There is far more to Portugal than the golden sandy beaches of the Algarve.  The country also has a fascinating culture, many heritage cities and towns and delightfully welcoming people. It has so much to offer, from great gastronomy to beautiful countryside and many outdoor activities for the whole family, all of which can be found no further than a two hours’ drive from an international airport – whether it be Faro in the south, Lisbon in the centre or Porto in the north.

The fourth edition of this informative magazine is now available

Published on line at www.portugal-life.net (just subscribe for free to see the full issue) and distributed in the UK through Foremost’s 185 golf clubs around the country, the magazine brings to life all that is good about Portugal and Madeira.  In this edition there are features about bird watching in the Alentejo, boating on Lake Alqueva, walking the Madeiran levadas or find out all about the delicious Vinho Verde wines.

Property and golf

The issue also includes an interview with Dra. Cecilia Meireles, the young and energetic new Secretary of State for Tourism, in which she describes her vision for tourism in Portugal in the years to come, Michael Blandy explains his family’s long involvement for Madeira, and there is plenty to absorb on property and golf.

If you are thinking of visiting Madeira, then take the chance to join the Madeira Country Club. Membership, which costs only €36 a year, entitles you to discounts off a variety of hotels, restaurants, car hire, leisure activities and more. The list is growing daily.

Go to www.themadeiracountryclub.com and become a member today. The Portugal Country Club will be launched later this year and you’ll be able to read all about it on the www.homesandtravel.co.uk website.

Journalist Sarah Drane talked to two British servicemen who are part of Race2Recovery teams aiming to raise funds for their comrades.

After seven gruelling days in the desert, and one in Spain’s very own Wild West, Almeria, the Race2Recovery team parked its pair of dusty 4×4 Qt Wildcats on the tarmac of Gibraltar’s Ocean Village for some well-earned R ’n R in friendly British surroundings.

Returning from the Tuareg Rally, part of a series of cross-country challenges, the group of wounded soldiers, racing experts and mechanics are not only raising money for Help For Heroes but also raising awareness of what can be achieved in the face of physical adversity.

“After the final stage in Almeria it made sense to pop down to Gibraltar and see colleagues and friends at the Royal Gibraltar Regiment and soak up a little bit of Britishness and home,” says Captain Anthony (Tony) Harris, veteran of Northern Ireland, Iraq and Afghanistan, and now rally driver.

“The lads immediately homed in on the fish ‘n’ chip shop before savouring the pints at O’Reilly’s in the very accommodating Ocean Village marina who kindly picked up the bar tab. We are overwhelmed by the support of the British public, both as rally drivers and servicemen. They make a massive difference to how we feel about what we do, we feel very proud and we’d like to say thank you.”

The Race2Recovery competitors, having arrived safely in Ocean Village, Gibraltar

Tony and co-driver Tom are both amputees. Tony was seriously injured in 2009 when his patrol vehicle was destroyed by an IED and after a series of operations he made the decision to lose his left leg below the knee. Tom triggered a booby trap on foot in 2008 and the resulting blast and infection meant the loss of both his legs and left arm.

Tony explains, “This means that we are unlikely to climb Everest or win marathons but, with rally driving, we’re on a level playing field with everyone else – no one really cares about our injuries. We’re not out there to win, although you wouldn’t have guessed that as our competitive spirit kicked in massively at the Tuareg Rally, we’re there to show that we can overcome this hardship and inspire our fellow servicemen to do the same.”

The Tuareg Rally, from 18 to 26 March, covered every conceivable terrain from harsh rocky gravel tracks to wet muddy roads washed by heavy rain and of course the sand dunes of the Sahara in the middle portion of the Rally.

For Tom and Tony this was the first time they’d been back in the desert since being blown up and it was where the Race2Recovery really learnt to gel together and learn on the job. The mechanics battled problematic differential and wheel bearing failures, twice the vehicles rolled completely and they had to be dug out on many occasions.

Tom discovered that his legs weren’t ideal in the sand so he learned to stay inside the vehicle and proved himself to be a phenomenal navigator. Both were slightly unsettled while racing past compound-type buildings in desert landscapes that reminded them of Afghanistan, but were blown-away only by the warm, welcoming and very helpful Moroccan people.

