Money

Britain’s economy may be in recession but its currency is flying high. The Pound has strengthened against a basket of international currencies, according to figures compiled by foreign exchange specialists, Moneycorp, meaning British buyers of overseas property can get much more bang for their buck. Well, Pound anyway.

Sterling’s solid performance against the Euro has grabbed most of the headlines – it’s up 8.6% on this time last year. But that’s small beer compared to the Pound’s extraordinary 18% appreciation against the Indian Rupee, or its 17.7% increase against the Brazilian Real.

Other countries are also offering substantially better value thanks to the soaring Pound. Anyone relocating to South Africa will see their Pounds go 14.1% further against the Rand, while Brits buying in Sri Lanka can enjoy an exchange rate that’s 15.1% better than it was in May 2011.

Meanwhile, anyone looking for a pied-à-terre in Poland or Prague will see their Pound buy 15.9% more Polish Zloty and 12.6% more Czech Koruna respectively than it did this time last year.

The following table shows the top countries where your Pound will currently stretch further compared to 12 months ago:

* 2012 rate taken at 9.50am on 8/5/2012

** 2011 currency rate – taken as average during period 9/5/11 to 14/5/11

But it’s not all one-way traffic. Moneycorp data shows that the Pound has weakened 4% against the Chinese Yuan and 3.8% against the Kenyan Shilling relative to this time last year. And for anyone buying in the US, the Pound is worth 1.2% less against the US Dollar than May 2011.

Alex Lawson, senior broker at Moneycorp, commented: ”Everyone’s talking about how the Pound is soaring against the Euro and that’s understandable given the continuing question marks over the single currency’s future.

“While the EU is by far the most popular place for Brits to buy a second home, Sterling’s strength has made a purchase far more attractive in other countries, too.

“17.7% on the Brazilian Real and just over 14% on the Rand gives anyone buying in those countries significantly more purchasing power.”

The show is returning for the 14th year, to Sandown Park Surrey from 30 June – 1 July 2012 with newer, bigger and better ways to inspire visitors

Planning is an integral part of building or renovating your own home and it can make or break your project.  For the first time, The Southern Homebuilding & Renovating Show, has a dedicated Planning Clinic where visitors can get free, impartial advice from planning expert and Chartered Town Planner, Sally Tagg on applications and appeals to help you avoid unnecessary delays with your planned projects.

This year, will also see Paul Puccioni join as a new guest expert. He is the current Master Builder on Channel 4′s home makeover series ‘The Renovation Game’.  With a keen interest in self-build designs and over 25 years experience of working in the building trade, Paul’s master classes at the show will enable visitors to discover what each trade does, how they work together and how each different trade prices up jobs.

With over 200 exhibitors from the UK’s leading self-build and renovating companies, thousands of new products and services, visitors can be assured that they’ll find everything for their projects –  and all under one roof!

This year, there will be 16 free seminars and 24 master classes offering visitors a fantastic opportunity to enjoy advice from the country’s leading experts covering topics such as finding a plot, keeping build costs down, how to make your home more sustainable and extension ideas

Homebuilding & Renovating Magazine experts will be joined by leading professional bodies at the ‘Ask the Experts’ stand to help guide your project from start to finish. Bring along your drawings for a one-to-one consultation and receive helpful advice on how to enhance your project.

Share the real life experiences of our experts and hear how to avoid common pitfalls of self-build and renovating projects. The panel includes Michael Holmes (editor-in-chief of Homebuilding & Renovating Magazine and home improvement expert); Jason Orme (editor of Homebuilding & Renovating Magazine and home improvement expert); David Snell (consultant at the BBC and the Daily Telegraph’s bricks and mortar and self-build expert); Mark Brinkley (Homebuilding & Renovating Magazine contributing editor, home improvement expert and author of the House Builder’s Bible); Tim Pullen (eco expert at Homebuilding & Renovating Magazine); Sally Tagg (planning expert at Homebuilding & Renovating Magazine) and Paul Puccioni (co-writer and founder of The Building Sheriff and current Master Builder on Channel 4’s ‘The Renovation Game’).

