintings, along with those of other great art masters can be found in several major art galleries scattered around Spain: Reina Sofia and Thyssen Bornemisza Museums and the Prado (Madrid) the the Guggenheim Museum (Bilbao) and Museu Nacional d’Art de Catalunya (Barcelona) carry important works from all periods.

Perhaps one of the best reasons to see Spain are the Spanish people. No matter what part of the country you visit, you will always be welcomed and feel welcome. People will be even friendlier and more accommodating if you can make the effort to learn even just a few Spanish words and phrases.

So experience a different type of Spanish holiday. The next time you plan a visit to Spain, think about including a trip inland in your itinerary, even if you plan to stay in a hotel or villa that’s on the country’s famous coastal area. Why not book a stay in one of the major Spanish cities if you want to experience some of the more culturally important areas? It’s worth it.

You have a perfect vacation house in Spain. Not only do you have a piece of heaven to call your own (its doors always open in case you feel like escaping to its sunny shores) you can also earn extra money and recover some of your investment by renting it out. Here are some things to think about before letting:

Questions to Ask

· How much income do I want to earn? Do you merely want to cover some costs or do plan to maximise the income to its full capacity?
· Where is my property located? Is it on a ski resort? golf course? Should I specialise in marketing those areas?
· How often do I see myself vacationing there? Remember the rental is at its highest premium at the peak times.
· Will I allow children? smokers?

Finding a Caretaker

Unless you live really near your property you will need someone to look after your property. This means you need someone to welcome the holiday makers with the keys or make sure the keys to be picked up, the property is kept clean, bedding towels are changed, and generally be available in case of emergencies. The caretaker will also inform you about any problems and watch over small details like pool or garden maintenance. Who can do this? There are two main options.

· Locals. There are many owners who opt to hire a local person/couple who lives in the area, and is willing to handle these responsibilities. Remember, you want your clients to return, so don’t necessarily go for the cheapest! Best way to find this person is to speak to other residents in the area for any personal recommendations. Look for someone who has good people skills and can deliver good service. People will often advertise in local free English papers.
· Property Management Company. Fees will fluctuate depending on what services you decide to get. However, it is typical that you pay an annual or monthly charge plus a ‘change-over’ charge. They will usually handle the following tasks: keyholding, welcome packs, window cleaning, house cleaning, laundry, gardening, pool maintenance, general maintenance, etc.

Marketing your Property

· Advertise in your local paper. People often make a poster or flyer to be displayed in shops, clubs etc. You may expandyour clientele by advertising in a holiday magazine or in a national paper. Since advertising costs can be quite a major investment do think about what you really need.
· Advertise on a property rental website. This will mean that the owner will register online, enter details of the property, upload photos. Potential renters look at the properties on the web and either deliver a form which is mailed to the owners, or they can make the call directly. .