Tony continues, “So many people doubted us, didn’t believe that we could do this Tuareg, or indeed any other Rally, but we had to show them they were wrong. Tom and his experienced driver, Dave Marsh, piloting the Orange Plant Wildcat finished tenth place overall, and even won an entire stage on day five, a remarkable achievement under any circumstances given there were at least 50 competitors.

Ben Gott and I were in the RatCat and came in 25th after a stupid error that we’re still kicking ourselves about now – but also claimed a stage win on the penultimate day. You should never underestimate the strong mentality of Forces personnel who’ve fought for their lives and their country and we just hope that we can motivate others to follow in our footsteps.”

Rehabilitation and recuperation

Race2Recovery at the Tuareg Rally in MOrocco

Tedworth House is a huge part of this road to recuperation and belief. Based in Wiltshire, the personnel recovery centre rehabilitates the wounded, injured and sick onto the next stage of their lives, teaching them new skills and offering careers advice and work experience. It helps access specialist agencies, charities and social services to help them recover from the physical and the mental pain.

Tony continues, “Of course the mental injuries tend not to fade as fast as the scars and, even though we’ve both lost limbs, Tom and I strongly believe that we’re the lucky ones – many of our colleagues are far worse off. Many experience nightmares, flashbacks, anxiety and depression and their loved ones deal with it as much as the serviceman.

“Race2Recovery is about the struggles and sacrifices of parents, partners and siblings – we want to ensure there are places they can turn to for help. Tedworth House is the ultimate.

“It’s likely that Tom and I will be up before the medical review board over coming months and subsequently discharged from the Army. I’d personally love to carry on racing and raising funds for Tedworth House and also follow my passion and write some books, mainly fiction but perhaps something derived from my regular Race2Recovery blogs.

Tom fancies himself as a Primary School teacher proving that there’s absolutely no chance of a serviceman losing his banter along with his limbs.

PLEASE HELP

There are two ways to offer your support to Race2Recovery – by donating or becoming a corporate partner or sponsor. The former can visit http://www.race2recovery.co.uk/getinvolved/donate and make a safe payment with all funds going straight to the Help For Heroes Tedworth House Project.

It’s worthwhile taking a look at this web page http://www.race2recovery.co.uk/getinvolved/corporate-partnerships for information on opportunities for sponsorship, payroll giving, staff fundraising, help in kind or auction prize donations. Media interest is considerable, a highlight being Tom and Tony’s appearance on BBC’s Top Gear in 2011. The programme continues to keep up-to-date with the team’s progress and ex-Stig and tutor of the British Army in driving techniques – Ben Collins – is a key supporter for them.

For more information contact Tony Harris, Race2Recovery, telephone 00 44 7850 102 370, email tony@race2recovery.co.uk or visit http://www.race2recovery.co.uk

About Race2Recovery

Race2Recovery was started when a fledgling racing team of wounded soldiers were inspired to take up cross-country racing and decided to raise money for the incredible service charities that have helped them during their recovery. Inspired by the work done at Row2Recovery the team asked to be part of the hugely successful effort to inspire other service personnel and the wider disabled or disadvantaged community through achieving incredible feats.

HRH the Duke of Kent is patron of the campaign. The next challenge for Race2Recovery – sponsorship dependent – is the Silkway Rally running 4,000km from Moscow to Sochi in the Ukraine. But first they will be on familiar ground in the UK at the first round of the British Cross Country Championship in April. The ‘big one’ comes in 2013 – the Dakar Rally. The Rally has a 40% success rate which team Race2Recovery fully intend to be in.

At a recent Working In Expo held in London, Hon Peter Collier MLC, Western Australia’s Minister for Training and Workforce Development, put forward a strong case for skilled Brits to migrate to the State that God’s given country”. Anglo Pacific’s International Migration Manager, Noel Glavin, was in attendance. “Western Australia comprises one third of Australia’s entire land mass, larger than the whole of Europe, yet has just 10% of the population – some two million.

The UK is the main source of new migrants to Australia

“Resource rich, there are huge prospects for agriculture, manufacturing, construction, mining, the automotive industry and more but also a vast labour force shortage of 150,000 workers. Western Australia has 225 billion Australian dollars’ worth of investment opportunities on the table, around 150 billion pounds, yet if they don’t correct this labour deficit, then these investment opportunities will simply be lost. Western Australia’s recruitment drive is a serious matter.”

