Hilo Hideaway
Hilo, Hawaii
The land is more vertical than horizontal on this estate, more than two acres with the home on a sliver of waterfront alongside the Wailuku River. It was designed by San Francisco architects and the layout is dictated by the narrowness of the site. The three buildings are joined by a long, screened lanai with posts made of native Ohia trees. The home features three private bedrooms with large windows looking out on the rain forest and a kitchen pavilion with large windows looking out at the two gorges and the waterfall. Go to Hilo for shopping, restaurants, museums and sightseeing, or visit the nearby beaches for swimming, snorkeling, diving, boating, surfing and shelling. Top it off with a visit to the active volcano.
-Sleeps 16, available year-round, rent by week or night, two-night minimum, no smoking indoors, no pets
808-935-7920 or 808-635-3649
www.vrbo.com
www.reedsisland.com

Andalusian Cottage
Casares, Andalucia Region, Spain
This three-bedroom villa with a wood-burning fireplace and a full-size pool is situated beside the rugged cliffs of the Sierra Bermeja Mountains. You can see the hilltop village, Gibraltar, from the vine-covered terrace — and all the way to Africa. Casares, one of the traditional "white villages" of Andalucia, is a pleasant walk and has family-run shops and restaurants to enjoy. Venture off to Ronda with its Moorish buildings and the oldest bullring in Spain or take an excursion to Morocco.
-Sleeps 8, available year-round except August, weekly rates
Phone: +11 34 95 289 5068
www.justcasares.com

Beach Retreat
Malibu, California
This charming two-bedroom beach cottage has a great ocean view. You can wake to the sound of the waves, take walks on the private beach and enjoy meals from the front deck while watching the sunrise or dolphins playing in the ocean at sunset. This house is located just above a private beach cove with great surfing, snorkeling, swimming and tide pools. The home also offers great hikes to waterfalls starting right from your door.
-Sleeps 4, available May–Oct., weekly and monthly rates available, no pets, no smoking
310-457-2215

River Ranch
Kooskia, Idaho
This three-bedroom log cabin and guest cottage is in a relaxing wilderness atmosphere surrounded by woods and a river. It is a very private location and can only be accessed by a private suspension bridge. Its amenities include a barbecue, game room, foosball, air hockey, baseball, basketball, horse coral and pasture, seasonal pool and Jacuzzi. Without leaving the property you can ride, hunt fish, and swim the Clearwater River. Or, take the car and go to Kooskia for golfing, skiing and the hot springs.
-Sleeps 10, available May-Oct., rent by week, night or month, no smoking.
208-926-4514

Wine Country Escape
Napa, California
This exclusive home on seven forested acres has a bridged walkway over a Koi pond, an outdoor bird aviary, expansive decks that surround the house, an all season pool and a private in ground hot tub. Outside, enjoy a barbecue by day and star gazing at night. You can swim, hike, explore the forest or bask in the hot tub. In the heart of California's premium wine country, this place is perfect for golf, fine dining, winery hopping, spa treatments, canoeing on the Russian River and hot air balloon rides.
-Sleeps 6, available April-Oct., rent by month, week or night, a guest cottage that sleeps 4 available at added cost, no small children and no pets
707-539-2825

Telluride Lodge
Telluride, Colorado
This five-bedroom, designer-built house has 360-degree views of the surrounding San Juan Mountains and four complete holes of the Telluride Golf Course. It takes full advantage of its location with an abundant use of glass and spacious open design — including more than 1,900 square feet of decks and the patios that wrap around the home. Its many unique features include a live 32-foot black olive tree inside the home, a 38-foot structure with two fireplaces, an observatory, a large athletic room that includes a golf driving range, a tennis practice area and a Ping-Pong table. This is a sport retreat with a ski area only a few miles away, a golf course right next door, a private tennis court, mountain biking and cross-country ski trails out the back door.
-Sleeps 12, available year-round, rent by month, week or night, no smoking, pets allowed with prior approval
www.vrbo.com

Tropical Jewel
Manuel Antonio/Quepos, Costa Rica
It is easy to enjoy the comforts and luxuries of this award winning architectural villa, set in the jungle and overlooking the Pacific Ocean. Its spacious, multi-level, open-air design takes advantage of the ever-changing light and the soft ocean breezes. Unwind on the hammock terrace or in the fresh water pool and watch the monkeys, exotic birds and butterflies in the surrounding tropical garden. Experience a variety of wildlife at this coastal region with offshore islands, the Manuel Antonio National Park, guided rainforest tours, world-class sport fishing and white sand beaches. Head into town to savor the finest restaurants, most of them located in beautiful outdoor settings.
-Sleeps 10, available year-round, nightly rates, three-day minimum, no children under 8
415-282-8921
www.worldwidevillas.com
www.lunatica.com