Recently in RE -Fractional Ownership Category

If there is a single word more alluring than Italy, then it must be its own heart and soul... Tuscany. Always so much more than a place, Tuscany, Italy is first a way of life, each present moment infused with two centuries of the world's favorite art, culture, food and wine.

In the rolling Tuscan hills not far from the mythic cities of Florence, Siena and San Gimignano is one of the largest private landholdings in all of Italy. Vineyards and orchards of olive trees pattern the hillsides. Two grand cypress-lined lanes ascend to a historic castle. Dotting the Castello di Casole estate are restored Casali farmhouses each with dramatic glass-tiled private pools.

For many, no dream is more enticing than to own your own home in Tuscany. To travel and explore every season; to leave behind the worries of reservations and logistics and upkeep; to return to a comfortable, exquisite surrounding, now also known as home...

Castello di Casole makes this dream an infinitely closer reality, for not only does it offer what are surely Tuscany's most remarkable villas and surrounding estate, but also the choice of whole or partnership interests ownership.

For those not intrested in ownership you can still enjoy the beauty of Castello di Casole... there will also be a beautiful boutique hotel opening in Summer 2010.

And Casali farmhouse rentals are also possible.

Source: Timbers Collection, Castello di Casole

The Ritz-Carlton Club and Residences, Kapalua Bay, the highly anticipated residential development, is now open on a 24-acre oceanfront setting at Maui's Kapalua Resort. Situated near The Ritz-Carlton, Kapalua, the property features the newest Ritz-Carlton Destination Club (previously The Ritz-Carlton Club) location, and private ownership luxury residences.

"The new Members and Owners are enjoying this addition to the Kapalua Resort lifestyle, as well as Maui's beauty and spectacular views of the surrounding islands," said Peter J. Watzka, executive vice president and chief operating officer for The Ritz-Carlton Development Company, Inc. (an affiliate of The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company, LLC). "Additionally, the Maui location is just the beginning of the expansion plans for the evolving Ritz-Carlton Destination Club brand."

Kapalua Bay, LLC is the developer of the new resort. "We are delighted to welcome this stunning new property to Kapalua Resort's portfolio of luxury living," said Ryan Churchill, senior vice president of Maui Land & Pineapple Company, the majority owner of Kapalua Bay, LLC. "Whether a family wants to enjoy long vacations each year or spend a lifetime here, The Ritz-Carlton Club and Residences is an incredible offering that fits perfectly with the tradition and comforts of Kapalua Resort."

The property boasts 62 fully furnished, two- and three-bedroom fractional ownership residences ranging from approximately 1,912 to 2,257 square feet. Club Members purchase a deeded, one-twelfth interest giving them the opportunity to stay 21 days per year. Prices start at $350,000 per interest.

The Ritz-Carlton Residences, Kapalua Bay features 84 wholly-owned Residences. The three- and four-bedroom floor plans offer living areas ranging from roughly 3,002 to 4,271 square feet. Design elements include a private elevator and garden entryway, gourmet kitchen, and lanai opening to 180-degree views. Prices start at $3.9 million.

Property amenities are highlighted by a private 6,100 square-foot beach club, 8,500 square-foot pool with bar and grill, and a second bar located near the water's edge.

Members and Owners, through membership at the Kapalua Club, will enjoy access in the coming weeks to a nearly 30,000 square-foot spa, as well as the current amenities offered at the Kapalua Resort, including golf course privileges, award-winning white-sand beaches, 12 dining options, and the Kapalua Adventure Center.

SOURCE The Ritz-Carlton Destination Club