EXPERIENCE “BRIDESHEAD REVISITED” IN YOUR OWN PRIVATE CASTLE

HomesAway Offers Spectacular Castles in Scotland, France and Italy

TORONTO, Canada (Aug. 27, 2008) – HomesAway, the pioneer of luxury villa travel, offers an entrée to the world of privilege and nobility depicted in “Brideshead Revisited” with its cache of castles available for private vacations. A recently released film, based on the literary classic included on Time magazine’s top 100 novels, “Brideshead Revisited” tells the story of Charles Ryder’s captivation with the noble Marchmain family and his enchantment with their palatial estate – Brideshead.

With an exceptional portfolio of properties in Scotland, France, Spain, Italy and Croatia, HomesAway offers guests the height of luxury and regal indulgence. Below is a sampling of HomesAway castles that mirror the vivid opulence of the infamous Brideshead Castle.

Meikloeur Castle in Perthshire, Scotland

Accommodates up to 18 guests. Weekly rates start at US$46,400.

An hour north of Edinburgh, Meikloeur Castle exudes the romantic appeal of a grand Highland estate. Nearby, the Dowager Countess of Strathmore still lives in Glamis Castle (of Shakespeare’s Macbeth fame and the late Queen Mother’s childhood home). Originally a hunting lodge, the castle’s oldest wing dates back to 1570. Still, there are no trade-offs on modern comforts and style. Largely rebuilt in the 19th century, the home’s plush interior features ultra-modern conveniences, and its well-tended, 40-acre grounds include one clay and one grass tennis court, spectacular formal and woodland gardens, a heated pool, and its own nine-hole golf course. Meikloeur Castle is indeed the perfect setting to play lord or lady of the manor.

More on Meikloeur Castle

Chateaux de Rois in the Loire Valley, France

Accommodates up to 18 people. Weekly rates start at US$55,000.

Almost straight out of a fairytale, this pre-Renaissance castle played host to the 1952 Gina Lollobrigida film Fanfan la Tulipe. With acres of formal gardens (some of the most renowned in France), a gorgeous pool, sixteenth century paintings and its Salon des Curiosités, Château des Rois is an idyllic setting for living out your very own fairytale.

This property is unlisted and available through HomesAway by request only.

Bastide de Lavande in Provence, France

Accommodates up to 28 guests. Weekly rates start at US$26,900.

This exquisite Provencal retreat is located in the prestigious area between Luberon and Foralquier and sits on 200 acres of lavender fields, which are best experienced on horseback at sunset. The expansive estate was built in 1746 and was once the stronghold of high-ranking officers in the Franco-Spanish war. Today, Bastide de Lavande is equipped with a tennis court, a private swimming pool, beautifully manicured gardens, professional-standard kitchens, and the services of a private cook.

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Il Castello in Tuscany, Italy

Accommodates up to 26 guests. Weekly rates start at US$30,400.

High atop a dramatic Tuscan hill, Il Castello is a collection of houses that form part of a picturesque hamlet within the shadow of an impressive 11^th century castle. Perched above the Val di Chiana, the setting is incomparable for its breathtaking views and beautifully tended grounds with fruit trees, olive trees, outdoor terraces, and expansive swimming pool.

More on Il Castello

Headquartered in Toronto, Canada, HomesAway arranges highly personalized vacations in exceptional private residences in Europe (and soon in other culturally rich corners of the world). Their extraordinary properties range from grand châteaux to classic villas and country farmhouses accommodating as few as four guests and as many as 26. Award-winning Travel Advisors provide customized pre-trip planning, and HomesAway signature Local Hosts offer a personal entrée to the very best of every region.

HomesAway has been touted as an industry leader in luxury villa travel by Travel + Leisure, Forbes, Architectural Digest, Virtuoso Life, Traditional Home, the Wall Street Journal, and the New York Times among others. HomesAway Travel Advisors were praised as top villa agents in Condé Nast Traveler for the last three years.

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