Noel continues: “The local labour supply is maxed out – if they want to work, they are working. Australians tend not to migrate from state to state, so Western Australia must find its skilled workforce elsewhere with Brits heavily favoured. Migration is nothing new for Australia – 34% of its population was not born there. Statistics from ‘Working In’ reveal that there are more than 1.2 million UK-born people living in the country, making the UK the main source of new migrants to Australia.”

If interested, Britons have an occupation on the Western Australia Skilled Migration Occupation list and visas are currently taking between nine and 12 months to process. Visa applications with State Sponsorship nomination are given higher priority – perhaps four to six months.”

Hon Peter Collier MLC concluded his London seminar by highlighting Western Australia’s gorgeous beaches, sunny Mediterranean-style climate, outdoor lifestyle and fantastic education and healthcare systems. He said – “I have one unambiguous transparent message – you are welcome.”

Peace of Mind Through Experience

Anglo Pacific is a specialist mover to the Southern Hemisphere and handles around 20,000 consignments of personal and household effects annually. A known market leader for Australia, New Zealand, the USA, Canada and South Africa, Anglo Pacific has been established for more than 30 years and has an unrivalled reputation for friendly, professional and reliable container shipping and international relocation services. What’s more, as a fully bonded member of the British Association of Removers, clients’ belongings could not be in safer hands.

Contact Anglo Pacific through www.anglopacific.co.uk.

More information on migrating to Western Australia can be found on www.migration.wa.gov.au and on Working In Expos at www.workingin.com

Retiring to a home near the Canal du Midi opens up an exciting, and affordable, lifestyle

With high living costs and decreasing pension pots, only one in seven people believe that they will have enough money to live comfortably in the UK once they stop working according to a survey from the National Association of Pension Funds (NAPF).

Data from the NAPF highlighted that the UK could witness a large numbers of retirees moving overseas in an attempt to find better value for money with the Office for National Statistics (ONS) citing destinations such as France, Spain, Australia, the USA and Canada as top picks for UK pensioners.

Danny Silver, expert in French real estate and MD of The Villages Group, comments: “The numbers speak for themselves – 34% of those who took part in the NAPF survey said they would rather retire somewhere cheaper overseas than start paying more into their British pension while 24% of those aged 55 to 64 shared the same view, indicating that their inability to save more for retirement left them feeling more pressurized into moving abroad.

“Of course, as more and more people in their ‘third age’ see their costs of living rise and their standard of living drop, it is hardly surprising that they are looking for better deals overseas.”

Climate, coast and countryside

France, for instance, is undoubtedly one of the ultimate retirement destinations for a wide variety of reasons. It’s close to the UK, celebrated for its cuisine and culture and affords a varying climate depending on what part of the country you reside in, be that Bordeaux for its stunning countryside or the long sandy Mediterranean coastline of Languedoc.

With this in mind, the Languedoc-Roussillon region makes for a wonderful place to relocate in your golden years. Chosen for its three C’s – climate, coast and countryside as well as being one of the best places in the world to go canal boating, Languedoc is one of the most visited parts of south-west France.

France, for instance, is undoubtedly one of the ultimate retirement destinations for a wide variety of reasons

As a result of Languedoc’s popularity, The Villages Group has decided to develop an active living resort ‘village’ for those over 50 at the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Canal du Midi, one of Europe’s longest and widest canal systems.

Explains Silver: “The Canal du Midi is one of the most remarkable feats of civil engineering in modern times. Laden with plane trees, planted in neat rows in the 1830s to strengthen the banks, this magnificent environment became an integral part of the canal’s beauty and a tourist attraction when it finally ceased to be used for commercial transport in the 1980s. It is a wonderful place for engineering enthusiasts or for those simply wanting to bask in the beauty of the canal.”

The Villages Group will provide a village community of around 116 villas on the banks of the Canal du Midi. This village site will afford full on-site amenities including tennis courts, indoor pool, gymnasium and quality entertainment programmes, perfect for living an active and fulfilling life within a community of like-minded individuals.

For more information visit www.thevillagesgroup.com

Prince Harry with the Chairman of Baha Mar, Sarkis Izmirlian

Baha Mar, the largest single-phase, luxury resort development in the history of the Caribbean rolled out the red carpet to welcome HRH Prince Henry of Wales during his visit to Nassau for the Diamond Jubilee Celebration of HRH Queen Elizabeth II, commemorating the 60^th anniversary of her coronation.

