The Maltese islands are situated at the heart of the Mediterranean some 90km south of Sicily. The islands are a melting pot of civilisations and have experienced a fascinating history stretching back thousands of years. The country has been inhabited since around 5,500BC and a significant prehistoric civilisation existed on the islands prior to the arrival of the Phoenicians who, it is said, named the main island Malat, meaning ‘safe haven’. Later the islands were for centuries the seat o...

Burned by grand and audacious real estate projects, which became financial burdens when market bubbles burst three years ago, property developers in the Gulf are putting more emphasis on mundane but affordable housing.

Their motives are mainly economic, but they are being encouraged by governments who are trying to improve mass living standards after this year’s political unrest in the region. A chronic lack of affordable, quality housing for growing populations was one factor behind...

A question on many investors’ lips today is “Where is safe to invest?” With the fall out of the global economic crisis of recent years and new threats of a double dip recession, this question is ever more important.

The stock market has witnessed extreme volatility since 2000, affected by events such as various terror attacks including 9/11, the economic crisis of 2008, major corporations going into liquidation and bank debt passed on to governments already crippled by debt. More...

How many of you have put your dream of emigrating on the back burner due to financial concerns? Hazarding a guess, I’d say a fair few. Moving abroad without a steady income, whether it be from a local job you’ve found, a UK pension or other means, would be a gamble for anyone. But for some of us, with a bit of organising and courage, there could be a solution – working remotely.

The age of the Internet, email and Skype has opened up all sorts of opportunities, one being the abili...

The upmarket Caribbean islands of Turks and Caicos have enjoyed a definite upswing in the last decade. Sotheby’s International Realty offers some of the most sought-after properties on the local market.

The beautiful destination that is the Turks and Caicos Islands boasts a catalogue of advantages: crystal clear waters lined with pristine beaches, spectacular coral reefs and tropical flora and fauna are only some of its characteristics. As a British Crown Colony, the locale is pol...

Since restoring our first property well over 10 years ago, and having helped many clients create their own dream homes along the way, my husband and I decided that it would be rather fun and a good investment to have another go at restoring a dilapidated property for ourselves. It wasn’t quite the right time for us to be undertaking a big restoration project, but we felt it was definitely something that we wanted to get working on. We decided Lake Como was the right location for us and bega...

Sun River Ranch, Montana, USA, $12,700,000.

Located 20 miles west of Augusta, this 3,000+ acre private retreat (1,539+ deeded) lies alongside 3.5 miles of the Sun River – on both sides – and offers a dramatic setting at the base of the Rocky Mountains, just minutes from foot and horseback access to an enormous wilderness complex. The views over Castle Reef and Scapegoat Mountain are breathtaking. The ranch is easily accessible from nearby Augusta (20 miles east) wi...

When you think about it there can’t be all that many properties on the planet that can boast sweeping views of an entirely different continent. However, Norman and Pam Bailey’s three-bedroom villa situated in the foothills of Andalusia’s Cordón Montañoso del Litoral (Coastal Mountain Range) is one of the few that can.

On a clear blue morning in late summer, with temperatures already creeping towards 30˚C, the amazing panorama from the spacious terraced balcony, in front of the...

Cala Codolar, San José, Ibiza (above)
Six-bedroom villa
Guest apartment | Plot size 3,300m2 | Price €2,500,000
A sumptuous six-bedroom, six-bathroom villa located in a quiet residential area. The property has been stylishly refurbished and is situated close to the beaches of Cala Codolar and Cala Conta. The house has a large swimming pool, terraces, summer dining room and gardens.

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Simply mentioning Japan evokes imagery of beautifully crafted temples, geisha, futuristic buildings, kimonos, ninjas, and stretches of rice fields. Nothing beats the uniqueness of the charm this spectacular country has to offer.

There are endless incentives for buying in Japan. Those visiting the country can find enjoyment in the fast-paced lifestyle and culture of Tokyo and Osaka, the country’s rural beauty near the coast, and the intriguing and respectful ways of the Japanese peop...

“If God were to come down to earth, he would seek shelter in Provence” – Henri Matisse. This region is legendary; from the glamour of Saint-Tropez, Nice and Cannes to the wilds of the Luberon’s sloping vineyards and lavender fields. A former Roman province in what is now south-eastern France, Provence is beautifully situated between the Mediterranean Sea and Mt. Ventoux.

An area of outstanding natural beauty, the Camargue, with its wild horses is my favourite pocket of Provence...

With the current world economic climate as it is, many people are asking the question ‘is it the right time to be buying a property abroad’?  The answer to this question is definitely yes.  And here is why.

With stock markets in turmoil, banks offering no real interest on savings and stagnant home markets, Italy can offer good opportunities for the longer term investment.

Mortgages for both purchase and renovation are readily available to foreign buyers at excellent rates....

Key West, the southernmost outpost of the United States, and the last little island in the chain of the Florida Keys, has always been a thriving hub for America’s artists and bohemians, attracted by its easy-going, Caribbean-tinged nature. It’s also what attracted Dean Carlson to make his home here in the heart of the historic old town.

Up until mid-morning the centre of Key West looks very much like the centre of any attractive neighbourhood in middle of the United States. The ver...

Surrounded by crystal clear, turquoise waters and golden beaches, with a breathtaking mountain-view under its deep blue sky, the Theseus Village development has all that is needed to bring a bit of heaven to earth. Although only 10 minutes from the hustle and bustle of Heraklion the Theseus complex, with its tranquil and relaxing ambience, offers a unique opportunity to investors and is suitable as a holiday or permanent residence.

“Everything has to be flawless. Only perfection is g...

The first feeling a foreigner experiences when travelling to Malta is that of being welcome. Malta, a small but beautiful island in the middle of the Mediterranean, with a population of around 420,000, is pleasant and warm; a safe, secure place enriched with an exceptional cultural and historical heritage. It has proven itself to be an enduringly popular destination over the years.

The Maltese archipelago lies at the centre of the Mediterranean, 93km south of Sicily. It consists of thr...