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)

Lower Slaughter is typical of the most attractive Cotswold villages

“If you’re thinking of moving to the country, you should definitely consider the Cotswolds.  This picturesque region offers a wonderful way of life, a safe environment to bring up children and is just an hour or so from London.  We have excellent schools and colleges, and for the ‘grown ups’ there’s no shortage of Michelin star restaurants and excellent gastro pubs, making this a highly sociable foodie’s paradise,” says Sam Butler, senior partner at Cotswolds property specialists Butler Sherborn.

“Many people find that once they move to the Cotswolds, they never want to move again.  Some families have lived in the region for several generations, while newcomers soon appreciate the community spirit and openness of the villages.  In recent years, celebrities have caught on to the quality of life and relaxing nature of the area, only a short commute from London, with famous artists, authors and stars of stage and screen establishing young roots in some of its finest old properties.

“Whether you buy a cosy cottage or a rambling rectory, it’s possible to live very well in the region, as Cotswold Life magazine proved at its recent Food & Drink Awards” .  Sam adds: “There are so many opportunities to get to know people and make new friends, and perhaps not surprisingly, much activity focuses around food and food-related events.”

Two typical Cotswold properties are:

2 Hartley's Barn is a converted Cotswold barn

2 Hartley’s Barn is a traditional Cotswold stone barn that has been sympathetically converted by Newbury developers Rivar, to offer a spacious and well presented home. Accommodation includes a kitchen/breakfast room, utility room, cloakroom, sitting/dining room, master bedroom with adjoining shower room, two further bedrooms and a family bathroom. Local pub – The Lamb Inn, Shipton-under-Wychwood. Guide price £480,000 .

Flora's Cottage, located in the village of Fifield

Flora’s Cottage, located in the charming village of Fifield in the heart of the Cotswolds, has a number of attractive period features including exposed beams and walls. Accommodation includes a kitchen, sitting room with wood burning stove and a bathroom on the ground floor.  Two double bedrooms are located on the first floor, while a separate annex offers the option of a third bedroom or study, plus a shower room and cloakroom.  Local pub – The Feathered Nest Country Inn, Nether Westcote. Guide price £350,000.

Burford is around five miles away, Stow-on-the-Wold is six miles and Witney is 12 miles; Cirencester and Cheltenham are approximately 23 miles, while Oxford is 26 miles.  Kingham railway station is four miles, with the journey time to London Paddington around 75 minutes.The Cotswolds is located in the heart of England stretching through Gloucestershire, Oxfordshire, Wiltshire and Warwickshire.  The region is the largest designated Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty in England and Wales and covers 790 sq miles.

La Maison Caignac, in the beautiful south west region of France

Built in 1707 and renovated throughout in 2003 this luxurious Maison de Maître offers a spacious 655 square metres in 0.92 hectares of grounds. The house, situated in the centre of a small village and located within 100 metres of the bar/café/small shop, is equipped with six bedrooms (one en-suite), four bathrooms, three salons, three kitchens, dining room, games room and laundry.

The swimming pool at La Maison Caignac is located in the formal landscaped gardens

Outside, in formal landscaped gardens, is a heated 12 x 8 metre swimming pool, a tennis court, boules court, garden chess and a small acacia wood. The terrace features a vine-clad pergola, a barbeque and pizza oven and a formal dining area for 14 persons. There is a wine cave with a natural well to irrigate the garden. There is also covered parking for four cars.

The current habitable accommodation is split currently over two floors. In addition, there is a third floor (already equipped with power and water) of 325 square metres which is available for conversion into a minimum of eight additional en-suite bedrooms with extensions to the two existing stairwells.

The house is capable of being split into three separate areas by the locking of two doors, affording divided accommodation to larger family groupings. The current owners let the property during the months of May to September for short-term holiday lets and achieved a 4 per cent gross return in calendar 2010.

