Richmond, Va.-Based Luxury Travel Agency Specializes in Villa Rentals.

Byline: Carol Hazard

Dec. 29--Come February, Kurt and Jena Primuth plan to snorkel in the clear blue waters of the Caribbean.

Kurt has traveled to the islands before but always booked a hotel room.

This time, he and Jena will stay in a villa perched on a hillside above a bay on Virgin Gorda in the British Virgin Islands.

"We wanted something more personal and private," Primuth said. "It's a more expensive way to go, but hopefully the experience will be more relaxing."

He's an account manager for a computer company. She raises and trains horses on their farm in Mechanicsville. It's hard to get away.

"We don't like to be around big, crowded tourist areas," Kurt said.

The villa comes with a swimming pool, a hot tub, panoramic waterfront views and an alfresco bar surrounded by tropical gardens and coconut palms.

The couple could have hired a private chef but decided to do their own cooking. "We love to cook," Kurt said.

The luxury hotel they first considered was $2,500 for five nights. The cost for the villa is $3,500.

The …