Prince Harry was attending the luncheon hosted by the Minister for Youth at Sheraton Nassau Beach Resort after a youth rally and cultural show at the newly developed Thomas A. Robinson National Stadium. Prince Harry is visiting Belize, Jamaica and The Bahamas on official business of the throne.

As a leader in the revitalization of the area, Sarkis Izmirlian, Chairman and CEO of Baha Mar was pleased to showcase the construction progress surrounding the mega resort, emphasizing Baha Mar’s vision for transforming the Cable Beach area into the new Bahamian Riviera.

“As Baha Mar helps to breathe new life into this great country, we are proud to showcase the developments that have occurred on the island within a very short time,” said Izmirlian. “We are honored Prince Harry will be paying witness to these great achievements while visiting the Commonwealth in celebration of the Diamond Jubilee.”

Within a short nine months, vital road works and infrastructure projects have been completed, making way for the unprecedented Baha Mar project, including the transformation of the entire Cable Beach area of Nassau with a new public roadway bordering 2.5 hectares of beautiful natural wetlands, lakes and parks, featuring walking trails, gazebos and boardwalks open for public enjoyment.

Other projects completed include the new Baha Mar Commercial Village with three financial institutions, a state-of-the-art Police and Fire Station and a highly successful Pompey Market straw and crafts marketplace.

In addition to the youth rally at the new national stadium, the Bahamian government prepared a full schedule of events for Prince Harry’s visit to Nassau, including a visit to Spanish Wells, North Eluthera and Harbour Island.

For more information, visit www.bahamar.com

About Baha Mar

An aerial image Baha Mar

Baha Mar, the 400-hectare, $3.5 billion resort, gaming and entertainment complex slated to open in late 2014, will comprise some of the world’s most famous luxury hotel brands, including Rosewood Hotels & Resorts, Mondrian and Hyatt Hotels & Resorts, as well as a Casino Hotel, creating more than 2,200 new rooms.

Within the hotels, Baha Mar plans to develop 300 highly exclusive, ultra-luxurious residential condominiums and villas, available for private ownership. Baha Mar’s stunning, new 9,000 square metre casino will be the largest in the Caribbean, and one of the most exciting gaming experiences in North America, comparable only to the best in Las Vegas.

Baha Mar will also feature the most advanced and versatile convention facilities in The Bahamas, with a combined 19,000 square metres of space, portions of which can also double as an entertainment and sports venue. Other amenities will include retail and entertainment, combining upscale shopping boutiques with Bahamian arts and crafts galleries, chef-branded restaurants and exciting nightclub and entertainment offerings.

An Eco Water Park, and three unique spas, including the most complete spa experience in the Caribbean, will be set along one kilometre of a pristine beach. The planned 18-hole Jack Nicklaus Signature Course will be one of a few such top-tier Nicklaus courses in the world, bringing a new, true championship course to The Bahamas.

Adam Cornwell, Managing Director of Feltrim International comments: “As Spain struggles to cope with the collapse of its construction industry, many properties now lie in the hands of the banks. While many are below par at best, there are some genuine top quality homes within their stock including golf-front.

“As the Government aims to clean up and restart the banking system, lenders are being asked to recognise bigger provisions on their property portfolios which encourages them to offload the stock by dropping prices and offering significant financial incentives to purchase. This means that not only has the clock turned back six or seven years in terms of pricing, but also in terms of lending with 110% mortgages reappearing on bank-owned developments.”

Rental income

Hoyo 19 is a top-end gated apartment resort finished in a contemporary style

Golf property always has appeal, particularly on the Costa del Sol with its 70-plus courses, short flying times from northern Europe and reliable, year-round climate. Owners soak up all the benefits of discounted green fees or rights of play, protected attractive green views, a well-maintained community, gated access and security, additional on-site leisure and social facilities and enhanced potential for rental income as golf continues to grow in popularity as a sport. These benefits used to come at a cost, but with the market at rock bottom that’s a thing of the past.

Adam continues: “It’s an ongoing debate – is the Costa del Sol property market at rock bottom? – and I can only say that if a bank is prepared to lend 110% on heavily discounted property, it must have confidence in the long-term value of that home in that particular location.