La Maison Caignac features:

• The house – renovated to luxury level in 2003 with 655 square metres on two floors (plus an additional 325 square meters of space suitable for future development on the third floor)
• Six double bedrooms – the master en-suite and with a dressing room
• Four additional bathrooms
• Three kitchens, each equipped with oven, fridge and dishwasher
• Three salons, two with open fireplaces, one with a wood burning stove
• Dining room and mezzanine space for a rest area, office or library
• Utility room and laundry room
• Cellar for use as a wine store which also houses a well
• Imposing entrance hall and lavatory
• All electric with three separate circuits

La Maison Caignac's tennis court

The garden

• Formal landscaped gardens and a small wood in 0.92 hectares (two acres)
• Tennis court
• 12 metre x 8 metre heated saltwater swimming pool
• Boules court, outdoor chess
• Covered parking for four vehicles
• Additional hard standing with vehicle gate access to the main street
• Vine-clad pergola, barbeque/pizza oven and dining area for 14 persons
• Stone outside shed for all garden machinery

The Area

• Caignac, in the department of the Haute Garonne, is some 35 kilometres south west of Toulouse (airport 40 minutes) and 55 kilometres north west of Carcassonne (airport 50 minutes) and is six kilometres from the Canal du Midi and the local town of Villefranche de Lauragais.
• The Mediterranean is just over one hour away as are the ski slopes of Ax Trois Domaines
• The Lauragais is an area of outstanding natural beauty, farmed for cereals and sunflowers, and is at the north end of Cathare Country giving a history trail back to the 13th century. The nearby towns of Carcassonne, Albi and Mirepoix are regular fixtures on the tourist trail.

Initial contact: e-mail Bob Lewis at bob@caignac.com or go on-line at: www.lamaisoncaignac.com

Scott's Hotel in Binissalem, Mallorca is one of the most desirable places to stay on the island

George Scott spent his life until the age of fifty doing almost everything except what he really wanted to do: write mystery novels.

He made documentary films, traded in gold and silver, ran a charitable foundation, flew planes and restored historic houses. His life was far from dull.

But during all that time what he really longed to do was lead a relaxed life, meet an abundance of interesting people, have time off for travel and reading and music and sports and the chance to pursue that elusive hobby — penning those murder mysteries.

Regrettably, for a half century he never found anything to do that wasn’t time consuming, long on stress and short on leisure. Everything seemed to be so all or nothing. Or else it was boring.

Love at first glance

Until one day back in the middle eighties, when he and his partner Judy, an architectural designer, were on the island of Mallorca (or Majorca) and ran across a lovely 1783 historic ruin – no electricity, no drains, no water, and with a tree growing through the roof. It was the old cliché of love at first glance.

Comfort and attention to detail are what Scott's provides for its clients

The building was decidedly all wrong for them — a potential money pit that would involve bureaucracy, a sheaf of permissions, and the logistics of working in a language neither of the Scotts spoke, and all this in a medieval wine village with dusty streets of golden stone whose cobbles had rarely been trodden by a foreigner, unless it was someone from the next town up on the map, (three miles away but decidedly foreign territory).

In spite of all the drawbacks, something kept bringing George and Judy back to that town and that historic ruin, and after three years, more money and more work than they ever could have imagined, Scott’s Townhouse Hotel opened its doors to immediate and virtually universal praise: from the press, from travel experts, but most important, from their guests.

And from then on, George was able to begin living that original dream; fascinating people did indeed come to visit, including many famous folk looking for a secret hideaway, a place where they were treated as special, not because of who they were, but because the Scotts treated everyone as special.

The work itself of running the place was soon a routine which could easily be delegated, and finally there was time to be semi-retired, to visit places long on the Scott’s wish list, explore opportunities that came up via the new friends their guests were becoming. Some guests became virtually part of the Scott family.

Along the way, as twenty-some years rolled by, awards came, their reputation grew, and it even turned out that George finally had the time to have a go at those books he’d always wanted to write.

The first one, The Bloody Bokhara, about a murder that takes place inside the hotel; fiction, but based on a real Bokhara rug that’s outside one of the suites, sold well in the UK, but then went on to became a top bestseller in Germany and eventually Book of the Month for Europe’s largest book club.

His second one, The Chewed Caucasian, sold out its first two printings and is even hard to find now on amazon.co.uk. A third one is now in the works.

Scott's Hotel in Galilea has one of the most spectacular views on the island

Looking back, George calls his life over the past two decades: “a programmed dream, all I ever wished for and clutches of lovely experiences I never could have imagined.”

However, all things have an end, and now at 75, with his health – and that of Judy – increasingly fragile, the Scotts are looking for someone to whom they can pass the torch, people who will maintain the standards and the reputation they’ve secured, and who they hope will find the same degree of creative fulfilment they did running a hotel that renowned hotel critic Alistair Sawday named in the Sunday Times as one of his six favourite hideaways in the Mediterranean.