For more information and tickets, visit www.homebuildingshow.co.uk or call the ticket hotline on 0845 581 1377. Tickets are £5 in advance or £8 on the door (children under 16 go free).

 Free tickets

In collaboration with the Southern Homebuilding & Renovating Show (which is taking place at Sandown Park, Surrey from 30 June – 1 July 2012), www.homesandtravel.co.uk has 50 pairs of free  tickets (worth £16 per pair) available for readers who fill in the Comment Form at the bottom of this article.

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.

The Alila Villas Bintan resort will be constructed to strict Earthcheck environmental standards

Alila Hotels & Resorts is to open two new properties in Indonesia in 2014 – Alila Villas Bintan and Alila Seminyak in Bali. Ground breaking ceremonies have been held at both properties as work gets underway with both scheduled to launch in 2014.

Set in a beautiful hillside location on the idyllic Lagoi Bay on Pulau Bintan only 45 minutes by ferry from Singapore, Alila Villas Bintan will become the third addition to the Alila Villas brand, which has established itself as a leader in design and style at award-winning sister properties Alila Villas Soori and Alila Villas Uluwatu in Bali.

Developed by Bukit Uluwatu Villa and designed by architectural firm WOHA, which gained international acclaim for the design of Alila Villas Uluwatu, Alila Villas Bintan will also be constructed to strict Earthcheck environmental standards, merging with the island’s natural landscape of palm fringed beaches, pristine forest, secluded coves and the South China sea.

The 14.4 hectare gated development will comprise 12, three-bedroom beachfront residences and a luxury boutique resort with 52, one- and two-bedroom guest villas and state-of-the-art resort facilities.

Key to the development will be ‘The Village’ an additional four-hectare hub for arts, culture, culinary and wellness activities for guests and visitors alike.

World class resorts

The resort pool at Alila Villas Bintan

Two- and three-bedroom villas at Alila Villas Bintan are now available for purchase from US$ 1,800,000. Attractive ownership options are also available including revenue sharing and the possibility to the sell the unit back to the developer at the original purchase price.

Alila Hotels & Resorts’ second project, Alila Seminyak, will become the fifth Alila managed property on the island, will be set in the hippest hub of Bali and is planned to be a prime beach frontage resort comprising of 72 suites, 69 residences, extensive events space, a Spa Alila and restaurants. The resort will be distinguished by its innovative design and architecture based on a rice paddy field concept, with green spaces dominating the interiors and exteriors to create both a natural and stylish oasis.

Mark Edleson, President of Alila Hotels & Resorts commented: “We are delighted to have made these first important steps in adding two new world-class resorts to our portfolio. Our growth is centred around finding interesting environments and cultures in which to sensitively develop properties that are in tune with the physical environments and both our expansion in Bali and first foray onto Bintan suit this perfectly.”

For further information visit http://www.alilavillasbintan.com and www.alilahotels.com

Lifestyle Collection

The exterior of a two bedroom property at Alila Villas Bintan

Alila Hotels and Resorts offer stylish, relaxing environments with different lifestyle concepts and guest experiences that are continuously redefined by the latest developments in design and living. The name Alila is derived from Sanskrit meaning ‘surprise’.

Alila Villas represent Alila’s new generation of luxurious yet sustainable developments in some of the most spectacular locations offering an unprecedented level of private space, design and architecture, personalised hospitality and destination experiences that set it apart.

Designed by award-winning teams of architects, interior designers and artisans, an Alila Villas project is the only brand that is designed, built and operated to Earth Check standards – integrating the natural, physical and cultural elements of its environment.

Currently, Alila is continuing to develop new hotels and resorts in China, India, Indonesia, Indochina, Oman, Vietnam and Portugal.

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).