“The inventory of unsold property in prime coastal areas for discerning buyers is dropping, demand is growing from overseas buyers and they are looking with a long-term lifestyle perspective rather than a short-term investment mentality. The new Government, sworn in in December 2011, has offered political stability and created reasonable expectations for the coming years that have instilled a degree of confidence and optimism in the market. If the price, location and quality stack up, there is no reason to wait to buy.”

Three 18-hole golf courses

Somewhere the figures do stack up is in the resort of Los Flamingos just to the west of Puerto Banús in a countryside setting yet a stone’s throw from the beach. Boasting three 18-hole golf courses, a driving range and an acclaimed American Golf Academy, Los Flamingos has hosted the European Senior’s Circuit final, no less than three Daily Telegraph European Seniors Match Play Championships and the 2010 Ladies Spanish Open won by Laura Davies.

At Hoyo 19, the properties all enjoy top specifications

Hoyo 19 is a top-end gated apartment resort finished in a contemporary style. Entirely orientated to the south and southwest, all homes have views of the Los Flamingos golf and the Mediterranean coastline – a view that becomes ever more dramatic as the sun sets and night falls. The apartments themselves enjoy top specifications as well as private underground parking and storage while community facilities on-site include a Spa, putting green, tennis courts and two private swimming pools.

Now under bank ownership, the one, two and three bedroom Hoyo 19 apartments are being sold for half the developer’s price of three years ago with some incredible terms. Clients are able to take advantage of a specially negotiated 110% mortgage, to cover all closing costs, and take two years interest-only repayment terms with rates from as low as 0.25% plus Euribor – all for just a 2% commitment fee. Key-ready furniture packages are also available. Prices start from €238,000 (approx £198,500) for a two-bedroom, two-bathroom apartment.

For more information, visit www.feltriminternational.com.

British Consulates in Spain are among the busiest in the world

How the staff of British Consulates in Spain help citizens in distress is to be highlighted in a new TV documentary series to be broadcast next month on the UK’s Channel 4.

The problems caused by lost and stolen passports, and the costs and consequences of failing to buy holiday insurance, are just two of the biggest calamities for homeowning residents and holidaymakers who turn to the British Consulates for help.

The new TV series, filmed last summer, reveals how consular staff come to the rescue of Britons who find themselves in trouble. From helping victims of crime to advising Brits arrested by the police, the series also follows consular staff as they visit holidaymakers who end up in hospital and meet expat residents to hear their property concerns.

The three part series, called ‘Our Man In…’, provides unprecedented access to the work of British consular staff. It will be shown on the UK’s Channel 4 on Thursdays 1^st, 8^th and 15^th March at 22.00 GMT (23.00 CET). The first programme features Mallorca and Ibiza, the second follows the team in Alicante and the third covers Tenerife and Barcelona.

 Residents and tourists

The British Consulates in Spain are among the busiest in the world. “The series shows the hard work and professionalism of our staff in helping Brits abroad”, says Dave Thomas, Consular Director for Southern Europe. “We’re here to assist, and residents and tourists can find even more information on our ukinspain website.”

The series reveals the consequences of failing to prepare properly for a holiday. Even if you’re staying with friends and family, travelling without insurance could cost you many thousands of pounds if you’re injured abroad.

“Losing your passport will cost you time and money”, says Dave Thomas. “And without an EHIC health card, you’ll find it harder to get medical care. By taking a few simple precautions, you can avoid a dream holiday turning into a nightmare.”

In Mallorca, a premature baby and his mother are taken onto a plane

On the party island of Ibiza, consular staff tackle the fall-out from a new drug on club scene – the so-called ‘pink pill’. A young tourist is found lost, nearly naked, and unable to recall anything but his name. Then the Brit dealers who supply the pills also need help after they’re arrested.

In Mallorca, staff deal with a young Brit who’s been tasered by overzealous police. A holidaymaker from Essex has been run over by a drunk driver, and lies seriously injured in hospital. And a Lancashire couple’s holiday is transformed by the arrival, nine weeks early, of their tiny baby son.

The programme on Alicante shows the pro-active face of the Foreign Office, with staff seeking out Brits caught up in a forest fire, tackling a death in Benidorm, and working with local police to manage an invasion of Scottish football fans.