Scott’s Townhouse Hotel: Fact Sheet

• Official Spanish government category: Hotel with 4 gold stars.
• Constructed: 1783. Completely renovated in 1995, well maintained since. Listed on the Spanish register of historical buildings.
• Location: In the central church square of Mallorca’s wine capital, a town of 7,000 just twenty minutes from Palma, the island’s capital, ten minutes from the mountains, and less than half an hour to sandy beaches, sailing, golf and other attractions. There is free parking directly outside the hotel.
• Rooms: 18, licensed capacity 33. Five double suites, one triple suite, six deluxe double rooms, six superior doubles, one of which is small enough effectively to be a single room.
• Size: Approximately 1,500 square metres of constructed space on a plot of 2,000 square metres.
• Amenities: Roman pool with swimjet and massage jets, two sun terraces, bar, breakfast room, private entrance hall, library, two sitting rooms, guest tea service facilities, WiFi, TVs on demand with satellite connection, patio garden.
• Reviews and reputation: Listed by the London Sunday Times as one of the Mediterranean’s six best hideaway hotels. Fine reviews from virtually all of the quality guides and hotel information publications and websites.
• The buyers we’re looking for: Having spent over twenty years building the reputation of Scott’s, we would like to find people who’d like to carry the torch forward, maintaining, even improving, on the loyal customer base we’ve built, and our impeccable reputation. The hotel can be run full time, or for as little as eight months a year, which means it could be an ideal semi-retirement project.

Address: Plaza Iglesia 12, 07350 Binissalem, Mallorca, Spain

Telephone: (34) 626 486644

Websites: www.scottshotel.com and www.scottstownhousehotel.com

Silvertree will be visually striking and wrapped with curved aluminum bands on two sides that will provide solar shading and electrical power from embedded photovoltaic panels and solar water heating.

STOP PRESS

Cross Thames cable car news drives ‘new Canary Wharf’

The announcement that constructor Mace has landed a £50.5m contract to build and operate a cable car across the Thames, from the O2 Arena in Greenwich to the Excel Centre in the Royal Docks, has further boosted the claims made for the Royal Docks as being a new Canary Wharf in the making.

The cable car is expected to be opened prior to the 2012 Olympic Games, whose main stadium is located within half a mile of the terminus at the Royal Docks. The cable car project is only one facet of the regeneration of the area. A new Crossrail Custom House station is being built, expansion plans for nearby London City Airport are underway, and a £30m Siemens Expo building is in development.

Silvertree, a landmark 24-storey ‘green’ apartment tower, is spearheading innovative residential development in the Royal Docks. Granted planning approval only last month, the £80m development will commence construction in summer 2011, and will be completed in late 2012.

Set on the waterfront overlooking the Royal Victoria Docks, the eye-catching eco tower will be home to 161 high quality, state-of-the-art one, two and three bedroom apartments, as well as retail, office and commercial units, and a café located on the ground floor. The tower will be the most significant new residential development yet in the London Borough of Newham. Apartment prices start from £250,000.

Richard Hywel Evans of Studio RHE, the award-winning architect who has designed Silvertree, said: “The tower is a super cool, post-crunch design that raises the benchmark for living and eco friendly architecture in Docklands. Silvertree’s solar PV panels, use of ground source and biomass to generate heat combined with high levels of thermal insulation mean not only will it feel comfortable to live in but it will also cost residents very little to run. It takes contemporary apartment living in London to new heights.”

Silvertree will also be directly connected with the City of London and beyond to Heathrow.

Silvertree will be situated just half a mile from the Olympic Stadium, and has excellent travel connectivity due to the implementation of several new transport projects. The project will be located near the point where the new Thames crossing cable car, which links Greenwich with the Royal Docks, and the new Crossrail Custom House station are being built. Silvertree will also be directly connected with the City of London and beyond to Heathrow. The existing Royal Victoria DLR station connects Silvertree to Canary Wharf, with Stratford main line station within 15 minutes by rail. London City Airport is two stops away on the DLR.

Set on the waterfront overlooking the Royal Victoria Docks, adjacent to the £35 million Siemens Expo building, Silvertree will have large roof terraces and communal gardens opening on to the dockside. To ensure residents will enjoy a high quality of life, Silvertree will be built to Design for Life standards, as well as to Code for Sustainable Homes level 4, well in advance of statutory requirements to do so.

