My “dream destination list” is a directory of locales that is ever-changing, but Spain always seems to remain at or near the top.  Of course I want to see the sights - Barcelona Cathedral, The Grand Mosque of Cordoba, and Mediterranean beaches to name just a few - but I also want to actively experience and soak in pieces of the country’s rich culture and history.  Things on the to-do list include Valencia’s Fallas celebration commemorating Saint Joseph’s Day over two exciting weeks in March; the frenetic La Tomatina tomato fight in Bunol in August; and, of course, Pamplona’s San Fermin festival in July to run with the bulls.  This simple schedule seems to require a much extended trip or multiple voyages - both fine by me.  Either way, much more planning is necessary. While my extensive research of the country will have to continue, it has already led me to many discoveries, including some magical Spanish luxury homes.

A privileged hillside position offering stunning day and night panoramas of the bay and city below is the setting for this Javea villa.  The home effortlessly combines modern amenities with a traditional Andalusian Spanish design - perfect for my tastes, by the way…maybe if I save every Euro I get over the next several decades…never mind, back to reality.  A colonnaded patio as well as a private courtyard lead inside to a modern kitchen, wine cellar and luxurious master suite.  Then it’s back outside on the private terrace to take in the stunning views. This is truly a remarkable melding of traditional styling with state-of-the-art comforts.

This villa in Valencia abandons the traditional for a strictly modern, but equally amazing, design.  Villa L’escala, as it is known, is a one-of-a-kind home born from the imagination of a leading architect.  Sleek clean lines and contemporary styling abound throughout the remarkable villa that is perfect as both a showpiece and a livable family home.  Four floors of sophisticated architecture feature parquet wooden flooring, wood paneled walls and floor-to-ceiling windows coupled with high ceilings that create a sense of space and volume.  The home is so spectacular it received an architecture award from the town hall.

Both of these first two homes are listed by Inmobiliaria Rimontgo.

Check out the view from this historical treasure in an amazing setting in the walled city of Ibiza. In contrast to the previous two homes, this property is the opposite of contemporary. The home was built in 1600 in a position handpicked by a notable family to be their renaissance atop the city. Although the property is 400 years old and lacks contemporary architecture, it is still vibrant. Internationally renowned designers have recently adorned the home with period furniture and decoration that helps retain its sense of history and charm. This amazing property is listed with Meridiana Inmobiliaria Real Estate.

The final stop on this express tour of Spain takes us to the Mediterranean resort city of Marbella, home of this stately mansion. With its setting in the shadow of the moutnains and lush surroundings, the mansion looks like it should be on the cover of any brochure advertising Marbella. After seeing this home and pictures of the Costa del Sol, Marbella has made it onto my ever-growing list of places to visit in Spain. Ornamental elegance blends with comfortable spaces to give the home a sophisticated, yet somewhat casual feel. It is listed by Diana Morales Properties.

Of course these are but a sampling of the luxury homes offered in Spain, but they certainly show a lot of what the diverse, beautiful country has to offer. And someday I’ll get to experience as much of it as I can.

This entry was posted on Thursday, May 17th, 2007 at 12:19 pm and is filed under Hot Luxury Markets/Properties. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.