In Barcelona and Tenerife, crime has its effects on visitors and on the workload of the Consulates.  Street robberies and stolen passports lead to inconvenience, distress and unexpected costs for holidaymakers. Meanwhile consular staff are also busy helping some of the people who need it most – expat prisoners and homeless Brits who simply want to go home.

‘Our Man In…’ was filmed in August and September last year and is produced by Screenchannel Television, a London-based independent production company. The executive producers are Emma Barker, a former commissioning editor and controller at ITV, and Peter Lowe, a former executive producer and programme editor at BBC Television and controller at Carlton Television.

(www.homesandtravel.co.uk recently published an article on the new EU-wide emergency services phone number entitled: Homeowner Or Holidaymaker in the EU? The Number For Emergency Services is 112. It’s really worthwhile making a note of this number).

Quercy is the region between The Lot and Tarn rivers and is one of the oldest wine producing regions in France. This is a landscape of buzzards, red squirrels, nightingales, butterflies, wild flowers and orchids

Zoe Scott and her family treasured their visit to France every year, discovering yet another part of the country. In the summer of 1988 they rented a holiday home and it was then that the idea of moving to France permanently really took hold. Nothing in the Dordogne matched up to their ideas, so one day they drove south to Cahors in the Lot Valley to see the magnificent Pont Valentre (medieval bridge over the river Lot).

The Lot is known as the gateway to the south and they were captivated by the champagne-coloured houses, hilltop mediaeval villages and their first taste of superb Cahors wine.

One minute they were sipping coffee in a square opposite an estate agency and the next they were in a car being driven by a chic Frenchwoman to view three properties – and then down the lane, through the farmyard to Mondounet….

Zoe takes up the story: “Mondounet was located in an idyllic setting for the 17th century farmhouse and outbuildings, set on the hill and overlooking two valleys. There was nearly a hectare of land (about two acres) – a large stone barn, bread oven and stable. It was really peaceful and somehow we knew that we had found our dream. The very next day we signed on the dotted line and moved in later that year – October 1988. Restoration and conversions were carried out and the following year we were able to open our doors to our first holiday guests.”

"Now, after all those years, we still believe that moving to this beautiful part of south-west France was the best decision we ever made'"

In the Quercy region, it’s well worth visiting the markets (our local village of Montcuq has one of the best Sunday markets around); drinks and lunches in the pavement cafés; village fêtes; visiting the chateaux and caves; music – blues, jazz and classical concerts. “We have some of the most beautiful countryside, vineyards around the corner for wine-tasting, superb country cooking and Michelin-star restaurants. In addition, there’s always a warm welcome from the locals.”

Quercy Blanc

“This is a landscape of buzzards, red squirrels, nightingales, butterflies, wild flowers and orchids. There are rural properties that have become vacant and in this beautiful countryside, with unused roads winding up through woods and vineyards it’s not unusual to come across the distinctive profile of an old Quercynoise limestone farmhouse with its Roman tiles and pigeonnier (dovecote).”

Getting here:

The region is easily accessible by road, rail and plane:

Airports:

Toulouse and Bergerac airports are just 60-75 minutes drive. Bordeaux & Rodez are two hours drive and Carcasonne 2½ hours drive.

Ferry:

From the U.K. – The ferry ports: St. Malo and Le Havre are 8-9 hours driving time and there is a local airport at Cahors for light aircraft.

Trains:

The Pyrenees and Spain are about three hours drive away, as are the Atlantic and Mediterranean coasts. Paris and Barcelona are five hours drive. Montcuq is just 25 kilometres from Cahors and the new A20 motorway

Paris is five hours by train to Cahors and faster by TGV to Agen, and under an hour by plane. With the enormous investment in road and rail in France it’s now possible to still be in touch with the world while enjoying the peace of the beautiful countryside.

About Mondounet Holidays and Homes:

Bed and breakfast is from €60 per night for two people, inclusive of breakfast – or self-catering in the 17th century farmhouse with lovely views over the peaceful Lot countryside, from 200 euros per week.

Established in 1963, Quercy Gascogne Immobilier is a family-run estate agency. The office is situated in the heart of the bastide town of Montcuq, the base of choice when property hunting in this beautiful part of the Lot.