London Mayor Boris Johnson’s office has endorsed Silvertree as a significant new development for London. John East, Director Planning and Development Services for the London Borough of Newman, said: “We are very positive about the scheme. Supported by CABE, it has the potential to set a new standard for residential design in the Royal Docks, which we welcome.”

When completed it will form one element of a cluster of new buildings, alongside the £30m Siemens Sustainability Centre and the new cable car access point linking The Royals and Greenwich.”

Enquiries: Knight Frank 020 7718 5220 www.KnightFrank.com

Argentina is home to a booming economy, a buoyant tourist industry and, of course, polo. It is also home to an expanding property market

Previously BA flights to the capital of Argentina involved a connection in Sao Paulo but due to passenger demand a new direct flight will be introduced making it even easier to reach South America’s second largest metropolitan area. In the decade since the economic crisis of 2001, Argentina has worked hard to establish economic prosperity, boasting five straight years of 9% GDP growth through 2007 and impressive GDP of 8% for 2010.

The nation’s booming economy, primarily based on agricultural and natural resource exports, manufacturing and telecommunications has attracted significant levels of foreign direct investment. Labelled by the Financial Times as ‘China’s New Investment Frontier’, Argentina has seen levels of Chinese investment go from millions to US$ 2.45 billion in the last decade.

In addition the tourism sector is also rapidly expanding; the Argentine Ministry of Tourism expected more than five million foreigners to visit the country in 2010, 15.5% more than in 2009, generating revenue of US$470 billion.

This increase in tourism numbers is in turn having a positive effect on Argentina’s housing market. Identified as a: ‘future high growth luxury residential market’ by the Knight Frank Global Property Wealth Survey 2010 and one of the ‘most favourable destinations’ for hotel investment in 2011 by Jones Lang LaSalle Hotels, Argentina offers a wealth of opportunity both for domestic and international property buyers.

Demand for high quality accommodation around Buenos Aires is particularly high with country clubs proving popular, both as retreats for city workers but also permanent residences in their own right. Offering the best of both worlds, country clubs such as the 5-star Camino Real Polo & Country Club located just 35 minutes from Buenos Aires, allow residents to enjoy the true Argentinian countryside, first class on-site amenities and easy access to the city for work.

As Steven Worboys, MD of Experience International, which is exclusively marketing the hotel suites available at Camino Real, comments: “Investing in aparthotels remains a popular choice for investors due to the high returns available and hassle-free management. Combining this booming asset class with a growing economy such as Argentina is surely a recipe for success.”

Hotel suites at the 5-star Las Rosas Hotel at Camino Real are selling fast. Set within the 770 acre Polo & Country Club, lake view hotel suites are available from £87,500 with up to 18.8% projected NET rental yield. Sixty per cent, 10-year non-status developer finance is also available along with two weeks annual stay with free polo lessons.

For more information on investing in Argentina and the Las Rosas aparthotel contact the experts at Experience International on +44 (0) 207 321 5858 or visit www.experience-international.com

Las Rosas

Las Rosas also boasts a Club House with a further restaurant, swimming pool, concierge services, tennis courts, football pitches and spa

A 5-star boutique Apartment Hotel is set within 770 acres of beautiful Argentinean countryside, close to the cosmopolitan capital, Buenos Aires. The Hotel is set in a lakeside location and offers owners and visitors use of a swimming pool and spa, bar and restaurant, children’s playground, lounge and games room, water sports, gym ad conferencing facilities.

The Resort also boasts a Club House with further restaurant, swimming pool, concierge services, tennis courts, football pitches and spa and, of course, fabulous polo facilities including an equestrian school and livery stables, three polo fields and the Equestrian Club House.

With occupancy rates forecast at 90% by Year Four and up to 18.8% project net rental income, Lаs Rosas presents a high yielding, hassle-free property in Argentina with a viable exit strategy – the established local market. Part of the luxury lifestyle resort of the Camino Real Polo & Country Club, each Hotel Apartment is part of the 20-room luxury boutique hotel and will be delivered fully furnished to a very high standard. The apartments are priced from £87,500.

For more information contact Experience International on +44 (0)207 321 5858 or visit www.experience-international.com.

