Greece’s new wave of beach rules
This spring, Greece will be introducing new regulations for beaches to offer them better protection and make trips to the seaside more accessible for all.Read more...
How to make a success of moving to Australia with children
Moving to Australia with children could be one of the best decisions you take for your family. The warm weather, blue skies and long summers mean children (and adults!) are more likely to be out and about, enjoying a much more active lifestyle, whether it’s long days spent swimming at the beach or a weekend bush-trekking in the Outback. However, moving to the other side of the world is a big step – so how can you make it a success?Read more...
Top 10 reasons to buy property in Ireland
With Christmas (and the end of the year) currently winking at us from behind that bumper bottle of Baileys, it’s only natural to start reflecting on 2018, and where we might like to be this time next year. If Ireland is that special twinkle in your eye – either to buy property in Ireland, or to make the move permanently, it’s important to weigh up if it’s the right place for you and whether life there will leave you more fulfilled.Read more...
Trip report: new-build properties on the south Costa Blanca
Could you see yourself enjoying year-round sun, swimming in the sea right into November? How about dining out on delicious Spanish cuisine for just a few euros, or spending the weekend playing golf on one of several top-class resorts? Life on the south Costa Blanca might seem like a year-round holiday, but it’s reality for the 70,000 British property buyers who have made their home here. And anyone looking to follow them will be pleased to know that homes here are still affordable – although parts of the region are in the top three fastest-growing markets in Spain.Read more...
Where are the best French ski resorts to buy property?
Looking for some family-friendly French ski resorts to buy property in? There are so many to choose from with easy access from the UK and plenty to do in both winter and summer seasons. Here we focus on two super resorts, one in the Pyrénées and one in the Alps.Read more...
This Christmas, plan your move abroad in 2019!
If your New Year’s Resolution is to buy a home in the sun in 2019, or even to move abroad entirely, don’t wait until after Christmas. This is the perfect time to start your serious planning. Why not get the extended family involved too? Read our checklist for making 2019 your best year ever!Read more...
What happened to international property in 2018?
The Beast from the East, then a heatwave, a royal wedding, England in the semi-final of a World Cup. And Brexit. Did this list make you want to stay in the UK or leave?! While some have grabbed the chance to get residency in Europe before Brexit, others are waiting and seeing. But what’s been happening in our favourite overseas property destinations this year?Read more...
Christmas in Cyprus
I love Christmas in Cyprus. I have to admit when I first came to live here I did wonder what Christmas would be like. I remember the first thing that struck me was how much George Michael’s song “Last Christmas” was played on the radio and in the nightclubs! “Why was that?”, I hear you ask. Well, for any of you who might not know, George Michael is Greek Cypriot and hails from southern Cyprus, and so he is definitely considered a son of this country! The Cypriots are very proud of him, and simply adore all his music, and so do I.Read more...
Add a cosy touch to your home with a woodburning stove
No region of Italy avoids a period of cold weather during the winter, so if you’re buying an Italian home you should consider not only how to stay cool in summer, but also how to keep warm on a winter’s night. There are air-con units that heat as well as cool, but electricity is your most expensive heating option, and you can’t exactly cosy up under an aircon unit. Our living room didn’t have a fireplace, so my husband built one himself using the local Puglian sandstone. He carved the soft stone himself, to match the original star vaulted ceiling built in the 1600s.Read more...
Lagoa property: budget or bling?
Whatever your budget, if you’re thinking seriously about a new life in the sunshine, or just a holiday home, Lagoa in Portugal’s central Algarve is a great option. Easy to reach and even easier to love, Lagoa is close to the sea, the River Arane, wonderful countryside and exciting resorts. But what about property in Lagoa?Read more...
Buying in Italy, Part Three: Area Guide
This week, in Part Three of our six-part guide, Buying in Italy, we’re looking at choosing an area. Deciding where to buy in Italy can be difficult – you’re spoilt for choice! Whether you like mountains or rolling hills, cityscape or sea view, Italy has a lot to offer home buyers.Read more...