For more information go online at www.mondounetholidaysandhomes.com

(Associated with Agence Quercy Gascogne)

The National Homebuilding & Renovating Show is planning an even bigger event to attract self-builders and renovators on 29 March – 1 April 2012. Picture credit: Darren Chung

The Homebuilding & Renovating Show takes place for four days from 29 March – 1 April 2012 at the NEC, Birmingham. Homes&Travel has 30 pairs of free tickets to the show worth a total of £900 (each pair is worth £30).

This year, Britain’s biggest self-build and renovation event, The National Homebuilding & Renovating Show, is celebrating 21 years of inspiring generations of home owners to build their dream home. In its long history the show has helped hundreds of aspiring self-builders and renovators to achieve their vision and in March it expects to welcome the millionth visitor through the doors.

Whether you’re planning a renovation or embarking on a self-build journey, The National Homebuilding & Renovating Show provides the widest range of groundbreaking, different and exciting solutions under one roof no matter what stage your project is at.

For four days from 29 March – 1 April 2012, the show returns to the NEC, Birmingham, bringing more self-build and renovation ideas, DIY advice and interior inspiration to make every aspect of your home perfect. The show is brimming with great ideas and innovative techniques from over 450 specialist exhibitors who are offering an unrivalled range of products, practical workshops and hands on demonstrations – all under one roof!

For the first time, the show features a dedicated Eco Home Zone with its very own Eco Home Theatre providing visitors access to specialists in sustainable energy solutions. With rising energy prices, visitors can use this opportunity to explore ways to keep their energy bills low by adopting different energy solutions.

In addition, the show is increasing the amount of in-depth seminar and master class theatres to four (including the Eco Home Theatre where eco home experts, including Tim Pullen, will be presenting several seminars), providing the widest and most detailed range of advice and expertise to be found in the UK.

One of the newest construction options – full size, structurally insulated panels (SIPs) – will be on display for visitors to examine first hand and discuss with experts whether the structure is right for their self-build. Don’t miss out on live demonstrations at the Carpenter Oak Traditional Skills Showcase where you will learn a variety of skills including dry walling, lime rendering, thatching and many more.

If you’re happy to get your hands dirty, visit the ‘Try it Yourself’ area, which will provide free interactive training sessions on skills such as tiling, bricklaying and plastering.

To transform your garden this spring, why not visit the Landscaping Zone, created by Buildbase for an insight into how to make the most of your outdoor space? Whether you’re planning to grow your own vegetables in the city or create a family friendly entertaining space, this zone will continue to provide you with all the latest, new ideas you’re looking for.

Make sure you stop by ‘The Advice Centre’ stand where the Homebuilding & Renovating magazine experts will be joined by leading professional bodies to help guide your project from start to finish. Take this opportunity to bring your drawings along for a one to one consultation where you will receive useful tips to enhance your project.

Homebuilding & Renovating magazine will help guide your project in every field including design, finance, renewable, sustainability, restoration and legal issues Picture credit: Darren Chung

For visitors requiring more specialist advice, there are 48 free Masterclass programmes to address your specific problems and issues. Presented by leading exhibitors, these classes offer a great opportunity to talk one-on-one with principal companies in the industry. Topics range from smart homes, finance, construction systems, renewable energy, basements, build costs, heating, design, renovating, roofing and DIY.

Share the passions of our experts including Michael Holmes (editor-in-chief of Homebuilding & Renovating Magazine and presenter of ‘I Own Britain’s Best Home’), David Snell (consultant at the BBC and the Daily Telegraph’s bricks and mortar expert), Mark Brinkley (author of the House Builder’s Bible), Tim Pullen (eco expert at Homebuilding & Renovating Magazine) and Sally Tagg (planning expert at Homebuilding & Renovating Magazine).

For more information and tickets, visit www.homebuildingshow.co.uk or call the ticket hotline on 0844 581 1375. Tickets are £10 in advance or £15 on the door (children under 16 go free).

Vista Villa, Santa Monica Beach Resort, Cape Verde,

While the Cape Verde economy has little to complain about, (according to the IMF, GDP growth is expected to rise to 7.1% by 2013), news of a fresh aid injection by a leading US Aid Agency has given the African nation a welcome boost. The $66.2 million agreement will reform water, sanitation and land-management to foster further economic growth – in particular in real estate and tourism.