The architecturally elegant exterior of the château which is located in the Beaujolais region

Elegant in scale, architecturally exquisite and with beautiful views of surrounding vineyards, this magnificent château affords a sophisticated lifestyle in Beaujolais, one of France’s prettiest wine regions.

Between the villages of Saint-Amour and Fleurie in the hilly Beaujolais countryside and on the border of Burgundy, the prestigious 17th-century château mansion sits majestically in the middle of the region’s renowned vineyards.

Built in 1690, the château is a unique heritage property, steeped in history and the elegance of a bygone era. It has been occupied by several noble families, and it was also a postal relay station where Napoleon stopped for two days in 1811.

The château and vineyard estate exudes elegance and grandeur, reflecting the generous sense of space and sophistication. The property consists of a luxury château residence, wine-producing vineyards, a four bedroom guesthouse and a chapel. The gorgeou swimming pool is set in a tranquil spot in the midst of the grapevines.

The main building of the château has eleven bedrooms while there is also a four bedroom guesthouse

The main building has eleven bedrooms, and there are numerous reception areas such as sitting rooms, boudoirs, libraries, billiard rooms, dining rooms and a home cinema, which are all tastefully decorated and each having its own charm.

An interior courtyard

There are four beautiful fireplaces in the main house and one in the guest house. The exceptional kitchen, equipped with professional appliances, can cater for over 30 guests.

There are also wine cellars and a summer kitchen in an interior courtyard boasting a town fountain and a La Cornue barbecue.

This is a luxurious home where the new owner will find nothing has been overlooked

With a blend of fine architectural details and superb furnishings, this home is picture-perfect and is ready for immediate occupation; it is lavishly furnished, outfitted and decorated. Every detail has been taken care of, even a set of house linens and a complete “La Pléiade” collection in the libraries.

The mid-19th century St Suplice-style chapel is still consecrated and has been entirely renovated with its wonderful stained glass windows. A small cloister leads to a building providing a relaxation area with sauna and massage room as well as three more bedrooms.

The estate’s singular setting commands almost two hectares of grapevines surrounding the château. Its A.O.C. Moulin à Vent red wine, a single Gamay variety, is officially accredited as the ‘Vin de Bourgogne’ naming.

This home is impressive and is a quintessential trophy property for a celebrity, jet-setter, entrepreneur, wine enthusiast or savvy investor. Offered at €4.7 million, it is a solid investment with unlimited lifestyle potential and real estate value.

The Château and Vineyard estate for sale is available from Signature Residences Worldwide. For more information, go on-line at www.signatureresidencesworldwide.com or telephone: +44 (0)20 7095 8701

The final touches are being put to a group of former farm buildings which have been given a new lease of life as luxurious holiday homes set in an archetypal Tuscan rolling landscape of vineyards, olive groves and cypress trees. They are located alongside the sixteenth century former home in Montagnana of ancient Italian families linked to the Medici, just 24 km south-west of Florence in the Chianti wine region.

Pictured is one of the residences at Villa Bossi Pucci, set in a typical Tuscan landscape of vineyards, olive groves and cypress trees. There are regular flights from UK airports to Florence and Pisa. Florence Airport is 25 minutes by road from Villa Bossi Pucci and Pisa Airport is a one hour drive

The development, Villa Bossi Pucci, takes its name from the last family to have owned the property over four generations. It comprises six buildings arranged around a central piazza and converted to create 21 one-, two- and three-bedroom residences.

They are being sold on an innovative private residence club basis which enables purchasers to buy a one-tenth interest in a particular residence and then to have unlimited use of all the residences in that category, subject to reservation policies.

Peter Kempf International is handling sales for the Milan-based developer, Il Sasso srl. Explains Peter Kempf: “This is not fractional ownership, whereby an owner’s use of the property is limited to a fixed number of days each year; neither is it timeshare which may not have ownership in bricks and mortar.

“Members of a private residence club are joint owners of the actual building and yet have access to all residences in their category. Like the members of an equity golf country club wishing to book tee times, their use of the accommodation is limited only by the club’s reservation policies.

“In my view, this arrangement offers the best value lifestyle option for people who cannot justify the cost of purchasing and maintaining a holiday home abroad when, in reality, they will only use it for a few weeks each year.”

