Aquidneck Land Trust's Top Auction Prize is Chance to go Island Hopping with Villa Industry Leader Wimco

NEWPORT, RI, July 2006 – Wimco Villas, whose stock in trade is renting luxury private villas by the week in some of the most desirable islands in the Caribbean, is setting its sites on yet another island this summer. It’s called Aquidneck and is home to Newport where the company maintains its corporate headquarters.

Wimco Villas is gifting a multiple-night stay at a luxury private villa on St. Barts to an auction that will raise money for the Aquidneck Land Trust. The auction is part of Fiesta Verde, one of Newport’s most anticipated charity events, scheduled this year on July 22. The event is the primary fundraiser for the Aquidneck Land Trust whose mission is to preserve the Island's open spaces and natural character for the lasting benefit of the community. Only about 17% of Aquidneck Island is conserved, compared to approximately 18% of Manhattan, 34% of Martha’s Vineyard, 40% of Block Island and 44% of Nantucket.

"Wimco Villas has a vested interest in keeping open spaces available for the enjoyment of future generations," says Stiles Bennet, Director of Marketing. “And we have a vested interest in programs that assist communities in which we’re involved, and especially where we live and work.”

Folks can pay $50 per auction ticket for the chance to win a weeks stay in a Wimco villa on St Barts. Fiesta Verde attracts an engaged audience of over 700 philanthropic citizens, business leaders and elected officials from the Island and many neighboring communities who are focused on staving off the intense development threat to Aquidneck Island.

For raffle and event even information, visit www.ailt.org or call Megan Andersen at (401) 849-2799 x 19.

About WIMCO VILLAS

Wimco is the leading marketer of luxury villa rentals in the Caribbean and Europe. For over 23 years, the Company has been sending clients to its exclusive portfolio of select private luxury villas and distinctive hotels in St Barts, St Martin, Barbados, Italy, France, and many other desirable vacation destinations.

Fortune Magazine recently rated Wimco amongst the top 5 villa specialists in the world as the result of its strict selection standards for high quality properties, the largest exclusive portfolio of properties in the Caribbean and Europe and its award winning client service. Forbes Magazine recently named Wimco’s online villa rental service “Best of the Web”.

View Wimco's villa rental portfolio at www.wimco.com or call toll-free 1-800-449-1553 (US) or 44-0870-850-1144 (UK).

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UK -- Sarah.hurley@mangopr.co.uk