Adam Cornwell, Managing Director of Feltrim International promoting real estate on the Islands, comments: “Cape Verde is a nation on a rapid upward path. It has halved its 1990 poverty level and in 2008 officially graduated from Least Developed to Middle Income Country status. Much of this positivity stems from one of the fastest growing tourism industries in the world and active encouragement of substantial foreign investment.

Real estate development

“However, with scant natural resources and little rainfall, further aid flows have been needed to make the necessary improvements to cope with the influx of tourists. The five-year agreement with the US Millennium Challenge Corporation announced this week will focus on specific projects to help Cape Verde sustain its growing tourism industry.”

The bulk of the aid, $41.1 million, will help make Cape Verde’s national regularity institutions financially sound and transparent and transform utilities into high-performing commercial organisations. The Islands’ households and businesses will benefit from better quality water and sanitation services.

“A further 17.3 million US dollars will refine Cape Verde’s legal and institutional environment to make a more attractive climate for large and small investors. Land information will become more reliable, land rights strengthened and land transactions made more efficient. Real estate development and tourism will increase as a direct result and around 13,000 jobs created.

Official statistics

New on the island of Boa Vista is the 1,140 unit Santa Mónica Beach Resort & Spa which combines a five star hotel with luxury one and two bedroom apartments and two to five bedroom villas each with private pool. A championship standard golf course is planned alongside the Resort.

The Millennium Challenge Corporation completed its first successful multi-year agreement with Cape Verde in 2010 and helped the Islands turn their reliance on foreign aid to an economy led by private sector growth – in particular tourism.

According to the latest official statistics, tourist arrivals continue growing at a rate of 20% per annum with 219,000 arriving in the first half of 2011, a percentage growth of 27.5% against the same period in 2010. It is projected that Cape Verde will reach half a million tourists annually by 2015 and one million by 2020.

The number of hotel beds is also increasing year-on-year. Spanish chain Riu has no less than five hotels across the Islands (four of them five star) and rival Spanish company Melia recently opened its five star hotel on the island of Sal in 2011. Cape Verde ranked third on Skyscanner’s list of emerging destinations in 2011 proving there is now a strong winter sun rival to the Canaries in the mid-haul market from the UK.

New on the island of Boa Vista is the 1,140 unit Santa Mónica Beach Resort & Spa which combines a five star hotel with luxury one and two bedroom apartments and two to five bedroom villas each with private pool. A championship standard golf course is planned for alongside the Resort.

Some heavyweights have put their name to Santa Mónica Beach Resort & Spa including Wyndham, the largest hotel operator in the world, to handle guest services and rental management alongside ESPA, a global award-winning Spa operator, to provide blissfully relaxing treatments and products.

Boa Vista International Airport

The beach at Santa Mónica is well known as one of the world’s key turtle nesting sites as well as being a breeding ground for humpback whales and home to many native and migrating bird species.

Finance options of up to 90% are available making ownership of a one bedroom apartment achievable from just an €11,900 deposit.

Boa Vista’s International Airport now takes direct 5.5 hour flights from Glasgow, Gatwick and Manchester and flights from Bristol and Stansted are to be added giving UK visitors greater flexibility. Direct flights to Cape Verde are also in place from Lisbon, Madrid, Milan, Frankfurt, Brussels, Boston and beyond which again helps boost rental yields. Passenger traffic across the Islands’ seven airports rose 11.2% year on year in 2011, from 1.6 million to 1.78 million.

For a limited time early investor discounts of 30% for cash buyers mean prices start from just €83,300 for a one bedroom apartment and €325,500 for a detached three bedroom villa. Finance options of up to 90% are available making ownership of a one bedroom apartment achievable from just an €11,900 deposit.

There are also rental and leaseback plans offering up to 7% fixed income with allowances for personal use. Santa Mónica Beach Resort & Spa also qualifies for SSAS and SIPP purchase via fully managed hotel suites from €85,000 (official valuation €162,000) with ten-year guaranteed 7% rental income.

Licenses and planning permission have been granted and construction is underway on site with phase one scheduled for completion mid 2013. Santa Mónica Beach Resort & Spa offers a unique chance to purchase top-quality property in a prime location – while prices remain low.

For more information visit: www.feltriminternational.com.