Current prices of a one-tenth interest range from €50,000 for a one-bedroom residence, €86,000 for a two-bedroom residence, rising to €100,000 for a three-bedroom residence. Purchasers can buy more than one interest if they wish to do so.

Described by Peter as ‘an ideal holiday location’, Villa Bossi Pucci is within easy reach of Florence and is accessible by local buses which run to the city every half hour. Other towns and cities that are easily accessible are San Gimignano (30 km), Vinci (35 km), Siena (50 km) and Pisa (60 km). Beaches on Italy’s west and east coasts are within a one-hour drive.

Rustic style of a Tuscan country house

Ready to occupy now, the residences have been planned and equipped to meet the needs and lifestyles of clients seeking luxurious short breaks and long holidays in a beautiful location. They include old wooden beams, stone fireplaces for log fires in winter, porticoes and other architectural features of the original farm buildings.

Floor areas of the one- and  two-storey air-conditioned, centrally-heated homes – some with mezzanines suitable for use as a study or children’s play area – range from 80 square metres for a one-bedroom residence to 150 square metres for a two-bedroom, two-bathroom residence and 180 square metres for a three-bedroom, three-bathroom residence.

Furnished in the rustic style of a Tuscan country house, featuring local ironwork and ceramics, every residence comes fully-equipped with everything needed for a weekend break or a long holiday, from beds to bottle-openers. Standard equipment includes a plasma TV, DVD player, radio, WIFI internet access and a telephone.

Available with each residence at Villa Bossi Pucci is underground car parking and secure climate-controlled storage facilities for personal effects – such as babies’ cots, children’s toys and clothes so that the luggage required when travelling from the UK is kept to a minimum.

For more information contact Peter Kempf International, telephone +44 (0) 20 3006 4980 or visit www.villabossipucci.com

Majestic Ocean Plaza in Gibraltar

In a rare opportunity, a handful of high floor two and three bedroom apartments in Ocean Village’s Grand and Majestic Ocean Plazas have been released back to the market for sale. Priced to sell from just £295,000, many are fully furnished with incredible views of Gibraltar and across to Africa. Since being released last week, seven properties have sold while the remaining ones are not expected to sit around for very long.

Brian Stevendale, Sales & Marketing Director for Ocean Village explains: “Currently there are no new residential schemes in progress within Gibraltar to meet a growing demand from people continually relocating to the Rock. These tend to be a mixture of buyers and those initially rent. Our strongest customers are local Gibraltarians who wish to live in Ocean Village and local investors who buy-to-let to the newcomers.

“We tend to sell out well before completion – both Grand and Majestic Ocean Plazas were 80 per cent sold on the first day of launch – this leaves a dilemma for those seeking upscale property. Our re-released 15th and 16th floor apartments are proving extremely interesting.”

Ocean Village was voted Best High Rise Development in Europe at the 2010 European Residential Property Awards in association with Bloomberg Television and it goes on to represent the continent in the World’s Best Finals at the end of November. “This reinforces that Gibraltar is indeed the success we all know it to be on a global stage,” explains Brian.

New residents

The residential Plazas at Ocean Village attract an elite set of buyers from within the Rock and across the world, including many extremely wealthy individuals who cannot resist the fiscal advantages of becoming resident in Gibraltar. Ocean Village also ticks boxes for new residents of Gibraltar who have relocated to work in the many gaming, financial services and entertainment enterprises attracted by the Rock’s low-tax environment.

A view of an apartment at Ocean Village, Gibraltar

This final market will only get larger as projects such as the 15,000m² World Trade Centre Gibraltar, another Ocean Village venture, come to fruition.

Grand and Majestic Ocean Plazas deliver accommodation with high spec fixtures and fittings alongside abundant on-site facilities from Jacuzzis to an oasis of seven swimming pools and a state-of-the-art Health Club to secure underground parking.

On top, residents are able to savor all the action within Ocean Village’s confines such as the Gala Casino, fine dining in a wide range of restaurants and the ultimate in status symbols – a berth for the mega-yacht

For further information on both property and berths contact Ocean Village’s Sales & Marketing Director Brian Stevendale on brian.stevendale@oceanvillage.gi or visit www.oceanvillage.gi.

In the 2010 European Residential Property Awards in association with Bloomberg Television, Ocean Village:

·     Best High Rise Development EUROPE

·     Best High Rise Development Gibraltar – Five Star

·     Best Marina Development Gibraltar – Highly Commended

It would be difficult to leave this magical view

Foreign visitors’ penchant to invest in bricks and mortar in the most sought-after areas is on the up. In the rather ‘soggy’ aftermath of the global recession, is the high-end seafront property not affected?

Audrey Matthews, director of Ronnie Matthews Estates which specialises in waterfront and seaboard properties along the Atlantic coastline says: “There was definitely a hiatus in the last year in the exponential growth in property prices we were experiencing. But it was the least affected area, stabilising rather than dropping in price.

“The property interest has been kickstarted again by South Africa’s recent showcase – The World Cup 2010. Afro-pessimism was replaced by a general feeling of goodwill and although there are still enormous challenges in this country, it has not seen such positive international press for a very long time.”

Matthews adds that although the property market can be described as ‘buoyant’ on the coastline, the buyer is more cautious and the growth expectation more realistic and rational than witnessed a few years ago. She adds, “Buyers are approaching the investment in this kind of property in a scientific, rather than emotional way. They look at investment and yields and weigh it up against alternative investment avenues and then they buy.”

Aspirational lifestyle

More often than not, these are properties on the coast with magnificent sea views and within walking distance of the beach. Not only is it an aspirational lifestyle for many, but also offers an exceptional long-term investment opportunity. The Atlantic Seaboard is a favourite.

These spectacular penthouses are very much ‘next generation’ and blend in with the environment

It is prime coastal property in Cape Town – a picturesque sweep of coastline where the Twelve Apostle mountain range slopes down to meet the ocean on the western side of the Cape peninsula. The rich cultural heritage and diversity adds piquancy to the Cape and offers property buyers ideal holiday and rental options on their properties.

And it’s not just the areas like Clifton, Camps Bay, Bakoven and Bantry Bay that are coveted by foreigners and locals alike. “The area around Mouille Point between Granger Bay and Sea Point have joined the ranks of blue chip investment and the demand has totally outstripped the supply.”

Slow but steady economic expansion in South Africa is fuelling the strong demand for more holiday properties, while increased international tourism is being boosted by government incentives to encourage further foreign investors into the country.

This is partly due to the fact that many Europeans consider Cape Town to be not only a destination for holidays, but also the place of choice for retirement or permanent homes. Here they find a wide range of well-priced properties in beautiful coastal resorts. High rental demands due to the rapidly expanding growth in tourism, coupled with the exchange rate between the South African Rand and other major currencies favours property purchase.

Capital economic growth is predicted to maintain a steady rate and keep stable over the next ten years. Developers are adding to investment incentive by guaranteeing rental returns for periods to encourage investment. One example is Ebb Tide in Bali Bay located in the prime position in Bakoven on the Atlantic seaboard. These spectacular penthouses designed by Greg Wright, are ‘next generation’ and blend in seamlessly with the environment.

Rental division

Capital growth and a yield based on conservative and realistic projections is topped with finance schemes i.e. different deposit structures based on 8% guaranteed rental return for two years. For this reason the investment needs little subsidising and can quite quickly be paid off.

Furthermore, a ‘hassle free’ investment is offered for the first two years as the developers guarantee the yield and hand the investment over in perfect condition after two years, then Ronnie Matthews Estates supports the rental thereafter with their in-house rental division and forward marketing strategy plan.

The Ebb Tide apartments are stylish, serviced, more often than not have a concierge and generally offer a far more relaxing environment than the relative austerity of a hotel

Ronnie Matthews Estates has noticed a growing trend among wealthy travellers to choose private, fully serviced luxury apartments over the standard mass offerings that the big hotel groups offer and investors are buying them. Not only are luxury apartments like these generally much better appointed but they also allow you more privacy and flexibility, whether you want to enjoy sundowners or relax between business meetings.

Ebb Tide was developed by Old Town Investments with over a 20-year proven track record, and they are offering a five-year building guarantee from DDC.

Two units are available:

102 – 203m2 – 2-beds, 2-baths, infinity rim flow pool, two parking bays, one storeroom, fully furnished

202 – 282m2 – 3-beds, 3-baths, infinity glass rim flow pool, two parking bays, one storeroom, fully furnished

Ebb Tide was also designed as an environmentally friendly ‘green building’, complete with solar heating and special power-saving technology.

For more information go online at: www.ronniematthewsestates.co.za